Sunday, May 4, 2014, 8:50 am — Just finished The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, 1936 … first feature film shot in Technicolor outdoors. Pristine color (recently purchased the DVD). Henry Fonda‘s fourth film. Beulah Bondi … Above and beyond all that goodness, I HAD to find out more about Fred Stone (Judd Tolliver, head of the Tolliver clan) …
Who is he, who is he, who is he? … Katharine Hepburn‘s beleagured father in Alice Adams, 1935 … His first of 11 sound films. His last, The Westerner, 1940.
Hot on the keyboard in pursuit of Fred Stone, 1873-1959, from my old standby, imdb.com:
“Hardly remembered today, if at all, Fred Stone was once one of the most multi-faceted circus performers to hit turn-of-the century America. There seemed to be nothing he couldn’t do–tightrope walking, acrobatics, clowning . . . you name it. This initial celebrity eventually led to his stellar headlining in vaudeville houses, stardom on the Broadway musical stage and character lead work in films.”
“Became famous as the Scarecrow in the 1902-1906 stage production of The Wizard of Oz, paired with David Craig Montgomery who played the Tin Woodsman. His performance inspired Ray Bolger, who based his performance on Stone’s incredible physical performances.”
“A very close friend of humorist Will Rogers … Fred and Rogers would sometimes appear on the same vaudeville bill and shared a mutual love of steer roping, polo, flying and even bulldogging. One of Will’s children was named Fred Stone Rogers.”
“Uncle of Gunsmoke (1955) actor Milburn Stone (“Doc” Adams).”
“A long-overdue biography of Fred Stone was published by Armond Fields in 2002″ … Just requested it via Summit! … Fred Stone: Circus Performer and Musical Comedy Star … Also, his autobiography, Rolling Stone, 1945.
That’s it! … He has a Scarecrow-esque quality of earnest yearning, to know more, be more, held back by a slight befuddlement (that word will have to do until I find the right one).
Left – On Broadway as the original Scarecrow, 1903, Wizard of Oz
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Left – With Will Rogers, 1879-1935, swapping stories, 1930; Right – Bulldogging, 1919, Cheyenne, Wyoming
Left – The Goat, 1918 – getting tough; Right – The Goat, 1918. Who’s standing behind Fred, wearing a straw hat? … Ramon Novarro! … an uncredited extra!
Left — “Fred Stone, an Old Favorite, Once More on Broadway”; Right — “Fred Stone, Wonderful Dad, 1873-1959″, grave marker, Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills).
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