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Chester Morris

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Chester Morris
Chester Morris pg234.jpg
Morris in 1934
Born
John Chester Brooks Morris

February 16, 1901
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedSeptember 11, 1970 (aged 69)
New Hope, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Cause of deathBarbiturate overdose
OccupationActor
Years active1917–1970
Spouse(s)
    Suzanne Kilbourne
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1926; div. 1940)​
      Lillian Kenton Barker
      ​
      ​
      (m. 1940⁠–⁠1970)​
      Children3
      Parent(s)William Morris
      Etta Hawkins
      RelativesAdrian Morris (brother)

      John Chester Brooks Morris (February 16, 1901 – September 11, 1970) was an American stage, film, television, and radio actor. He had some prestigious film roles early in his career, and was nominated for an Academy Award. Chester Morris is best remembered today for portraying Boston Blackie, a criminal-turned-detective, in the modestly budgeted Boston Blackie film series of the 1940s.

      Early years[edit]

      Morris and Mae Marsh in The Beloved Traitor (1918)

      Chester Morris was born John Chester Brooks Morris in New York City, one of four surviving children of Broadway stage actor William Morris and stage comedian Etta Hawkins.[1] His siblings were screenwriter-actor Gordon Morris (1898–1940),[2] actor Adrian Morris (1907–1941), and actress Wilhelmina Morris (1902–1971).[3]:7,263 Another brother, Lloyd Morris (1892–1902), had died young.[3]:7

      Morris dropped out of school and began his Broadway career at 15 years old opposite Lionel Barrymore in The Copperhead.[4] He made his film debut in the silent comedy-drama film An Amateur Orphan (1917).[5]

      After appearing in several more Broadway productions in the early 1920s, Morris joined his parents, sister, and two brothers, Gordon and Adrian, on the vaudeville circuit.[6] From 1923, they performed William Morris' original sketch called All the Horrors of Home, which premiered at the Palace Theatre, New York, then on the Keith-Orpheum circuit for two years, including Proctor's Theatre, Mount Vernon, New York, and culminating in Los Angeles in 1925.[3]:12,304[7]:150 Morris returned to Broadway with roles in The Home Towners (1926) and Yellow (1927). While appearing in the 1927 play Crime, he was spotted by a talent agent and was signed to a film contract.[1]

      Career[edit]

      Morris (second from right) received an Oscar nomination for his performance as a gangster in Alibi (1929)
      Morris and Wallace Beery in The Big House (1930)
      File:Public Hero No1 Trailer.webm
      Public Hero No. 1 trailer (1935)

      Morris made his sound film debut in the 1929 film Alibi, for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor.[8] He followed with roles in Woman Trap (1929), The Case of Sergeant Grischa (1930) and The Divorcee, starring Norma Shearer in 1930. Later that year, Morris was cast as one of the leads (with Wallace Beery and Robert Montgomery) in the MGM prison drama The Big House. For the next two years, he worked steadily in films for United Artists and MGM and was cast opposite Jean Harlow in the 1932 comedy-drama Red-Headed Woman.[9]

      By the mid- to late 1930s, Morris' popularity had begun to wane and he was cast as the lead actor such B-movies as Smashing the Rackets (1938) and Five Came Back (1939).[5] In 1941, Morris' career was revived when he was cast as criminal-turned-detective Boston Blackie. Morris appeared in a total of 14 Boston Blackie films for Columbia Pictures, beginning with Meet Boston Blackie. He reprised the role of Boston Blackie for the radio series in 1944.[10] During World War II, Morris performed magic tricks in over 350 USO shows. He had been practicing magic since the age of 12 and was considered a top amateur magician.[11]

      While appearing in the Boston Blackie series, Morris continued to appear in roles in other films mostly for Pine-Thomas films for Paramount Pictures.[5] After appearing in 1949's Boston Blackie's Chinese Venture, the final Boston Blackie film, Morris largely retired from films.[4] During the 1950s, he focused mainly on television and theatre, returning to Broadway in 1954 in the comedy The Fifth Season.[12] During this time, Morris also appeared in guest spots for the anthology series Cameo Theatre, Lights Out, Tales of Tomorrow, Alcoa Premiere, Suspense, Danger, Robert Montgomery Presents, The Web, Phillip Morris Playhouse, Studio One, and Kraft Television Theatre. He briefly returned to films in 1955 with a role in the prison drama Unchained, followed by a role in the 1956 science-fiction horror film The She-Creature. In 1960, he had recurring role as Detective Lieutenant Max Ritter in the CBS summer replacement series, Diagnosis: Unknown. The series lasted a year, after which Morris appeared in the NBC television film A String of Beads. In November 1960, he returned to Broadway as Senator Bob Munson in the stage adaptation of the 1959 novel Advise and Consent. Morris remained with the production until it closed in May 1961. In October, he reprised his role for the touring production.[9]

      In the early to mid-1960s, Morris appeared in guest spots for the dramas Route 66, The Defenders, and Dr. Kildare. In 1965, he replaced Jack Albertson in the Broadway production of The Subject Was Roses.[5] He reprised his role in the play for the touring production in 1966.[13]

      Illness and death[edit]

      In mid-1968, Morris starred opposite Barbara Britton in the touring production of Where Did We Go Wrong?.[14] After the production wrapped, he returned to his home in Manhattan, where his health began to decline. Morris was later diagnosed with stomach cancer.[15] Despite his declining health, Morris began work on what was his last film role, as Pop Weaver in the biographical drama The Great White Hope (1970). The film was released after his death.[16][17] After filming wrapped, Morris joined the stage production of The Caine Mutiny Court Martial at the Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope, Pennsylvania.[11]

      On September 11, 1970, Lee R. Yopp, the producer and director of Caine, was scheduled to have lunch with Morris. After Yopp could not reach Morris by phone at his motel room, he went to Morris' room, where he found the actor's body lying on the floor.[14] The county coroner attributed Morris' death to an overdose of barbiturates.[14][18] His remains were cremated and scattered over a German river.[19]

      Personal life[edit]

      Morris and his wife Lillian in 1943

      Morris was married twice. He first married Suzanne Kilbourne on November 8, 1926. They had two children, John Brooks and Cynthia.[1] Kilbourne was granted an interlocutory divorce in November 1939 which was finalized on November 26, 1940.[20][21]

      On November 30, 1940, Morris married socialite Lillian Kenton Barker at the home of actor Frank Morgan.[22] They had a son, Kenton, born in 1944. The couple remained married until Morris' death in 1970.[4]

      Select theatre credits[edit]

      DateTitleRoleNotes
      February 18 – June 1918The CopperheadSam CarterShubert Theatre, New York City[23]
      September 22 – October 1918ThunderSam DisbrowCriterion Theatre, New York City[23]
      December 12, 1921 – April 1922The Mountain ManCareyMaxine Elliott Theatre, New York City[23]
      September 22 – October 1922The ExcitersLexington DalrympleTimes Square Theater, New York City[23]
      January 23 – February 1923ExtraWallace KingLongacre Theatre, New York City[23]
      August 23 – October 1926The Home TownersWaly CalhoonHudson Theatre, New York City[23]
      September 21, 1926 – January 1927YellowVal ParkerNational Theatre, New York City[23]
      February 22 – August 1927CrimeRocky MorseEltinge 42nd Street Theatre, New York City[23]
      February 20 – May 1928Whispering FriendsAl SheelerHudson Theatre, New York City[23]
      September 26 – October 1928Fast LifeChester PalmerAmbassador Theatre, New York City[23]
      September 5 – October 23, 1954The Fifth SeasonJohnny GoodwinCort Theatre, New York City
      Touring to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Chicago[12][24]
      February 27 – July 19, 1958Blue DenimMajor BartleyPlayhouse Theatre, New York City[23]
      November 17, 1960 – May 20, 1961Advise and ConsentBob MunsonCort Theatre, New York City[23]
      September 7, 1965 – May 21, 1966The Subject Was RosesJohn ClearyHelen Hayes Theatre, Henry Miller's Theatre and Belasco Theatre, New York City[23]

      Select filmography[edit]

      Poster for Alibi (1929)
      Poster for Corsair (1931)
      Poster for The Gay Bride (1934)
      Poster for Public Hero No. 1 (1935)
      Chester Morris, Lucille Ball, Casey Johnson and Kent Taylor in Five Came Back (1939)
      YearTitleRoleNotes
      1917An Amateur OrphanDick[25]
      1918The Beloved TraitorDan[25]
      1923Loyal LivesTom O'Hara[25]
      1925The Road to YesterdayExtra at party[25]
      1929AlibiChick WilliamsNominee, Academy Award for Best Actor[25][26]
      1929Fast LifePaul Palmer[25]
      1929Woman TrapRay Malone[25]
      1929The Show of ShowsCast member[25]
      1930Second ChoiceDon WarrenLost film[25]
      1930Playing AroundNickey Solomon[25]
      1930She Couldn't Say NoJerry CaseyLost film[25]
      1930The Case of Sergeant GrischaSgt. Grischa Paprotkin[25]
      1930The DivorceeTed[25]
      1930The Big HouseJohn Morgan[25]
      1930The Bat WhispersDetective Anderson[25]
      1931CorsairJohn Hawkes[25]
      1932Cock of the AirLieutenant Roger Craig[25]
      1932The Miracle ManJohn Madison, also known as Doc[25]
      1932Sinners in the SunJimmie Martin[25]
      1932Red-Headed WomanBill Legendre, Jr.[25]
      1933Blondie JohnsonDanny Jones[25]
      1933Infernal MachineRobert Holden[25]
      1933Tomorrow at SevenNeil Broderick[25]
      1933Golden HarvestChris Martin[25]
      1934Gift of GabHimself[25]
      1934The Gay BrideOffice Boy, also known as Jimmie Burnham[25]
      1934Society DoctorDr. Bill Morgan[25]
      1935Public Hero No. 1Jeff Crane[25]
      1935PursuitMitchell[25]
      1936Three GodfathersBob[25]
      1936Moonlight MurderSteve Farrell[25]
      1936Frankie and JohnnieJohnnie Drew[25]
      1937I Promise to PayEddie Lang[25]
      1937Flight From GlorySmith[25]
      1937Sunday Night at the TrocaderoHimselfShort subject
      1938Law of the UnderworldGene Fillmore[25]
      1938Sky GiantKen Stockton[25]
      1938Smashing the RacketsJim Conway[25]
      1939Pacific LinerDoc Craig[25]
      1939Blind AlleyHal Wilson[25]
      1939Five Came BackBill Brooks[25]
      1939Thunder Afloat"Rocky" Blake[25]
      1940The Marines Fly HighLt. Malone[25]
      1940Wagons WestwardDavid Cook/Tim Cook[25]
      1941Meet Boston BlackieBoston Blackie[25]
      1941No Hands on the ClockHumphrey Campbell[25]
      1941Confessions of Boston BlackieBoston Blackie[25]
      1942Alias Boston BlackieBoston Blackie[25]
      1942I Live on DangerJeff Morrell[25]
      1942Boston Blackie Goes HollywoodBoston Blackie[25]
      1942Wrecking CrewDuke Mason[25]
      1943TornadoPete Ramsey[25]
      1943After Midnight with Boston BlackieBoston Blackie[25]
      1943Aerial GunnerFoxy Pattis[25]
      1943The Chance of a LifetimeBoston Blackie[25]
      1944Gambler's ChoiceRoss Hadley[25]
      1944Secret CommandJeff Gallagher[25]
      1944One Mysterious NightBoston Blackie[25]
      1944Double ExposureLarry Burke[25]
      1945Boston Blackie Booked on SuspicionBoston Blackie[25]
      1945Boston Blackie's RendezvousBoston Blackie[25]
      1946A Close Call for Boston BlackieBoston Blackie[25]
      1946The Phantom ThiefBoston Blackie[25]
      1946Boston Blackie and the LawBoston Blackie[25]
      1947Blind SpotJeffrey Andrews[25]
      1948Trapped by Boston BlackieBoston Blackie[25]
      1949Boston Blackie's Chinese VentureBoston Blackie[25]
      1955UnchainedWarden Kenyon J. Scudder[25]
      1956The She-CreatureDr. Carlo Lombardi[25]
      1970The Great White HopePop Weaver[25]

      Select television credits[edit]

      YearTitleRoleNotes
      1951Starlight TheatreEd KennedyEpisode: "Act of God Nonwithstanding"
      1952Schlitz Playhouse of StarsThe DanskerEpisode: "Billy Budd"
      1952Lux Video TheatreLeftyEpisode: "Welcome Home, Lefty"
      1953OmnibusThe BattlerSegment: "The Battler"
      1955Appointment with AdventureLt. KizerEpisode: "Time Bomb"
      1957The Red Skelton HourTonyEpisode: "Clem's Fish Market"
      1957Dick Powell's Zane Grey TheatreFrank SimmonsEpisode: "Black Is for Grief"
      1957Playhouse 90WardenEpisode: "Child of Trouble"
      1958PursuitMoodEpisode: "Tiger on a Bicycle"
      1959The United States Steel HourHenry ViningEpisode: "Whisper of Evil"
      1960The Play of the WeekSwansonEpisode: "Morni
      1960Diagnosis: UnknownDetective Lieutenant Ritter3 episodes
      1960RawhideHugh ClementsEpisode: "Incident on the Road to Yesterday"
      1961Naked CityFrank ManfredEpisode: "Make-Believe Man"
      1961CheckmateAlbert DewittEpisode: " Portrait of a Man Running"
      1961Ben CaseyWalter TysonEpisode: "An Expensive Glass of Water"
      1962Eleventh HourFrankie MorrisonEpisode: "Along About Late in the Afternoon"
      1964EspionageHarry KempEpisode: "Castles in Spain"
      1964East Side/West SideWalt McGillEpisode: "The Name of the Game"
      1964Mr. BroadwayOrin KelseyEpisode: "Don't Mention My Name in Sheboygan"
      1965Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler TheatreMajor WhitmanEpisode: "The Fliers"
      1967Coronet BlueDr. Michael WilsonEpisode: "A Time to Be Born"
      1968Cimarron StripGeorge DeekerEpisode: "Without Honor"
      1969Gentle BenElsmoreEpisode: "Busman's Holiday"

      Select radio credits[edit]

      YearProgramNotes
      1944Boston BlackieStar of NBC series broadcast June 23 – September 15[27]}}
      1945Old Gold Comedy Theatre"Boy Meets Girl"[28]
      1946Suspense"The Strange Death of Gordon Fitzroy"[29]
      1952Philip Morris Playhouse"Each Dawn I Die"[30]

      References[edit]

      1. ^ Jump up to:a b c "Veteran Actor Chester Morris, 69". The Palm Beach Post. Palm Beach, Florida. September 12, 1970. p. 6.
      2. ^ Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory (softcover) (First ed.). Jefferson, NC, and London: McFarland. p. 141. ISBN 978-0-7864-0983-9.
      3. ^ Jump up to:a b c Nollen, Scott Allen; Nollen, Yuyun Yuningsih (2019). Chester Morris : His Life and Career (softcover) (First ed.). Jefferson, NC, and London: McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-7729-3.
      4. ^ Jump up to:a b c "Movies' 'Boston Blackie,' Chester Morris, Dies". Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania. September 12, 1970. p. 13.
      5. ^ Jump up to:a b c d (Blottner 2011, p. 51)
      6. ^ (Parish, Leonard 1976, p. 410)
      7. ^ Jones, Ken D.; McClure, Arthur F.; Twomey, Alfred E (1980) [First published 1976]. Character People : The Stalwarts of the Cinema (softcover) (Third softcover printing ed.). Secaucus, NJ: Citadel Press. ISBN 978-0-8065-0701-9.
      8. ^ (Morton, Adamson 2009, p. 86)
      9. ^ Jump up to:a b (Parish, Leonard 1976, p. 413)
      10. ^ (Young 2010, p. 241)
      11. ^ Jump up to:a b "Veteran Actor Chester Morris Found Dead". The Times-News. Hendersonville, North Carolina. September 12, 1970. p. 9. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
      12. ^ Jump up to:a b Francis, Bob (August 21, 1954). "Speaking of Legit". Billboard. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
      13. ^ "No Book---Says Chester Morris". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. November 8, 1966. p. 17. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
      14. ^ Jump up to:a b c (Parish, Leonard 1976, p. 414)
      15. ^ (Frasier 2002, p. 233)
      16. ^ "Chester Morris Back On Screen". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. October 1, 1969. p. 93. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
      17. ^ Canby, Vincent (June 20, 1971). "'Hope' Tackles Issues Of Today's World". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, Florida. p. 7B. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
      18. ^ "'Boston Blackie' Dies". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. September 12, 1970. pp. 4–A. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
      19. ^ (Rosen 2004, p. 188)
      20. ^ "Divorce Decree Given Wife Of Chester Morris". The Telegraph-Herald. November 12, 1939. p. 7.
      21. ^ "Marriage Not To Be Blocked". Warsaw Union. November 26, 1940. p. 8.
      22. ^ "Honeymoon Precedes Work of New Movie". The Miami News. December 1, 1940. p. 5-A.
      23. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Chester Morris". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
      24. ^ Calta, Louis (September 29, 1954). "Tour is Planned by 'Fifth Season'". The New York Times. Retrieved August 28,2016.
      25. ^ Jump up to:a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bdbe bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq "Chester Morris". AFI Catalog of Feature Films. American Film Institute. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
      26. ^ "The Official Academy Awards Database". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the originalon February 8, 2009. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
      27. ^ Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 110. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved September 19, 2019. Boston Blackie, Detective Drama.
      28. ^ "Those Were The Days". Nostalgia Digest. 40 (1): 32–39. Winter 2014.
      29. ^ http://www.escape-suspense.com/2008/11/suspense-the-strange-death-of-gordon-fitzroy.html
      30. ^ Kirby, Walter (April 20, 1952). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. p. 46. Retrieved May 9, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. open access

      Sources[edit]

      External links[edit]