John Carradine Celebrates 400th Film (1969) 🇺🇸

Carradine was appearing in a promotional film for the City of Buena Park and was performing his lines flawlessly in front of the excited spectators with his usual dose of charm and grace.

by John Ringo Graham

Throughout his career in motion pictures which has spanned more than 30 years and some 389 roles (he doesn’t count TV or theatrical productions) he has been closely associated with the San Fernando Valley. He would come to the valley with his friends on motorcycles in the happy pre-war years, and one of his ten sons lives there now.

The star is intensely proud of his boys. All of them have carved successful lives for themselves. Among the roster of Carradine offspring he can find an architect, a lawyer, two actors, a dentist, a law student, and a carefree soul wandering from country to country, exploring the world.

Recently a lifelong dream of the actor was fulfilled when David, one of the youngest members of his clan appeared in a picture with him. “The Good Guys and the Bad Guys”, now in current release, has been given top reviews by critics and special note was given to the two Carradine’s. Since then, David appeared in “Young Billy Young” with Robert Mitchum, also in current release in the valley.

A treasured momento of Carradine is the star off the dressing room door of his son, when the youth appeared in a Broadway show following his footsteps. At Orange County, Carradine made a starring appearance in Buena Park — Just For Fun a promotional movie for the city which will be screened in 300 U.S. cities this spring. It is the first time a Southern California Chamber of Commerce has made a film with a star of Carradine’s stature in the title role. And one of the first screenings will be held in the valley.

Throughout his life, Carradine has been excited by the theatre. In the early days of his apprenticeship, he would stroll back and forth in front of the Broadway department store at Hollywood and Vine where catching his reflection in the windows, he would recite Shakespeare by the hour to the delight of people passing by.

As a child, a German step father beat him regularly and one day the man opened the door and told the youth, “Get out!” He did, and shortly afterwards the man died ending this troubled period of his life. His mother died a few months later. As resourceful and ambitious young actor he first found work in Boston where he got the smell of grease paint in his blood. From then on, he was never interested in anything but acting.

Because of his early stage experience and resonate voice, Carradine was able to find Shakespearean roles to play frequently. The Bard is never far from his conversation today, as a result on this early training. Even when chatting with friends or business acquaintances, he is likely to pop in some prose of the famous English playwright to make his points.

During the late 1920’s, Carradine met Boris Karloff, another struggling young actor who also had a hard time finding anything to eat on a regular basis. The two men appeared in several legitimate shows around Los Angeles and were great friends throughout their long careers. Karloff remembered the struggles of Carradine and recommended him for parts in the various horror films he was becoming famous for in the depression. Both men made a reputation in this field. But even though he liked the money, he was happy to make other pictures.

Still Carradine was more interested in straight dramatic work and sought the serious roles then available rather than continue in the lucrative, but low prestige horror productions at Universal. Today he is in demand for college lectures on literature and spends much of the school year on tour at colleges and universities.

Besides Buena Park  — Just For Fun, Carradine has been signed for parts in “The Virginian,” and other upcoming television series this winter. His career is really in full swing as far as he is concerned. He isn’t concerned about to consider retirement. Even though he has quit the San Fernando Valley for the time being at least, he isn’t far away.

Ever since he appeared in Captains Courageous, with Spencer Tracy, Carradine has had a strong love for the sea. His present home, in Oxnard, is on the beach where the constant lapping of the ocean waves can be heard outside his front windows. His face is tanned a deep mahogany and rarely needs makeup, in fact he is proud of donning his favorite yachting cap, the star is the picture of an old sea dog whose face has been tanned by the elements.

On the set at Buena Park, Carradine met Alex Goodman, the chamber of commerce manager and was impressed by the ambitious plans Goodman outlined for the future development of activities in the city. Through his own years of public service and assistance in fund raising projects, Carradine was surprised at the fast moving pace Goodman has set for the Southland city.

Unlike many of his peers, Carradine is as busy today as he ever was. Commitments to TV, motion pictures and possible stage shows fill his slate of future roles. He is satisfied with past accomplishments, and looks forward to new heights to climb in the future. He is quite a man.

Quiet Study – Carradine, veteran of 389 movie roles, reflects on his past work and looks forward to new worlds to conquer in the industry.

Anxious Fan – A lady tourist from Canada asks Carradine for an autograph during a pause in shooting Buena Park  — Just For Fun.

Pioneer Resident – Mrs. Coda, a pioneer resident of Buena Park, posed with Carradine shortly after lunch in her restaurant. One of the first residents of Buena Park, Mrs. Coda is now a good friend of the actor.

Collection: Hollywood Studio Magazine, December 1969