Hero of the Month: Tom Chatterton
One of the most recognized faces in B-westerns and serials, Chatterton got his start in William S Hart’s His Hour of Manhood (1914). Though he appeared in a few more films in the early days of the silents, like Soul Enslaved (1916) and The Price of Silence (1920), most of his time was spent on the stage.
Chatterton returned to film in the late thirties, where he became a dependable character actor in westerns and serials, usually playing a solid citizen who helps out the hero. His Westerns include Under Western Skies (1938), Raiders of the Range (1942), Stagecoach to Denver (1946) and Gun Law Justice (1949).
His serials career started with Republic’s Hawk of the Wilderness (1938), playing the scientist who leads an expedition to the uncharted island of the hero. His other Republic serials include Drums of Fu Manchu (1940), Captain America (1944), Zorro’s Black Whip (1944) and a small part at the end of Jesse James Rides Again (1947) playing a sheriff who lets the reformed outlaw go. His only non Republic serial was playing the owner of a stage line being targeted by Noah Berry, Sr in Universal’s Overland Mail (1942).
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