John Lund (actor)

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John Lund (February 6, 1911 – May 10, 1992) was an American film, stage, and radio actor who is probably best remembered for his role in the film A Foreign Affair (1948) and a dual role in To Each His Own (1946).[1]

According to one obituary, his "film career was cut to a familiar pattern: the young actor imported to Hollywood after a big success on Broadway begins by playing the handsome guy who gets the girl, then descends by gradual degrees to being the male lead in minor westerns and occasionally, in major films, being the handsome guy who does not get the girl because he lacks the spark of the hero who does."[2]

Early life

John Lund's father, Edward M. Lund, was a Norwegian immigrant and glassblower in Rochester, New York. His mother, Rose A. Mooney, was born in Columbus, Ohio. Lund did not finish high school,[3] and he tried several businesses before settling on advertising in the 1930s. His jobs included being "a soda-jerk, carpenter and timekeeper".[4]

Career

Stage

While working for an advertising agency, he was asked by a friend to appear in an industrial show for the 1939 World's Fair. As a result, he served as stage manager of Railroad on Parade at the fair and played several roles in the production.[5] Before moving to New York City he had appeared in several amateur productions in Rochester.[6]

He began acting professionally by appearing on Broadway in a production of William Shakespeare's As You Like It (1941) alongside Alfred Drake.

He wrote the book and lyrics for Broadway's New Faces of 1943 (1943), as well as appearing in the production.[7] That same year, he performed as O'Connor in Early to Bed at the Broadhurst Theatre.[8]

It was his work as Yank in the play The Hasty Heart (1945) that got him recognized by Hollywood[4] and led to a long-term film contract with Paramount Pictures.[9][10]

Radio

Lund had the title role in the serial Chaplain Jim on the Blue Network in the early 1940s.[11] Lund also played Johnny Dollar in the radio show Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, taking over from 1952 until 1954.[12][13]

Film

Lund was vice-president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1950 to 1959.[14][3]

Paramount

File:John Lund by A. L. Whitey Schafer 2.jpg
John Lund (1945)

Lund's first film had him as star To Each His Own (1946) with Olivia de Havilland for Paramount, in which he played dual roles. It was written and produced by Charles Brackett and was critically and commercially successful.[15]

Paramount cast Lund as Betty Hutton's leading man in The Perils of Pauline (1947), another hit.[16] He was one of many Paramount stars who made cameos in Variety Girl (1947).[15] In the Billy Wilder film A Foreign Affair (1948), Lund was a romantic lead for Marlene Dietrich and Jean Arthur.[17][15]

He supported Edward G. Robinson in Night Has a Thousand Eyes (1948). Brackett gave him the lead in a comedy Miss Tatlock's Millions (1948). He played Alfonso I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara in Bride of Vengeance (1949) alongside Paulette Goddard and MacDonald Carey, following the suspension of Ray Milland;[18] the film was largely ill-received by critics.[19][20][21]

Hal Wallis used him in My Friend Irma (1949) as Al, boyfriend of Irma (Marie Wilson). The film is remembered, however, for introducing Martin and Lewis (Jerry Lewis had meant to play the role of Al but realized he was miscast).

He supported Barbara Stanwyck in No Man of Her Own (1950) and reprised his performance as Al in My Friend Irma Goes West (1950). Paramount announced Union Station for him[22] but William Holden ended up playing it.

Lund played the false love interest in Duchess of Idaho (1950) for MGM; the film featured Esther Williams and Van Johnson in the leads.

Brackett gave him another good role in The Mating Season (1951), alongside Gene Tierney, Miriam Hopkins, and Thelma Ritter. He was Joan Fontaine's leading man in Darling, How Could You! (1951).[23]

Paramount wanted to loan him to Universal for Week-End with Father but he refused and was put on suspension.[24]

Universal

Lund left Paramount for Universal, where he was Ann Sheridan's leading man in Steel Town (1952), replacing Jeff Chandler.

He co-starred with Chandler in The Battle at Apache Pass (1952) and Scott Brady in Bronco Buster (1952) then was reunited with Sheridan in Just Across the Street (1952).[25]

Republic

He was top billed in Woman They Almost Lynched (1953), a western.

Lund played another false love interest at MGM Latin Lovers (1953) with Lana Turner.

He made a series of westerns: White Feather (1955), at Fox, second billed to Robert Wagner; Five Guns West (1955), the first film directed by Roger Corman, at ARC; Chief Crazy Horse (1955) with Victor Mature at Universal; and Dakota Incident (1956) with Linda Darnell at Republic.

Around this time he was also in a war film at Columbia, Battle Stations (1956), and he played Grace Kelly's fiancé George in MGM's High Society, the musical remake of The Philadelphia Story.

He was top billed in Affair in Reno (1957) for Republic. His last performances included support performances in The Wackiest Ship in the Army (1960) at Columbia and If a Man Answers (1962) at Universal.

Personal life

Lund was married to Marie Charton, who was an actress and a model.[26]

Later years

Lund retired from acting in 1962 to his home in Coldwater Canyon. He died from a heart condition in 1992.[14]

Partial filmography

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Broadway appearances

  • As You Like It (October 20, 1941 – October 25, 1941) in the ensemble cast
  • New Faces of 1943 (December 22, 1942 – March 13, 1943) as various roles; writer of the book and lyrics
  • Early to Bed (June 17, 1943 – May 13, 1944) as O'Connor
  • The Hasty Heart (January 3, 1945 – June 30, 1945) as Yank

Partial radio appearances

Year Program Episode/source
1946 Hollywood Star Time The Lady Eve[27]
1946 Suspense "A Plane Case of Murder"[28]
1952 Screen Guild Theatre The Mating of Millie[29]
1952 Hollywood Star Playhouse The Word[30]
1953 Lux Radio Theatre Lady in the Dark[31]
1953 Theatre Guild on the Air O'Halloran's Luck''[32]
1953 Broadway Playhouse Salty O'Rourke[33]
1958 Suspense Old Time's Sake[34]

References

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External links

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  1. ↑ John Lund, 81; Radio, Stage and Film Actor (Los Angeles Times. May 12, 1992)
  2. ↑ John Lund; Obituary – The Times; London. May 13, 1992.
  3. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Open access
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Open access
  6. ↑ Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper, March 6, 1946, also Rochester Times Union newspaper, March 8, 1946; both articles are archived in the 1944–1946 Scrapbook of the Rochester Community Players collection, Local History Department, Rochester Public Library
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ "Musical Comedy to Open Tonight: Richard Kollmar Will Present 'Early to Bed,' in Which He Plays Featured Role." New York Times. June 17, 1943: 16.
  9. ↑ The Life Story of John Lund Picture Show; London Vol. 51, Iss. 1305, (December 28, 1946): 12.
  10. ↑ Paramount Snatches John Lund From Stage: Sol Lesser First Will Stage Then Produce 'God's Front Porch' as Film Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times January 16, 1945: A9.
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b c John Lund Baffled by Rise to Stardom Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times September 26, 1948: D1.
  16. ↑ "Top Grossers of 1947", Variety, 7 January 1948 p. 63
  17. ↑ "Top Grossers of 1948", Variety 5 January 1949 p. 46
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Scheuer, Philip K. "'Bride of Vengeance' Odd Cinematic Venture." Los Angeles Times. May 13, 1949: 23.
  20. ↑ Crowther, Bosley. "The Screen in Review: Paulette Goddard, Macdonald Carey Play Borgias in 'Bride of Vengeance,' at Paramount." New York Times. April 7, 1949: 38.
  21. ↑ Coppinger, John M. "Need Escape? Try 'Bride of Vengeance'." The Washington Post. June 24, 1949: C7.
  22. ↑ Paramount Movie to Star John Lund: 'Union Station,' Based on Story by Thomas Walsh, Scheduled for Early Next Year Special to The New York Times. Oct 17, 1949: 18.
  23. ↑ Drama: John Lund Will Play in Loan-out Feature Los Angeles Times March 1, 1951: A6.
  24. ↑ Metro Plans Film of Spy Melodrama: 'Eye Street' Concerns an 'Iron Curtain' Embassy in Capital – John Lund Suspended of Local Origin. Thomas F. Brady, Special to New York Times March 7, 1951: 43.
  25. ↑ Drama: Lund, Jeff Chandler Set as Costars; New Deal Matures Out of 'Well' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times11 June 1951: B9.
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Open access
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Open access
  28. ↑ http://www.escape-suspense.com/2009/08/suspense-a-plane-case-of-murder.html Template:Open access
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Open access
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Open access
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Open access
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Open access
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Open access
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Template:Open access
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