Al Kikume

Al Kikume
Kikume in Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla, 1952
Born
Elmer Kikumi Gozier

(1894-10-09)October 9, 1894
Kauai County, Hawaii, U.S.
DiedMarch 27, 1972(1972-03-27) (aged 77)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other namesElmer Kikume
Occupation(s)Actor, stuntman, musician, bandleader
Years active1933–1954
Spouse(s)Virgil Edna Smith
(m. circa 1911;[1] died 1925[citation needed])
ChildrenBernard Kikume Gozier
(aka Bernie Gozier)[2]

Al Kikume (born Elmer Kikumi Gozier;[3] October 9, 1894 – March 27, 1972) was an American actor, musician, and bandleader of Hawaiian descent. He was a frequently featured musical performer—on radio,[4][5] preceding silent film screenings,[6] and at miscellaneous live events[7][5]—during the 1920s and early thirties, as well as a familiar face among supporting actors in Hollywood jungle movies during the thirties, forties and fifties.[8]

Early life and career

Kikume was born in Kauai County, Hawaii.[3] Known for his association with Honolulu's Royal Hawaiian Band, as well as revivals of the Broadway play, Bird of Paradise,[9] Kikume's first credited screen appearance was as "Chief Mehevi" in John Ford's The Hurricane (1937).[8]

Personal life and death

By no later than 1911, Kikume was married to Virgil Edna Smith, with whom he had one son, Bernard Kikume Gozier,[10] aka Bernie Gozier.[2] Gozier went on to have a substantial Hollywood career of his own, both as bit player and stuntman,[11] appearing in at least one film, Green Dolphin Street, alongside his father.[12]

Kikume died in Los Angeles on March 27, 1972.[13]

Partial filmography

References

  1. ^ "California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPH5-YTJN : Sat Mar 09 10:22:34 UTC 2024), Entry for Bernard Kikume Gozier and Albert Kikume Gozier, 21 January 1912
  2. ^ a b "Alaska Is Cold, But Music Is Hot". The Cincinnati Post. September 11, 1943. p. 9.
  3. ^ a b "United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V4D7-DXF : Sat Feb 24 02:27:30 UTC 2024), Entry for Elmer Kikumi Gozier, 1942.
  4. ^ "Radio Programs: Al Kikume – Hawaiian Orchestra". Oregon Journal. September 25, 1924. p. 25. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Hawaiian Players With Kline Known Well by Radio Fans". The Roeburg News-Review. May 19, 1925. p. 3. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  6. ^ "On Calgary's Silent Stages: Queen's Hawaiians at Capitol Theatre All Next Week; 'Cold Steel' Is Booked for the Capitol Theatre". Calgary Herald. August 13, 1921 p. 12. Retrieved November 22, 2024. See also:
  7. ^ "Entertain Clubmen" Albany Democrat-Herald. June 11, 1925. p. 2. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Al Kikume Filmography". American Film Institute.
  9. ^ "Sherman, Clay & Co.: Ukeleles – Kikume". The Oregon Daily Journal. November 8, 1926. p. 3. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  10. ^ "California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPH5-YTJN : Sat Mar 09 10:22:34 UTC 2024), Entry for Bernard Kikume Gozier and Albert Kikume Gozier, 21 January 1912.
  11. ^ Freese, Gene Scott (2014). Hollywood Stunt Performers, 1910s-1970s: A Biographical Dictionary, 2d ed.. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 109. ISBN 978-0-7864-7643-5.
  12. ^ Sorensen, Sterling (Nov 27, 1947). "Movies, Music, Shows in Madison: 'Green Dolphin Street'". The Madison Capital Times. p. 45. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  13. ^ "California, County Birth and Death Records, 1800-1994", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG64-KW58 : Fri Mar 08 17:17:16 UTC 2024), Entry for Elmer K Gozier, 27 March 1972.
  14. ^ "Joyland Will Present 'Night in Honolulu'". The Grass Valley Union. March 3, 1932. p. 3. Retrieved November 22, 2024.


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