John Lund (actor)

For other people named John Lund, see John Lund (disambiguation).
John Lund
Lund in 1948
Born(1911-02-06)February 6, 1911
Ithaca, New York, US
DiedMay 10, 1992(1992-05-10) (aged 81)
Los Angeles, California, US
Years active1938–1962
Spouse
Marie Lund
​
​
(m. 1942; died 1982)​

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 was a Norwegian immigrant and glassblower in Rochester, New York. 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

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

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

  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 Grimes, William (May 13, 1992). "John Lund, Actor, Is Dead at 81; Leading Man in 1940's and 50's (Published 1992)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Jobs upon a Time". The Kane Republican. The Kane Republican. September 20, 1948. p. 4. Retrieved June 14, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ Hopper, Hedda (September 26, 1948). "John Lund – He's 'New Look'". The Salt Lake Tribune. The Salt Lake Tribune. p. 95. Retrieved June 14, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  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. ^ Actor John Lund dead at 81 Associated Press. Las Vegas Review–Journal; Las Vegas, Nev. May 12, 1992: 1.f.
  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. Via Proquest.
  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. ^ Dunning, John (1998). On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio (Revised ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. p. 149. ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. Retrieved October 23, 2019.
  12. ^ Plotnik, Gene (December 20, 1952). "Television-Radio: Television Radio Reviews – Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar". The Billboard. Vol. 64, no. 51. p. 13 – via Proquest Entertainment Industry Magazine Archive.
  13. ^ Lane, Philip J. (2004). Sterling, Christopher H. (ed.). The Museum of Broadcast Communications Encyclopedia of Radio (PDF). New York: Fitzroy Dearborn. pp. 1589–1591.
  14. ^ a b "Obituaries". Variety. May 18, 1992. p. 78 – via Proquest Entertainment Industry Magazine Archive.
  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. ^ "Lund Switching Roles in Paramount's Mask". Variety. August 11, 1948. p. 9 – via Proquest Entertainment Industry Magazine Archive.
  19. ^ Scheuer, Philip K. "'Bride of Vengeance' Odd Cinematic Venture." Los Angeles Times. May 13, 1949: 23. Via Proquest.
  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. Via Proquest.
  21. ^ Coppinger, John M. "Need Escape? Try 'Bride of Vengeance'." The Washington Post. June 24, 1949: C7. Via Proquest.
  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. ^ "In Hollywood". The Courier-Gazette. The Courier Gazette. April 4, 1950. p. 6. Retrieved June 14, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  27. ^ "Joan Blondell In 'Lady Eve' On WHP 'Star Time'". Harrisburg Telegraph. Harrisburg Telegraph. September 21, 1946. p. 17. Retrieved October 7, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  28. ^ http://www.escape-suspense.com/2009/08/suspense-a-plane-case-of-murder.html Open access icon
  29. ^ Kirby, Walter (April 13, 1952). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. The Decatur Daily Review. p. 48. Retrieved May 11, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  30. ^ Kirby, Walter (December 28, 1952). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. The Decatur Daily Review. p. 36. Retrieved June 5, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  31. ^ Kirby, Walter (February 15, 1953). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. The Decatur Daily Review. p. 42. Retrieved June 21, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  32. ^ Kirby, Walter (March 1, 1953). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. The Decatur Daily Review. p. 46. Retrieved June 23, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  33. ^ Kirby, Walter (May 17, 1953). "Better Radio Programs for the Week". The Decatur Daily Review. The Decatur Daily Review. p. 48. Retrieved June 27, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  34. ^ "John Lund Stars". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. November 30, 1958. p. 70. Retrieved June 14, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon