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(Courtesy of Minard Coons)

Above is Richard 'Chito' Martin, who in later life, became a successful insurance executive. He passed away on October 4, 1994. The full name of the 'Chito' character was 'Chito Jose Gonzales Bustamonte Rafferty'.

I've always enjoyed the Holt and Martin pairing. Martin was not the typical B western sidekick. He wasn't a grizzled old timer or cantankerous. And he didn't wear a beard, well worn hats or patched clothing. Nor did he do pratfalls and/or buffoonery. Most of Martin's comedic moments occurred during his attempts at romancing the ladies.




(From Old Corral collection)

Above are Tim Holt and Elaine Riley in RIDER FROM TUCSON (RKO, 1950). Riley was married to Tim's sidekick, Richard 'Chito' Martin.



(Courtesy of David B. Pearson)

Above from L-to-R are the three members of the Holt acting family - Jack, Jennifer and Tim. Date of the photo is unknown but has to be post World War II as Tim is wearing that left side holster in the butt forward position. Jack, Jennifer and Tim did not appear in a film together. But Jack had a meaty role in one of Tim's best RKO oaters, THE ARIZONA RANGER (RKO, 1948). Tim and Jack also appeared together in the Humphrey Bogart THE TREASURE OF THE SIERRA MADRE and the silent THE VANISHING PIONEER (Paramount, 1928).



(From Old Corral collection)

Above - a young Tim Holt in BANDIT RANGER (RKO, 1942), one of his westerns prior to his leaving for World War II duty.



(From Old Corral collection)

Above is the title lobby card for THUNDER MOUNTAIN (RKO, 1947), which was the first of Holt's new series after World War II. Note the info on the card proclaiming Tim's return to westerns. Holt's post World War II series ended James Warren's run in the RKO Zane Grey films.



(From Old Corral collection)

In the above lobby card from WILD HORSE MESA (RKO, 1947), hero Tim Holt gives up his six-guns to lawman William Gould.



(From Old Corral collection)

Above - Jeff Donnell has the drop on Tim Holt in STAGECOACH KID (RKO, 1949). Donnell portrayed the wife in the GEORGE GOBEL TV comedy show of the mid 1950s. In the background are Holt's sidekick Richard 'Chito' Martin and the gal may be Carol Hughes.



(From Old Corral collection)

Above are Tim Holt and Richard Martin. Notice that Tim is reaching for his right side six-shooter as well as the butt forward left side six-gun. He adopted this gunbelt in his films after returning from World War II duty, and wore it through WESTERN HERITAGE (RKO, 1948). He then reverted to a traditional twin holster rig with the gun butts facing rearward. In addition to being an expert horseman, Holt could handle a six-shooter and was among Hollywood's "fastest draws".



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