Gordon Jones

Gordon Jones (born in Alden, Iowa on April 5, 1912) could well be described as a comic/character actor. He is also an important comic sidekick - somewhat over looked - in the history of B westerns.

Mr. Jones broke into films doing bit parts in the early 1930s. He landed a meaty role in the Eddie Cantor picture STRIKE ME PINK (Goldwyn/UA, 1936) which led directly to a contract at RKO from 1936 - 1938 where he was cast in a variety of B pictures, including two as the lead. RKO observed that while Mr. Jones could play light comedy roles from friendly pals to outright slap-stick buffoons, he was not a leading man type such as a James Stewart. However, he was loaned out to Grand National for the lead role in a horse racing comedy THE LONG SHOT (Grand National, 1939) before his contract ended. At the end of his RKO contract, Mr. Jones began free-lancing at both the major and Poverty Row studios such as MGM, Republic, Columbia and others doing a varied list of roles and bit parts. He was cast - against type - as "Britt Reid" in the THE GREEN HORNET (Universal, 1940) cliffhanger at Universal Pictures. This was followed by the lead role of a rookie policeman in I TAKE THIS OATH (PRC, 1940) for low budget producer Sig Neufeld at Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC).

Jones was just starting to hit his stride in John Wayne's film FLYING TIGERS (Republic, 1942) and others, and hit a huge mark in the role of "The Ramblin' Wreck From Georgia Tech" in the comedy MY SISTER EILEEN (Columbia, 1942), before going off to duty in World War II.

After the war, Mr. Jones scored a comic bulls-eye as an outrageous parody of a western villain in the Danny Kaye film THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY (Goldwyn, 1947), followed by the Abbott and Costello western send-up THE WISTFUL WIDOW OF WAGON GAP (Universal, 1947), and then the role of a comedic villain "Happy Keegan" in the Columbia Cinecolor B+ "horse and bull" western THE UNTAMED BREED (Columbia, 1948) starring Sonny Tufts, Gabby Hayes and Edgar Buchanan. He also had featured roles in a number of other films in 1948 and 1949.

After making BELLE OF OLD MEXICO (Republic, 1950) with Robert Rockwell and Estelita Rodriguez (a splashy, Trucolor musical-comedy), Mr. Jones was signed to play Rex Allen's sidekick "I. Q. Barton" in Rex's first picture, ARIZONA COWBOY (Republic, 1950). Republic decided to move Jones into the sidekick spot in six Roy Rogers films for the 1950 - 1951 season. Four were shot in Trucolor and the last two, with lower budgets, in black and white. He played a character named "Splinters McGonigle" and transitioned into Roy's helper in TRIGGER JR. (Pat Brady's role as "Sparrow Biffle" was dropped following this film). Then came five more pairings of Jones with Roy: SUNSET IN THE WEST, NORTH OF THE GREAT DIVIDE, the guest-star filled TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD, SPOILERS OF THE PLAINS and HEART OF THE ROCKIES. All were well received and popular films. Herbert J. Yates, Republic Studios head, wanted more of Roy's adventures. But before Yates finalized a deal with Roy for three more films, Jones was gone. (Pinky Lee came on as Roy's sidekick in his final three Republic adventures.)

Jones did several for producer Lindsley Parsons at Monogram - he worked with Roddy McDowell in a pair, BLACK MIDNIGHT (Monogram, 1949) and BIG TIMBER (Monogram, 1950), and with Wayne Morris in YELLOW FIN (Monogram, 1951). There were other roles - including his recurring "Mike the Cop" on the Abbott and Costello's TV series, THE RAY MILLAND/MEET MR. McNULTY show on TV and radio, and several feature films including Gene Autry's WAGON TEAM (Columbia, 1952). Mr. Jones last true sidekick role was as cavalry "Pvt. Wilbur Clegg" in SHOOT-OUT AT MEDICINE BEND (Warner Brothers, 1957) which starred Randolph Scott and included early screen work for two future stars, James Garner and Angie Dickinson.

Throughout the remainder of the 1950s and into the 1960s, Jones worked steadily in films and as an A list guest on many episodic TV shows from PERRY MASON to GUNSMOKE and everything in between. His final film role was in John Wayne's western-comedy McLINTOCK! (Batjac/UA, 1963) which was filmed shortly before his death on June 20, 1963.

On the trail of Gordon Jones

Ye Old Corral webmaster did some additional research on Gordon Jones. Information below is from Family Search, tradezines, newspapers, ProQuest obituaries, death certificate and the California Death Index:

Iowa birth record (not the birth certificate) for Gordon W. Jones, born April 5, 1912 in Alden, Iowa and his father was Paul W. Jones: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V4XH-KJN
1920 census summary and census takers worksheet - living in Denver, Colorado are 48 year old Paul W. Jones (born Michigan), his 47 year old wife Lucy (born Michigan), 13 year old son Paul L. (born Ohio), 10 year old daughter Donna M. (born Montana), and 7 year old son Gordon W. (born Iowa). Occupation of father Paul is "Minister - Congregational Church": https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MX2D-2ZZ
1930 census summary and census takers worksheet - renting in National City, San Diego County, California are 58 year old Paul W. Jones (born Michigan), his 57 year old wife Lucy A. (born Michigan), 24 year old son Paul L. (born Ohio), and 18 year old son Gordon W. (born Iowa). Occupation of father Paul is "Pastor - Congregational Church"; no occupation listed for Gordon: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XC6X-2Z4
Jones married Los Angeles socialite Lucile Van Winkle on October 30, 1935 and tradepapers carried the announcement. From the October 31, 1935 issue of Film Daily - headline: "Gordon Jones Weds Society Girl." ; "... was married yesterday to Lucille [sic] Van Winkle, prominent in Los Angeles society. Among the ushers were Richard Arlen and Harvey Stephens."
October 30, 1935 Los Angeles County marriage license of Lucille Van Winkle and Gordon W. Jones (occupation "Actor - Motion Pictures"):
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93H-466M?mode=g&i=308&wc=96PT-C66%3A149406801%3Fcc%3D1804002&cc=1804002
https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G93H-46DN?mode=g&i=309&wc=96PT-C66%3A149406801%3Fcc%3D1804002&cc=1804002
1940 census summary and census takers worksheet - 27 year old Gordon W. Jones (born Iowa) is single, completed four years of college, and is renting in Los Angeles. Occupation is "Actor - Moving Picture Studio", and in 1939, he worked 12 weeks and earned $5000.00+: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9C2-VJ9
June and July, 1942 issues of Variety listed Gordon Jones entering the Army for War II military service. Fan magazines and tradepapers from 1943-1945 noted that Army Captain, later Major, Gordon Jones was in charge of Entertainment Services and located in Tehran, Persia. His duties included coordinating USO troupe visits, one of which was a tour by Jack Benny.
There were newspaper announcements on his death: Headline "Actor Gordon Jones Dies of Heart Attack." ; "Gordon Jones, 52, character actor and former UCLA football star, was found dead, apparently of a heart attack, in his home Thursday."
June 23, 1963 Los Angeles (California) Times newspaper had a funeral notice which listed about two dozen Honorary Pallbearers (and pallbearers included Sam Flint, Dick Foran, Jack Oakie and Mickey Rooney). Pierce Brothers Valhalla was the funeral director.
Death certificate: 51 year old Gordon Wynnivo Jones was born April 5, 1912 in Iowa. Parents were Paul Jones and Lucy Naylor (both born in Michigan). He was divorced; a World War II veteran; and occupation was "Actor - Joey Bishop Show - Television". He was found dead around 10:30 p.m. on June 20, 1963 at his home at 5024 Otis Avenue, Tarzana, Los Angeles County, California. Funeral director was Pierce Brothers Valhalla and cremation at Chapel of the Pines. An autopsy was performed and the coroner signed the death certificate on August 14, 1963 - cause of death was "UNDETERMINED" with a notation of "Probable natural".
The California Death Index mirrors the death certificate: Gordon W. Jones, born 4/5/1912, Mother's maiden name of Naylor, and he passed away on 6/20/1963: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VP4H-CP5

Links

Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Gordon Jones: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0428160/

The Internet Broadway Database credits Gordon Jones as "the Wreck" in the early 1940s New York stage production of MY SISTER EILEEN. As noted above, Jones also essayed that same role (as "The Ramblin' Wreck From Georgia Tech") in the film version of MY SISTER EILEEN (Columbia, 1942). The Broadway database is at: http://www.ibdb.com/production.asp?ID=1047

J. David Goldin's RadioGoldIndex website has Gordon Jones in several 1953-1954 Meet Mr. McNutley radio programs. When you get to the site, click "Start Here", then select "Search By Artist", then select J, then scroll down for Gordon Jones radio credits: http://radiogoldindex.com/

Gordon Jones has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: http://www.walkoffame.com/gordon-jones

Many of us remember Jones as "Mike the cop" in the Abbott and Costello TVer. In the late 1950s, he also had a semi-recurring role as "Butch Barton" on THE ADVENTURES OF OZZIE AND HARRIET TV show. Following is a link to info on the program. Scroll about 2/3 of the way down this webpage and you'll find a video frame capture showing Jones with Parley Baer and Frank Cady: http://www.incredibletvandmovies.com/nelsons.html

(Courtesy of Les Adams)

Filmed during the period from June 21, 1950 - July 12, 1950, the Trucolor TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD (Republic, 1950) was Republic production 1835. Released in December, 1950 for the Holiday season, the storyline had some baddies stealing Christmas trees from Jack Holt's tree farm. A bunch of guest stars appeared with Roy. Above in the front row from L-to-R are Roy, Allan 'Rocky' Lane, Monte Hale and Roy's sidekick Gordon Jones. In the back row from L-to-R are Kermit Maynard, Tom Tyler, Ray 'Crash' Corrigan, William Farnum, George Chesebro, Foy Willing and the Riders of the Purple Sage.

TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD was the last of Roy's Trucolor westerns.

Jones was Roy's helper in a half dozen: TRIGGER, JR. (Republic, 1950, in Trucolor), SUNSET IN THE WEST (Republic, 1950, in Trucolor), NORTH OF THE GREAT DIVIDE (Republic, 1950, in Trucolor), TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD (Republic, 1950, in Trucolor), SPOILERS OF THE PLAINS (Republic, 1951 in B&W), and HEART OF THE ROCKIES (Republic, 1951 in B&W). After these half-dozen with Gordon Jones, Roy did three more (with Pinky Lee as his helper) and then exited Republic to concentrate on his TV show. Gordon Jones worked sporadically at Republic, appearing in fifteen films during the period from 1938 - 1953.

Below is the title lobby card from SPOILERS OF THE PLAINS (Republic, 1951) with Jones shown in the bottom left. In the center, Roy Rogers is mixing it up with Republic contract player Grant Withers.

(From Old Corral collection)