Max Terhune
Encyclopedia
Max Terhune was an American film actor. He appeared in nearly 70 films, mostly B-westerns
, between 1936
and 1956
.
Terhune, who was born in Franklin, Indiana
, performed in 21 episodes of The Three Mesquiteers
(co-starring with Robert Livingston
and Ray "Crash" Corrigan in the Republic series); The Range Busters (24 entries with Ray Corrigan and John King
at Monogram Pictures
); several supporting roles with Gene Autry
(at Republic
), and the Johnny Mack Brown
westerns at Monogram. Terhune played the comic sidekick (usually named either Lullaby Joslin or just Alibi)--with a major distinction. He always traveled the range with his dummy
Elmer sharing his saddle.
Terhune was not only a ventriloquist, but a magician. Card tricks were his forte, and he often performed such in his movies. His former vaudeville
act included juggling and doing impressions, talents also incorporated into his sidekick roles.
He joined the National Barn Dance
radio program, along with Gene Autry
, in 1933. It was Autry who introduced him to Republic Pictures. His last film role was in the major Hollywood film Giant, in which he played the dramatic role of the physician Dr. Walker.
Western (genre)
The Western is a genre of various visual arts, such as film, television, radio, literature, painting and others. Westerns are devoted to telling stories set primarily in the latter half of the 19th century in the American Old West, hence the name. Some Westerns are set as early as the Battle of...
, between 1936
1936 in film
The year 1936 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 29 - Fritz Lang's first Hollywood film Fury, starring Spencer Tracy and Bruce Cabot, is released.*November 6 - first Porky Pig animated cartoon...
and 1956
1956 in film
The year 1956 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 5 - The Ten Commandments opens in cinemas and becomes one of the most successful and popular movies of all time, currently ranking 5th on the list of all time moneymakers * February 5 - First showing of documentary films by...
.
Terhune, who was born in Franklin, Indiana
Franklin, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,463 people, 6,824 households, and 4,872 families residing in the city. The population increased by more than 50% during the 1990s , with new residents attracted by jobs in the community, as well as some people commuting to Indianapolis for work. The...
, performed in 21 episodes of The Three Mesquiteers
The Three Mesquiteers
The Three Mesquiteers is the umbrella title for a series of 51 western B-movies released between 1936 and 1943, including 8 films starring John Wayne...
(co-starring with Robert Livingston
Robert Livingston (actor)
Robert Livingston was an American film actor. He appeared in 135 films between 1921 and 1975.Often billed as "Bob Livingston," he was the original "Stony Brooke" in the "Three Mesquiteers" Western B-movie series, a role later played by John Wayne for eight films...
and Ray "Crash" Corrigan in the Republic series); The Range Busters (24 entries with Ray Corrigan and John King
John 'Dusty' King
John 'Dusty' King John 'Dusty' King John 'Dusty' King (born Miller McLeod Everson, July 11, 1909 – November 11, 1987 was a singer and film actor renowned for his Westerns particularly the Range Busters series.-Biography:Everson was born in Cincinnati, Ohio...
at Monogram Pictures
Monogram Pictures
Monogram Pictures Corporation is a Hollywood studio that produced and released films, most on low budgets, between 1931 and 1953, when the firm completed a transition to the name Allied Artists Pictures Corporation. Monogram is considered a leader among the smaller studios sometimes referred to...
); several supporting roles with Gene Autry
Gene Autry
Orvon Grover Autry , better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television for more than three decades beginning in the 1930s...
(at Republic
Republic Pictures
Republic Pictures was an independent film production-distribution corporation with studio facilities, operating from 1934 through 1959, and was best known for specializing in westerns, movie serials and B films emphasizing mystery and action....
), and the Johnny Mack Brown
Johnny Mack Brown
Johnny Mack Brown was an All-American college football player and film actor originally billed as John Mack Brown at the height of his screen career.-Early life:...
westerns at Monogram. Terhune played the comic sidekick (usually named either Lullaby Joslin or just Alibi)--with a major distinction. He always traveled the range with his dummy
Ventriloquism
Ventriloquism, or ventriloquy, is an act of stagecraft in which a person manipulates his or her voice so that it appears that the voice is coming from elsewhere, usually a puppeteered "dummy"...
Elmer sharing his saddle.
Terhune was not only a ventriloquist, but a magician. Card tricks were his forte, and he often performed such in his movies. His former vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
act included juggling and doing impressions, talents also incorporated into his sidekick roles.
He joined the National Barn Dance
National Barn Dance
National Barn Dance, broadcast by WLS-AM in Chicago, Illinois starting in 1924, was one of the first American country music radio programs and a direct precursor of the Grand Ole Opry...
radio program, along with Gene Autry
Gene Autry
Orvon Grover Autry , better known as Gene Autry, was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy on the radio, in movies and on television for more than three decades beginning in the 1930s...
, in 1933. It was Autry who introduced him to Republic Pictures. His last film role was in the major Hollywood film Giant, in which he played the dramatic role of the physician Dr. Walker.
Marriage and family
Terhune married Maude Cassady and they had three children: Roltaire, Robert, and Maxine.Selected filmography
- Ghost-Town GoldGhost-Town GoldGhost-Town Gold is a 1936 American film directed by Joseph Kane and was the second entry of the 51-film series of Western "Three Mesquiteers" B-movies.- Cast :*Robert Livingston as Stony Brooke*Ray Corrigan as Tucson Smith*Max Terhune as Lullaby Joslin...
(1936) - Ride Ranger RideRide Ranger RideRide Ranger Ride is a 1936 American film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Gene Autry.- Cast :*Gene Autry as Texas Ranger Gene Autry*Smiley Burnette as Frog Millhouse*Kay Hughes as Dixie Summerall*Monte Blue as Duval, aka Chief Tavibo*George J...
(1936) - Gunsmoke RanchGunsmoke RanchGunsmoke Ranch is a 1937 American Western "Three Mesquiteers" B-movie directed by Joseph Kane.- Cast :*Robert Livingston as Stony Brooke*Ray Corrigan as Tucson Smith*Max Terhune as Lullaby Joslin*Kenneth Harlan as Phineas T...
(1937) - Riders of the Whistling SkullRiders of the Whistling SkullRiders of the Whistling Skull is a 1937 "Three Mesquiteers" Western B-movie starring Bob Livingston, Ray "Crash" Corrigan, and Max Terhune, and was directed by Mack V. Wright...
(1937) - Hit the SaddleHit the SaddleHit the Saddle is a 1937 "Three Mesquiteers" Western B-movie starring Bob Livingston, Ray Corrigan, Max Terhune, and Rita Hayworth, before she became famous. The film was directed by Mack V. Wright.-Plot:...
(1937) - Heart of the RockiesHeart of the Rockies (1937 film)Heart of the Rockies is a 1937 American Western "Three Mesquiteers" B-movie directed by Joseph Kane.- Cast :* Robert Livingston as Stony Brooke* Ray Corrigan as Tucson Smith* Max Terhune as Lullaby Joslin...
(1937) - Pals of the SaddlePals of the SaddlePals of the Saddle is a 1938 "Three Mesquiteers" film starring John Wayne and directed by George Sherman. This is the first of eight films in which Wayne played the lead in the popular series of fifty-one Three Mesquiteers films.-Cast:...
(1938) - Overland Stage RaidersOverland Stage RaidersOverland Stage Raiders is a 1938 Three Mesquiteers film starring John Wayne and directed by George Sherman. The film is notable for being the final film in which silent film icon Louise Brooks performed...
(1938) - Santa Fe StampedeSanta Fe StampedeSanta Fe Stampede is a 1938 Three Mesquiteers film starring John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, and Max Terhune. Wayne played the lead in eight of the fifty-one films in the popular series...
(1938) - Red River RangeRed River RangeRed River Range is a 1938 "Three Mesquiteers" film starring John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, Max Terhune, and Polly Moran. Wayne played the lead in eight of the fifty-one movies in the popular series. The director was George Sherman.-Plot:...
(1938) - Man of ConquestMan of ConquestMan of Conquest is a 1939 Western film directed by George Nichols Jr.. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Score, Best Sound and Best Art Direction .-Cast:* Richard Dix - Sam Houston...
(1939) - The Night RidersThe Night Riders (1939 film)The Night Riders is a 1939 Three Mesquiteers film starring John Wayne, Ray "Crash" Corrigan, and Max Terhune. Wayne played the lead in eight of the fifty-one films in the popular series...
(1939) - Three Texas SteersThree Texas SteersThree Texas Steers is a 1939 "Three Mesquiteers" Western B-movie starring John Wayne and Carole Landis. Wayne played the lead in eight of the fifty-one films in the series...
(1939) - Underground RustlersUnderground RustlersUnderground Rustlers is a 1941 American film directed by S. Roy Luby. The film is also known as Bullets and Bullion .- Cast :*Ray Corrigan as "Crash" Corrigan*John "Dusty" King as "Dusty" King*Max Terhune as "Alibi" Terhune...
(1941) - Saddle Mountain RoundupSaddle Mountain Roundup- Cast :*Ray Corrigan as Crash Corrigan*John 'Dusty' King as Dusty King*Max Terhune as Alibi Terhune*Lita Conway as Nancy Henderson*Jack Mulhall as Dan Freeman *Willie Fung as Fang Way*John Elliott as 'Magpie' Harper...
(1941) - Trail RidersTrail RidersTrail Riders is a 1942 American film directed by Robert Emmett Tansey.The film is also known as Dead Men Don't Ride .- Cast :*John Dusty King as Dusty King*David Sharpe as Davy Sharpe*Max Terhune as Alibi Terhune...
(1942) - Texas to BataanTexas to BataanTexas to Bataan is a 1942 American film directed by Robert Emmett Tansey featuring the Range Busters.The film is also known as The Long, Long Trail in the United Kingdom.- Plot summary :...
(1942)