Ronald Davidson
Encyclopedia
Ronald Davidson was an American screenwriter. He was born in Arizona and died in San Diego, California.
Ronald Davidson started his career as a short story writer and in 1943 was appointed as story editor for Republic Studios movie serials and some feature films. He has also written some TV films and serials and has been associate producer for some film productions.
Feature films
Ronald Davidson started his career as a short story writer and in 1943 was appointed as story editor for Republic Studios movie serials and some feature films. He has also written some TV films and serials and has been associate producer for some film productions.
Screenwriter filmography
Movie serials- The Painted StallionThe Painted StallionThe Painted Stallion is a 1937 Republic Movie serial. It was the sixth Republic serial of the sixty-six made by that company. Western serials such as this made up a third of the serials from Republic, a studio that was also heavily involved in making B-Western feature films at the time.This...
(1937) - S.O.S. Coast GuardS.O.S. Coast GuardS O S Coast Guard is a Republic film serial. It was the seventh of the sixty-six serials made by Republic. The plot concerns the mad scientist Boroff attempting to sell a superweapon to the highest bidder, opposed by Coast Guard Lieutenant Terry Kent , for both personal and professional...
(1937) - Zorro Rides AgainZorro Rides AgainZorro Rides Again is a 12-chapter Republic film serial. It was the eighth of the sixty-six Republic serials, the third with a western theme and the last produced in 1937. The serial was directed by William Witney & John English and starred John Carroll as a modern descendant of the original Zorro...
(1937) - The Lone RangerThe Lone Ranger (serial)The Lone Ranger is a 1938 American Republic Movie serial. It was the ninth of the sixty-six serials produced by Republic, the fourth western and the first of 1938...
(1938) - The Fighting Devil DogsThe Fighting Devil DogsThe Fighting Devil Dogs is a 12-chapter Republic movie serial starring Lee Powell and Herman Brix, the latter better known by his later stage name, Bruce Bennett. It was directed by William Witney and John English...
(1938) - Dick Tracy ReturnsDick Tracy ReturnsDick Tracy Returns is a Republic Movie serial based on the Dick Tracy comic strip. It was the eleventh of the sixty six serials Republic produced and a sequel to the 1937 serial Dick Tracy, with Ralph Byrd reprising his role as the title character...
(1938) - The Lone Ranger Rides AgainThe Lone Ranger Rides AgainThe Lone Ranger Rides Again is a 1939 American Republic serial. It was a sequel to Republic's earlier 1937 serial The Lone Ranger, which had been highly successful, and the thirteenth of the sixty-six serials produced by Republic....
(1939) - Daredevils of the Red CircleDaredevils of the Red CircleDaredevils of the Red Circle is a 12-Chapter Republic Movie Serial starring Charles Quigley, David Sharpe, Herman Brix and Charles Middleton. It was directed by William Witney and John English and is often considered one of the better serials produced by Republic...
(1939) - Dick Tracy's G-MenDick Tracy's G-MenDick Tracy's G-Men is a 15-Chapter Republic Movie Serial based on the Dick Tracy comic strip by Chester Gould. It was directed by William Witney and John English....
(1939) - Zorro's Fighting LegionZorro's Fighting LegionZorro's Fighting Legion is a 1939 Republic Pictures film serial consisting of twelve chapters. It features Reed Hadley as Zorro. The plot revolves around his alter-ego Don Diego's fight against the evil Don Del Oro....
(1939) - Drums of Fu ManchuDrums of Fu ManchuDrums of Fu Manchu is a 15-chapter Republic movie serial very loosely based on the novel by Sax Rohmer, starring Henry Brandon, William Royle and Robert Kellard...
(1940) - Adventures of Red RyderAdventures of Red RyderThe Adventures of Red Ryder is a 12-chapter Republic movie serial starring Don "Red" Barry and Noah Beery, Sr. based on the Western comic strip Red Ryder. It was directed by William Witney and John English. This serial was the 18th of the 66 serials produced by Republic...
(1940) - Mysterious Doctor SatanMysterious Doctor SatanMysterious Doctor Satan is a 1940 film serial named after its chief villain. Doctor Satan's main opponent is The Copperhead, a masked mystery man secretly Bob Wayne....
(1940) - Adventures of Captain MarvelAdventures of Captain MarvelAdventures of Captain Marvel is a 1941 twelve-chapter film serial directed by John English and William Witney for Republic Pictures, adapted from the popular Captain Marvel comic book character then appearing in Fawcett Comics publications such as Whiz Comics and Captain Marvel Adventures...
(1941) - Jungle GirlJungle Girl (serial)Jungle Girl is a 15-Chapter Republic Pictures Serial starring Frances Gifford. It was directed by William Witney and John English based on the novel Jungle Girl by Edgar Rice Burroughs...
(1941) - King of the Texas RangersKing of the Texas RangersKing of the Texas Rangers is a Republic film serial.King of the Texas Rangers is slightly anachronistic in that it features a mix of period western and modern elements, which was not unknown in the B-Western films also produced by Republic. In this case, Cowboys vs. Nazis...
(1941) - Dick Tracy vs Crime IncDick Tracy vs Crime IncDick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc. is a Republic Movie serial based on the Dick Tracy comic strip. It was directed by the legendary serial team of William Witney and John English with Ralph Byrd reprising his role from the earlier serials...
(1941) - Spy SmasherSpy Smasher (serial)Spy Smasher is a Republic movie serial based on the Fawcett Comics character Spy Smasher, which is now the property of DC Comics. It was the 25th of the 66 serials produced by Republic. The serial was directed by William Witney with Kane Richmond and Marguerite Chapman as the leads.This serial...
(1942) - Perils of NyokaPerils of NyokaPerils of Nyoka is a 1942 Republic Movie serial directed by William Witney. It starred Kay Aldridge as Nyoka the Jungle Girl, a character who first appeared in the Edgar Rice Burroughs-inspired serial "Jungle Girl."-Plot:...
(1942) - King of the MountiesKing of the MountiesKing of the Mounties is a Republic film serial.-Cast:* Allan Lane as Sgt Dave King* Gilbert Emery as Commissioner Morrison* Russell Hicks as Marshal Carleton* Peggy Drake as Carol Brent* George Irving as Prof Marshall Brent...
(1942) - G-Men vs The Black DragonG-Men vs the Black DragonG-Men vs The Black Dragon is a Republic Pictures Movie serial. It is noteworthy among adventure serials as containing an unusually high number of fistfights, all staged by director William Witney and a team of stuntmen....
(1943) - Daredevils of the WestDaredevils of the WestDaredevils of the West is a Republic Movie serial.Daredevils of the West is a lightning-fast-paced Western cliffhanger serial released by Republic Pictures in 1943 starring Allan Lane and Kay Aldridge...
(1943) - Secret Service in Darkest AfricaSecret Service in Darkest AfricaSecret Service in Darkest Africa is a Republic movie serial. It was Republic's thirtieth serial, of the sixty-six produced by the studio....
(1943) - The Masked MarvelThe Masked MarvelThe Masked Marvel was a 12-chapter film serial created by Republic Pictures, who produced many of the best known of the serials. It was Republic's thirty-first serial, of the sixty-six they produced.-Plot:...
(1943) - Captain AmericaCaptain America (serial)Captain America is a Republic black-and-white serial film based on the comic book character Captain America. It was the last Republic serial made about a superhero...
(1944) - The Tiger WomanThe Tiger Woman (1944 film)The Tiger Woman is a 12-chapter Republic film serial starring Allan Lane and Linda Stirling . The serial was re-released in 1951 under the title Perils of the Darkest Jungle and, in 1966, it was edited into the 100-minute Century-66 film Jungle Gold.Linda Stirling is a jungle girl lost in the...
(1944) - The Invisible MonsterThe Invisible MonsterThe Invisible Monster is a Republic film serial.-Plot:A would-be American dictator and mad-scientist, known only as The Phantom Ruler, has developed a formula which, when sprayed on some solid object, renders that object and everything it contains invisible when exposed to rays emitted by a...
(1950) - Desperadoes of the WestDesperadoes of the WestDesperadoes of the West is a Republic film serial.-Cast:*Richard Powers as Ward Gordon*Judy Clark as Sally Arnold*Roy Barcroft as Hacker, a henchman*I. Stanford Jolley as J. B...
(1950) - Flying Disc Man from MarsFlying Disc Man from MarsFlying Disc Man from Mars is a Republic film serial. This is considered a weak example of the serial medium, even compared to other post-World War II serials.-Plot:...
(1950) - Don Daredevil Rides AgainDon Daredevil Rides AgainDon Daredevil Rides Again is a Republic Movie serial. It makes heavy use of stock footage from Republic's previous Zorro serials. The character of Don Daredevil was created for this serial as the rights to Zorro belonged to Disney by 1951.-Cast:* Ken Curtis as Lee Hadley, otherwise known as...
(1951) - Government Agents vs Phantom LegionGovernment Agents vs Phantom LegionGovernment Agents vs Phantom Legion is a 12-chapter American black-and-white film serial produced and distributed by Republic Pictures Corporation in 1951. It is an original, studio-commissioned screenplay by Ronald Davidson, produced by Franklin Adreon and directed by Fred C...
(1951) - Radar Men from the MoonRadar Men from the MoonRadar Men from the Moon is the first Commando Cody serial, in 12 chapters, starring newcomer George Wallace as Cody and Aline Towne as his sidekick Joan Gilbert, with serial veteran Roy Barcroft as the evil Retik, the Ruler of the Moon. The director was Fred C...
(1952) - Zombies of the StratosphereZombies of the StratosphereZombies of the Stratosphere was intended as the second serial featuring "new hero" Commando Cody and the third 12-chapter serial featuring the rocket-powered flying suit introduced in King of the Rocket Men...
(1952) - Jungle Drums of AfricaJungle Drums of AfricaJungle Drums of Africa is a 12-episode, American serial film, shot in black-and-white, which was an original commissioned screenplay by Ronald Davidson produced by Franklin Adreon and directed by Fred C. Brannon for Republic Pictures...
(1953) - Canadian Mounties vs Atomic InvadersCanadian Mounties vs Atomic InvadersCanadian Mounties vs Atomic Invaders is a Republic Movie serial starring Bill Henry and both produced and directed by Franklin Adreon. It was the sixty-second serial produced by Republic. Despite the title, this is not a science fiction serial...
(1953) - Trader Tom of the China SeasTrader Tom of the China SeasTrader Tom of the China Seas is a Republic film serial. In 1966 the serial was edited into a 100-minute television film with the new title Target: Sea of China.-Cast:* Harry Lauter as Tom Rogers* Aline Towne as Vivian Wells...
(1954) - Man with the Steel WhipMan with the Steel WhipMan with the Steel Whip is a Republic Movie serial. It uses considerable stock footage from previous Republic serials "Zorro's Black Whip", "The Painted Stallion" and "Daredevils of the West". As with any serial from the 50s, it is not considered to be one of the best examples of the format...
(1954) - Panther Girl of the KongoPanther Girl of the KongoPanther Girl of the Kongo is a Republic movie serial. It used a lot of stock footage from the 1941 Republic serial "Jungle Girl". This was the penultimate serial produced by Republic...
(1955) - King of the CarnivalKing of the CarnivalKing of the Carnival is a Republic movie serial. It contains a substantial amount of stock footage from the earlier Republic serial Daredevils of the Red Circle. This was the last serial ever made by Republic and is often considered to be one of the worst produced by that company...
(1955)
Feature films
- Hi-Yo Silver (1940)
- The Fighting Devil DogsThe Fighting Devil DogsThe Fighting Devil Dogs is a 12-chapter Republic movie serial starring Lee Powell and Herman Brix, the latter better known by his later stage name, Bruce Bennett. It was directed by William Witney and John English...
(1943) (Feature version of the 1938 serial) - Range Renegades (1948)
- Triggerman (1948)
- Cowboy Cavalier (1948)
- The Fighting Ranger (1948)
- Courtin' Trouble (1948)
- Across the Rio Grande (1949)
- Range Justice (1949)
- Roaring Westward (1949)
- Black Hills Ambush (1952)
- Satan's Satellites (1958)
- Missile Monsters (1958)
- Zorro Rides AgainZorro Rides AgainZorro Rides Again is a 12-chapter Republic film serial. It was the eighth of the sixty-six Republic serials, the third with a western theme and the last produced in 1937. The serial was directed by William Witney & John English and starred John Carroll as a modern descendant of the original Zorro...
(1959) (Feature version of the 1937 serial)
Story writer (feature films)
- Daredevils of the Clouds (1948)
- The Young and The BraveThe Young and The BraveThe Young and The Brave is a classic feature film released in 1963 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film has been recognized by Turner Classic Movies as an historical representation of the war film genre and in 2006, the network executives selected the film for preservation in their archives...
(1963)
TV series and films
- Torpedo of Doom (1966 - TV film version of Fighting Devil Dogs 1938 serial)
- Sakima and the Masked Marvel (1966 - TV film version of The Masked Marvel 1943 serial)
- Nyoka and the Lost Secrets of Hippocrates (1966 - TV film)
- Target: Sea of China (1966 - TV film)
- The Adventures of Dr. Fu Manchu (1956 - TV series) (episode: The Vengeance of Fu Manchu)
- Commando CodyCommando CodyCommando Cody was the hero in a 12-episode science-fiction serial made in 1952 by Republic Pictures entitled Radar Men from the Moon, which was followed up 1953 with the 12 episode Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe....
(1953 - TV series)
Associate producer filmography
- Haunted HarborHaunted HarborHaunted Harbor is a Republic Movie serial, based on the novel by Ewart Adamson.-Cast:*Kane Richmond as Jim Marsden*Kay Aldridge as Patricia Harding*Roy Barcroft as Carter *Clancy Cooper as Yank*Marshall J...
(1944) - Zorro's Black WhipZorro's Black WhipZorro's Black Whip is a 1944 Republic Pictures film serial starring Linda Stirling. The film was made after the popular 1940 20th Century-Fox remake of The Mark of Zorro and Republic was unable to use the character himself, but still wanted to capitalize on it. However, and despite the title,...
(1944) - Manhunt of Mystery IslandManhunt of Mystery IslandManhunt of Mystery Island is a Republic Movie serial. It was the thirty-sixth serial produced by Republic and the first released in 1945.It is the penultimate 15-chapter serial to be released by the studio...
(1945) - Federal Operator 99Federal Operator 99Federal Operator 99 is a 1945 Republic film serial.-Cast:* Marten Lamont as Jerry Blake, Federal Operator 99* Helen Talbot as Joyce Kingston* George J...
(1945) - The Purple Monster StrikesThe Purple Monster StrikesThe Purple Monster Strikes is a Republic Movie serial. It was also released as a television film under the title D-Day on Mars .The original production title for the serial was The Purple Shadow Strikes...
(1945) - The Phantom RiderThe Phantom Rider (Republic serial)The Phantom Rider is a Republic Movie serial. It was later re-released under the new title Ghost Riders of the West.-Plot:Dr Jim Sterling attempts to create a police force on the Big Tree Indian Reservation...
(1946) - King of the Forest RangersKing of the Forest RangersKing of the Forest Rangers is a Republic film serial.-Cast:*Larry Thompson as Forest Ranger Captain Steve King*Helen Talbot as Marion Brennan*Stuart Hamblen as Prof Carver*Anthony Warde as Burt Spear*LeRoy Mason as "Flush" Haliday...
(1946) - Daughter of Don QDaughter of Don QDaughter of Don Q is a Republic Movie serial. It combines elements of the B-Western genre with contemporary crime films, especially the popular "land grab" plot in which the villain attempts to steal apparently worthless land from the heroine because he secretly knows it is worth a fortune...
(1946) - The Crimson GhostThe Crimson GhostThe Crimson Ghost is a Republic film serial directed by Fred C. Brannon and William Witney with Charles Quigley and Linda Stirling playing the leads. This was Witney's last serial, after a career that left him one of the most praised of all serial directors...
(1946) - Son of ZorroSon of ZorroSon of Zorro is a Republic film serial. It was the 43rd of the 66 serials produced by that studio. The serial was directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and Fred C. Brannon...
(1947) - D-Day on Mars (1966) (TV - producer)