Fehmer Christy "Chick" Chandler (January 18, 1905 – September 30, 1988) was an American film character

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), l ...

who appeared in more than 130 films from 1925 through the mid-1950s. Chandler was known for his starring role as Toubo Smith in the Universal-produced 1955 syndicated television series '' Soldiers of Fortune''.

Early life

Born Fehmer Christy Chandler (named after his uncle, well-known architect Carl Fehmer), in

Kingston, New York Kingston is a city in and the county seat of Ulster County, New York, United States. It is north of New York City and south of Albany. The city's metropolitan area is grouped with the New York metropolitan area around Manhattan by the United ...

, to Colonel George F. Chandler and the former Martha Schultze (a sportswriter and daughter of

Boston Symphony Orchestra The Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is an American orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the second-oldest of the five major American symphony orchestras commonly referred to as the " Big Five". Founded by Henry Lee Higginson in 1 ...

conductor Carl Schultze), by the age of 12, he was appearing as a dancer and entertainer in local stage shows. His father, an army surgeon and organizer of the New York State Police, enrolled him in a military academy, The Manlius School, which he attended for three years, serving with distinction and rising to the school rank of corporal. At 16, though he was being groomed by his family for a military career, he dropped out to work on a tramp steamer and, later, to pursue work in

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic compositio ...

and to study dance at the school of famed choreographer Ned Wayburn.

Career

Chandler maintained a successful career throughout the 1920s as a dancer and comedian in vaudeville and burlesque, at times teamed with Naomi Morton, granddaughter of vaudeville and Broadway star

Sam Morton Samantha Jane Morton (born 13 May 1977) is an English actress and director. Known for her work in independent cinema, she is the recipient of numerous accolades, including a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as nominations for two ...

. In 1930, Chandler, still billed as Fehmer Chandler, joined the cast of the ''Liberty Bell Filling Station'' radio show starring Chic Sale, as Rodney Gordon, the assistant to Wheel Wilkins (Sale), proprietor of the titular gas station. Two years later, he landed a role in the

Ben Hecht Ben Hecht (; February 28, 1894 – April 18, 1964) was an American screenwriter, director, producer, playwright, journalist, and novelist. A successful journalist in his youth, he went on to write 35 books and some of the most enjoyed screenplay ...

- Gene Fowler Broadway play '' The Great Magoo''. Spotting him there, film producer

David O. Selznick David O. Selznick (May 10, 1902June 22, 1965) was an American film producer, screenwriter and film studio executive who produced ''Gone with the Wind'' (1939) and ''Rebecca'' (1940), both of which earned him an Academy Award for Best Picture. E ...

signed Chandler, now billed under his boyhood nickname Chick, to a film contract at RKO, telling the press that Chandler was "a cross between Lee Tracy and

James Cagney James Francis Cagney Jr. (; July 17, 1899March 30, 1986) was an American actor, dancer and film director. On stage and in film, Cagney was known for his consistently energetic performances, distinctive vocal style, and deadpan comic timing. He ...

." Chandler, who had done behind-the-camera work for director

Charles Brabin Charles Brabin (April 17, 1882 – November 3, 1957) was a British-American film director. Biography Born in Liverpool, England, he was educated at St. Francis Xavier College. Brabin sailed to New York City in the early 1900s and, while holdi ...

in 1923 and had appeared in at least one silent film as an actor, turned full-time to movie acting with his first films under contract, '' Sweepings'' and '' Melody Cruise'', in 1933. He appeared mainly in supporting roles, mostly comic, in nearly 120 films over the next 36 years. In the late 1930s he was a fixture at

Twentieth Century-Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Disn ...

, playing wiseguy sidekicks in the studio's series films. Under the pseudonym Guy Fehmer, Chandler wrote a screenplay about racing called ''The Quitter''. There is no evidence the film was ever produced.

Television

In 1955, Chandler was cast in the starring role of Toubo Smith in the adventure series '' Soldiers of Fortune'' alongside

John Russell John Russell may refer to: Arts and entertainment * John Russell (English painter) (1745–1806), English painter * John Russell (Australian painter) (1858–1930), Australian painter * John Russell (screenwriter) (1885–1956), author and scree ...

as Tim Kelly. In the show, Smith and Kelly traveled the world engaging in treasure hunts, rescues, and exploration adventures. It brought Chandler his greatest fame. During the off-seasons, he toured the country in stock and musical theatrical productions such as '' Harvey'' and '' Annie Get Your Gun''. He was also a regular on the short-lived 1961

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters ...

comedy series One Happy Family. In the 1959 debut episode of NBC's ''

Johnny Staccato ''Johnny Staccato'' is an American private detective television series starring John Cassavetes which ran for 27 episodes on NBC from September 10, 1959 through March 24, 1960. Synopsis Titular character Johnny Staccato, played by John Cassave ...

'', he played a police detective who was friends with

John Cassavetes John Nicholas Cassavetes ( ; December 9, 1929 – February 3, 1989) was an American actor, film director, and screenwriter. First known as a television and film actor, Cassavetes also helped pioneer American independent cinema, writing and direc ...

' title character. He also portrayed photographer "Billy Hackett" in the ''

I Love Lucy ''I Love Lucy'' is an American television sitcom that originally aired on CBS from October 15, 1951, to May 6, 1957, with a total of 180 half-hour episodes, spanning six seasons. The show starred Lucille Ball, her husband, Desi Arnaz, along with ...

'' episode "Ethel's Hometown". In 1962 he played Mr. Hodges, the human partner of a performing elephant, in the ''

Mister Ed ''Mister Ed'' is an American television sitcom produced by Filmways that aired in syndication from January 5 to July 2, 1961, and then on CBS from October 1, 1961, to February 6, 1966. The show's title character is a talking horse which origi ...

'' episode "Wilbur and Ed in Show Biz" (Season 3, Ep. 3), and then John McGivney, a racetrack groom accused of doping, later that same season, in the episode "Horse Talk" (Season 3, Ep. 18). In 1965 he played the old fisherman Andy McGrew in the ''

Lassie Lassie is a fictional female Rough Collie dog and is featured in a short story by Eric Knight that was later expanded to a full-length novel called '' Lassie Come-Home''. Knight's portrayal of Lassie bears some features in common with another ...

'' episode "Trouble at Paradise Lake" (Season 12, Ep. 7). In 1966 he played Riff Lawler in the Perry Mason "The Case of the Avenging Angel". He retired in 1971 following a sixth guest appearance on ''

Bonanza ''Bonanza'' is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 13, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 432 episodes, ''Bonanza'' is NBC's longest-running western, the second-longest-running western series on ...

''.

Personal life

Chick Chandler by Howard Chandler Christy

Chandler was a cousin of artist Howard Chandler Christy, but he is often referred to in period newspapers articles as Christy's "nephew" simply because Chandler referred to Christy as "Uncle Howard". In February 1925, Chandler became engaged to

Ziegfeld Follies The ''Ziegfeld Follies'' was a series of elaborate theatrical revue productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 to 1931, with renewals in 1934 and 1936. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as '' The Ziegfeld Follies of the ...

performer, beauty contestant winner, and Christy model Dorothy Knapp, whom he had met in Christy's studio in or around 1922. Knapp broke off the engagement to pursue her career further, and Chandler then became partnered, both privately and professionally, with 17-year-old Sallie Sharon, whom he met at West Point. The pair formed a vaudeville team but never married. On April 4, 1931, Chandler married Eugenia "Jean" Frontai, a former contract performer with

David Belasco David Belasco (July 25, 1853 – May 14, 1931) was an American theatrical producer, impresario, director, and playwright. He was the first writer to adapt the short story '' Madame Butterfly'' for the stage. He launched the theatrical career of ...

's theatrical company. They were married 57 years, until Chandler's death from a heart attack on September 30, 1988. (Jean Chandler followed her husband in death

rom cancer Rom, or ROM may refer to: Biomechanics and medicine * Risk of mortality, a medical classification to estimate the likelihood of death for a patient * Rupture of membranes, a term used during pregnancy to describe a rupture of the amniotic sac * ...

the next day in the same hospital, South Coast Medical Center.) The couple had no children. Chandler had been an avid amateur auto racer—until his wife filed for a restraining order to make him stop, as he had promised to do upon their marriage.San Bernardino County Sun, November 11, 1933, p. 15

Selected filmography

* '' Red Love'' (1925) as Tom Livingston * '' Sweepings'' (1933) as Gene's Friend (uncredited) * '' Melody Cruise'' (1933) as Hickey * '' Blood Money'' (1933) as Drury Darling * '' Harold Teen'' (1934) as Lilacs * '' The Party's Over'' (1934) as Martin * '' Lightning Strikes Twice'' (1934) as Marty Hicks * '' Murder on a Honeymoon'' (1935) as Dick French * ''

Circumstantial Evidence Circumstantial evidence is evidence that relies on an inference to connect it to a conclusion of fact—such as a fingerprint at the scene of a crime. By contrast, direct evidence supports the truth of an assertion directly—i.e., without need ...

'' (1935) as James Richard 'Jim' Baldwin * '' Alias Mary Dow'' (1935) as Jimmie Kane * ''

Tango Tango is a partner dance and social dance that originated in the 1880s along the Río de la Plata, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay. The tango was born in the impoverished port areas of these countries as the result of a combina ...

'' (1936) as Oliver Huston * ''In Paris, A.W.O.L.'' (1936) as Eddie * '' Forgotten Faces'' (1936) as Chick * '' Three of a Kind'' (1936) as Jerry Bassett * '' Star for a Night'' (1936) as Eddie * '' Straight from the Shoulder'' (1936) as Fly (scenes deleted) * '' Woman-Wise'' (1937) as Bob Benton * '' Off to the Races'' (1937) as Spike * '' Time Out for Romance'' (1937) as Ted Dooley * '' Nobody's Baby'' (1937) as Elevator Operator (uncredited) * '' Sing and Be Happy'' (1937) as Mike * '' Born Reckless'' (1937) as Windy Bowman * '' One Mile from Heaven'' (1937) as Charlie Milford * '' The Lady Fights Back'' (1937) as Steve Crowder * '' Portia on Trial'' (1937) as Barker * '' Love and Hisses'' (1937) as Sidney Hoffman * '' City Girl'' (1938) as Mike Harrison * '' Alexander's Ragtime Band'' (1938) as Louie * ''

Speed to Burn ''Speed to Burn'' is a 1938 American crime drama film, directed by Otto Brower and starring Michael Whalen, Lynn Bari, and Marvin Stephens. Plot Cast * Michael Whalen as Matt Kerry * Lynn Bari as Marion Clark * Marvin Stephens as Tim Turne ...

'' (1938) as Sport Fields * ''

Mr. Moto Takes a Chance ''Mr. Moto Takes a Chance'' is the fourth in a series of eight films starring Peter Lorre as Mr. Moto, although it was the second one actually filmed, following '' Think Fast, Mr. Moto''. Its release was delayed until after production of '' Than ...

'' (1938) as Chick Davis * '' Time Out for Murder'' (1938) as Snapper Doolan * ''

While New York Sleeps ''While New York Sleeps'' is a 1920 American crime drama film produced by Fox Film Corporation and directed by Charles Brabin, who was the husband of actress Theda Bara. The film tells three distinct episodic stories using the same actors, Este ...

'' (1938) as Snapper Doolan * ''

Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virgini ...

'' (1938) as Betting Parlor Clerk (uncredited) * '' The Mysterious Miss X'' (1939) as Dan 'Scooter' Casey * '' Inside Story'' (1939) as Snapper Doolan * '' Rose of Washington Square'' (1939)''Great Movie Musicals on DVD'' - A Classic Movie Fan's Guide
by John Howard Reid - Google search with book preview as Emcee at Theatre (uncredited) * '' Hotel for Women'' (1939) as Ben Ritchie * '' Hollywood Cavalcade'' (1939) as Assistant Director * '' Missing Evidence'' (1939) as Jerry Howard * '' Too Busy to Work'' (1939) as Cracker McGurk * '' Swanee River'' (1939) as Bones * '' Honeymoon Deferred'' (1940) as 'Hap' Maguire * '' Free, Blonde and 21'' (1940) as Gus * '' On Their Own'' (1940) as Doc Duggan * '' Pier 13'' (1940) as Mickey Martin * '' So You Won't Talk'' (1940) as Lounger (uncredited) * '' Charter Pilot'' (1940) as Fred Adams * '' Ride, Kelly, Ride'' (1941) as Knuckles * '' The People vs. Dr. Kildare'' (1941) as Dan Morton * '' Blondie in Society'' (1941) as Cliff Peters * '' Puddin' Head'' (1941) as Herman * ''

Two in a Taxi ''Two in a Taxi'' is a 1941 American film directed by Robert Florey. Writer Marvin Wald was inspired by seeing a production of Clifford Odets' ''Waiting for Lefty'' to write this drama of cab drivers and their economic struggles. Cast * Anita L ...

'' (1941) as Sid * ''

The Bride Came C.O.D. ''The Bride Came C.O.D.'' is a 1941 American screwball romantic comedy starring James Cagney as an airplane pilot and Bette Davis as a runaway heiress, and directed by William Keighley. Although the film was publicized as the first screen pairi ...

'' (1941) as First Reporter * '' It Started with Eve'' (1941) as Frank - Reporter (uncredited) * '' I Wake Up Screaming'' (1941) as Reporter * ''

Cadet Girl ''Cadet Girl'' is a 1941 comedy film directed by Ray McCarey and written by Stanley Rauh and H.W. Hanemann. The film stars Carole Landis, George Montgomery, Shepperd Strudwick, William Tracy, Janis Carter and Robert Lowery. The film was release ...

'' (1941) as Benny Burns * ''

Remember the Day ''Remember the Day'' is a 1941 film released by 20th Century Fox, directed by Henry King, and starring Claudette Colbert and John Payne. Plot Elderly schoolteacher Nora Trinell reflects on her life and teaching career while waiting to see Dew ...

'' (1941) as Mr. Mason * '' A Gentleman at Heart'' (1942) as Louie * ''Home in Wyomin (1942) as 'Hack' Hackett * '' The Big Shot'' (1942) as Frank 'Dancer' Smith * '' The Magnificent Dope'' (1942) as Reporter (uncredited) * '' Baby Face Morgan'' (1942) as Oliver Harrison * '' My Sister Eileen'' (1942) as Air Raid Warden (uncredited) * ''

Youth on Parade ''Youth on Parade'' is a 1942 comedy musical film directed by Albert S. Rogell and starring John Hubbard, Ruth Terry, Martha O'Driscoll, Tom Brown, and Charles Smith. Premise A group of college students plan to create the ''perfect student'' a ...

'' (1942) as Eddie Reilly * '' Springtime in the Rockies'' (1942) as Stage Manager (uncredited) * ''

My Heart Belongs to Daddy "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" is a song written by Cole Porter, for the 1938 musical ''Leave It to Me!'' which premiered on November 9, 1938. It was originally performed by Mary Martin, who played Dolly Winslow, the young "protégée" of a rich ne ...

'' (1942) as Jiggers Johnston (uncredited) * '' Rhythm Parade'' (1942) as Speed * '' He Hired the Boss'' (1943) as Fuller * ''

Action in the North Atlantic ''Action in the North Atlantic'', also known as ''Heroes Without Uniforms'', is a 1943 American black-and-white war film from Warner Bros. Pictures, produced by Jerry Wald, directed by Lloyd Bacon, that stars Humphrey Bogart and Raymond Massey ...

'' (1943) as Goldberg (uncredited) * '' Spy Train'' (1943) as Stew Stewart * '' Hi Diddle Diddle'' (1943) as Saunders * '' The West Side Kid'' (1943) as Shoelace * ''

Minesweeper A minesweeper is a small warship designed to remove or detonate naval mines. Using various mechanisms intended to counter the threat posed by naval mines, minesweepers keep waterways clear for safe shipping. History The earliest known usage of ...

'' (1943) as Seaman 'Corny' Welch * ''

Johnny Doesn't Live Here Any More ''Johnny Doesn't Live Here Anymore'' is a 1944 American comedy/romance film starring Simone Simon, James Ellison, William Terry, and featuring Robert Mitchum in an early role. Produced by King Brothers Productions, it was co-written by Philip Yo ...

'' (1944) as Jack * ''

Seven Doors to Death ''Seven Doors to Death'' (also known as ''Vanishing Corpses'' in its American reissue title) is a 1944 American film directed by Elmer Clifton and starring Chick Chandler, June Clyde and George Meeker. The film is a comedy/mystery film that w ...

'' (1944, starring role) as Jimmy McMillan * '' Maisie Goes to Reno'' (1944) as Tommy Cutter * '' Irish Eyes Are Smiling'' (1944) as Stage Manager (uncredited) * '' Leave It to Blondie'' (1945) as Eddie Baxter * '' Nob Hill'' (1945) as Wax Museum Guide (uncredited) * '' Captain Eddie'' (1945) as Richard Lacey * '' The Chicago Kid'' (1945) as Squeak * ''

Do You Love Me "Do You Love Me" is a rhythm and blues song recorded by the Contours in 1962. Written and produced by Motown Records owner Berry Gordy Jr., it appeared twice on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart, reaching numbers three in 1962 and eleven in 1 ...

'' (1946) as Earl Williams (uncredited) * ''

Mother Wore Tights ''Mother Wore Tights'' is a 1947 Technicolor musical film starring Betty Grable and Dan Dailey as married vaudeville performers, directed by Walter Lang. This was Grable and Dailey's first film together, based on a book of the same name by Miri ...

'' (1947) as Ed (uncredited) * '' Blondie's Reward'' (1948) as Bill Cooper * '' Music Man'' (1948) as Sanders * '' Family Honeymoon'' (1948) as Taxi driver * '' Every Girl Should Be Married'' (1948) as Soda Clerk * ''

Hideout Hideout may refer to: Entertainment * ''Hideout'' (film), a 1949 American thriller film directed by Philip Ford * ''The Hideout'' (1956 film), a 1956 British crime film directed by Peter Graham Scott * ''The Hideout'' (film), a 2007 film by Pup ...

'' (1949) as Joe Bottomley * ''

The House Across the Street ''The House Across the Street'' is a 1949 American comedy/newspaper film directed by Richard L. Bare and written by Russell S. Hughes. The film stars Wayne Morris, Janis Paige, Bruce Bennett, Alan Hale, Sr., James Mitchell and Barbara Bate ...

'' (1949) as Sanlon (uncredited) * '' Holiday Affair'' (1949) as New Year's Celebrant (uncredited) * '' Key to the City'' (1950) as Herman - Reporter (uncredited) * '' The Great Rupert'' (1950) as Phil Davis * '' Key to the City'' (1950) as Herman - Reporter (uncredited) * '' Curtain Call at Cactus Creek'' (1950) as Ralph * '' Bright Leaf'' (1950) as Tobacco Auctioneer (uncredited) * ''

Wyoming Mail ''Wyoming Mail'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Reginald Le Borg and starring Stephen McNally, Alexis Smith. Plot In 1869, when the railroad mail service is threatened by frequent bandit attacks, the government hires Steve Davis t ...

'' (1950) as Saloon Waiter (uncredited) * ''

Mr. Imperium ''Mr. Imperium'' (UK title: ''You Belong to My Heart'') is a 1951 romantic musical drama Technicolor film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and starring Lana Turner and singer Ezio Pinza. It was directed by Don Hartman, who cowrote the screenplay ...

'' (1951) as George Hoskins (uncredited) * ''

Show Boat ''Show Boat'' is a musical theatre, musical with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is based on Edna Ferber's best-selling 1926 Show Boat (novel), novel of the same name. The musical follows the lives of the pe ...

'' (1951) as Trocadero Stage Assistant (uncredited) * ''

Lost Continent Lost lands are islands or continents believed by some to have existed during pre-history, but to have since disappeared as a result of catastrophism, catastrophic geological phenomena. Legends of lost lands often originated as scholarly or sc ...

'' (1951) as Lt. Danny Wilson * '' Steel Town'' (1952) as Ernie * '' Aaron Slick from Punkin Crick'' (1952) as Pitchman * '' Private Eyes'' (1953) as Eddie the Detective * '' The Eddie Cantor Story'' (1953) as Lesser (uncredited) * ''

It Should Happen to You ''It Should Happen to You'' is a 1954 American romantic comedy film starring Judy Holliday, Peter Lawford and Jack Lemmon; it was Lemmon's first major film appearance. The film was directed by George Cukor, and partly filmed on location in New Yo ...

'' (1954) as TV Engineer in Booth (uncredited) * ''

Untamed Heiress ''Untamed Heiress'' is a 1954 American comedy film directed by Charles Lamont, written by Barry Shipman and starring Judy Canova, Don "Red" Barry, George Cleveland, Taylor Holmes, Chick Chandler and Jack Kruschen. It was released on April 1 ...

'' (1954) as Eddie Taylor * '' A Star Is Born'' (1954) as Man in Car at Diner (uncredited) * '' There's No Business Like Show Business'' (1954) as Harry (uncredited) * ''

3 Ring Circus ''3 Ring Circus'' is a 1954 American comedy film directed by Joseph Pevney and starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. The picture was shot from February 17 to March 31, 1954, and released on December 25 by Paramount Pictures. The supporting cast ...

'' (1954) as Drop-the-Dip Pitchman (uncredited) * ''

Battle Cry A battle cry or war cry is a yell or chant taken up in battle, usually by members of the same combatant group. Battle cries are not necessarily articulate (e.g. "Eulaliaaaa!", "Alala"..), although they often aim to invoke patriotic or religious ...

'' (1955) as Capt. Chaplin (uncredited) * '' Naked Gun'' (1956) as Shakey Wilson * '' Once Upon a Honeymoon'' (1956) as Wilbur the Angel * ''The Runaway'' (1961) as Joe Sullivan - Customs Officer * '' Dangerous Charter'' (1962) as Kick (shot in 1958) * ''

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World ''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'' is a 1963 American comedy film produced and directed by Stanley Kramer with a story and screenplay by William Rose and Tania Rose. The film, starring Spencer Tracy with an all-star cast of comedians, is ...

'' (1963) as Policeman Outside Ray & Irwin's Garage * '' The Patsy'' (1964) as Hedda Hopper's Escort (uncredited) * '' Nightmare in the Sun'' (1965) as Bartender * '' The Girl Who Knew Too Much'' (1969) as Hunley Cobble

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Chandler, Chick 1905 births 1988 deaths Male actors from New York (state) American male film actors American male television actors People from Kingston, New York 20th-century American male actors