Charles Robert Starrett (March 28, 1903 – March 22, 1986) was an American actor, best known for his starring role in the ''Durango Kid'' westerns. Starrett still holds the record for starring in the longest series of theatrical features: 131 westerns, all produced by

Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the mu ...

Early years

Starrett was born in

Athol, Massachusetts Athol is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 11,945 at the 2020 census. History Originally called Pequoiag when settled by Native Americans, the area was subsequently settled by five families in Sept ...

, where his grandfather had built a prosperous tool works. He attended

Worcester Academy Worcester Academy is a private school in Worcester, Massachusetts. It is the oldest educational institution founded in the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, and one of the oldest day-boarding schools in the United States. A coeducational prepara ...

, then graduated from

Dartmouth College Dartmouth College (; ) is a private research university in Hanover, New Hampshire. Established in 1769 by Eleazar Wheelock, it is one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution. Although founded to educate Native ...

Career

A graduate of

in 1922, Starrett went on to study at Dartmouth College. While on the Dartmouth

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kicking a ball to score a goal. Unqualified, the word ''football'' normally means the form of football that is the most popular where the word is used. Sports commonly ...

team he was hired to play a football extra in the film ''The Quarterback'' (1926). Bitten by the acting bug, Starrett played minor roles in films and leading roles in stage plays. In 1928, he was a member of the Walker Company, a

repertory theatre A repertory theatre is a theatre in which a resident company presents works from a specified repertoire, usually in alternation or rotation. United Kingdom Annie Horniman founded the first modern repertory theatre in Manchester after withdrawin ...

troupe headed by Stuart Walker. He played the romantic lead in his first movie, '' Fast and Loose'' (1930), which starred Frank Morgan,

Miriam Hopkins Ellen Miriam Hopkins (October 18, 1902 – October 9, 1972) was an American actress known for her versatility. She first signed with Paramount Pictures in 1930. Her best-known roles included a pickpocket in Ernst Lubitsch's romantic comedy '' T ...

, and

Carole Lombard Carole Lombard (born Jane Alice Peters; October 6, 1908 – January 16, 1942) was an American actress, particularly noted for her energetic, often off-beat roles in screwball comedies. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked Lombard 2 ...

. Starrett starred in the Canadian production '' The Viking'' (1931), a rugged outdoor adventure filmed on location in Newfoundland, which had begun as a

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...

project.

Starrett was very active for the next two years, playing juvenile leads for both major and minor studios. He was featured in '' Our Betters'' (1933), ''

Murder on the Campus ''Murder on the Campus'' is a 1933 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Richard Thorpe. The film is also known as ''On the Stroke of Nine'' in the United Kingdom. It is based on the novel ''The Campanile Murders'', by Whitman Chambers (App ...

'' (1933), and as a young doctor named Orion in "Along Came Love", opposite Irene Hervey. Of Starrett's early character appearances, today's viewers may be most familiar with the

Will Rogers William Penn Adair Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was an American vaudeville performer, actor, and humorous social commentator. He was born as a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, in the Indian Territory (now part of Oklahom ...

picture '' Mr. Skitch'' (1933), featuring Starrett as the romantic lead. Offscreen, Charles Starrett helped organize the

Screen Actors Guild The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) was an American labor union which represented over 100,000 film and television principal and background performers worldwide. On March 30, 2012, the union leadership announced that the SAG membership voted to me ...

. He held membership card #10.

Cowboy star

In 1935, Columbia Pictures wanted to replace its incumbent western star

Tim McCoy Timothy John Fitzgerald McCoy (April 10, 1891 – January 29, 1978) was an American actor, military officer, and expert on American Indian life. McCoy is most noted for his roles in B-grade Western films. As a popular cowboy film star, he ap ...

with a younger actor. Starrett heard about this and interviewed with Columbia producers. Starrett recalled that studio chief

Harry Cohn Harry Cohn (July 23, 1891 – February 27, 1958) was a co-founder, president, and production director of Columbia Pictures Corporation. Life and career Cohn was born to a working-class Jewish family in New York City. His father, Joseph Cohn, w ...

was indifferent, caring about only one thing: "Can he ride a horse?" Starrett could, and got the job. His first western was '' Gallant Defender'' (1935). Starrett ultimately signed four contracts with Columbia, becoming the studio's number-one cowboy star. He cast an appealing figure with his tall stature (6' 2"), strong jawline, confident voice, and air of quiet authority. Starrett hadn't planned on making an entire career out of westerns, and agreed to make them for two years, with the understanding that his bosses would then cast him in plainclothes roles. When they didn't, he walked out on his contract after the two years. (In 1974 Starrett told author James Horwitz that his self-imposed leave of absence cost him $60,000, which was the dollar value of his original agreement.) Meanwhile, theater exhibitors around the world were attracting big crowds with Charles Starrett westerns, so Columbia gave him a new contract with the actor insisting on appearing in a non-western. He finally got his chance—once—in 1937, for the collegiate musical comedy ''

Start Cheering ''Start Cheering'' is a 1938 American musical film directed by Albert S. Rogell and starring Jimmy Durante, Charles Starrett, Joan Perry, and Walter Connolly. It is best remembered today for guest appearances throughout the film by The Three Stoog ...

'' (released 1938). In a curious reflection of his own situation, Starrett played a disenchanted movie hero who wanted to do something different with his life. But Starrett's success in westerns established him firmly in outdoor fare and sealed his fate professionally. For the rest of his career he made Columbia westerns exclusively. The musical westerns of

Gene Autry Orvon Grover "Gene" Autry (September 29, 1907 – October 2, 1998), nicknamed the Singing Cowboy, was an American singer, songwriter, actor, musician, rodeo performer, and baseball owner who gained fame largely by singing in a crooning s ...

inspired every Hollywood studio to have its cowboy personalities use their musical talents—but not Charles Starrett. He could carry a tune but left the songs to professional vocalists (his vocals in ''

'' were dubbed by Robert Paige). Columbia solved the problem by hiring an entire singing group to support Starrett: the

Sons of the Pioneers The Sons of the Pioneers are one of the United States' earliest Western singing groups. Known for their vocal performances, their musicianship, and their songwriting, they produced innovative recordings that have inspired many Western music perf ...

. Charles Starrett made two dozen westerns under his new contract, and they tend to resemble each other because the production unit was very close-knit. The same company of technicians and players worked in film after film: almost always

Iris Meredith Iris Meredith (born Iris Shunn; June 3, 1915 – January 22, 1980) was a B-movie actress of the 1930s and 1940s film era. She starred mostly in heroine roles, in westerns. Early years Meredith was born in Sioux City, Iowa, but grew up in ...

as the leading lady,

Dick Curtis Richard Dye (May 11, 1902January 3, 1952), known professionally as Dick Curtis, was an American actor who made over 230 film and television appearances during his career. Early years Curtis was born in Newport, Kentucky, the son of Frank Dy ...

as the villain,

Hank Bell Hank Bell (January 21, 1892 – February 4, 1950) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 370 films between 1920 and 1950. He was born in Los Angeles, California, and died in Hollywood, California, from a heart attack A myo ...

as the sidekick, Edward LeSaint as the senior character of father, rancher, marshal, etc., and the Sons of the Pioneers as the chorus. Very occasionally, Columbia reassigned Meredith to other productions, so various contract starlets took the ingenue roles, among them

Lorna Gray Virginia Pound (July 26, 1917 – April 30, 2017), known professionally as Lorna Gray and (after 1945) Adrian Booth, was an American film actress known for her comic roles, and later as a villainess. She is best known for her roles in Columb ...

and Ann Doran. When Starrett's new contract lapsed in July 1940, he withdrew from westerns and Columbia disbanded the unit. Iris Meredith left the studio, and the Sons of the Pioneers moved to

Republic Pictures Republic Pictures Corporation (currently held under Melange Pictures, LLC) was an American motion picture production-distribution corporation in operation from 1935 to 1967, that was based in Los Angeles. It had studio facilities in Studio City a ...

, where they reunited with their former lead singer

Roy Rogers Roy Rogers (born Leonard Franklin Slye; November 5, 1911 – July 6, 1998) was an American singer, actor, and television host. Following early work under his given name, first as co-founder of the Sons of the Pioneers and then acting, the rebra ...

. Again, exhibitors petitioned Columbia for more Charles Starrett westerns, so the studio came through with a new contract at an increased salary. Starrett finally accepted his permanent cowboy status, and returned to Columbia in March 1941 as "The Medico," cowboy doctor.

The Durango Kid

After playing assorted rancher, ranger, and sheriff roles, Starrett was cast as The Durango Kid in 1940. The character was an upright citizen known and liked by the townsfolk, but he masqueraded as a notorious, black-garbed horseman to terrorize the local criminals and foil their plans. The film was successful but not much different from some of Starrett's earlier good guy-chasing-bad-guy roles. The character was revived five years later in ''The Return of the Durango Kid'', which caught on very quickly. Starrett played an amiable cowpoke named Steve (the last name varied but he was always Steve to his friends), who would become angered by an injustice and go after the villains as the mysterious, elusive Durango Kid. Steve's paint horse was named "Bullet" and Durango's white horse was "Raider." A follow-up film was made, and then a series. One favorite device became a signature: the masked Durango Kid suddenly materializing like

Superman Superman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, and debuted in the comic book '' Action Comics'' #1 ( cover-dated June 1938 and pu ...

, always catching the villains by surprise. The Durango Kid rejuvenated Charles Starrett's career, winning him a new generation of loyal fans, a new five-year contract, and even a comic-book adaptation, ''Charles Starrett as the Durango Kid'' (1949-1955), published by Magazine Enterprises. The film series was also a useful training ground for novice actresses and fashion models, who would be signed to six-month contracts and cast as cowgirls in Starrett westerns.

Dub Taylor Walter Clarence "Dub" Taylor Jr. (February 26, 1907 – October 3, 1994),Dub Taylor, 87, Actor in Westerns, The New York Times, October 5, 1994, Section B, Page 12 was an American character actor who from the 1940s into the 1990s worked extens ...

, as comic sidekick "Cannonball", worked with Starrett until 1946. At that time, Smiley Burnette, who had been a very popular sidekick to

, was brought in to replace Taylor. Burnette, appropriately enough, played a character called "Smiley Burnette." The ''Durango Kid'' films combined vigorous action sequences--often with spectacular stunts performed by

Ted Mapes Ted Mapes (November 25, 1901 – September 9, 1984) was an American character actor, who was also a prolific stuntman and body double. Born on November 25, 1901, in St. Edward, Nebraska, he moved to Los Angeles in his mid-20s, and entered the fi ...

and later

Jock Mahoney Jacques Joseph O'Mahoney (February 7, 1919 – December 14, 1989), known professionally as Jock Mahoney, was an American actor and stuntman. He starred in two Action/Adventure television series, ''The Range Rider'' and ''Yancy Derringer''. He ...

--and western music. Each film featured musical specialties by Burnette, and by a guest artist or group from records or radio. By 1949, the series faced a challenge. Production costs kept rising, but the financial return was limited. So Columbia resorted to shooting less new material, and borrowing scenes from older Durango Kid pictures to coax the running time up to the usual length. Columbia was starting to use this same recycling gambit in its adventure serials and

Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical farce and slapstick. Six Stooges appeare ...

comedies. Sometimes the scripting and editing were very clever, most memorably in ''Cyclone Fury'' (1951), in which footage from ''four'' older Starrett westerns is worked into the plot. The final Durango Kid feature was ''

The Kid from Broken Gun ''The Kid from Broken Gun'' is a 1952 American western action film directed by Fred F. Sears, and starring Charles Starrett, Jock Mahoney, Angela Stevens, Tristram Coffin, and Myron Healey. The film was released by Columbia Pictures on August ...

'' (1952), with the new footage set in a courtroom and the old footage illustrating the testimony of the various characters. Charles Starrett retired at age 48, when his last Columbia contract lapsed. As Starrett had once taken over Columbia's westerns from Tim McCoy, Jock Mahoney took over the reins from Starrett, co-starring with Smiley Burnette in a new series. The pilot feature was completed but never released,Ivan Spear, ''Boxoffice'', "Columbia Not to Produce Jack Mahoney Westerns," June 7, 1952, p. 24. so Columbia's long history of B westerns ended with Charles Starrett. Columbia serviced the still-strong demand for Starrett by reissuing his 1937-1940 westerns with the Sons of the Pioneers. These proved just as popular as the Durango series, and Columbia kept dozens of the Starrett features in theaters for several years.

Later years

Although his agent, Sam Jaffe, tried to interest movie and TV producers in hiring Starrett, the actor no longer needed or wanted a show-business career; he was independently wealthy from wise investments and his family fortune. In retirement he traveled widely with his wife, favoring tropical islands. His fans never forgot him, and corresponded with him in later years. Starrett was pleased by the interest and made guest appearances at a few film conventions and revivals. Starrett died of

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...

Borrego Springs, California Borrego Springs (''Borrego'', Spanish for "Sheep") is a census-designated place (CDP) in San Diego County, California. The population was 3,429 at the 2010 census, up from 2,535 at the 2000 census, made up of both seasonal and year-round reside ...

, in 1986, six days short of his 83rd birthday.

Selected filmography

* '' Fast and Loose'' (1930) * '' The Royal Family of Broadway'' (1930) * '' Damaged Love'' (1931) * '' The Viking'' (1931) * ''

Silence Silence is the absence of ambient audible sound, the emission of sounds of such low intensity that they do not draw attention to themselves, or the state of having ceased to produce sounds; this latter sense can be extended to apply to the c ...

'' (1931) * ''

The Age for Love ''The Age for Love'' is a 1931 American pre-Code comedy film (now lost) directed by Frank Lloyd based on the 1930 novel of the same name by Ernest Pascal. The film was a vehicle for Howard Hughes' mistress Billie Dove. The film was a commerc ...

'' (1931) * ''

Touchdown A touchdown (abbreviated as TD) is a scoring play in gridiron football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone. In Amer ...

'' (1931) * '' Sky Bride'' (1932) * '' Lady and Gent'' (1932) * '' The Mask of Fu Manchu'' (1933) * ''

Jungle Bride ''Jungle Bride'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code Hollywood, pre-Code film directed by Harry O. Hoyt and Albert H. Kelley. Plot Doris Evans suspects that an actor has committed murder, so she and her fiancé follow him aboard a ship. Following a ...

'' (1933) * '' Our Betters'' (1933) * '' The Return of Casey Jones'' (1933) * ''

The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi Often called the most beloved and popular of college fraternity songs, "The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi" was written in 1911 by Byron D. Stokes (Albion Class of 1913) and F. Dudleigh Vernor (Albion '14). Stokes had written the words while in class on ...

'' (1933) * ''

'' (1933) * '' Mr. Skitch'' (1933) * '' Stolen Sweets'' (1934) * '' Three on a Honeymoon'' (1934) * '' This Man Is Mine'' (1934) * '' Green Eyes'' (1934) * ''

Call It Luck ''Call It Luck'' is a 1934 American comedy film directed by James Tinling and written by Dudley Nichols and Lamar Trotti. The film stars Pat Paterson, Herbert Mundin, Charles Starrett, Gordon Westcott, Georgia Caine and Theodore von Eltz. The ...

'' (1934) * '' Desirable'' (1934) * '' Gentlemen Are Born'' (1934) * '' Undercover Men'' (1934) * '' The Silver Streak'' (1934) * '' Sons of Steel'' (1934) * '' A Shot in the Dark'' (1935) * '' One New York Night'' (1935) * '' One in a Million'' (1935) * ''

What Price Crime ''What Price Crime'' or ''What Price Crime?'' is a 1935 American crime film directed by Albert Herman and starring Charles Starrett, Noel Madison and Virginia Cherrill.Pitts p.57 Cast * Charles Starrett as Allen Grey * Noel Madison as Douglas ...

'' (1935) * '' So Red the Rose'' (1935) * '' Make a Million'' (1935) * '' Gallant Defender'' (1935) * '' The Mysterious Avenger'' (1936) * ''

Secret Patrol ''Secret Patrol'' is a 1936 American-Canadian Western film directed by David Selman and starring Charles Starrett, Finis Barton and J.P. McGowan.Gasher p.30 It was shot in Vancouver. Cast * Charles Starrett as RCMP Cpl. Alan Craig * Finis Ba ...

'' (1936) * ''

Code of the Range ''Code of the Range'' is a 1936 American western film directed by Charles C. Coleman and starring Charles Starrett, Mary Blake and Edward Coxen. Synopsis A feud breaks out between cattle ranchers and sheepherders who dispute each other's graz ...

'' (1936) * ''

Along Came Love ''Along Came Love'' is a 1936 American comedy film directed by Bert Lytell and written by Arthur Caesar. The film stars Irene Hervey, Charles Starrett, Doris Kenyon, H. B. Warner, Irene Franklin and Bernadene Hayes. The film was released on ...

'' (1936) * ''

The Cowboy Star ''The Cowboy Star'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by David Selman and starring Charles Starrett. Plot Spencer Yorke is a star of western films, but he has grown tired of the unreality of the movies in which he appears. He decides he ...

'' (1936) * ''

Stampede A stampede () is a situation in which a group of large animals suddenly start running in the same direction, especially because they are excited or frightened. Non-human species associated with stampede behavior include zebras, cattle, elephants ...

'' (1936) * '' Dodge City Trail'' (1936) * ''

Westbound Mail ''Westbound Mail'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Folmar Blangsted and starring Charles Starrett, Rosalind Keith and Edward Keane.Pitts p.390 Cast * Charles Starrett as Jim 'Skinner' Bradley * Rosalind Keith as Marion Saunders ...

'' (1937) * '' Trapped'' (1937) * ''

Two Gun Law ''Two Gun Law'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Leon Barsha, starring Charles Starrett and Peggy Stratford. Cast * Charles Starrett as Bob Larson * Peggy Stratford as Mary Hammond * Hank Bell as Cookie * Edward J. Le Saint as Ben ...

'' (1937) * ''

Two-Fisted Sheriff ''Two-Fisted Sheriff'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Leon Barsha, starring Charles Starrett and Barbara Weeks. Cast * Charles Starrett as Sheriff Dick Houston * Barbara Weeks as Molly Herrick * Bruce Lane as Bob Pearson * Edw ...

'' (1937) * ''

One Man Justice ''One Man Justice'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Leon Barsha and written by Paul Perez. The film stars Charles Starrett, Barbara Weeks, Wally Wales, Jack Rube Clifford, Alan Bridge and Walter Downing. The film was released on ...

'' (1937) * '' The Old Wyoming Trail'' (1937) * '' Outlaws of the Prairie (1937) * '' Cattle Raiders'' (1938) * ''

'' (1938) * '' Call of the Rockies'' (1938) * ''

Law of the Plains ''Law of the Plains'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson, starring Charles Starrett, and Iris Meredith. Cast * Charles Starrett as Chuck Saunders * Iris Meredith as Marion * Bob Nolan as Bob * Robert Warwick as Willard McG ...

'' (1938) * '' West of Cheyenne'' (1938) * ''

South of Arizona ''South of Arizona'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and starring Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith and Bob Nolan.Pitts p.327 Cast * Charles Starrett as Clay Travers * Iris Meredith as Ann Madison * Bob Nolan as Bob - Tra ...

'' (1938) * '' The Colorado Trail'' (1938) * '' West of the Santa Fe'' (1938) * ''

Rio Grande The Rio Grande ( and ), known in Mexico as the Río Bravo del Norte or simply the Río Bravo, is one of the principal rivers (along with the Colorado River) in the southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. The length of the Rio G ...

'' (1938) * ''

The Thundering West ''The Thundering West'', also known as ''Trail of the Tumbleweed'', is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson, starring Charles Starrett, and Iris Meredith. Cast * Charles Starrett as Jim Dale * Iris Meredith as Helen Patterson * ...

'' (1939) * '' Texas Stampede'' (1939) * '' North of the Yukon'' (1939) * '' Spoilers of the Range'' (1939) * ''

Western Caravans ''Western Caravans'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and written by Bennett Cohen. The film stars Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Dick Curtis, Russell Simpson, Wally Wales and Hank Bell. The film was released on June 15 ...

'' (1939) * ''

The Man from Sundown ''The Man from Sundown'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and written by Paul Franklin. The film stars Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Richard Fiske, Jack Rockwell, Alan Bridge and Dick Botiller. The film was released on ...

'' (1939) * '' Riders of Black River'' (1939) * '' Outpost of the Mounties'' (1939) * ''

The Stranger from Texas ''The Stranger from Texas'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and starring Charles Starrett, Lorna Gray and the Sons of the Pioneers. Cast list * Charles Starrett as Tom Murdock/Tom Morgan * Lorna Gray as Jean Browning * ...

'' (1939) * ''

Two-Fisted Rangers ''Two-Fisted Rangers'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Joseph H. Lewis and written by Fred Myton. The film stars Charles Starrett, Iris Meredith, Bob Nolan, Kenneth MacDonald, Dick Curtis and Wally Wales. The film was released on D ...

'' (1939) * '' Bullets for Rustlers'' (1940) * '' Blazing Six Shooters'' (1940) * '' Texas Stagecoach'' (1940) * '' The Durango Kid'' (1940) 1st Durango Kid film * '' West of Abilene'' (1940) * ''

Thundering Frontier ''Thundering Frontier'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by D. Ross Lederman and starring Charles Starrett. Cast * Charles Starrett as Jim Filmore * Iris Meredith as Norma Belknap * Ray Bennett as Ed Filmore (as Raphael Bennett) * Ale ...

'' (1940) * '' The Pinto Kid'' (1941) * ''

Outlaws of the Panhandle ''Outlaws of the Panhandle'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Sam Nelson and written by Paul Franklin. The film stars Charles Starrett, Frances Robinson, Stanley Brown, Norman Willis, Ray Teal and Lee Prather. The film was released ...

'' (1941) * '' The Medico of Painted Springs'' (1941) * '' Thunder Over the Prairie'' (1941) * '' Prairie Stranger'' (1941) * ''

The Royal Mounted Patrol ''The Royal Mounted Patrol'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Lambert Hillyer and written by Winston Miller. The film stars Charles Starrett, Russell Hayden, Wanda McKay, Donald Curtis, Lloyd Bridges and Evan Thomas. The film was rele ...

'' (1941) * ''

Riders of the Badlands ''Riders of the Badlands'' is a 1941 American Western film directed by Howard Bretherton and written by Betty Burbridge. The film stars Charles Starrett, Russell Hayden, Cliff Edwards, Ilene Brewer, Kay Hughes and Roy Barcroft. The film was rele ...

'' (1941) * ''

West of Tombstone ''West of Tombstone'' is an American Western B-movie film directed by Howard Bretherton and starring Charles Starrett. Plot Marshal Steve Langdon hears a rumor that the legendary criminal Billy the Kid is maybe still alive. Langdon finds Bil ...

'' (1942) * '' Lawless Plainsmen'' (1942) * '' Down Rio Grande Way'' (1942) * ''

Riders of the Northland ''Riders of the Northland'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by William Berke and written by Paul Franklin. The film stars Charles Starrett, Russell Hayden, Shirley Patterson, Cliff Edwards, Bobby Larson and Lloyd Bridges. The film was ...

'' (1942) * '' Bad Men of the Hills'' (1942) * '' Overland to Deadwood'' (1942) * ''

Riding Through Nevada ''Riding Through Nevada'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by William Berke and written by Gerald Geraghty. The film stars Charles Starrett, Shirley Patterson, Arthur Hunnicutt, Jimmie Davis, Clancy Cooper and Davison Clark. The film ...

'' (1942) * '' Pardon My Gun'' (1942) * '' The Fighting Buckaroo'' (1943) * '' Law of the Northwest'' (1943) * '' Frontier Fury'' (1943) * '' Robin Hood of the Range'' (1943) * '' Hail to the Rangers'' (1943) * ''

Cowboy in the Clouds ''Cowboy in the Clouds'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Benjamin H. Kline and written by Elizabeth Beecher. The film stars Charles Starrett, Dub Taylor, Julie Duncan, Jimmy Wakely, Davison Clark and Wally Wales. The film was rele ...

'' (1943) * ''

Cowboy Canteen ''Cowboy Canteen'' is a 1944 American musical western film directed by Lew Landers and starring Charles Starrett. Plot Entertainers perform on a dude ranch for soldiers. Cast * Charles Starrett as Steve Bradley * Jane Frazee as Connie Gray * ...

'' (1944) * '' Sundown Valley'' (1944) * ''

Riding West ''Riding West'' is a 1944 American Western film directed by William Berke and starring Charles Starrett. Plot Steve Jordan (Charles Starrett) is hired by Alexander Morton (Steve Clark) as the head man to get the stations, horses and people in ...

'' (1944) * ''

Cowboy from Lonesome River ''Cowboy from Lonesome River'' is a 1944 American Western film directed by Benjamin H. Kline and written by Luci Ward. The film stars Charles Starrett, Vi Athens, Dub Taylor, Jimmy Wakely, Kenneth MacDonald and Ozie Waters. The film was relea ...

'' (1944) * '' Cyclone Prairie Rangers'' (1944) * ''

Saddle Leather Law ''Saddle Leather Law'' is a 1944 American Western film directed by Benjamin H. Kline and written by Elizabeth Beecher. The film stars Charles Starrett, Dub Taylor, Vi Athens, Lloyd Bridges, Jimmy Wakely and Salty Holmes. The film was release ...

'' (1944) * '' The Return of the Durango Kid'' (1945) 2nd Durango Kid film * ''

Both Barrels Blazing ''Both Barrels Blazing'' is a 1945 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Derwin Abrahams and starring Charles Starrett. Plot The outlaw gangs are robbing the railroads and the Rangers cannot follow them when they move to New Mexic ...

'' (1945) * '' Sagebrush Heroes'' (1945) * ''

Rough Ridin' Justice ''Rough Ridin' Justice'' is a 1945 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Derwin Abrahams and written by Elizabeth Beecher. The film stars Charles Starrett, Dub Taylor, Betty Jane Graham and Jimmy Wakely. The film was released on Ma ...

'' (1945) * '' Rustlers of the Badlands'' (1945) * ''

Outlaws of the Rockies ''Outlaws of the Rockies'' is a 1945 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by J. Benton Cheney. The film stars Charles Starrett, Tex Harding, Dub Taylor, Carole Mathews, Carolina Cotton and Spade Cooley. The film was release ...

'' (1945) * ''

Blazing the Western Trail ''Blazing the Western Trail'' is a 1945 American Western film directed by Vernon Keays and written by J. Benton Cheney. The film stars Charles Starrett, Tex Harding, Dub Taylor, Carole Mathews and Bob Wills. The film was released on September ...

'' (1945) * ''

Lawless Empire ''Lawless Empire'' is a 1945 American Western film directed by Vernon Keays and written by Bennett Cohen. The film stars Charles Starrett, Tex Harding, Dub Taylor, Mildred Law and Bob Wills. The film was released on November 15, 1945, by Colum ...

'' (1945) * ''

Texas Panhandle The Texas Panhandle is a region of the U.S. state of Texas consisting of the northernmost 26 counties in the state. The panhandle is a square-shaped area bordered by New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east. It is adjacent to ...

'' (1945) * '' Frontier Gunlaw'' (1946) * ''

Roaring Rangers ''Roaring Rangers'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Barry Shipman. The film stars Charles Starrett, Adele Roberts, Merle Travis and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on February 14, 1946, by Columbia ...

'' (1946) * ''

Gunning for Vengeance ''Gunning for Vengeance'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro, which stars Charles Starrett, Marjean Neville, and The Trailsmen. Cast list * Charles Starrett as Steve Landry aka The Durango Kid * Marjean Neville as Elaine Je ...

'' (1946) * '' Galloping Thunder'' (1946) * '' Two-Fisted Stranger'' (1946) * ''

The Desert Horseman ''The Desert Horseman'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Sherman L. Lowe. The film stars Charles Starrett, Adele Roberts, Walt Shrum and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on July 11, 1946, by Columbi ...

'' (1946) * '' Heading West'' (1946) * ''

Landrush ''Landrush'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by Vernon Keays and starring Charles Starrett, Doris Houck, Smiley Burnette, Emmett Lynn, Bud Geary and Steve Barclay. The film was released on November 18, 1946, by Columbia Pictures. Plo ...

'' (1946) * '' Terror Trail'' (1946) * ''

The Fighting Frontiersman ''The Fighting Frontiersman'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by Derwin Abrahams and written by Ed Earl Repp. The film stars Charles Starrett, Helen Mowery, Hank Newman and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on December 10, 1946, ...

'' (1946) * ''

South of the Chisholm Trail ''South of the Chisholm Trail'' is a 1947 American Western film directed by Derwin Abrahams and written by Michael Simmons. The film stars Charles Starrett, Nancy Saunders, Hank Newman and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on January 30, ...

'' (1947) * ''

The Lone Hand Texan ''The Lone Hand Texan'' is a 1947 American Western musical film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Charles Starrett, Mustard, Gravy, Smiley Burnette, John Cason, and George Chesebro. The film was released by Columbia Pictures on March 6, 19 ...

'' (1947) * ''

West of Dodge City ''West of Dodge City'' is a 1947 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Bert Horswell. The film stars Charles Starrett, Nancy Saunders, Mustard, Gravy and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on March 27, 1947, by Colum ...

'' (1947) * '' Law of the Canyon'' (1947) * ''

Prairie Raiders ''Prairie Raiders'' is a 1947 American Western film directed by Derwin Abrahams and written by Ed Earl Repp. The film stars Charles Starrett, Nancy Saunders, Mark Roberts, Ozie Waters and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on May 29, 194 ...

'' (1947) * '' The Stranger from Ponca City'' (1947) * '' Riders of the Lone Star'' (1947) * '' Buckaroo from Powder River'' (1947) * '' Last Days of Boot Hill'' (1947) * '' Six-Gun Law'' (1948) * '' Phantom Valley'' (1948) * '' West of Sonora'' (1948) * ''

Whirlwind Raiders ''Whirlwind Raiders'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by Vernon Keays and written by Norman S. Hall. The film stars Charles Starrett, Don Reynolds, Nancy Saunders, Fred F. Sears, Doye O'Dell and Smiley Burnette. The film was release ...

'' (1948) * ''

Blazing Across the Pecos ''Blazing Across the Pecos'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Norman S. Hall. The film stars Charles Starrett, Patricia Barry, Paul Campbell, Charles C. Wilson, Thomas E. Jackson, Red Arnall and Smiley ...

'' (1948) * '' Trail to Laredo'' (1948) * ''

El Dorado Pass ''El Dorado Pass'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Earle Snell. The film stars Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette, Elena Verdugo, Steve Darrell, Rory Mallinson and Ted Mapes. The film was released on Octobe ...

'' (1948) * '' Quick on the Trigger'' (1948) * '' Challenge of the Range'' (1949) * ''

Desert Vigilante ''Desert Vigilante'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by Fred F. Sears and written by Earle Snell. The film stars Charles Starrett, Peggy Stewart, Tris Coffin, Mary Newton, George Chesebro and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on ...

'' (1949) * '' Laramie'' (1949) * '' The Blazing Trail'' (1949) * ''

South of Death Valley ''South of Death Valley'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Earle Snell. The film stars Charles Starrett, Gail Davis, Fred F. Sears, Lee Roberts, Richard Emory, Clayton Moore, Smiley Burnette and Tommy Dunc ...

'' (1949) * ''

Bandits of El Dorado ''Bandits of El Dorado'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Barry Shipman. The film stars Charles Starrett, George J. Lewis, Fred F. Sears, John Dehner, Clayton Moore and Smiley Burnette. The film was release ...

'' (1949) * ''

Horsemen of the Sierras ''Horsemen of the Sierras'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by Fred F. Sears and written by Barry Shipman. The film stars Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette, T. Texas Tyler, Lois Hall, Tommy Ivo and John Dehner. The film was released o ...

'' (1949) * '' Renegades of the Sage'' (1949) * '' Trail of the Rustlers'' (1950) * '' Outcast of Black Mesa'' (1950) * '' Texas Dynamo'' (1950) * ''

Streets of Ghost Town ''Streets of Ghost Town'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and written by Barry Shipman. The film, reusing footage from the 1946 Durango Kid films ''Gunning for Vengeance'' and ''Landrush'', stars Charles Starrett, Ge ...

'' (1950) * ''

Across the Badlands ''Across the Badlands'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Fred F. Sears and written by Barry Shipman. The film stars Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette, Helen Mowery, Stanley Andrews, Robert J. Wilke and Dick Elliott. The film was rel ...

'' (1950) * ''

Raiders of Tomahawk Creek ''Raiders of Tomahawk Creek'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Fred F. Sears and written by Barry Shipman. The film stars Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette, Edgar Dearing, Kay Buckley, Billy Kimbley and Paul Marion. The film was rel ...

'' (1950) * '' Frontier Outpost'' (1950) * ''

Lightning Guns ''Lightning Guns'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Fred F. Sears and starring Charles Starrett, Gloria Henry and William Bailey.Pitts p.191 The film is part of Columbia's long-running Durango Kid series. It was shot at the Iverson ...

'' (1950) * ''

Prairie Roundup ''Prairie Roundup'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Fred F. Sears and starring Charles Starrett, Mary Castle and Frank Fenton.Blottner p.156 It is part of the Durango Kid series. Main cast * Charles Starrett as Steve Carson / The D ...

'' (1951) * ''

Pecos River The Pecos River ( es, Río Pecos) originates in north-central New Mexico and flows into Texas, emptying into the Rio Grande. Its headwaters are on the eastern slope of the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in Mora County north of Pecos, New Mexic ...

'' (1951) * ''

Ridin' the Outlaw Trail ''Ridin' the Outlaw Trail'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Fred F. Sears and starring Charles Starrett, Sunny Vickers and Edgar Dearing.Martin p.464 The film's sets were designed by the art director Charles Clague. Shot at the Iver ...

'' (1951) * '' Fort Savage Raiders'' (1951) * ''

Snake River Desperadoes ''Snake River Desperadoes'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Fred F. Sears and written by Barry Shipman. The film stars Charles Starrett, Don Reynolds, Tommy Ivo, Monte Blue and Smiley Burnette. The film was released on May 30, 1951 ...

'' (1951) * '' Bonanza Town'' (1951) * '' Cyclone Fury'' (1951) * ''

The Kid from Amarillo ''The Kid from Amarillo'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette and Harry Lauter.Pitts p.172 It is part of the Durango Kid series. In Britain it was released under the alternativ ...

'' (1951) * ''

Smoky Canyon ''Smoky Canyon'' is a 1952 American Western musical film directed by Fred F. Sears and starring Charles Starrett, Jock Mahoney, Danni Sue Nolan, Tris Coffin, and Larry Hudson. The film was released by Columbia Pictures on January 31, 1952. Plot ...

'' (1952) * ''

The Hawk of Wild River ''The Hawk of Wild River'' is a 1952 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Fred F. Sears and written by Howard J. Green. The film stars Charles Starrett, Smiley Burnette, Jock Mahoney, Clayton Moore, Eddie Parker (actor), Eddie Par ...

'' (1952) * ''

Laramie Mountains The Laramie Mountains are a range of moderately high peaks on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains in the U.S states of Wyoming and Colorado. The range is the northernmost extension of the line of the ranges along the eastern side of the R ...

'' (1952) * ''

The Rough, Tough West ''The Rough, Tough West'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Charles Starrett, Jock Mahoney and Carolina Cotton. It was released in 1952, during the last year of the Durango Kid series of films.Freese p.60 At th ...

'' (1952) * '' Junction City'' (1952) * ''

'' (1952)

References

External links

B-Western.com

*
Charles Starrett - One Fan's Journey
{{DEFAULTSORT:Starrett, Charles American male film actors Male Western (genre) film actors Worcester Academy alumni 1903 births 1986 deaths Deaths from cancer in California People from Athol, Massachusetts Male actors from Massachusetts Dartmouth Big Green football players 20th-century American male actors Columbia Pictures contract players

Early years

Career

Cowboy star

The Durango Kid

Later years

Selected filmography

References

Further reading

External links