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Mason Alan Dinehart Sr. (born Harold Alan Dinehart; October 3, 1889 – July 18, 1944) was an American actor, director, writer, and stage manager.


Biography

Dinehart initially studied to be a priest, but he turned to the theater instead. His first acting experience came at Missoula University in Montana. He was active in Vaudeville before moving into other areas of entertainment. He left school to appear on stage with a repertory company and had no screen experience when he signed a contract with Fox in May 1931. He became a
character actor A character actor is an actor known for playing unusual, eccentric, or interesting character (arts), characters in supporting roles, rather than leading ones.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrie ...
and supporting player in at least eighty-eight films between 1931 and 1944. Earlier, he appeared in more than twenty Broadway plays. Dinehart co-wrote and starred in the Broadway play ''Separate Rooms'', which opened on March 23, 1940 at the
Maxine Elliott Theatre Maxine Elliott's Theatre was originally a Broadway theatre at 109 West 39th Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Built in 1908, it was designed by architect Benjamin Marshall of the Chicago-based firm Marshall and Fox, ...
and ran for 613 performances. Dinehart's likeness was drawn in caricature by
Alex Gard Alex Gard (born Alexei Mikhailovich Kremkov, ; also tr. Kremkoff; June 17, 1898 – June 1, 1948) was a Russian American cartoonist. He was a regular cartoonist for newspapers, magazines and books, but is most well known for his celebrity caric ...
for
Sardi's Sardi's is a continental restaurant located at 234 West 44th Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, in the Theater District of Manhattan, New York City. Sardi's opened at its current location on March 5, 1927. It is known for the caric ...
, the
New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...
theater district restaurant. The picture is now part of the collection of the
New York Public Library The New York Public Library (NYPL) is a public library system in New York City. With nearly 53 million items and 92 locations, the New York Public Library is the second-largest public library in the United States behind the Library of Congress a ...
. Dinehart's second son,
Mason Alan Dinehart Mason Alan Dinehart (born 1936) is an American business consultant and retired actor best known for his role as a youthful Bat Masterson in 34 episodes between 1955 and 1959 of the ABC/ Desilu television series '' The Life and Legend of Wyat ...
, was cast in several 1950s
television series A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general reference to any content produced for viewing on a television set that is broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, and cable, or distributed digitally on streaming plat ...
, including the role of a young
Bat Masterson Bartholemew William Barclay "Bat" Masterson (November 26, 1853 – October 25, 1921) was a U.S. Army scout, lawman, professional gambler, and journalist known for his exploits in the late 19th and early 20th-century American Old West. He was bo ...
in the ABC/ Desilu Studios
western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...
, ''
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp ''The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp'' is the first Western television series written for adults.Hugh O'Brian Hugh O'Brian (born Hugh Charles Krampe; April 19, 1925 – September 5, 2016) was an American actor and humanitarian, best known for his starring roles in the American Broadcasting Company, ABC Western (genre), Western television series ' ...
in the title role.


Personal life

In 1936, Dinehart had his name legally changed to Mason Alan Dinehart. He had been baptized Harold Alan Dinehart, but his wife explained that the change would permit their son to be legally named Alan Dinehart III.


Death

Dinehart died of
heart disease Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is any disease involving the heart or blood vessels. CVDs constitute a class of diseases that includes: coronary artery diseases (e.g. angina pectoris, angina, myocardial infarction, heart attack), heart failure, ...
on July 18, 1944. He was 54 years old.The Gazette, Montreal
July 21, 1944, p. 3


Selected filmography

*''
The Brat ''The Brat'' is a 1931 American pre-Code comedy film directed by John Ford, starring Sally O'Neil, and featuring Virginia Cherrill. The film is based on the 1917 play by Maude Fulton. A previous silent film had been made in 1919 with Al ...
'' (1931) - MacMillan Forrester *'' Wicked'' (1931) - Blake *'' Girls About Town'' (1931) - Jerry Chase *''
Good Sport ''Good Sport'' is a 1931 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Kenneth MacKenna and written by William Hurlbut. The film stars Linda Watkins, John Boles, Greta Nissen, Minna Gombell, Hedda Hopper and Alan Dinehart. The film was releas ...
'' (1931) - Rex Parker *''
Disorderly Conduct Disorderly conduct is a crime in most jurisdictions, such as the United States and China. Typically, "disorderly conduct" is a term used to refer to any behavior that is considered unacceptable in a formal, civilized or controlled environment. ...
'' (1932) - Fletcher *''
Devil's Lottery ''Devil's Lottery'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by Sam Taylor and written by Guy Bolton. The film stars Elissa Landi, Victor McLaglen, Alexander Kirkland, Ralph Morgan, Paul Cavanagh and Barbara Weeks. The film was re ...
'' (1932) - American (uncredited) *''
The Trial of Vivienne Ware ''The Trial of Vivienne Ware'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by William K. Howard, written by Barry Conners and Philip Klein, and starring Joan Bennett, Donald Cook, Richard "Skeets" Gallagher, ZaSu Pitts, Lilian Bond a ...
'' (1932) - Prosecutor *'' Street of Women'' (1932) - Lawrence 'Larry' Baldwin *'' Bachelor's Affairs'' (1932) - Luke Radcliff *'' Almost Married'' (1932) - Inspector Slante *'' Okay, America!'' (1932) - Roger Jones *'' Washington Merry-Go-Round'' (1932) - Norton *'' Rackety Rax'' (1932) - Counsellor Sultsfeldt *'' The Devil Is Driving'' (1932) - Jenkins *'' Lawyer Man'' (1932) - Granville Bentley *'' As the Devil Commands'' (1932) - Robert Waldo *'' Sweepings'' (1933) - Thane Pardway *''
Supernatural Supernatural phenomena or entities are those beyond the Scientific law, laws of nature. The term is derived from Medieval Latin , from Latin 'above, beyond, outside of' + 'nature'. Although the corollary term "nature" has had multiple meanin ...
'' (1933) - Paul Bavian *''
A Study in Scarlet ''A Study in Scarlet'' is an 1887 Detective fiction, detective novel by British writer Arthur Conan Doyle. The story marks the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, who would go on to become one of the most well-known detective ...
'' (1933) - Merrydew *'' I Have Lived'' (1933) - Thomas Langley *'' Her Bodyguard'' (1933) - Lester Cunningham *'' No Marriage Ties'' (1933) - 'Perk' Perkins *''The Road Is Open Again'' (1933, short subject, as
George Washington George Washington (, 1799) was a Founding Fathers of the United States, Founding Father and the first president of the United States, serving from 1789 to 1797. As commander of the Continental Army, Washington led Patriot (American Revoluti ...
) - George Washington *'' Dance Girl Dance'' (1933) - Wade 'Val' Valentine *'' As the Devil Commands'' (1933) - Robert Waldo *'' Bureau of Missing Persons'' (1933) - Therme Roberts *'' Fury of the Jungle'' (1933) - Taggart *'' The World Changes'' (1933) - Ogden Jarrett *'' The Sin of Nora Moran'' (1933) - District Attorney John Grant *'' Cross Country Cruise'' (1934) - Steve Borden *'' The Crosby Case'' (1934) - Police Inspector Thomas *'' Jimmy the Gent'' (1934) - Charles Wallingham *'' A Very Honorable Guy'' (1934) - The Brain *''
The Love Captive ''The Love Captive'' is a 1934 American pre-Code drama film directed by Max Marcin and written by Karen DeWolf, adapted from Marcin's play of the same name. The film stars Gloria Stuart, Nils Asther, Paul Kelly, Alan Dinehart, Renee Gadd, and ...
'' (1934) - Roger Loft *'' Baby Take a Bow'' (1934) - Welch *'' The Cat's-Paw'' (1934) - Mayor Ed Morgan *'' Lottery Lover'' (1935) - Edward Arthur 'Tank' Tankersley *'' $10 Raise'' (1935) - Fuller *''
Dante's Inferno ''Inferno'' (; Italian for ' Hell') is the first part of Italian writer Dante Alighieri's 14th-century narrative poem '' The Divine Comedy'', followed by and . The ''Inferno'' describes the journey of a fictionalised version of Dante himsel ...
'' (1935) - Jonesy *'' Redheads on Parade'' (1935) - George Magnus *'' The Payoff'' (1935) - Marty *'' Thanks a Million'' (1935) - Mr. Kruger *'' In Old Kentucky'' (1935) - Slick Doherty *'' Your Uncle Dudley'' (1935) - Charlie Post *'' It Had to Happen'' (1936) - Rodman Dreke *'' Everybody's Old Man'' (1936) - Frederick Gillespie *'' The Country Beyond'' (1936) - Ray Jennings *'' Human Cargo'' (1936) - Lionel Crocker *'' Parole!'' (1936) - Richard Mallard *'' The Crime of Dr. Forbes'' (1936) - Prosecuting Attorney *''
Charlie Chan at the Race Track ''Charlie Chan at the Race Track'' is the 12th film in the 20th Century Fox-produced Charlie Chan series starring Warner Oland in the title role. Plot When a prominent racehorse owner winds up dead-allegedly kicked to death by his prized sta ...
'' (1936) - George Chester *'' Star for a Night'' (1936) - James Dunning *'' King of the Royal Mounted'' (1936) - Frank Becker *'' Reunion'' (1936) - Philip Crandell *''
Born to Dance ''Born to Dance'' is a 1936 American musical film directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring Eleanor Powell, James Stewart and Virginia Bruce. It was produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The score was composed by Cole Porter. Plot Wh ...
'' (1936) - McKay *''
Woman-Wise ''Woman-Wise'' is a 1937 American crime film directed by Allan Dwan and written by Ben Markson. The film stars Rochelle Hudson, Michael Whalen, Thomas Beck, Alan Dinehart, Douglas Fowley and George Hassell. The film was released on January ...
'' (1937) - Richards *'' Step Lively, Jeeves!'' (1937) - Hon. Cedric B. Cromwell *'' Midnight Taxi'' (1937) - Philip Strickland *'' This Is My Affair'' (1937) - Doc Keller *'' Fifty Roads to Town'' (1937) - Jerome Kendall *'' Dangerously Yours'' (1937) - Julien Stevens *'' Danger – Love at Work'' (1937) - Allan Duncan *'' Ali Baba Goes to Town'' (1937) - Boland *''
Big Town Girl ''Big Town Girl'' is a 1937 American drama film directed by Alfred L. Werker and written by Lou Breslow, Robert Ellis (actor, born 1892), Robert Ellis, Helen Logan and John Patrick. The film stars Claire Trevor, Donald Woods (actor), Donald Woods ...
'' (1937) - Larry Edwards *'' Love on a Budget'' (1938) - Charles M. Dixon / Uncle Charlie *'' The First Hundred Years'' (1938) - Samuel Z. Walker *'' Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm'' (1938) - Purvis *''
Up the River ''Up the River'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film directed by John Ford, and starring Claire Luce, Spencer Tracy and Humphrey Bogart. The plot concerns escaped convicts, as well as a female convict. It was the feature film debut role o ...
'' (1938) - Warden Clarence Willis *'' Fast and Loose'' (1939) - Dave Hilliard *'' King of the Turf'' (1939) - Nick Grimes *'' Second Fiddle'' (1939) - George 'Whit' Whitney *'' The House of Fear'' (1939) - Joseph Morton *''
Hotel for Women ''Hotel for Women'' (or ''Elsa Maxwell's Hotel for Women'') is a 1939 American drama film directed by Gregory Ratoff and starring Ann Sothern, Linda Darnell, and James Ellison (actor), James Ellison. It was Darnell's screen debut. As work publish ...
'' (1939) - Stephen Gates *'' Two Bright Boys'' (1939) - Bill Hallet *'' Everything Happens at Night'' (1939) - Fred Sherwood *'' Slightly Honorable'' (1939) - Commissioner Joyce *'' Girl Trouble'' (1942) - Charles Barrett *'' It's a Great Life'' (1943) - Collender Martin *'' Fired Wife'' (1943) - Jerry Donohue *'' Sweet Rosie O'Grady'' (1943) - Arthur Skinner *'' The Heat's On'' (1943) - Forrest Stanton *'' What a Woman!'' (1943) - Pat O'Shea *'' The Whistler'' (1943) - Gorman *'' Moon Over Las Vegas'' (1944) - Hal Blake *''
Seven Days Ashore ''Seven Days Ashore'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by John H. Auer and written by Edward Verdier, Irving Phillips and Lawrence Kimble. The film stars Wally Brown, Alan Carney, Marcy McGuire, Virginia Mayo, Elaine Shepard, Gordon Oliver ...
'' (1944) - Daniel Arland *'' Johnny Doesn't Live Here Any More'' (1944) - Judge *'' Minstrel Man'' (1944) - Lew Dunn *'' Oh, What a Night'' (1944) - Detective Norris *'' A Wave, a WAC and a Marine'' (1944) - R. J., the Producer (final film role)


References


External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Dinehart, Alan American male film actors American male stage actors Male actors from Saint Paul, Minnesota 1889 births 1944 deaths Male actors from Los Angeles Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) 20th-century American male actors American vaudeville performers Broadway theatre directors