Robert North Bradbury (March 23, 1886 – November 24, 1949) (born Ronald E. Bradbury) was an American film actor, director, and screenwriter. He directed 125 movies between 1918 and 1941, and is best known for directing early " Poverty Row"-produced

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 ...

s starring

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne, was an American actor. Nicknamed "Duke", he became a Pop icon, popular icon through his starring roles in films which were produced during Hollywood' ...

in the 1930s, and being the father of noted "cowboy actor" and

film noir Film noir (; ) is a style of Cinema of the United States, Hollywood Crime film, crime dramas that emphasizes cynicism (contemporary), cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of Ameri ...

tough guy Bob Steele. Bradbury variously billed himself as "Robert North Bradbury", "R.N. Bradbury", or "Robert Bradbury". He died in Glendale, California, on November 24, 1949, at age 63.

Work with John Wayne

Bradbury is most famous for directing early

s starring

. These inexpensively shot 1930s " Poverty Row" movies include ''

Riders of Destiny ''Riders of Destiny'' is a 1933 pre-Code Western musical film starring 26-year-old John Wayne as Singin' Sandy Saunders, the screen's second singing cowboy (the first being Ken Maynard in the 1929 film ''The Wagon Master''). It was the first o ...

'' (1933; an early singing-cowboy movie), ''

The Lucky Texan ''The Lucky Texan'' is a 1934 American Lonestar Films B-movie Western film featuring John Wayne (five years before his breakthrough appearance in ''Stagecoach''), Barbara Sheldon, Gabby Hayes, and the legendary stuntman and actor Yakima Canut ...

'' (1934), '' West of the Divide'' (1934), '' Blue Steel'' (1934), ''

The Man From Utah ''The Man from Utah'' is a 1934 pre-Code Monogram Western (genre), Western film starring John Wayne, Polly Ann Young and the stuntman/actor Yakima Canutt. It was written by Lindsley Parsons and directed by Robert N. Bradbury. Wayne has a "singi ...

'' (1934), ''

The Star Packer ''The Star Packer'' is a 1934 Western (genre), Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring John Wayne, George "Gabby" Hayes, Yakima Canutt, and Verna Hillie. Plot U.S. Marshal John Travers becomes the sheriff of a turn-of-the-2 ...

'' (1934), ''

The Trail Beyond ''The Trail Beyond'' is a 1934 Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring John Wayne, Noah Beery Sr., and Noah Beery Jr. The motion picture was based on the novel ''The Wolf Hunters'' by James Oliver Curwood, which was also adapt ...

'' (1934; co-starring Noah Beery, Sr. and

Noah Beery, Jr. Noah Lindsey Beery (August 10, 1913 – November 1, 1994) was an American actor often specializing in warm, friendly character roles similar to many portrayed by his Oscar-winning uncle, Wallace Beery. Unlike his more famous uncle, however, Be ...

), ''

The Lawless Frontier ''The Lawless Frontier'' is a 1934 American Monogram Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring John Wayne, Sheila Terry, George "Gabby" Hayes, and Earl Dwire. It was the tenth of the Lone Star westerns. The picture was made on a ...

'' (1934), '' Texas Terror'' (1935), '' Rainbow Valley'' (1935), ''

The Dawn Rider ''The Dawn Rider'' is a 1935 American Western film starring John Wayne and directed by Robert N. Bradbury. The film was later released in a colorized version on home video/DVD under the title ''Cold Vengeance''. Plot John Mason arrives in to ...

'' (1935), '' Westward Ho'' (1935), and ''

Lawless Range ''Lawless Range'' is a 1935 American Western film released by Republic Pictures, directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring John Wayne. He appears as a "singing cowboy" in the film, with his singing voice dubbed by Glenn Strange. Plot Cast ...

'' (1935). Many were also written by Bradbury, and almost all featured character actor

George "Gabby" Hayes George Francis "Gabby" Hayes (May 7, 1885 – February 9, 1969) was an American actor. He began as something of a leading man and a character player, but he was best known for his numerous appearances in B-Western (genre), Western film series as ...

Filmography

Director

* ''

The Social Pirates ''The Social Pirates'' is a 1916 American silent film serial directed by James W. Horne. It starred Marin Sais, Ollie Kirkby and True Boardman. It was written by George Bronson Howard and produced by the Kalem Company.''Pictorial History of Si ...

'' (1916) (*serial) * ''

The Wooing of Riley ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The' ...

'' (1918) * ''

The Iron Test ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The' ...

'' (1918) * '' Perils of Thunder Mountain'' (1919) * ''

The Faith of the Strong ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...

'' (1919) * ''

The Last of His People ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...

'' (1919) * ''

The Adventures of Bill and Bob ''The Adventures of Bill and Bob'' is a 1920 American silent action film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring Bob Steele (his son). It was the first film Steele (Bob Bradbury, Jr) starred in. His twin brother Bill Bradbury also starred in ...

'' (1920) * '' Into the Light'' (1920) * '' The Impostor'' (1921) * ''

The Tempest ''The Tempest'' is a Shakespeare's plays, play by William Shakespeare, probably written in 1610–1611, and thought to be one of the last plays that he wrote alone. After the first scene, which takes place on a ship at sea during a tempest, th ...

'' (1921) * '' The Sage-Brush Musketeers'' (1921) * '' Catching a Coon'' (1921) * '' The American Badger'' (1921) * '' The Civet Cat'' (1921) * ''

Mother o' Dreams ''Mother o' Dreams'' is a 1921 American silent Western film produced by Cyrus J. Williams and distributed by Pathé Exchange. It was directed by Robert North Bradbury and stars Tom Santschi and Ruth Stonehouse. This short film was part of the ...

'' (1921) * ''

Lorraine of the Timberlands ''Lorraine of the Timberlands'' is a 1921 American silent short Western melodrama film produced by Cyrus J. Williams and distributed by Pathé Exchange. It was directed by Robert North Bradbury and stars Tom Santschi and Ruth Stonehouse. Thi ...

'' (1921) * '' The Skunk'' (1921) * ''

The Honor of Rameriz ''The Honor of Rameriz'' (often incorrectly referred to with the correct spelling of ' Ramirez': ''The Honor of Ramirez'') is a 1921 American silent short Western film produced by Cyrus J. Williams and distributed by Pathé Exchange. It was di ...

'' (1921) * ''

The Spirit of the Lake ''The Spirit of the Lake'' is a 1921 American short film, short silent film, silent Western (genre), Western film produced by Cyrus J. Williams and distributed by Pathé Exchange. It was directed by Robert North Bradbury and stars Tom Santschi, ...

'' (1921) * '' A Day in the Wilds'' (1921) * ''

The Heart of Doreon ''The Heart of Doreon'' (also known as ''In the Heart of Doreon'' and misspelled as ''The Heart of Dorean'') is a 1921 American silent short Western romantic drama film produced by Cyrus J. Williams and distributed by Pathé Exchange. It was ...

'' (1921) * '' Trailing the Coyote'' (1921) * '' Dangerous Trails'' (1922) * '' Mysterious Tracks'' (1922) * '' The Opossum'' (1922) * ''

It Is the Law ''It Is the Law'' is a 1924 American silent film, silent mystery film directed by J. Gordon Edwards (director), J. Gordon Edwards and starring Arthur Hohl, Herbert Heyes, and Mona Palma. It is a film adaptation of the 1922 Broadway theatre, Br ...

'' (1922) * '' Seeing Red'' (1922) * '' Daring Dangers'' (1922) * '' Two Men'' (1922) * '' Ridin' Through'' (1922) * ''

The Hour of Doom ''The'' is a grammatical article in English, denoting nouns that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The ...

'' (1922) * '' A Guilty Cause'' (1922) * '' At Large'' (1922) * '' Come Clean'' (1922) * '' Riders of the Law'' (1922) * ''

The Forbidden Trail ''The Forbidden Trail'' is a 1923 American silent Western film written and directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring Jack Hoxie. A print is preserved in the Library of Congress. Cast * Jack Hoxie - Jack Merriwell/Colonel Jim Merriwell * E ...

'' (1923) * ''

Gallopin' Through ''Gallopin' Through'' is a 1923 American silent Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring Jack Hoxie, Priscilla Bonner and Doreen Turner. Cast * Jack Hoxie John Hartford Hoxie (January 11, 1885 – March 28, 1965) wa ...

'' (1923) * '' Wolf Tracks'' (1923) * '' Desert Rider'' (1923) * '' Face to Face'' (1923) * '' The Wolf Trapper'' (1923) * ''

What Love Will Do ''What Love Will Do'' is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by William K. Howard and starring Edna Murphy, Johnnie Walker and Barbara Tennant.Solomon p.272 Plot Cast * Edna Murphy as Mary Douglas * Johnnie Walker as Johnny Rowan * ...

'' (1923) * '' No Tenderfoot'' (1923) * '' The Red Warning'' (1923) * ''

The Man from Wyoming ''The Man from Wyoming'' is a 1924 American silent Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring Jack Hoxie, Lillian Rich, and William Welsh. Plot As described in a film magazine, Jack Halloway (Payton) covets the land of cattlema ...

'' (1924) * '' The Phantom Horseman'' (1924) * '' Wanted by the Law'' (1924) * '' The Galloping Ace'' (1924) * ''

Behind Two Guns ''Behind Two Guns'' is a 1924 American silent Western film, directed by Robert North Bradbury. It stars J. B. Warner, Hazel Newman, and Marin Sais Marin Sais (born Mae Smith; August 2, 1890 – December 31, 1971) was an American actress ...

'' (1924) * '' Yankee Speed'' (1924) * '' In High Gear'' (1924) * '' Riders of Mystery'' (1925) * ''

Moccasins A moccasin is a shoe, made of deerskin or other soft leather, consisting of a sole (made with leather that has not been "worked") and sides made of one piece of leather, stitched together at the top, and sometimes with a vamp (additional pane ...

'' (1925) * '' The Speed Demon'' (1925) * ''

The Battler "The Battler" is a short story written by Ernest Hemingway, published in the 1925 New York edition of ''In Our Time (short story collection), In Our Time'', by Boni & Liveright.Oliver (1999), 21 The story is the fifth in the collection to fea ...

'' (1925) * '' Hidden Loot'' (1925) * '' The Danger Zone'' (1925/I) * '' The Border Sheriff'' (1926) * '' Daniel Boone Thru the Wilderness'' (1926) * '' Looking for Trouble'' (1926) * '' The Fighting Doctor'' (1926) * ''

Davy Crockett at the Fall of the Alamo ''With Davy Crockett at the Fall of the Alamo'' is a 1926 American silent film, silent Western (genre), Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring Cullen Landis, Kathryn McGuire, and Guy Edward Hearn, Edward Hearn. The battle scene ...

'' (1926) * ''

Sitting Bull at the Spirit Lake Massacre ''Sitting Bull at the Spirit Lake Massacre'' (also known as ''With Sitting Bull at the Spirit Lake Massacre'') is a 1927 American silent Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a t ...

'' (1927) * '' The Mojave Kid'' (1927) * ''

The Bantam Cowboy ''The Bantam Cowboy'' is a 1928 American silent Western film directed by Louis King and starring Buzz Barton, Frank Rice and Nancy Drexel. Cast * Buzz Barton as David 'Red' Hepner * Frank Rice as Sidewinder Steve * Thomas G. Lingham as ...

'' (1928) * ''

Lightning Speed ''Lightning Speed'' is a 1928 American action film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring Bob Steele, Mary Mayberry and Barney Furey.Munden p.436 Plot A journalist in love with the daughter of a state governor tries to prevent her being ...

'' (1928) * '' Headin' for Danger'' (1928) * '' Dugan of the Badlands'' (1931) * '' A Son of the Plains'' (1931) * '' Law of the West'' (1932) * '' Riders of the Desert'' (1932) * '' The Man from Hell's Edges'' (1932) * ''

Son of Oklahoma A son is a male offspring; a boy or a man in relation to his parents. The female counterpart is a daughter. From a biological perspective, a son constitutes a first degree relative. Social issues In pre-industrial societies and some current c ...

'' (1932) * '' Hidden Valley'' (1932) * '' Texas Buddies'' (1932) * '' Breed of the Border'' (1933) * '' The Gallant Fool'' (1933) * ''

Galloping Romeo ''Galloping Romeo'' is a 1933 American pre-Code Western film released by Monogram Pictures, written and directed by Robert N. Bradbury, and starring Bob Steele. Plot Cast * Bob Steele as Bob Rivers * Doris Hill as Mary Kent *George "Gabby" ...

'' (1933) * '' Ranger's Code'' (1933) * ''

'' (1933) with

* ''

'' (1934) with John Wayne and

* '' West of the Divide'' (1934) with John Wayne and George "Gabby" Hayes * '' Blue Steel'' (1934) with John Wayne and George "Gabby" Hayes * ''

The Man from Utah ''The Man from Utah'' is a 1934 pre-Code Monogram Western (genre), Western film starring John Wayne, Polly Ann Young and the stuntman/actor Yakima Canutt. It was written by Lindsley Parsons and directed by Robert N. Bradbury. Wayne has a "singi ...

'' (1934) with John Wayne and George "Gabby" Hayes * ''

'' (1934) with John Wayne and George "Gabby" Hayes * '' Happy Landing'' (1934) * ''

'' (1934) with John Wayne, Noah Beery, Sr., and

* ''

'' (1934) with John Wayne and George "Gabby" Hayes * ''

Western Justice ''Western Justice'' is a 1934 American Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring Bob Steele. Steele sings in the film. Scenes were shot around Buena Vista Lake.Three Additional Work Projects Granted Kern Los Angeles Times Febru ...

'' (1934) * '' Kid Courageous'' (1934) * ''

No Man's Range ''No Man's Range'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury starring his son Bob Steele.p.226 Pitts, Michael R. ''Western Movies: A Guide to 5,105 Feature Films'' McFarland; 2nd Revised edition 13 December 2012 Plot ...

'' (1935) * '' Texas Terror'' (1935) with John Wayne and George "Gabby" Hayes * ''

Big Calibre ''Big Calibre'' is a 1935 American Western film produced by Supreme Pictures and directed by Robert N. Bradbury. It premiered on March 8, 1935. The film features Bob Steele as Bob O'Neill, a stockgrower who, seeking vengeance for his murdered ...

'' (1935) * '' Rainbow Valley'' (1935) with John Wayne and George "Gabby" Hayes * '' Smokey Smith'' (1935) * ''

Tombstone Terror ''Tombstone Terror'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring Bob Steele. Plot Cast * Bob Steele as Jimmy Dixon / Duke Dixon * Kay McCoy as Jean Adams * George 'Gabby' Hayes as Soupy Baxter (as George Ha ...

'' (1935) * ''

'' (1935) with John Wayne * '' Sundown Saunders'' (1935) * '' Westward Ho'' (1935) with John Wayne * ''

The Rider of the Law ''The Rider of the Law'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury. Plot Cast * Bob Steele as Bob Marlow * Gertrude Messinger as Ann Carver * Si Jenks as Buffalo Brady * Lloyd Ingraham as Colonel Carver * John Ellio ...

'' (1935) * '' Between Men'' (1935) * ''

'' (1935) with John Wayne * ''

Alias John Law ''Alias John Law'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring Bob Steele. It was produced by Supreme Pictures and released by William Steiner Productions on a states-rights basis. It was remade in 1950 as '' ...

'' (1935) * '' The Courageous Avenger'' (1935) * ''

Trail of Terror ''Trail of Terror'' is a 1943 American Western film written and directed by Oliver Drake. The film stars Dave O'Brien, James Newill, Guy Wilkerson, Patricia Knox, Jack Ingram and I. Stanford Jolley. The film was released on September 7, 19 ...

'' (1935) * '' Valley of the Lawless'' (1936) * ''

The Kid Ranger ''The Kid Ranger'' is a 1936 American Western film starring Bob Steele. It was done for Supreme Pictures and was produced by A. W. Hackel. Plot Cast * Bob Steele as Ray Burton * William Farnum as Bill Mason * Joan Barclay as Mary Brokaw * ...

'' (1936) * ''

Last of the Warrens ''Last of the Warrens'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury. Plot Cast * Bob Steele as Ted Warren *Margaret Marquis as Mary Burns * Charles King as Kent, aka Shelby *Horace Murphy as Grizzly *Lafe McKee as Sheriff ...

'' (1936) * '' The Law Rides'' (1936) * '' Brand of the Outlaws'' (1936) * ''

Cavalry Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from ''cheval'' meaning "horse") are groups of soldiers or warriors who Horses in warfare, fight mounted on horseback. Until the 20th century, cavalry were the most mob ...

'' (1936) * '' Headin' for the Rio Grande'' (1936) * '' The Gun Ranger'' (1937) * ''

Trouble in Texas ''Trouble in Texas'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury (as R.N. Bradbury) and starring Tex Ritter, his horse White Flash, Rita Hayworth (billed as "Rita Cansino") and Yakima Canutt. The supporting cast features Earl ...

'' (1937) * ''

Hittin' the Trail ''Hittin' the Trail'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury. It stars singing cowboy Tex Ritter and Hank Worden. Plot Penniless horse traders Tex and Hank meet a stranger in need of a horse. Though he has no money and ...

'' (1937) * '' The Trusted Outlaw'' (1937) * '' Sing, Cowboy, Sing'' (1937) * ''

Riders of the Rockies ''Riders of the Rockies'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Robert North Bradbury and written by Robert Emmett Tansey and Norman Leslie. The film stars Tex Ritter, Louise Stanley, Horace Murphy, Snub Pollard, Earl Dwire and Charles Ki ...

'' (1937) * '' Riders of the Dawn'' (1937) * '' God's Country and the Man'' (1937) * '' Stars Over Arizona'' (1937) * ''

Where Trails Divide ''Where Trails Divide'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Robert N. Bradbury and starring Tom Keene, Warner Richmond Warner Richmond (born Werner Paul Otto Raetzmann; January 11, 1886 – June 19, 1948) was an American stage and ...

'' (1937) * '' Danger Valley'' (1937) * ''

Romance of the Rockies ''Romance of the Rockies'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Robert North Bradbury and written by Robert Emmett Tansey. The film stars Tom Keene, Beryl Wallace, Franklyn Farnum, Don Orlando, Bill Cody Jr. and Earl Dwire. The film was ...

'' (1937) * ''

Forbidden Trails ''Forbidden Trails'' is a 1941 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Robert North Bradbury, Robert N. Bradbury and written by Adele Buffington. This is the third film in Monogram Pictures' ''Rough Riders'' series, and stars Buck Jo ...

'' (1941)

Miscellaneous

* ''

'' (1933) (story) * '' Blue Steel'' (1934) (story & screenplay) * '' West of the Divide'' (1934) (story & screenplay) * ''

'' (1934) (story & screenplay) * ''

'' (1934) (story & screenplay) * '' Blue Steel'' (1934) (producer) (uncredited) * ''

'' (1934) (story & screenplay) * '' Westward Ho'' (1935) (songwriter: "The Girl I Loved Long Ago") (uncredited) * '' Texas Terror'' (1935) (story) * ''

'' (1935) (screenplay) (uncredited) * ''

'' (1935) (lyrics: "The Girl I Loved Long Ago" – uncredited) / (music: "The Girl I Loved Long Ago" – (uncredited)

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Bradbury, Robert North 1886 births 1949 deaths Film directors from Washington (state) Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) 20th-century American screenwriters People from Walla Walla, Washington