biographyUpset by Republic's low pay scale, Corrigan left the studio with the completion of New Frontier (1939; with John Wayne and Raymond Hatton). He then worked out a production deal with Monogram Studios and made a string of Range Buster westerns, beginning with The Range Busters (1940; with John 'Dusty' King and Max Terhune). While this series lacked the production values of Republic's Three Mesquiteers series (although both were 'poverty row' studios, Monogram was a rung or two down from Republic), Corrigan was promoted to lead status and shared in the profits of the successful series. Corrigan also cast Max Terhune, who portrayed Lullaby Joslin in Republic's Three Mesquiteers series, as 'Alibi' Terhune in the new Monogram series. Of course, Monogram's Range Busters series bore more than a passing resemblance to Republic's Three Mesquiteers. |
the films of ray corriganGhost-Town Gold (1936)Promotional photo from the second film in Republic's Three Mesquiteers series, Ghost-Town Gold with Max Terhune and Robert Livingston. This was one of Terhune's first film appearancesUndersea Kingdom (1936)From Republic's thrilling-yet-campy science fiction serial Undersea Kingdom. LEFT: With Lee Van Atta and Lon Chaney Jr. CENTER: Crash Corrigan attempts to free Atlantis, and the world, from being conquered by the evil Unga Khan. RIGHT: As Unga Khan, Monte Blue keeps Crash under surveillance. Select chapters of this serial once aired on Mystery Science Theater 3000Heart of the Rockies (1937)Range Defenders (1937)The Three Mesquiteers (Max Terhune, Robert Livingston, and Crash Corrigan) rush to defend Stony's (Robert Livingston) brother from a trumped-up murder charge in Range DefendersOverland Stage Raiders (1938)From Republic's Overland Stage Raiders, part of the Three Mesquiteers series. Also pictured are John Wayne and Max TerhuneRed River Range (1938)Corrigan and John Wayne round up a cattle rustler in Republic's Red River RangeSanta Fe Stampede (1938)With Dick Rush, Max Terhune, and John Wayne in Republic's Santa Fe StampedeCome On, Cowboys! (1939)LEFT: From Republic's Three Mesquiteers series Come On, Cowboys! with Max Terhune, Robert Livingston, and Maxine Doyle. RIGHT: Max Terhune as Lullaby Joslin, Robert Livingston as Stony Brooke, and Crash Corrigan as Tucson SmithThree Texas Steers (1939)From Republic's Three Texas Steers with Max Terhune and John WayneThe Range Busters (1940)The first entry in the popular Monogram series, The Range Busters was shot at Corriganville and was produced by Ray CorriganUnderground Rustlers (1941)Boot Hill Bandits (1942)In Monogram's Boot Hill Bandits, an entry in the Range Busters series, Marshal Crash Corrigan has just narrowly escaped deathTexas Trouble Shooters (1942)Bullets and Saddles (1943)Captive Wild Woman (1943)In Universal's campy horror flick Captive Wild Woman, mad scientist John Carradine turns an eye to Evelyn Ankers and decides to transform gorilla Crash Corrigan into beautiful AcquanettaThe White Gorilla (1946)Corrigan plays the lead as well as Kongo, the white gorilla, in the low-budget independent production The White Gorilla. Also pictured are Francis Ford, Charles King, Lorraine Miller, and George Lewislater yearsUsing his earnings at Republic, in 1937 Corrigan purchased a large, inexpensive parcel of land in the California Simi Valley, which he turned into "Corriganville," a movie ranch where many films and television westerns were shot in the 1940s and 1950s, including the Range Buster films. This small investment proved very lucrative; upon Corrigan's exit from Monogram in 1943, he was able to afford semi-retirement, working only on occasion in films while leasing the movie ranch to other production companies. In his later film appearances, Corrigan most often donned a gorilla suit, which he had specially made, from the 1940s through the late 1950s, including Nabonga (1944; with Buster Crabbe and Julie London), Zamba (1949; with Jon Hall and June Vincent), and Bela Lugosi Meets a Brooklyn Gorilla (1952; with Bela Lugosi), among others. His last film appearance came as the title creature in the science fiction thriller It! The Terror from Beyond Space (1958; with Marshall Thompson). Nearly 60 years old, Corrigan retired from the screen. He sold his movie ranch to Bob Hope in 1966 for more than 200 times its original purchase price, making him a very wealthy man. Ray Corrigan passed away on August 10, 1976, following a heart attack at the age of 74. He was survived by a son and two daughters. |
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