Jeff Chandler (1918-1961)

biography

Born Ira Grossel in Brooklyn on December 15, 1918, rugged actor Jeff Chandler enjoyed a successful career on stage and in radio before acting in his first film. Among other radio shows, Chandler was a fixture on the 1940s series Our Miss Brooks (with Eve Arden). During this time, Chandler married actress Marjorie Hoshelle, and the couple had two daughters, both born in the late 1940s. By the time his daughters were born, Chandler's film career was gaining momentum. He acted in a few films at Columbia and 20th Century Fox before signing with Universal-International in 1949. The strapping 6'5" actor excelled in actioners and westerns but also proved to be a sturdy dramatic actor and also had a flair for comedy. The multi-talented Chandler was also a singer, musician, and songwriter who released a number of singles and albums in the 1950s.

the films of jeff chandler

Flame of Araby (1951)

War Arrow (1953)

Sign of the Pagan (1954)

Foxfire (1955)

Away All Boats (1956)

The Lady Takes a Flyer (1958)

Raw Wind in Eden (1958)

Thunder in the Sun (1959)

Merrill's Marauders (1962)

later years

Much as larger studios such as MGM had done, Universal dropped nearly all of its contract players in the late 1950s. Whereas many contract players watched their careers wither, Chandler's talent and strong audience appeal kept him in front of the cameras. In addition to acting, he also worked behind the scenes as producer for two of his films: Drango (1957; with Joanne Dru and Julie London) and The Plunderers (1960; with John Saxon). After shooting wrapped on Merrill's Marauders (1962; with Ty Hardin and Peter Brown), Jeff Chandler had spinal surgery to alleviate back pain; complications during the operation resulted in blood poisoning, and he passed away on June 17, 1961, at the age of 42. He was survived by his two daughters.

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Broken Arrow [DVD](1950) DVD
Director Delmer Daves ("3:10 to Yuma") deftly handles this sprawling western drama that takes a sympathetic stance towards the plight of the Indians. Peace-seeking frontiersman James Stewart enlists the aid of Cochise (Jeff Chandler) in striking an accord between the Apache and settlers. 93 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; newsreel footage; theatrical trailer; photo gallery.
Pirates Of The Golden Age Movie Collection [DVD] DVD
This quartet of spirited swashbucklers is sure to shiver your timbers. First, Yvonne De Carlo stars as a popular entertainer who falls in love with a wealthy aristocrat (Philip Friend) who is actually a pirate out for revenge against the sinister shipping magnate who ruined his father, in "Buccaneer's Girl" (1950). With Robert Douglas, Elsa Lanchester. Wrongly accused of piracy, a hapless shopworker (Donald O'Connor) actually joins a privateer crew and quickly earns a reputation as the most dangerous man on the high seas, in the comedic "Double Crossbones" (1951). Helena Carter co-stars. Next, the action-packed "Yankee Buccaneer" (1952) finds the crew of a 19th-century U.S. Navy frigate disguising themselves as pirates in an effort to catch some real nautical ne'er-do-wells. Jeff Chandler, Scott Brady star. And, with rapier in one hand and rope in the other, Errol Flynn swings into action as a British naval officer charged with stopping pirate Anthony Quinn, in "Against All Flags" (1952). Maureen O'Hara also stars. 5 1/3 hrs. total on two discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French; theatrical trailers.
War Arrow [DVD](1953) DVD
A thrilling Cavalry-versus-Indians adventure starring Jeff Chandler as an Army official recruiting Seminole allies, against his superior's wishes, to stop a planned Kiowa attack. Maureen O'Hara, John McIntire, Dennis Weaver and Jay Silverheels also star. 79 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: Spanish, French; theatrical trailer.
The Plunderers [DVD](1960) DVD
When four rowdy young cowboys try to take over a small Texas town, there doesn't seem to be anybody willing to stop them. But the murder of the sheriff changes the mind of a local rancher who, despite losing the use of his right arm during the Civil War, regains his fighting spirit and decides to take a stand for what's right. Jeff Chandler, Dolores Hart, Ray Stricklyn, Marsha Hunt, John Saxon star. 94 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
Return To Peyton Place [DVD](1961) DVD
Writer Carol Lynley visits the hometown whose residents served as the basis for her novel, only to find that her brutally realistic depictions have turned all of Peyton Place against her and her father. Glossy sequel to the hit soaper, laced with romantic subplots, also stars Mary Astor, Robert Sterling, Tuesday Weld, Jeff Chandler, Eleanor Parker. 122 min. Widescreen; Soundtracks: English stereo, mono, Spanish mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; theatrical trailer; featurette; newsreel footage.
Merrill's Marauders [DVD](1962) DVD
Director Samuel Fuller's two-fisted war story is set in 1944 and focuses on Brigadier General Frank D. Merrill and the 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional), 3,000 American volunteer soldiers who must traverse miles of treacherous swamps, jungles, and mountains to secure a series of Japanese-held bases in Burma. Jeff Chandler, Ty Hardin, Peter Brown, and Claude Akins star; based on the book "The Marauders" by 5307th communications officer Charlton Ogburn, Jr. 98 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English; Subtitles: English, French; theatrical trailer.

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filmography

Merrill's Marauders (1962) with Ty Hardin and Peter Brown
Return to Peyton Place (1961) with Carol Lynley, Mary Astor, Luciana Paluzzi, and Brett Halsey
A Story of David (1960) with Barbara Shelley and Donald Pleasence
The Plunderers (1960) with John Saxon and Dolores Hart
Thunder in the Sun (1959) with Susan Hayward and Jacques Bergerac
The Jayhawkers! (1959) with Fess Parker
Ten Seconds to Hell (1959) with Jack Palance
A Stranger in My Arms (1959) with June Allyson, Mary Astor, and Sandra Dee
Raw Wind in Eden (1958) with Esther Williams, Rossana Podesta, Carlos Thompson, and Rik Battaglia
The Lady Takes a Flyer (1958) with Lana Turner, Chuck Connors, and Richard Denning
Man in the Shadow (1957) with Orson Welles and Colleen Miller
Drango (1957) with Julie London, Joanne Dru, and John Lupton
Jeanne Eagels (1957) with Kim Novak
The Tattered Dress (1957) with Jeanne Crain, Gail Russell, and Ziva Rodann
Pillars of the Sky (1956) with Dorothy Malone and Keith Andes
Toy Tiger (1956) with Laraine Day
Away All Boats (1956) with George Nader, Julie Adams, Lex Barker, Keith Andes, and Jock Mahoney
The Spoilers (1955) with Rory Calhoun, Anne Baxter, Ray Danton, and Barbara Britton
Female on the Beach (1955) with Joan Crawford and Jan Sterling
Foxfire (1955) with Jane Russell, Mara Corday, and Dan Duryea
Sign of the Pagan (1955) with Jack Palance, Allison Hayes, and Jeff Morrow
Taza, Son of Cochise (1954) with Rock Hudson, Barbara Rush, Rex Reason, and Lance Fuller
Yankee Pasha (1954) with Rhonda Fleming, Mamie Van Doren, and Rex Reason
War Arrow (1953) with Maureen O'Hara and Suzan Ball
East of Sumatra (1953) with Marilyn Maxwell, Anthony Quinn, Peter Graves, and Suzan Ball
The Great Sioux Uprising (1953) with Faith Domergue and Lyle Bettger
The Battle at Apache Pass (1952) with Susan Cabot, Hugh O'Brian, and Richard Egan
Yankee Buccaneer (1952) with Scott Brady, Suzan Ball, and David Janssen
Because of You (1952) with Loretta Young and Frances Dee
Red Ball Express (1952) with Hugh O'Brian and Charles Drake
Smuggler's Island (1951) with Evelyn Keyes
Flame of Araby (1951) with Maureen O'Hara, Susan Cabot, Dewey Martin, and Richard Egan
Bird of Paradise (1951) with Debra Paget and Louis Jourdan
Iron Man (1951) with Joyce Holden and Rock Hudson
Deported (1950) with Marta Toren
Two Flags West (1950) with Joseph Cotten, Linda Darnell, and Cornel Wilde
Broken Arrow (1950) with James Stewart and Debra Paget
Sword in the Desert (1949) with Dana Andrews
Abandoned (1949) with Dennis O'Keefe, Gale Storm, and Raymond Burr
The Invisible Wall (1947) with Virginia Christine
Roses Are Red (1947) with Peggy Knudsen and Charles McGraw