biographyAmong other serials, including S.O.S. Coast Guard (1937; with Bela Lugosi), Byrd made a name for himself as the title character in the serials Dick Tracy (1937), Dick Tracy Returns (1938), Dick Tracy's G-Men (1939) and Dick Tracy Versus Crime Inc. (1941). Between serials, he also acted in several films, both as a star in such productions as PRC's Misbehaving Husbands (1940; with Harry Langdon and Betty Blythe) and in uncredited roles in bigger productions, such as Four Jills in a Jeep (1944; with Kay Francis and Carole Landis). Nevertheless, his career was going well at the onset of U.S. involvement in World War II. Byrd joined the Marines in 1943, and during this time RKO picked up the film rights to the Dick Tracy character. Morgan Conway assumed the role of Dick Tracy in Dick Tracy (1945; with Morgan Conway, Anne Jeffreys, and Mike Mazurki) and Dick Tracy vs. Cueball (1946; with Morgan Conway, Anne Jeffreys, and Dick Wessel). After Byrd returned from the war, he was in a serious auto accident that sidelined his career. His career momentum slid during his tenure in the Marines and as a result of his accident. When he was well enough to return to work, RKO cast him in the feature Dick Tracy's Dilemma (1947; with Lyle Latell). |
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the films of ralph byrdDown in 'Arkansaw' (1938)Dick Tracy Returns (1938)Dick Tracy's G-Men (1939)With Jennifer Jones (billed as Phyllis Isley) in Republic's third Dick Tracy serial Dick Tracy's G-MenMisbehaving Husbands (1940)Dick Tracy vs. Crime Inc. (1941)From Republic's final Dick Tracy serial Dick Tracy vs. Crime Inc.. This serial was re-released around the time of Byrd's death in 1952 as Dick Tracy vs. the Phantom EmpireThey Came to Blow Up America (1943)With George Sanders in the 20th Century Fox war drama They Came to Blow Up AmericaDick Tracy's Dilemma (1947)LEFT: With Lyle Latell and Kay Christopher in RKO's Dick Tracy's Dilemma. CENTER: Byrd's penultimate performance as hero Dick Tracy. RIGHT: With Lyle Latell and Wade CrosbyDick Tracy Meets Gruesome (1947)From Byrd's final film outing as Dick Tracy in Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome. LEFT: With June Clayworth. RIGHT: With Boris Karloff and Skelton KnaggsJungle Goddess (1948)From Lippert's low-budget adventure Jungle Goddess with George Reeves and Wanda McKay and Ralph Byrd. This film aired on Mystery Science Theater 3000 during season twoStage Struck (1948)Thunder in the Pines (1948)With Denise Darcel and George Reeves in the Lippert action flick Thunder in the Pineslater yearsAfter a few poverty row programmers, such as Jungle Goddess (1948; with George Reeves and Wanda McKay) and Radar Secret Service (1950; with John Howard, Adele Jergens, and Tom Neal), Byrd's career was on shaky ground and, at this point, he was more than 40 years old. While it seemed he had put the Dick Tracy character behind him in with the release of RKO's Dick Tracy's Dilemma (1947; with Lyle Latell) and Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome (1947; with Boris Karloff and Lyle Latell), by 1950 it appeared the character would be his career salvation. On September 11, 1950, the Dick Tracy TV series began airing on ABC, which was then a cash-strapped, struggling network often in last place. After a year, ABC canceled the Dick Tracy series in 1951 due to costs. However, the series made the shift to syndication for the following season. Before many episodes were in the can, however, Ralph Byrd died of a sudden heart attack on August 18, 1952, at the age of 43. He was survived by his wife, actress Virginia Carroll (1913-2009), and a daughter, Carol. |
filmographyFILM
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