I should call this feature “B-Movie Actor of A Week” since I may not post one every single week. Which means I’m probably out strafing.
Anyway, no list of low budget horror/sci-fi actors would be complete without this guy. John Agar basically lucked his way into Hollywood. As a physical instructor in the Army Air Corps. He was asked to be an escort for America’s sweetheart, Shirley Temple. And damned if he didn’t marry her. He was signed to a studio contract shortly thereafter, and thus began a long, and quite successful movie career. He proved to be a solid actor, and starred in many movies with biggies such as John Wayne.
His career took a few scenic routes along the way, and he was a bit of a hammerhead, getting himself into trouble more than once. Which turned out to be a stroke of luck for B Movie fans everywhere. He starred in many a B Movie from the late 50s on, beginning with the legendary Revenge of the Creature, and never looked back. He may have looked back. I really don’t know. But it sounded good. He starred in several personal favourites of mine, including the aforementioned Creature, and especially The Mole People, and Tarantula.
I need to rewatch the 1976 version of King Kong, because apparently he played a city official in that. I’m ashamed to admit I did not know that. Note that I didn’t count The Rocket Man as his first foray into sci-fi. It’s really a comedy.
Best wishes,
GC
“Strafing fine communities like yours since 1957″
John Agar’s B_Movie Filmography
The Rocket Man 1954
Revenge of the Creature 1955
Tarantula 1955
The Mole People 1956
The Brain from Planet Arous 1957
Attack of the Puppet People 1958
Invisible Invaders 1959
Destination Space 1959
Journey to the Seventh Planet 1962
Hand of Death 1962
Women of the Prehistoric Planet 1966
Curse of the Swamp Creature 1966
Zontar: The Thing from Venus 1966
Night Fright 1967
King Kong 1976
Nightbreed 1990