NOTABLE ARKANSANS
STEVE STEPHENS AND CLYDE SNIDER
Special to the Democrat-Gazette
He was born in 1904 in the small town of Mountain View, where it is said his father introduced the first gasoline engine to north Arkansas. He became interested in music at an early age and, when his family moved to Little Rock when he was 14, he began to find ways to develop his talent and became proficient in singing, piano and other instruments. While in Little Rock Junior College (now University of Arkansas at Little Rock), he organized a dance band called The Peter Pan.
After graduation he became lead singer in several professional dance bands, eventually moving to Hollywood. His singing, dancing, and all-American good looks soon made him a movie box office favorite after his fifth film, 1933's 42nd Street became a hit.
When he was 40 he starred as private eye Philip Marlowe in the film noir classic Murder, My Sweet. He played other stone-faced detectives in more movies, almost always with a cigarette in his hand. On radio he became the voice of Richard Diamond, Private Eye.
He was married to Maude Maund, Joan Blondell and June Allyson. At age 50 he quit movies and became one of television's most important producers and directors, partnering with David Niven, Charles Boyer and Joel McCrea to form Four Star Television.
Notable Arkansans is written by Steve Stephens and produced by Clyde Snider.
Who was this multitalented Hollywood star from the Ozarks who died of lung cancer at the age of 58?
Answer on Page 6E
Style on 12/23/2018