Stanley Wendell Farrar[1][2] (October 4, 1910[3][2] – April 5, 1974[1])[2] was an American character actor in radio, film and television, perhaps best known as Mayor Terwilliger in the old time radio series The Great Gildersleeve.[1] He was also the co-star and narrator of the 1953 adventure film, Perils of the Jungle, starring animal trainer/circus owner Clyde Beatty.[4]

Stanley Farrar
Born
Stanley Wendell Farrar

(1910-10-04)October 4, 1910
DiedApril 5, 1974(1974-04-05) (aged 63)
Fort Bragg, Mendocino County, California, U.S.
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley
OccupationActor
Years active1937–1965
Known forThe Great Gildersleeve
Spouse(s)Margaret Mary Klink
m. 1936

Early life and career

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A native of Berkeley, California,[1] Farrar was one of three children born to Wendell Dale Farrar and Alma Carmin Boettiger.[5][6] He attended University of California, Berkeley,[1][7] and later the Faucit School of the Theatre in Oakland,[8] a school founded and directed by London-born actress and director Ursula Faucit, the grandniece of actress Helena Faucit.[9] From 1930 to 1936, Farrar was regularly featured in the school's on-air outlet, the dramatic anthology series, The Faucit Theatre of the Air,[10] at least one episode of which he also wrote, adapting J. S. Coyne's one-act comedy, One Night of Terror.[11] He was also featured opposite the school's director on at least two occasions. In 1930 they co-starred in Faucit's own play, Not the Type,[12] and in 1935 Faucit was Bea to Farrar's Benedick in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.[13] The Faucit Theatre Players also performed live on occasion, such as their 1935 production of Schiller's Mary Stuart—with Farrar's portrayal of Lord Burleigh deemed "extremely good" by the Oakland Tribune[14]—and their 1934 revival of Elmer Greensfelder's Broomsticks, Amen, of which the Tribune's Wood Soanes wrote:

Here is the stuff of which high tragedy is made, but Greensfelder succeeded in evolving only obvious melodrama. The fine performance by Stanley Farrar as Hoffnagel was the saving grace of the show. He pulled 'Broomsticks, Amen' along with a performance that was more professional than amateur, sincere, powerful, well balanced and acute.[15]

Beginning on October 4, 1937, Farrar appeared with Howard Duff, Jack Edwards, Marjorie Smith and Herb Allen in the Mutual Broadcasting serial The Phantom Pilot. The show aired for 2 weeks as a "sustaining" series before being sponsored by Young and Rubicam.[16][17]

In the spring of 1949, The Hollywood Reporter noted that Farrar had begun publishing The 24 Sheet, a news bulletin for actors.[18]

On August 26, 1953, Hollywood Citizen-News entertainment writer Zuma Palmer drew readers' attention to an uncommon occurrence: at a time when the prohibition of prerecorded network radio dramas had only recently been lifted, both Farrar and co-star Marian Richman appeared on Dr. Christian and simultaneously on the transcribed series, Family Theater.[19] Later that year, Farrar appeared onstage, co-starring with Lloyd Corrigan and Tommy Bernard—former radio son of Ozzie and Harriet and TV son of Charlie Ruggles[20][21]—in Corrigan's play The Upper Room, staged as part of an event held to benefit the St. Marks Episcopal Church of Van Nuys.[22]

In 1956, Farrar was elected treasurer, and, the following year, recording secretary of the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.[23][24]

Personal life and death

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From March 22, 1936 until his death, Farrar was married to fellow actor Margaret Mary "Margo" Klink,[25][26] with whom he had three sons.[1]

On April 4, 1974, while onstage at the Mendocino Arts Center, portraying Orgon in Molière's Tartuffe, Farrar suffered a heart attack and collapsed. He died shortly thereafter at Mendocino Coast Hospital in Fort Bragg,[27][28] survived by his wife, his sons, his mother and two brothers.[1]

Works

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Radio

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Approximate date(s) Title Role Notes
1930 – 1936 The Faucit Theatre of the Air Various, inc. Lord Byron,[29] Vincentio in Shakespeare's Measure for Measure,[30] and Police Chief Axford in Fran Striker's "Warner Lester, Manhunter"[31] Dramatic anthology series created by British-born actress and teacher Ursula Faucit and broadcast on KLX in Oakland.[32][11]
1944 Michael Shayne, Private Detective
Ep. October 30
[33]
1945 The Adventures of Maisie [34]
1946 – 1947 Conquest Dr. Carson (Narrator) [35][36]
1948 Suspense
Ep. "The Last Chance"
[37]
1947 – 1958 The Great Gildersleeve Mayor Terwilliger [38][1][39]
1950, 1953 Dr. Christian
Eps. "The No Good" and "Baby's Choice"
Judge, Mr. Schuyler [40][19]
1952 The Railroad Hour
Ep. "Right Dress"
Admiral Musical Comedy by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, starring series host Gordon MacRae and Dorothy Warenskjold, with Lon McCallister, Sam Edwards, Herb Butterfield, and Kurt Martell.[41]
1953 Family Theater
Ep. "The Wise Guy"
Logan [19]
1953 Stars over Hollywood
Ep. "Time for Christmas"
Dept. store Santa Claus [42]
Early 1960s Horizons West 13-part AFRTS-commissioned series dramatizing the Lewis and Clark expedition, starring Harry Bartell and John Anderson.[43]

Partial filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Rites for Actor Farrar". The Berkeley Gazette. April 9, 1974. p. 3.
  2. ^ a b c "California, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGXB-NYNY : Wed Mar 06 08:13:50 UTC 2024), Entry for Stanley Wendell Farrar and Margaret Mary Farrar, 16 October 1940.
  3. ^ "Born". The Berkeley Gazette. October 4, 1910.
  4. ^ a b Irvin, Richard (2022). Pioneers of "B" Television: Independent Producers, Series and Pilots of the 1950s. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 198. ISBN 978-1-4766-8996-8.
  5. ^ "Deaths: Farrar". Oakland Post Enquirer. June 9, 1942. p. 23.
  6. ^ "Boettiger-Farrar". Oakland Tribune. October 4, 1937. p. 8.
  7. ^ University of California, Berkeley (1928). Register of the University of California 1928-29, Volume 2, Part XVII. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. p. 189.
  8. ^ "Schools and Colleges". Alameda Times Star. August 29, 1952. p. 5.
  9. ^ "Music and Drama". The Sydney Morning Herald. October 6, 1923. p. 12.
  10. ^ "Faucit Players Attract Dialers; Drama Group Continues to Gain Listeners; Veteran Thespian Feature Gains in Popularity With Every Broadcast on KLX". Oakland Tribune. February 10, 1935. p. 6-S.
  11. ^ a b "Play to Offer Laughter and Thrills on KLX". Oakland Tribune. September 14, 1935. p. 21.
  12. ^ "Ursula Faucit Play Going On Air Tonight". Oakland Tribune. December 29, p. 18.
  13. ^ "Shakespeare Observance on KLX; Faucit Group to Honor Bard Over Air Lanes". Oakland Tribune. April 21, 1935. p. 6-S.
  14. ^ I., H. M. (March 26, 1935). "Faucit Players Star in 'Mary Stuart of Scotland'". Oakland Tribune. p. 20B.
  15. ^ Soanes, Wood (December 5, 1934). "Theatre Guild Pleases With Broadway Hit; 'Broomsticks' Staged Creditably by Amateur Troupe at Hotel Oakland". Oakland Tribune. p. 10A.
  16. ^ "San Francisco". Radio Daily. October 7, 1937.
  17. ^ Peterson, Austin (2000). Television is a Young Man's Game? I'm 94. Why Didn't Somebody Tell Me? : 67 Years in the Radio and Television Jungles and No Tarzan in Sight. New York: Writers Club Press. p. 47. ISBN 0-595-14254-0.
  18. ^ "Radio-TV Briefs". The Hollywood Reporter. March 31, 1949. p. 10. ProQuest 2339772286.
  19. ^ a b c Palmer, Zuma (August 23, 1953). "Radio-Television: Question Dulles, Clark on POW's". Hollywood Citizen-News. p. 12.
  20. ^ "Dial Chatter". The La Crosse Tribune. June 19, 1953. p. 10.
  21. ^ "How It's Done". Los Angeles Mirror. July 19, 1951. p. 24.
  22. ^ "Church Sets Two Plays for Benefit Party". The Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet. November 19, 1953. p. 56.
  23. ^ "AFTRA Reelects Nelson". The Hollywood Reporter. July 16, 1956. p. 10. ProQuest 2338211695. Others elected were: Clayton 'Bud' collyer, Eleanor Engle, Luis Van Rooten, Bill Baldwin, Fred D. Cole, Dick Stark and Nellie Booth, v.-p.'s; Wanda raney, secretary; Stanley Farrar, treasurer
  24. ^ "Union calls for Federal Investigation of Pay TV". The Los Angeles Times. July 29, 1957. p. 18.
  25. ^ "Wedding to Be Held This Afternoon". Oakland Tribune. March 22, 1936. p. S-5.
  26. ^ "Comedy to Be Repeated Twice". Oakland Tribune. August 15, 1935. p. 15.
  27. ^ "The News in Brief. The Daily Breeze. April 7, 1974. p. 2.
  28. ^ Morris, Diane (April 12, 1974). "In Memorium". The Mendocino Beacon. p. 3.
  29. ^ "Sculptor Will Be Subject of Drama on KLX". Oakland Tribune. October 17, 1936. p. 18.
  30. ^ "Shakespeare Comedy to Be Given Over KLX; Faucit Group Will Give 'Measure for Measure' in Honor of Bard's Birthday". Oakland Tribune. April 22, 1934. p. 10-S.
  31. ^ "Thriller Will Come to Close on KLX Tonight". The Oakland Tribune. April 17, 1933. p. 10.
  32. ^ "KLX to Give Mystery Play Tonight, 8–9". Oakland Tribune. October 27, 1930. p. 18.
  33. ^ Palmer, Zuma (October 30, 1944). "Radio". p. 18.
  34. ^ Sten (July 18, 1945). "Radio Reviews: 'Maisie'". Variety. p. 46. ProQuest 1285855633. With Ann Sothern, John Brown, Wally Maher, Bill Maretl [sic], Norman Field, Florence Lake, Paul McVey, Stanley Farrar and Ken Niles. Producer: E. J. Rosenberg. Director: Tony Sanford. Writers: Samuel Taylor and Bob Sloan. 30 Mins.: Thurs., 8:30 p.m. EVERSHARP. WABC-CBS, N.Y.
  35. ^ Cooper, Tina (July 5, 1947). "'Conquest' Vivid Dramatic Series". Hollywood Citizen-News. p. 10.
  36. ^ "Notes on 580". The Fresno Bee. August 6, 1946. p. 10.
  37. ^ Hobe (July 14, 1948). "Radio Review: SUSPENSE: 'The Last Chance'". Variety. p. 30. ProQuest 1285989769. With Cary Grant, Paul Frees, Shepperd Menkin [sic], Hermand Waldman [sic], Maxine Marx, Fred Campbell, John T. Smith, Daws Butler, Berry Kroeger, Stanley Farrar; Lud Gluskin, conductor; Lucien Moroweck [sic], arranger; Frank Martin, announcer. Producer: E. J. Rosenberg. Director: Tony Sanford. Writers: Samuel Taylor and Bob Sloan. 30 Mins.: Thurs., 8:30 p.m. EVERSHARP. WABC-CBS, N.Y. [...] Grant was excellent in the long part of the harried prey, while Stanley Farrar, Shepard Menkin and Fred Campbell were effective in supporting parts.
  38. ^ Schulz, Clair (2013). Tuning In The Great Gildersleeve: The Episodes and Cast of Radio's First Spinoff Show, 1941–1957. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. pp. 220. ISBN 978-0-7864-7336-6.
  39. ^ "P.-T. A. Activities". Hollywood Citizen-News. October 14, 1949. p. 8. See also:
  40. ^ Palmer, Zuma (November 29, 1950). "Wakely and Ranch Work Not Strangers". Hollywood Citizen-News. p. 20.
  41. ^ Sellers, Barbara (June 16, 1952). "Benefit Appearance Develops Into Break for Comic". Hollywood Citizen-News. p. 20.
  42. ^ Palmer, Zuma (December 11, 1953). "Radio-Television: Amos 'n' Andy Rate High in Prison Poll". Hollywood Citizen-News. p. 22.
  43. ^ French, Jack; Siegal, Daniel S. (2014). Radio Rides the Range: A Reference Guide to Western Drama on the Air, 1929-1967. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. pp. 104, 105. ISBN 978-0-7864-7146-1.
  44. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Stanley Farrar Filmography". American Film Institute.
  45. ^ "Highlights of Television Programs for the Week: Tomorrow". The Philadelphia Inquirer Society and Amusements. July 16, 1950. p. 9.
  46. ^ The Lone Ranger (November 8, 2016). "The Lone Ranger - Man of the House". YouTube.
  47. ^ "Talent Showsheet". Ross Reports on Television. September 15–21, 1951. p. 7.
  48. ^ "Talent Showsheet". Ross Reports on Television. November 11–17, 1951. p. 10.
  49. ^ Lentz, Harris (1997). Television Westerns Episode Guide: All United States Series, 1949-1996. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 233. ISBN 9780786403776.
  50. ^ ValyouEntertainment (January 15, 2024). "Adventures Of Kit Carson: Law Of The Frontier, 4K Color Colorized UHD better than HD". YouTube. 1:06, 25:01.
  51. ^ "Television Programs". Hollywood Citizen-News. January 3, 1952 p. 22.
  52. ^ "Television Chatter: Hollywood". Variety. February 7, 1951. p. 31. ProQuest 1286000123. Stanley Farrar inked for one of the supporting roles in 'The Ruggles,' which beams Thursdays on KECA-TV.
  53. ^ Stretch, Bud (May 6, 1952). "Air Waves". Camden Courier-Post. p. 22.
  54. ^ Bassior, Jean-Noel (2005). Space Patrol: Missions of Daring in the Name of Early Television. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 383. ISBN 978-0-7864-6900-0.
  55. ^ a b Grams, Martin (2004). Gang Busters : The Crime Fighters of American Broadcasting. Churchville, MD: OTR Publishing. pp.641, 644. ISBN 0-9703310-6-1.
  56. ^ "Talent Showsheet March 8–14, 1954: Friday March 12". Ross Reports. March 7, 1954. p. D.
  57. ^ "Talent Showsheet May 3-9, 1954: Thursday May 6". Ross Reports. May 2, 1954. p. C.
  58. ^ "Talent Showsheet September 6-12, 1954: Saturday September 4" [sic]. Ross Reports on Television.
  59. ^ "Talent Showsheet September 13-19, 1954: Monday September 13". Ross Reports on Television. September 12, 1954. p. B.
  60. ^ "TV Highlights of the Week: Sunday, November 14". The Lincoln Times. November 8, 1954. p. 8.
  61. ^ "Farrar for 'Triumph'". The Hollywood Reporter. June 18, 1954. p. 2. ProQuest 2322746426. Stanley Farrar, the Mayor Terwilliger of radio's 'Great Gildersleeve' series, gets a role in Dr. James K. Friedrich's' Biblical drama, 'Day of Triumph,' now filming at Hal Roach studio.
  62. ^ "Here and There". The Hollywood Reporter. March 14, 1955. p. 7. ProQuest 2338310243. Stanley Farrar celebrates his 25th year in show business with his current assignment in 20th-Fox's 'How to Be Very, Very Popular.'
  63. ^ "Talent Showsheet May 2–8, 1955: Thursday May 7". Ross Reports. May 1, 1955. p. C.
  64. ^ "Multiple and Across-the-Board Shows Friday May 13 Thru Friday May 20: Sunday May 22". Ross Reports. May 15, 1955. p. E.
  65. ^ Gros (August 31, 1955). "Television Reviews: YOU ARE THERE (The Attack on Pearl Harbor)". Variety. pp. 27, 39. ProQuest 1017010888. With Walter Cronkite, Hayden Rorke, De Forest Kelley, Roy Linnert, Stanley Farrar, Vivi Janiss, Kam Tong, Edward Earle, others
  66. ^ ""Multiple and Across-the-Board Shows Friday October 21 Thru Friday October 28: Saturday October 29"". Ross Reports on Television. October 23, 1955. p. D.
  67. ^ "Multiple and Across-the-Board Shows Friday October 21 Thru Friday October 28: Sunday October 30". Ross Reports. October 23, 1955. p. E.
  68. ^ Michael, Paul; Parish, James Robert (1969). The American Movies reference Book; The Sound Era. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall. p. 377. SBN 130281344.
  69. ^ "Talent Showsheet December 16 - December 25, 1955: Friday December 23". Ross Reports. December 18, 1955. p. D.
  70. ^ "Talent Showsheet January 20 – January 29, 1956". Ross Reports on Television. January 22, 1956. p. A.
  71. ^ "Talent Showsheet December 21 – December 30: Friday December 28". Ross Reports on Television. December 23, 1956. p. C.
  72. ^ "Television Programs". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. May 10, 1958. p. 12.
  73. ^ "Multiple and Across-the-Board Shows, May 5 – May 11". Ross Reports – Television Index. May 5, 1958. p. .
  74. ^ "Mute Witness Decides Layne's Fate in Murder". The Fresno Bee. Jul 12, 1959. p. 41-D.
  75. ^ "Shorter Notices: 'The Beatniks'". Monthly Film Bulletin. January 1960. p. 96. See also:
  76. ^ "Thursday Television Programs: Grandpa McCoy Gets Involved With Insurance". The Modesto Bee. May 10, 1959. p. G-7.
  77. ^ "Talent and Script Performance Record". Ross Reports — Television Index. December 18–24, 1961. p. 50-C.
  78. ^ "Talent and Script Performance Record". Ross Reports—Television Index. January 29–February 4, 1962. p. 5-B.
  79. ^ "Pictures: New York Sound Track". Variety. April 28, 1965. p. 15. ProQuest 1017129026. Beach exteriors at Oxnard, Calif., completed on WB's 'Inside Daisy Clover,' the Pakula-Mulligan production has moved to the Conrad Hilton estate in Bel-Aire. [...] Joe Mell and Stanley Farrar added to cast of WB's 'Inside Daisy Clover,' now shooting.
  80. ^ Monush, Barry (2009). Everybody's Talkin': The Top Films of 1965-1969. New York: Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. p. 74. ISBN 9781557836182.
  81. ^ a b c Cox, Stephen (1993). The Hooterville Handbook : A Viewer's Guide to Green Acres. New York : St. Martin's Press. pp. 154, 170, 174. ISBN 0-312-08811-6.

Further reading

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  • Burleson, Don (April 12, 1974). "Mendo-Scene-O". Mendocino Coast Beacon. pp. 6, 8.
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