Smith Ballew

Born: January 21, 1902, Palestine, Texas
Died: May 2, 1984 (age 82), Longview, Texas

Smith Ballew (real name Sykes Ballew) was an American actor, singer, and orchestra leader.

1) Ballew dubbed John Wayne's singing voice in Riders of Destiny (1933), which is generally considered to be the first "singing" western.

• True or False?

2) In 1936, what film did he play Slim?

3) A Westerner in the Union Army discovers that gold shipments from the West are being captured by Southerners. What is this 1937 film where Ballew plays Bill Gibson?

4) Singing cowboy Randy (Smith Ballew) shows up at Mrs. Blake's ranch. She is beset by bad guys, and Randy loves her daughter Janet. Roll Along, Cowboy (1937) is based on a novel. Who wrote the novel?

• Wade Phillips
• Zane Grey
• Ted Baxter

5) Cowboys and cows amidst Hawaiian scenery and song. Smith Ballew plays Jeff Howard. What is this 1938 movie?

6) In Rawhide (1938), baseball superstar Lou Gehrig is one of several ranchers being coerced by a bunch of bandits. His sister and her lawyer/lover organize the ranchers. Ballew is Larry Kimball.

• True or False?

7) Marion Scott (Dave O'Brien), honorably discharged WW II soldier, in "civvies" and carrying a suitcase containing his uniform and medals, is hitch-hiking to the small hometown of a buddy killed overseas, intending to make it his home. En-route, he encounters wealthy society girl Wilhelmina Hammond (Kay Aldridge), who is running away from her stuffed-shirt fiancée, Alvin Bailey (Smith Ballew) and has taken his car without permission. What is the 1945 movie?

8) What is the 1948 film that he plays Band Singer (as Smith Ballew and the Sons of the Sage)?

9) Who does Smith Balley plays in the 1948 film Tex Granger, Midnight Rider of the Plains?

• 'Marshal' Blaze Talbot
• Timmy Perkins
• Rance Carson

10) His last movie is in 1951 with the non credited role as Captain. What is the movie?

Smith Ballew Answers

1. False. Ballew did NOT dub John Wayne's singing voice in Riders of Destiny (1933), which is generally considered to be the first "singing" western. Wayne's voice was dubbed by Bill Bradbury.
2. Palm Springs
3. Western Gold
4. Zane Grey
5. Hawaiian Buckaroo
6. True
7. The Man Who Walked Alone
8. Under Arizona Skies
9. 'Marshal' Blaze Talbot
10. The Red Badge of Courage

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