Rick Vallin
Rick Vallin was an actor who appeared in more than 150 films between 1938 and 1966.
Early years
Born in Feodosia, in the Crimea, Russia, Vallin came to the United States at age three with his South American mother, Mrs. Nardine Thomes, on the S/S Muskegon, which arrived at the Port of Boston on May 6, 1922. His father, an Imperial Army officer, was murdered by the Bolsheviks. His mother, known as Nadja Yatsenko, was a ballerina in Tsarist Russia; in the States, she was billed as a Gypsy dancer.
Career
In 1940, Vallin acted on stage with the Hollytown Theater. He started his Hollywood career with an uncredited part in the film Freshman Year and played minor roles in feature films at various studios. In 1942, he joined the Pasadena Playhouse, and received his first co-star billing in the film The Panther's Claw together with Sidney Blackmer, and showed promise in Secrets of a Co-Ed with Otto Kruger.
Vallin's fortunes improved in 1943 when he was hired as the villain in the East Side Kids comedy Clancy Street Boys. Producer Sam Katzman liked Vallin's darkly handsome looks and convincing delivery of dialogue, and cast him first as a juvenile lead and then as a full-fledged leading man. When producer Katzman moved from Monogram Pictures to Columbia Pictures, he took Rick Vallin with him. This sealed Vallin's fate as a player in low-budget "B" movies, but it also gave him more than 10 years of job security. Vallin worked steadily in many of Katzman's features and serials, playing a variety of character roles: streetwise reporters, sinister villains, heroic internationals, and savage natives. His voice was also heard as the narrator of coming-attractions trailers.
Occasionally he showed up in such television series as Brave Eagle, Sheriff of Cochise, Bat Masterson, Jefferson Drum, The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok, The Lone Ranger and Wyatt Earp. He was also cast on The Adventures of Superman, as well in both The Gene Autry Show and The Roy Rogers Show. His last appearance was a guest role on Daniel Boone in 1966.
Death
Vallin died in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 57. He is interred at Eden Memorial Park in Mission Hills, California.
Selected filmography
Films
Freshman Year - Upperclassman Dramatic School - Student Newsboys' Home - Newsboy Desperate Cargo - Radioman StevensEscort Girl - JackThe Corsican Brothers - De Revenau's Friend at Opera Pardon My Stripes - Red Sleepytime Gal - Clerk The Panther's Claw - Anthony 'Tony' AbbotFlying with Music - Juan Breganza Perils of the Royal Mounted - Little WolfFriendly Enemies - Soldier King of the Stallions - Sina-Oga Youth on Parade - Customer Secrets of a Co-Ed - Nick JordanStand By All Networks - Sound Control Room Engineer Lady from Chungking - Rodney CarrA Night for Crime - Arthur Evans - ChauffeurCorregidor - Cpl. Pinky MasonClancy Street Boys - George MooneyRiders of the Rio Grande - Tom OwensGhosts on the Loose - JackIsle of Forgotten Sins - Johnny PacificWagon Tracks West - Dr. John FleetwingNearly Eighteen - Tony MorganSmart Guy - Johnny ReaganThe Desert Song - French Officer The Desert Hawk - Army Wives - BarneySecrets of a Sorority Girl - Paul ReynoldsDangerous Money - Tao EricksonNorthwest Outpost - DovkinLast of the Redmen - UncasThe Sea Hound - Manila PeteTwo Blondes and a Redhead - Freddie AinsleyBrick Bradford - Sandy SandersonQueen Esther: A Story from the Bible - JoramBob and Sally - Jim CooperJungle Jim - Kolu - Chief of the MasaiTarzan's Magic Fountain - Mountain Leader, Flaming Arrow Shooter Shamrock Hill - Oliver MatthewsTuna Clipper - Silvestre PereiraBatman and Robin - Barry BrownAdventures of Sir Galahad - Sir GawainLife of St. Paul Series - Man in LystraKiller Shark - Joe - crewmanCody of the Pony Express - Henchman Denver Comanche Territory - PakanahCaptive Girl - Chief MahalaState Penitentiary - Tom - Prison GuardSnow Dog - Louis BlanchardAtom Man vs. Superman - Power Company Truck Worker Rio Grande Patrol - Capt. Alberto TrevinoCounterspy Meets Scotland Yard - Agent McCulloughRevenue Agent - Al Chaloopka - HenchmanFighting Coast Guard - Marine Roar of the Iron Horse - Rail-Blazer of the Apache Trail - White Eagle When the Redskins Rode - Duprez Hurricane Island - Coba Jungle Manhunt - Matusa Chief BonoYellow Fin - JanThe Magic Carpet - AbdulCaptain Video: Master of the Stratosphere - Ranger Brown Lone Star - Apache Brave Aladdin and His Lamp - Captain of the GuardKing of the Congo - AndreovThief of Damascus - Gate Guard Blackhawk - Stan / BorisStrange Fascination - CarloSon of Geronimo: Apache Avenger - Henchman EadieWoman in the Dark - Phil MorelloVoodoo Tiger - Sgt. BonoStar of Texas - Texas Ranger William VanceThe Homesteaders - SlimSalome - Sailor Trail Blazers - Officer LundigThe Marksman - Leo SanteeTopeka - Ray HammondFighting Lawman - Manuel JacksonThe Golden Idol - AbdullahMa and Pa Kettle at Home - Indian Thunder Pass - ReegerRiding with Buffalo Bill - Reb MorganSign of the Pagan - Cavalry Officer Day of Triumph - JamesBowery to Bagdad - SelimTreasure of Ruby Hills - Robert VernonDial Red O - Deputy ClarkThe Man from Bitter Ridge - Townsman The Adventures of Captain Africa - Ted ArnoldKing of the Carnival - Art KerrThe Scarlet Coat - Mounted Lieutenant Escorting Maj. Andre At Gunpoint - Moore Perils of the Wilderness - Little BearTerror at Midnight - Police Officer GaudinoFrontier Gambler - Gambler #3 Three for Jamie Dawn - Policeman Gun Brothers - Gomez Fighting Trouble - Vic Savinie You Can't Run Away from It - Reporter Naked Gun - Savage Untamed Mistress - HenchmanThe Storm Rider - Jack Feylan The Badge of Marshal Brennan - Deputy JodyJet Pilot - Sergeant Raiders of Old California - BurtThe Tijuana Story - Ricardo - Club Manager Escape from Red Rock - Judd BowmanBullwhip - Marshal HendricksPier 5, Havana - Pablo The Wizard of Baghdad - Guard The Quick Gun - Johnson
Television shows
The Adventures of Kit Carson - Henchman / Piney / Bob Mason / Deputy Marton / HenchmanHopalong Cassidy - Marco Rodriguez / Ramon Torres / Dr. Johnny Tall HorseThe Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok - Pete / Henchman Melford / Frank NortonDeath Valley Days Lieutenant Bob Hastings / Rod RossThe Gene Autry Show - Yancy - Gunslinger henchman / Vasco - Gang Leader / Doc McCoy / Big Tim BradyThe Roy Rogers Show - Stanton / Jim WilsonAnnie Oakley - Henchman Al / Al / Billy / The Abilene Kid / Joe McGee / Doyle / Gil Warren / Johnny Storm / OutlawWyatt Earp - Zach Newcombe / Buff YancyThe Lone Ranger - Blue Feather / Crazy WolfAdventures of Superman - Pallini the Human Fly / Rick Sable / Pruitt - Thug #1 / ScarfaceFour Star Playhouse - OfficerHighway Patrol - SimpsonOfficial Detective - GoateeThe Adventures of Rin Tin Tin - Pacing Bear / GahewaM Squad - 'Blue Indigo' Requestor at BallroomBat Masterson - JenksThe Prisoner Daniel Boone - Sentry