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TOM MIX
Tom Mix (1880-1940), the greatest Western film star of the silent era, was born and grew up in rural Dubois, Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the Army at the outbreak of the Spanish-American war in 1898 and achieved the rank of first sergeant. His overseas military adventures are part of the legend, not reality, as he never left the United States. After leaving the Army in 1902 he moved to Oklahoma and found work as a drum major, bartender, and part-time ranch hand. In 1904 he attended the St. Louis World’s Fair as a member of the Oklahoma Cavalry Band. In 1905 he went to work as a “cowboy” for the Miller Brothers’ 101 Real Wild West Ranch, barnstormed in other Wild West shows and served as a deputy sheriff and night marshal.
Tom Mix’s movie career began in 1909 for the Selig Polyscope Company, first as an advisor and troubleshooter, then doubling as a stunt man, and ultimately starring in, writing and directing some 64 silent shorts. By 1917, when he was hired by William
Fox Productions, he was a star, and by 1921 he was one of the country’s 10 top box office attractions. Over a period of 10 years he made 78 silent features for Fox, most of them as an idealized Western hero, doing his own stunts and riding his chestnut steed, Tony the Wonder Horse, to fame and fortune. He made another six silent features in 1928-1929 for the Film Booking Office, then left Hollywood to tour and star in Sells Floto Circus from 1929 to 1931.
Returning to films, he and Tony Jr. made his first talkies, nine features for Universal Pictures in 1931-1932, and his last movie, The Miracle Rider, 15-episode chapter play, for Mascot Pictures in 1935. That same year he bought a circus, and from 1935 to 1938 the Tom Mix Circus toured the country and performed for crowds of admirers. In 1940 he was killed in an automobile accident in Arizona.
The Tom Mix radio program aired from 1933 to 1950, on NBC until 1944, then on the Mutual network. Ralston cereal was the exclusive radio program sponsor. Various actors played Tom in what was billed as a Western detective program. Tom and the Ralston Straight Shooters operated out of the T-M Bar Ranch, solving mysteries, crusading for justice, finding water for the cattle, even fighting saboteurs during the war years. Helping out, along with Tony, were young Jimmy and Jane, the Old Wrangler, Sheriff Mike Shaw, Wash the cook and
Pecos Williams, a singing sidekick played by Joe “Curley” Bradley until he took over the role of Tom in 1940.
From The Official Price Guide to Pop Culture Memorabilia: 150 Years of Character Toys & Collectibles
by Ted Hake ©Random House, 2008.
Tom
Mix Memorabilia Available For Purchase |
