Jock Mahoney

by Frank M. Roberts

December 2015

Another look at another cowboy from the serial era, between the '20s and the '50s. Today's subject was a busy guy, working in serials and grade-B flicks. His name is Jock Mahoney, but his real name sounds like a combination of French and Irish, which it was, plus a degree of Cherokee.

He was born - Jaques O'Mahoney. His birth date was Feb. 7, 1919. He was tall and disgustedly handsome.

He wasn't born on the prairie - not exactly. He came to us from Chicago - that dawdlin' town. One of his jobs was to make the stars look good. Since the first western was filmed, there were stuntmen to take the falls, to bump their beans.

Mahoney was considered one of the best. One example: He doubled for Charles Starrett in the "Durango Kid" series, made soon after the end of WW2. Mahoney appeared as both an actor and a double in 65 - yeah - 65 "Durango Kid" films with his parts ranging from a lowly heavy to co-star status by the end of the series. It got to the point where his reputation as an actor lagged behind his stunts.

What a range on the range. He might do a fancy mount for John Wayne one day, and have a fight with Gregory Peck the next day. And, he doubled for Randolph Scott. Also, look at this: He did the sword scenes for Errol Flynn in, "The Adventures Of Don Juan." In that movie he even doubled himself. Work on that!

In 1959, he made the first of three westerns for Columbia -- as the star. Good stuff- since that was a grade-A studio.

But, it was Gene Autry and television that had the biggest role for Mahoney and his talents for stunts, In other words, he hit the dirt while the star sat back and watched. His work for the singin' cowboy brought him the most fame. It was on "The Range Rider" series for CBS. There were - look at this - 78 episodes.

Later, he starred as the suave, debonair Yancey Derringer for a season - yep, only one season. He played an irreverent rogue who hid his badge and heart of gold under the larcenous facade of a New Orleans gambler.

In the mid 1950s Mahoney made a series of color westerns for another major studio - Universal. And - ha! - guess what? He displayed his flair for comedy in 1957's "Slim Carter" adventures. One ad showed two things. One was a gal lasso-ing our hero, another showed two lovely things patting his cheeks. Oh, he also appeared - just once - with The Three Stooges.

Without going into detail, settle for this: He had several, wives, girlfriends, children and step. One of his step daughters was Sally Field. Well - he did play the field.

Quite a career - making the stars look good and, becoming a star himself. One of the movies in which he starred had the intriguing title of, "Money, Women, and Guns." An ad for the film was also intriguing: "One of them wanted to share his gold... one of them wanted to take his life," That calls for a Gulp!

He had a lotta fights when he portrayed, "Joe Dakota." His brothers were 'north' and 'south. His co-stars were no small 'taters. Luana Patten was featured in many films. (A little girl with big eyes). Also in that movie was Charles McGraw who appeared in many a flick in those days.

One of his technicolor offerings was "Showdown At Abilene" and, according to the advertisements, "the only law was a gun shy sheriff." and, podner, you didn't see too many of them in those days. He also starred in the Range Rider series, produced by Autry.

Also, he made a name for himself in sports. At the University of Iowa he excelled in swimming, basketball, and football. During World War 2 he was a Marine fighter pilot and, later, an instructor.

Mahoney died in Bremerton, Wisconsin after an auto accident. He suffered a stroke while filming a Tarzan movie. He wanted to star as the vine swinger, but lost out to Lex Barker. Our hero's ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean. And, here's a surprise.

Remember the movie, "Hooper?" It was based on Mahoney's life.

Talk about his life, he enjoyed, most of all, not the cowboy movies but the Tarzan's - those in which he performed, sometimes in a sort-of starring role.

And I wind up this look at Mahoney with this irony of ironies. The name of his last movie was, "The End."

* * * *

Once again, I take a look at the men and women who helped the cowboy stars look good. In many respects Walter Brennan can also be listed as a star. Matter of fact, he was the only actor to win the Academy Award three times. He was born in Swampscott, Mass. and - get this - he graduated with a degree in engineering. Later, he decided he would rather act. Initially, vaudeville and musical comedy took up his time.

He was a World War I serviceman - then he raised pineapples in Guatemala - then became a real estate dealer - then he was signed by Samuel Goldwyn to appear in the movies. Westerns included "Barbary Coast," "The Texans," "Dakota," Kentucky" and, of course "The Westerner."