John Carradine, a name synonymous with a staggering volume of work in Hollywood, passed away at the age of 82 in Milan, Italy. His death, attributed to natural causes, marked the end of an era for an actor whose career spanned an incredible 58 years and over 500 film appearances. Carradine’s dedication and unique presence cemented his place as one of cinema’s most prolific figures.
Carradine was in Milan as an honored guest for a film screening when he fell ill. His sons, David and Keith Carradine, both accomplished actors themselves, rushed to his side in Italy. David Carradine recounted the poignant moments leading up to his father’s death, sharing Shakespeare – “the author he loved most” – in his final hours. Moments before he passed, John Carradine reportedly remarked on the beauty of Milan as a place to die, a final, theatrical flourish to a life well-lived.
Just days prior, Carradine, despite his age, had climbed the numerous steps of Milan’s Duomo, showcasing a vitality that belied his years. This anecdote, coupled with his dramatic passing, encapsulates the spirited and somewhat larger-than-life persona of John Carradine.
Throughout his extensive career, John Carradine openly declared his participation in “10 of the greatest films ever made,” a testament to his discerning taste and the quality of projects he was involved in. Films like “Stagecoach,” “The Grapes of Wrath,” “Captains Courageous,” and “Blood and Sand” stand as enduring classics, featuring Carradine in roles that ranged from rugged hillbillies to wise, old men, preachers, and undeniably eccentric characters. His versatility extended to the horror genre, where John Carradine frequently portrayed menacing figures – evil scientists and sadistic villains – and famously embodied Count Dracula on three separate occasions.
Despite his prolific filmography, John Carradine harbored a deep passion for Shakespeare. This love for the Bard was not confined to the stage or screen; legend has it that John Carradine would declaim Shakespearean verses while strolling down Hollywood Boulevard, earning him the moniker “Bard of the Boulevard.” While he playfully denied the street performances, John Carradine admitted to honing his craft by reciting Shakespeare to empty seats at the Hollywood Bowl, an unusual but dedicated practice to improve his elocution and vocal projection.
Anecdotes surrounding John Carradine abound, many painting a picture of an eccentric and captivating personality. One such tale involved a supposed house-crashing incident at John Barrymore’s residence. John Carradine clarified that it was an accidental entrance through the back door, finding himself face-to-face with Barrymore while still in costume. Barrymore’s witty greeting, “Dr. Livingston, I presume?” sparked an evening of camaraderie and drinks between the two classically trained actors.
Another memorable anecdote involves Katharine Hepburn. According to John Carradine, a typically blunt remark led to a 20-year silence from Hepburn. When Hepburn expressed her desire to play both Mary of Scots and Queen Elizabeth in “Mary of Scotland,” John Carradine quipped, “If you played both parts, how would you know which queen to upstage?” Hepburn, reportedly, was not amused and abruptly left the stage.
Interestingly, John Carradine famously turned down the role of Frankenstein’s monster due to the lack of dialogue. He expressed no regrets, while Boris Karloff, who became iconic in the role, reportedly felt the opposite. This decision highlights John Carradine‘s focus on the spoken word and his theatrical sensibilities.
Even with recognition for his extensive film work, John Carradine didn’t shy away from criticizing Hollywood executives. In 1983, he lamented the lack of movie roles despite receiving accolades elsewhere, stating, “Lately I’m honored all over the country, yet the powers-that-be in Hollywood won’t give me a job.” He continued to work on stage, his first love, but missed the opportunities in major motion pictures.
Born Richmond Reed Carradine on February 5, 1906, in Greenwich Village, New York, John Carradine came from an artistic family. His father was an attorney, poet, and painter, and his mother was a surgeon. At 14, inspired by a performance by Shakespearean actor Robert Bruce Mantell, he decided to pursue acting. However, he initially “sidetracked” into painting and sculpting, studying at Philadelphia’s Graphic Art School.
John Carradine then traveled the South, earning a living by sketching portraits. In 1925, he found himself in New Orleans and made his stage debut in “Camille” at the St. Charles Theatre. He then joined a Shakespearean stock company, solidifying his lifelong passion for Shakespearean drama.
In 1927, John Carradine hitchhiked to Hollywood, again supporting himself with his art. After struggling to find film work, he acted in small stage productions. After three years of perseverance, he landed his first screen role in “Tol’able David.” He appeared in several more films as Richmond Carradine before signing with 20th Century-Fox in 1935 and adopting the name John Carradine.
John Carradine maintained a strong sense of independence, rooted in his theater background, which sometimes set him apart in Hollywood. “I was a stage actor and proud of it,” he once stated. He recounted an anecdote about being offered a role in John Ford’s “Prisoner of Shark Island,” where the agent suggested it would “make” his career. However, Ford wanted him to audition, playing the character in a way John Carradine felt was overly simplistic. Despite his reservations, John Carradine auditioned, offering his own interpretation alongside Ford’s direction. Ultimately, he secured the part, partly due to the support of Francis Ford, the director’s brother.
This led to further collaborations with John Ford in films like “The Hurricane,” “Four Men and a Prayer,” “Drums Along the Mohawk,” and “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance,” solidifying John Carradine‘s presence in classic Hollywood cinema.
In 1943, John Carradine demonstrated his commitment to Shakespeare by founding his own repertory company, directing and starring in productions of “Hamlet,” “Iago,” and “Othello.” However, wartime travel difficulties forced the company to disband, a disappointment for John Carradine who had aspired to be the leading Shakespearean actor of his time. “I think I’ve been unlucky. I’ve missed out on everything,” he once reflected, lamenting his lack of Broadway Shakespearean roles.
Despite these frustrations, John Carradine continued to work prolifically, often appearing in low-budget horror films like “Munster Go Home,” “Billy the Kid Vs. Dracula,” and “The Astro Zombies.” His performance in the 1983 New Zealand ghost story “Klynham Summer” earned praise from critics, highlighting his commanding screen presence even in less mainstream projects.
John Carradine was married four times and fathered five sons, three of whom – David, Keith, and Robert – followed in his footsteps to become actors. Keith Carradine revealed that his father was not particularly fond of discussing his horror films, often taking roles out of financial necessity, advising his sons to “make sure that if you’ve got to do a role you don’t like, it makes you a lot of money.”
John Carradine claimed to have appeared in over 160 plays, both in the US and internationally, including “The Time of Your Life,” “On Golden Pond,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” and numerous productions of “Tobacco Road,” where he became known for his portrayal of Jeeter Lester. In the 1950s, he transitioned to television, with regular appearances in shows like “Lights Out,” “Climax,” “Bat Masterson,” “Thriller,” and “The Red Skelton Show.” The 1960s, 70s, and 80s saw him continue his prolific film work, including roles in “House of Long Shadows” and Woody Allen’s “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex but Were Afraid to Ask.”
Known for his dry wit, John Carradine often used humor to address his career challenges. Once, arriving at a brunch held in his honor during a period of unemployment in 1981, he quipped, “I came in from Santa Barbara today because, like so many of us, I’m an out-of-work actor looking for a free meal.” This self-deprecating humor, coupled with his immense body of work, paints a picture of a resilient and uniquely talented actor, John Carradine, whose legacy extends far beyond the silver screen.
