Larry Thor
Larry Thor | |
|---|---|
| Died | March 16, 1976 (aged 59) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1952–1974 |
| Spouse(s) | Leona Finnie Jean Howell (1956) |
Larry Thor (August 27, 1916 – March 15, 1976) was a radio newscaster and announcer, an actor in film and radio, and a university professor. He "was noted for his distinctive voice ... his rich resonant tones."[3]
Early professional life
A native of Lundar, Manitoba, Canada, Thor was a soldier, a construction worker, a farmer, and a rancher before he went into broadcasting. His first experience in radio came in 1937 1964-1967|he was the radio announcer on the TV program Gilligan's Island, and appeared as himself on S02 Episode 04 Smile, You're on Mars Camera.
Radio drama
Thor's involvement with drama on radio began in Canada. In addition to his work as an announcer (noted above), he began his own company, Peak Radio Ltd., which produced radio dramas.
Recordings
In 1964, Thor recorded a 12-song album for children.[3] Galloping on My Dinosaur was released on the Harmony label.[11] Thor also wrote the music and lyrics for the songs in the album.[4]
Writing
Thor wrote his first script for an episode of Suspense. "The Man Who Cried Wolf" was broadcast February 9, 1953.[10] He went on to write scripts for episodes of This is our Heritage, Fantasy of Fact, The Record Collectors, and Hallmark Hall of Fame. He also wrote four books.[4]
Teaching
Thor began teaching in the screenwriting program at the University of California, Los Angeles, in January 1968, offering "a special course for the advanced writers."[4] He continued to teach there, enhancing his courses with "many professional actors, producers and writers who were brought into his class as guest lecturers" until he died in 1976.[4]
Family
While still in Canada, Thor married the former Leona Finnie of Winnipeg[1] when he was 21. They had four children.[3] In 1956, Thor married Jean Howell, an actress and writer.[4] She divorced him after four months.[12]
Filmography
Thor had roles in 29 feature films, as shown in the table below.[13]
| Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Pride of St. Louis | 1952 | St. Louis Home Games Announcer | Uncredited |
| The Mississippi Gambler | 1953 | Captain | Uncredited |
| The Roar of the Crowd | 1953 | Announcer | Uncredited |
| The Kid from Left Field | 1953 | First Announcer | Uncredited |
The Fast and the Furious |
1955 | Detective Sergeant | |
| Five Guns West | 1955 | Confederate Captain | |
| Portland Exposé | 1957 | Captain Vincent | Uncredited |
| Hell Bound | 1957 | Doctor | Uncredited |
| The Amazing Colossal Man | 1957 | Maj. Eric Coulter, MD | |
| Zero Hour! | 1957 | Vancouver Radio Dispatcher | |
| The True Story of Lynn Stuart | 1958 | Police Sergeant | Uncredited |
| Machine-Gun Kelly | 1958 | Detective Drummond | |
| The Littlest Hobo | 1958 | Police Captain | |
| The Hunters | 1958 | Captain Owynby | Uncredited |
| The Gun Runners | 1958 | Captain | Uncredited |
| Tarawa Beachhead | 1958 | Colonel Kempler | |
| A Nice Little Bank That Should Be Robbed | 1958 | Detective | Uncredited |
| Gunmen from Laredo | 1959 | Captain Garrick | Uncredited |
| Holiday for Lovers | 1959 | Captain | Uncredited |
| Battle of the Coral Sea | 1959 | Army Major | Uncredited |
| Wake Me When It's Over | 1960 | TV broadcaster | Uncredited |
| Let's Make Love | 1960 | Wilson | Uncredited |
| Spartacus | 1960 | Staff Officer | Uncredited |
| Where the Boys Are | 1960 | Doctor | Uncredited |
| Bachelor Flat | 1961 | Officer in Sheriff's Office | Uncredited |
| Company of Killers | 1970 | Clarington | |
| Tora! Tora! Tora! | 1970 | Maj. Gen. Frederick L. Martin | Uncredited |
| The Phantom Tollbooth | 1970 | Tock the Watchdog | Voice |
| Night Games | 1974 | Court Reporter | (final film role) |
References
- ^ a b c Hammerston, Claude (March 1, 1950). "Drama And Music On CBS". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
- ^ Eder, Bruce (2014). "Movies". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. Archived from the original on April 19, 2014.
- ^ a b c "Larry Thor". Icelandic National League of North America. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Larry Thor, Theater Arts: Los Angeles". calisphere. University of California. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
- ^ Zhito, Lee (April 1, 1950). "FCC Witnesses Press Bias Charges Against Richards; New Delay, Till Fall Looms". Billboard. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
- ^ Roberts, Lynn (March 16, 1947). "News as You Want It" (PDF). Radio Life. 15 (2): 6. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
- ^ "Production" (PDF). Broadcasting. May 31, 1948. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7864-5149-4. pp. 139, 277.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-507678-3. pp. 120, 582.
- ^ a b Young, Kathryn (March 1953). "C.B.S. Notes" (PDF). WIBW Round-Up. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
- ^ "Album Reviews". Billboard. September 19, 1964. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
- ^ "Television Actress Divorces Husband". The Florence Times. July 6, 1956. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
- ^ "Larry Thor: Complete Filmography". TCM. Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
External links
