Alan Ladd

Acting

Alan Ladd

Born September 3, 1913 · Hot Springs, Arkansas, USA

Died January 29, 1964 · aged 50

Alan Walbridge Ladd (September 3, 1913 – January 29, 1964) was an American actor and producer known for his cool, understated screen presence and his defining roles in 1940s and 1950s film noir and Westerns. Standing 5 ft 6 in (168 cm), Ladd became famous for the contrast between his modest height and his commanding on‑screen persona, a combination studios often enhanced through camera techniques …

Known For

Citizen KaneCitizen Kane · 1941
Citizen Kane
8.01941
MovieMysteryDrama
Newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane is taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. As a result, every well-meaning, tyrannical or self-destructive move he makes for the rest of his life appears in some way to be a reaction to that deeply wounding event.
Secrets of a NurseSecrets of a Nurse · 1938
Secrets of a Nurse
5.51938
MovieDramaCrime
This Universal programmer was based on a Collier's Magazine story by journalist Quentin Reynolds. This story in turn was ostensibly based on a true incident, in which a gangster "returned from the dead" to save an innocent young man from the electric chair. The nurse of the film's title is Katharine McDonald, who falls in love with her prizefighter-patient Lee Burke as he recovers from a beating received in a fixed prizefight. Katharine must fend off the advances of criminal attorney John Dodge, another patient who also loves her and becomes jealous of Lee. But when Lee is framed for the murder of his disgruntled manager, Slice, by a henchman of the fight-fix leader, Joe Largo, Dodge takes on his defense and works with Katherine to discover the real killer. Convicted and sentenced to death, Burke is about to walk the "last mile", as Katharine encourages mortally wounded Largo to a deathbed confession.
ShaneShane · 1953
Shane
7.31953
MovieDramaWestern
A weary gunfighter attempts to settle down with a homestead family, but a smouldering settler and rancher conflict forces him to act.
The Movie OrgyThe Movie Orgy · 1968
The Movie Orgy
6.71968
MovieComedyDocumentary
Clips from assorted television programs, B-movies, commercials, music performances, newsreels, bloopers, satirical short films and promotional and government films of the 1950s and 1960s are intercut together to tell a single story of various creatures and societal ills attacking American cities.
SaskatchewanSaskatchewan · 1954
Saskatchewan
6.11954
MovieWesternAdventure
Story of blood brothers whose bonds are tested when marauding Sioux Indians cross the border to enlist the peaceful Cree in a battle against the Great White Father.
The Blue DahliaThe Blue Dahlia · 1946
The Blue Dahlia
6.71946
MovieCrimeMystery
Soon after a veteran returns from war, his cheating wife is found dead. He evades police in an attempt to find the real murderer.
My Favorite BrunetteMy Favorite Brunette · 1947
My Favorite Brunette
6.61947
MovieComedyMystery
Ronnie Jackson is a lowly baby photographer who secretly fantasizes about being a private detective. When a lovely baroness actually mistakes him for one and asks him to help locate her missing husband, Baron Montay, Ronnie finds himself agreeing. Several days later he is on death row whiling away the hours until his execution by recounting to a group of reporters the bizarre tale of how he ended up there.
Petticoat PoliticsPetticoat Politics · 1941
Petticoat Politics
9.01941
MovieComedy
Pa Higgins has decided to retire but winds up being forced to run for mayor. Ladd is both boyfriend to the Higgins girl and the son of Pa's opponent.

Movies

Citizen KaneCitizen Kane · 1941
Citizen Kane
8.01941
MovieMysteryDrama
Newspaper magnate Charles Foster Kane is taken from his mother as a boy and made the ward of a rich industrialist. As a result, every well-meaning, tyrannical or self-destructive move he makes for the rest of his life appears in some way to be a reaction to that deeply wounding event.
Secrets of a NurseSecrets of a Nurse · 1938
Secrets of a Nurse
5.51938
MovieDramaCrime
This Universal programmer was based on a Collier's Magazine story by journalist Quentin Reynolds. This story in turn was ostensibly based on a true incident, in which a gangster "returned from the dead" to save an innocent young man from the electric chair. The nurse of the film's title is Katharine McDonald, who falls in love with her prizefighter-patient Lee Burke as he recovers from a beating received in a fixed prizefight. Katharine must fend off the advances of criminal attorney John Dodge, another patient who also loves her and becomes jealous of Lee. But when Lee is framed for the murder of his disgruntled manager, Slice, by a henchman of the fight-fix leader, Joe Largo, Dodge takes on his defense and works with Katherine to discover the real killer. Convicted and sentenced to death, Burke is about to walk the "last mile", as Katharine encourages mortally wounded Largo to a deathbed confession.
ShaneShane · 1953
Shane
7.31953
MovieDramaWestern
A weary gunfighter attempts to settle down with a homestead family, but a smouldering settler and rancher conflict forces him to act.
The Movie OrgyThe Movie Orgy · 1968
The Movie Orgy
6.71968
MovieComedyDocumentary
Clips from assorted television programs, B-movies, commercials, music performances, newsreels, bloopers, satirical short films and promotional and government films of the 1950s and 1960s are intercut together to tell a single story of various creatures and societal ills attacking American cities.
SaskatchewanSaskatchewan · 1954
Saskatchewan
6.11954
MovieWesternAdventure
Story of blood brothers whose bonds are tested when marauding Sioux Indians cross the border to enlist the peaceful Cree in a battle against the Great White Father.
The Blue DahliaThe Blue Dahlia · 1946
The Blue Dahlia
6.71946
MovieCrimeMystery
Soon after a veteran returns from war, his cheating wife is found dead. He evades police in an attempt to find the real murderer.
My Favorite BrunetteMy Favorite Brunette · 1947
My Favorite Brunette
6.61947
MovieComedyMystery
Ronnie Jackson is a lowly baby photographer who secretly fantasizes about being a private detective. When a lovely baroness actually mistakes him for one and asks him to help locate her missing husband, Baron Montay, Ronnie finds himself agreeing. Several days later he is on death row whiling away the hours until his execution by recounting to a group of reporters the bizarre tale of how he ended up there.
Petticoat PoliticsPetticoat Politics · 1941
Petticoat Politics
9.01941
MovieComedy
Pa Higgins has decided to retire but winds up being forced to run for mayor. Ladd is both boyfriend to the Higgins girl and the son of Pa's opponent.
SantiagoSantiago · 1956
Santiago
5.81956
MovieAdventureAction
Two American gun runners at odds with each other and looking to sell guns to the rebels during the Cuban War of Independence navigate a boat to Cuba. Along for the ride is a beautiful Cuban rebel in who both men are interested.
Boy on a DolphinBoy on a Dolphin · 1957
Boy on a Dolphin
5.71957
MovieAdventureRomance
Phaedra is a poor sponge diver on the lovely Greek isle of Hydra. While diving, she discovers an ancient brass and gold statue of a boy riding a dolphin, which is said to have the magical power to grant wishes. Her shiftless boyfriend wants to sell it to an unscrupulous art collector, but Phaedra wants to give it to anthropologist Jim Calder, who would return it to the Greek government.
The Reluctant DragonThe Reluctant Dragon · 1941
The Reluctant Dragon
6.61941
MovieAnimationFamily
Humorist Robert Benchley attempts to find Walt Disney to ask him to adapt a short story about a gentle dragon who would rather recite poetry than be ferocious. Along the way, he is given a tour of Walt Disney Studios, and learns about the animation process.
100 Years at the Movies100 Years at the Movies · 1994
100 Years at the Movies
7.51994
MovieDocumentary
Commemorates the centennial of American movies with a montage of clips and music scores from the most important movies of the century.
The CarpetbaggersThe Carpetbaggers · 1964
The Carpetbaggers
5.91964
MovieDrama
Jonas Cord is a disagreeable young tycoon who's building planes, directing films, and catting around on the corporate make in 1930s Hollywood.
Appointment with DangerAppointment with Danger · 1950
Appointment with Danger
5.71950
MovieCrimeDrama
Al Goddard, a detective who works for the United States Postal Inspection Service, is assigned to arrest two criminals who've allegedly murdered a U.S. postal detective.
This Gun for HireThis Gun for Hire · 1942
This Gun for Hire
7.01942
MovieCrimeThriller
Sadistic killer-for-hire Philip Raven becomes enraged when his latest job is paid off in marked bills. Vowing to track down his double-crossing boss, nightclub executive Gates, Raven sits beside Gates' lovely new employee, Ellen, on a train out of town. Although Ellen is engaged to marry the police lieutenant who's hunting down Raven, she decides to try and set the misguided hit man straight as he hides from the cops and plots his revenge.
Hell Below ZeroHell Below Zero · 1954
Hell Below Zero
7.01954
MovieAdventureAction
Duncan Craig signs on a whaling ship, partly because his own business deal has fallen through, partly to help Judie Nordhall find her father. Rumor has it that her father may have been murdered by Erik Bland, son of her father's partner and her one-time lover. Duncan and Erik find themselves on rival whaleboats and, ultimately, on an ice floe.
Dead Men Don't Wear PlaidDead Men Don't Wear Plaid · 1982
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
6.71982
MovieComedyMystery
Juliet Forrest is convinced that the reported death of her father in a mountain car crash was no accident. Her father was a prominent cheese scientist working on a secret recipe. To prove it was murder, she enlists the services of private eye Rigby Reardon. He finds a slip of paper containing a list of people who are 'The Friends and Enemies of Carlotta'.
Hollywood Victory CaravanHollywood Victory Caravan · 1945
Hollywood Victory Caravan
5.61945
MovieMusicComedy
A girl is desperate to get to Washington D.C. to be with her lonesome brother, a wounded G.I. She persuades Bing Crosby to let her join his caravan.
The Proud RebelThe Proud Rebel · 1958
The Proud Rebel
6.11958
MovieWesternDrama
Searching for a doctor who can help him get his son to speak again--the boy hadn't uttered a word since he saw his mother die in the fire that burned down the family home--a Confederate veteran finds himself facing a 30-day jail sentence when he's unfairly accused of starting a brawl in a small town. A local woman pays his fine, providing that he works it off on her ranch. He soon finds himself involved in the woman's struggle to keep her ranch from a local landowner who wants it--and whose sons were responsible for the man being framed for the fight.
Salty O'RourkeSalty O'Rourke · 1945
Salty O'Rourke
6.01945
MovieDrama
A gambler and his buddy find a wise-guy jockey for their long-shot horse.
The Black KnightThe Black Knight · 1954
The Black Knight
6.41954
MovieActionAdventure
John, a blacksmith and swordsmith, is tutored at Camelot. As a commoner, he can't hope to win the hand of Lady Linet, daughter of the Earl of Yeoniland, so he creates a secret alternate identity as the Black Knight. In this new role, he is now able to help King Arthur when Saracens and Cornish men—disguised as Vikings -- plot to take over the country.
The Glass KeyThe Glass Key · 1942
The Glass Key
6.61942
MovieCrimeMystery
A crooked politician finds himself being accused of murder by a gangster from whom he refused help during a re-election campaign.
Come On, Leathernecks!Come On, Leathernecks! · 1938
Come On, Leathernecks!
7.51938
MovieAdventureDrama
The father of a star football player at Annapolis wants his son to follow the family pattern and join the Marines.
The Great GatsbyThe Great Gatsby · 1949
The Great Gatsby
5.41949
MovieDramaMystery
Nick Carraway, a young Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifetyle of his landlord, the nouveau riche Jay Gatsby. He is drawn into Gatsby's circle, becoming a witness to obsession and tragedy.

TV Shows

The Bob Cummings ShowThe Bob Cummings Show · 1955
The Bob Cummings Show
6.31955
SeriesComedy
The Bob Cummings Show is an American sitcom starring Robert "Bob" Cummings which was produced from January 2, 1955 to September 15, 1959. The Bob Cummings Show was the first series ever to debut as a midseason replacement. The program began with a half-season run on NBC, then ran for two full seasons on CBS, and returned to NBC for its final two seasons. The program was later rerun in the daytime hours on ABC and then syndicated under the title Love That Bob. A similar, but less successful, follow-up series, The New Bob Cummings Show, was broadcast on CBS during the 1961-62 television season.
General Electric TheaterGeneral Electric Theater · 1953
General Electric Theater
6.81953
SeriesComedyDrama
General Electric Theater is an American anthology series hosted by Ronald Reagan that was broadcast on CBS radio and television. The series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations.