John Payne

Acting

John Payne

Born May 28, 1912 · Roanoke, Virginia, USA

Died December 6, 1989 · aged 77

John Payne was an American stage, screen, and television actor. He is best remembered as a singer in 20th Century Fox musical films and for his roles in Miracle on 34th Street (1947) and the television series The Restless Gun (1957-1959).

Known For

Miracle on 34th StreetMiracle on 34th Street · 1947
Miracle on 34th Street
7.41947
MovieComedyDrama
Kris Kringle, seemingly the embodiment of Santa Claus, is asked to portray the jolly old fellow at Macy's following his performance in the Thanksgiving Day parade. His portrayal is so complete that many begin to question if he truly is Santa Claus, while others question his sanity.
Raiders of the Seven SeasRaiders of the Seven Seas · 1953
Raiders of the Seven Seas
6.11953
MovieAdventure
After staging a mutiny and commandeering his own ship, famed pirate Barbarossa takes hostage a spirited Spanish noblewoman named Alida, intending to trade her to her fiancé, Capt. Jose Salcedo, for a handsome ransom. But Barbarossa falls in love with Alida, who meanwhile discovers that the roguish swashbuckler is more honorable than her erstwhile betrothed.
Remember the DayRemember the Day · 1941
Remember the Day
7.31941
MovieWarDrama
Elderly schoolteacher Nora Trinell, waiting to meet presidential nominee Dewey Roberts, recalls him as her student back in 1916 and his relation to Dan Hopkins, the man she married and lost.
The VanquishedThe Vanquished · 1953
The Vanquished
4.91953
MovieDramaAction
A man returns to his home -- a post Civil-War village -- and finds the law is in the hands of a few scrupulous people.
The Razor's EdgeThe Razor's Edge · 1946
The Razor's Edge
6.91946
MovieDramaRomance
An adventurous young man goes off to find himself and loses his socialite fiancée in the process. But when he returns 10 years later, she will stop at nothing to get him back, even though she is already married.
The Great ProfileThe Great Profile · 1940
The Great Profile
6.81940
MovieComedy
An alcoholic film star attempts a comeback. Director Walter Lang's 1940 comedy stars John Barrymore, Mary Beth Hughes, Anne Baxter, John Payne, Lionel Atwill and Edward Brophy.
Kansas City ConfidentialKansas City Confidential · 1952
Kansas City Confidential
7.11952
MovieCrime
An ex-convict sets out to uncover who framed him for an armored car robbery.
King of the LumberjacksKing of the Lumberjacks · 1940
King of the Lumberjacks
3.71940
MovieRomanceDrama
Outdoor drama about a newly-hired lumberjack discovering that his former girlfriend is now his new boss's wife.

Movies

Miracle on 34th StreetMiracle on 34th Street · 1947
Miracle on 34th Street
7.41947
MovieComedyDrama
Kris Kringle, seemingly the embodiment of Santa Claus, is asked to portray the jolly old fellow at Macy's following his performance in the Thanksgiving Day parade. His portrayal is so complete that many begin to question if he truly is Santa Claus, while others question his sanity.
Raiders of the Seven SeasRaiders of the Seven Seas · 1953
Raiders of the Seven Seas
6.11953
MovieAdventure
After staging a mutiny and commandeering his own ship, famed pirate Barbarossa takes hostage a spirited Spanish noblewoman named Alida, intending to trade her to her fiancé, Capt. Jose Salcedo, for a handsome ransom. But Barbarossa falls in love with Alida, who meanwhile discovers that the roguish swashbuckler is more honorable than her erstwhile betrothed.
Remember the DayRemember the Day · 1941
Remember the Day
7.31941
MovieWarDrama
Elderly schoolteacher Nora Trinell, waiting to meet presidential nominee Dewey Roberts, recalls him as her student back in 1916 and his relation to Dan Hopkins, the man she married and lost.
The VanquishedThe Vanquished · 1953
The Vanquished
4.91953
MovieDramaAction
A man returns to his home -- a post Civil-War village -- and finds the law is in the hands of a few scrupulous people.
The Razor's EdgeThe Razor's Edge · 1946
The Razor's Edge
6.91946
MovieDramaRomance
An adventurous young man goes off to find himself and loses his socialite fiancée in the process. But when he returns 10 years later, she will stop at nothing to get him back, even though she is already married.
The Great ProfileThe Great Profile · 1940
The Great Profile
6.81940
MovieComedy
An alcoholic film star attempts a comeback. Director Walter Lang's 1940 comedy stars John Barrymore, Mary Beth Hughes, Anne Baxter, John Payne, Lionel Atwill and Edward Brophy.
Kansas City ConfidentialKansas City Confidential · 1952
Kansas City Confidential
7.11952
MovieCrime
An ex-convict sets out to uncover who framed him for an armored car robbery.
King of the LumberjacksKing of the Lumberjacks · 1940
King of the Lumberjacks
3.71940
MovieRomanceDrama
Outdoor drama about a newly-hired lumberjack discovering that his former girlfriend is now his new boss's wife.
DodsworthDodsworth · 1936
Dodsworth
7.11936
MovieDramaRomance
A retired auto manufacturer and his wife take a long-planned European vacation only to find that they want very different things from life.
Slightly ScarletSlightly Scarlet · 1956
Slightly Scarlet
6.31956
MovieCrimeDrama
Kleptomaniac Dorothy Lyons is paroled from prison into the custody of her sister June, secretary to "reform" politician Frank Jansen. Ben Grace, associate of crime boss Sol "Solly" Caspar, sees this as a way to smear Jansen's campaign. Seductive Dorothy will do anything to get what she wants, which includes having a good time with Ben-- whom June is now in love with.
The Crooked WayThe Crooked Way · 1949
The Crooked Way
6.21949
MovieCrimeDrama
A war veteran suffering from amnesia, returns to Los Angeles from a San Francisco veterans hospital hoping to learn who he is and discovers his criminal past.
The Road to DenverThe Road to Denver · 1955
The Road to Denver
7.01955
MovieWestern
The Mayhew brothers flee from one Texas town to another as older brother Bill repeatedly attempts to keep younger brother Sam out of jail. Bill finally gives up on his younger brother and heads for Colorado. He gets a job and all is well until his brother shows up and takes a job that puts them on opposite sides of the law.
The Eagle and the HawkThe Eagle and the Hawk · 1950
The Eagle and the Hawk
5.91950
MovieWestern
Texas Ranger Todd Crayden is assigned a suicide mission South of the Border, to smuggle a government agent into Mexico...
Wings of the NavyWings of the Navy · 1939
Wings of the Navy
6.21939
MovieDramaRomance
Jerry tries to out compete his older brother Cass, a lieutenant Naval aviator. Cass is both tough on and protective of his brother, but Jerry can give it right back.
Silver LodeSilver Lode · 1954
Silver Lode
6.21954
MovieWestern
Dan Ballard, a respected citizen in the western town of Silver Lode, has his wedding interrupted by four men led by Ned McCarty, an old acquaintance who, as a US Marshal, arrests Ballard for the murder of his brother and the theft of $20,000. Ballard seeks to stall McCarty while tracking down evidence that will prove his innocence.
Rails Into LaramieRails Into Laramie · 1954
Rails Into Laramie
6.51954
MovieWestern
A federal agent arrives in Laramie to try to find out who is behind the efforts to stop the construction of a new railroad track.
Santa Fe PassageSanta Fe Passage · 1955
Santa Fe Passage
6.11955
MovieWestern
A disgraced Indian scout and his partner are hired to escort a wagonload of guns through Indian territory.
Tennessee's PartnerTennessee's Partner · 1955
Tennessee's Partner
6.51955
MovieWestern
A tough, womanizing high-stakes gambler known only as Tennessee has an uneasy relationship with Duchess, madam of a thinly-disguised bordello, and no other friends at all. But he's saved from murder by a lonesome cowpoke ('My friends call me Cowpoke'), in town to meet his fiancée Goldie on the steamboat. When she arrives, there's a mysterious undercurrent between Goldie and Tennessee, whose newfound friendship with Cowpoke is destined to be severely tried...
The Saxon CharmThe Saxon Charm · 1948
The Saxon Charm
4.61948
MovieDrama
In order to get his way, New York producer Matt Saxon manipulates and controls everyone around him but his latest protégé, novelist Eric Busch, finally stands-up to him.
To the Shores of TripoliTo the Shores of Tripoli · 1942
To the Shores of Tripoli
5.51942
MovieDramaWar
Chronicle of a spoiled rich boy who joins the Marines with an off-handed attitude and finally becomes a battle-wise soldier.
El PasoEl Paso · 1949
El Paso
6.01949
MovieWestern
Ex-confederate officer Clay Fletcher jumps at the chance to reunite with his once lady-friend, Susan Jeffers, when his father, Judge Fletcher, sends him on an errand to El Paso, Texas to get the signature of Susan's father, Judge Jeffers, on a legal document. Once there he finds the judge has become a drunk and a laughing stock, doing the bidding of local magnate Bert Donner and his running dog, Sheriff La Farge. Just as Clay starts straightening out the town's problems, events occur which force him to abandon the legal system and instead adopt the murderous tactics of a vigilante.
Tin Pan AlleyTin Pan Alley · 1940
Tin Pan Alley
5.41940
MovieDramaRomance
Songwriters Calhoun and Harrigan get Katie and Lily Blane to introduce a new one. Lily goes to England, and Katy joins her after the boys give a new song to Nora Bayes. All are reunited when the boys, now in the army, show up in England.
Hello, Frisco, HelloHello, Frisco, Hello · 1943
Hello, Frisco, Hello
6.41943
MovieComedyMusic
In turn-of-the-century San Francisco, an ambitious vaudevillian takes his quartet from a honky tonk to the big time, while spurning the love of his troupe's star singer for a selfish heiress.
Hell's IslandHell's Island · 1955
Hell's Island
5.51955
MovieAdventureDrama
Down-on-his-luck Mike Cormack is hired to fly to a Caribbean island to retrieve a missing ruby. On the island, possibly involved with the ruby's disappearance, is his ex-girlfriend.

TV Shows

The Mike Douglas ShowThe Mike Douglas Show · 1961
The Mike Douglas Show
5.81961
SeriesComedy
The Mike Douglas Show is an American daytime television talk show hosted by Mike Douglas that originally aired only in the Cleveland area during much of its first two years on the air. It then went into syndication in 1963 and remained on television until 1982. It was distributed by Westinghouse Broadcasting and for much of its run, originated from studios of two of the company's TV stations in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
ColumboColumbo · 1971
Columbo
8.11971
SeriesCrimeDrama
Columbo is a friendly, verbose, disheveled-looking police detective who is consistently underestimated by his suspects. Despite his unprepossessing appearance and apparent absentmindedness, he shrewdly solves all of his cases and secures all evidence needed for indictment. His formidable eye for detail and meticulously dedicated approach often become clear to the killer only late in the storyline.
Robert Montgomery PresentsRobert Montgomery Presents · 1950
Robert Montgomery Presents
6.01950
SeriesDrama
Robert Montgomery Presents is an American dramatic television series which was produced by NBC from January 30, 1950 until June 24, 1957. The live show had several sponsors during its seven-year run, and the title was altered to feature the sponsor, usually Lucky Strike cigarettes, for example, Robert Montgomery Presents Your Lucky Strike Theater, ....The Johnson's Wax Program, and so on.
Dick Powell's Zane Grey TheatreDick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre · 1956
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre
6.21956
SeriesWesternDrama
Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre, sometimes simply called Zane Grey Theatre, is an American Western anthology series which ran on CBS from 1956 to 1961.
Tony AwardsTony Awards · 1956
Tony Awards
1956
Series
The Antoinette Perry Award for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as a Tony Award, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. The awards are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway League at an annual ceremony in New York City. The awards are given for Broadway productions and performances, and an award is given for regional theatre.
What's My Line?What's My Line? · 1950
What's My Line?
7.01950
SeriesFamilyComedy
Four panelists must determine guests' occupations - and, in the case of famous guests, while blindfolded, their identity - by asking only "yes" or "no" questions.
GunsmokeGunsmoke · 1955
Gunsmoke
6.71955
SeriesWestern
Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West. The central character is lawman Marshal Matt Dillon, played by William Conrad on radio and James Arness on television.
The Name of the GameThe Name of the Game · 1968
The Name of the Game
7.01968
SeriesSci-Fi & Fantasy
The Name of the Game is an American television series starring Tony Franciosa, Gene Barry, and Robert Stack that ran from 1968 to 1971 on NBC, totaling 76 episodes of 90 minutes. It was a pioneering wheel series, setting the stage for The Bold Ones and the NBC Mystery Movie in the 1970s. The show had an extremely large budget for a television series.
The Steve Allen ShowThe Steve Allen Show · 1956
The Steve Allen Show
6.21956
SeriesComedy
Studio 57Studio 57 · 1954
Studio 57
7.51954
SeriesDramaFamily
Studio 57 is an American anthology series that was broadcast on the now-defunct DuMont Television Network from September 1954 to September 1955, and in syndication from 1955 to 1956.
Fantastic Four: World's Greatest HeroesFantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes · 2006
Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes
7.52006
SeriesAnimation
Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing battle some of their greatest foes, including Doctor Doom, Ronan the Accuser, the Multiple Man, and Mole Man.
The Restless GunThe Restless Gun · 1957
The Restless Gun
4.41957
SeriesWestern
The Restless Gun is an American western television series that appeared on NBC between 1957 and 1959, with John Payne in the role of Vint Bonner, a wandering cowboy in the era after the American Civil War. A skilled gunfighter, Bonner is an idealistic person who prefers peaceful resolutions of conflict wherever possible. He is gregarious, intelligent, and public-spirited. The half-hour black-and-white program aired seventy-eight episodes. Jeanne Bates appeared in varying roles with Payne in five episodes of The Restless Gun. The Restless Gun theme song begins: "I ride with the wind, my eyes on the sun, and my hand on my restless gun..." The song composer is probably Paul Dunlap, credited as the primary series composer, but could have been contributed to by either of the two other series composers, Dave Kahn and Stanley Wilson, also. Two versions are currently posted on YouTube, but neither posting lists any composer or performance credits.
The Dick Powell ShowThe Dick Powell Show · 1961
The Dick Powell Show
5.71961
SeriesDramaComedy
The Dick Powell Show is an American anthology series that ran on NBC from 1961- 1963, primarily sponsored by the Reynolds Metals Company. It was hosted by longtime film star Dick Powell until his death from lymphatic cancer on January 2, 1963, then by a series of guest hosts until the series ended. The first of these was Gregory Peck, who began the January 8 program with a tribute to Powell, recognizing him as "a great and good friend to our industry." Peck was followed by fellow actors such as Robert Mitchum, Frank Sinatra, Glenn Ford, Charles Boyer, Jackie Cooper, Rock Hudson, Milton Berle, Jack Lemmon, Dean Martin, Robert Taylor, Steve McQueen, David Niven, Danny Thomas, Robert Wagner and John Wayne.
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.
Schlitz Playhouse of StarsSchlitz Playhouse of Stars · 1951
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
7.21951
SeriesDramaComedy
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars is an anthology series that was telecast from 1951 until 1959 on CBS. Offering both comedies and drama, the series was sponsored by the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company. The title was shortened to Schlitz Playhouse, beginning with the fall 1957 season.