Owen J. Martin"New York, County Naturalization Records, 1791-1980", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPWT-G42S : Fri Mar 08 09:12:44 UTC 2024), Entry for Owen Martin, 1917."United States, World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:76V7-PZZM : Fri Nov 22 17:53:11 UTC 2024), Entry for Owen J Martin, from 1917 to 1918. (December 15, 1887 – May 4, 1960) was an American stage and screen character actor and vaudeville entertainer, best known for his more than decade-long participation in the original Broadway production—and subsequent national tour—of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma, being the sole member of that show's original cast to appear in the entire five-year, two-month Broadway run.
Early life and career Born on December 15, 1887 in County Armagh, Ireland, Martin arrived with his parents at the Port of New York in June 1892.Cair, Harold L. (September 23, 1954). "Two on the Aisle: Iron Man Martin". Portland Evening Express. p. 35. Prior to emigration, both parents had been Irish vaudeville performers.Hanifin, Ada (July 7, 1937). "Campus to Produce Actors: That's the View of Owen Martin, at Geary; Professional Should Supervise, Direct Player in Training, He Says". The San Francisco Examiner. p. 27. Martin made his stage debut in September 1905 alongside a young Leora Spellman at the Lyceum Theatre in Elizabeth, New Jersey, portraying "Billy" in a production of William Gillette's oft-revived adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories.
Characterized at the time of his death as "a trim, sandy-haired man of short stature" by the Associated Press (at least partially borne out by this 1958 image), Martin at age 29—on his 1917 declaration of intent to attain citizenship—was measured at five feet, seven inches and 135 pounds, with brown hair and grey eyes.
In 1924, in a play that also featured his future wife, Edna Terry (a casting which may well have constituted their first real-life meeting), Martin co-starred with Sylvia De Frankie in the Matthews-Nichols farce, Just Married. Reviewing the play, E. R. K. of The Morning News wrote, "Such inconsistencies as may have been glaring at first were completely lost in the clever bit done by Mr. Owen Martin as Robert Adams when he tried, and succeeded, to put on a pair of trousers under his bed coverings. Of course to a mere woman the scene was merely funny, but to the 'trousers sex' it almost stopped the show. Upon Mr. Martin's shoulders rested the burden of the comedy making and the interpretation of many lines which might have been too obvious in lesser hands. [...] Martin's comedy is of the quiet type, his success is greatly strengthened by an almost impassive face which is neither a mask nor a caricature.K., E. R. (October 18, 1924). "Want Good Laugh? See 'Just Married; Delighted Audience Sees Screaming Farce by Matthews and Nichols'". The Morning News. p. 13.
On June 26, 1948, UPI reported that Martin's recently achieved milestone of 2,275 consecutive performances of Oklahoma was "said to be the longest run without a break any actor has ever had in an American play.""Actor Sets Record". Binghamton Press. June 26, 1948. p. 3. Throughout this much-cited run, Martin harbored no illusions about his good fortune. Speaking with Oklahoma's director, Rouben Mamoulian, he confided, "The steady work has kept me young. In show business, it's those four-week rehearsals and two-week runs that age you."Lyons, Jeffrey (December 10, 1957). "The Lyon's Den". The Buffalo News. p. 29. Responding to reporter inquiries along similar lines, Martin remained adamant. "People ask me if I'm tired of 'Oklahoma'. That's a laugh. Things were pretty bad in the thirties and early forties. I thank God every night for 'Oklahoma'.Associated Press (May 8, 1960). "'Oklahoma' Actor Owen Martin Dies". The Roanoke Times. p. 8.
For his part, Oklahoma composer Richard Rodgers took it upon himself to thank Martin following the actor's—and the show's—2,001st performance (which Rodgers himself conductedNorth American Newspaper Alliance (December 4, 1947). "Record Musical Is 'Oklahoma'; Celebrates 2,001st Performance With Composer". Spokane Spokesman-Review. p. 5.), with a specially engraved gold watch, which, more than ten years later, remained a highly prized and fully utilized possession.
Following the conclusion of Oklahoma's national tour in 1954, Martin appeared as Max in the touring company of The Pajama Game for over two years before reprising the role in the 1957 film version."Wonder of Wonders: Steady Employment for actor in the Legitimate Theater". The Boston Globe. July 1, 1956. p. 18-A. "Owen has thrived with the national company of 'The Pajama Game' ever since its auspicious debut in New Haven in January, 1955."Cameron, Kate (August 30, 1957). "The Pajama Game Is a Jolly Good Show". New York Daily News. p. 41. "The Cast: [...] Hasler–––Ralph Dunn; Max–––Owen Martin; 1st Helper–––Jackie Kelk." In March 1958, Martin appeared yet again—this time as "Andrew 'Pop' Carnes"—in Oklahoma, in a limited, two-week revival at New York City Center.Mulligan, Hugh A. (April 6, 1958). "Hard-Luck 'Oklahoma!' Repaid Its Backers 2,500 Per Cent; Know Their Roles". Lexington Herald-Leader. p. 30. "Three members of the original "Oklahoma!" cast chat backstage at New York City's City Center theater, where the hit musical currently is being revived. They, are, from left, Owen Martin (Pop Carnes), Betty Garde (Aunt Ellen) and George Church (Jud Fry). [...] At the 2,001st performance, Rodgers himself conducted and later presented Martin with an engraved gold watch, which Martin wears to this day."
Personal life and death In 1926, Martin married fellow performer Edna Terry, née Gorbly."Stage Folk Buyers in Thos. Burke Sale". The Herald Statesman. June 24, 1926. p. 9."Obituary: Mrs. Vera Gorbley". The Herald Statesman. p. 16. "The deceased is the mother of Mrs. Owen Martin, a prominent stage actress who has appeared with Ed Wynn in 'The Fool' and 'The Grab Bag.'"
Survived by his wife, Martin died at age 72 on May 4, 1960, at Will Rogers Memorial Hospital in Saranac Lake, New York. A Requiem Mass in his honor was held five days later at St. Malachy Roman Catholic Church in Manhattan."Obituary". New York Daily News. May 8, 1960. p. 106. "A Requiem Mass for Owen Martin, 71, an actor, will be offered at 10 A.M. tomorrow at St. Malachy's Church, 239 W. 49th St. Martin, who lived at 272 First Ave., died Wednesday in Saranac Lake. He was in the cast of 'Oklahoma!' for its entire Broadway run—five years and two months—and played another 2,000 performances on tour and overseas."
Works Stage Sherlock Holmes – Lyceum Theatre (Elizabeth, New Jersey) (Sep 28, 1905 – ?); Academy of Music (Jersey City, New Jersey (December 1905) – BillyDe Waal, Ronald Burt (1974). The World Bibliography of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson : A Classified and Annotated List of Materials Relating to Their Lives and Adventures. New York : Bramhall House. p. 370. . "5217.————, ————, Elizabeth, N.J.,: Lyceum Theatre, September 28–?, 1905 Cast: Erroll Dunbar (Sherlock Holmes) [...] Charles Weaver (Lightfoot McTeague), Owen Martin (Billy), William Betts (Parsons), Jay Shattuck (John), Leora Spellman (Alice Faulkner)""Amusements: 'Sherlock Holmes' at the Academy of Music". The Jersey City News. December 5, 1905. p. 2. "The full cast, all of whom do good' work, is as follows: Sherlock Holmes. Errol! Dunbar; [...] Light-foot McTagne, Charles Weaver; Billy, Owen Martin; Parsons, William Betts; John, Jay Shatfuek, Alice Faulkner, Leora Spellman; Madge Larrabee, Mathilde Wetting; " Just Married – Wilmington Playhouse (Wilmington, Delaware) (Oct 17 – 18, 1924) – Robert Adams The Big Fight – Majestic Theatre (Broadway) (Sep 18, 1928 – Oct 1928) – Pinkie Frye Little Accident – Belasco Theater (Los Angeles) (Aug 12, 1929 – Sep 7, 1929) - Mr. Hicks"New Comedy Will Come to Belasco: 'Little Accident' Arrives Intact from Eastern Engagement". The Los Angeles Times. July 25, 1929. pt. II, p. 15."Belasco Lists Special Labor Day Matinee". The Los Angeles Times. August 27, 1929. pt. II, p. 13. "'The Little Accident' has been one of the outstanding successes housed at the Belasco Theater, it is said. It was brought directly here for a brief engagement and must leave after the performance on September 7 to return east for an engagement in Chicago."Hayden, Florence (August 17, 1929). "Theatre: 'Little Accident'". Rob Wagner's Beverly Hills Script. Vol. 2, No. 1. p. 19. As Good as New – Times Square Theatre (Nov 3, 1930 – Dec 1930) – Detective Franklin Cloudy With Showers – Morosco Theatre (Sep 1, 1931 – Nov 1931) – Short Man Man Bites Dog – Lyceum Theatre (Apr 25, 1933 – May 1933) – Snake Barlum The Pure in Heart – Longacre Theatre (Mar 20, 1934 – Mar 1934) – Iceman, 2nd Detective Small Miracle – John Golden Theatre (Sep 26, 1934 – Nov 10, 1934); 48th Street Theatre (Nov 11, 1934 - Jan 1935) – Anderson Brother Rat – Geary Theater (San Francisco) (Jul 1937) – Chauffeur Come Across – Playhouse Theatre (Sep 4, 1938 – Sep 1938) – Lefty Grey The Boys from Syracuse – Alvin Theatre (Nov 23, 1938 – June 10, 1939) – Sorcerer Goodbye in the Night – Biltmore Theatre (Mar 18 – 23, 1940) – Joe The Night Before Christmas – Morosco Theatre (Apr 10 – 27, 1941) – Smitty The Man with Blond Hair – Belasco Theatre (Nov 4 – 8, 1941) – Harvey What Big Ears! – Windsor Theatre (Apr 20 – 25, 1942) – Lucas Strip for Action – National Theatre (Sep 30, 1942 – Jan 2, 1943)– Mitch Oklahoma – St. James Theatre (Mar 31, 1943 – May 29, 1948) – Cord Elam Oklahoma – Broadway Theatre (May 29, 1951 – Jul 28, 1951) – Cord Elam Oklahoma – New York City Center (Aug 31, 1953 – Oct 3, 1953) – Andrew Carnes Oklahoma – New York City Center (Mar 19 – 30, 1958) – Andrew Carnes
Screen The Parson and the Bully (1911) – Parson Lewis Half Shot at Sunrise (1930) – Officer who delivers Marshall-addressed letter to Capt. Jones (uncredited)Cult Cinema Classics (June 25, 2024). "Half Shot at Sunrise (1930 Comedy Musical) directed by Paul Sloane". YouTube. The Side Show Mystery (1932)Tuska, Jon (1971). Philo Vance: The Life and Times of S. S. Van Dine. Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green University Popular Press. p. 61. . A Mail Bride (1932)Webb, Graham (2020). Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926-1959. Jefferson, NC: MacFarland & Company. p. 333. . "6664 A Mail Bride (a Broadway Brevity); 28 May 1932; Vitaphone [...] Featuring: Ruth Etting, Gregory Gaye, Donald McBride, Donald Douglas, George Brand, Dorothy Dodge, Owen Martin, Elvira Trabert [...] aka: The Picture Bride." Sherlock's Home (1932)"Short Shots from Eastern Studios". The Film Daily. July 11, 1932 p. 7. "June O'Dea [...] for the leading female role in "Sherlock's Home," starring Jack Haley. Members of the supporting cast include Tony Huerhes, Owen Martin and Frank McNellis. Alf Goulding has been assigned to direct." You're Killing Me (1932)"Short Subjects: 'You're Killing Me'". The Film Daily. August 26, 1932. p. 7. "A rehash of the 'when crook meets crook' situation. [...] Alf Goulding directed, and the cast includes Ray Collins, J. C. Morton, Victor Kilian, Janet Rathbun and Owen Martin.." At the Races (1934)Webb, Graham (2020). Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926-1959. Jefferson, NC: MacFarland & Company. p. 49. . "526 At the Races (a Vitaphone Pepper Pot) Daredevil O'Dare (1934) – PaWebb, Graham (2020). Encyclopedia of American Short Films, 1926-1959. Jefferson, NC: MacFarland & Company. p. 131. . "2311 (Ben Blue in) Daredevil O'Dare (a Big V comedy) [...] Daughter: Vicki Cummings; Butch: Shemp Howard; Kovak: Joe Vitale; Pa: Owen Martin; Omni: Milton Frome; Ma: Maude Odell." The Choke's on You (1936) – Strangler's ManagerWebb, op. cit., p. 108. The Pajama Game (1958) – Max
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See also Vitaphone Varieties
References
Further reading