John Lund (February 6, 1911 – May 10, 1992) was an American film, stage, and radio actor who is probably best remembered for his role in the film A Foreign Affair (1948) and a dual role in To Each His Own (1946).John Lund, 81; Radio, Stage and Film Actor (Los Angeles Times. May 12, 1992)

According to one obituary, his "film career was cut to a familiar pattern: the young actor imported to Hollywood after a big success on Broadway begins by playing the handsome guy who gets the girl, then descends by gradual degrees to being the male lead in minor westerns and occasionally, in major films, being the handsome guy who does not get the girl because he lacks the spark of the hero who does."John Lund; Obituary – The Times; London. May 13, 1992.

Early life John Lund's father, Edward M. Lund, was a Norwegian immigrant and glassblower in Rochester, New York. His mother, Rose A. Mooney, was born in Columbus, Ohio. Lund did not finish high school, and he tried several businesses before settling on advertising in the 1930s. His jobs included being "a soda-jerk, carpenter and timekeeper".

Career

Stage While working for an advertising agency, he was asked by a friend to appear in an industrial show for the 1939 World's Fair. As a result, he served as stage manager of Railroad on Parade at the fair and played several roles in the production. Before moving to New York City, he had appeared in several amateur productions in Rochester.Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper, March 6, 1946, also Rochester Times Union newspaper, March 8, 1946; both articles are archived in the 1944–1946 Scrapbook of the Rochester Community Players collection, Local History Department, Rochester Public Library

He began acting professionally by appearing on Broadway in a production of William Shakespeare's As You Like It (1941) alongside Alfred Drake.

He wrote the book and lyrics for Broadway's New Faces of 1943, as well as appearing in the production. That same year, he performed as O'Connor in Early to Bed at the Broadhurst Theatre."Musical Comedy to Open Tonight: Richard Kollmar Will Present 'Early to Bed,' in Which He Plays Featured Role." New York Times. June 17, 1943: 16.

His work as Yank in the play The Hasty Heart (1945) got him recognized by Hollywood and led to a long-term film contract with Paramount Pictures.The Life Story of John Lund Picture Show; London Vol. 51, Iss. 1305, (December 28, 1946): 12.Paramount Snatches John Lund from Stage: Sol Lesser First Will Stage Then Produce 'God's Front Porch' as Film Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times January 16, 1945: A9.

Radio Lund had the title role in the serial Chaplain Jim on the Blue Network in the early 1940s. Lund also played Johnny Dollar in the radio show Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, taking over from 1952 until 1954.

Film Lund was vice president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1950 to 1959.

Paramount

Lund's first film had him as star To Each His Own (1946) with Olivia de Havilland for Paramount, in which he played dual roles. It was written and produced by Charles Brackett and was critically and commercially successful.John Lund Baffled by Rise to Stardom Hopper, Hedda. Los Angeles Times September 26, 1948: D1.

Paramount cast Lund as Betty Hutton's leading man in The Perils of Pauline (1947), another hit."Top Grossers of 1947", Variety, 7 January 1948 p. 63 He was one of many Paramount stars who made cameos in Variety Girl (1947). In the Billy Wilder film A Foreign Affair (1948), Lund was a romantic lead for Marlene Dietrich and Jean Arthur."Top Grossers of 1948", Variety 5 January 1949 p. 46

He supported Edward G. Robinson in Night Has a Thousand Eyes (1948). Brackett gave him the lead in a comedy Miss Tatlock's Millions (1948). He played Alfonso I d'Este, Duke of Ferrara, in Bride of Vengeance (1949) alongside Paulette Goddard and MacDonald Carey, following the suspension of Ray Milland; the film was largely ill-received by critics.Scheuer, Philip K. "'Bride of Vengeance' Odd Cinematic Venture." Los Angeles Times. May 13, 1949: 23.Crowther, Bosley. "The Screen in Review: Paulette Goddard, Macdonald Carey Play Borgias in 'Bride of Vengeance,' at Paramount." New York Times. April 7, 1949: 38.Coppinger, John M. "Need Escape? Try 'Bride of Vengeance'." The Washington Post. June 24, 1949: C7.

Hal Wallis used him in My Friend Irma (1949) as Al, Irma's (Marie Wilson) boyfriend. The film is remembered, however, for introducing Martin and Lewis (Jerry Lewis had meant to play the role of Al, but realized he was miscast).

He supported Barbara Stanwyck in No Man of Her Own (1950) and reprised his performance as Al in My Friend Irma Goes West (1950). Paramount announced Union Station for him,Paramount Movie to Star John Lund: 'Union Station,' Based on Story by Thomas Walsh, Scheduled for Early Next Year Special to The New York Times. Oct 17, 1949: 18. but William Holden ended up playing it.

Lund played the false love interest in Duchess of Idaho (1950) for MGM; the film featured Esther Williams and Van Johnson in the leads.

Brackett gave him another good role in The Mating Season (1951), alongside Gene Tierney, Miriam Hopkins, and Thelma Ritter. He was Joan Fontaine's leading man in Darling, How Could You! (1951).Drama: John Lund Will Play in Loan-out Feature Los Angeles Times March 1, 1951: A6.

Paramount wanted to lend him to Universal for Week-End with Father, but he refused and was put on suspension.Metro Plans Film of Spy Melodrama: 'Eye Street' Concerns an 'Iron Curtain' Embassy in Capital – John Lund Suspended of Local Origin. Thomas F. Brady, Special to the New York Times, March 7, 1951: 43.

Universal Lund left Paramount for Universal, where he was Ann Sheridan's leading man in Steel Town (1952), replacing Jeff Chandler.

He co-starred with Chandler in The Battle at Apache Pass (1952) and Scott Brady in Bronco Buster (1952), then was reunited with Sheridan in Just Across the Street (1952).Drama: Lund, Jeff Chandler Set as Costars; New Deal Matures Out of 'Well' Schallert, Edwin. Los Angeles Times11 June 1951: B9.

Republic He was top-billed in Woman They Almost Lynched (1953), a Western.

Lund played another false love interest at MGM Latin Lovers (1953) with Lana Turner.

He made a series of Westerns: White Feather (1955), at Fox, second-billed to Robert Wagner; Five Guns West (1955), the first film directed by Roger Corman, at ARC; Chief Crazy Horse (1955) with Victor Mature at Universal; and Dakota Incident (1956) with Linda Darnell at Republic.

Around this time, he was also in a war film at Columbia, Battle Stations (1956), and he played Grace Kelly's fiancé George in MGM's High Society, the musical remake of The Philadelphia Story.

He was top-billed in Affair in Reno (1957) for Republic. His last performances included support performances in The Wackiest Ship in the Army (1960) at Columbia and If a Man Answers (1962) at Universal.

Personal life Lund was married to Marie Charton, who was an actress and a model.

Later years Lund retired from acting in 1962 to his home in Coldwater Canyon. He died from a heart condition in 1992.

Partial filmography

1946: To Each His Own – Captain Bart Cosgrove / Gregory Pierson 1947: The Perils of Pauline – Michael Farrington 1947: Variety Girl – Himself 1948: A Foreign Affair – Captain John Pringle 1948: Night Has a Thousand Eyes – Elliott Carson 1948: Miss Tatlock's Millions – Tim Burke posing as Schuyler Tatlock 1949: Bride of Vengeance – Alfonso D'Este 1949: My Friend Irma – Al 1950: No Man of Her Own – Bill Harkness 1950: My Friend Irma Goes West – Al 1950: Duchess of Idaho – Douglas J. Morrison Jr. 1951: The Mating Season – Val McNulty 1951: Darling, How Could You! – Dr. Robert Grey 1952: Steel Town – Steve Kostane 1952: The Battle at Apache Pass – Maj. Jim Colton 1952: Bronco Buster – Tom Moody 1952: Just Across the Street – Fred Newcombe 1953: Woman They Almost Lynched – Lance Horton 1953: Latin Lovers – Paul Chevron 1955: White Feather – Col. Lindsay 1955: Five Guns West – Govern Sturges 1955: Chief Crazy Horse – Maj. Twist 1956: Battle Stations – Father Joseph McIntyre 1956: High Society – George Kittredge 1956: Dakota Incident – John Carter (aka Hamilton) 1957: Affair in Reno – Bill Carter 1960: The Wackiest Ship in the Army – Lt. Cmdr. Wilbur F. Vandewater 1962: If a Man Answers – John Stacy (final film role)

Broadway appearances As You Like It (October 20, 1941 – October 25, 1941) in the ensemble cast New Faces of 1943 (December 22, 1942 – March 13, 1943) as various roles; writer of the book and lyrics Early to Bed (June 17, 1943 – May 13, 1944) as O'Connor The Hasty Heart (January 3, 1945 – June 30, 1945) as Yank

Partial radio appearances Year Program Episode/source 1946 Hollywood Star Time The Lady Eve 1946 Suspense "A Plane Case of Murder"http://www.escape-suspense.com/2009/08/suspense-a-plane-case-of-murder.html 1952 Screen Guild Theatre The Mating of Millie 1952 Hollywood Star Playhouse The Word 1953 Lux Radio Theatre Lady in the Dark 1953 Theatre Guild on the Air O'Halloran's Luck'''' |- | 1953|| Broadway Playhouse || Salty O'Rourke |- | 1958|| Suspense || Old Time's Sake''

References

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