A Centennial Birthday Tribute to Alan Ladd

Alan Ladd was born on this date one hundred years ago, in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

The handsome Ladd toiled in bit parts throughout the '30s, gradually winning larger roles such as a smiling young animator in Walt Disney's THE RELUCTANT DRAGON (1941); those who only know Ladd from his later roles should make it a point to watch this film for some fascinating perspective on his career.

The year after THE RELUCTANT DRAGON Ladd hit the big time with his sizzling, magnetic portrayal of a killer in THIS GUN FOR HIRE (1942). THIS GUN FOR HIRE was the first of several films teaming Ladd with Veronica Lake, which also included THE GLASS KEY (1942) and THE BLUE DAHLIA (1946).

Ladd's best performances include a spot-on take as Jay Gatsby in THE GREAT GATSBY (1949), a film long unseen which began to make the rounds of repertory theaters last year. Unfortunately many of Ladd's films for Paramount Pictures continue to be under lock and key, only available in "grey market" editions traded among film fans. His movies such as CHINA (1943), O.S.S. (1946), and THE GREAT GATSBY, as just a few examples, are way overdue for DVD releases.

His first film with Loretta Young, CHINA, was shown on Labor Day at the Cinecon 49 festival, so perhaps there is hope that it will also turn up on DVD. (September 4th Update: Amazing news -- CHINA just came out on DVD from the Universal Vault series!) Likewise, his second film with Young, AND NOW TOMORROW (1946), is out on Region 2 DVD so perhaps it will be released in the U.S. at some point. (Update: AND NOW TOMORROW is also now available on DVD.)

Ladd's best-remembered role is doubtless the gallant gunman he portrayed in George Stevens' SHANE (1953). It's a superb portrayal in a very special film; the movie and the performance have stood the test of time and will continue to be long remembered.

Beginning in the mid '50s Ladd was also busy as a producer with his own company, Jaguar Productions. Ladd's sons, Alan Jr. and David, likewise both became film producers; David was also an actor, and David's daughter Jordan Ladd carries on the family acting tradition. Ladd's daughter Alana, who had a brief film career, married longtime Los Angeles radio host Michael Jackson.

Alan Ladd died in Palm Springs, California, on January 29, 1964. He was just 50 years old.

Reviews of Alan Ladd movies posted here to date: RULERS OF THE SEA (1939), CROSS-COUNTRY ROMANCE (1940), THE RELUCTANT DRAGON (1941), CITIZEN KANE (1941), THIS GUN FOR HIRE (1942), THE GLASS KEY (1942), LUCKY JORDAN (1942) (also here), CHINA (1943) (also here), SALTY O'ROURKE (1945), THE BLUE DAHLIA (1946), O.S.S. (1946) (also here), VARIETY GIRL (1947), CALCUTTA (1947) (also here), WHISPERING SMITH (1948) (also here), THE GREAT GATSBY (1949), CAPTAIN CAREY, U.S.A. (1950) (also here), BRANDED (1950), SHANE (1953), A CRY IN THE NIGHT (1956) (also here) (producer/narrator), and GUNS OF THE TIMBERLAND (1960).

Update: Additional reviews: DRUM BEAT (1954), THE BIG LAND (1957), and THE DEEP SIX (1958).

Update: Here are more Alan Ladd reviews: AND NOW TOMORROW (1944), SAIGON (1947), CHICAGO DEADLINE (1949) (also here), APPOINTMENT WITH DANGER (1951) (also here), THUNDER IN THE EAST (1952), HELL BELOW ZERO (1954), HELL ON FRISCO BAY (1955), and THE PROUD REBEL (1958).

Update: It was an honor to visit Ladd's final resting place at Forest Lawn Glendale.

2020 Update: A Tribute to Alan Ladd, adapted from my 2014 article for ClassicFlix.