John Payne is an American movie actor, one of the most prominent actors in musical films from the early forties. His charismatic appearance, combined with sex appeal, made him an idol for millions of women around the world.
Childhood and youth
John Payne, an actor whose biography began on May 23, 1912, was born in Roanoke, Virginia. The child was born in the family of a successful businessman and opera singer. Little Johnny grew up surrounded by numerous servants, swam in the pools and rode horses. The childhood was cloudless, and when at the age of five the boy had musical abilities, his parents hired teachers for him who tried to develop the talent that had manifested.
In 1929, there was a stock market crash in the United States, as a result of which Johnny's father went broke and soon died. Young John Payne went to work to somehow support his family. He was admitted to a local hospital as a nurse.
The beginning of a musical career
A year later, the future actor managed to enter Columbia University, the faculty of dramatic art. The scholarship that John Payne began to receive turned out to be a good help in the family budget. In addition to classes at the university, the young man attended the Juilliard School of Vocal Art.
In 1934, John Payne received an invitation from the Schubert Brothers Theater Organization. He was to take part in several tours of the nearby states. The tour was successful, and John Payne gained experience in concert activities.
Hollywood
A year later, the singer took part in a musical review on Broadway. There, he met with the famous producer from Hollywood, Samuel Goldwin, who, without hesitation, offered the young artist a contract for participation in film projects of a musical orientation. So John Payne ended up in Los Angeles.
The debut on the big screen took place in the movie "Dodsworth" directed by William Wyler. John played the son of a wealthy industrialist. Then the actor got the main roles in the films “Take off the Hats” and “Love on the Toast”.
In 1937, Paramount Pictures Studios offered Payne a role in the musical Swing School, where he paired with renowned musician Bob Hope. And the following year, John, as part of a collaboration with Warner Bros. Studios, played a major role in the Busby Berkeley musical comedy called The Moon Garden.
Home studio in John's career
Payne’s career in the cinema got its real development only after signing a long-term contract with Twentieth Century Fox Studios. Things immediately went uphill, the actor acquired the role of a successful, well-groomed film hero, constantly surrounded by a crowd of admirers. Such an image is the best way contributed to the popularity. The directors did their best to exploit John's athletic appearance, the scripts were written in such a way that he had to be shot half-naked in many episodes. This tactic worked flawlessly, the number of fans of the actor steadily increased.
All of Payne's main roles included vocal numbers. The musical melodrama "Tin Peng Elli", shot in 1940, turned out to be successful. John's partner in the film was Alice Faye.
"Serenade of the Sun Valley"
In 1941, another musical comedy “Weekend in Havana” was released with Payne in the title role. At the same time, a wonderful film was shot under the name "Serenade of the Solar Valley", in which several works by Glenn Miller were performed by his orchestra. John Payne played the pianist and composer Ted Scott, whose songs formed the basis of the musical. The film was a huge success also thanks to the participation of figure skater Sonya Henny.
John Payne: filmography
During his career, the actor starred in more than sixty films of various genres. The following is a sample list of films with his participation:
- "Take off the Hats" (1937), the role of Jimmy Maxwell.
- "Swing School" (1938), a character by Martin Bates.
- Stardust (1940), the role of Ambroise Fillmore.
- "Iceland" (1942), the role of captain James Murphin.
- "Sisters Dolly" (1945), the character of Harry Fox.
- "Razor Point" (1946), the role of Gray Matyurin.
- "Theft" (1947), the character of Rick Mason.
- Saxon's Charm (1948), the role of Eric Bach.
- The Criminal Way (1949), the role of Eddie Rice.
- Tripoli (1950), character of Lieutenant O'Bannon.
- "The Eagle and the Hawk" (1950), the role of captain Todd Croyden.
- Headwinds (1951), character of Steve Singleton.
- "Caribbean" (1952), the role of Mac Allister.
- "The Burning Forest" (1952), the role of Kelly Hansen.
- "Silver Loud" (1954), the character of Dan Ballard.
- "Hell Island" (1955), the role of Mike Cormac.
- "The Scarlet Tint" (1956), character of Ben Grace.
- "Fold Back the Night" (1956), the role of Captain Sam Mackenzie.
- "The Boss" (1956), the character of Matt Brady.
- "Hidden Fear" (1957), the role of Mike Brent.
The death of John Payne, film actor, Hollywood star
Payne last starred in a movie in 1968 and then retired. The actor spent the rest of his life in his house in the suburbs of Los Angeles, the fashionable Malibu area.
On December 6, 1989, John Payne died of acute heart failure at the age of seventy-seven.