Unkempt, rough and tough looking members of the gang, or lynch mob, or vigilantes, or posse riders, or cow herders. They had minimal or no dialog, not much screen time, and were generally not listed in the film credits. Some would show up as a face in the crowd, portraying townspeople, barflys, deputies, wagon drivers, ranch hands, etc. We tend to recognize some of their faces, but have no clue as to their real names. |
Merrill McCormick Full name: William Merrill McCormick 1892 - 1953 Began in silents. His sound films include at least 185 westerns and 16 serials |
(Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from L-to-R are Charles Starrett, Merrill McCormick and Frank Ellis in TWO-FISTED SHERIFF (Columbia, 1937).
Colorado born Merrill McCormick began his screen career in silent films - and there is an occasional mention of an actor and director named Merrill McCormick in tradepapers and magazines during those silent movie days. When he registered for the World War I draft in 1917, McCormick was an actor employed by the Universal Film Company. Although some of the data may be incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Merrill McCormick: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0566501/ The Family Search website (free), the California Death Index, and the death certificate provide more on Merrill McCormick:
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(Courtesy of Dorothy Hack) Above are Merrill McCormick (on the left) and Herman Hack on their way to work circa mid 1930s. The street intersection may be Hollywood and Western. (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from L-to-R are Merrill McCormick, Buddy Roosevelt, and Barbara Starr in RANGE RIDERS (Superior, 1934). In this, McCormick is Roosevelt's sidekick 'Pedro'. (Image courtesy of Carol Murray and her "Jack Hendricks Photo Album") Above from left to right are Jack Hendricks (grounded), George Morrell, Merrill McCormick (beard), George Regas (moustache), and Leroy Mason in a still from the Kermit Maynard mountie film THE FIGHTING TROOPER (Ambassador-Conn, 1934). (Courtesy of Les Adams) From L-to-R are Tex Palmer, Oscar Gahan, Merrill McCormick, Charlie King, and Denver Dixon in a scene from the Jack Randall DANGER VALLEY (Monogram, 1937). (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above are an older Merrill McCormick (black hat and mustache, left side), Smiley Burnette, and an older Frank McCarroll (red shirt). Les Adams adds that McCarroll probably doubled Smiley in this, as he often did Dub Taylor. Lobby card from THE BLAZING TRAIL (Columbia, 1949), one of the Charles Starrett / Durango Kid adventures. |