The 'brains' and 'action' heavies who had meaty roles and lots of dialog ... and the players who were fathers, ranch owners, lawman, mayors, judges, lawyers, storekeepers, newspaper editors, wardens, etc.

(Courtesy of Ed Phillips)

Benny Corbett Full name: Benjamin Ervin Corbett 1888, 1890 or 1892 - 1961 Nickname: "Smiley" First and last name variations: Ben Benny Bennie Corbet Corbett

I always considered Benny Corbett as rather nondescript western film performer. I remember him as an occasional sidekick, but mostly as the fourth or fifth henchman through the door. The old adage that "you can't judge a book by its cover" is applicable to Ben. In real life, he was more complex - and more rough and tough - than what came across in his several hundred appearances in front of the camera.

Let's begin with Yakima Canutt writing about his pal Ben Corbett in Stunt Man, The Autobiography of Yakima Canutt (Walker and Company, New York, 1979 by Canutt with Oliver Drake):

"I decided to stay in Hollywood for the winter. I had met quite a few screen personalities during the rodeo. Westerns were very big in Hollywood at that time, and many of the stars were former rodeo contestants and cowboys. Tom Grimes and Ben Corbett, close friends with whom I had rodeoed, now worked in pictures, and promised to show me around." "During the winter, I did work in two or three pictures. Ben Corbett took me to the studio that was starting a twelve-part serial titled Lightning Brice, which starred Jack Hoxie and Ann Little. Paul Hurst was directing." (Note: the correct title is LIGHTNING BRYCE (Arrow, 1919) and it was 15 chapters long.)

Corbett history indicates a hitch in the U. S. Cavalry as a young man. Digging further, I discovered more on his lengthy rodeo career and that he was a respected movie stuntman with a specialty of horse falls. And his friendship with Canutt must have been strong as he was best man when Yak married rodeo performer Kitty Wilks (Katherine Wilkes) in 1917.

There are many newspaper references circa 1911 - mid 1920s of Ben Corbett / "Smiley" Corbett as a contestant at the Pendleton, Oregon Roundup, the Livermore, California Stockman's Rodeo, many other events. His specialties were steer bulldogging and Roman riding (standing on and riding two horses at breakneck speed).

Following are a few highlights from the Lewiston (Idaho) Morning Tribune and Spokane (Washington) Spokesman Review newspapers:

• September, 1913 newspaper articles regarding the Border Round-Up in Grangeville (near Lewiston, Idaho): "Smiley Corbett, another feature performer for the Border Days celebration, arrived in the city yesterday ..." ; "The bucking mule race was won by Smiley Corbett, there being four entries in the contest."; "The five who qualified for the bucking contest today for the finals tomorrow are: ... Smiley Corbett on 'Beauty'."
• September, 1915 newspaper article about the Border Round-Up in Grangeville (near Lewiston, Idaho):"The train tonight brought in large numbers of men and women who have participated in the contests at Pendleton and Walla Walla." ; "Smiley Corbett ... are among the riders who came tonight."
• September, 1915 newspaper article regarding the Toppenish (Washington) Roundup: "Smiley Corbet [sic] rode his horse until it quit bucking and in attempting to turn it away from the fence his saddle turned and he fell."
• October, 1915 newspaper article regarding the carnival and fair in Lewiston, Idaho: "In the bucking contest, Dave White of Calgary was adjudged winner with 'Smiley' Corbett second and Earl Simpson third." ; "'Smiley' Corbett appeared yesterday in the fancy and trick roping ...""
• September, 1924 newspaper article on the Pendleton (Oregon) Roundup: "... the filming of the picture 'Let 'Em Buck', by Hoot Gibson and his company of 40 actors. The filming of the picture will all be done at the roundup the actors will be entered as regular rodeo performers. Many of them are already roundup champions and performers, notably Hoot Gibson, Tommy Grimes, Tommy Sutton and Ben Corbett." ; "Ben Corbett is a star trick and Roman rider and bulldogger and has performed at the roundup many times." (Note: the title of this Hoot Gibson film was LET 'ER BUCK (Universal, 1925).)

Made inquiries to several rodeo organizations, and in January, 2013, I received the following from the Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame: "... Ben Corbett was a contestant 1911 through 1917 and 1924. The early lists do not say what event the person entered. His name does not appear on the winner's list."

Corbett's movie work began circa 1915, and he was in dozens of silent westerns starring Hoot Gibson, Art Acord, Fred Humes, Don Coleman, Jack Hoxie, Leo Maloney, Ted Wells, Ken Maynard, others. Work was difficult and dangerous and an April 17, 1925 newspaper had a report about Jack Hoxie breaking his shoulder on a Universal western when his horse stepped in a gopher hole. Also mentioned: "Right behind him rode an unsung actor named Ben Corbett. Mr. Corbett's horse followed the leader and Mr. Corbett is laid up with a broken leg."

By the mid 1920s, Benny exited the rodeo profession and concentrated on the film business as both an actor and stuntman. "Smiley" had a brief period of stardom when he and Gilbert 'Pee Wee' Holmes headlined the "Dirty Shirt" and "Magpie" comedy western shorts from Universal. These were based on W. C. Tuttle stories published in Adventure magazine, and about two dozen two-reelers were produced during 1925 - 1927.

Above - a crop from a June, 1925 Universal tradepaper ad for their Mustang two-reel shorts. Note the "Smiley" moniker for Corbett.

(Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from left to right are Benny Corbett, Don Coleman and Eugenia Gilbert in a lobby card from the silent THE BOSS OF RUSTLER'S ROOST (Leo Maloney Productions/Pathe, 1928). (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from left to right are Fred Humes, Benny Corbett, Gilbert 'Pee Wee' Holmes, Scotty Mattraw and Nelson McDowell in a lobby card and crop/blowup from the Humes silent THE ARIZONA CYCLONE (Universal, 1928).

In sound B westerns, Corbett played just about every role imaginable, including sidekick, henchman, townsman, cowhand, barfly, etc. Short in stature, and with a pot belly that hung over his gunbelt, he was a frequent player in 1930s oaters. Most of his work was unbilled as he was just another gang or posse member. He occasionally assisted or sidekicked with a few of the sound era cowboys including Jack Hoxie, Buck Jones, and Lane Chandler. However, the bulk of his saddle pal roles occurred in a series with Tim McCoy and with a mix of heroes at Reliable Pictures:

• At Reliable in the mid 1930s, Corbett was "Ben" in the Bud 'n' Ben western three-reel shorts (which most often starred Jack Perrin, but other leads were Wally Wales, Fred Humes and Dennis Moore). Tom Tyler was also on Reliable's payroll, and Benny did helper duties in a couple of his westerns.
• Ben was sidekick "Magpie" in 7 of the 8 Tim McCoy adventures churned out by Sam Katzman's Victory Pictures in 1938 - 1939.

Benny didn't have the personality or screen presence to be a successful hero helper. I always thought that his sidekick facial expressions were either laughing / smiling or dumbfounded. Basically, he was better suited as a henchman, cowboy, or ranch hand.

(From Old Corral collection) Above - Tom Tyler and Corbett (as saddle pal 'Windy') in a scene from COYOTE TRAILS (Reliable, 1935). (From Old Corral collection) Above from left to right are Benny Corbett (as sidekick "Magpie"), Julie Sheldon and Tim McCoy (as 'Lightning' Bill Carson) in a lobby card from STRAIGHT SHOOTER (Victory, 1939). In a few of McCoy's Victory series, Benny wore that light colored gunbelt. Occasionally, he even wore a suit.

In the first film of McCoy's Victory eight film series, Benny was a member of Ted Adams' gang. In the other seven, he was McCoy's buddy 'Magpie'. Though most of Benny's film work was uncredited, he was billed third in the McCoys. The title/credit screen on the left is from THE FIGHTING RENEGADE (Victory, 1939).

His stunt work is generally not recognized, but there are a few newspaper articles highlighting that aspect of his career:

• Hollywood columnist Sheilah Graham did a lengthy writeup in 1936 about the filming of THE CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE (Warner Bros., 1936) with Errol Flynn. There's a paragraph about the stuntmen: "One hundred fifty of the best stunt men in Hollywood are making hay - and getting plenty of spills ...." ; "Among them ... veteran Benny Corbett, picture stunt man of many years."
• In 1940, United Press had a syndicated article highlighting Corbett: "Corbett, slight, wringled, crowding 50, has been risking his bones in motion picture thrill scenes for years. Many directors consider him the best, most dependable stuntman in Hollywood. Michael Curtiz is one of them." ; "'As easy as falling off a horse' is a literally true expression to Corbett. That's his specialty, one that is keeping him active during filming of Curtiz' current picture for Warner Bros.' 'Sante Fe Trail', which stars Errol Flynn." ; "Benny gets $35 for a fall from a horse - for every fall that is used." ; "... some times weeks go by without a single fall sequence. During those periods he works as an extra for about a third of his price per fall."

By the early 1940s, Benny was over 50 years old, and years of rodeoing and stunts had taken a toll on his body. He looked noticeably older ... there were more wrinkles and lines on his face ... and additional poundage around his waist. In those later years, he still did henchman duties but was more often a townsman, barfly, or cavalry trooper. You can also spot him in a few A grade westerns and early television shows.

In sound films, Benny's movie roles were mostly for the lower echelon production companies such as Reliable, Imperial, Victory, Big Four, Beacon, Willis Kent, Robert J. Horner, and others. Sometimes, he landed a job in higher quality westerns and examples include George O'Brien and Tim Holt oaters at RKO and a half-dozen of the Hopalong Cassidy series at Paramount. I found it strange that Corbett worked in only a few films for Republic Pictures. Les Adams has him identified in about 200+ sound era movies - that includes about 190 westerns and eight serials.

Corbett was a member and the 1938 president of the Riding Actors Association of Hollywood, a group of stunt men, riders, and bit players that organized a union circa 1933, and their goal was reasonable wages and safe working conditions. The 1948 Motion Picture Production Encyclopedia has a section on various Unions, Guilds and Associations. Ben is listed as a director of both the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Screen Extras Guild. In the 1952 Production Encyclopedia, he's no longer on the SAG board, but is still a Screen Extras Guild director.

Ben Corbett was another familiar face in the B western, and his Hollywood career spanned about forty years, from about 1915 through the early 1950s.

He passed away from emphysema on May 19, 1961 at the Motion Picture Hospital, Woodland Hills, Calfornia.

As to personal and family life, Benny was married twice. Wife number one was Edna May Haynes and they had two children - daughter Dolores / De Loris was born circa 1913 - 1914. And a son was born and died on December 24, 1917. Unsure when he and Edna divorced, but the 1930 census lists Corbett's second wife as "Helen H."

(Courtesy of Leota Whitaker Gandrau)

On the left is a personalized photo given to prolific western movie performer Charles 'Slim' Whitaker by Benny. The inscription in the upper right reads: To Slim Done the Best May you always Have the Best Ben

(Courtesy of Les Adams) Above are Edna Marion, Jack Perrin and Benny Corbett in a lobby card from the lost/missing ROMANCE OF THE WEST (Arthur Hammond Prod/Capitol Film Exchange, 1930). (From Old Corral collection) Above from left to right are Buddy Roosevelt (with moustache), Benny Corbett, Tom London (on horseback), Jay Wilsey (Buffalo Bill Jr.) and Bob Roper in a scene from WESTWARD BOUND (Webb-Douglas Prod/Syndicate, 1931). Wilsey was the star of this early sound film which was directed by Harry S. Webb, the later owner (with Bernard B. Ray) of Reliable Pictures. (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from left to right are Lafe McKee, George Chesebro, Jack Perrin, Slim Whitaker, Benny Corbett (on Whitaker's back), and in the background at the desk is Charles K. French. Scene from RIDIN' GENTS (Reliable, 1934), one of the Bud 'n' Ben shorts starring Perrin (as 'Bud') and Corbett (as 'Ben'). (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above are Ethan Laidlaw and Jack Perrin in a lobby card for RAINBOW RIDERS (Reliable, 1934), one of the Bud 'n' Ben featurettes/shorts which co-starred rotund Benny Corbett (photo inset, upper left). Standing between Laidlaw and Perrin is Mack V. Wright. In addition to some acting jobs, Wright spent time behind the camera as the director of oaters such as the Three Mesquiteers' in ROARIN' LEAD and RIDERS OF THE WHISTLING SKULL, and co-director/assistant director/second unit director of THE VIGILANTES ARE COMING and THE GREAT ADVENTURES OF WILD BILL HICKOK serials, several of the Rough Riders films, and more. (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from L-to-R are Benny Corbett, Blanche Mehaffey (billed in this film as Janet Morgan), and Rex Lease as the star of THE COWBOY AND THE BANDIT (Weiss/Superior, 1935). (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from left to right are Carl Mathews, Pat Harmon, Barney Furey and Benny Corbett in a lobby card from the Kane Richmond mountie adventure SILENT CODE (International/Stage & Screen, 1935). (Courtesy of Donna Patterson) Above are Benny Corbett, Buck Jones, and Charles King (without his usual mustache) in Buck's SUNSET OF POWER (Universal, 1935). Corbett and King were Buck's helpers in this.

More info on Benny Corbett came from the Family Search website (free), Ancestry.com (subscription), California Death Index, and death certificate. There is conflicting information on his birth location (Ohio vs. Hudson and Lexington, Illinois) as well as birth year (1888, 1890, 1892). Both Hudson and Lexington, Illinois are in McLean County, Illinois, and the distance between those two towns is about a dozen miles. I've highlighted the birth location and year confusion in red font below.

Benny was married twice - his first was to Edna May Haynes and daughter Dolores / De Loris was born circa 1913 - 1914. There was also a male child who was born and passed away on December 24, 1917. However, the only marriage record on Benny and Edna is a January 12, 1918 California license which is AFTER the births of their two children. Perhaps they tied the knot somewhere else and at an earlier date. Or perhaps, their early years were in a common-law marriage arrangement.

Wife number two was a "Helen H." (born in Kentucky) and she appears in the 1930 census.

• Ancestry.com has scanned images of some old U.S. Army enlistments, and there is a single page ledger document with a 1906 date. Among the names is Benjamin Ervin Corbett, enlisted Rockford, Illinois, height 5' 5 1/4", age 21 years, 4 months, and he's a "laborer". I had a difficult time deciphering the remainder of of the hand written info - but it looks like he was assigned to - or mustered out / discharged in 1906 or 1909 - at Fort Walla Walla, Washington (that Fort was closed by the Army in 1910). If he was 21+ years old in 1906, his birth year would be 1885 or so. My guess is that Ben added a few years to his age so that he could enlist.
• Ancestry.com had employment and dismissal records from March, 1910 for 23 year old Benjamin Ervin Corbett (single; born Lexington, Illinois) as a "switchman" for the Northern Pacific Railway company, Pasco, Washington.
• Ancestry.com has family trees indicating the circa 1913 - 1914 birth of daughter De Loris / Dolores Haynes Corbett to Benny and Edna May Haynes Corbett.
• July 20, 1917 marriage license of Yakima Canutt and rodeo performer Kitty Wilks (Katherine Wilkes) in Montana. Witnesses were Ben Corbett and wife (no name is listed for her - the license shows "Mrs. Ben Corbett"): https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11667-53046-87?cc=1609797
• 1917 World War I draft registration (and the image is very fuzzy) - the registration is dated June 5, 1917 in Pendleton, Oregon for Benjamin Ervin Corbett, born February 6, 1890 in Hudson, Illinois, dependents are a wife and child, and occupation is "farm laborer". He lists three years of prior military service, and the unit looks like Troop A, 4th U. S. Cavalry: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-26278-20475-45?cc=1968530&wc=M9MT-2ZJ:n347702721
• Male child born and passed away on December 24, 1917:
  • December 24, 1917 birth certificate for an unnamed male child born December 24, 1917 at Hospital of the Good Samaritan, Los Angeles to 27 year old Lee Irwin Corbett (born Decatur, Illinois; occupation "Motion Picture Actor - Fox Film Co.") and 22 year old Edna May Haynes (born Portland, Oregon; occupation "Housewife"). Number of children born to this mother, including present birth: two. ; Number of children of this mother now living: one.: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGLW-6TXQ
  • California Death Index for the Corbett child who passed away December 24, 1917: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK91-D55W
• Oregon delayed birth record for Edna May Haynes, born December 17, 1896 in Union, Oregon to Ulysses Elijah Haynes and Sarah Belle Horton: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZP1-HMZ
• January 12, 1918 marriage license of 22 year old Edna May Haynes (born Oregon) to Benjamin E. Corbett in Los Angeles. Corbett was 27 years old on his last birthday; born Illinois; occupation is "Cow Boy"; and he and Edna both identify themselves as single. Benny's parents were Ervin L. Corbett and Vivian Rattler (both born in Virginia). Her parents were Ulyssus Grant Haynes and Sarah Isabell Norton [sic] (both born in Arkansas): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R95-73T?i=1010&cc=1804002
• 1920 census summary and census takers worksheet - renting at 222 Lake Shore Terrace, Los Angeles are 33 year old Evin [sic] Corbett (born Illinois), his 24 year old wife Edna (born Oregon), and 22 year old sister-in-law Eathel B. Weaver (born Oregon; divorced). His occupation is "Actor - Motion Picture" ; wife Edna's occupation is "waitress" ; and sister-in-law Eathel is "Actress - Motion ?" : https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHQ2-C3L
• July 27, 1928 marriage license of Benny and Edna's daughter, Dolores Corbett (born Oregon; 15 years and 5 months of age), and 18 year old James W. McBride in Baker, Oregon. Eathel Williamson was a witness (Edna's sister). (Dolores McBride was the informant on Benny's death certificate.): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V65F-889
• 1930 census summary and census takers worksheet - 39 year old Ben E. Corbett (born Illinois) and 25 year old wife Helen H. (born Kentucky) are renting at unit #351, Normandie Manor Apartments, North Normandie Avenue, Los Angeles. Corbett's occupation is "Actor - Motion Picture Studio", and he answers "No" to the are you a veteran question: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XCVM-WTX
• 1930 census summary and census takers worksheet - 16 year old De Loris Mc Bride and her son are living with her grandparents in Union, Oregon. Head of household is 63 year old Ulyses Haynes (born Arkansas; occupation "Teamster - Sawmill"), his 54 year old wife Bell (born Arkansas), 16 year old granddaughter De Loris Mc Bride (born Oregon), her 1 year old son Walter Mc Bride (born Oregon), and a brother, 44 year old Ed Horton (born Oregon; occupation "Printer"): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCS6-X47
• 1942 World War II draft registration dated April 26, 1942 - Benjamin Ervin Corbett lists his birth date and location as February 6, 1888 and Lexington, Illinois. His address is 4914 Sancola Avenue in North Hollywood. Wife Helen is not his contact - instead, it's Charley Corbett, Amhurst, Ohio (Benny's brother - see next entry). Ben's employer/occupation is "Central Casting Co. Hollywood, Calif": https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-16367-11430-3?cc=1861144&wc=MMRW-1VK:n1590504845
• 1942 World War II draft registration for Benny's brother - Charles Wellington Corbett lives in Amherst, Ohio and his birth date and location are December 25, 1882 in Culpepper, Virginia: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11879-27886-16?cc=1861144&wc=MMRW-BW6:59044489
• Death certificate: 69 year old Benjamin Ervin Corbett was born February 6, 1892 in Springfield, Ohio and passed away from emphysema on May 19, 1961 at the Motion Picture Hospital, Woodland Hills, Calfornia. His occupation was "Actor-Free Lance-Motion Pictures"; he was widowed; parents names were unknown; his home address was 1121 West 37th Place, Los Angeles; and the informant on the death certificate was Benny's daughter, Mrs. Dolores McBride, 1207 W. 144 Street, Gardena, California. Pierce Bros. Hollywood was the funeral director and burial at Valhalla Memorial Park.
• California Death Index mirrors the death certificate - Benjamin E. Corbett was born February 6, 1892 in Ohio and passed away on May 19, 1961 in the Los Angeles area: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPKJ-DZZ

More on Benny's first wife, Edna M. Haynes and her family:

• 1900 census summary and census takers worksheet - living in Union, Oregon are 62 year old John W. Haynes (born Kentucky; occupation "Farm laborer"), and his 65 year old wife Sarah A. (born Tennessee). Also living with them are, 33 year old son Ulyses E. Haynes (born Arkansas; occupation "Barber"), his 26 year old wife Belle M. (born Arkansas), 4 year old daughter Edna M. (born Oregon), 3 year old daughter Eathel B. (born Oregon), and 1 year old son Herbert B. (born Oregon): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSD5-NN4
• 1910 census summary and census takers worksheet - living in Union, Oregon are 43 year old Ulyses E. Haynes (born Arkansas; occupation "Barber"), his 35 year old wife Belle S. (born Arkansas), 14 year old daughter Edna M. (born Oregon), 12 year old daughter Ethel V. (born Oregon), and 11 year old son Herbert B. (born Oregon): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLBM-CC1

  Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Benny Corbett: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0179131/

The digital collections at Washington State University has a photo of Corbett riding two horses roman style at the 1914 Toppenish Roundup and Rodeo in Yakima County, Washington: https://content.libraries.wsu.edu/digital/collection/toppenish/id/70/rec/1

The University of Oregon Libraries - Special Collections and University Archives has several photos of Corbett winning the roman style horse race at the Roundup in Pendleton, Oregon. No date is mentioned, but it has to be circa 1915 or so:
https://oregondigital.org/catalog/oregondigital:df712k47x
https://oregondigital.org/catalog/oregondigital:df712k14c
https://oregondigital.org/catalog/oregondigital:2n49t2288