Child actor Jimmy Hunt is best known today as the kid in the original Invaders From Mars (1953). But he also appeared in two of Joel McCrea’s Universal Westerns — Saddle Tramp (1950) and The Lone Hand (1953). I’ve spoken with Mr. Hunt a couple times about these wonderful films, and about what a terrific guy Joel McCrea was. As I transcribe it all, here’s a bit on making The Lone Hand.
Jimmy Hunt: “They took me out where they now have all the Universal Studios rides. That used to be the old backlot. They got this horse from a little girl and figured ‘If a little girl can ride it, this horse’ll be good.’ I got to go out and ride and ride and ride.
One day I’m out riding, and this thing takes off on me. I’m trying to stop it, and it won’t stop. I’m pulling on the reins so hard, its mouth is bleeding. It dumps me off on the side of a hill, then heads back to the barn, and the wranglers end up out looking for a kid. I’m walking back with tears in my eyes, saying, ‘I don’t want to get back on that horse again.’ On the way to Colorado (location work was done in Durango), that little horse got in a fight with another horse, and that horse kicked the crud out of it. So they had to send it home, and I got another horse. I was the happiest kid in the world to get a different horse.
We stayed at a dude ranch that had a man-made lake with a little island. It had sulfur water for medicinal purposes. Everybody hated it because it smelled like crap, but I would go swimming in it because I thought it was cool. I’d have my makeup on and I’d wash off in that thing and swim around at night.”
More will come as my typing skills permit.
great story
Toby,
Can’t wait for more, Thanks! I’ll send a copy of the photo Barbara Hale
signed for me at the Hollywood Collectors Show weeks ago. Your new
fan.
Jimmy Hunt
Mr. Hunt is terrific.
Anybody who was in a couple Joel McCrea movies AND was part of the Southern California drag racing scene has my utmost respect.
Come to think of it, I wish I was Mr. Hunt.
Since Jimmy Hunt himself is reading this, allow me to say, Jimmy, that you gave a terrific performance in THE LONE HAND in a role that seems like it must have been challenging for a child actor–or for any actor–and so made a great contribution to a wonderful Western.
I saw the movie again recently and am a great admirer of it as of many Westerns with Joel McCrea (definitely including SADDLE TRAMP as well). What impressed me about the character of the boy you played is that within the narrative action we see he shows a range of emotions, including a lot of fear and confusion, but you were also given the voiceover narration to read and this was wisely done in a more calm, even way that played well against the drama.
Those who have seen the film know what it’s about–the boy deeply loves and looks up to his father, but his father allows him to think the very worst of him.
It’s a complex situation through most of the film, made even more so by the relationship of McCrea as the father and the heroine played by Barbara Hale, and the disturbing feelings it provokes do linger a little for the viewer (me anyway) even if it is, as one expects, wrapped up neatly at the end.
I look forward to reading more of the interview and more or less assume, as I hope, that Toby asked you about Joel McCrea and director George Sherman, who both have many devotees here.
I remeber commenting here on “Saddle Tramp” not too long ago. That movie esp. I thought was such a good family movie, very interesting and entertaining for both adults and for kids. You don’t have to put up with the cursed Elmo to enjoy TV with your children. Jimmy Hunt was great with Wanda Hendrix and Joel McCrea was such the perfect father and friend role here. I remember “Lone Hand” too, I kept thinking as I watched, why doesn’t Joel just tell them what he’s up to instead of letting everyone think he’s a rat. Barbara Hale played her role perfectly here too with both Jimmy & Joel.
I loved reading Jimmy’s comments. You know how much I love SADDLE TRAMP! Need to rewatch that one soon!
Another of my fave Jimmy Hunt films is THE MATING OF MILLIE with Glenn Ford and Evelyn Keyes. That’s one I watched a lot growing up, and my younger daughter cites it as a special favorite too. :)
Looking forward to hearing more from Jimmy!
Best wishes,
Laura