Since watching Fury At Gunsight Pass (1956), Neville Brand has been on my mind. (Blake Lucas brought him up, too.)
If I was to make a list of underappreciated actors, Neville Brand would be near the top. He’s so good in so many pictures — big ones and small ones. And there was so much more to him than just a bad guy.
After serving in World War II — where he was awarded the Silver Star, Purple Heart and other decorations, Brand studied acting on the G.I. Bill. His first sizable film role was in D.O.A. (1950). His career as a heavy was off to the races.
Neville Brand: “With this kisser, I knew early in the game I wasn’t going to make the world forget Clark Gable… I don’t go in thinking he’s a villain. The audience might, but the villain doesn’t think he’s a villain… I just create this human being under the circumstances that are given.”
From time to time, he’d play something other than a thug, or his thug would have a decent amount of screen time, and he’d really shine. Something like Halls Of Montezuma (1950), Stalag 17 (1953), Anthony Mann’s The Tin Star (1957) or Don Siegel’s Riot In Cell Block 11 (1954). There’s Reese Bennett on Laredo (1965-67). And he had great chemistry with John Wayne in Cahill: U.S. Marshall (1973), giving the film a much-needed shot in the arm.
Brand fought Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and alcoholism. Was a veracious reader with a huge library (some of it was lost in a fire in the 70s). And everyone seems to say the same thing: that he was a tough guy — but also a really nice man.
He’s seen up top with Mari Blanchard in The Return Of Jack Slade (1955), one of the many movies to benefit from his presence, and reading on the Laredo set.
50 Westerns From The 50s. 
Great timing with this.
Because it reminded me of something–Laura gives early postings of TCM schedule and it’s a couple of months away (I’ll find out when and get back with it if someone else hasn’t by then) but the elusive RETURN FROM THE SEA (1954), about a Neville Brand/Jan Sterling romance (!) and directed by Lesley Selander no less will be on. I’ve long regretted never seeing this and have wanted to for years. Sounds like adventurous casting of the two leads and a change of pace for the director too and I’ll bet they all loved the opportunity. Can’t wait for it.
One more thing–in addition to the movies you mentioned, I would single out BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ ((1962) for another of his best performances.
He is sympathetic in that too (the prison guard who befriends Stroud).
That’s not to say I’m not glad to see him as a villain because he’s great in those roles and what he says about he approaches them is one of the reasons why.
For some reason, that’s a movie I’ve always had a hard time warming up to. But Brand is terrific in it, I’d say the best thing about it.
I was first aware of Neville Brand from CAHILL, US MARSHALL, I can still remember the cigar dropping from his mouth in his last scene as he dies. You felt genuinely sad when seeing this. But my favorite Neville Brand appearance is his guest starring role in KOJAK, episode “Sweeter Than Life” where he plays a drug counselor who tries to help a teenager go thru cold turkey off drugs. I still remember the scene of him feeding him Hershey bars and Orange juice to the kid to get him thru the tough moments. Very dramatic. Neville Brand was an excellent actor who was totally believable in any role he was in. Thanks Toby for remembering this much underappreciated actor.
I’d completely forgotten than Kojak episode! It’s really really good.
It’s easy to forget how many movies and shows Brand appeared in, and I always get a buzz whenever he pops up.
You’re right, Colin. Brand is certainly on my list of names that get you excited when they pop up in the credits.
I too mentioned Neville Brand on the now marathon Allied Artists/
SEVEN ANGRY MEN thread a few items back.
I also mentioned RETURN FROM THE SEA and the fact Blake
mentions TCM are showing it this means that a Warner Archive release
may be in the works. I also mentioned another Allied Artists title,the
highly regarded BOBBY WARE IS MISSING directed by FWOTF fave
Thomas Carr,
It’s a shame Warners don’t own RETURN OF JACK SLADE because
it’s a real goodie,though it has nothing to do with the original
Mark Stevens film. In that film,among other delights we get to see
Neville make his “beer bread”
Other great Neville Brand Western roles are in RED MOUNTAIN,
THE LONELY MAN and RAW EDGE.
The Lonely Man is a terrific picture all around. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen it, and I’m overdue.
The 50s Western where Brand really knocks me out is The Tin Star.
My introduction to Neville Brand was the TV series Laredo… didn’t know who he was but this little girl had a big crush on him (rather than, say, Peter Brown). 🙂 Was surprised later on to find he played so many baddies!
I remember Neville brand in GUN BROTHERS and BADMAN’S COUNTRY both with Buster Crabbe .He was good in those as he was in a lot of other films.
I looked him up on IMDB and had almost forgotten about his role in Stalag 17 .He also killed off Elvis in Love me Tender .One of his personal quotes-
( on playing villians ) I don’t go in thinking he’s a villain .The audience might ,but the villain doesn’t think he’s a villain .Even a killer condones what he’s done .I just create this human being under the circumstances that are given .I don’t think he’s a villain .Everybody just condones his own actions.
Don’t forget his smaller but good role in Tora! Tora! Tora! (1970). “You wanted confirmation, Captain? There’s your confirmation!”
The Tin Star is one of my favorite Westerns—Rio Grande and then that one are probably my two favorites from the ’50s.
Thanks for bringing up Tora! Tora! Tora! I love that movie — and I love him in it. He really stands out in that massive cast.
“In that film,among other delights we get to see
Neville make his “beer bread” ”
I’m thinking it was “whiskey bread.”
The first week in July 1956 in the UK was a good week for Neville
Brand fans.
The Gaumont circuit had CONGO CROSSING paired with RAW EDGE.
Meanwhile over at the Odeon circuit we had SLIGHTLY SCARLET
billed with MOHAWK with Neville and Scott Brady.
MOHAWK was the only film to be granted a U certificate which means
us kids did not need an adult to accompany us.
Mr Maltin said MOHAWK has “lots of heavy breathing Fifties style”
though that was of little interest to us kids. What we loved was all the
stock footage lifted from DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK.
All the other films I mentioned had A certificates which meant under
14s had to be accompanied by an adult.
As kids we used to wait outside cinemas and “hi-jack” adults to take us
in to see A films. I think our parents would have been horrified to know
what we were up to!
Whatever he was going thru got him kicked off Laredo, replaced by Claude Akins. Since episodes are shown out of order, dunno if would’ve been the plan had the show been renewed.
Neville Brand had a penchant for dropping his pants to fan buses passing by the set of Laredo and for getting super drunk and hitting on other actors & producers wives. He was good on-screen in a lot of his roles and could have had a much longer career.
He kept on going. Just in low profile horror films. One, EATEN ALIVE, had him totally out of control, feeding motel guests to his pet alligator.
Yipe, I didn’t know that, if it’s true it kinda ruins my image of him as a serious actor. But then I take all these negative reports with a grain of salt.
Neville Brand is in an excellent episode of the great TV series Combat. He played a soldier who was in charge of a carrier pigeon group. The character did not care for human companionship but had a compassionate, tender relationship with his feathered friends. He presented his tough guy traits but also exhibited a gentle nature not expected by him. The actor from the Combat series, Dick Peabody, said in an interview, that after filming one day a group of actors got drunk. Peabody offered to drive Brand home. Upon entering Brand’s home, Peabody was astounded by the book collection prevalent everywhere as mentioned in your post, Toby.
I’m going to look for that KOJAK episode. Sounds good.
I just bought RAW EDGE and watched it for the first time .Neville Brand was great in this .There’s a scene in the film where he says to Montgomery’s wife “we’ll have to ride double maa’m ,it’s the only way, hold on tight now” He really did play a good bad guy .
I’d be interested in knowing what people’s favourite bad guy are .
Two of my favourites are Richard Boone and Jack Palance .
Neville brand was terrific in a tough guy or comedy role. One of my favourite was a comedy TV series in the 60s, which I hope someone can remind me as it is nowhere to be found on his title list, he was a inept criminal cowboy leader who always got it wrong but was so comically funny. Hope someone knows the answer.
LOVE ME TENDER (1956); Neville Brand to William Campbell:”…..and we thought he was our good friend..” WC: “he is, Mike; and the BEST ONE YOU’LL EVER HAVE! ” NB to ELVIS: ”Didn’t you know that Vance was crazy about your wife? ELVIS: ”SHUT UP! I DON’T WANNA HEAR NO MO!” NB to ELVIS: ”well go on! Take him! He’s probably got Ray & Brett circlin’ around behind us!” BRAND is so-classic-funny (that is, in the WAY he PLAYS IT)..as the main villain, here– who sits on ELVIS’ shoulder whispering in his ear for him to turn against his own brother, trying to make him as paranoid as himself! A CLASSIC little role and here –and he pours his best all over THIS character, making every minute of his screen time work to his advantage. He nearly steals the whole show in LOVE ME TENDER–what a pro! Just ONE of many of his interesting ‘OVER THE TOP’ CHARACTERS!.(in one of my favorite films….!).
Does anyone know the name of the actress who played the wife of Lightfoot (Neville Brand), in the movie CAHILL U.S. Marshall?
You got me on that one. I don’t know.