Joseph Kane

Jasper Joseph Inman Kane (19 March 1894, San Diego – 25 August 1975, Santa Monica, California) was a prolific American film director, film producer, film editor and screenwriter. He is best known for his extensive directorship and focus on western films.

1934-1950

Kane originally began as a professional cellist, but took up an interest in film directing in 1934 and began co-directing serials for Mascot and Republic from 1935. He soon became their top western director.

He made his first directorial credit with "The Fighting Marines" (1935). When Mascot and several other small film companies amalgamated into Republic Pictures in 1935, Kane became staff director, remaining at the studio until it ceased production in 1958. He piloted many Gene Autry and Roy Rogers movies and directed John Wayne on films such as "The Lawless Nineties" in 1936 and "Flame of Barbary Coast" (1944), and Joseph Schildkraut on "The Cheaters" in 1945. Between 1935 and his death in 1975 he directed over 125 films.

Unlike most Republic house directors, Kane was also credited as associate producer on many films. Between 1939 and 1957 he was a major film producer producing over 60 films.

Kane was also also a film editor and screenwriter responsible for the editing process of over 20 of his films, and he had a brief stint as an actor.

1950-death

During the 1950s, Kane worked steadily on television, with emphasis on westerns and action series. Joseph Kane spent the last decade of his life as a second-unit director on such productions as Universal Studios "Beau Geste" (1966) and "In Enemy Country" (1968).

He died in Santa Monica, California in 1975.

Partial Filmography

*"In Old Santa Fe" (1934) with Ken Maynard, George "Gabby" Hayes, Gene Autry (unbilled singer), and Smiley Burnette (unbilled singer)
*"Tumbling Tumblingweeds" (1935) with Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and George "Gabby" Hayes
*"Melody Trail" (1935) with Gene Autry, Ann Rutherford, and Smiley Burnette
*"The Lawless Nineties" (1936) with John Wayne
*"Darkest Africa" with Clyde Beatty
*"King of the Pecos" (1936) with John Wayne and Muriel Evans
*"The Lonely Trail" (1936) with John Wayne and Ann Rutherford
*"Guns and Guitars" (1936) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette
*"Oh, Susanna!" (1936) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette
*"Ride Ranger Ride" (1936) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette
*"The Old Corral" (1936) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette
*"Git Along, Little Dogies" (1937) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette
*"Round-Up Time in Texas" (1937) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette
*"Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge" (1937) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette
*"Public Cowboy No. 1" (1937) with Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and Ann Rutherford
*"Boots and Saddles" (1937) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette
*"Springtime in the Rockies" (1937) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette
*"The Old Barn Dance" (1938) with Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and Roy Rogers (billed as Dick Weston)
*"Gold Mine in the Sky" (1938) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette
*"Man from Music Mountain" (1938) with Gene Autry and Smiley Burnette
*"King of the Cowboys" (1943) with Roy Rogers and Smiley Burnette
*"Flame of Barbary Coast" (1945) with John Wayne and William Frawley
*"Ride the Man Down" (1952) with Brian Donlevy and Ella Raines
*"Timberjack" (1955) with Sterling Hayden and Hoagy Carmichael
*"Track of Thunder" (1967) with Faith Domergue
*"Smoke in the Wind" (1975) with Walter Brennan

Famous actors directed by Kane

*John Wayne
*Walter Brennan
*Gene Autry
*Roy Rogers
*George "Gabby" Hayes
*Clyde Beatty
*Jack Ingram
*Jack O'Shea
*Smiley Burnette
*Ann Rutherford
*Sterling Hayden
*Hank Worden
*Paul Fix
*Barbara Stanwyck
*Fred MacMurray
*Scott Brady
*Rod Cameron
*Chubby Johnson
*Jim Davis
*Robert Armstrong
*Elisha Cook, Jr.
*Edgar Buchanan
*Gerald Mohr
*Peggy Moran
*Lee Van Cleef

External links

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