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Charles Van Dell Johnson (August 25, 1916 – December 12, 2008) was an American actor and dancer. He had a prolific career in film, television, theatre and radio, which spanned over 50 years, from 1940 to 1992. He was a major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during and after World War II, known for his upbeat and "all-American" screen persona, often playing young military servicemen, or in Musical film.
Originally a Broadway theatre dancer, Johnson achieved his breakthrough playing a rookie bomber pilot in A Guy Named Joe (1943). Throughout the war years, he became a popular Hollywood star, as the embodiment of the "boy-next-door wholesomeness" playing "the red-haired, freckle-faced soldier, sailor, or bomber pilot who used to live down the street" in such films as The Human Comedy (also 1943) and Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944). After World War II, he continued to play similar heartthrob and military characters, equal parts in serious dramas like The Caine Mutiny (1954), and in light musicals like Brigadoon (1954).
After the end of his contract with MGM, he transitioned largely into television, though he continued to make regular film appearances in featured and supporting parts, earning an Emmy Award nomination for his performance in the miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man. He continued to maintain a regular presence in musical theatre, most notably as Professor Harold Hill in the West End productions of The Music Man and Georges in La Cage aux Folles, before retiring from acting in the early 1990s. At the time of his death in 2008, he was one of the last surviving of Golden Age of Hollywood.Aljean, Harmetz (August 12, 2008). "Van Johnson, Film Actor, Is Dead at 92" The New York Times. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
MGM then cast Johnson as Mickey Rooney's soldier brother in The Human Comedy (1943), a huge hit. He returned as Randall Adams in Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case (1943) and was in uniform again for Pilot No. 5 (1943). He had a small role as a reporter in Madame Curie (1943).Davis 2001, pp. 76–77.
Johnson's injuries from the car accident exempted him from service in World War II. Many other actors were serving in the armed forces, so the accident greatly benefited Johnson's career. He later said, "There were five of us. There was Jimmy Craig, Bob Young, Bobby Walker, Peter Lawford, and myself. All tested for the same part all the time." Johnson was very busy, often playing soldiers; he joked of this period, "I remember... finishing one Thursday morning with June Allyson and starting a new one Thursday afternoon with Esther Williams. I didn't know which branch of the service I was in!"
MGM built up Johnson's image as the all-American boy in war dramas and musicals. His first top-billed role in an "A" picture was the musical Two Girls and a Sailor (1944) which was a big success; it was his first film with June Allyson. He had a smaller part in The White Cliffs of Dover (1944), then reprised his role as Dr. Adams in 3 Men in White (1944).
He was reunited with Williams in Easy to Wed (1946), a musical remake of Libeled Lady.Davis, Ronald L. Van Johnson: MGM's Golden Boy p. 237 citing "Ruth Rowland, "Van, the Man," Movieland 14 (August 1956)" He supported Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn in State of the Union (1948), and he supported Clark Gable and Pidgeon in the war drama Command Decision (1948).
Johnson made the comedy The Big Hangover (1950), then was reunited with Williams in Duchess of Idaho (1951). He appeared in the romantic comedy Three Guys Named Mike (1951). He played an officer leading Japanese-American troops of the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team in Europe in the Schary-produced film Go for Broke! (1951). He had a small part in It's a Big Country (1951) and was reunited with Allyson for Too Young to Kiss (1951). MGM lent him to Columbia for The Caine Mutiny (1954) in the role of Stephen Maryk. He refused to allow concealment of his facial scars when being made up as Maryk, believing that they enhanced the character's authenticity. Herman Wouk describes Maryk as having "ugly but not unpleasant features" in the novel. One commentator noted years later that "Humphrey Bogart and Jose Ferrer chomp up all the scenery in this maritime courtroom drama, but it's Johnson's character, the painfully ambivalent, not-too-bright Lieutenant Steve Maryk, who binds the whole movie together." Time magazine commented that Johnson "was a better actor than Hollywood usually allowed him to be."
Johnson next teamed with Gene Kelly as the sardonic second lead of Brigadoon (1954). He had the lead in The Last Time I Saw Paris (1954), his last film for MGM. He had a five-year contract with Columbia to make one film a year.
Unlike some other stars of that era, Johnson did not resent the restrictions of the studio system. In 1985, he said that his years at MGM were "one big happy family and a little kingdom". "Everything was provided for us, from singing lessons to barbells. All we had to do was inhale, exhale and be charming. I used to dread leaving the studio to go out into the real world, because to me the studio was the real world."
Johnson appeared as the title character of the highly rated "spectacle," The Pied Piper of Hamelin, a musical version of Robert Browning's poem, set to the music of Edvard Grieg. Featuring Claude Rains in his only singing and dancing role, it aired on November 26, 1957, as part of NBC's week of Thanksgiving specials. The program was so successful it spawned a record album and was repeated in 1958. Syndicated to many local stations, it was rerun annually for many years in the tradition of other holiday specials.
On February 19, 1959, Johnson appeared in the episode "Deadfall" of CBS's Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre in the role of Frank Gilette, a former outlaw falsely charged with bank robbery. He is framed by Hugh Perry, a corrupt prosecutor played by Harry Townes, and Deputy Stover, portrayed by Bing Russell. Convicted of the robbery, Gilette is captured by outlaws while on his way to prison, and the sheriff, Roy Lamont, portrayed by Grant Withers, is killed.
In 1959, Johnson turned down an opportunity to star as Eliot Ness in The Untouchables, which went on to become a successful television series with Robert Stack as Ness.
Johnson guest-starred as Joe Robertson, with June Allyson and Don Rickles, in the 1960 episode "The Women Who" of the CBS anthology series The DuPont Show with June Allyson. In 1961 Johnson traveled to England to star in Harold Fielding's production of The Music Man at the Adelphi Theatre in London. The show enjoyed a successful run of almost a year, with Johnson playing the arduous leading role of Harold Hill to great acclaim.
In 1968 he was in the successful MGM film Yours, Mine and Ours (1968 film) along with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda.
Johnson also guest-starred on Batman as "The Minstrel" in two episodes (39 and 40) in 1966. In the 1970s, he appeared on Here's Lucy, Quincy, M.E., McMillan & Wife and Love, American Style. He played a lead character in the 1976 miniseries Rich Man, Poor Man, and was nominated for a prime time Emmy Award for that role. In the 1980s, he appeared on an episode of Angela Lansbury's Murder, She Wrote along with June Allyson. He also appeared in a special two-part episode of The Love Boat, "The Musical: My Ex-Mom; The Show Must Go On; The Pest, Parts 1 and 2" which aired on February 27, 1982, and co-starred Ann Miller, Ethel Merman, Della Reese, Carol Channing, and Cab Calloway.
In the 1970s, after twice fighting bouts of cancer, Johnson began a second career in summer stock and dinner theater. In 1985, returning to Broadway theatre for the first time since Pal Joey, he was cast in the starring role of the musical La Cage aux Folles. In that same year he appeared in a supporting role in Woody Allen's The Purple Rose of Cairo. At the age of 75, now grey and rotund, he toured in Show Boat as Captain Andy. His last film appearance was in Three Days to a Kill (1992). In 2003, he appeared with Betsy Palmer for three performances of A. R. Gurney's Love Letters at a theater in Wesley Hills, New York.Khurram, Saeed (December 13, 2008). "Actor Van Johnson dies in Nyack at 92". The Journal News.
Johnson's biographer Ronald L. Davis writes that it "seems to have been well known in the film capital" that Johnson had homosexual tendencies, but this was never reported or hinted at by newspaper columnists or movie magazine writers during the era when Johnson made movies. Studio executive Louis B. Mayer made strenuous efforts to quash any potential scandal regarding Johnson and any of his actor-friends whom Mayer suspected of being homosexual. Johnson's marriage to Eve Abbott ended four years after Mayer's death when Johnson, performing as Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man in the West End in London, is alleged to have begun an affair with a male dancer in the production, according to her son Ned Wynn. He claimed that Johnson left her "for a mana boy, really. He's the lead boy dancer." The couple separated in 1961 and their divorce was finalized in 1968.Wynn 1990, p. 213.Wayne 2006, p. 463.
In contrast to his "cheery Van" screen image, Eve claimed that he was morose and moody because of his difficult early life. She reported that he had little tolerance for unpleasantness and would stride into his bedroom and seclude himself at the slightest hint of trouble. He had a difficult relationship with his father growing up, and he was estranged from his daughter at the time of his death.
Freelancer
During the 1950s, Johnson continued to appear in films and also appeared frequently in television guest appearances. He appeared as the celebrity mystery guest on What's My Line? airing on November 22, 1953, but was not questioned by the panel due to advance notice of his appearance. He then appeared again on the May 22, 1955, airing and was guessed by Fred Allen. He was in The End of the Affair (1955) at Columbia then made The Bottom of the Bottle (1956) at Fox. He received favorable critical notices for the 1956 dramatic film Miracle in the Rain, co-starring Jane Wyman, in which he played a good-hearted young soldier preparing to go to war, and in the mystery 23 Paces to Baker Street, in which he played a blind playwright residing in London. He returned to MGM for Slander (1956) and Action of the Tiger (1957).
Personal life
Johnson married former stage actress Eve Abbott (1914–2004) on January 25, 1947, the day after her divorce was finalized from actor Keenan Wynn. Their daughter Schuyler was born in 1948. By this marriage, Johnson gained stepsons Edmond Keenan (Ned) and screenwriter Tracy Keenan Wynn. In a statement by Eve, published after her death at age 90, she said MGM had engineered her marriage to Johnson to cover up his alleged homosexuality. "They needed their 'big star' to be married to quell rumors about his sexual preferences and unfortunately, I was 'It'the only woman he would marry."Vallance, Tom. Obituary: Evie Wynn Johnson, Actress and ambitious Hollywood wife The Independent, December 8, 2004. Commenting on their complicated relationships, Keenan Wynn's father Ed Wynn said, "I can't keep them straight. Evie loved Keenan. Keenan loves Evie. Van loves Evie. Evie loves Van. Van loves Keenan. Keenan loves Van."
Later years and death
Johnson retired from acting in the early 1990s and lived in a penthouse at 405 East 54th Street on Manhattan's East Side. He moved to Tappan Zee Manor, an assisted living facility in Nyack, New York. He died there on December 12, 2008, at age 92. His remains were cremated.
Legacy
Johnson was never nominated for an Academy Award and, during the height of his career, was noted mainly for his cheerful screen presence. Reflecting on his career after his death, one critic observed that Johnson was "capable of an Oscar-worthy performance, and that's more than most movie stars can claim". For his contribution to the film industry, Johnson has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6600 Hollywood Blvd.
Filmography
+ Film 1940 Too Many Girls Chorus boy Uncredited 1942 Murder in the Big House Bert Bell For the Common Defense! Agent Pritchard Short film Somewhere I'll Find You Lieutenant Wade Hall Uncredited Michael Fitzpatrick Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant Dr. Randall 'Red' Adams 1943 Marcus Macauley Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case Dr. Randall 'Red' Adams Pilot No. 5 Everett Arnold Madame Curie Reporter Ted Randall 1944 Two Girls and a Sailor John Dyckman Brown III Sam Bennett 3 Men in White Dr. Randall 'Red' Ames Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo Ted W. Lawson 1945 Between Two Women Dr. Randall 'Red' Adams Thrill of a Romance Major Thomas Milvaine Week-End at the Waldorf Captain James Hollis 1946 Easy to Wed William Stevens 'Bill' Chandler No Leave, No Love Sergeant Michael Hanlon Till the Clouds Roll By Bandleader in Elite Club 1947 High Barbaree Alec Brooke Henry Carson 1948 Greg Rawlings State of the Union Spike McManus Command Decision Technical Sergeant Immanuel T. Evans 1949 Mother Is a Freshman Professor Richard Michaels Scene of the Crime Mike Conovan In the Good Old Summertime Andrew Delby Larkin Battleground Holley 1950 David Muldon Duchess of Idaho Dick Layne 1951 Grounds for Marriage Dr. Lincoln I. Bartlett Three Guys Named Mike Mike Lawrence Go for Broke! Lieutenant Michael Grayson It's a Big Country Rev. Adam Burch Too Young to Kiss Eric Wainwright 1952 Invitation Daniel I. "Dan" Pierce When in Rome Father John X. Halligan Washington Story Joseph T. Gresham Plymouth Adventure John Alden 1953 Confidentially Connie Joe Bedloe Remains to Be Seen Waldo Williams Easy to Love Ray Lloyd 1954 Siege at Red River Capt. James S. Simmons / Jim Farraday Men of the Fighting Lady Lt. (JG) Howard Thayer Lt. Stephen Maryk, USNR Brigadoon Jeff Douglas Charles Wills 1955 Maurice Bendrix 1956 The Bottom of the Bottle Donald Martin / Eric Bell Miracle in the Rain Pvt 1st class Arthur Hugenon 23 Paces to Baker Street Phillip Hannon 1957 Slander Scott Ethan Martin Kelly and Me Len Carmody Action of the Tiger Carson 1959 The Last Blitzkrieg Lt. Hans Von Kroner / Sgt. Leonard Richardson Subway in the Sky Major Baxter Grant Beyond This Place Paul Mathry 1960 The Enemy General Allan Lemaire (OSS agent) 1963 Wives and Lovers Bill Austin 1967 Divorce American Style Al Yearling 1968 Where Angels Go, Trouble Follows Father Chase Yours, Mine and Ours Warrant Officer Darrel Harrison 1969 Eagles Over London Air Marshal George Taylor President James Garfield Alternative titles: La muerte de un presidente / Texas. 1971 Eye of the Spider Professor Orson Krüger Alternative title: L'occhio del ragno. 1979 The Concorde Affair Captain Scott Alternative title: Concorde Affaire '79. From Corleone to Brooklyn Lieutenant Sturges Alternative titles: Da Corleone a Brooklyn / The Sicilian Boss. 1980 Vice President Ethan Richards 1982 Scorpion with Two Tails Mulligan – Joan's father 1985 Larry Wilde 1988 Laggiù nella giungla Professor Taxi Killer Police Lt. R. Bradford 1989 Killer Crocodile Judge 1990 Fuga dal paradiso Old Narrator 1991 Delta Force Commando II: Priority Red One Gen. McCailland 1992 Clowning Around Mr. Ranthow Three Days to a Kill Comm. Howard (final film role) + Television 1955 I Love Lucy Himself Episode: "The Dancing Star" 1957 Pied Piper/Truson Television special 1959 Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre Frank Gilette Episode: "Deadfall" 1960 General Electric Theater Jimmy Devlin Episode: "At Your Service" 1960 Terry Tyler Episode: "Loving Arms" 1965 Ben Casey Frank Dawson Episode: "A Man, a Maid, and a Marionette" 1966 Batman The Minstrel Episodes: "The Minstrel's Shakedown" / "Barbecued Batman?" The Doomsday Flight Captain Anderson, Pilot TV movie written by Rod Serling about a bomb threat to a plane. 1967 Charlie Snow Episode: "Is Charlie Coming?" 1968 Here's Lucy Himself Episode: "Guess Who Owes Lucy $23.50?" 1971 The Men from Shiloh Alonzo Episode: "The Angus Killer" 1971 Charlie Webb Episodes: "Cousin Charlie" / "The Albatross" 1971 Love, American Style Don Segment: "Love and the House Bachelor" 1972 Maude Henry Episode: "Flashback" 1974 McCloud Dan Kiley Episode: "This Must Be the Alamo" 1974 McMillan & Wife Harry Jerome Episode: "Downshift to Danger" 1974 The Girl on the Late, Late Show TV movie 1976 Rich Man, Poor Man Marsh Goodwin Miniseries
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in Comedy or Drama Series1976 Rich Man, Poor Man Book II Marsh Goodwin Miniseries 1977 Quincy, M.E. Al Ringerman Episodes: "Snake Eyes" (Parts 1 & 2) 1978 The Love Boat Bert Wyler S2 E9 "Her Own Two Feet" 1982 One Day at a Time Gus Webster Episode: "Grandma's Nest Egg" 1982 The Love Boat Various roles Segments: "The Musical" / "My Ex-Mom" / "The Show Must Go On" / "The Pest" / "My Aunt, the Worrier" 1983 The Forgotten Story Perry Miniseries 1983 Tales of the Unexpected Gerry T. Armstrong Episode: "Down Among the Sheltering Palms" 1984–1990 Murder, She Wrote Various roles Episodes: "Hannigan's Wake" / "Menace, Anyone?" / "Hit, Run and Homicide" 1988 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Art Bellasco Episode: "Killer Takes All" 1989 Coming of Age "Red" Pepper Episode: "Pauline et Rouge"
Box office ranking
For a number of years film exhibitors voted Johnson among the most popular stars in the country:
Stage work
+ Stage Eight Men in Manhattan New Faces of 1936 Too Many Girls Pal Joey The Music Man Come On Strong Bye Bye Birdie Damn Yankees Guys and Dolls A Thousand Clowns Mating Dance On a Clear Day You Can See Forever Bells Are Ringing The Great Sebastians There's a Girl in My Soup (play) Forty Carats Help Stamp Out Marriage 6 Rms Riv Vu Boeing-Boeing How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Tribute No, No, Nanette La Cage aux Folles 1991 Showboat
Radio appearances
NA You Came Along Weekend at the ACME Plaza Billy the Kid State Fair Detective Story
Notes
Bibliography
External links
Categories: 1916 Births, 2008 Deaths, 20th-century American Lgbtq People, 20th-century American Male Actors, American Gay Actors, American Male Film Actors, American Male Radio Actors, American Male Stage Actors, American Male Television Actors, American People Of Pennsylvania Dutch Descent, American People Of Swedish Descent, Lgbtq People From Rhode Island, Male Actors From Rhode Island, Metro-goldwyn-mayer Contract Players, Entertainers From Newport, Rhode Island
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