Oil City's connection to motion pictures is threefold. With strong determination, a young man traveled to Hollywood to seek his fortune, and became a successful, highly regarded actor having a long distinguished career. Likewise, "Hollywood" (figuratively, at least) returned the favor, coming back to town to make a film that has stood the test of time as a cult classic among fans of the mystery/suspense/horror genre. And with its production, a second short-lived acting career was born. But first, a former resident once assisted in the production of a film partially set in war-torn Italy, where he had served.
Anders, (Colonel) James Daniel (1916-1986)
In 1950, then Captain Anders served as a technical consultant for the film "Teresa" Part of the fictional story was set in some of the same areas the captain had traversed during World War II. Listed among its cast were actors Rod Steiger, Lee Marvin, and Robert Wagner.
Below is the original trailer:
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| Col. James D. Anders |
Below is the original trailer:
He came to Oil City with his family when his father, Rev. Dan Frank Anders, became the local Methodist minister; then later worked for Cities Service.
Among his other accomplishments:
⦁ Entered U.S. Army as buck private in 1942, was elevated to 2nd lieutenant in less than a year, and retired 29 years later as a full colonel.
⦁ Awarded Silver Star and Bronze Stars during World War II; and also served in Korea and Vietnam conflicts and was stationed in Europe
⦁ Spoke before U. S. Senate Subcommittee ("McCarthy hearings") that included many notable senators of the era ). Also in attendance was Chief Counsel Robert F. Kennedy
⦁ Served as chief-of-staff at Fort Polk, LA where he constructed a replica Vietnamese village to prepare soldiers entering that conflict.
Read more about Colonel Anders's illustrious career here.
Brumley, Isaiah M. "Buddy", Jr. (1935-2006) is one of two actors from Oil City listed in the International Movie Database (IMDB). The only local resident appearing in the film with a speaking part, Buddy is recognized in the for his appearance in the "Creature from Black Lake. " Below are scenes from the 1976 film in which he portrays a barber, his real-life profession.
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| Buddy cutting Orville Bridges' (Jim McCullough) hair |
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| Rives (John David Carson), Buddy, Orville |
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| Rives, Buddy, Sheriff Billy Carter (Bill Thurman), Orville |
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| Buddy |
Creature from Black Lake (1976) is a horror film set in the area that, among its cast members, includes long-time character actors Jack Elam Elam and Dub Taylor. Also appearing is Cathryn Hartt, younger sister of actress Morgan Fairchild, who plays the waitress, Eve. It capitalized on the success of the earlier low-budget "Legend of Boggy Creek" film, based on the reputed Fouke (AR) monster. Several locals appeared as extras in the film, notably Albert Lee "Shorty" Dickson and W. C. "Dub" Allen, in addition to the previously mentioned Buddy Brumley. It remains something of cult classic.
Watch the film below.
Stills of OC residents serving as extras.
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| Rives asks Shorty Dickson a question |
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| Dub Allen (seated, far left); Pahoo (Dennis Fimple, standing with back to camera) |
Holliman, Earl (1928- ) Next to Howard Hughes, Henry Earl Holliman is Oil City's most famous former resident. His film and television acting career has spanned over 50 years, and he has appeared in several legendary films and worked with iconic actors, and is himself an award winner.
The following retrospective is in no way all-inclusive, but attempts to note key elements and interesting points throughout his life and career. If you want more information, there are several links provided at the end.
The 1940 U.S. Census shows Earl and his parents living in Mooringsport, LA.
Earl as a Oil City High School senior in the 1945-46 school year.
He was right tackle on Oil City's 1945 football team.
1946 Oil City High School Bengal (yearbook)
Before he was a star - Here Earl is shown with his mother, Velma Holliman Bellotte.
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Earl’s First Film – “Destination Gobi” (1953).
With Dennis Hopper And Rock Hudson On The Set Of “Giant” (1956).
Earl And Robbie The Robot In “The Forbidden Planet” (1956).
Katherine Hepburn and Earl in a scene from “The Rainmaker” (1956).
Note who he beat out for his acclaimed role in that film, in which he starred along with Kate and Burt Lancaster.
With Burt Lancaster in a scene from “Gunfight At The OK Corral” (1957):
A 1957 Newspaper Article Citing Earl As An Up And Coming Actor.
Earl returned to the area to appear at the "premier" (Shreveport opening) of the film "Hot Spell" that also starred Anthony Quinn, Shirley Booth, and Shirley MacLaine.
Times 24-May-1958 Page 5-B
Below is a cast photo. Included on the program along with the film's showing was to be the finals of a celebrity look-alike contest.
Below is a cast photo. Included on the program along with the film's showing was to be the finals of a celebrity look-alike contest.
The first episode of The Twilight Zone, "Where is Everybody?" starred Earl.
Earl Also Made Some Records:
Sorry, but the Youtube recording has been removed.
With Jerry Lewis in “Visit to a Small Planet (1960):
His First Television Series on CBS (1959-60):
An Article About Earl’s Second Television Series “Wide Country”:
Andrew Prine And Earl In A Scene From Wide Country (1962-63):
Movie Poster for “The Sons Of Katy Elder” (1965):
Watch the trailer below.
With Pernell Roberts (as Adam Cartwright) During An Appearance On Bonanza:
Starring with Darren McGavin as a drill instructors in the 1970 made-for-television movie, “Tribes”. It also featured Jan Michael-Vincent as the hippie-turned-draftee Earl was determined to break.
Earl doesn't appear in this, but is still an interesting clip of an auction in 1971 sponsored by Earl and his Actors and Others for Animals organization. Celebrities shown include Joanne Worley and Ruth Buzzi (from Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In); Doris Day, and Dom DeLuise. Also shows Ricky Nelson performing a countrified version of “Hello Marylou”. The sound isn’t the best but still cool to see.
He’s probably best known to a lot of people for his role as sidekick to Angie Dickinson in the television series “Police Woman.”
Earl back in Oil City in 1981 attending a Dickey family reunion, listening to Charli Dickey Gentry sing:
He Appeared In The 1983 ABC Miniseries “The Thorn Birds,” for which he won a "People's Choice" award. Here He Is With actress Piper Laurie:
Appearing As A Celebrity Contestant On $100,000 Pyramid:
As mentioned above, Earl has been active in animal rescue over the years and is president emeritus of Actors and Others for Animals.
Earl attending the opening night of the stage production of the musical “Rock of Ages” in February 2011.
Earl's star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame."
Comments By Others Remembering Earl:
Bessie Woodell Alford: "A movie of Earl's. I went to see a movie when I was about 12 years old and it was called "The Girls of Pleasure Island." He was a military guy in it. It was a big deal because he was in it."
John Ridge: "The Day Earl Holliman Visited Oil City Junior High Sometime in late 1964 to early 1965 (I was in the 7th grade), the word got out at school that Earl was coming to visit the school. Knowing he was a ”movie star”, and having seen his movies and television appearances, this caused excitement among many of us.
We didn’t know the time he would arrive, just that he was coming. My PE class was around 1:00 PM and I and some of my friends were in the gym when Earl suddenly showed up at the door. We were kind of speechless as he walked over to Coach (Earl) Nolan, who was standing outside his office. Recall the door was at the north end of the gym, right behind the basket. They shook hands, and then went inside to talk. There was no interaction with, or acknowledgement of us, e.g., introduction, greeting, “Hi, this is Earl.”, etc.
Later that day, as I’m riding the school bus home, we pass the home of one of his relatives on Old Mooringsport Road, just south of Murray’s Crossing. There on the shoulder is parked the red Impala, and Earl is standing on the porch, talking to the relative. I believe the relative’s name was/(is?) Charles. Mrs. Woodell, the bus driver, made a comment about Earl, possibly something about knowing him when he went to school in OC."
We didn’t know the time he would arrive, just that he was coming. My PE class was around 1:00 PM and I and some of my friends were in the gym when Earl suddenly showed up at the door. We were kind of speechless as he walked over to Coach (Earl) Nolan, who was standing outside his office. Recall the door was at the north end of the gym, right behind the basket. They shook hands, and then went inside to talk. There was no interaction with, or acknowledgement of us, e.g., introduction, greeting, “Hi, this is Earl.”, etc.
Later that day, as I’m riding the school bus home, we pass the home of one of his relatives on Old Mooringsport Road, just south of Murray’s Crossing. There on the shoulder is parked the red Impala, and Earl is standing on the porch, talking to the relative. I believe the relative’s name was/(is?) Charles. Mrs. Woodell, the bus driver, made a comment about Earl, possibly something about knowing him when he went to school in OC."
Cynthia Dickey "He and my Dad were very good friends as children and remained in touch. He always said, when he growing up, that he was going to Hollywood to be a movie star when he grew up."
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I'm hoping eventually to be the second most famous to come from this area...I attended North Caddo High School in Vivian and my grandpa Sambo Wynn had an oil company in Oil City for many years...I've had small roles in several films including DARK PLACES with Oscar winner Charlize Theron and THE CAMPAIGN with Will Ferrell.
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