George Houston was an American actor who is best known for his roles in “The Lone Rider” series, “The Howards of Virginia,” and “Captain Calamity.” Born on January 11, 1896, in Hampton, New Jersey, he had a diverse career spanning Broadway and film.
Personal and Family Life
George Houston was born to a Protestant minister and grew up singing in his father’s church choir. He attended Blair Academy before pursuing musical studies at the Juilliard School. He had two marriages: first to Leone Sousa, a Ziegfeld girl, from 1933 to 1940, and later to Virginia Card from 1943 until his death in 1944.
Career
Houston started his career in music, teaching briefly at Bernards High School before transitioning to Broadway. He gained popularity in musicals during the mid-1930s, which eventually led to roles in Hollywood films. However, his later work was primarily with the low-budget Producers Releasing Corporation, where he starred in the “Lone Rider” series.
Death and Legacy
George Houston passed away on November 12, 1944, from a heart attack in Los Angeles, California. His contributions to both stage and film, particularly in the western genre, are remembered by fans and film historians alike. Despite the challenges he faced in his later career, he remains a notable figure in 1930s and 1940s cinema.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Conquest | 1937-10-22 | Grand Marshal George Duroc |
| The Howards of Virginia | 1940-09-19 | George Washington |
| Frontier Scout | 1938-09-16 | Wild Bill Hickok |
| What Price Safety! | 1938-02-05 | Foreman Cooper |
| Let’s Sing Again | 1936-05-07 | Leon Alba |
| Captain Calamity | 1936-11-28 | (Cap’t) Bill Jones |
| Wallaby Jim of the Islands | 1937-12-17 | Wallaby Jim |
| The Lone Rider and the Bandit | 1942-01-16 | Tom Cameron |
| Blockade | 1938-06-17 | The Troubador |
| The Great Waltz | 1938-11-04 | Schiller |
| The Lone Rider in Frontier Fury | 1941-08-08 | Tom Cameron |
| Masks and Memories | 1934-05-12 | Uncle Andy |
| The Lone Rider Crosses the Rio | 1941-02-28 | Tom Cameron aka The Lone Rider |
| Outlaws of Boulder Pass | 1942-11-28 | Tom Cameron |
| Laughing at Danger | 1940-08-12 | Dan Haggerty |
| The Lone Rider in Ghost Town | 1941-05-16 | Tom Cameron |
| Border Roundup | 1942-09-18 | Tom Cameron |
| The Lone Rider Rides On | 1941-01-10 | Tom Cameron |
| The Lone Rider Fights Back | 1941-12-17 | Tom Cameron – The Lone Rider |
| The Lone Rider Ambushed | 1941-08-29 | Tom Cameron / Keno Harris |
| The Lone Rider in Cheyenne | 1942-03-20 | Tom Cameron |
| Texas Justice | 1942-06-05 | Tom Cameron |
| Marie Antoinette | 1938-08-26 | Marquis De St. Priest (uncredited) |