John Call was an American actor who is best known for Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, The Anderson Tapes, and Young Man with Ideas. Born on November 3, 1908, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he had a notable career in both film and theater until his death on April 3, 1973, in New York City, New York.
Personal and Family Life
John Call was married to Helen Churchill Dalby until his passing. He enjoyed a long career of 30 years on Broadway, performing in 19 different productions. His role as Doctor Grimwig in the original Broadway company of “Oliver” is especially remembered among theater enthusiasts.
Death and Legacy
John Call passed away due to a heart attack on April 3, 1973. His contributions to theater and film remain recognized, especially his role as Santa Claus in the cult classic “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.” He left a lasting impression with his performances on both stage and screen.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Claus Conquers the Martians | 1964-11-14 | Santa Claus |
| Hangman’s Knot | 1952-11-15 | Egan Walsh |
| Fearless Fagan | 1952-08-15 | Mr. Ardley |
| Don’t Bother to Knock | 1952-07-18 | Bellboy (uncredited) |
| The Anderson Tapes | 1971-06-17 | O’Leary |
| Young Man with Ideas | 1952-05-02 | Man with Bushy Hair |
| The Tall Target | 1951-08-17 | Clerk (uncredited) |
| Cinderella | 1957-03-31 | Ensemble (uncredited) |
| Iron Man | 1951-09-20 | Mike Durant (uncredited) |
| Indian Uprising | 1952-01-02 | Sgt. Timothy J. Clancy |
| Boots Malone | 1952-01-11 | Touting Clocker |
| The Pride of St. Louis | 1952-05-02 | Reporter |
| Holiday for Sinners | 1952-07-25 | News Vendor |
| Julius Caesar | 1953-06-04 | Citizen of Rome |
| Arena | 1953-06-24 | Father |
| The Kid from Left Field | 1953-07-01 | Ticket Taker |
| Ride, Vaquero! | 1953-07-17 | Clerk |
| Give a Girl a Break | 1953-11-13 | Mr. Doolittle |
| The Long, Long Trailer | 1954-02-19 | Shorty |
| The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made | 2004-07-13 | Santa Claus (archive footage) |