For fans of low-budget programmers, Stuart Erwin (1903-67) lives on as the first actor to play comic-strip boxer Joe Palooka on screen, in Palooka (1934).
Erwin started acting at the University of California, and went on to work in Los Angeles stock theatre companies. He broke into films with a role in Mother Knows Best (1928), Fox’s first talking picture.
He went on to make over 100 films, usually in credited supporting roles, but with a few leads. Even though he was the star of Pigskin Parade (1936), he was perversely nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category at the Academy Awards.
Erwin’s films were generally not prestigious, and he was arguably more successful in radio and television.
Stuart Erwin featured in just one MGM musical, playing the producer and financial backer of the film being made in Going Hollywood.
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