 | Unkempt, rough and tough looking members of the gang or lynch mob, or vigilantes, or posse riders or cow herders. They had minimal or no dialog, not much screen time, and were generally not listed in the film credits. Some would show up as a face in the crowd, portraying townspeople, barflys, deputies, wagon drivers, ranch hands, etc. We tend to recognize some of their faces, but have no clue as to their real names. |
 (Image courtesy of Carol Murray and her "Jack Hendricks Photo Album") |  | Jack Hendricks Full name: John Talley Hendricks May have also used the name: Ray Henderson 1903 - 1990 |
| Several years ago, Carol Murray acquired a personal photo album belonging to Jack Hendricks. Thanks to Carol for sharing those images with us. |
| Talk about a western supporting/bit player with a confusing trail. Is he "Jack Hendricks" or "Ray Henderson" or whom? There's no question that the subject of this profile is Jack Hendricks. He worked in about 200 movies beginning around 1931 and most of his film work was unbilled/uncredited - i.e., he was a henchman, posse member, townsman, deputy, saloon patron, etc. Once in a while, he did get some additional screen time. For example, at about the 53 minute mark in the Bob Allen LAW OF THE RANGER (Columbia, 1937), Hendricks shows off some trick roping skills. There is also some indication that Hendricks did doubling/stunting - more on doubling/stunting on the next webpage. Among the pile of stills that ye Old Corral webmaster received from Carol Murray are several that are autographed: Buster Crabbe, Al St. John and burly baddie Dick Alexander autographed their photos to Jack. But Tex Ritter included a salutation to Jack Hendricks. The probability is good that the Buster, Fuzzy and Tex photos were given to Hendricks circa mid 1940s when all were laboring at Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC). Among the images were a few personal photos, most of which are included on these webpages. The 60+ production stills show Hendricks with McCoy, Crabbe, Autry, Tyler, Gibson, Steele, Custer, Wakely, Bob Allen, Range Busters, Kermit Maynard, George Houston, and the Texas Rangers. I've selected about fifteen of those images which cover Hendricks in film roles during the period from 1931 - 1945. Also in the collection was the newspaper blurb on the right which notes that Hendricks hails from Pickens County. On the back of this clipping, there are a few words and phrases: there is mention of "Pickensville" and the name "Hugh Hamilton" with a telephone number of "859-9363" (and he appears to be some kind of real estate agent and/or property broker). On the back of another article (not included), there's a partial ad for a business in Liberty, South Carolina. Rick Albright checked the census information and military records. No luck in the 1930 Census but he got a match in the Army enlistment records:
U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946: Assuming he was born in South Carolina and died in California, the California Death Records database has one possible match: John T. Hendricks, born 6/9/1903 in South Carolina, Mother's maiden name of Aiken, and he passed away on 5/29/1990 in the Los Angeles area. There also was a match in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI): John T. Hendricks, born 9 Jun 1903, died 29 May 1990 at age 86, and his last address was zip 91352 (Sun Valley, Los Angeles, California). Both records match the World War II Army enlistment record above. Lila Ashear did some sleuthing and was able to locate interment information: HENDRICKS, JOHN T Hendricks' December 24, 1936 application for a Social Security number lists the following: his full name as John Talley Hendricks; born June 9, 1903 in Pickens, South Carolina; his home address was 5518 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood, California; his business is "various motion picture studios"; father's name of William Earl Hendricks; mother's maiden name of Minerva Aikens. He signed the application "Jack Hendricks". What about Jack Hendricks and the "Ray Henderson" name? Lots of folks have been involved in reviewing this piece on Hendricks, and there's no rock solid answers to the "Ray Henderson" name puzzle/question. Several recalled that "Ray Henderson" was on some cast listings and/or Call Bureau cast sheets for one or more films in the late 1930s. Or, that moniker could be an error that has been carried forward through the years.
| |  (Image courtesy of Carol Murray and her "Jack Hendricks Photo Album") The above blurb is from an unidentified newspaper. Based on the mentions of his 1927 start and 39-year career, this article and photo is probably circa 1966. On the back of this clipping, there are a few words and phrases: there is mention of "Pickensville" and the name "Hugh Hamilton" with a telephone number of "859-9363" (and he appears to be some kind of real estate agent and/or property broker). On the back of another article (not included), there's a partial ad for a business in Liberty, South Carolina.  Above - one of the few credited roles for Hendricks. From the Rin-Tin-Tin Jr. adventure, CARYL OF THE MOUNTAINS (Reliable, 1936). Note the spelling error on Earl Dwire's last name. |
 Above are crops/blowups from various stills. Hendricks has curly/wavy hair, a cleft in his longish, protruding chin, a mole/bump on his left cheek, three moles/bumps on his right cheek, and what appears to be a scar on his upper right lip. |
 (Image courtesy of Carol Murray and her "Jack Hendricks Photo Album") With an unidentified woman. That's Corporal stripes on his sleeve and this photo is probably circa 1943.  (Image courtesy of Carol Murray and her "Jack Hendricks Photo Album") In a military uniform. That looks like a U. S. Army Air Corps patch on his left sleeve. These photos are probably circa 1943.  (Image courtesy of Carol Murray and her "Jack Hendricks Photo Album") Above - three later color photos. |
 (Images courtesy of Carol Murray and her "Jack Hendricks Photo Album") Among the stills were four small photos which were probably B&W but have faded to a sepia color. Above is a collage of those four images. Note the ornate (and expensive) boots and gunbelt. You can see cellophane tape along the edges on several of these photos (which I wouldn't attempt to remove). |
 (Images courtesy of Carol Murray and her "Jack Hendricks Photo Album") |
Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDB) has information on Jack Hendricks, AKA Ray Henderson. Note the enlistment date above of 25 August 1942. That seems to explain why his 1943 film appearances are minimal. Go to: