As mentioned, Al did some early to mid 1930s sagebrush adventures with Steele, Bell, Tyler, Ritter, a few others.

However, his 'Fuzzy' screen persona originated during the Fred Scott oaters for Spectrum in 1937 - 1938. Scuttlebutt was that they were hoping to hire 'Fuzzy' Knight, but something happened and St. John was brought in for sidekick duties ... and he was given - or began using - the nickname of 'Fuzzy'. In interviews, Fred Scott thought very highly of St. John, both professionally and personally. And Fred was aware of Al's alcohol problem.

A common thread on Al's western movie career is prolific director Sam Newfield. They first connected circa 1937 in the Fred Scott Spectrums, Jack Randall's series at Monogram, and Johnny Mack Brown oaters from A. W. Hackel's Supreme company which were released by Republic Pictures. From 1937 - 1946, Al worked in 70+ films which were helmed by Newfield, and most were at Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC) in the 1940s. There, Al did 42 Billy the Kid and Billy Carson oaters - six with Steele followed by 36 with Crabbe - and Newfield directed all. And Al did all seventeen Lone Riders with George Houston and Bob Livingston and Newfield was in charge of sixteen of the seventeen.

Photo right is prolific director Sam Newfield (Real name: Samuel Neufeld; 1899 - 1964). Sam's career consisted of about 275 films and TV shows and spanned from the mid 1920s through early 1960s. Al St. John was employed in about a quarter of Newfield's films.

(Courtesy of Wheeler Winston Dixon)

"Fuzzy" arrives!

(Courtesy of Minard Coons) Above are Fred Scott and his saddle pal Al St. John (as 'Fuzzy') in a still from THE RANGER'S ROUNDUP (Spectrum, 1938). Scott starred in thirteen oaters and Al was his sidekick in seven which were released during 1937 - 1938. Sam Newfield directed six of those Scott / St. John adventures. (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above from left to right are Art Jarrett (as 'Lucky'), Lee Powell (as 'Stormy') and Al St. John (as 'Fuzzy') in TRIGGER PALS (Grand National, 1939). This was the initial entry in a proposed six film trio series, but the series was not continued because of financial difficulties at Grand National. This was another Sam Newfield directing job. Arthur Jarrett was a singer, guitar player, and the leader of his own 1930s big band. For a time, he was married to Olympic swimming champ Eleanor Holm. A few months after band leader Hal Kemp's death in a 1940 California car accident, Jarrett took over the Kemp orchestra. (Courtesy of Les Adams) Above - the title lobby card for TRIGGER PALS (Grand National, 1939). Left to right are singer and band leader Art Jarrett (as 'Lucky'), Lee Powell (as 'Stormy') and Al St. John (as 'Fuzzy'). Note Powell's billing as LEE (Lone Ranger) POWELL (which refers to his role as the masked rider of the plains in Republic's 1938 serial, THE LONE RANGER).