Al Hoxie
Acting
Biography
American leading man of silent Westerns whose career was much overshadowed by that of his more famous brother Jack Hoxie. He grew up in the backwoods and mountains of Idaho. His older brother had become a champion rodeo rider, a talent he parlayed into early success in cowboy movies. Following in his brother's footsteps, Al Hoxie moved to Los Angeles, not yet twenty years old. His brother Jack soon got him work as a stuntman and wrangler, and Al doubled for his brother and other actors in numerous films of the early 1920s. He began to get bit parts, and then bigger roles, in his brother's films and then on his own. A Poverty Row studio called Anchor Films saw potential in the strapping cowboy with the famous (last) name. They signed him to play the lead in a series of Westerns, which then led to a new series contract with producer Bud Barsky. None of these pictures ventured far beyond mediocre, and with the coming of sound in the late 1920s, Hoxie, with no great following, quit the business. He returned to his Northwest roots for several years, then returned to Los Angeles, this time to work as a conductor on the Red Line streetcars. For a few years he was a forest ranger, then went into law enforcement, first for the Anaheim, California, police department, and then for the Patton State Hospital. While there, Hoxie regained some public attention by disarming a deranged man with hostages. He was presented California's highest award for bravery, the California Medal of Honor. He retired thereafter and spent his remaining years in Redlands, California, where he died in 1982, seventeen years after the death of his more famous older brother.
Known For
In 15th century France, a gypsy girl is framed for murder by the infatuated Chief Justice, and only the deformed bellringer of Notre Dame Cathedral can save her.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The 15-chapter plot follows, in a fanciful manner, the General Fremont expedition into Spanish California to acquire California for the United States, and the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill. Chapter titles: 1. Soldiers of Fortune 2. Red Men and White 3. A Night of Terror 4. The Empire Builders 5. A Web of Lies 6. Demetroff's Vow 7. Facing Death 8. Under the Bear Flag 9. A Ride of Peril 10. Yellow Metal and Blue Blood 11. Gold Madness 12. Crimson Nights 13. Vigilante's Justice 14. For Life and Love 15. Trail's End
Days of '49
When Bill Croft, a notorious gunfighter, is bushwhacked, innocent rancher Frank Douglas is accused of the crime on circumstantial evidence and sentenced to be hanged. Jack Douglas, Frank's son, sets out to prove his father's innocence with the help of Jean, the murdered man's daughter; Jack eventually apprehends the killer and forces him to confess, but the sheriff is unable to stop the execution without an official pardon.
Ridin' Thunder
15 chapter serial. Gideon Trask and his henchmen at the saloon in Arkansas City covet the mineral survey of the Louisiana Territory made for Napoleon before the sale of the Territory to the United States. This is in possession of the Heath Brothers, who seek to use it in staking their land when the Oklahoma territory, last of the Louisiana tract to be released by the Government, is opened to Homesteaders.
The Ace of Spades
Our hero is mistaken for a bandit. Al's girl Nancy at first believes him to be guilty, but he manage to convince her that the real bandit is McDonald.
Outlaw's Paradise
Sheriff Ed Dawson (Franklyn Farnum)asks Texas Rangers Wally Wallace (Hal Taliaferro) and Bill (Al Hoxie), to go into an outlaw stronghold, where his daughter Ann (Dorothy Crittin)is being held prisoner, and capture the gang led by Larkin (Yakima Canutt). But Wally's identity is revealed and they are taken prisoner.
Pals of the West
The owner of a stagecoach line is about to lose his mail contract after 30 years because he's been underbid. His competitor is actually a crook who's planning to hijack the stagecoach and rob the mail--and, for good measure, have a go at his rival's pretty young daughter.
Carrying the Mail
Young Southerners Buck Hineman and Remington Osbury both are in love with the same woman, who promises to marry the one who returns when the Civil War breaks out. On the battlefield, Remington is wounded and left for dead, and Buck returns to marry her. Shortly afterward, Remington returns and contents himself with becoming one of the Hineman family.
The Kentucky Colonel
A rancher has left his spread to his long lost son, but only if he shows up to claim it. A mean-fisted fugitive from justice looks just like the missing heir and a plan for deception is hatched.
The Road Agent
Cowboy Jack Horton searches for the killer of his father and brother, both of whom were found with an ace of clubs pinned to their bodies.
The Ace of Clubs
After inheriting his uncle's ranch, a cowpoke manages to capture a ghost of the range, break up some cattle rustlers, and win the girl.
The Fighting Ranger
On a mission to discover the identity of the rustlers of the cattle on Britton ranch, Blue Streak O'Neil exposes the villains mingling with the sheriff's posse. Having won the ranch for the heroine, he accepts from her a half interest in it, and also her love.
Blue Streak O'Neil
Engineer Joe Dayton faces sabotage while constructing a railroad through the Canadian Northwest. Local bandit leader Jacques Durand attempts to stop the project, fearing it will bring law and order. Complicating matters, Dayton and Durand are look-alike doppelgangers.
The Broken Spur
Jeff Prouty loses his memory as a result of war injuries and is made to believe he has committed past crimes.
The Back Trail
Kidnapping and marital reconciliation drive this action film set on a millionaire's private train.