They do their job so well and yet never achieve star billing even though, for some of these dangerous stunts, surely there should be recognition. This article in a very small way gives them the billing, I hope, that they deserve.

The last article focussed on ‘The Range Rider’ starring Jack Mahoney who himself had been a very courageous and much sought sfter stunt man in films, who, as we know, made the transition into TV and films with good success.

These Pictures above and below – are probably from ‘Ivanhoe’

The picture above seems to show quite a modern ladder – maybe that was out of camera shot on the screen

ABOVE – We see the filming of an action sequence very possibly ‘Stagecoach’ and the stunt man below is Yakima Canutt one of the most famous of his profession.

Maybe – better still a Stunt Woman from the 1940s BELOW

1950:  The Flame and the Arrow

In this Burt Lancaster did most of his own stunts along with his good friend Nick Cravat

ABOVE – Two of my own pictures – from Westerns on the late forties or early fifties. Top Picture a daring jump from horseback on to a speeding horse drawn wagon

and

Bottom – A huge drop from the top of a rock onto a cantering horse and rider – that is some stunt – in fact they both are unbelievable – probably the same stunt man. Could it even be Jack Mahoney – I am not sure

An interesting add-on here – in 1948 Yakima Canutt directed a film ‘Sons of Adventure’ for Republic Pictures which was a fictionalised story about the work and adventures and dangers of the Stunt Man.

I must try to get hold of a DVD of this film – I think that it could be quite interesting and entertaining

More stills from ‘Sons of Adventure 1948 BELOW