EPISODE 99 -  “GRANT WITHERS: CLASSIC CINEMA STAR OF THE MONTH” - 8/04/25

The name GRANT WITHERS is usually met with blank stares and shrugs these days, but back in the late 1920s and 1930s, he was a much-in-demand leading man who capitalized on his boyish good looks, athletic, 6-foot-3-inch frame, natural charisma, and effortless acting ability. And as dynamic as his screen persona was, his personal life was just as juicy! From a scandalous elopement with LORETTA YOUNG when she was barley 17 to financial struggles, missing wives, court dates, and deeply rooted emotional issues, Withers was once a bright light who quickly fell from grace. This week, we celebrate Withers as our Star of the Month. 

SHOW NOTES: 

Sources:

Serial Film Stars: A Biographical Dictionary (2013), by Buck Rainey;

Paramount Players Biography (June 1937);

Biography of Grant Withers, by Harry Brand, Director of Publicity, 20th Century Fox;

“Wife Names Two Women,” August 12, 1925, Variety;

“That Careless Heartbreaker,” June 7, 1929, San Francisco Examiner,

“Withers Wed; In Auto Crash,” January 27, 1930, Associated Press;

"Grant Withers is Sued for $55,000 Over Auto Crash,” March 25, 1930, Associated Press;

“Actor Victor in Suits Over Auto Crash,” September 1, 1931, Associated Press;

“Withers Wins Alimony Tilt,” February 8, 1930, Associated Press

“Withers, Ex-Wife Both Claim Victory in Alimony Case,” February 27, 1930, Associated Press;

“Grant Withers Operated on In Chicago,” January 26, 1931, International News Service;

“Grant Withers in Bankruptcy,: May 13, 1932, Associated Press;

‘Withers Must Pay For House Damages,’ August 24, 1932, Hollywood Citizen-News; 

“Warrant for Actor Charges Son Neglected,” September 14, 1931, Associated Press;

“Bad Check Charged In Action Filed on Grant Withers,” September 25, 1931, Associated Press;

“Court Actions Name Two Screen Plays,” February 27, 1933;

“Grant Withers Puts Golf Clubs in Pawn,” March 4, 1933;

“Grant Withers Is Married in Jersey For Third Time,” December 13, 1933, Herald;

“Withers Will Resume His Career,” April 22, 1934, Examiner;

“Grant Withers Seeking News of Missing Wife,” May 10, 1949, Los Angeles Times;

“Missing Spouse of Actor Returns,” May 10, 1949, Los Angeles Times;

“Grant Withers Weds Actress," February 1, 1953, Los Angeles Times;

“Grant Withers, Actor, Kayoed by Medicine Dose,” September 23, 1954, Hollywood Citizen-News;

‘Grant Withers and Wife Start Trial Separation,” September 26, 1954, L.A. Examiner;

‘Withers Cruel, Estelita Says,’ December 1, 1954, L.A. Daily News;

“Actor Grant Withers Sued for Divorce,” December 1, 1954, Los Angeles Times;

“Estelita Tells Criticism, Divorces Grant Withers,” November 10, 1955, Los Angeles Times;

“Unhappy Pens Note, Gulps Pills,” March 28, 1959, Mirror-News;

“G. Withers Ends Career With Suicide,” March 28, 1959, Hollywood Citizen-News;

“Actor Grant Withers Found Dead in Home,” March 28, 1959, Los Angeles Times;

“Actor Grant Withers’ Funeral to be Tuesday," March 29, 1959, Los Angeles Times;

“Many Friends at Withers Services,” April 1, 1959, Hollywood Citizen-News;

Wikipedia.com;

TCM.com;

IBDB.com;

IMDBPro.com;

Movies Mentioned:

The Gentle Cyclone (1926);

In a Moment of Temptation (1927);  

Tillie’s Punctured Romance (1928);

The Greyhound Limited (1929):

Sinner’s Holiday (1931);

Tiger Rose (1929);

The Second Floor Mystery (1930);

Too Young To Marry (1931);

Jungle Jim series (1937-38);

Mr. Wong series (1938-1940);

Tailspin Tommy (1934);

The Red Rider (1934); 

Goin’ To Town (1935);

The Fighting Marines (1935);

In Old Oklahoma (1943);

My Darling Clementine (1946);

Tycoon (1947);

Fort Apache (1948); 

Rio Grande (1950);

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