Grant Withers: Classic Cinema Star of the Month – Aug 04, 2025 (099)

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); --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact [email protected] if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices