Charles Russell - The FIRST Johnny Dollar
Hume Alumni Main Page,
Second Edition Home Page
First Edition Home Page
The Original YTJD Errata Page,
The Second Edition Errata Page,
First Edition Writers and Producers,
My Bob Bailey Page,
My Charles Russell Page,
YTJD Announcers
While Bob Bailey, is the quintessential voice of Johnny Dollar, he was not the first Johnny Dollar. That role, setting aside an audition by Dick Powell, was filled by Charles Russell.
Charles Russell came to radio after a series of motion pictures, as listed below. Other than his appearances on Your Truly, Johnny Dollar, I have found the following radio programs featuring Charlie:
| Program Name | Program Date(s) | Program Title |
|---|---|---|
| Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar | 1949-1950 | As Johnny Dollar in 33 programs |
| Family Theatre | 1949-06-01 | The Hidden Heart |
| The Green Lama | 1949-06-26 | The Million Dollar Chopsticks |
| Family Theatre | 1950-01-25 | Lodging For The Night |
| The Adventures of Philip Marlowe | 1950-01-28 | The Hairpin Turn |
According to the International Movie Database (IMDB) Charlie appeared in a number of "B" movies in the 1940s before he played Johnny Dollar. He was also in at least one Navy training film in which he appeared with Bob Bailey.
As an Actor:
| Date | Movie Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1943 | Bombardier | Instructor1 (verified - available on Turner Classic Movies) |
| 1943 | Ladies' Day | Ball Player (uncredited) |
| 1944 | Navy Training film "This is it" | Reels 1 and 2 asEns. Andrews - available on YouTube |
| 1944 | The Purple Heart | Lt. Kenneth Bayforth (verified - available on Netflix) |
| 1945 | Captain Eddie | Sgt. Jim Reynolds |
| 1946 | Behind Green Lights | Arthur Templeton (verified - available on Archive.org) |
| 1946 | Johnny Comes Flying Home | Miles Carey |
| 1946 | Wake Up and Dream | Lieutenant Coles |
| 1947 | Beyond Our Own (Short) | |
| 1947 | The Late George Apley | Howard Boulder |
| 1948 | Canon City | Tolley |
| 1948 | Give My Regards to Broadway | Arthur Waldron Jr. (as Charlie Russell) |
| 1948 | Inner Sanctum | Harold Dunlap (verified - available on Archive.org) |
| 1948 | Night Wind | Ralph Benson |
| 1948 | Trouble Preferred | Lt. Rod Brooks |
| 1949 | Chinatown at Midnight | Fred Morgan |
| 1949 | Mary Ryan, Detective | Baker |
| 1949 | Tucson | Gregg Johnson |
| 1950 | Breakthrough | uncredited |
Notes:
1 - Charlie appears about 29 minutes into the film as an instructor on a mobile bombing platform but does not speak, and is partially obscured by the platform.
After he left YTJD in January of 1950, Charlie became a producer of TV programs. These include:
| Program Date(s) | Program Name |
|---|---|
| 1950-1953 | Danger (21 episodes) |
| 1951 | Crime Photographer (1 episode) |
| 1953-1955 | You Are There (94 episodes) |
| 1955-1956 | Ford Star Jubilee (3 episodes) |
| 1956 | Star Stage (1 episode) |
| 1958 | Pursuit (1 episode) |
| 1959-1960 | The Untouchables (7 episodes) |
| 1961-1962 | Cain's Hundred (30 episodes) |
| 1961 | The Murder Men (1 episode) |
| 1961 | Adventures in Paradise (4 episodes) |
| 1962-1963 | Naked City (35 episodes) |
| 1962 | The Crimebusters (1 episode) |
| 1963-1964 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (4 episodes) |
| 1964 | Arrest and Trial (4 episodes) |
| 1967-1968 | Judd for the Defense (26 episodes) |
Below are screen shots taken from several of the above movies. As I find more, I will add them.
From undated US Navy Traiing Film "This Is It". |
From undated US Navy Traiing Film "This Is It". |
 From "The Purple Heart - 1944 |
 From "The Purple Heart - 1944 |
 From "The Purple Heart - 1944 |
 From "Behind Green Lights - 1946 |
 From "Behind Green Lights - 1946 |
 From "Inner Sanctum - 1948" |
If you want more information, e-mail the author at: |
 |