X Brands
X Brands (July 24, 1927 – May 8, 2000), sometimes credited as "Jay X. Brands", was an American actor of German ancestry known for his roles on various television series and in some films between 1956 and the late 1970s. His best-known recurring character is Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah ("Wolf Who Stands In Water"), the shotgun-toting American Indian on Yancy Derringer, a 1958-1959 CBS series set in post-Civil War New Orleans and starring Jock Mahoney in the title role.[1]
X Brands | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Jay X Brands July 24, 1927 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | May 8, 2000 (aged 72) Northridge, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1956–1978 |
| Spouse(s) | Suzan H. Edwards (m. 1946-div. ?) Jean D. Merriam (m. 1950-div. 1961) Pamela M. McInnes (m. 1971-div. 1975) |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Jay X Brands was the youngest of three children of Pansy H. (née Allen) and William G. Brands.[2][3] By 1940 Jay had relocated with his family to Glendale, California, where his father worked as a general contractor.[3] There the Brands lived only 11 miles (18 km) from Hollywood, and over time "X" became interested in film work, later finding employment as a stuntman as well as minor acting roles.
Brands' unusual use of a lone alphabetic character as a name derives from his family's history. In the small town in Germany where his ancestors once resided, there were two men named Jan Brands. One of them adopted the middle initial "X" to distinguish himself from the other Jan. He became known as "X" Brands, and the name continued to be used by his descendants who immigrated to America. In keeping with family tradition, no Brands could use the initial until the previous "X" had died.[4]
Although X Brands was of European ancestry, his portrayals of Native Americans in film and television roles earned praise for their authenticity. Brummett Echohawk, a Pawnee Indian veteran, wrote a letter to Hollywood producers in which he commended Brands for his authentic performance and his ability at speaking the tribe's language.[5]
Films
During his film career, Brands invariably served as supporting characters, often in uncredited roles, performing in at least 13 films between 1956 and 1978.[6] His most noteworthy roles are as "Hook" in Santee, starring Glenn Ford, and as "Vallejo" in the third remake of Beau Geste (1966).[7]
Television
Best-known role
The television series Yancy Derringer stars Jock Mahoney and consists of 34 episodes, which originally aired weekly from October 1958 through June 1959. The series' storyline is set in New Orleans just after the end of the Civil War in 1865. X Brands plays Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah, ("Wolf Who Stands in Water"), a Pawnee Indian who carries a double-barrel shotgun and throwing knife and is Derringer's (Mahoney's) constant companion and protector. Pahoo's loyalty and overriding concern for Derringer's welfare began after he saved Yancy's life. In the series' pilot episode, "Return to New Orleans", Yancy recounts that act, explaining that by saving his life, Pahoo believes "he went against fate" and "therefore he's responsible for my life from now on."[8] Also, throughout the series, Brands' Pawnee character is silent, never uttering a word. Whenever Yancy does speak to him, Pahoo uses only sign language—hand gestures—to communicate.[9]
Other notable roles
In 1956, two years before he began work on Yancy Derringer, Brands appeared in different roles in 15 episodes of the syndicated Western series Judge Roy Bean, featuring Edgar Buchanan, Jack Buetel, and Jackie Loughery.[10] His other television appearances in the role of a guest star include series such as Crossroads, Cheyenne, Annie Oakley, Gunsmoke (1975 as a Chief in “The Squaw”), The Tall Man, Daniel Boone, Mission: Impossible, The High Chaparral, Laredo, Alias Smith and Jones, Bonanza, Wagon Train, The Rifleman, Rawhide, and Broken Arrow. Although most of his roles are of that genre, he does not always appear as Indians in Westerns . Brands, for example, appears in the speaking role of "Yancey" in an episode of Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, a popular adventure series in the late 1950s. Later, on the NBC espionage series, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., he portrays, yet again, a Native American in a 1966 episode titled, "The Indian Affairs Affair".
Brands can also be seen in a rare talking role as trail boss Jeb Mitchell in a 1960 episode on NBC's Bat Masterson. He has another speaking role in the ABC/Warner Brothers series, Cheyenne, in the episode, "Massacre At Gunsight Pass", portraying the Indian leader, "Powderface". He plays rogue Indian "Sharp Tongue" in a speaking role on the season six episode of Bonanza, "A Far, Far Better Thing". He has a speaking role as well in a 1970 episode of NBC's police series, Adam-12, in which he plays Officer Sanchez.
Personal life and death
X Brands was married three times. On October 3, 1946, while serving as an electrician's mate in the United States Navy, he wed 16-year-old California native Suzan Harriet Edwards in Los Angeles.[11] Though the duration of their union is undetermined, it appears to have been brief; in 1950 he married Jean Dorothy Merriam of Fort Worth, Texas. He and Merriam had two daughters, Kathleen Jean (1951-2001) and Karen Juliet (1956- ), before their marriage ended in 1961. In Los Angeles, ten years later, on August 28, 1971, Brands was married to 23-year-old Pamela M. McInnes. Los Angeles County records document that they were divorced in October 1975.[12][13]
Brands died at age 72 in Northridge, California, on May 8, 2000. According to Brands' daughter Karen Juliet (Brands) Dougherty, her father's death certificate attributed his demise to sepsis, pneumonia and congestive heart failure and not to cancer as cited by some biographical references. Jay was an avid aviator and FAA Certified Instructor and Examiner.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Overland Pacific | Railroad Worker | Fred F. Sears | Uncredited |
| 1955 | Apache Woman | Townsman | Roger Corman | Uncredited |
| 1956 | Fury at Gunsight Pass | Townsman | Fred F. Sears | Uncredited |
| 1956 | Frontier Gambler | Gregg | Sam Newfield | Uncredited |
| 1956 | Naked Gun | Lang | Edward Drew | |
| 1957 | She Devil | First Doctor | Kurt Neumann | |
| 1957 | Band of Angels | Officer | Raoul Walsh | Uncredited |
| 1957 | Young and Dangerous | Motorcycle Cop | William F. Claxton | Uncredited |
| 1958 | Revolt in the Big House | Guard | R.G. Springsteen | Uncredited |
| 1959 | Escort West | Tago | Francis D. Lyon | |
| 1959 | Gunmen from Laredo | Delgados | Wallace MacDonald | Uncredited |
| 1960 | Oklahoma Territory | Running Cloud | Edward L. Cahn | |
| 1966 | Beau Geste | Vallejo | Douglas Heyes | |
| 1968 | Three Guns for Texas | Randoe | Earl Bellamy, David Lowell Rich, and Paul Stanley | Uncredited |
| 1971 | Captain Apache | Alexander Singer | ||
| 1973 | Santee | Hook | Gary Nelson | |
| 1978 | Avalanche | Marty Brenner | Corey Allen | Final role |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952–1953 | Cowboy G-Men | Henchman / Lieutenant Jennings / Lew Danning / Townsman / Man Loading Silver / Gypsy / Hotel Clerk / Various Henchman / Registrar / Jury Member / Gives Signal / Ranch Hand | 11 episodes; uncredited in 7 episodes, credited as Jay X. Brands in 1 episode. |
| 1954 | Studio 57 | Cafe Brawler | Episode: "No Great Hero" |
| 1954–1955 | The Adventures of Kit Carson | Henchman / Messenger / The Ambush Outlaw / Deputy / Trooper / Army Orderly | 8 episodes; uncredited in 3 episodes. credited as Jay X. Brands in 2 episodes. |
| 1955 | Soldiers of Fortune | Prison Guard / Sniper | 2 episodes; uncredited |
| 1955–1956 | Judge Roy Bean | Henchman Buck / Stage Driver / Dallas / Stage Driver Jonas / Danning / George Hackett / Grad Grover / Hickey / Jim Brown / Ben Logan / Klondike / Tyler / Henchman Curly / Daniels / Reverend Walter Cable / Dan Wiler | 16 episodes; uncredited in 1 episode, credited as Jay X. Brands in 4 episodes. |
| 1956 | Buffalo Bill, Jr. | Henchman / Kansas / Dave Gates | 4 episodes |
| 1956 | Crossroads | Ball Player | Episode: "The Comeback" |
| 1956 | Annie Oakley | Peter Maher / Tenanda / Randy | 3 episodes |
| 1956–1958 | The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin | Cochise / Brave Bow / Angry Fox | 4 episodes |
| 1957 | 26 Men | Ranger Joe Pierce | Episode: "Violent Land"; credited as X Brand |
| 1957 | Tales of the 77th Bengal Lancers | Episode: "Ten Thousand Rupees" | |
| 1957 | The Silent Service | Helmsman | Episode: "The End of the Line" |
| 1957 | Circus Boy | Henchman / Jake | 2 episodes; uncredited |
| 1957 | Tales of the Texas Rangers | Johnnie Tyce | Episode: "Whirlwind Raiders" |
| 1957 | Casey Jones | Louis Lacero | Episode: "A Badge for Casey" |
| 1957 | Death Valley Days | Jack Donovan | Episode: "Fifty Years a Mystery" |
| 1957 | The Adventures of Jim Bowie | Newt | Episode: "The Pearls of Talimerco"; credited as X. Brand |
| 1957–1958 | Sergeant Preston of the Yukon | Yancey / Metka Joe | 2 episodes |
| 1957–1961 | The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp | Deputy Ted / 1st Apache / Deputy / Cowboy Warning Doc | 7 episodes; uncredited in 6 episodes |
| 1957–1961 | Tales of Wells Fargo | Brock / Spotted Tail / Finnley | 3 episodes; credited as X Brand in 1 episode |
| 1958 | Broken Arrow | Nicaro | Episode: "The Duel" |
| 1958 | Zorro | Courier | Episode: "The Eagle's Brood"; uncredited |
| 1958 | Maverick | First Sioux Indian / Indian | 2 episodes; uncredited |
| 1958–1959 | Yancy Derringer | Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah | 34 episodes |
| 1958–1961 | Cheyenne | Indian Messenger / Powder Face / Apache Brave | 3 episodes; uncredited in 1 episode |
| 1958–1962 | Wagon Train | Tulo / 1st Indian Brave / Indian Renegade Leader / Broken Finger / Little Horse | 5 episodes |
| 1959 | Special Agent 7 | Parisi | Episode: "The Inside Man" |
| 1959 | Northwest Passage | Indian | Episode: "Trial by Fire" |
| 1960 | Bat Masterson | Jeb Mitchell | Episode: "Masterson's Arcadia Club" |
| 1960–1961 | Rawhide | 1st Indian Brave / Indian Leader / Kah-Wah | 3 episodes |
| 1961 | The Tall Man | Dave Rudabaugh | Episode: "Rovin' Gambler" |
| 1961 | The Rifleman | Pretty Man Longden | Episode: "The Clarence Bibs Story" |
| 1961 | Rawhide | 1st Indian Brave | S3:E22, "Incident in the Middle of Nowhere" |
| 1962 | Laramie | Skenya | Episode: "Day of the Savage" |
| 1964–1968 | The Virginian | Commanche Lookout / The 3rd Gunman / Raven Wing | 3 episodes |
| 1965 | Bonanza | Sharp Tongue | Episode: "The Far, Far Better Thing" |
| 1965 | Branded | Red Arm | Episode: "One Way Out" |
| 1965–1966 | Laredo | First Indian Chief / Randoe / Blue Dog | 3 episodes; uncredited in 1 episode |
| 1966 | The Man from U.N.C.L.E. | Indian | Episode: "The Indian Affairs Affair" |
| 1966 | Shane | Young Brave | Episode: "High Road to Viator" |
| 1966–1968 | Daniel Boone | Spokesman / Tall Deer | 2 episodes |
| 1967 | Iron Horse | Juanito | Episode: "The Bridge at Forty Mile" |
| 1967 | The Monroes | Two Pipes | Episode: "Ghosts of Paradox" |
| 1967 | Custer | Red Wolf | Episode: "Desperate Mission" |
| 1967 | Hondo | Coro / Indian Tracker | 2 episodes; uncredited in 1 episode |
| 1967–1970 | The High Chaparral | Tularosa / Nock-Ay-Del | 4 episodes |
| 1968–1975 | Gunsmoke | Renegade #1 / Red Willow / Chief / Renegade Indian / Singleton | 7 episodes |
| 1969 | Here Come the Brides | Johnny Wolf | Episode: "The Deadly Trade" |
| 1970 | Here's Lucy | Lefty Logan | Episode: "Lucy and Wally Cox" |
| 1970 | Adam-12 | Officer Sanchez | Episode: "Log 74: Light Duty" |
| 1971 | Bearcats! | Mantano | Episode: "Blood Knot" |
| 1972 | Mission: Impossible | Barsi | Episode: "Trapped" |
| 1972 | Alias Smith and Jones | Roberts / Poker Player | 2 episodes |
| 1973 | Emergency! | Captain-Engine Co. 81 | Episode: "Alley Cat" |
| 1973 | Cannon | Louie Grey Wolf | Episode: "Valley of the Damned" |
| 1976 | Bridger | Crow Chief | TV movie |
| 1979 | Beach Patrol | 1st Officer | TV movie |
Reference and notes
- Hémard, Ned (2010). "NEW ORLEANS NOSTALGIA: Remembering New Orleans History, Culture and Traditions", "Gallatin Street", [page 3]; New Orleans Bar Association, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
- "Fifteenth Census of the United States: 1930, Kansas City, Missouri, April 8, 1930; digital copy of original census page with handwritten entries, archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah. FamilySearch. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
- "Sixteenth Census of the United States: 1940", Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, April 10, 1940. FamilySearch. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- Klyde, Andrew J. (2018). "Bonanza: Scenery of the Ponderosa", episode guide, season 6; Kew Gardens Hills, New York. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
- TV ACRES: Ethnic Groups – Native American
- "X Brands", filmography, American Film Institute (AFI), Los Angeles California. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
- "Santee (1973)", synopsis, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), Turner Broadcasting System, a subsidiary of Time Warner, Inc., New York, N.Y. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- Information and quoted dialog are from a full digital copy of "Return to New Orleans" (S01E01) of "Yancy Derringer (1958) Season 1 Episode 1", originally televised by CBS on October 2, 1958. Posted October 29, 2016, by Constance Easley on YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, Mountain View, California. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
- The Pawnee, who linguistically speak a form of the Caddoan language, are one of the subgroups of native people in North America who also used a sign language common to various nations of the Great Plains.
- Rowan, Terry, Character-Based Film Series, Part 3, page 125, Lulu Books, 2016
- "California, County Marriages, 1850-1952", Los Angeles County Courthouse, California. FamilySearch. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- "California Marriage Index, 1960-1985", Center of Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. FamilySearch. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- "California Divorce Index, Los Angeles, California", California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. FamilySearch. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
External links
- X Brands at the TCM Movie Database
- X Brands at IMDb