PERILS OF NYOKA MOVIE CAST - AUTOGRAPHED INSCRIBED PHOTOGRAPH CO-SIGNED BY: KATHARINE "KAY" ALDRIDGE, CLAYTON "THE LONE RANGER" MOORE, WILLIAM "BILLY" BENEDICT - HFSID 323396

PERILS OF NYOKA MOVIE CAST: KATHARINE "KAY" ALDRIDGE, WILLIAM "BILLY" BENEDICT and CLAYTON MOORE
Extremely rare inscribed still from the 1942 serial, signed by the three stars. The critically acclaimed jungle serial would help launch the careers of both Aldridge and Moore, with Aldridge starring in several more Republic serials and Moore going on to reach fame with the popular Western series The Lone Ranger
Inscribed Photograph signed: "To LaVerne - Best Wishes - Clayton Moore", "To LaVerne Best Wishes. William Benedict", "For LaVerne Decker Kay Aldridge" in various inks, b/w, 10x8. The 1942 Republic Movie serial Perils of Nyoka was a follow-up to the popular 15-chapter serial Jungle Girl, with actress Kay Aldridge replacing Frances Gifford as the titular Nyoka. The success of the film and popularity's of Aldridge's performance would help make her a popular choice for future Republic films and serials. The serial also featured the first leading role for Clayton Moore of Lone Ranger fame. To date, Perils of Nyoka is considered one of the best Jungle-themed serials ever made. KATHARINE "KAY" ALDRIDGE (1917-1995), as a model, was seen on the magazine covers of Life, Ladies' Home Journal, Redbook,andLookin the 1930s. Aldridge was best known for playing feisty heroines in the 1940s Republic Pictures serials Perils of Nyoka (1942), Daredevils of the West (1943), and Haunted Harbor (1944) before she retired in 1945. Oklahoma born actor WILLIAM "BILLY" BENEDICT (1917-1999) was "Skinny" in the East Side Kids (1930s) films and "Whitey" in the Bowery Boys (1940s & 1950s) series. Other early films were Way Down East (1935) with Henry Fonda, and My Little Chickadee (1940) the W.C. Fields-Mae West hit. With more than 100 film credits before 1950, Benedict transitioned to television as a bit player, amassing more than 100 credits there. A few of his TV credits are: Dick Tracy (1951), Dragnet (1956-1957), Tales of Wells Fargo (1958), Maverick (1958-1959), Route 66 (1960), Lassie (1960-1962), Petticoat Junction (1963), Gunsmoke & Hondo (1967), Adam 12 and All in the Family (1971), Mannix (1970-1973), Barnaby Jones (1975-1977), Little House on the Prairie (1981) and Bonanza (1988). CLAYTON MOORE (1914-1999)entered show business as a young circus acrobat. He worked his way up the ladder in Hollywood Westerns from extra to stunt man to supporting actor, reaching stardom on television as The Lone Ranger from 1949-1952 and 1954-1957. Moore and Jay Silverheels, as his faithful Indian companion Tonto, also appeared in two feature films in 1956 and 1958. The exact meaning of "Kemo sabay" is debated, but Tonto seems to have used it to mean something like "trusted friend." Thereafter, he made a good living from commercials and public appearances as The Lone Ranger. His first leading role was in 1942 as Dr. Larry Grayson in Republic Pictures action thriller, Perils of Nyoka. Slightly bowed. Surface striations visible on left and right margins. Lightly soiled. Corners and edges gently worn and creased. Pencil notes in an unknown hand on verso. Otherwise, fine condition.