'SEEKING HOLLYWOOD'S MOST ELUSIVE BEAST'
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'SEEKING HOLLYWOOD'S MOST ELUSIVE BEAST' |
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Gorilla Men Bios Film Reviews
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FRED HUMES
Fred Humes is another gorilla man with a Western background. He was born in Elks County, Pennsylvania on June 9, 1900. Fred's father was killed in a logging mishap when he was a young boy and the responsibility of supporting his family passed to him. Working with horse teams to haul logs, the future cowboy discovered that he had an affinity for riding. Growing up in the town of Dubois, Fred would have been aware that the great western star, Tom Mix was a native and was no doubt inspired by his silver screen adventures. Setting out on his own as a teenager, Fred honed his horsemanship skills on the rodeo circuit before making his way to Hollywood. Stunt and extra work preceded his first minor role in 1919. By 1923, Fred Humes was employed by Universal and his career in show business would take a steady rise. A series of popular shorts in 1925-1926 lead to starring roles in several features but although he was briefly one of the studio's top cowboys, the advent of talkies saw Fred's fortunes turn. Work dried up by the end of 1928 but audiences continued to enjoyed his silent work for a few years as theatres made the transition to sound. A handful of bit parts closed out Fred Humes' Hollywood career and by 1935 he was gone. What adventures he had next are a mystery. In ten years he chalked up nearly 50 film credits though only 2 of those are for gorilla suit roles. Like most gentleman who climbed into a hot, stuffy and cramped suit he was not too tall, coming in at 5'10". While at Universal, Fred chalked up his first gorilla suit role in LORRAINE OF THE LIONS (1925) as Bimi, simian companion to a Tarzan-like white girl of the wilds, who is returned to civilization. It appears to have been a major role as the ape is prominent throughout the plot. In 1928, Fred was leant out to MGM to appear once again as a gorilla in the comedy CIRCUS ROOKIES. It is quite possible that Fred had several other suit appearances not yet identified. RELATED BLOG ARTICLES AND REVIEWS LINKS FRED HUMES MySpace page - created by Fred's descendant, Steve Humes, who was also instrumental and learning the information included in this bio GALLERIES
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