It's become a personal goal
to see how many TV shows and movies I can find that Dabbs appeared in
and the search continues - this is fun work! Here are some photos
from various movies and television shows.
In the movie, "The
Damned Don't Cry" (1950), Dabbs make a brief appearance
near the end as
a reporter in an uncredited role.
In 1950, at the age of 33, Dabbs played the character "Shaky" in the
television series Dick Tracy.
He was a bad boy in the episode "Shaky's Secret Treasure." (Thanks Jim,
for pointing this one out to me!)
Dabbs was the uncredited (again) taxi driver in the movie "Father's
Little Dividend" (1951).
In "Trouble Along the
Way (1953)," Dabbs played Father Peterson, and I have to
say I laughed out loud! Dabbs had some of the best lines in the
movie!
Dabbs was 36 when he was in the movie "House
of Wax" (1953). What a cutie!
In his early 40s, Dabbs could pass as an older man, Wilbur Jonas in
Gunsmoke - here are
various stages of Jonas. The colour photo is from the episode
"Hill Girl" in which Dabbs/Jonas played a central character for a
change.
or in this episode of Gunsmoke, "Marshal
Proudfoot", as Chester's
uncle....yes, that's Dabbs with the beard!
Oh, what I do for
Dabbs! Yes, I put in a full two hours of Elvis
to see him in "Roustabout"
(1964)!
In the "Outer Limits - The Children
of Spider County" (1964), Dabbs' character, Mr.
Bishop, is curious about the people who visit his farm...hint,
his gun is no match for the laser...Ouch :(
And who could not resist a man in uniform? "D-Day: the Sixth day
of June" (1956).
Dabbs play a crucial role, although again uncredited in "The Spirit of
St. Louis" (1957) as his character, Goldsbourough, was the one
to
install the compass and mirror that would see Charles Lindberg reach
this
destination. All done with the chewing gum he was working
feverishly on!
In "I Want to Live",
Dabbs plays a captain of death row for Barbara Graham in this true
story. Although Dabbs was only in the last ten minutes of the
movie, he again commanded the scene.
Here are two photos of
Dabbs from "Last
Train from Gun Hill." His
part is small and uncredited in the film, but I give him credit here! -
I'm still not sure about the moustache, though...
Dabbs appeared in two Twilight Zone episodes, "Hocus Pocus and
Frisby" (1962) and "Valley
of the Shadow" (1963).
Here Dabbs appears as Mr. Peck, the plummer on an episode of "Petticoat Junction" (1968).
Dabbs was taught as an actor to use his eyes - and that he did.
However, another actor whom he admired was Raymond Burr. Dabbs
made eight appearances on Perry Mason - this episode was called "Positive Negative" (1966).
In the television series, "Wild
Wild West" Dabbs played a man
with a dark family secret in "The
Night of the Simian Terror'"(1966).
And a thanks to my friend Barbara for allowing me to see both episodes
of WWW that Dabbs was in. I love the close up of Dabbs...those
eyes....sigh.
Dabbs also appeared in shows that you might not expect, such as the
1980s series "The Greatest American
Hero" (1982)...
In 1988, Dabbs co-stared in "Two
Moon Junction", and as his friend Jim Nolt said he plays a
"carnnie reprobate", which I find so out of character, but that is what
character actors do - the main movie itself is a little steamy!
Dabbs played Mr. Powell's father, "Buzz" on "Charles in Charge" (1988).
A few weeks ago I bought "Sundown:
The Vampire in Retreat" which Dabbs made a decent appearance in
as Otto Trotsberg - a vampire living in the desert community of
Purgatory. I had no idea what I was getting into, but the movie
was a blast!!
Dabbs looks like he was haveing a great time with those fangs.
The movie is a wild ride of good vampires against bad vampires all set
in a western theme - extremly enjoyable! Just don't ask Otto
where the garlic is... :-)
Dabbs' character was a dark brooding one in the television series, "In the Heat of the Night - A Problem Too
Personal" (1990) as he faced racial issues.
Once again, Dabbs dawned a preachers uniform to play Rev. Henry Novonty
on the quirky drama, "Picket Fences"
(1992- 1996).
In 1997, Dabbs even made a cameo appearance in the some-what violent
movie "Con Air" as the man
Nicolas Cage found under the truck at the abandoned air field.
I was so delighted when I found this copy of Ally McBeal - "Alone Again" from
1998. Dabbs plays Vincent Robbins, a convict who is charged with
an attempted jail break with only one month left of his sentence.
Once again, Dabbs' performance commanded the small screen. And I
have to say, his jail breaking technique had me laughing out
loud! When I get more time, I will move this to the television
section, as it merits more space.
Always the hard worker, and a man who loved his profession, Dabbs was
still appearing in television shows such as "Spin City" , in 2000. This
episode was called " Smile".
Dabbs made me smile...it was funny!
Dabbs' last television performance was in "Lizzy McGuire" the episode was "My Fair Larry" in
2003. His character, Moe, was part of a school program to
pair seniors with children. Once again I was laughing at his
antics!
more to come...