Ned Wever

Ned Wever (born Edward Hooper Weaver;[1] April 27, 1902 – May 6, 1984) was an actor on stage and on old-time radio. Garyn G. Roberts wrote in his book, Dick Tracy and American Culture: Morality and Mythology, Text and Context, "Wever's most famous role was probably that of H.C. McNeile's British detective and adventurer Bulldog Drummond for the program of the same name."[2]

Ned Wever
Florence Freeman (Ellen Brown)
and Ned Wever (Dr. Anthony Loring)
from Young Widder Brown
Born
Edward Hooper Wever

April 27, 1902
New York, New York
DiedMay 6, 1984
Laguna Hills, California
Alma materPawling School
Princeton University
Spouse(s)Carla Wever
Children2 daughters

Early years

The son of a New York attorney,[3] Wever was born on April 27, 1902, in New York City.[4] He graduated from the Pawling School and Princeton University, where he was president of the Triangle Club dramatic organization in his senior year[1] and was a member of the staff of The Daily Princetonian newspaper and the Nassau Literary Magazine.[3]

Radio

Wever's roles on radio programs included those shown in the table below.

ProgramRole
Betty and BobAl Bishop[5]
Big SisterJerry Miller[5]:40
Bulldog DrummondBulldog Drummond[6]
Dick TracyDick Tracy[6]
Her Honor, Nancy JamesDistrict Attorney[7]
Kate Hopkins, Angel of MercyTom Hopkins[5]:187
Lady CounsellorTony Howard[1]
Little ItalyNicholas[5]:202
Lora LawtonPeter Carver[5]:206
Two on a ClueJeff Spencer[8]
Under ArrestCaptain Jim Scott[5]:344-345
Valiant LadyColin Kirby[5]:346
Young Widder BrownAnthony Loring[6]

He also had leads on True Detective, The True Story Hour, Angel of Mercy and Manhattan Mother and was heard frequently on The Wonder Show, Grand Central Station, Perry Mason and The Cavalcade of America.[9]

Stage

Wever's initial professional stage work came with Stewart Walker's stock theater company in Indianapolis, Indiana.[1] His Broadway credits include Days to Come (1936), The Second Little Show (1930) and The Grab Bag (1924).[10]

Musical composition

In his book, The Great Radio Soap Operas, Jim Cox called Wever "as talented a musician as he was an actor."[9] Cox added, "He composed show tunes for Broadway productions featuring Billy Rose and Ed Wynn."[9] Wever's compositions included "Spellbound", "I Can't Resist You", "Trouble in Paradise" and "Trust in Me".[9]

Television

Wever was credited with more than 70 appearances on television programs, including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Bonanza, Perry Mason, Get Smart and The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show.[11]

Personal life

Wever and his wife, Carla, had two daughters, Patricia and Pamela.[3]

Death

Wever died of heart failure May 6, 1984, in a convalescent home in Laguna Hills, California.[11]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1957Slaughter on Tenth AvenueCaptain Sid Wallace
1957The Joker Is WildDr. PiersonUncredited
1958High School ConfidentialPolice Commissioner Walter Burroughs / NarratorUncredited
1958The Fiend Who Walked the WestProsecutor CoyneUncredited
1958Ride a Crooked TrailAttorney Clark
1958Some Came RunningSmitty
1959The Shaggy DogFBI Chief E.P. Hackett
1959These Thousand HillsLink GorhamUncredited
1959Anatomy of a MurderDr. Raschid
1959The Big FishermanMinor RoleUncredited
1960One Foot in HellRoyce City OfficialUncredited
1961Tammy Tell Me TrueDr. Stach
gollark: Bionic Intelligent Reconnaissance Devices = bird.
gollark: SPUDNET too.
gollark: So is IfPFAtMDaPIUStL, although of course the expansion is unavailable at this time.
gollark: PotatOS is an acronym, of course.
gollark: "Unde" is, actually.

References
  1. Ecksan, K.L. (April 30, 1936). "Coast to Get Special Show Boat Program". Oakland Tribune. California, Oakland. p. 22. Retrieved September 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. Roberts, Garyn G. (1993). Dick Tracy and American Culture: Morality and Mythology, Text and Context. McFarland. p. 231. ISBN 9780786416981. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  3. Knaster, Ira (April 1949). "The Wever Way". Radio and Television Mirror. 31 (5): 40–41, 85–87. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  4. DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-2834-2. P. 281.
  5. Terrace, Vincent (1999). Radio Programs, 1924-1984: A Catalog of More Than 1800 Shows. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-4513-4. P. 36.
  6. Roebuck, Jay (August 25, 1968). "'Bulldog Drummond' Is Alive and Residing in Orange county". Independent Press-Telegram. California, Long Beach. p. 93. Retrieved September 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Questions and Answers". The Lincoln Star. Nebraska, Lincoln. January 29, 1939. p. 60. Retrieved September 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "(untitled brief)". The Circleville Herald. Ohio, Circleville. September 8, 1945. p. 7. Retrieved September 13, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. Cox, Jim (1999). The Great Radio Soap Operas. McFarland. p. 296. ISBN 9780786438655. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  10. "("Ned Wever" search results)". Playbill Vault. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  11. "The voice of Dick Tracy dies at 85". The Deseret News. May 8, 1984. p. A 3. Retrieved 17 September 2016.
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