For a soon-to-be thirty year old, I have been blessed to have traveled to 21 states, ranging from Maine to California. While each state has its own unique qualities, one of the places that holds a special place is Arizona, particularly Flagstaff. The first time I drove up to the "City of Seven Wonders" was in September 2006. After flying to Phoenix and driving around the beautiful desert, I decided it was time to visit Route 66 in Arizona. (Forgive me, but on this trip I did "forget Winona") After two and a half hours of steep curves and beautiful canyons, I hit a crossroad. Either take I 40 West towards Los Angeles, I 40 East towards Albuquerque or Route 66 and US 180 through Flagstaff. I took the latter route. I stayed at the America's Best Inn off W. Route 66 and pigged out on meatloaf and garlic mashed potatoes at the Galazy Diner. As I sit here reminiscing over that great trip I wonder, did anyone born in and around Flagstaff become famous? One person I discovered was actor Andy Devine. (Although, one may argue that he was not even from Flagstaff)
Andrew Vabre "Andy" Devine was born in Flagstaff on October 7th, 1905. (Interestingly, his great-grandfather, James H. Ward, was the first officer of the United States Navy to be killed during the War Between the States.) In 1906, his father, Thomas, purchased and relocated his family to one of the most prestigious places in the southwest, the Hotel Beale in Kingman.
Devine, known for having a squeaky, raspy voice, attended a few universities, including Northern Arizona State Teachers College (now Northern Arizona University) in Flagstaff. However, it was during his career as a football player at Santa Clara University where people began to take notice. Like all Americans, Devine hoped to fulfill a passion. In his case it was acting. While attending Santa Clara, he played in various bit parts in silent pictures. However, in 1931 he was given a big part in the talkie (a movie with sound or a sychronized sound track)The Spirit of Notre Dame.
People in Hollywood discovered that Devine had a raspy voice. "There were a couple of theories as to how Devine's voice became raspy: His high-pitched, gravelly voice was the result of a childhood accident. While running with a stick (some accounts say a curtain rod) in his mouth, he tripped and fell, ramming the stick through the roof of his mouth. For almost a year, he was unable to speak at all. When he did get his voice back, at length, it had the wheezing, almost duo-toned quality that would ultimately make him a star. Another account of his throat injury says he was sliding down the banister in his father's hotel and somehow damaged his throat."
Nonetheless, it did not became a major issue. In fact, it became his trademark. Over the next five decades, he became a popular comic figure in various movies. They include: Canyon Passage, Stagecoach, On the Old Spanish Trail, The Red Badge of Courage, How the West Was Won and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. In addition, on television Devine depicted Guy Madison's sidekick in The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok.
Towards the end of his career, Devine did voice overs as "Friar Tuck" in Disney's Robin Hood and Cornelius the Rooster in several Corn Flakes television commercials.
On February 18th, 1977, Devine died of leukemia in Orange, California. Among those who attended his funeral were two former collegues, John Wayne and James Stewart. In his honor, Kingman renamed Main Street, Andy Devine Avenue.
Whenever you head to Arizona, visit Kingman and the Beale Hotel. (325. E. Andy Devine Avenue, Kingman, AZ 86401) In addition, as you travel, remember to stay on the Mother Road (Route 66)and you will be suprised on what you may discover.
Sources:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0222596/bio
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