= StarDust Western Films =

"STAGE TO SUNDOWN" [1955]

Although Brown's movie career lasted only a very short

while, and is today over looked by many film histerians, one

should remember that the "B" western of old were

budget pictures, and were made, primarily for

the enjoyment of children.

Also, they were made in a peried when life was not as hectic

as it is today.   While it is true Joe's films were given few

play dates, these were not major productions.

But they were entertaining, and Brown, like Lash LaRue and Whip Wilson, turned out some very exciting and very 

                     solid cowboy action entertainment.                              

======================

 

It was in 1980, that Brown began developing a new

clown character and

Sir THIMBLEWITT THUMBBODY

"The KING of CLOWNS"

Was Born.

====

Between 1980, and 1985,

Joe appeared as Thumbbody approximately 200+ times,

many of these being for charity events.

 

Joe and Carol were now off the rosd, and living in

semi-retirement back in Florida.

Joe, called Thumbbody his labor of love.

========================

 

 

  

 

Another, labor of love was

JOE E. BROWN PRODUCTIONS

which was formed in 1986.  

 

 Now under his new

banner of

CLOWN ALLEY VIDEO

Joe, produced, directed and starred in a number of

television series and movie specials.

Among these was his Award Winning series

"IT'S THUMBBODY TIME

as seen on cable television from 1986, until 1999.

 

Other video productions under Brown's banner were:

"THE GHOST OF THE GOLDEN WEST"

"FRIGHT NIGHT - DEADLY NIGHT"

and

"The JOE E. BROWN Riders Club"

a fine western series of videos.

 

In recent years with the boom in the homevideo market

many of Brown's newer works are available on

videocassettes.   As for his older "B" Westerns, they are

forever lost.

 

By the late 1960's Joe's films had disappered from the theaters.

R. L. Reynolds, owner of StarDust Western Films, sold all

.of his rights to the negatives, and prints to a doctor in

South Carelina, for $50,000.   This man, who will go unnamed, did

not need the money, and so the films just sat in his home for

his grandchildren, but it didn't quite work out the way the

good doctor had planed.   In 1976, a fire destoryed

the home, the films and the doctor.   All that

remain today of Brown's westerns is a

handfull of still photos, a few

posters, press books,

clipping, movie ads, some lobby cards and memories.   A great loss

to Joe, his fans, and to "B" western film history.

 

 

Today, the Brown's have to children, a daughter, Cathy Ann Bartlett. and a son Joe E. Brown Jr.   On Oct. 5th., 1987, Joe and Carol,

became grandparents with the birth of a granddaughter,

Amanda Jean Bartlett, of which they are very proud.

 

Yes, Joe still handles his bullwhip very well, and does

childrens shows as Sir ThimbleWitt Thumbbody.

"The KING of CLOWNS"

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