X Brands

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X Brands
Brands (left) with Frances Bergen and
Jock Mahoney in Yancy Derringer (1959)
Born
Jay X Brands

(1927-07-24)July 24, 1927
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
DiedMay 8, 2000(2000-05-08) (aged 72)
Northridge, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1956–1978
Spouse(s)Suzan H. Edwards
(m. 1946-div. ?)
Jean D. Merriam
(m. 1950-div. 1961)
Pamela M. McInnes
(m. 1971-div. 1975)
Children2

X Brands (July 24, 1927 – May 8, 2000), sometimes credited as "Jay X. Brands", was an American actor of German ancestry known for his roles on various television series and in some films between 1956 and the late 1970s. His best-known recurring character is Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah ("Wolf Who Stands In Water"), the shotgun-toting American Indian on Yancy Derringer, a 1958-1959 CBS series set in post-Civil War New Orleans and starring Jock Mahoney in the title role.[1]

Early life[edit]

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Jay X Brands was the youngest of three children of Pansy H. (née Allen) and William G. Brands.[2][3] By 1940 Jay had relocated with his family to Glendale, California, where his father worked as a general contractor.[3] There the Brands lived only 11 miles (18 km) from Hollywood, and over time "X" became interested in film work, later finding employment as a stuntman as well as minor acting roles.

Brands' unusual use of a lone alphabetic character as a name derives from his family's history. In the small town in Germany where his ancestors once resided, there were two men named Jan Brands. One of them adopted the middle initial "X" to distinguish himself from the other Jan. He became known as "X" Brands, and the name continued to be used by his descendants who immigrated to America. In keeping with family tradition, no Brands could use the initial until the previous "X" had died.[4]

Although X Brands was of European ancestry, his portrayals of Native Americans in film and television roles earned praise for their authenticity. Brummett Echohawk, a Pawnee Indian veteran, wrote a letter to Hollywood producers in which he commended Brands for his authentic performance and his ability at speaking the tribe's language.[5]

Films[edit]

During his film career, Brands invariably served as supporting characters, often in uncredited roles, performing in at least 13 films between 1956 and 1978.[6] His most noteworthy roles are as "Hook" in Santee, starring Glenn Ford, and as "Vallejo" in the third remake of Beau Geste (1966).[7]

Television[edit]

Best-known role[edit]

The television series Yancy Derringer stars Jock Mahoney and consists of 34 episodes, which originally aired weekly from October 1958 through June 1959. The series' storyline is set in New Orleans just after the end of the Civil War in 1865. X Brands plays Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah, ("Wolf Who Stands in Water"), a Pawnee Indian who carries a double-barrel shotgun and throwing knife and is Derringer's (Mahoney's) constant companion and protector. Pahoo's loyalty and overriding concern for Derringer's welfare began after he saved Yancy's life. In the series' pilot episode, "Return to New Orleans", Yancy recounts that act, explaining that by saving his life, Pahoo believes "he went against fate" and "therefore he's responsible for my life from now on."[8] Also, throughout the series, Brands' Pawnee character is silent, never uttering a word. Whenever Yancy does speak to him, Pahoo uses only sign language—hand gestures—to communicate.[9]

Other notable roles[edit]

In 1956, two years before he began work on Yancy Derringer, Brands appeared in different roles in 15 episodes of the syndicated Western series
Judge Roy Bean, featuring Edgar Buchanan, Jack Buetel, and Jackie Loughery.[10] His other TV guest star appearances include series such as Crossroads, Cheyenne, Annie Oakley, Gunsmoke (1975 as a Chief in “The Squaw”), The Tall Man, Daniel Boone, Mission: Impossible, The High Chaparral, Laredo, Alias Smith and Jones, Bonanza, Wagon Train, The Rifleman, Rawhide, and Broken Arrow.

Although most of his roles were of that genre, he did not always appear as Indians in Westerns. For instance, he appeared in the speaking role of "Yancey" in an episode of Sergeant Preston of the Yukon, a popular late '50s adventure series. Later, on the NBC espionage series, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., he portrayed, yet again, a Native American in a 1966 episode titled "The Indian Affairs Affair".[citation needed]

Brands can also be seen in a rare talking role as trail boss Jeb Mitchell in a 1960 episode of NBC's Bat Masterson. He has another speaking role in the ABC/Warner Brothers series, Cheyenne, in the episode, "Massacre At Gunsight Pass", portraying the Indian leader, "Powderface". He plays rogue Indian "Sharp Tongue" in a speaking role on the season six episode of Bonanza, "A Far, Far Better Thing". He has a speaking role as well in a 1970 episode of NBC's police series, Adam-12, in which he plays Officer Sanchez.

Personal life and death[edit]

X Brands was married three times. On October 3, 1946, while serving as an electrician's mate in the United States Navy, he wed 16-year-old California native Suzan Harriet Edwards in Los Angeles.[11] Though the duration of their union is undetermined, it appears to have been brief; in 1950 he married Jean Dorothy Merriam of Fort Worth, Texas. He and Merriam had two daughters, Kathleen Jean (1951-2001) and Karen Juliet (1956- ), before their marriage ended in 1961.[citation needed] In Los Angeles, ten years later, on August 28, 1971, Brands was married to 23-year-old Pamela M. McInnes. Los Angeles County records document that they were divorced in October 1975.[12][13]

Brands died at age 72 in Northridge, California, on May 8, 2000. According to Brands' daughter Karen Juliet (Brands) Dougherty, her father's death certificate attributed his demise to sepsis, pneumonia and congestive heart failure and not to cancer as cited by some biographical references.[citation needed] Jay was an avid aviator and FAA Certified Instructor and Examiner.

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Director Notes
1954 Overland Pacific Railroad Worker Fred F. Sears Uncredited
1955 Apache Woman Townsman Roger Corman Uncredited
1956 Fury at Gunsight Pass Townsman Fred F. Sears Uncredited
1956 Frontier Gambler Gregg Sam Newfield Uncredited
1956 Naked Gun Lang Edward Drew
1957 She Devil First Doctor Kurt Neumann
1957 Band of Angels Officer Raoul Walsh Uncredited
1957 Young and Dangerous Motorcycle Cop William F. Claxton Uncredited
1958 Revolt in the Big House Guard R.G. Springsteen Uncredited
1959 Escort West Tago Francis D. Lyon
1959 Gunmen from Laredo Delgados Wallace MacDonald Uncredited
1960 Oklahoma Territory Running Cloud Edward L. Cahn
1966 Beau Geste Vallejo Douglas Heyes
1968 Three Guns for Texas Randoe Earl Bellamy, David Lowell Rich, and Paul Stanley Uncredited
1971 Captain Apache Alexander Singer
1973 Santee Hook Gary Nelson
1978 Avalanche Marty Brenner Corey Allen Final role

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1952–1953 Cowboy G-Men Henchman / Lieutenant Jennings / Lew Danning / Townsman / Man Loading Silver / Gypsy / Hotel Clerk / Various Henchman / Registrar / Jury Member / Gives Signal / Ranch Hand 11 episodes; uncredited in 7 episodes, credited as Jay X. Brands in 1 episode.
1954 Studio 57 Cafe Brawler Episode: "No Great Hero"
1954–1955 The Adventures of Kit Carson Henchman / Messenger / The Ambush Outlaw / Deputy / Trooper / Army Orderly 8 episodes; uncredited in 3 episodes. credited as Jay X. Brands in 2 episodes.
1955 Soldiers of Fortune Prison Guard / Sniper 2 episodes; uncredited
1955–1956 Judge Roy Bean Henchman Buck / Stage Driver / Dallas / Stage Driver Jonas / Danning / George Hackett / Grad Grover / Hickey / Jim Brown / Ben Logan / Klondike / Tyler / Henchman Curly / Daniels / Reverend Walter Cable / Dan Wiler 16 episodes; uncredited in 1 episode, credited as Jay X. Brands in 4 episodes.
1956 Buffalo Bill, Jr. Henchman / Kansas / Dave Gates 4 episodes
1956 Crossroads Ball Player Episode: "The Comeback"
1956 Annie Oakley Peter Maher / Tenanda / Randy 3 episodes
1956–1958 The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin Cochise / Brave Bow / Angry Fox 4 episodes
1957 26 Men Ranger Joe Pierce Episode: "Violent Land"; credited as X Brand
1957 Tales of the 77th Bengal Lancers Episode: "Ten Thousand Rupees"
1957 The Silent Service Helmsman Episode: "The End of the Line"
1957 Circus Boy Henchman / Jake 2 episodes; uncredited
1957 Tales of the Texas Rangers Johnnie Tyce Episode: "Whirlwind Raiders"
1957 Casey Jones Louis Lacero Episode: "A Badge for Casey"
1957 Death Valley Days Jack Donovan Episode: "Fifty Years a Mystery"
1957 The Adventures of Jim Bowie Newt Episode: "The Pearls of Talimerco"; credited as X. Brand
1957–1958 Sergeant Preston of the Yukon Yancey / Metka Joe 2 episodes
1957–1961 The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp Deputy Ted / 1st Apache / Deputy / Cowboy Warning Doc 7 episodes; uncredited in 6 episodes
1957–1961 Tales of Wells Fargo Brock / Spotted Tail / Finnley 3 episodes; credited as X Brand in 1 episode
1958 Broken Arrow Nicaro Episode: "The Duel"
1958 Zorro Courier Episode: "The Eagle's Brood"; uncredited
1958 Maverick First Sioux Indian / Indian 2 episodes; uncredited
1958–1959 Yancy Derringer Pahoo-Ka-Ta-Wah 34 episodes
1958–1961 Cheyenne Indian Messenger / Powder Face / Apache Brave 3 episodes; uncredited in 1 episode
1958–1962 Wagon Train Tulo / 1st Indian Brave / Indian Renegade Leader / Broken Finger / Little Horse 5 episodes
1959 Special Agent 7 Parisi Episode: "The Inside Man"
1959 Northwest Passage Indian Episode: "Trial by Fire"
1960 Bat Masterson Jeb Mitchell Episode: "Masterson's Arcadia Club"
1960–1961 Rawhide 1st Indian Brave / Indian Leader / Kah-Wah 3 episodes
1961 The Tall Man Dave Rudabaugh Episode: "Rovin' Gambler"
1961 The Rifleman Pretty Man Longden Episode: "The Clarence Bibs Story"
1961 Rawhide 1st Indian Brave S3:E22, "Incident in the Middle of Nowhere"
1962 Laramie Skenya Episode: "Day of the Savage"
1964–1968 The Virginian Commanche Lookout / The 3rd Gunman / Raven Wing 3 episodes
1965 Bonanza Sharp Tongue Episode: "The Far, Far Better Thing"
1965 Branded Red Arm Episode: "One Way Out"
1965–1966 Laredo First Indian Chief / Randoe / Blue Dog 3 episodes; uncredited in 1 episode
1966 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Indian Episode: "The Indian Affairs Affair"
1966 Shane Young Brave Episode: "High Road to Viator"
1966–1968 Daniel Boone Spokesman / Tall Deer 2 episodes
1967 Iron Horse Juanito Episode: "The Bridge at Forty Mile"
1967 The Monroes Two Pipes Episode: "Ghosts of Paradox"
1967 Custer Red Wolf Episode: "Desperate Mission"
1967 Hondo Coro / Indian Tracker 2 episodes; uncredited in 1 episode
1967–1970 The High Chaparral Tularosa / Nock-Ay-Del 4 episodes
1968–1975 Gunsmoke Renegade #1 / Red Willow / Chief / Renegade Indian / Singleton 7 episodes
1969 Here Come the Brides Johnny Wolf Episode: "The Deadly Trade"
1970 Here's Lucy Lefty Logan Episode: "Lucy and Wally Cox"
1970 Adam-12 Officer Sanchez Episode: "Log 74: Light Duty"
1971 Bearcats! Mantano Episode: "Blood Knot"
1972 Mission: Impossible Barsi Episode: "Trapped"
1972 Alias Smith and Jones Roberts / Poker Player 2 episodes
1973 Emergency! Captain-Engine Co. 81 Episode: "Alley Cat"
1973 Cannon Louie Grey Wolf Episode: "Valley of the Damned"
1976 Bridger Crow Chief TV movie
1979 Beach Patrol 1st Officer TV movie

Reference and notes[edit]

  1. ^ Hémard, Ned (2010). "NEW ORLEANS NOSTALGIA: Remembering New Orleans History, Culture and Traditions", "Gallatin Street", [page 3]; New Orleans Bar Association, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  2. ^ "Fifteenth Census of the United States: 1930, Kansas City, Missouri, April 8, 1930; digital copy of original census page with handwritten entries, archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah. FamilySearch. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Sixteenth Census of the United States: 1940", Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, April 10, 1940. FamilySearch. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  4. ^ Klyde, Andrew J. (2018). "Bonanza: Scenery of the Ponderosa", episode guide, season 6; Kew Gardens Hills, New York. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  5. ^ TV ACRES: Ethnic Groups – Native American
  6. ^ "X Brands", filmography, American Film Institute (AFI), Los Angeles California. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  7. ^ "Santee (1973)", synopsis, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), Turner Broadcasting System, a subsidiary of Time Warner, Inc., New York, N.Y. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  8. ^ Information and quoted dialog are from a full digital copy of "Return to New Orleans" (S01E01) of "Yancy Derringer (1958) Season 1 Episode 1", originally televised by CBS on October 2, 1958. Posted October 29, 2016, by Constance Easley on YouTube, a subsidiary of Google, Mountain View, California. Retrieved September 19, 2018.
  9. ^ The Pawnee, who linguistically speak a form of the Caddoan language, are one of the subgroups of native people in North America who also used a sign language common to various nations of the Great Plains.
  10. ^ Rowan, Terry, Character-Based Film Series, Part 3, page 125, Lulu Books, 2016
  11. ^ "California, County Marriages, 1850-1952", Los Angeles County Courthouse, California. FamilySearch. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  12. ^ "California Marriage Index, 1960-1985", Center of Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. FamilySearch. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  13. ^ "California Divorce Index, Los Angeles, California", California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California. FamilySearch. Retrieved May 25, 2018.

External links[edit]

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