Okay, not THAT Keith Richards.
Anyone who’s as immersed as I am in obscure, forgotten, Psychotronic movies and television shows can’t help but repeatedly come across American actor Keith Richards. Long before the walking corpse from the Rolling Stones became famous, this other Keith Richards was turning up in some very unlikely roles.
THE JAMES BROTHERS OF MISSOURI (1949) – In this 12-chapter Republic serial the Keithmeister General starred as Jesse James with Robert Bice as his brother Frank. Future Lois Lane Noel Neill played Peg Royer, while B-movie staple Gene Roth was along for the ride in a supporting role.
History went out the window in this story featuring the James Brothers helping a former member of their gang who had turned straight but was now being harassed by sinister criminals with a secret agenda. Keith Richards is … okay in this.
THE LIVING CHRIST SERIES (1951) – Keith was At His Satanic Majesty’s Request as Judas in this 12-episode television series about incidents in the life of Jesus Christ. Each episode filled a 30-minute time slot.
You might think it would be impossible to make Judas dull, but you’d be reckoning without the vast forces of entropy at work in any Keith Richards performance. The traitorous disciple practically fades into the woodwork in this television effort. Continue reading
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