Giddy up!

In the early days of Hollywood, Westerns and B-Westerns were popular and attracted actors of all sorts men and women to start in them.

One such actress, Claire Rochelle, had a successful Hollywood career in such films as “Boot Hill Brigade” (1937), “Guns in the Dark” (1937), and “Riding’ the Lone Trail” (1937).

She also appeared in “Code of the Fearless” (1939) and “El Diablo Rides” (1939). She continued to work steadily in film throughout the 1930s and the 1940s, appearing in “Riders of the Sage” (1939), “The Pal From Texas” (1939), “Buzzy Rides the Range” (1940), and “Lightning Strikes West” (1940).

Her movie career ran from about 1933 to 1946 and consisted of about 60 films (14 westerns and zero serials).

In her early Hollywood days, she called herself Mildred Claire, and even appeared in two episodes of The Three Stooges in 1938 and 1939.
Note: Rochelle’s film appearances may have started earlier as the Internet Movie Database lists her as a dancer in the 1929 RKO film “Tanned Legs.”

WESTERNS WAYS

Her first Western film was a supporting role in Buck Jones’ “Empty Saddles” (Universal, 1936). She would go on to leading lady roles with Bob Steele, Johnny Mack Brown, Fred Scott, and Ken Maynard.

Rochelle also portrayed B-Western “bad girls” in these films: “Kid From Santa Fe” (Jack Randall, Monogram, 1940) and “Texas Justice” (George Houston, Lone Rider series, PRC, 1942).
During the World War II years, Rochelle’s screen work dwindled to supporting roles, and during that period, she was often employed at Producers Releasing Corp. (PRC).
However, making films was still her goal and she played roles in “Men on Her Mind” (1944), “Swing Hostess” (1944), and “Waterfront” (1944). She also appeared in “Blonde For a Day” (1946).

EARLY DAYS

Rochelle was born on Aug. 22, 1908, in Nevada, Mo., however, various Internet sources report she was born in 1907 or 1908, or 1914.

Rochelle and her mother moved to California where she learned to dance, and her early film work was as a chorus girl jobs in Busby Berkeley musicals at Warner Bros. circa. 1933-1934.

AFTER FILM

When she finally decided to leave films, Rochelle and her husband had a new venture that still kept her in films – to a degree.

In an article in the Valley Times, on Feb. 15, 1955, author Bob Thomas wrote: “Miss Rochelle and her husband Leo Hirsch run the United Fan Club and Fan Mail Service from an office on the Sunset Strip.”

It surmises that she grew tired of waiting for casting calls as well as the infrequent paychecks from acting jobs and …

“The business expanded, and their clientele included scores of Hollywood stars. Actor Howard Duff was their first customer, and another customer was comedian George Gobel …”

The article also stated the fan mail service received 120,000 letters monthly; most were requests for photos, and they are sent to the writer. “The cost to the star runs from 7 to 25 cents, depending on how large a photo they want. The average bill is around $300-$500, but it can cost some of the hotter stars as much as $1,500 to keep the writing fans happy.”

EXTRA STUFF

According to Michael Grauer, McCasland Chair of Cowboy Culture and curator of Cowboy Collections and Western Art, he has indeed heard of Claire Rochelle, “Yes, but only vaguely in the credits from time to time.”

And while she may not be a household name, there is a rare photo of her being offered via the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America for $69 found online. It is listed as: “(“Claire Rochelle”) in black fountain pen ink on a 1/2 length portrait wearing a white blouse with a large scarf as a tie looking into the camera. Photograph in on heavy stock; 7 1/4″ x 9 1/2″; very good; ca. 1935 … Signed and inscribed by the author: ‘For Hal, A very special fan. Claire Rochelle.’

“Rochelle (1908-1981), birth date and location are not known; died May 23, 1981, La Jolla, CA; American screen actress; appeared in over 60 films; film career from 1935-1946. F. Softcover. (Inventory #: 502962)…”

DEATH

Rochelle was married to Hirsch and she died on May 23, 1981, in La Jolla, at the age of 72 from cancer, records state.

According to the California Death Index, there is a record for Claire R. Hirsch, born Aug. 22, 1914, in Missouri, mother’s maiden name of Harrington, and father’s name of Frizell. It also lists her death in La Jolla, on May 23, 1981, however, the Social Security Death Index has her birth date as Aug. 22, 1907.

It is unknown as to where the actress or her husband are buried.