Created by Eustace L. Adams
(1891-1963)
Eustace L. Adams’ JERRY BANNING was an early precursor of other Hollywood stunt men turned private eyes, troubleshooters and fixers (Colt Seavers, Daniel Spandau, Nick Ransom, Lucas Hallam, etc.) in a 1937 serial that first appeared as a four-part serial in Argosy Magazine in 1937.
When rising star Dexter Hathaway, a man with a less-than-exemplary past, gets caught in a blackmail jam, he turns to his stunt double Jerry for help. The plan is for Jerry to impersonate Dexter, and deal with the blackmailers, while the actor, not exactly known for his courage, scurries off to the South Seas.
But things don’t go as planned —the blackmailer, known only as “The Chief” — is a devious fellow, and as the bodies begin to pile up Jerry calls on a fellow stunt man and best friend, “Sleepy” Smith (no relation), for help.
The four parts of the serial were finally collected and published by Steeger as a novel in 2024.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Eustace L. Adams was a pulp writer who later wrote films, including writer, known for Sixteen Fathoms Deep (1934), Under Secret Orders (1933) and 16 Fathoms Deep (1948).
SHORT FICTION
- “Stunt Man (Part One)” (Septembber 25, 1937, Argosy Weekly)
- “Stunt Man (Part Two)” (October, Oct. 2, 1937, Argosy Weekly)
- “Stunt Man (Part Three)” (October, Oct. 9, 1937, Argosy Weekly)
- “Stunt Man (Part Four)” (October, Oct. 16, 1937, Argosy Weekly)
COLLECTIONS
- Stunt Man (2024) | Buy this book
FURTHER INVESTIGATION
- Hollywood Fixers
Tinseltown Troubleshooters
Respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.
