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August 31, 2009
Interview with Tad Devine - son of actor Andy Devine
 Director RJ McHatton with Tad Devine

Director RJ McHatton with Tad Devine

It was a warm and beautiful drive down to Corona Del Mar.  I was there to interview Tad Devine for my documentary “The Flying Man: Life and Times of Johnny Myers.”  Tad is a great guy.  He is the oldest son of the famous actor Andy Devine and he knew Johnny Myers ever since he was a little kid.  I have always been a fan of Andy Devine.  He was in my favorite movie of all time, the John Ford and John Wayne film “Stagecoach.”  Andy Devine had worked in Hollywood since the silent days, had tremendous success both in the movies and on television.  He had a very successful television show for many years.  Tad did a fantastic job in the interview.  He told me some fantastic stories about his family history, how his mother’s family raised horses and his father’s family ran a hotel in Kingman, Arizona for many years.  He talked about how his father came to Hollywood and got into the movies because of his football playing.  Tad told me how his father got that unique voice that became his trademark.  Then we talked about Johnny Myers.  Tad had met Johnny Myers when he was very young.  John Myers was one of the world’s first entertainment attorneys and had worked with many of the most famous movie stars in the 30s, including Bing Crosby and Andy Devine.  Over the years John Myers became more famous as a flyer and a test pilot.  But he kept in touch with his friends, including Tad Devine.  Tad talked about how their friendship endured all the way until Johnny died in his 90s.  I asked Tad if he could tell me stories of John Wayne, since John Wayne was always my number one hero.  Tad told me some great stories about John Wayne and his memories of his dad.  I could tell that Tad was very close to his father.  I am very grateful that Tad took the time to let me interview him for my movie about Johnny Myers.  It was a great experience.


Marilyn Watson Andrus - 2011-02-07 01:22:52
My Father, Dick Watson, was a very good friend of Andy Devine. As a teenager my Dad took me with him many times when he went to visit Andy at his home in Van Nuys, CA. I met Tad and thought he was a great guy. My Dad was the Head Cashier at Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank, CA. Now Andy's Niece, Robin Schwartz, and her husband, Arnie, have a ranch in the Prescott, AZ area, where my husband and I live. I hope someday to meet them. Hello to Tad, from Marilyn (Watson). Signed, Marilyn Watson Andrus, Prescott, AZ
Sandy Bockelman - 2010-06-30 12:07:43
I met Tad Devine's mother, "Dogie" and her sister at my grandmother's house 20 years ago in McAllen, Texas where they were visting for a week. My stepgrandfather, Bill Harder, and Andy Devine had been good friends for many years. I think they met originally through the annual "One Shot Antelope Hunt" in Wyoming in which many Hollywood celebrities participated. Dogie and her sister had some great stories to tell about Hollywood. Her sister also had a career in movies as the stunt double for Maureen O'Hara. Dogie and her sister were so much fun to talk with.
Jeanne Myers - 2010-06-28 10:58:52
Thanks for the article as I'd be searching for information about Mr. Andy Devine's children, and came upon your article. I so enjoyed Tad's dad's movies (which might seem unusual for a black woman) and just wanted to find out if Tad and his brother Dennie acted together (or apart for that matter), after appearing with their dad. Great article. Thanks.
WILLIAM L. MALLORY - 2010-01-19 01:40:45
I WENT TO SCHOOL (VAN NUYS HIGH) WITH TAD. HE WAS A SUPER GUY THEN AND I AM SURE HE STILL IS.
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