The Carradine Family

The Lake Arrowhead Film Festival proudly presents A Salute to the Carradine Family - One of the greatest family dynasties in the history of film!

John Carradine originally applied to Cecil B. DeMille as a scenic designer, but DeMille gave the deep-voiced aspirant voice work instead. In the years that followed, Carradine became an extremely prolific movie actor while simultaneously maintaining a stage career that included leading roles as Hamlet and Malvolio. In the 1930’s, Carradine worked on such film classics as Stagecoach, Grapes of Wrath, and Captains Courageous. He also starred in early Universal horror classics, including The Bride of Frankenstein, and later played Dracula in both The House of Frankenstein and The House of Dracula. He often referred to his title portrayal of Bluebeard as his best work.

John appeared in over 500 films, and was not above poking fun at the range in the quality of the movies he made. “I've made some of the greatest films ever made,” he said. “And a lot of crap, too.” John Carradine is also well-known for fathering a second generation of acting Carradines. The Lake Arrowhead Film Festival is proud to honor David, Keith, and Robert Carradine along with their father.

David Carradine, who is well-known to television audiences for his lead role in the 1970’s series, Kung Fu, first gained national attention for his lead role in Martin Scorsese’s Boxcar Bertha (1972). David went on to star in such films as Mean Streets and Death Race 2000, before receiving the Best Actor Award from the National Board of Film Review for his portrayal of Woody Guthrie in Hal Ashby's Bound for Glory. Of course, David is best known to current audiences for his portrayal of Bill in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill: Vols. I & II.

Keith Carradine

Keith Carradine personifies the word, “versatile.” Keith has starred in such films as The Duellists and Pretty Baby, as well as Robert Altman’s McCabe and Mrs. Miller and Nashville. He received an Academy Award for Best Song for Nashville’s “I’m Easy,” a song that he composed and then performed in the film. In 1991, he returned to Broadway and was nominated for a Tony Award as Best Actor (Musical) for playing the title character, Will Rogers, in The Will Rogers Follies. MTV fans will recognize him as The Director in Madonna’s memorable “Material Girl” music video.

Robert Carradine made his film debut in the classic John Wayne Western, The Cowboys (1972), and later appeared in the television series based on that film. He went on to land roles in memorable films such as The Big Red One, Orca, and Coming Home. But he is perhaps best known for playing Lewis Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds and Revenge of the Nerds II, Nerds in Paradise. Younger audience members will recognize Robert from his role as Sam McGuire (Lizzie’s Dad) in the Lizzie McGuire movie and television series.