Ray Mala

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Ray Mala

Born Ray Wise
December 27, 1906 (1906-12-27)
Territory of Alaska
Died September 23, 1952 (aged 45)
Hollywood, California
Years active 1921 - 1952
Spouse(s) Galina Liss

Ray Mala (1906-1952) is the first Native American movie star and is the most prolific film star that the state of Alaska has thus far produced. He starred in MGM's Academy Award-winning Eskimo/Mala The Magnificent, produced by the legendary Irving Thalberg and directed by Woody Van Dyke. "Eskimo/Mala the Magnificent" won the very first Oscar for Best Film Editing at the Academy Awards.

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[edit] Alaska

Ray Mala was born in Candle, Alaska during a unique period in Alaskan history. At that time Alaska was still a territory of the United States and still a mystery to many Americans. In 1921 an explorer named Captain Frank Kleinschmidt went to Alaska on an expedition to film a picture called "Primitive Love" in which Mala makes his film debut at age 16. Not only does Mala act in front of the camera but he serves as a cameraman as well for the picture. From here young Mala accompanied Knud Rasmussen, the Danish Arctic explorer and writer on his trip called "The Great Sled Journey" from 1921 to 1924 to collect and describe Inuit songs and legends as the official cameraman.

[edit] Hollywood

The world premiere of "Eskimo/Mala the Magnificent" at the famed Astor Theatre in Times Square, New York.
The world premiere of "Eskimo/Mala the Magnificent" at the famed Astor Theatre in Times Square, New York.

In 1925 Mala made his way to Hollywood and got a job as a cameraman with Fox Film Corporation (this was before the creation of 20th Century Fox). Not long after Mala landed his first lead role in the silent film "Igloo" for Universal Pictures. "Igloo" was a success and led to his being cast as the lead in MGM's "Eskimo/Mala the Magnificent". Louis B. Mayer sent director Woody Van Dyke to Alaska to film with an all Alaska native cast. "Eskimo" was produced by the legendary Irving Thalberg. "Eskimo/Mala the Magnificent" premiered to much fanfare at the famed Astor Theatre in Times Square, New York in 1933 and was a huge success. "Eskimo" was billed as "The biggest picture ever made" by MGM. "Eskimo" won the first Oscar for Best Film Editing at the Academy Awards.

Ray Mala signing autographs in Hollywood.
Ray Mala signing autographs in Hollywood.

Mala gained international stardom following "Eskimo" and as a result MGM cast Mala as the lead in "Last of the Pagans" (1935). "Last of the Pagans" was written by John Farrow (Mia Farrow's father) and directed by Richard Thorpe. "Last of the Pagans" was filmed entirely on location in Tahiti and performed respectably at the box office. Mala's next big role came in "The Jungle Princess" (1936) which launched Dorothy Lamour's career (she went on to co-star with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby in the wildly popular "Road To...." movies). According to the book "The Paramount Story," "The Jungle Princess was a huge success and was a whopping money maker for the studio." He also starred as himself in Republic Pictures' "Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island" (1936) which was one of the first serials the studio had ever made. Mala co-starred with Herman Brix in Republic's "Hawk of the Wilderness" (1938) which many consider one of the top 10 best serials ever made. Other notable films include "Green Hell" (1940) starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., "Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe" (1940), Cecil B. DeMille's "Union Pacific" (1939), "Son of Fury" (1942) starring Tyrone Power, "The Tuttles of Tahiti" (1942) starring Academy Award winner Charles Laughton, and many other films of Hollywood's golden era.

Ray Mala (far right) at work as a cameraman with Alfred Hitchcock on the set of "Shadow of a Doubt" (1943).
Ray Mala (far right) at work as a cameraman with Alfred Hitchcock on the set of "Shadow of a Doubt" (1943).

Mala also spent a considerable amount of time behind the camera as a cinematographer. He worked with Academy Award winner Joseph LaShelle on many pictures including the Oscar winning "Laura" (1944) starring Gene Tierney, "Les Miserables" (1952) which was directed by Academy Award winner Lewis Milestone, and many other films. One vintage photograph shows Mala working on location in Santa Rosa as a cameraman on Alfred Hitchcock's "Shadow of a Doubt" (1943). Other films include "Meet Me After The Show" (1951) starring Betty Grable, "The Fan" (1949), "Igloo" (1932), and many more. Mala was also very close to Director Henry Koster and worked as a cinematographer on several of his pictures with Joseph LaShelle.

Joseph LaShelle and Ray Mala on the set of "Something for the Birds" directed by Robert Wise (1952).
Joseph LaShelle and Ray Mala on the set of "Something for the Birds" directed by Robert Wise (1952).

In 1952 Mala came back in front of the camera to star in "Red Snow" (1952) opposite Guy Madison and according to the American Film Institute, "Red Snow" is the first film to deal with the cold war and the atomic bomb. Shortly after the release of "Red Snow" (1952), Mala passed away on the set of his last film after working in Hollywood for almost 30 years. He was only 46 years old.

[edit] Marriage, family and personal life

The Los Angeles Times June 2, 1937- "Into his Hollywood igloo Mala, Eskimo film actor, took as his bride yesterday Galina Kropotkin, Russian Princess, sometimes known as Galina Liss." Mala and Galina had a very happy personal life together. They counted such luminaries as Johnny Weissmuller (Tarzan), Bob Hope, and Stan Laurel as personal friends. They had one son whom they named Ted Mala. Ted Mala grew up to become the first Alaska Native doctor. Dr. Mala served as the first Alaska Native Commissioner of Health and Social Services on Governor Walter J. Hickel's cabinet (1990). Dr. Mala has two children: Ted Mala, Jr. and Galina Mala Liss.

[edit] Miscellenea

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.
  • Ray Mala is Inupiat Eskimo from Alaska.
  • "Last of the Pagans" - 50,000 feet of underwater footage was shot for this film, with a final total of 60 reels shot during the 22 weeks of production. It was eventually released as an 8-reel feature. The film was banned in Germany; French censors deleted scenes of natives being contracted unknowingly for 5 years of hard labor.
  • "Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island" was the only sound serial ever produced to have 14 chapters.
  • Ray Mala was a member of SAG as well as a union card carring cinematographer.
  • Ray Mala was considering an offer from Cecil B. DeMille to appear in "The Ten Commandments" when he died of a heart attack brought on while shooting at a rugged Mexican location for Oscar-winning cinematographer Joseph LaShelle in 1952.

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