Comments on: Gilbert Roland: “Amigo”

By: moirafinnie

moirafinnie — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:48:32 +0000

I’m not sure about that Kirk, though it is certainly possible that the wrist bands he donned in many roles might have been an homage to Valentino.

I suspect that one reason Gilbert Roland may have worn the wrist bands (and over time they appeared on one or the other wrists, as well as both), may have been because he was a devoted, life long tennis player. The wrist band gave this distinctive featured player a flair and a visual shorthand that said volumes about the characters he played in his many, often under-written roles, but they may also have protected his wrists. As you probably know, Mr. Roland was a fixture for decades at the Beverly Hills Tennis Club where he was a good player of the game well into his seventies.

At the link below, you can read about Bob Brown, a leather maker who crafted some of Roland‘s wrist bands, as well as very fine leather goods for such legends as Errol Flynn and John Wayne in his heyday. The link will take you to Mr. Brown’s 2005 obituary found on the BigBearGrizzly net:

http://tinyurl.com/c6xtfj5

Thank you for your interest in this blog about this perennial stand-out figure from the studio era.
Cheers,

Moira

By: Kirk

Kirk — Thu, 10 May 2012 18:05:15 +0000

Didn’t the leather band stem from emulating his idol Valentino who wore a silver slave bracelet?

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By: Malcolm L.

Malcolm L. — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 20:16:50 +0000

I very much enjoyed reading this article on Gilbert Roland. As the Barber at MGM, I had the privilege of being introduced to him by his brother Chico, who was a frequent client of mine. At later times I ran into Gilbert at the Tennis Club, and of course he was wearing his wristbands (for strength, I assume) and a sweater over his shoulders with the sleeves tied across his chest, and a neckerchief. His brother Chico dressed the same way. Now I do, too. It’s a good macho style. They both always had a warm handshake and strong embrace upon meeting me, or anyone else.

By: Corinne Inez

Corinne Inez — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 02:00:22 +0000

It wasn’t until the 1970′s that I learned that my Grandmother, Angela Parra Alonso Bueno (born 5/31/1898,died on 11/27/1977)was Gilbert Roland’s Aunt. She was the sister of his father, Franciso. All we ever knew was that my Grandmother’s brother was a famous and the greatest bullfighter ever and that his son was a very famous actor. I always admired Gilbert Roland and it’s ashamed that we never had the opportunity to meet. We lost so much family history by not knowing that side of the family. My mother would be so happy to know of all the articles I found on her cousin. I will give her these copies to read. It is also ironic to find out later when I married in 1979, that Gilbert Roland used to follow my sister-in-law, Jean Inez when she traveled and played tennis in the 1950′s. This is truly a small world. I am so delighted to have found such beautiful writings of a cousin I never had the opportuity to meet.

By: Dan MacLeod

Dan MacLeod — Thu, 06 May 2010 00:33:42 +0000

I wish to thank you for this fine bio of an actor I have long admired….I enjoyed his movies from the 1040′s until his death.
I oftn wondered where he was remembered seeing him in Bararosa and found him still a very great actor…Mexico and the rest of the world have lost a talant that will not be soon replaced.

By: Rich

Rich — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:56:44 +0000

Gilbert Roland has always been one of my favorites. I always just stop whatever I’m doing to watch him in any film in which he appears. The first time I saw him on screen was in “Beneath the 12 mile Reef”. He was one of my childhood idols long with Steve McQueen and John Wayne, in that he always seemed so “cool” and confident. I didn’t know the word “macho” then, but he was certainly the epitomy of it, in the best sense. But there was always something more. The fact that his family was involved in bullfighting no doubt explains a lot of his athleticism, his posture, bearing and confidence. He wasn’t just a hansome hunk, either – he was a GOOD actor. That he enlisted in the service when he was in fact exempted from the draft (a father with two children) is a testiment to the man’s character. There was an obvious dignity in the man, regardless of the character he was portraying onscreen.

By: D. Masters

D. Masters — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:39:50 +0000

Thank you for this in-depth article on Gilbert Roland, one of my favorite stars. I think it is one of the most informative on the man, and the actor.

By: Jacqueline T Lynch

Jacqueline T Lynch — Wed, 13 May 2009 12:09:23 +0000

This was great. I’ve always enjoyed Gilbert Roland’s work, but never knew a great deal about his life. I really enjoyed this, thanks.

By: Feaito

Feaito — Sat, 09 May 2009 20:13:12 +0000

Great Article on an unjustly forgotten actor Moira. I enjoyed every bit of it!