Meeting with fans: Tom Tyler and the Wallace Brothers

Traveling with the Wallace Brothers Circus back in 1937 certainly afforded Tom Tyler to meet not only his many fans but also do charity work, often spending time with them as well as inviting them to see him perform under the big top. In one notable article from Beaver Dam Daily Citizen dated July 20, 1937, when the Wallace Brothers toured Wisconsin, Tom was able to meet with the disabled children of Beaver Dam through the courtesy of Mrs. James Healy, who was the president of the Dodge County Children’s Protective Association at the time. Experiencing happiness and cheer certainly must have been the highest point of these children’s lives, especially when it meant seeing their idol in person. Known for his extensive charity work for disabled and orphaned children, Tom knew how to connect with youngsters, providing encouragement to them when they needed it the most. As with so many stops along the tour, Tom made sure his new friends were able to attend his matinee performance with the Wallace Brothers and experience the thrill of their lives. Four years later, there would be another association between the town of Beaver Dam and Tom Tyler, one that would change movie history forever.

The actor Fred MacMurray, who is often considered to be the man whose looks inspired the Fawcett Publications Captain Marvel superhero created by C. C. Beck and Bill Parker, lived in Beaver Dam during the early years of his life. Fred’s father was a music teacher who got a job in the city of Madison, which meant moving the family from Kankakee, Illinois. By 1937, Fred was a major movie star and well on his way to becoming one of the highest paid actors of the 1930’s. By 1941, the very superhero Fred inspired was made into a film serial by Republic Pictures, “Adventures of Captain Marvel”, with Tom Tyler cast as Captain Marvel. Considered to be the first superhero film ever made, and one of the best serials at that, Tom certainly had the looks to bring the comic book superhero to life on the silver screen.

With Tom’s newly made friends in Beaver Dam, their delight in seeing him portray the famous superhero whose looks were created after one of their town’s own must have held a special place in their hearts. But then, Tom Tyler knew how to create magic for his fans. Shazam!

Hitching a ride on horseback with Tom Tyler at the circus

When he performed with the Wallace Brothers Circus back in 1937, Tom Tyler enjoyed many special moments when it came to meeting fans. One particular performance made a lasting impression upon Tyler fan Doran Peck, who was lucky enough to see his hero in person at the circus.

Born in 1927, Doran was 10 years old when he had that exciting encounter with Tom Tyler under the Big Top. The son of Lucille Peck, Doran lived in La Harpe, Illinois with his parents but was visiting relatives in Keokuk, Iowa when he had the opportunity to attend the Wallace Brothers Circus. Doran was lucky to have the privilege of sitting in the front row which must have made him feel even more close to the western film star. Perhaps it was the sheer amount of cheering on from the boys and girls that day which made Tom Tyler survey his fans as he rode on horseback around the ring and decide to give Doran the ultimate thrill of his life: a ride on the back of Tom’s circus horse!

The event was reported in The Hancock County Quill, the newspaper for La Harpe dated August 4, 1937, Doran climbed onto the horse and sat behind Tom as the two trotted along the ring, no doubt being the envy of the other young men who watched them in action. As all truly exciting events in life worth talking about for days after and even passing down to the younger generations, Doran shared the news with friends and family.

One may ask, why did Tom Tyler specifically select young Doran Peck for a ride upon his horse? One possible theory is that Doran reminded Tom of his silent film co-star, the child actor Frankie Darro. Were one to view a photo of Doran at the age of 10, he might pass for a young Frankie. By the time Doran reached his 20’s, however, the evidence is even more clear: he really did resemble Frankie Darro!

Like Frankie, and Tom Tyler, young Doran had that ambitious drive so prevalent among young American boys of the late 1930’s through early 1940’s. He settled on becoming an accountant, and as soon as he graduated from high school, entered college. When Doran graduated from the University of Denver in 1949 with a degree in accounting, his first job was with a steel firm in Provo, Utah. He studied hard to become a certified public accountant (CPA), passing a rigorous exam at the age of 22, according to The Hancock County Quill, dated August 17, 1949. Eventually, he opened his own office with a partner in Denver. The office was located in Majestic Building, located at the corner of 16th Street and Broadway in Denver.

Now that he was cemented in a successful career, Doran married in 1952, meeting his wife while residing in Denver. Eventually the couple had two sons together, which gave Doran Peck the opportunity to share that historical moment of his life, when he rode on the back of Tom Tyler’s circus horse with his hero.