
Evelyn Finley
- Known for
- Crew
- Born
- March 11, 1916
- Died
- April 7, 1989
- Birthplace
- Douglas, Arizona, USA
Evelyn Ruth Finley was known as the most accomplished stunt rider in the western genre. Famous director William A. Wellman was one of many who regarded her as the best in the business. She worked with horses from early childhood and grew up a tomboy on her father's ranch. Her dad had promised 'to put her into pictures', but how she eventually arrived in Hollywood is unclear. Winning a beauty contest as 'Miss Albuquerque' might have helped. The year was 1936 and her first picture was as stunt double to Jean Parker. By 1940, Evelyn was under contract at Monogram where her skills in the saddle quickly promoted her to leading lady opposite the likes of Tex Ritter, Tom Keene, Johnny Mack Brown and Buster Crabbe. As blonde Eve Anderson, she got to star in one of the last serials made at Columbia, Perils of the Wilderness (1956). However, Evelyn preferred the stunt work to acting, often doubling on horseback for glamorous stars like Elizabeth Taylor and Loretta Young. She remained involved in her area of expertise, either actively or as technical adviser, well into the 1980's. When not working in the film industry, she toured as an equestrian performer at different circuses. Evelyn was inducted into the Stuntmen's Hall of Fame.
Filmography

Silverado 1985
Stunts

Freebie and the Bean 1974
as Old Lady in Bed (uncredited)

Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte 1964
Stunts

Swiss Family Robinson 1960
Stunts

The Guns of Fort Petticoat 1957
as Blonde in Combat Practice (uncredited)

Perils of the Wilderness 1956
as Donna Blaine (as Eve Anderson)

Blood Alley 1955
Stunts

The Adventures of Hajji Baba 1954
Stunts

Elephant Walk 1954
Stunts

The Diamond Queen 1953
as Slave Girl

The Man from the Alamo 1953
Stunt Double

Ambush at Tomahawk Gap 1953
Stunt Double

One Girl's Confession 1953
Stunts

Woman of the North Country 1952
Stunts

Scaramouche 1952
Stunts

Westward the Women 1951
as Pioneer Woman (uncredited), Stunts

Across the Wide Missouri 1951
Stunt Double

Mule Train 1950
Stunt Double

The Cowboy and the Indians 1949
Stunt Double

Gunning for Justice 1948
as Winnie Stewart

The Sheriff of Medicine Bow 1948
as Nan Prentiss, Stunts

Prairie Rustlers 1945
as Helen Foster

Along Came Jones 1945
Stunt Double

Ghost Guns 1944
as Ann Jordan, Stunts

Take It Big 1944
as Violet Thompson (uncredited), Stunt Double

Valley Of Vengeance 1944
as Helen Miller, Stunts

Sundown Riders 1944
as Donna Frazier, Stunts

Jack London 1943
Stunts

Black Market Rustlers 1943
as Linda Prescott

Cowboy Commandos 1943
as Joan Cameron, Stunts

Trail Riders 1942
as Mary Rand

Home in Wyomin' 1942
Stunt Double

Cowboy Serenade 1942
Stunt Double

Man from Cheyenne 1942
Stunt Double

Red River Valley 1941
Stunt Double

Jesse James at Bay 1941
Stunt Double

Dynamite Canyon 1941
as Midge Reed

Arizona Frontier 1940
as Honey Lane

The Light That Failed 1939
Stunts

The Texas Rangers 1936
Stunt Double
Credits from TMDB.