Archibald "Arch" Williams Hall, Sr. (December 21, 1908 – April 28, 1978) was an American actor, writer, and film producer. He made a series of B-movies during the 1960s that often featured his son Arch Hall Jr. He was sometimes credited under different names, including "Nicholas Merriwether".
Growing up in South Dakota, Hall spoke the Sioux language and also had the Sioux name Waa-toe-gala Oak-Shilla, which translated to Wild Boy. Hall worked as a stuntman in the 1930s. During World War II, Hall served in the United States Army Air Forces.
Hall's tenure in the Air Force inspired a 1961 film entitled The Last Time I Saw Archie, written by Hall's friend William Bowers. The character in the film is named Archie Hall and is played by Robert Mitchum. The film also features Jack Webb, France Nuyen, Del Moore, and Don Knotts. Frank Conniff refers to this film in his book Twenty Five Mystery Science Theater 3000 Films That Changed My Life in No Way Whatsoever.
Hall died in Los Angeles from a heart attack in 1978. He was given a Sioux funeral with full honors, and buried in Phillip, South Dakota.
Riffed Movies[]
- Eegah (Episode #506 & The Watch Out for Snakes! Tour) - as Mr. Miller, also producer, director, and co-writer
- The Choppers (The Mads Are Back) - as Jim Bradford, also writer and co-producer
