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One of the most beautiful of the serial queens was born Catherine Mary Rhoads in Los Angeles, California on January 16, 1914. After spending part of her youth in her father’s native Ohio, she returned to the Golden State with aspirations for a dancing career.

Those hopes were to receive a setback when she suffered a major illness at age 17. A previous bout with pleurisy at the age of six had nearly been fatal, and the teenager’s subsequent sickness proved just as severe.

Hughes recovered sufficiently enough to land a dancing role in her first feature film, MGM’s all-star production “Broadway Melody of 1936,” opposite Robert Taylor. However, due to her condition, the physical strain convinced her that her future lay in acting, not dancing. She attained a few more minor roles at MGM before signing a contract with Republic Pictures in 1936. During this period she was billed as Kay Hughes, utilizing the nickname “Kay” in place of her real first name.

While Hughes remained at Republic for only six months, she established herself as an actress in the studio’s trademark western films and serials. She costarred with Gene Autry twice, in “Ride, Ranger, Ride” and “The Big Show,” both of which were released that same year. Hughes also appeared with Bob Livingston in two of the popular 3 Mesquiteers westerns, and the serial “Vigilantes Are Coming.” The plot of the latter featured a tale of Russian Cossacks attempting to colonize California, with Livingston as the masked hero intent on stopping their advances.

Kay Hughes flashes her lovely smile for a studio publicity photo.

Perhaps Hughes most memorable film role came at Republic in 1937. She held the female lead in the classic chapterplay “Dick Tracy,” with Ralph Byrd portraying the title character. Based on the Chester Gould comic strip, the 15 chapter cliffhanger featured a futuristic aircraft known as “The Wing” which the villainous Lame One used to carry out his evil schemes. The cast also included the well-known western sidekick Smiley Burnette. Byrd was to become so identified with the role that he would spend the next decade portraying the master detective in numerous features and serials.

After departing Republic, she signed on with Universal, and her name was changed to Catherine Hughes. Her first work at the studio was the serial “Radio Patrol” with Grant Withers. Based on a King Features comic strip, the story involves the efforts of hero Pat O’Hara to thwart a band of criminals trying to steal a formula for “flexible steel.” Ford Beebe directed the twelve-chapter cliffhanger.

While at Universal City, she also played leading lady to Noah “Pidge” Beery, Jr. in the mystery “Trouble at Midnight,” in 1938. Beebe again served as director. Horror film fans remember him as the director of two of Universal’s classic shockers, “Night Monster” in 1942 and “The Invisible Man’s Revenge” two years later.

Hughes soon left Universal, opting instead to concentrate on the life of a wife and mother. Her first child was born in 1940. She did appear in a Charles Starrett western for Columbia while pregnant with her daughter. “Riders of the Badlands” was released in 1941, and would mark her last screen appearance for several years.

In 1945, she took a break from family life to act once again, taking featured roles in two films for PRC. “Enemy of the Law” found her cast alongside the legendary Tex Ritter and Dave O’Brien, and she also costarred with Buster Crabbe in “Fighting Bill Carson.”

With these two efforts completed, Hughes walked away from filmmaking, choosing instead to play the role of homemaker. Her first marriage ended in divorce in 1947, but a second union was to last until she was widowed in 1964. Following the passing of her third husband, she moved to Desert Hot Springs, California, to be closer to her sisters. “I am so blessed to have my sisters so close,” she wrote in 1996. “I live alone but am still able to take care of myself – what a job! Keeps me busy!”

A devout Christian, Hughes was active in her church, and was a member of the Woman’s Club of Desert Hot Springs. After attending a nostalgia film festival in Charlotte, North Carolina, she was pleasantly surprised at the number of people that remembered her long ago career. “It was a thrill to know so many people remembered and still enjoyed the old westerns and serials,” she said.

In 1995, Hughes again suffered and infection related to the illnesses of her youth. In October, 1997, she wrote of her health, “I’m fine if I don’t do anything – darn – can’t even write anymore. Not many aches or pain so I do count my blessings. But, it’s my heart and lungs – only the two most important – ha!”

She struggled with her condition until heart surgery was necessary in December, 1997. Hughes passed away on April 4, 1998 at the age of 84. Her film career was short yet memorable, and her outward beauty was surpassed only by her inner faith and unfailing optimism.