James Shorttel Bannon (April 9, 1911 – July 28, 1984) was an American actor and radio announcer known for his work on the I Love a Mystery and Red Ryder series during the 1940s and 1950s.

[3] He moved to Los Angeles in 1937, beginning his show-business career in radio as an announcer on The Great Gildersleeve, The Chase and Sanborn Hour, and Stars over Hollywood, among others, with his most prominent acting role being that of Detective Jack Packard in the serial I Love a Mystery.

[6] Vidor was later fired from the production because of conflicts with star William Holden and replaced by Henry Levin, who had directed Bannon in the I Love a Mystery film adaptation.

[3] Bannon openly campaigned for the part by outfitting his car with a Texas Longhorn hood ornament and a Colt 45-style gearshift knob while dressing in Western attire.

"[10] His offscreen requirements in portraying the character included making personal appearances in costume across the country,[11] in addition to a stint with the Tom Packs Circus in 1950.

Meanwhile, fellow Red Ryder actor Allan "Rocky" Lane and he shot separate pilots for a proposed television series in 1951[14] and 1955, respectively, but both failed to sell.