James Flavin
Acting
American character actor whose career lasted nearly half a century. James Wilson Flavin Jr. was the son of a hotel waiter of Canadian-English extraction and a mother, Katherine, whose father was an Irish immigrant. (Thus Flavin, well-known in Hollywood as an "Irish" type, was only one-quarter Irish.) Flavin was born and raised in Portland, Maine (a fact that may have enrichened his later working relationship with director John Ford, also a Portland native). He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, but (contrary to some sources) did not graduate. Instead he dropped out and returned to Portland where he drove a taxi. Then as now, summer stock companies flocked to Maine each year, and in 1929 he was asked to fill in for an actor. He did well with the part and the company manager offered him $150 per week to go with the troupe back to New York. Flavin accepted and by the spring of 1930 was living in a rooming house at 108 W. 87th Street in Manhattan. Flavin didn't manage to crack Broadway at this time (his Broadway debut would not occur for another thirty-nine years, in the 1971 revival of "The Front Page," in which Flavin played Murphy and briefly took over the lead role of Walter Burns from star Robert Ryan). He worked his way across the country in stock productions and tours, arriving in Los Angeles around 1932. He quickly made the transition to movies, landing the lead in his very first film, a Universal serial, The Airmail Mystery (1932). He also landed his leading lady, marrying the serial's female star Lucile Browne that same year. However, the serial marked virtually the last time that Flavin would play the lead in a film. Thereafter, he was restricted almost exclusively to supporting characters, many of them without so much as a name. He specialized in uniformed cops and hard-bitten detectives, but played chauffeurs, cabbies, and even a 16th-century palace guard with aplomb. Flavin appeared in nearly four hundred films between 1932 and 1971, and in almost a hundred television episodes before his final appearance, as President Dwight D. Eisenhower in Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident (1976). Flavin died of a heart ailment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on April 23, 1976. His widow Lucile died seventeen days later. They were survived by their son, William James Flavin, subsequently a professor at the United States Army War College. James and Lucile Brown Flavin were buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
The Lost Spider Pit Sequence
Second Mate Briggs (archive footage)
Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident
President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Law and Order
Capt. Toomey
In Cold Blood
Clarence Duntz
Good Times
Lieutenant
The Further Adventures of Gallegher
Lt. Flynn
Cheyenne Autumn
Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)
It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
Patrolman (uncredited)
Critic's Choice
Security Guard (uncredited)
The Last Hurrah
Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)
Johnny Rocco
Mooney
Wild Is the Wind
Wool Buyer
Night Passage
Tim Riley
The Restless Breed
Secret Service Chief
Footsteps in the Night
Mr. Bradbury
Hold That Hypnotist
Jake Morgan
Francis in the Haunted House
Police Chief Martin
Never Say Goodbye
Timmy
Apache Ambush
Col. Marshall
The Naked Street
Attorney Michael X. Flanders
Mister Roberts
Military Policeman
Return of the Dead
Judd Harrison
Massacre Canyon
Col. Tarant
Dragonfly Squadron
Doctor
The Eddie Cantor Story
Kelly
Fighter Attack
Col. Allison
Hot News
Al Bragg
Abbott and Costello Go to Mars
First Policeman in Bank
Trouble Along the Way
Coach Buck Holman
I Beheld His Glory
Longinus
Confidentially Connie
Harry (uncredited)
Star of Texas
Texas Rangers Capt. Sturdivant
Million Dollar Mermaid
Conductor
O. Henry's Full House
Cop (segment "The Cop and the Anthem") (uncredited)
Carrie
Mike - Bartender (uncredited)
Here Come the Marines
Lieutenant-Colonel at End
Sailor Beware
Petty Officer (uncredited)
As We Forgive
Come Fill the Cup
Russ - Homicide Captain (uncredited)
Rhubarb
O'Leary, Manhattan Police Chief (uncredited)
Fighting Coast Guard
Commander Rogers
Follow the Sun
Henry Gibbs
According to Mrs. Hoyle
Prosecuting Attorney
Oh! Susanna
Capt. Worth
Operation Pacific
SP Commander
South Sea Sinner
Andrews
Destination Murder
Police Lt. Brewster
Armored Car Robbery
Lt. Phillips
The Savage Horde
Guard
Rock Island Trail
Railroad Workman
Dakota Lil
Secret Service Chief
When Willie Comes Marching Home
Gen. Brevort (uncredited)
Prison Warden
Guard Capt. Peter Butler
The Devil's Henchmen
Police Sergeant Briggs
Blondie Hits the Jackpot
Brophy
Mighty Joe Young
Schultz
Mississippi Rhythm
Stan Caldwell
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff
Insp. Wellman
Flamingo Road
Homicide
Det. Lt. Boylan
Shockproof
Policeman in Park (Uncredited)
Bungalow 13
Lt. Sam Wilson
The Plunderers
Sergeant Major
One Touch of Venus
Kerrigan
The Velvet Touch
Sgt. Oliphant
Secret Service Investigator
Police Inspector Thorndyke
The Noose Hangs High
Traffic Cop (uncredited)
Sleep, My Love
Lieutenant Mitchell
My Girl Tisa
Guard (uncredited)
Unconquered
Villager (uncredited)
Nightmare Alley
Hoatley / First Carnival Owner (uncredited)
Joe Palooka in the Knockout
Policeman
Song of the Thin Man
Policeman Reardon (uncredited)
Desert Fury
Pat Johnson
Robin Hood Of Texas
Captain Danforth
Dishonored Lady
Police Sergeant Patella
It Happened on Fifth Avenue
First Policeman (uncredited)
My Favorite Brunette
Det. Lt. 'Mac' Hennessey (uncredited)
Nora Prentiss
District Attorney
Nobody Lives Forever
Shake Thomas
Cloak and Dagger
Col. Walsh
Angel on My Shoulder
Dan Bellamy
Step by Step
Woods
The Strange Love of Martha Ivers
Police Detective #1
The Missing Lady
Police Insp. Cardona
Easy to Wed
Joe
Rendezvous with Annie
Turnkey (uncredited)
Boys' Ranch
Policeman (uncredited)
A Stolen Life
Investigator (uncredited)
Sentimental Journey
Detective Sgt. McFarland (uncredited)
Young Widow
Subway Conductor (Uncredited)
Tars and Spars
Chief Bosun Mate Gurney
The Spider
Officer Johnny Tracy
Hold That Blonde!
Laundry Truck Driver (uncredited)
Johnny Angel
Flavin, Mate of the Quincy (uncredited)
Mildred Pierce
Detective (uncredited)
The Shanghai Cobra
H.R. Jarvis
Anchors Aweigh
Radio Cop
Over 21
Captain (uncredited)
Murder, He Says
Police Officer (uncredited)
Circumstantial Evidence
Guard
God Is My Co-Pilot
Major at Kweilin Airbase (uncredited)
Hollywood Canteen
Marine Sergeant (uncredited)
Laura
Det. McEveety (uncredited)
Strange Affair
Bank Security Guard (uncredited)
Abroad with Two Yanks
Sgt. Wiggins
Once Upon a Time
Man in Subway (uncredited)
Christmas Holiday
Policeman (uncredited)
Uncertain Glory
Captain of Mobile Guard
Riding High
Train Conductor
Swing Shift Maisie
Radio Policeman (Uncredited)
Corvette K-225
1st Lt. Bill Gardner
Thank Your Lucky Stars
Policeman (uncredited)
Murder on the Waterfront
Cmdr. Kalin
So Proudly We Hail
Captain O'Brien (Uncredited)
I Dood It
Federal Agent (uncredited)
Heaven Can Wait
Policeman (uncredited)
Action in the North Atlantic
Merchant Marine School Lieutenant-Commander (uncredited)
Mission to Moscow
American Senator (uncredited)
Air Force
Maj. A.M. Bagley
Something to Shout About
Policeman
It Ain't Hay
Cop (uncredited)
Life Begins at Eight-Thirty
Policeman
Gentleman Jim
George Corbett (uncredited)
Night in New Orleans
Egan (uncredited)
Ten Gentlemen from West Point
Capt. Luddy
Thru Different Eyes
Thomas
Tough as They Come
Process Server
Broadway
Doorman (uncredited)
Saboteur
Motorcycle Cop (voice) (uncredited)
Fingers at the Window
Police Lieutenant Schaeffer
Kid Glove Killer
Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)
Reap the Wild Wind
Girl's Father (uncredited)
Treat 'Em Rough
Joe Trosper
A Yank on the Burma Road
Police Dispatcher
Bedtime Story
Hotel Guest in Room 625 (uncredited)
Kathleen
Moving Man
The Night of January 16th
Policeman Kelly
Ride 'Em Cowboy
Railroad Detective #2 (uncredited)
I Wake Up Screaming
Detective (uncredited)
New York Town
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
Texas
Abilene Fight Announcer
Hold Back the Dawn
Immigration Guard (uncredited)
We Go Fast
Police Lt. Bardette
Belle Starr
Sergeant
Manpower
Orderly About to Give Bath (uncredited)
Affectionately Yours
Tomassetti
Ziegfeld Girl
Buck (uncredited)
Ride on Vaquero
Officer Johnson
Pot o' Gold
Sheriff Bud Connolly
Pot o' Gold
Sheriff Bud Connolly (uncredited)
The Strawberry Blonde
Ticket Inspector on Boat (uncredited)
Western Union
Deputy Sheriff
Buck Privates
Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
The Wild Man of Borneo
Policeman (uncredited)
Four Mothers
Demolition Man (uncredited)
Tin Pan Alley
Army Sergeant (uncredited)
Youth Will Be Served
Buck Miller
The Long Voyage Home
Dock Policeman
The Devil's Pipeline
Dowling
North West Mounted Police
Mountie
Knute Rockne All American
Army Assistant Coach (uncredited)
The Great Profile
Detective
Rhythm on the River
Detective
When the Daltons Rode
Annabella's Brother
The Golden Fleecing
Cop (uncredited)
South of Pago Pago
Cafe Customer
Manhattan Heartbeat
Truck Driver
Private Affairs
Doorman (uncredited)
The Way of All Flesh
Policeman
Queen of the Mob
Third FBI Director
Lucky Cisco Kid
Ranch Foreman
The Ghost Breakers
Hotel Porter (uncredited)
Brother Orchid
Parking Attendant at Fat Dutchy's (uncredited)
Florian
Policeman
La Conga Nights
Grogin
Girl in 313
Det. Carvin
Hot Steel
Storm Swenson
Johnny Apollo
Prison Guard In Library (uncredited)
It All Came True
Roaring 90's Club Doorman (uncredited)
And One Was Beautiful
McRafferty
The Grapes of Wrath
Guard (uncredited)
Women Without Names
Guard
Double Alibi
Patrolman Johnson
Castle on the Hudson
Death Row Guard (uncredited)
Broadway Melody of 1940
Clancy (uncredited)
The Fighting 69th
Supply Sergeant (uncredited)
Remember the Night
Court Attendant (uncredited)
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
Sergeant
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President
Policeman
The Roaring Twenties
Policeman (uncredited)
Fast and Furious
Policeman Guarding Entrance (uncredited)
Irish Luck
Fluger
Each Dawn I Die
Policeman (uncredited)
They Shall Have Music
Police Sergeant (uncredited)
When Tomorrow Comes
Coard Guard Man on Road (uncredited)
They All Come Out
Officer (uncredited)
Mr. Wong in Chinatown
Police Sgt. Jerry
Mickey the Kid
Sanders
Tell No Tales
Officer Simmons (uncredited)
The Gracie Allen Murder Case
Turnkey
Rose of Washington Square
Guard (uncredited)
Union Pacific
Paddy (uncredited)
Big Town Czar
George Mitchell
Code of the Streets
Doorman
Everybody's Baby
Police Announcer (uncredited)
Sergeant Madden
Police Interrogator
The Ice Follies of 1939
Doorman (uncredited)
Jesse James
Cavalry Captain (uncredited)
The Duke of West Point
Plebe Hockey Coach
While New York Sleeps
2nd Cop
Convicts at Large
Detective Sgt. Berkovich
Blondie
Policeman in Accident Car (uncredited)
Lightning Carson Rides Again
Justice Department Agent
Too Hot to Handle
Young Reporter (uncredited)
Three Loves Has Nancy
Jack's Friend (uncredited)
You Can't Take It with You
Jailer (uncredited)
I Am the Law
George - Witness (uncredited)
Gateway
Guard
Wives Under Suspicion
Jenks - Chauffeur (uncredited)
Alexander's Ragtime Band
Army Captain (uncredited)
Test Pilot
Pilot (uncredited)
Miracle Money
Cop (uncredited)
Start Cheering
Gas Station Attendant
Night Spot
Kidnapper
Born to Be Wild
Striker (uncredited)
Mannequin
Burly Man (Uncredited)
Everybody's Doing It
Detective Hayes
Big Town Girl
State Trooper
Live, Love and Learn
Marine Who Likes Painting (uncredited)
Hot Water
Policeman (uncredited)
Dangerously Yours
Driver
My Dear Miss Aldrich
Dr. Spitzy Calahan (uncredited)
Girls Can Play
Det. Bill O'Malley
Angel's Holiday
Detective
I Promise to Pay
Bill Seaver
Midnight Taxi
Detective McCormick
You Only Live Once
State Trooper (uncredited)
Dangerous Number
Cab Driver
The Luckiest Girl in the World
Policeman
They Met in a Taxi
Policeman
My Man Godfrey
Detective (uncredited)
Charlie Chan at the Race Track
Detective
How to Behave
Man in Manhole (uncredited)
One Way Ticket
Ed
Rendezvous
2st Military Policeman (uncredited)
Shipmates Forever
Lieutenant (uncredited)
Special Agent
Agent Arresting Julie (uncredited)
Man on the Flying Trapeze
Chauffeur (uncredited)
Woman Wanted
Mac - Policeman (uncredited)
The Daring Young Man
Informant on Telephone
The Murder Man
Policeman at Merry-Go-Round (uncredited)
Public Hero Number 1
Flavin - Federal Agent (uncredited)
Chinatown Squad
Detective
'G' Men
Agent with Jean (uncredited)
Straight from the Heart
Policeman
Captain Hurricane
Freighter Officer
Secrets of Chinatown
Brandhma
The Brand of Hate
Holt Larkins
The Affairs of Cellini
Palace Guard (uncredited)
Baby Take a Bow
Flannigan
Wild Gold
Detective (uncredited)
The Big Race
Bill Figg
Beloved
Wilcox
Only Yesterday
Billy (Uncredited)
Ship of Wanted Men
Frank Busch
Riot Squad
Det. Mack McCue
Hello, Sister!
Fireman
King Kong
Mate Briggs
Air Mail
Man with Radio Report (uncredited)
The All-American
Don Lindsay
The Most Dangerous Game
First Mate on Yacht (uncredited)
Okay, America!
Undetermined Role (uncredited)
McKenna of the Mounted
Corporal Randall McKenna
Back Street
Reporter (uncredited)
The Airmail Mystery
Bob Lee