Charles Cahill Wilson

Biography

Charles Cahill Wilson (July 29, 1894 – January 7, 1948) was an American screen and stage actor. He appeared in numerous films during the Golden Age of Hollywood from the late 1920s to late 1940s. Born in New York City in 1894, the white-haired, burly actor was often typecast as an earnest police officer, newspaper editor or principal. He appeared in over 250 films between 1928 and 1948, mostly playing small supporting roles with a few sentences. Charles Wilson began his acting career at the theatre, including roles in six Broadway plays between 1918 and 1931. In 1928, he directed the Hollywood comedy Lucky Boy (1928), where he also made his film debut. According to the Internet Movie Database, Lucky Boy was Wilson's only film as a director. His most notable role was probably Clark Gable's "wonderfully aggravated" newspaper boss in Frank Capra's comedy It Happened One Night, which won five Academy Awards in 1935. He was also cast in small roles in other Capra movies such as Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946). Shortly before his death, Wilson appeared as the boss of the Three Stooges in the two-reel comedy Crime on Their Hands (1948).

Movies & TV Shows

1. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) — Charlie (uncredited)
2. It Happened One Night (1934) — Joe Gordon
3. Scarlet Street (1945) — Watchman (uncredited)
4. Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) — County Hospital Guard (uncredited)
5. Angels with Dirty Faces (1938)
6. Meet John Doe (1941) — Charlie Dawson
7. The Roaring Twenties (1939) — Policeman (uncredited)
8. This Gun for Hire (1942) — Police Captain
9. You Only Live Once (1937) — Police Inspector (uncredited)
10. Gold Diggers of 1933 (1933) — Deputy (uncredited)
11. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947) — Police Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
12. They Drive by Night (1940) — Mike Williams (uncredited)
13. Batman (1943) — Captain Arnold
14. Gentleman Jim (1942) — Gurney (uncredited)
15. The Return of Doctor X (1939) — Det. Kincaid
16. The Kennel Murder Case (1933) — Detective Hennessy (uncredited)
17. Show Boat (1936)
18. Road to Utopia (1946) — Official Policeman (uncredited)
19. The Face Behind the Mask (1941) — Chief O'Brien
20. Out of the Fog (1941)
21. City for Conquest (1940) — Bill - Man Behind MacPherson at Fight (uncredited)
22. Satan Met a Lady (1936) — Detective Pollock
23. Night Key (1937) — Police Capt. Wallace (uncredited)
24. The Mayor of Hell (1933) — Wilson (uncredited)
25. Female (1933) — Private Detective Falihee (Uncredited)
26. Invisible Stripes (1939) — Arresting Officer (uncredited)
27. Big Brown Eyes (1936) — Prosecuting Attorney (Uncredited)
28. Two O'Clock Courage (1945) — Brant - City Editor (uncredited)
29. Dressed to Kill (1941) — Newspaper Editor
30. Knute Rockne All American (1940) — Gambler (uncredited)
31. Private Detective 62 (1933) — Club Bartender (Uncredited)
32. The 9th Guest (1934) — Burke (Uncredited)
33. Lady Gangster (1942) — Detective
34. The Case of the Curious Bride (1935) — Ferry Captain (uncredited)
35. Fog Over Frisco (1934) — Detective Sergeant O'Hagen
36. The Dragon Murder Case (1934) — Det. Hennessey
37. Hard to Handle (1933) — Jailer (uncredited)
38. Daughter of Shanghai (1937) — Schwartz (uncredited)
39. Broadway Melody of 1938 (1937) — Horse Auctioneer (uncredited)
40. Mary Stevens, M.D. (1933) — Walter Rising

Directed

1. Lucky Boy (1929) — Director