James Gleason

Biography

James Gleason was born in New York City to William Gleason and Mina Crolius, who were both in the theatre. He was married to Lucile Gleason (born Lucile Webster), and had a son, Russell Gleason. As a young man James fought in the Spanish-American War. After the war he joined the stock company at the Liberty Theater in Oakland, California, which his parents were running. James and his wife then moved to Portland, Oregon, where they played in stock at the Baker Theater. For several years afterward they toured in road shows until James enlisted in the army during World War I. When he returned he appeared on the stage in "The Five Million." He then turned to writing, including "Is Zat So", which he produced for the NY stage. He also wrote and acted in "The Fall Guy" and "The Shannons on Broadway." Next he wrote The Broadway Melody (1929) for MGM. He collaborated, in 1930, on The Swellhead (1930), Dumbbells in Ermine (1930), What a Widow! (1930), Rain or Shine (1930) and His First Command (1929). He and his wife were then contracted to Pathe, Lucille to act, and James (or Jimmie as he was known) as a writer. Probably his most famous acting role was as Max Corkle, the manage…

Movies & TV Shows

1. The Night of the Hunter (1955) — Uncle Birdie Steptoe
2. Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) — Lt. Rooney
3. Meet John Doe (1941) — Henry Connell
4. The Bishop's Wife (1947) — Sylvester
5. Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) — Mr. Jorgy
6. The Broadway Melody (1929) — Music Publisher (uncredited)
7. Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941) — Max Corkle
8. Suddenly (1954) — Peter 'Pop' Benson
9. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1945) — McGarrity
10. Leave It to Beaver (1957) — Pete
11. Rock-a-Bye Baby (1958) — Doc Simpkins
12. The Last Hurrah (1958) — Cuke Gillen
13. Loving You (1957) — Carl Meade
14. A Guy Named Joe (1944) — “Nails” Kilpatrick
15. Man in the Shadow (1957) — Hank James
16. The Clock (1945) — Al Henry
17. The Keys of the Kingdom (1944) — Rev. Dr. Wilbur Fiske
18. A Free Soul (1931) — Eddie
19. Tales of Manhattan (1942) — Father Joe
20. The Ex-Mrs. Bradford (1936) — Inspector Corrigan
21. The Falcon Takes Over (1942) — Inspector Mike O'Hara
22. We're Not Married! (1952) — Duffy
23. Down to Earth (1947) — Max Corkle
24. Crash Dive (1943) — Chief Mike 'Mac' McDonnell
25. Babes on Broadway (1941) — Thornton Reed
26. Cheyenne (1955)
27. Star in the Dust (1956) — Orval Jones
28. Her Man (1930) — Steve
29. What Price Glory (1952) — General Cokely
30. The Jackpot (1950) — Harry Summers
31. The Penguin Pool Murder (1932) — Police Insp. Oscar Piper
32. Tycoon (1947) — Pop Mathews
33. Take One False Step (1949) — Captain Gledhill
34. A Date with the Falcon (1942) — Inspector Michael 'Mike' O'Hara
35. Forever Female (1953) — Eddie Woods
36. My Gal Sal (1942) — Pat Hawley
37. The Female Animal (1958) — Tom Maloney
38. I'll See You in My Dreams (1951) — Fred Townsend
39. Once Upon a Time (1944) — Moke McGillicuddy
40. Murder on a Honeymoon (1935) — Police Insp. Oscar Piper

Directed

1. Hot Tip (1935) — Director
2. Off His Base (1932) — Director
3. Always Kickin' (1932) — Director