People
James Gleason
Acting · follow into films and chains
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 manager of Joe Pendleton who was wrongly plucked from this life into the next, in the hit fantasy Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941).
Notable films
Where to start
Highlights from credits and KinoChain journeys.
The Night of the Hunter
Appears in a KinoChain journey
Arsenic and Old Lace
As Lt. Rooney
The Bishop's Wife
As Sylvester
The Broadway Melody
As Music Publisher (uncredited)
Meet John Doe
As Henry Connell
What Price Glory
As General Cokely
Star in the Dust
As Orval Jones
The Devil Is Driving
As 'Beef' Evans
Chains
KinoChain journeys
Public chains that pass through their films — or name them as a bridge.
Topics
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Related people
Collaborators & neighbours
Acted
Star in the Dust
1956 · Orval Jones
The Night of the Hunter
1955 · Uncle Birdie Steptoe
What Price Glory
1952 · General Cokely
Tycoon
1947 · Pop Mathews
The Bishop's Wife
1947 · Sylvester
Arsenic and Old Lace
1944 · Lt. Rooney
Meet John Doe
1941 · Henry Connell
The Devil Is Driving
1932 · 'Beef' Evans
The Broadway Melody
1929 · Music Publisher (uncredited)