James Burke
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Burke (September 24, 1886 – May 23, 1968) was an American film and television actor born in New York City. He made his stage debut in New York around 1912 and went to Hollywood in 1933. He made over 200 film appearances during his career, which ranged from 1932 to 1964; he was more often than not cast as a cop, usually a none-too-bright one, most notably as Sgt. Velie in Columbia's Ellery Queen mysteries in the early 1940s. He appeared in The Maltese Falcon, At the Circus, Lone Star, and many others. One of his best roles was as Charles Ruggles' rowdy rancher pal in Ruggles of Red Gap.
In the early 1950s, Burke appeared with Tom Conway in the ABC detective drama series then called Inspector Mark Saber -- Homicide Detective, later renamed, reformatted, and switched to NBC under the title Saber of London. From 1960-1961, Burke appeared in the role of Zeke Bonner in seven episodes of the ABC western television series Stagecoach West, starring Wayne Rogers, Robert Bray, and Richard Eyer.
Burke suffered from a heart condition, which took his life at the age of eighty-one.
Acting
Movie
The Maltese Falcon
as Luke
1941
Movie
It Happened One Night
as Detective (uncredited)
1934
Movie
You Can't Take It with You
as Chief Detective (uncredited)
1938
TV
I Love Lucy
as Mr. Watson
1951
Movie
Nightmare Alley
as Rural Marshal (uncredited)
1947
Movie
The Big Clock
as O'Brien
1948
Movie
Anchors Aweigh
as Studio Cop
1945
Movie
Dead End
as Mulligan
1937
Movie
The Scarlet Empress
1934
Movie
Queen Christina
as Blacksmith - 4th Rabble Rouser (uncredited)
1934
Movie
Body and Soul
as Arnold (uncredited)
1947
Movie
Twentieth Century
as Sheriff (uncredited)
1934
Movie
Beau Geste
as Lieutenant Dufour
1939
Movie
Dodge City
as Cattle Auctioneer (uncredited)
1939
Movie
Song of the Thin Man
as Policeman Callahan (uncredited)
1947
Movie
At the Circus
as John Carter
1939
Movie
Ruggles of Red Gap
as Jeff Tuttle
1935
Movie
Treasure Island
as Pirate of the Spanish Main
1934
Movie
His Kind of Woman
as Barkeeper in Nogales (uncredited)
1951
Movie
All Through the Night
as Police Lt. Forbes
1942
TV
Lassie
1954
Movie
Bombshell
as First Immigration Officer (uncredited)
1933
Movie
The Kennel Murder Case
as Policeman Who Lets Dog Out (uncredited)
1933
Movie
Call of the Wild
as Ole
1935