Charles Brown Middleton (October 3, 1874 – April 22, 1949) was an American stage and film actor. During a film career that began at age 46 and lasted almost 30 years, he appeared in nearly 200 films as well as numerous plays. Sometimes credited as Charles B. Middleton, he is perhaps best remembered for his role as the villainous emperor

Ming the Merciless Ming the Merciless is a fictional character who first appeared in the ''Flash Gordon'' comic strip in 1934. He has since been the main villain of the strip and its related movie serials, television series and film adaptation. Ming is depicted as ...

in the three ''Flash Gordon'' serials made between 1936 and 1940.

Career

Born in

Elizabethtown, Kentucky Elizabethtown is a home rule-class city and the county seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 28,531 at the 2010 census, and was estimated at 30,289 by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2019, making it the 11th-largest city ...

, Middleton worked in a traveling

circus A circus is a company of performers who put on diverse entertainment shows that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, dancers, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists, and unicyclis ...

, in

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...

, and acted in live theatre before he turned to

motion pictures A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

in 1920. Middleton's success as a character actor, however, did not become firmly established until the sound era in films. His ominous baritone voice proved ideal for villainous roles, and he became an ideal foil for comedy stars

Harold Lloyd Harold Clayton Lloyd, Sr. (April 20, 1893 – March 8, 1971) was an American actor, comedian, and stunt performer who appeared in many silent comedy films.Obituary '' Variety'', March 10, 1971, page 55. One of the most influential film c ...

, Eddie Cantor,

Wheeler & Woolsey Wheeler & Woolsey were an American vaudeville comedy double act who performed together in comedy films from the late 1920s. The team comprised Bert Wheeler (1895–1968) of New Jersey and Robert Woolsey (1888–1938) of Illinois. Collaboration a ...

, and Laurel and Hardy. Middleton was cast in Warner Bros 1931 film ''

Safe in Hell ''Safe in Hell'' is a 1931 American pre-Code thriller film directed by William A. Wellman and starring Dorothy Mackaill and Donald Cook, with featured performances by Morgan Wallace, Ralf Harolde, Nina Mae McKinney, Clarence Muse, and Noble Jo ...

'' as well as in their

1932 Events January * January 4 – The British authorities in India arrest and intern Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel. * January 9 – Sakuradamon Incident: Korean nationalist Lee Bong-chang fails in his effort to assassinate Emperor Hiro ...

hit ''

The Strange Love of Molly Louvain ''The Strange Love of Molly Louvain'' is a 1932 American pre-Code crime drama film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Ann Dvorak and Lee Tracy. The script was based on the play ''Tinsel Girl'' by Maurine Dallas Watkins. Plot Molly Louva ...

'' opposite Ann Dvorak and

Richard Cromwell Richard Cromwell (4 October 162612 July 1712) was an English statesman who was the second and last Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland and son of the first Lord Protector, Oliver Cromwell. On his father's deat ...

. In '' Pack Up Your Troubles'', he portrays a villainous welfare association officer, the foil of

Laurel & Hardy Laurel and Hardy were a British-American comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–1957). Starting their career as a duo in t ...

. He is also the district attorney in

Cecil B. DeMille Cecil Blount DeMille (; August 12, 1881January 21, 1959) was an American film director, producer and actor. Between 1914 and 1958, he made 70 features, both silent and sound films. He is acknowledged as a founding father of the American cine ...

's 1933 film ''This Day and Age''; and he appears opposite

The Marx Brothers The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act that was successful in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in motion pictures from 1905 to 1949. Five of the Marx Brothers' thirteen feature films were selected by the American Film Institute (AFI) ...

in '' Duck Soup'' (also 1933), performing as the stern prosecutor of Freedonia. In

Universal Pictures Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Ameri ...

' classic

1936 Events January–February * January 20 – George V of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions and Emperor of India, dies at his Sandringham Estate. The Prince of Wales succeeds to the throne of the United Kingdom as King E ...

screen version of the musical ''

Show Boat ''Show Boat'' is a musical with music by Jerome Kern and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II. It is based on Edna Ferber's best-selling 1926 novel of the same name. The musical follows the lives of the performers, stagehands and dock worke ...

'', he is Sheriff Ike Vallon, the official who tries to arrest Julie La Verne (

Helen Morgan Helen Morgan may refer to: *Helen Morgan (singer) Helen Morgan (née Riggins; August 2, 1900 – October 9, 1941) was an American singer and actress who worked in films and on the stage. A quintessential torch singer, she made a big splash in ...

) and her husband for being illegally married. Since Middleton's facial features generally resembled those of

Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln ( ; February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was an American lawyer, politician, and statesman who served as the 16th president of the United States from 1861 until his assassination in 1865. Lincoln led the nation thro ...

, he was cast to portray Lincoln in the 1933 public-service

short Short may refer to: Places * Short (crater), a lunar impact crater on the near side of the Moon * Short, Mississippi, an unincorporated community * Short, Oklahoma, a census-designated place People * Short (surname) * List of people known as ...

''The Road Is Open Again''. Four years later, in an uncredited role in the comedy '' Stand-In'', he appears as an actor dressed as Lincoln who complains of being

typecast In film, television, and theatre, typecasting is the process by which a particular actor becomes strongly identified with a specific character, one or more particular roles, or characters having the same traits or coming from the same social or ...

as the former president.''Stand-In'' (1937)
(TCM), Time Warner, New York, N.Y. Retrieved October 25, 2017. Middleton's association with Lincoln did not end there, although in the 1940 feature film '' Abe Lincoln in Illinois'', he performs not as Abe but as Thomas, Lincoln's father. Middleton also has prominent roles in many serials from 1935 to 1947. He is especially well known for his characterization of

, the evil adversary of the heroic outer-space adventurer Flash Gordon. He appears as Ming in three related serials: '' Flash Gordon'' (1936), ''

Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars ''Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars'' is a 1938 Universal Pictures 15–chapter science-fiction movie serial based on the syndicated newspaper comic strip ''Flash Gordon''. It is the second of the three Flash Gordon serials made by Universal between 1 ...

'' (1938), and ''

Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe ''Flash Gordon Conquers the Universe'' is a 1940 American black-and-white science fiction 12-chapter movie serial from Universal Pictures, produced by Henry MacRae and co-directed by Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor. The serial stars Buster Crabbe, Ca ...

'' (1940). Some of the other serials in which Middleton can be seen include ''

Dick Tracy Returns ''Dick Tracy Returns'' (1938) is a Republic Movie serial based on the Dick Tracy comic strip. It was the eleventh of the sixty-six serials Republic produced and a sequel to the 1937 serial ''Dick Tracy'', with Ralph Byrd reprising his role as the ...

'', ''

Daredevils of the Red Circle ''Daredevils of the Red Circle'' (1939) is a 12-chapter Republic Movie Serial starring Charles Quigley, David Sharpe, Herman Brix (better known under his subsequent stage name, Bruce Bennett), Carole Landis, Miles Mander (in a dual role) an ...

'', and '' Jack Armstrong''. He also portrays the ranch foreman Buck Peters in the 1935 movie '' Hopalong Cassidy Enters'', which is the first entry in that long-running

Western Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

series.

Death

Middleton died of a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which ma ...

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

just two months after the 1949 release of ''

The Last Bandit ''The Last Bandit'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Bill Elliott, Lorna Gray and Forrest Tucker. It was a remake by Republic Pictures of the 1941 film '' The Great Train Robbery''Fetrow p.263 with a larger bu ...

'', the last film in which he appeared. His grave site is located in

Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood Forever Cemetery is a full-service cemetery, funeral home, crematory, and cultural events center which regularly hosts community events such as live music and summer movie screenings. It is one of the oldest cemeteries in Los Angel ...

and is situated next to the grave of his wife of many years, stage and film actress

Leora Spellman Leora Spellman (born Leora Theresa Spellmeyer; July 13, 1888 or 1890 – September 4, 1945) was an American vaudeville performer and stage and film actress and the wife of Charles B. Middleton. Born Leora Theresa Spellmeyer in Bonne Terre, M ...

Partial filmography

* ''

The $1,000,000 Reward ''The $1,000,000 Reward'' is a 1920 American drama film serial directed by George Lessey and produced by Harry Grossman. This is now considered to be a lost film, as there are no available copies of it. Cast * Lillian Walker as Betty Thorndyke * ...

'' (1920) as William Russell * ''Wits vs. Wits'' (1920) as Frank Cheny * ''The Evil Dead'' (1922) as William Russell * '' Pirates of the Pines'' (1928) * ''The Farmer's Daughter'' (1928) as Hiram Flint * '' The Bellamy Trial'' (1929) as District Attorney * ''

The Far Call ''The Far Call'' is a 1929 American lost film directed by Allan Dwan and starring Charles Morton and Leila Hyams. Produced and distributed by the Fox Film Corporation. It is a late silent film with Fox's Movietone sound on film system containing ...

'' (1929) as Kris Larsen * ''

Welcome Danger ''Welcome Danger'' is a 1929 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Clyde Bruckman and starring Harold Lloyd. A sound version and silent version were filmed. Ted Wilde began work on the silent version, but became ill and was replaced by Bruck ...

'' (1929) as John Thorne * ''

Beau Bandit ''Beau Bandit'' is a 1930 American Pre-Code Western film, directed by Lambert Hillyer, from a screenplay by Wallace Smith, based on his short story, "Strictly Business" which appeared in the April 1929 edition of ''Hearst's International-Cosmo ...

'' (1930) as Lucius J. Perkins * '' Way Out West'' (1930) as Buck Rankin * '' East Is West'' (1930) as Dr. Fredericks * ''

Ships of Hate ''Ships of Hate'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by John P. McCarthy and starring Lloyd Hughes, Dorothy Sebastian and Charles Middleton.Dooley p.44 Synopsis A fierce rivalry is raged over a dancer by a captain of a ship and o ...

'' (1931) as Captain Lash * ''

The Miracle Woman ''The Miracle Woman'' is a 1931 American pre-Code romance film directed by Frank Capra and starring Barbara Stanwyck, David Manners, and Sam Hardy. Based on the play ''Bless You Sister'' by John Meehan and Robert Riskin, the film is about a pr ...

'' (1931) as Simpson * ''

An American Tragedy ''An American Tragedy'' is a 1925 novel by American writer Theodore Dreiser. He began the manuscript in the summer of 1920, but a year later abandoned most of that text. It was based on the notorious murder of Grace Brown in 1906 and the trial of ...

'' (1931) as Jephson * '' Caught Plastered'' (1931) as Sheriff Flint * '' Alexander Hamilton'' (1931) as Rabble Rousing Townsman (uncredited) * ''

Palmy Days ''Palmy Days'' is a 1931 American Pre-Code musical comedy film written by Eddie Cantor, Morrie Ryskind, and David Freedman, directed by A. Edward Sutherland, and choreographed by Busby Berkeley (who makes a cameo appearance as a fortune teller ...

'' (1931) as Yolando * '' A Dangerous Affair'' (1931) as Tupper * '' Sob Sister'' (1931) as City Editor Baker * ''

The Ruling Voice ''The Ruling Voice'' is a 1931 American pre-Code gangster drama directed by Rowland V. Lee, starring Walter Huston, Loretta Young, and Doris Kenyon. It had an alternate title ''Upper Underworld'', and was produced by First National Pictures a ...

'' (1931) as Board Member (uncredited) * '' A House Divided'' (1931) as Minister * ''

'' (1931) as Lawyer Jones * '' X Marks the Spot'' (1931) as Detective Kirby * ''

Manhattan Parade ''Manhattan Parade '' is a 1931 American pre-Code musical comedy film photographed entirely in Technicolor. It was originally intended to be released, in the United States, early in 1931, but was shelved due to public apathy towards musicals. De ...

'' (1931) as Sheriff Casey (uncredited) * ''Full of Notions'' (1931) * '' Forbidden'' (1932) as Pianist (uncredited) * ''

High Pressure In science and engineering the study of high pressure examines its effects on materials and the design and construction of devices, such as a diamond anvil cell, which can create high pressure. By ''high pressure'' is usually meant pressures of th ...

'' (1932) as Mr. Banks * '' The Hatchet Man'' (1932) as Lip Hop Fat * ''

'' (1932) as Captain Slade * '' Mystery Ranch'' (1932) as Henry Steele * '' Pack Up Your Troubles'' (1932) as The Welfare Association Officer * ''

The Phantom President ''The Phantom President'' is a 1932 American pre-Code musical comedy and political satire film. It was directed by Norman Taurog, starred George M. Cohan, Claudette Colbert, and Jimmy Durante, with songs by Richard Rodgers (music) and Lorenz Ha ...

'' (1932) as Abe Lincoln (uncredited) * '' Hell's Highway'' (1932) as Matthew the Hermit * ''

Breach of Promise Breach of promise is a common law tort, abolished in many jurisdictions. It was also called breach of contract to marry,N.Y. Civil Rights Act article 8, §§ 80-A to 84. and the remedy awarded was known as heart balm. From at least the Middle ...

'' (1932) as Joe Pugmire * ''

I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang ''I Am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang'' is a 1932 American pre-Code crime-drama film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Paul Muni as a wrongfully convicted man on a chain gang who escapes to Chicago. It was released on November 10, 1932. The f ...

'' (1932) as Train Conductor (uncredited) * '' Rockabye'' (1932) as District Attorney (uncredited) * '' The Sign of the Cross'' (1932) as Tyros * '' Silver Dollar'' (1932) as Jenkins * ''

Too Busy to Work Too Busy to Work may refer to: * ''Too Busy to Work'' (1932 film), an American drama film * ''Too Busy to Work'' (1939 film), an American comedy film {{disambiguation ...

'' (1932) as Chief of Police * '' Pick-Up'' (1933) as Mr. Brewster * '' Destination Unknown'' (1933) as Turk * ''

The Three Musketeers ''The Three Musketeers'' (french: Les Trois Mousquetaires, links=no, ) is a French historical adventure novel written in 1844 by French author Alexandre Dumas. It is in the swashbuckler genre, which has heroic, chivalrous swordsmen who fight ...

'' (1933) as El Shaitan-Speaking (uncredited) * '' Sunset Pass'' (1933) as Williams * ''

The Mystic Hour ''The Mystic Hour'' is a 1933 American mystery film directed by Melville De Lay and starring Charles Hutchison, Lucille Powers and Montagu Love. It is also known by the alternative title of ''At Twelve Midnight''. The film was one of the earlies ...

'' (1933) as Roger Thurston * ''

Tomorrow at Seven ''Tomorrow at Seven'' is a 1933 American pre-Code mystery comedy film directed by Ray Enright Ray Enright (March 25, 1896 – April 3, 1965) was an American film director. He directed 73 films between 1927–53, many of them for Warne ...

'' (1933) as Jerry Simons * '' Disgraced!'' (1933) as district attorney * '' This Day and Age'' (1933) as district attorney * ''The Road is Open Again'' (1933, Short) as Abraham Lincoln * '' Doctor Bull'' (1933) as Mr. Upjohn, Selectman (uncredited) * ''

The Bowery The Bowery () is a street and neighborhood in Lower Manhattan in New York City. The street runs from Chatham Square at Park Row, Worth Street, and Mott Street in the south to Cooper Square at 4th Street in the north.Jackson, Kenneth L. "Bo ...

'' (1933) as Detective (uncredited) * ''

Big Executive ''Big Executive'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code drama film directed by Erle C. Kenton and written by Alice Duer Miller and Laurence Stallings. The film stars Ricardo Cortez, Richard Bennett, Elizabeth Young, Sharon Lynn, Dorothy Peterson, Barton ...

'' (1933) as Sheriff * ''

White Woman ''White Woman'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by Stuart Walker and starring Carole Lombard, Charles Laughton, and Charles Bickford.''The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1931-40'' published by The American Film ...

'' (1933) as Fenton * '' Duck Soup'' (1933) as Prosecutor * ''

The World Changes ''The World Changes'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Paul Muni as an ambitious farm boy who becomes rich, but does not handle success well. Aline MacMahon and Mary Astor play his mother and wife r ...

'' (1933) as Sheriff Wild Bill Hickok (uncredited) * ''

Lone Cowboy ''Lone Cowboy: Live & Solo'' is the twenty-ninth album by American singer-songwriter Michael Martin Murphey, his first solo album, and his third live album. The album was recorded live in October 2008 at the Western Jubilee Warehouse Theater in C ...

'' (1933) as U.S. Marshal * ''

Mr. Skitch ''Mr. Skitch'' is a 1933 American comedy film directed by James Cruze and written by Sonya Levien and Ralph Spence. The film stars Will Rogers, Rochelle Hudson, ZaSu Pitts, Florence Desmond, Harry Green and Charles Starrett. The film was relea ...

'' (1933) as Frank (uncredited) * ''

Massacre A massacre is the killing of a large number of people or animals, especially those who are not involved in any fighting or have no way of defending themselves. A massacre is generally considered to be morally unacceptable, especially when per ...

'' (1934) as Sheriff Scatters * ''

Nana Nana, Nanna, Na Na or NANA may refer to: People and fictional characters * Nana (given name), including a list of people and characters with the given name * Nana (surname), including a list of people and characters with the surname * Nana ( ...

'' (1934) as Man Announcing Start of the War (uncredited) * ''

David Harum ''David Harum; A Story of American Life'' is a best-selling novel of 1898 by Edward Noyes Westcott, whose principal legacy is the colloquial use of the term ''horse trading''. Literary significance and criticism Written by retired Syracuse, N ...

'' (1934) as Deacon Perkins * '' The Last Round-Up'' (1934) as Sheriff * ''

Private Scandal ''Private Scandal'' is a 1934 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Ralph Murphy and written by Vera Caspary, Garrett Fort and Bruce Manning. The film stars ZaSu Pitts, Phillips Holmes, Mary Brian, Ned Sparks, Lew Cody, June Brewster and ...

'' (1934) as Mr. Baker (uncredited) * ''

Murder at the Vanities ''Murder at the Vanities'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code musical film based on the 1933 Broadway show with music by Victor Young. It was released by Paramount Pictures. It was directed by Mitchell Leisen, stars Victor McLaglen, Carl Brisson, Jac ...

'' (1934) as Homer Boothby * '' Whom the Gods Destroy'' (1934) as Constable Malcolm (uncredited) * ''

When Strangers Meet ''When Strangers Meet'' is a 1934 American drama film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Richard Cromwell, Arline Judge, and Lucien Littlefield. It was released on July 20, 1934. Cast * Richard Cromwell as Paul Tarman * Arline Judge as Ru ...

'' (1934) as John Tarman * '' Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch'' (1934) as Mr. Bagby * '' The St. Louis Kid'' (1934) as Sheriff (uncredited) * '' Broadway Bill'' (1934) as Veterinarian (uncredited) * '' Behold My Wife!'' (1934) as Juan Storm Cloud * '' Red Morning'' (1934) as Stanchon * '' The County Chairman'' (1935) as Riley Cleaver * '' Square Shooter'' (1935) as Jed Miller * ''

In Spite of Danger ''In Spite of Danger'' is a 1935 American action film directed by Lambert Hillyer and written by Anthony Coldeway. The film stars Wallace Ford, Marian Marsh, Arthur Hohl, Charley Grapewin, Charles Middleton and Edward LeSaint. The film was relea ...

'' (1935) as Mr. Merritt * ''

The Miracle Rider ''The Miracle Rider'' is a 1935 American Western film serial directed by B. Reeves Eason and Armand Schaefer for Mascot. It stars silent movie cowboy star Tom Mix in his last major film role. Plot summary Zaroff ( Charles Middleton), a rancher ...

'' (1935) as Zaroff * '' Reckless'' (1935) as District Attorney (uncredited) * ''

Hop-Along Cassidy ''Hop-Along Cassidy'' (reissued as ''Hopalong Cassidy Enters'') is a 1935 American Western film that features the character '' Hop-Along Cassidy'' created by writer Clarence E. Mulford. This is the first of 66 ''Hopalong Cassidy'' films produce ...

'' (1935) as Buck Peters * ''

Steamboat Round the Bend ''Steamboat Round the Bend'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by John Ford, released by 20th Century Fox and produced by Fox Film Corporation, based on the 1933 novel of the same name by author Ben Lucien Burman. It was the final film made ...

'' (1935) as Fleety Belle's Father (uncredited) * '' Special Agent'' (1935) as State Police Commander (uncredited) * '' The Virginia Judge'' (1935) * ''

Frisco Kid ''Frisco Kid'' is a 1935 film starring James Cagney and directed by Lloyd Bacon. Set in San Francisco in the 1850s, it traces the rise and fall (and possible redemption) of a sailor who achieves wealth and success on San Francisco's Barbary Coas ...

'' (1935) as Speaker (uncredited) * '' Rose of the Rancho'' (1936) as Horse Doctor (uncredited) * '' Sunset of Power'' (1936) as Neil Brannum * '' The Trail of the Lonesome Pine'' (1936) as Blacksmith * ''

Road Gang ''Road Gang'' is a 1936 film directed by Louis King, written by Dalton Trumbo, produced by Bryan Foy, and starring Donald Woods and Kay Linaker. The film shows economic and social injustice due to political corruption. Premise The managing ...

'' (1936) as Mine Warden Grayson * ''

Song of the Saddle '' Song of the Saddle '' is a 1936 American Western film starring Dick Foran, Alma Lloyd, Charles Middleton, and featuring an uncredited Sons of the Pioneers with Roy Rogers. Cast *Dick Foran - Frank Wilson Jr. as The Singing Kid * Alma Lloy ...

'' (1936) as Phineas Hook * '' Flash Gordon'' (1936, Serial) as Ming the Merciless * ''

'' (1936) as Sheriff Ike Vallon * ''

A Son Comes Home ''A Son Comes Home'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by E.A. Dupont and starring Mary Boland, Julie Haydon and Donald Woods. It was one of three films made by Dupont for Paramount Pictures.St. Pierre p.23 Plot Partial cast * Mary Boland ...

'' (1936) as Prosecutor * '' Jailbreak'' (1936) as Dan Stone * '' The Texas Rangers'' (1936) as Higgins' Lawyer (uncredited) * ''

Ramona ''Ramona'' is a 1884 American novel written by Helen Hunt Jackson. Set in Southern California after the Mexican–American War, it portrays the life of a mixed-race Scottish– Native American orphan girl, who suffers racial discrimination and ...

'' (1936) as American Settler (uncredited) * '' Wedding Present'' (1936) as Turnbull (uncredited) * ''

Career Woman A career woman is a term which describes a woman whose main goal in life is to create a career for herself. At the time that the term was first used in the 1930s American context, it was specifically used to differentiate between women who either ...

'' (1936) as Matt Clay * '' Empty Saddles'' (1936) as Cimarron (Cim) White * ''

The Good Earth ''The Good Earth'' is a historical fiction novel by Pearl S. Buck published in 1931 that dramatizes family life in a Chinese village in the early 20th century. It is the first book in her ''House of Earth'' trilogy, continued in ''Sons'' (1932) ...

'' (1937) as Banker (uncredited) * ''

We're on the Jury ''We're on the Jury'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Ben Holmes and starring Victor Moore and Helen Broderick Helen Broderick (August 11, 1891 – September 25, 1959) was an American actress known for her comic roles, especia ...

'' (1937) as Mr. B.J. Martin, Jury Foreman * ''

John Meade's Woman ''John Meade's Woman'' is a 1937 American drama film directed by Richard Wallace and written by John Bright, Vincent Lawrence, Herman J. Mankiewicz and Robert Tasker. The film stars Edward Arnold, Francine Larrimore, Gail Patrick, George Banc ...

'' (1937) as Farmer (uncredited) * '' Two Gun Law'' (1937) as Wolf Larson * ''

Hollywood Cowboy ''Hollywood Cowboy'' is a 1937 American adventure film directed by Ewing Scott and written by Daniel Jarrett and Ewing Scott. The film stars George O'Brien, Cecilia Parker, Maude Eburne, Joe Caits and Frank Milan. The film was released on May 28 ...

'' (1937) as Doc Kramer * ''

Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge ''Yodelin' Kid from Pine Ridge'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Joseph Kane and starring Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, and Betty Bronson. Based on a story by Jack Natteford, the film is about the son of a Southeastern cattleman who ...

'' (1937) as Gene Autry Sr. * ''

Slave Ship Slave ships were large cargo ships specially built or converted from the 17th to the 19th century for transporting slaves. Such ships were also known as "Guineamen" because the trade involved human trafficking to and from the Guinea coast ...

'' (1937) as Slave Dealer * ''

The Last Train from Madrid ''The Last Train from Madrid'' is a 1937 American war drama film directed by James P. Hogan and starring Dorothy Lamour, Lew Ayres and Gilbert Roland. It is set during the Spanish Civil War. The film was one of the few contemporary Hollywood film ...

'' (1937) as Warden (uncredited) * ''

Souls at Sea ''Souls at Sea'' is a 1937 American adventure film directed by Henry Hathaway and starring Gary Cooper and George Raft. Based on a story by Ted Lesser, the film is about a first mate on a slave ship who frees the slaves on the ship after a mutiny ...

'' (1937) as Jury Foreman (uncredited) * ''

Conquest Conquest is the act of military subjugation of an enemy by force of arms. Military history provides many examples of conquest: the Roman conquest of Britain, the Mauryan conquest of Afghanistan and of vast areas of the Indian subcontinent, t ...

'' (1937) as Sergeant at Elba (uncredited) * '' Stand-In'' (1937) as Actor Dressed as Abraham Lincoln (uncredited) * ''

Jezebel Jezebel (;"Jezebel"
(US) and ) was the daughte ...

'' (1938) as Officer (uncredited) * ''

'' (1938) as Emperor Ming * '' Flaming Frontiers'' (1938, Serial) as Ace Daggett (Chs. 5-15) * ''

'' (1938) as Pa Stark * ''Strange Faces'' (1938) as Abraham Lincoln look-alike (uncredited) * '' The Law West of Tombstone'' (1938) as Newspaper Editor (uncredited) * ''

The Strange Case of Dr. Meade ''The Strange Case of Dr. Meade'' is a 1938 American adventure film directed by Lewis D. Collins and starring Jack Holt, Beverly Roberts and Noah Beery Jr.Darby p.65 Cast * Jack Holt as Dr. Meade * Beverly Roberts as Bonnie * Noah Beery Jr ...

'' (1938) as Lacey * ''

Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia ...

'' (1938) as Southerner * '' Jesse James'' (1939) as Doctor * ''

The Oklahoma Kid ''The Oklahoma Kid'' is a 1939 Western film starring James Cagney and Humphrey Bogart. The film was directed for Warner Bros. by Lloyd Bacon. Cagney plays an adventurous gunslinger in a broad-brimmed cowboy hat while Bogart portrays his blac ...

'' (1939) as Alec Martin * '' Juarez'' (1939) as Carbajal (scenes deleted) * ''

Captain Fury ''Captain Fury'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by Hal Roach. It is set in colonial Australia as one of Hollywood's few attempts to depict Australian history.' Plot In the 1840s, Captain Michael Fury (Brian Aherne) is an Irish patri ...

'' (1939) as Mergon * ''

'' (1939) as 39013, Harry Crowel * ''

Wyoming Outlaw ''Wyoming Outlaw'' is a 1939 American "Three Mesquiteers" Western film directed by George Sherman and starring John Wayne, Ray Corrigan, and Raymond Hatton. Wayne played the lead in eight of the fifty-one films in the series. Plot summary Ca ...

'' (1939) as Luke Parker * '' Way Down South'' (1939) as Cass * '' Blackmail'' (1939) as Southern Deputy (uncredited) * ''

$1,000 a Touchdown ''$1,000 a Touchdown'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by James P. Hogan, written by Delmer Daves, and starring Joe E. Brown, Martha Raye, Eric Blore, Susan Hayward, John Hartley and Joyce Mathews. It was released on October 4, 1939, by ...

'' (1939) as Stage Manager (uncredited) * ''

The Flying Deuces ''The Flying Deuces'', also known as ''Flying Aces'', is a 1939 buddy comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy, in which the duo join the French Foreign Legion. It is a partial remake of their short film ''Beau Hunks'' (1931). Plot While the boys ...

'' (1939) as Commandant * ''

Allegheny Uprising ''Allegheny Uprising'' (released in the UK as ''The First Rebel'') is a 1939 American Adventure Western film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Claire Trevor and John Wayne. Based on the 1937 novel ''The First Rebel'' by Neil H. Swanson, ...

'' (1939) as Dr. Stoke (uncredited) * ''

Cowboys from Texas ''Cowboys from Texas'' is a 1939 American Western "Three Mesquiteers" B-movie directed by George Sherman. Cast * Robert Livingston as Stony Brooke * Raymond Hatton as Rusty Joslin * Duncan Renaldo as Renaldo * Carole Landis as June Jones * Ch ...

'' (1939) as Kansas Jones * ''

Gone with the Wind Gone with the Wind most often refers to: * ''Gone with the Wind'' (novel), a 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell * ''Gone with the Wind'' (film), the 1939 adaptation of the novel Gone with the Wind may also refer to: Music * ''Gone with the Wind'' ...

'' (1939) as Man With Stove Pipe Hat in Charge of Convict Workers (uncredited) * ''Thou Shalt Not Kill'' (1939) as Lars Olsen * '' Abe Lincoln in Illinois'' (1940) as Tom Lincoln * ''

The Grapes of Wrath ''The Grapes of Wrath'' is an American realist novel written by John Steinbeck and published in 1939. The book won the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize for fiction, and it was cited prominently when Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Priz ...

'' (1940) as Roadblock Leader * ''

Virginia City Virginia City is a census-designated place (CDP) that is the county seat of Storey County, Nevada, and the largest community in the county. The city is a part of the Reno– Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area. Virginia City developed as a boom ...

'' (1940) as Jefferson Davis * ''

'' (1940, Serial) as Emperor Ming * ''

Shooting High ''Shooting High'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Alfred E. Green and starring Jane Withers, Gene Autry, and Marjorie Weaver. Written by Lou Breslow and Owen Francis, the film is about a generations-old feud between two families. Th ...

'' (1940) as Hod Carson * '' Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise'' (1940) as Mr. Walters * ''

Island of Doomed Men ''Island of Doomed Men'' is a 1940 American film noir crime film directed by Charles Barton and starring Peter Lorre. Plot Stephen Danel lures paroled convicts to his isolated island where they are forced to work as slaves for life. Governme ...

'' (1940) as Captain Cort * ''

Gold Rush Maisie ''Gold Rush Maisie'' is a 1940 drama film, the third of ten films starring Ann Sothern as Maisie Ravier, a showgirl with a heart of gold. In this entry in the series, she joins a gold rush to a ghost town. The film was directed by Edwin L. Marin. ...

'' (1940) as Camp Owner with a Pig (uncredited) * ''

Brigham Young Brigham Young (; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from 1847 until his death in 1877. During his time as ch ...

'' (1940) as Mob Member (uncredited) * ''

Rangers of Fortune ''Rangers of Fortune'' is a 1940 American Western film directed by Sam Wood. The plot revolves around three heroes, played by Fred MacMurray, Albert Dekker, and Gilbert Roland, as they battle a ruthless land baron who is intent on driving out s ...

'' (1940) as Water Thug (uncredited) * '' Santa Fe Trail'' (1940) as Gentry * ''

Chad Hanna ''Chad Hanna'' is a 1940 American drama romance film directed by Henry King, and was adapted from a bestseller of sorts that was published that same year. The novel was written by Walter Dumaux Edmonds (after it had first been published in seri ...

'' (1940) as Sheriff (scenes deleted) * ''

Western Union The Western Union Company is an American multinational financial services company, headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 1851 as the New York and Mississippi Valley Printing Telegraph Company in Rochester, New York, the company cha ...

'' (1941) as Stagecoach Rider (uncredited) * ''

Ride, Kelly, Ride ''Ride, Kelly, Ride'' is a 1941 American drama film directed by Norman Foster and written by William Conselman Jr. and Irving Cummings Jr.. The film stars Eugene Pallette, Marvin Stephens, Rita Quigley, Mary Healy, Richard Lane and Charles D. B ...

'' (1941) as Mr. Dunn, Foreman (uncredited) * '' Sergeant York'' (1941) as Mountaineer (uncredited) * '' The Shepherd of the Hills'' (1941) as Blacksmith (uncredited) * ''

Wild Geese Calling ''Wild Geese Calling'' is a 1941 American drama film directed by John Brahm and starring Henry Fonda and Joan Bennett. It was distributed by 20th Century-Fox. The screenplay was written by Horace McCoy, based on a novel by Stewart Edward White. ...

'' (1941) as Doctor Jed Sloan * ''

Belle Starr Myra Maybelle Shirley Reed Starr (February 5, 1848 – February 3, 1889), better known as Belle Starr, was an American outlaw who gained national notoriety after her violent death. She associated with the James–Younger Gang and other outlaw ...

'' (1941) as Carpetbagger * '' Stick to Your Guns'' (1941) as Long Ben * '' Jungle Man'' (1941) as Rev. James 'Jim' Graham * ''

Wild Bill Hickok Rides ''Wild Bill Hickok Rides'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Ray Enright and starring Constance Bennett, Bruce Cabot and Warren William. Bennett was paid $10,000 for her appearance, a significant drop from what she had recently been e ...

'' (1942) as Claim Jumping Leader (uncredited) * ''

Sing Your Worries Away ''Sing Your Worries Away'' is a 1942 musical film directed by A. Edward Sutherland and starring Buddy Ebsen, June Havoc, Patsy Kelly, Bert Lahr, Dorothy Lovett and Sam Levene. Cast * Buddy Ebsen as Tommy Jones * Patsy Kelly as Bebe McGuire ...

'' (1942) as Judge (uncredited) * ''

The Mystery of Marie Roget ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' (1942) as Curator * ''

Men of San Quentin ''Men of San Quentin'' is a 1942 American film directed by William Beaudine. Plot Cast * J. Anthony Hughes as Jack Holden *Eleanor Stewart as Anne Holden *Dick Curtis as Butch Mason *Charles B. Middleton as Saunderson * Jeffrey Sayre as Jim ...

'' (1942) as Saunderson * ''

Tombstone, the Town Too Tough to Die ''Tombstone, the Town Too Tough to Die'' is a 1942 American Western film about the Gunfight at the OK Corral. It is directed by William McGann and stars Richard Dix as Wyatt Earp, Kent Taylor as Doc Holliday and Edgar Buchanan as Curly Bill ...

'' (1942) as 1st Mayor * ''

Perils of Nyoka ''Perils of Nyoka'' is a 1942 Republic serial directed by William Witney. It stars Kay Aldridge as Nyoka the Jungle Girl, a character who first appeared in the Edgar Rice Burroughs-inspired serial ''Jungle Girl''. Plot Nyoka, with help from La ...

'' (1942) as Cassib * ''

Two Weeks to Live ''Two Weeks to Live'' is a 1943 American Lum and Abner film directed by Malcolm St. Clair. Plot This time around, Abner Peabody, proud owner of the Jot 'Em Down general store in Pine Ridge, Arkansas, inherits railroad stock from his Uncle Ern ...

'' (1943) as Elmer Kelton (uncredited) * ''

Hangmen Also Die! ''Hangmen Also Die!'' is a 1943 noir war film directed by the Austrian director Fritz Lang and written by John Wexley from a story by Bertolt Brecht (credited as Bert Brecht) and Lang. The film stars Hans Heinrich von Twardowski, Brian Donlevy, W ...

'' (1943) as Patriot at Meeting with Svoboda (uncredited) * ''

The Black Raven ''The Black Raven'' is a 1943 American mystery film directed by Sam Newfield. It was produced and released by Producers Releasing Corporation, a leading Poverty Row studio. Plot A heavy storm catches everybody, nearly all with good reasons fo ...

'' (1943) as Sheriff * '' Batman'' (1943) as Ken Colton h. 6-8(uncredited) * '' Crazy House'' (1943) as Sheriff (uncredited) * '' The Desert Hawk'' (1944) as Koda Bey * '' Kismet'' (1944) as The Miser (uncredited) * ''

Black Arrow Black Arrow, officially capitalised BLACK ARROW, was a British satellite carrier rocket. Developed during the 1960s, it was used for four launches between 1969 and 1971, all launched from the Woomera Prohibited Area in Australia. Its final fl ...

'' (1944) as Tom Whitney * ''

The Town Went Wild ''The Town Went Wild'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Ralph Murphy and starring Freddie Bartholomew and Edward Everett Horton Plot Like Romeo and Juliet, next door neighbours David Conway and Carol Harrison are deeply in love wi ...

'' (1944) as Sam, Midvale District Attorney * ''

Hollywood and Vine Hollywood and Vine, the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood, a district of Los Angeles, became known in the 1920s for its concentration of radio and movie-related businesses. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is centered ...

'' (1945) as Wilson, Abigail's Lawyer (uncredited) * ''

Our Vines Have Tender Grapes ''Our Vines Have Tender Grapes'' is a 1945 American drama film directed by Roy Rowland and starring Edward G. Robinson and Margaret O'Brien. Background The film is based on the 1940 novel of the same name by George Victor Martin about the Norw ...

'' (1945) as Kurt Jensen * ''

Northwest Trail ''Northwest Trail'' is a 1945 American contemporary Western film directed by Derwin Abrahams shot in Cinecolor at Lake Hemet, California. It stars Bob Steele, Joan Woodbury, and Madge Bellamy making a comeback appearance in her final film. Pl ...

'' (1945) as Pierre * '' Who's Guilty?'' (1945) as Patton Calvert * ''How DOooo You Do'' (1945) as Sheriff Hayworth * ''

Strangler of the Swamp ''Strangler of the Swamp'' is a 1946 American horror film, produced and distributed by Producers Releasing Corporation. It was written and directed by Frank Wisbar, and stars Rosemary LaPlanche, Robert Barrat and Blake Edwards. It is a remake o ...

'' (1946) as Ferryman Douglas * ''

Spook Busters ''Spook Busters'' is a 1946 film directed by William Beaudine and starring the comedy team of The Bowery Boys. It is the fourth film in the series of forty eight. Plot All of the boys have just graduated from school where they learned exterminati ...

'' (1946) as Mr. Stiles * ''

The Killers The Killers are an American rock band formed in Las Vegas in 2001 by Brandon Flowers (lead vocals, keyboards, bass) and Dave Keuning (lead guitar, backing vocals). After going through a number of short-term bass players and drummers in t ...

'' (1946) as Farmer (uncredited) * ''Desert Command'' (1946) as El Shaitan (voice, uncredited) * '' Jack Armstrong'' (1947) as Jason Grood (uncredited) * '' The Sea of Grass'' (1947) as Charley, Saloon Owner (uncredited) * ''

Welcome Stranger The Welcome Stranger is the biggest alluvial gold nugget that has ever been found, which had a calculated refined weight of .Potter, Terry F. (1999) ''The Welcome Stranger: a definitive account of the worlds largest alluvial gold nugget''. I ...

'' (1947) as Farmer Pinkett (uncredited) * '' Gunfighters'' (1947) as Sheriff #1 (uncredited) * ''

Wyoming Wyoming () is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the southwest, and Colorado to the s ...

'' (1947) as Rev. Withers (uncredited) * '' The Pretender'' (1947) as William the Butler * '' Unconquered'' (1947) as Mulligan (scenes deleted) * ''

Road to Rio ''Road to Rio'' is a 1947 American semimusical comedy film directed by Norman Z. McLeod and starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, and Dorothy Lamour. Written by Edmund Beloin and Jack Rose, the film is about two inept vaudevillians who stow away on ...

'' (1947) as Farmer (uncredited) * ''

My Girl Tisa ''My Girl Tisa'' is a 1948 film directed by Elliott Nugent and starring Lilli Palmer and Sam Wanamaker. It is based on the play ''Ever the Beginning'' by Lucille S. Prumbs and Sara B. Smith (copyrighted 14 May 1946). Plot In 1905, Tisa Kepes is a ...

'' (1948) as Examiner (uncredited) * '' Here Comes Trouble'' (1948) as Reporter (uncredited) * '' Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House'' (1948) as Wrecker (uncredited) * ''

Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin' ''Feudin', Fussin' and A-Fightin is a 1948 American musical comedy film directed by George Sherman and starring Donald O'Connor. Also featured are Marjorie Main and Percy Kilbride, (who later reprised essentially the same roles as Ma and Pa Kettl ...

'' (1948) as Townsman (uncredited) * '' Station West'' (1948) as Sheriff * '' Jiggs and Maggie in Court'' (1948) as Mr. Burton, an Attorney * ''

The Decision of Christopher Blake ''The Decision of Christopher Blake'' is a 1948 American drama film based upon the Moss Hart play. It was adapted by Ranald MacDougall and directed by Peter Godfrey. The film stars Alexis Smith, Robert Douglas, Cecil Kellaway, Ted Donaldson, ...

'' (1948) as President in Dream (uncredited) * ''

'' (1949) as Blindfolded Circuit Rider (final film role)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Middleton, Charles B. 1874 births 1949 deaths American male film actors American male stage actors Male film serial actors Vaudeville performers Male actors from Kentucky People from Elizabethtown, Kentucky Burials at Hollywood Forever Cemetery 20th-century American male actors Male Western (genre) film actors

Career

Death

Partial filmography

See also

References

External links