Charles Halton (March 16, 1876 – April 16, 1959) was an American character actor who appeared in over 180 films.

Life and career

Halton trained at the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts. He made his Broadway debut in 1901, after which he appeared in about 35 productions during the next 50 years. From the 1920s, Halton's thinning hair, rimless glasses, stern-looking face and officious manner were also familiar to generations of American moviegoers. Whether playing the neighborhood busybody, a stern government bureaucrat or weaselly attorney, Halton's characters tried to drive the "immoral influences" out of the neighborhood, foreclose on the orphanage, evict the poor widow and her children from their apartment, or any other number of dastardly deeds, all justified usually by "...I'm sorry but that's my job." Among his highest-profile roles were Mr. Carter, the bank examiner in Frank Capra's '' It's a Wonderful Life'' (1946), the Polish theatre producer Dobosh in Ernst Lubitsch's '' To Be or Not to Be'' (1942), and a county official from Idaho in

Alfred Hitchcock Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock (13 August 1899 – 29 April 1980) was an English filmmaker. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of cinema. In a career spanning six decades, he directed over 50 featur ...

's '' Mr. & Mrs. Smith'' (1941). In ''

Enemy of Women ''Enemy of Women'' is a 1944 American anti-Nazi propaganda film directed by Alfred Zeisler. The lead character is Joseph Goebbels, played by Paul Andor. Plot Paul Joseph Goebbels, a down-on-his-luck playwright, boards with German military pens ...

'' (1944), the story of

Joseph Goebbels Paul Joseph Goebbels (; 29 October 1897 – 1 May 1945) was a German Nazi politician who was the '' Gauleiter'' (district leader) of Berlin, chief propagandist for the Nazi Party, and then Reich Minister of Propaganda from 1933 to ...

, Halton played against type as a kindly radio performer of children's stories who is arrested by the Nazis. Although his career slowed down in the 1950s, he also played roles in numerous television series. His 40-year film career ended with '' High School Confidential'' (1958), after which he retired. On April 16, 1959, Halton died of hepatitis in Los Angeles. He was 83.

Selected filmography

*'' The Adventurer'' (1917) - Austin *''God's Man'' (1917) *''Behind the Mask'' (1917) - Larrabee *'' The Climbers'' (1919) - Jordan *'' The Tower of Jewels'' (1920) - Jimmy the Rat *''

Laughter Laughter is a pleasant physical reaction and emotion consisting usually of rhythmical, often audible contractions of the diaphragm and other parts of the respiratory system. It is a response to certain external or internal stimuli. Laughter ...

'' (1930) - Winslow - Gibson's Secretary (uncredited) *'' Honor Among Lovers'' (1931) - Wilkes *'' Storm at Daybreak'' (1933) - Villager (uncredited) *'' His Double Life'' (1933) - Newsman on Phone (uncredited) *'' Twenty Million Sweethearts'' (1934) - Sound Effects Man (uncredited) *'' Come and Get It'' (1936) - Mr. Hewitt *'' More Than a Secretary'' (1936) - Mr. Crosby *'' Sing Me a Love Song'' (1936) - Mr. Willard (uncredited) *''

Gold Diggers of 1937 ''Gold Diggers of 1937'' is a Warner Bros. movie musical directed by Lloyd Bacon with musical numbers created and directed by Busby Berkeley. The film stars Dick Powell and Joan Blondell, who were married at the time, with Glenda Farrell an ...

'' (1936) - Dr. Bell *'' Black Legion'' (1937) - Osgood *'' Stolen Holiday'' (1937) - Le Grande *''

Penrod and Sam Penrod and Sam may refer to: * ''Penrod and Sam'' (novel), a 1916 novel by Booth Tarkington, and films based on it: ** ''Penrod and Sam'' (1923 film) ** ''Penrod and Sam'' (1931 film) ** ''Penrod and Sam'' (1937 film) {{disambiguation ...

'' (1937) - Mr. Rodney H. Bitts *'' Ready, Willing and Able'' (1937) - Brockman *'' Woman Chases Man'' (1937) - Mr. Judd *'' Pick a Star'' (1937) - Mr. Klawheimer *''

The Road Back ''The Road Back'', also translated as ''The Way Back'', (german: Der Weg zurück) is a novel by German author Erich Maria Remarque, commonly regarded as a sequel to his 1929 novel ''All Quiet on the Western Front''. It was first serialized in the ...

'' (1937) - Uncle Rudolph *'' Talent Scout'' (1937) - M.B. Carter *'' Dead End'' (1937) - Whitey (uncredited) *''

The Prisoner of Zenda ''The Prisoner of Zenda'' is an 1894 adventure novel by Anthony Hope, in which the King of Ruritania is drugged on the eve of his coronation and thus is unable to attend the ceremony. Political forces within the realm are such that, in or ...

'' (1937) - Passport Officer (uncredited) *'' Partners in Crime'' (1937) - Silas Wagon *'' Trouble at Midnight'' (1937) - Everett Benson *'' Blossoms on Broadway'' (1937) - Dr. Gilgallon *'' Penitentiary'' (1938) - Leonard Nettleford (uncredited) *'' Gold Is Where You Find It'' (1938) - Turner (uncredited) *'' Penrod and His Twin Brother'' (1938) - Mr. Bitts *'' Bluebeard's Eighth Wife'' (1938) - Monsieur de la Coste - Store President (uncredited) *'' Stolen Heaven'' (1938) - Friedrich Polesie *''

The Saint in New York ''The Saint in New York'' is a mystery novel by Leslie Charteris, first published in the United Kingdom by Hodder and Stoughton in 1935. It was published in the United States by Doubleday in January 1935. A shorter version of the novel had ...

'' (1938) - Vincent Nather *'' I'll Give a Million'' (1938) - Mayor *''

Penrod's Double Trouble ''Penrod's Double Trouble'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Lewis Seiler, written by Crane Wilbur, and based on stories by Booth Tarkington. The film stars Billy Mauch, Bobby Mauch, Dick Purcell, Gene Lockhart, Kathleen Lockhart and ...

'' (1938) - Mr. Bitts *'' I Am the Law'' (1938) - George Leander *'' Room Service'' (1938) - Dr. Glass *'' The Mad Miss Manton'' (1938) - Popsy - the Lawyer (uncredited) *'' A Man to Remember'' (1938) - Atty. Clyde Perkins (uncredited) *'' The Girl Downstairs'' (1938) - Karovian Ambassador (uncredited) *'' Federal Man-Hunt'' (1938) - Damon Lauber *''

Jesse James Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla and leader of the James–Younger Gang. Raised in the " Little Dixie" area of Western Missouri, James and his family maintained s ...

'' (1939) - Heywood *'' Nancy Drew... Reporter'' (1939) - Newspaper Publicity Man (uncredited) *'' I'm from Missouri'' (1939) - Henry Couch *'' They Made Her a Spy'' (1939) - Beldon *'' Sudden Money'' (1939) - Mr. Wixby *'' Dodge City'' (1939) - Surrett's Lawyer *'' Juarez'' (1939) - Mr. Roberts (scenes deleted) * ''

Ex-Champ ''Ex-Champ'' is a 1939 American drama film, directed by Phil Rosen. It stars Victor McLaglen, Tom Brown, and Nan Grey, and was released on June 16, 1939. Cast list * Victor McLaglen as Tom Grey * Tom Brown as Bob Hill * Nan Grey as Joan Grey * ...

'' (1939) - Trilby *'' They Asked for It'' (1939) - Dr. Tyler *'' Young Mr. Lincoln'' (1939) - Hawthorne (uncredited) *''

News Is Made at Night ''News Is Made at Night'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Alfred L. Werker and written by John Larkin. The film stars Preston Foster, Lynn Bari, Russell Gleason, George Barbier, Eddie Collins and Minor Watson. The film was released o ...

'' (1939) - Lt. Gov. Elmer Hinge *'' Indianapolis Speedway'' (1939) - Mayor *'' Lady of the Tropics'' (1939) - Manager of Rubber Company (uncredited) *'' Charlie Chan at Treasure Island'' (1939) - Redley *'' Golden Boy'' (1939) - Newspaperman (scenes deleted) *''

Dust Be My Destiny ''Dust Be My Destiny'' is a 1939 American drama film starring John Garfield as a man who gets into trouble after being sentenced to a work farm. Plot Joe Bell (John Garfield) becomes embittered after he is jailed for 16 months for burglary . Late ...

'' (1939) - Pawnshop Owner (uncredited) *'' No Place to Go'' (1939) - Mr. Bradford *'' Reno'' (1939) - Augustus Welch *'' The Hunchback of Notre Dame'' (1939) - Printer (uncredited) *'' Swanee River'' (1939) - Pond (uncredited) *'' The Shop Around the Corner'' (1940) - Detective *''

Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet ''Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet'' is a 1940 American biographical film directed by William Dieterle and starring Edward G. Robinson, based on the true story of the German doctor and scientist Dr. Paul Ehrlich. The film was released by Warner Bros., ...

'' (1940) - Sensenbrenner *'' The Ghost Comes Home'' (1940) - Mr. Stark - Steamship Official (uncredited) *'' Virginia City'' (1940) - Ralston - Virginia City Banker (uncredited) *'' Dr. Cyclops'' (1940) - Dr. Bulfinch *'' The Man with Nine Lives'' (1940) - Doctor in Front Row in Final Scene (uncredited) *''

The Doctor Takes a Wife ''The Doctor Takes a Wife'' is a 1940 screwball comedy film starring Loretta Young and Ray Milland as a best-selling author and medical school instructor, respectively, who find it convenient to pretend to be married, even though they initially l ...

'' (1940) - Dr. Streeter *''

20 Mule Team ''20 Mule Team'' (also known as ''Twenty Mule Team'') is a 1940 American Western film about Death Valley, and Daggett, California borax miners, directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Wallace Beery, Marjorie Rambeau and Anne Baxter. The film ...

'' (1940) - Henry Adams *'' Lillian Russell'' (1940) - Dr' Dobbins *'' Gangs of Chicago'' (1940) - Bromo *'' They Drive By Night'' (1940) - Farnsworth, a loan shark (uncredited) *'' Lucky Partners'' (1940) - Chamber of Commerce Official (uncredited) *''

I Love You Again ''I Love You Again'' is an MGM comedy released in 1940. It was directed by W.S. Van Dyke and starred William Powell and Myrna Loy, all three of whom were prominently involved in the '' Thin Man'' film series. Plot In 1940, while on a cruise, sto ...

'' (1940) - Mr. Leonard Harkspur Sr. (uncredited) *''

Stranger on the Third Floor ''Stranger on the Third Floor'' is a 1940 American film noir directed by Boris Ingster and starring Peter Lorre, John McGuire, and Margaret Tallichet, and featuring Elisha Cook Jr. It was written by Frank Partos. Modern research has shown tha ...

'' (1940) - Albert Meng *'' Foreign Correspondent'' (1940) - Bradley *'' Young People'' (1940) - Moderator *'' The Westerner'' (1940) - Mort Borrow *'' Calling All Husbands'' (1940) - Hadley Weaver *'' Tugboat Annie Sails Again'' (1940) - Alec Severn *'' Little Nellie Kelly'' (1940) - Second Judge (uncredited) *'' Behind the News'' (1940) - Neil Saunders *'' Mr. & Mrs. Smith'' (1941) - Harry Deever, an Idaho county official *'' Blonde Inspiration'' (1941) - Mr. Packer (uncredited) *'' Meet the Chump'' (1941) - Dr. Stephanowsky *''

The Great Mr. Nobody ''The Great Mr. Nobody'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Benjamin Stoloff and written by Ben Markson and Kenneth Gamet. The film stars Eddie Albert, Joan Leslie, Alan Hale, Sr., William Lundigan, John Litel, Charles Trowbridge and Paul ...

'' (1941) - Mr. Bixby (uncredited) *'' Tobacco Road'' (1941) - Mayor *''

Footlight Fever ''Footlight Fever'' is a 1941 sequel to the 1940 comedy '' Curtain Call'', with Alan Mowbray and Donald MacBride. Plot Alan Mowbray and Donald MacBride reprise their roles as theatrical producers Donald Avery and Geoffrey 'Jeff' Crandall. This ti ...

'' (1941) - Mr. E.J. Fingernogle (uncredited) *'' Mr. District Attorney'' (1941) - Hazelton - Barrett's Aide *'' The Lady from Cheyenne'' (1941) - Judge (uncredited) *'' Million Dollar Baby'' (1941) - Parkinson *'' A Very Young Lady'' (1941) - Oliver Brixton *''

Dance Hall Dance hall in its general meaning is a hall for dancing. From the earliest years of the twentieth century until the early 1960s, the dance hall was the popular forerunner of the discothèque or nightclub. The majority of towns and cities i ...

'' (1941) - Mr. Frederick Newmeyer *'' Three Sons o' Guns'' (1941) - Haddock *'' Lady Scarface'' (1941) - Mr. Pinchback (uncredited) *'' I Was a Prisoner on Devil's Island'' (1941) - Commandant *'' Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime'' (1941) - Rufus Smith *'' The Smiling Ghost'' (1941) - Great Uncle Ames Bentley *'' One Foot in Heaven'' (1941) - Haskins (uncredited) *'' Three Girls About Town'' (1941) - Doc - Coroner (uncredited) *'' Unholy Partners'' (1941) - Phil Kaper - Attorney *'' Look Who's Laughing'' (1941) - Cudahy *''

H. M. Pulham, Esq. ''H. M. Pulham, Esq.'' is a 1941 American drama film directed by King Vidor and starring Hedy Lamarr, Robert Young, and Ruth Hussey. Based on the novel ''H. M. Pulham, Esq.'' by John P. Marquand, the film is about a middle-aged businessman who h ...

'' (1941) - Walter Kaufman *'' The Body Disappears'' (1941) - Professor Moggs *'' Captains of the Clouds'' (1942) - Supintendent Nolan *'' The Lady is Willing'' (1942) - Dr. Jones (uncredited) *'' To Be or Not to Be'' (1942) - Producer Dobosh *'' The Adventures of Martin Eden'' (1942) - Cotton, Publisher of Continental Magazine (uncredited) *'' Juke Box Jenny'' (1942) - Judge *'' Saboteur'' (1942) - Second Sheriff (uncredited) *'' The Spoilers'' (1942) - Jonathan Stuve *'' Whispering Ghosts'' (1942) - Attorney Mark Gruber *'' In Old California'' (1942) - Mr. Hayes *'' They All Kissed the Bride'' (1942) - Doctor (scenes deleted) *'' Tombstone, the Town Too Tough to Die'' (1942) - Mayor Dan Crane *'' There's One Born Every Minute'' (1942) - Trumbull *''

Priorities on Parade ''Priorities on Parade'' is a 1942 American musical film directed by Albert S. Rogell and written by Art Arthur. The film stars Ann Miller, Johnny Johnston, Jerry Colonna (entertainer), Jerry Colonna, Betty Jane Rhodes, Barbara Jo Allen, Harry Ba ...

'' (1942) - 2nd Examiner *'' Henry Aldrich, Editor'' (1942) - Elias Noonan *'' Across the Pacific'' (1942) - A.V. Smith *'' My Sister Eileen'' (1942) - Mr. Hawkins - Newspaper Editor (uncredited) *''

You Can't Escape Forever ''You Can't Escape Forever'' is a 1942 American drama film directed by Jo Graham and written by Fred Niblo, Jr. and Hector Chevigny. The film stars George Brent, Brenda Marshall, Gene Lockhart, Roscoe Karns, Eduardo Ciannelli and Paul Harvey. The ...

'' (1942) - Charley Gates (uncredited) *'' That Other Woman'' (1942) - AV Smith *'' Lady Bodyguard'' (1943) - T. L. Baxter *'' Jitterbugs'' (1943) - Samuel L. Cass (uncredited) *'' My Kingdom for a Cook'' (1943) - Oliver Bradbury (uncredited) *'' Flesh and Fantasy'' (1943) - Mask Shop Proprietor (uncredited) *'' Government Girl'' (1943) - Wilkins - Hotel Clerk (uncredited) *'' Whispering Footsteps'' (1943) - Harry Hammond *'' Up in Arms'' (1944) - Dr. Roger B. Freyheisen *'' Rationing'' (1944) - Ezra Weeks *'' It Happened Tomorrow'' (1944) - Doctor (uncredited) *'' Address Unknown'' (1944) - Censorial Pipsqueak *'' Wilson'' (1944) - Colonel House *''

Shadows in the Night ''Shadows in the Night'' is the 36th studio album by Bob Dylan, released by Columbia Records on February 3, 2015. The album consists of covers of traditional pop standards made famous by Frank Sinatra, chosen by Dylan. Like most of his 21st ...

'' (1944) - Doc Stacey (uncredited) *''

'' (1944) - Uncle Hugo, Radio Performer *'' The Town Went Wild'' (1944) - Mr. Tweedle *'' A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'' (1945) - Mr. Barker (uncredited) *'' Rhapsody in Blue'' (1945) - Mr. Kast *''

Midnight Manhunt ''Midnight Manhunt'' is a 1945 film noir crime film mystery directed by William C. Thomas and written by David Lang. The film premiered on July 24, 1945 and is in the public domain. The film stars William Gargan, Ann Savage, Leo Gorcey and Georg ...

'' (1945) - Henry Miggs *'' Mama Loves Papa'' (1945) - Appleby *'' She Went to the Races'' (1945) - Dr. Collyer *'' The Thin Man Goes Home'' (1945) - R.T. Tatum (uncredited) *'' The Fighting Guardsman'' (1946) - Hyperion Picot (uncredited) *'' Because of Him'' (1946) - Mr. Dunlap *'' Three Little Girls in Blue'' (1946) - Lawyer Hoskins (uncredited) *'' Sister Kenny'' (1946) - Mr. Smith (uncredited) *'' The Best Years of Our Lives'' (1946) - Prew *'' It's a Wonderful Life'' (1946) - Mr. Carter, bank examiner (uncredited) *'' Singin' in the Corn'' (1946) - Obediah Davis *'' The Ghost Goes Wild'' (1947) - T. O'Connor Scott *'' The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer'' (1947) - Mr. Mittwick - High School Principal (uncredited) *'' If You Knew Susie'' (1948) - Pringle (uncredited) *'' Summer Holiday'' (1948) - Mr. Lipska (uncredited) *'' My Dear Secretary'' (1948) - Mr. Kilbride (uncredited) *''

3 Godfathers ''3 Godfathers'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by John Ford and filmed (although not set) primarily in Death Valley, California. The screenplay, written by Frank S. Nugent and Laurence Stallings, is based on the 1913 novelette '' T ...

'' (1948) - Tolliver Latham *''

Hideout Hideout may refer to: Entertainment * ''Hideout'' (film), a 1949 American thriller film directed by Philip Ford * ''The Hideout'' (1956 film), a 1956 British crime film directed by Peter Graham Scott * ''The Hideout'' (film), a 2007 film by Pup ...

'' (1949) - Gabriel Wotter *''

The Daring Caballero ''The Valiant Hombre'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by Wallace Fox and written by Betty Burbridge. The film stars Duncan Renaldo, Leo Carrillo, Kippee Valez, Charles Halton, Pedro de Cordoba and Stephen Chase. The film was released ...

'' (1949) - Ed J. Hodges *'' The Sickle or the Cross'' (1949) - Dr. Short *'' The Traveling Saleswoman'' (1950) - Banker Clumhill (uncredited) *'' The Nevadan'' (1950) - Red Sand Bank Manager (uncredited) *'' When Willie Comes Marching Home'' (1950) - Mr. Fettles (uncredited) *''

Stella Stella or STELLA may refer to: Art, entertainment, and media Comedy *Stella (comedy group), a comedy troupe consisting of Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black and David Wain Characters *Stella (given name), including a list of characters with th ...

'' (1950) - Mr. Beeker (uncredited) *'' Joe Palooka in the Squared Circle'' (1950) - Merkle - the Shyster *''Gasoline Alley'' (1951) - Pettit *'' Here Comes the Groom'' (1951) - Cusick (uncredited) *''

Three for Bedroom "C" ''Three for Bedroom "C"'' (sometimes written as ''3 for Bedroom "C"'') is a 1952 American comedy film released by Warner Brothers. It was directed by Milton H. Bren, who also wrote the screenplay. The film stars Gloria Swanson as an aging movie s ...

'' (1952) - Well-Wisher at Station (uncredited) *'' Carrie'' (1952) - Factory Foreman *'' I Love Melvin'' (1953) - Mr. Prouty, Druggist (uncredited) *'' A Slight Case of Larceny'' (1953) - Willard Maibrunn - Magna Gold Oil Co. *'' The Affairs of Dobie Gillis'' (1953) - Dean (Grainbelt U.) (uncredited) *'' The Moonlighter'' (1953) - Clemmons Usqubaugh - Undertaker *'' A Star is Born'' (1954) - Paymaster #1 (uncredited) *'' Friendly Persuasion'' (1956) - Brother Cope - Elder (uncredited) *'' High School Confidential'' (1958) - W.O. Robinson, High School Principal (uncredited) (final film role)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Halton, Charles 1876 births 1959 deaths American male silent film actors American male film actors American male stage actors Deaths from hepatitis Male actors from Washington, D.C. 20th-century American male actors