Actor

James Flavin

278 movies as actor

American character actor whose career lasted nearly half a century. James Wilson Flavin Jr. was the son of a hotel waiter of Canadian-English extraction and a mother, Katherine, whose father was an Irish immigrant. (Thus Flavin, well-known in Hollywood as an "Irish" type, was only one-quarter Irish.) Flavin was born and raised in Portland, Maine (a fact that may have enrichened his later working relationship with director John Ford, also a Portland native). He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, but (contrary to some sources) did not graduate. Instead he dropped out and returned to Portland where he drove a taxi. Then as now, summer stock companies flocked to Maine each year, and in 1929 he was asked to fill in for an actor. He did well with the part and the company manager offered him $150 per week to go with the troupe back to New York. Flavin accepted and by the spring of 1930 was living in a rooming house at 108 W. 87th Street in Manhattan. Flavin didn't manage to crack Broadway at this time (his Broadway debut would not occur for another thirty-nine years, in the 1971 revival of "The Front Page," in which Flavin played Murphy and briefly took over the l…

Known for

King Kong

1933 · Adventure, Fantasy

The Grapes of Wrath

1940 · Drama

Laura

1944 · Drama, Mystery

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

1963 · Adventure, Comedy

Saboteur

1942 · Thriller, Mystery

You Can't Take It with You

1938 · Comedy, Romance

Mildred Pierce

1945 · Crime, Drama

In Cold Blood

1967 · Crime, Drama

My Man Godfrey

1936 · Comedy

The Most Dangerous Game

1932 · Thriller, Adventure

The Roaring Twenties

1939 · Crime, Drama

Heaven Can Wait

1943 · Comedy, Romance

James Flavin movies

The Lost Spider Pit Sequence

2005 · Second Mate Briggs (archive footage)

Francis Gary Powers: The True Story of the U-2 Spy Incident

1976 · President Dwight D. Eisenhower

Law and Order

1976 · Capt. Toomey

In Cold Blood

1967 · Clarence Duntz

Good Times

1967 · Lieutenant

The Further Adventures of Gallegher

1965 · Lt. Flynn

Cheyenne Autumn

1964 · Ft. Robinson Sergeant of the Guard (uncredited)

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World

1963 · Patrolman (uncredited)

Critic's Choice

1963 · Security Guard (uncredited)

The Last Hurrah

1958 · Police Capt. Michael J. Shanahan (uncredited)

Johnny Rocco

1958 · Mooney

Wild Is the Wind

1957 · Wool Buyer

Night Passage

1957 · Tim Riley

The Restless Breed

1957 · Secret Service Chief

Footsteps in the Night

1957 · Mr. Bradbury

Hold That Hypnotist

1957 · Jake Morgan

The Wings of Eagles

1957 · MP at Garden Party (uncredited)

Francis in the Haunted House

1956 · Police Chief Martin

Never Say Goodbye

1956 · Timmy

Apache Ambush

1955 · Col. Marshall

The Naked Street

1955 · Attorney Michael X. Flanders

Mister Roberts

1955 · Military Policeman

Return of the Dead

1954 · Judd Harrison

Massacre Canyon

1954 · Col. Tarant

Dragonfly Squadron

1954 · Doctor

The Eddie Cantor Story

1953 · Kelly

Fighter Attack

1953 · Col. Allison

Hot News

1953 · Al Bragg

Abbott and Costello Go to Mars

1953 · First Policeman in Bank

Trouble Along the Way

1953 · Coach Buck Holman

I Beheld His Glory

1953 · Longinus

Confidentially Connie

1953 · Harry (uncredited)

Star of Texas

1953 · Texas Rangers Capt. Sturdivant

Million Dollar Mermaid

1952 · Conductor

O. Henry's Full House

1952 · Cop (segment "The Cop and the Anthem") (uncredited)

Carrie

1952 · Mike - Bartender (uncredited)

Here Come the Marines

1952 · Lieutenant-Colonel at End

Sailor Beware

1952 · Petty Officer (uncredited)

As We Forgive

As We Forgive

1952

Come Fill the Cup

1951 · Russ - Homicide Captain (uncredited)

Rhubarb

1951 · O'Leary, Manhattan Police Chief (uncredited)

Fighting Coast Guard

1951 · Commander Rogers

Follow the Sun

1951 · Henry Gibbs

According to Mrs. Hoyle

1951 · Prosecuting Attorney

Oh! Susanna

1951 · Capt. Worth

Operation Pacific

1951 · SP Commander

South Sea Sinner

1950 · Andrews

Destination Murder

1950 · Police Lt. Brewster

Armored Car Robbery

1950 · Lt. Phillips

The Savage Horde

1950 · Guard

Rock Island Trail

1950 · Railroad Workman

When Willie Comes Marching Home

1950 · Gen. Brevort (uncredited)

Dakota Lil

1950 · Secret Service Chief

Prison Warden

1949 · Guard Capt. Peter Butler

The Devil's Henchmen

1949 · Police Sergeant Briggs

Blondie Hits the Jackpot

1949 · Brophy

Mighty Joe Young

1949 · Schultz

Mississippi Rhythm

1949 · Stan Caldwell

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff

1949 · Insp. Wellman

Flamingo Road

1949

Homicide

1949 · Det. Lt. Boylan

Shockproof

1949 · Policeman in Park (Uncredited)

Bungalow 13

1948 · Lt. Sam Wilson

The Plunderers

1948 · Sergeant Major

One Touch of Venus

1948 · Kerrigan

The Velvet Touch

1948 · Sgt. Oliphant

Secret Service Investigator

1948 · Police Inspector Thorndyke

The Noose Hangs High

1948 · Traffic Cop (uncredited)

Sleep, My Love

1948 · Lieutenant Mitchell

My Girl Tisa

1948 · Guard (uncredited)

Unconquered

1947 · Villager (uncredited)

Nightmare Alley

1947 · Hoatley / First Carnival Owner (uncredited)

Joe Palooka in the Knockout

1947 · Policeman

Song of the Thin Man

1947 · Policeman Reardon (uncredited)

Desert Fury

1947 · Pat Johnson

Robin Hood Of Texas

1947 · Captain Danforth

Dishonored Lady

1947 · Police Sergeant Patella

It Happened on Fifth Avenue

1947 · First Policeman (uncredited)

My Favorite Brunette

1947 · Det. Lt. 'Mac' Hennessey (uncredited)

Nora Prentiss

1947 · District Attorney

Nobody Lives Forever

1946 · Shake Thomas

Cloak and Dagger

1946 · Col. Walsh

Angel on My Shoulder

1946 · Dan Bellamy

Step by Step

1946 · Woods

The Strange Love of Martha Ivers

1946 · Police Detective #1

The Missing Lady

1946 · Police Insp. Cardona

Easy to Wed

1946 · Joe

Rendezvous with Annie

1946 · Turnkey (uncredited)

Boys' Ranch

1946 · Policeman (uncredited)

A Stolen Life

1946 · Investigator (uncredited)

Sentimental Journey

1946 · Detective Sgt. McFarland (uncredited)

Young Widow

1946 · Subway Conductor (Uncredited)

Tars and Spars

1946 · Chief Bosun Mate Gurney

The Spider

1945 · Officer Johnny Tracy

Hold That Blonde!

1945 · Laundry Truck Driver (uncredited)

Johnny Angel

1945 · Flavin, Mate of the Quincy (uncredited)

Mildred Pierce

1945 · Detective (uncredited)

The Shanghai Cobra

1945 · H.R. Jarvis

Anchors Aweigh

1945 · Radio Cop

Over 21

1945 · Captain (uncredited)

Murder, He Says

1945 · Police Officer (uncredited)

Circumstantial Evidence

1945 · Guard

God Is My Co-Pilot

1945 · Major at Kweilin Airbase (uncredited)

Hollywood Canteen

1944 · Marine Sergeant (uncredited)

Laura

1944 · Det. McEveety (uncredited)

Strange Affair

1944 · Bank Security Guard (uncredited)

Abroad with Two Yanks

1944 · Sgt. Wiggins

Mr. Winkle Goes to War

1944

Once Upon a Time

1944 · Man in Subway (uncredited)

Christmas Holiday

1944 · Policeman (uncredited)

Uncertain Glory

1944 · Captain of Mobile Guard

There's Something About a Soldier

1943

Riding High

1943 · Train Conductor

Swing Shift Maisie

1943 · Radio Policeman (Uncredited)

Corvette K-225

1943 · 1st Lt. Bill Gardner

Thank Your Lucky Stars

1943 · Policeman (uncredited)

Murder on the Waterfront

1943 · Cmdr. Kalin

So Proudly We Hail

1943 · Captain O'Brien (Uncredited)

I Dood It

1943 · Federal Agent (uncredited)

Heaven Can Wait

1943 · Policeman (uncredited)

Action in the North Atlantic

1943 · Merchant Marine School Lieutenant-Commander (uncredited)

Mission to Moscow

1943 · American Senator (uncredited)

Air Force

1943 · Maj. A.M. Bagley

Something to Shout About

1943 · Policeman

It Ain't Hay

1943 · Cop (uncredited)

Life Begins at Eight-Thirty

1942 · Policeman

Gentleman Jim

1942 · George Corbett (uncredited)

Night in New Orleans

1942 · Egan (uncredited)

Ten Gentlemen from West Point

1942 · Capt. Luddy

Thru Different Eyes

1942 · Thomas

Tough as They Come

1942 · Process Server

Broadway

1942 · Doorman (uncredited)

Fingers at the Window

1942 · Police Lieutenant Schaeffer

Saboteur

1942 · Motorcycle Cop (voice) (uncredited)

Kid Glove Killer

1942 · Keenan - Detective Grilling Eddie (uncredited)

Reap the Wild Wind

1942 · Girl's Father (uncredited)

Treat 'Em Rough

Treat 'Em Rough

1942 · Joe Trosper

A Yank on the Burma Road

1942 · Police Dispatcher

Bedtime Story

1941 · Hotel Guest in Room 625 (uncredited)

Kathleen

1941 · Moving Man

The Night of January 16th

1941 · Policeman Kelly

Ride 'Em Cowboy

1941 · Railroad Detective #2 (uncredited)

New York Town

1941 · Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)

I Wake Up Screaming

1941 · Detective (uncredited)

Texas

1941 · Abilene Fight Announcer

Hold Back the Dawn

1941 · Immigration Guard (uncredited)

We Go Fast

1941 · Police Lt. Bardette

Belle Starr

1941 · Sergeant

Manpower

1941 · Orderly About to Give Bath (uncredited)

Affectionately Yours

1941 · Tomassetti

Ziegfeld Girl

1941 · Buck (uncredited)

Ride on Vaquero

1941 · Officer Johnson

Pot o' Gold

1941 · Sheriff Bud Connolly (uncredited)

Western Union

1941 · Deputy Sheriff

The Strawberry Blonde

1941 · Ticket Inspector on Boat (uncredited)

Buck Privates

1941 · Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)

The Wild Man of Borneo

1941 · Policeman (uncredited)

Four Mothers

1941 · Demolition Man (uncredited)

Tin Pan Alley

1940 · Army Sergeant (uncredited)

Youth Will Be Served

1940 · Buck Miller

The Long Voyage Home

1940 · Dock Policeman

The Devil's Pipeline

1940 · Dowling

North West Mounted Police

1940 · Mountie

Knute Rockne All American

1940 · Army Assistant Coach (uncredited)

The Great Profile

1940 · Detective

Rhythm on the River

1940 · Detective

When the Daltons Rode

1940 · Annabella's Brother

The Golden Fleecing

1940 · Cop (uncredited)

South of Pago Pago

1940 · Cafe Customer

Manhattan Heartbeat

1940 · Truck Driver

The Way of All Flesh

1940 · Policeman

Private Affairs

1940 · Doorman (uncredited)

Lucky Cisco Kid

1940 · Ranch Foreman

Queen of the Mob

1940 · Third FBI Director

The Ghost Breakers

1940 · Hotel Porter (uncredited)

Brother Orchid

1940 · Parking Attendant at Fat Dutchy's (uncredited)

Florian

1940 · Policeman

Girl in 313

1940 · Det. Carvin

La Conga Nights

1940 · Grogin

Hot Steel

1940 · Storm Swenson

Johnny Apollo

1940 · Prison Guard In Library (uncredited)

It All Came True

1940 · Roaring 90's Club Doorman (uncredited)

And One Was Beautiful

1940 · McRafferty

The Grapes of Wrath

1940 · Guard (uncredited)

Women Without Names

1940 · Guard

Double Alibi

1940 · Patrolman Johnson

Castle on the Hudson

1940 · Death Row Guard (uncredited)

Broadway Melody of 1940

1940 · Clancy (uncredited)

The Fighting 69th

1940 · Supply Sergeant (uncredited)

Remember the Night

1940 · Court Attendant (uncredited)

The Cisco Kid and the Lady

1939 · Sergeant

Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President

1939 · Policeman

The Roaring Twenties

1939 · Policeman (uncredited)

Fast and Furious

1939 · Policeman Guarding Entrance (uncredited)

Irish Luck

1939 · Fluger

Each Dawn I Die

1939 · Policeman (uncredited)

They Shall Have Music

1939 · Police Sergeant (uncredited)

When Tomorrow Comes

1939 · Coard Guard Man on Road (uncredited)

They All Come Out

1939 · Officer (uncredited)

Mr. Wong in Chinatown

1939 · Police Sgt. Jerry

Mickey the Kid

1939 · Sanders

Tell No Tales

1939 · Officer Simmons (uncredited)

The Gracie Allen Murder Case

1939 · Turnkey

Union Pacific

1939 · Paddy (uncredited)

Rose of Washington Square

1939 · Guard (uncredited)

Big Town Czar

1939 · George Mitchell

Code of the Streets

1939 · Doorman

Sergeant Madden

1939 · Police Interrogator

Everybody's Baby

1939 · Police Announcer (uncredited)

The Ice Follies of 1939

1939 · Doorman (uncredited)

Jesse James

1939 · Cavalry Captain (uncredited)

The Duke of West Point

1938 · Plebe Hockey Coach

While New York Sleeps

1938 · 2nd Cop

Convicts at Large

1938 · Detective Sgt. Berkovich

Blondie

1938 · Policeman in Accident Car (uncredited)

Lightning Carson Rides Again

1938 · Justice Department Agent

Too Hot to Handle

1938 · Young Reporter (uncredited)

Three Loves Has Nancy

1938 · Jack's Friend (uncredited)

You Can't Take It with You

1938 · Jailer (uncredited)

I Am the Law

1938 · George - Witness (uncredited)

Gateway

1938 · Guard

Wives Under Suspicion

1938 · Jenks (uncredited)

Alexander's Ragtime Band

1938 · Army Captain (uncredited)

Test Pilot

1938 · Pilot (uncredited)

Miracle Money

1938 · Cop (uncredited)

Start Cheering

1938 · Gas Station Attendant

Night Spot

1938 · Kidnapper

Born to Be Wild

1938 · Striker (uncredited)

Mannequin

1938 · Burly Man (Uncredited)

Everybody's Doing It

1938 · Detective Hayes

Big Town Girl

1937 · State Trooper

Live, Love and Learn

1937 · Marine Who Likes Painting (uncredited)

Hot Water

1937 · Policeman (uncredited)

Dangerously Yours

1937 · Driver

My Dear Miss Aldrich

1937 · Dr. Spitzy Calahan (uncredited)

Girls Can Play

1937 · Det. Bill O'Malley

Angel's Holiday

1937 · Detective

I Promise to Pay

1937 · Bill Seaver

Midnight Taxi

1937 · Detective McCormick

You Only Live Once

1937 · State Trooper (uncredited)

Dangerous Number

1937 · Cab Driver

The Luckiest Girl in the World

1936 · Policeman

They Met in a Taxi

1936 · Policeman

My Man Godfrey

1936 · Detective (uncredited)

Charlie Chan at the Race Track

1936 · Detective

How to Behave

1936 · Man in Manhole (uncredited)

One Way Ticket

1935 · Ed

Rendezvous

1935 · 2st Military Policeman (uncredited)

Shipmates Forever

1935 · Lieutenant (uncredited)

Special Agent

1935 · Agent Arresting Julie (uncredited)

Man on the Flying Trapeze

1935 · Chauffeur (uncredited)

Woman Wanted

1935 · Mac - Policeman (uncredited)

The Daring Young Man

1935 · Informant on Telephone

The Murder Man

1935 · Policeman at Merry-Go-Round (uncredited)

Chinatown Squad

1935 · Detective

Public Hero Number 1

1935 · Flavin - Federal Agent (uncredited)

'G' Men

1935 · Agent with Jean (uncredited)

Straight from the Heart

1935 · Policeman

Captain Hurricane

1935 · Freighter Officer

Secrets of Chinatown

1935 · Brandhma

The Brand of Hate

1934 · Holt Larkins

The Affairs of Cellini

1934 · Palace Guard (uncredited)

Baby Take a Bow

1934 · Flannigan

Wild Gold

1934 · Detective (uncredited)

The Big Race

1934 · Bill Figg

Beloved

1934 · Wilcox

Only Yesterday

1933 · Billy (Uncredited)

Ship of Wanted Men

1933 · Frank Busch

Riot Squad

1933 · Det. Mack McCue

Hello, Sister!

1933 · Fireman

King Kong

1933 · Mate Briggs

Air Mail

1932 · Man with Radio Report (uncredited)

The All-American

1932 · Don Lindsay

The Most Dangerous Game

1932 · First Mate on Yacht (uncredited)

Okay, America!

1932 · Undetermined Role (uncredited)

McKenna of the Mounted

1932 · Corporal Randall McKenna

Back Street

1932 · Reporter (uncredited)

The Airmail Mystery

1932 · Bob Lee

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