James C. Morton
Encyclopedia
James C. Morton was an American character actor. He appeared in 187 films between 1922 and 1943.
, Morton is best known to modern audiences as the hapless soul whose toupée
was often removed at the most inopportune times. Perhaps the best known example of this embarrassment is in the Three Stooges
film Disorder in the Court
, in which Larry Fine
's violin
bow yanks Morton's hair piece off. The Stooges then misinterpret the toupée as a wild tarantula
, leading Moe Howard
to shoot at it.
Morton appeared in many Hal Roach
productions, playing supporting roles with Our Gang
and Laurel and Hardy
., and also played a small role in Charlie Chaplin
's Modern Times
.
On the Los Angeles
stage, Morton played the title role of Tik-Tok in The Tik-Tok Man of Oz
(1913), by L. Frank Baum
, Louis F. Gottschalk
, Victor Schertzinger
, and Oliver Morosco
.
in Reseda, California, aged 58.
Director
Career
Born in Helena, MontanaHelena, Montana
Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
, Morton is best known to modern audiences as the hapless soul whose toupée
Toupee
A toupée is a hairpiece or partial wig of natural or synthetic hair worn to cover partial baldness or for theatrical purposes. While toupées and hairpieces are typically associated with male wearers, some women also use hairpieces to lengthen existing hair, or cover partially exposed scalp...
was often removed at the most inopportune times. Perhaps the best known example of this embarrassment is in the Three Stooges
Three Stooges
The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy act of the early to mid–20th century best known for their numerous short subject films. Their hallmark was physical farce and extreme slapstick. In films, the Stooges were commonly known by their first names: "Moe, Larry, and Curly" and "Moe,...
film Disorder in the Court
Disorder in the Court
Disorder in the Court is the 15th short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
, in which Larry Fine
Larry Fine
Louis Feinberg , known professionally as Larry Fine, was an American comedian and actor, who is best known as a member of the comedy act The Three Stooges.-Early life:...
's violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
bow yanks Morton's hair piece off. The Stooges then misinterpret the toupée as a wild tarantula
Tarantula
Tarantulas comprise a group of often hairy and often very large arachnids belonging to the family Theraphosidae, of which approximately 900 species have been identified. Some members of the same Suborder may also be called "tarantulas" in the common parlance. This article will restrict itself to...
, leading Moe Howard
Moe Howard
Moses Harry Horwitz , known professionally as Moe Howard, was an American actor and comedian best known as the leader of The Three Stooges, the farce comedy team who starred in motion pictures and television for four decades...
to shoot at it.
Morton appeared in many Hal Roach
Hal Roach
Harold Eugene "Hal" Roach, Sr. was an American film and television producer and director, and from the 1910s to the 1990s.- Early life and career :Hal Roach was born in Elmira, New York...
productions, playing supporting roles with Our Gang
Our Gang
Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
and Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema...
., and also played a small role in Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
's Modern Times
Modern Times
Modern Times can refer to modern history.It may also refer to:* Modern Times , a 1936 Charlie Chaplin film* Modern Times , a 1975 album by Al Stewart...
.
On the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
stage, Morton played the title role of Tik-Tok in The Tik-Tok Man of Oz
The Tik-Tok Man of Oz
The Tik-Tok Man of Oz is a musical play with book and lyrics by L. Frank Baum and music by Louis F. Gottschalk that opened in Los Angeles, California on March 31, 1913. It is loosely inspired by Baum's book, Ozma of Oz , and the basis for his 1914 novel, Tik-Tok of Oz. It was promoted as "A...
(1913), by L. Frank Baum
L. Frank Baum
Lyman Frank Baum was an American author of children's books, best known for writing The Wonderful Wizard of Oz...
, Louis F. Gottschalk
Louis F. Gottschalk
Louis Ferdinand Gottschalk was an American composer and conductor born in St. Louis, Missouri. The son of a Missouri governor, also named Louis, he studied music in Stuttgart, Germany, where his father, a judge, was American consul.He came to attention as conductor of the U.S. premiere of Franz...
, Victor Schertzinger
Victor Schertzinger
Victor L. Schertzinger was an American composer, film director, film producer, and screenwriter. His films include Paramount on Parade , Something to Sing About with James Cagney, and the first two "Road" pictures Road to Singapore and Road to Zanzibar...
, and Oliver Morosco
Oliver Morosco
Oliver Morosco was an American theatrical producer, director, writerand theater owner.-Biography:Born Oliver Mitchell in Logan, Utah, Morosco was raised in San Francisco, California...
.
Death
Morton died in 1942 of a heart attackMyocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
in Reseda, California, aged 58.
Selected filmography
- The Barnstormers (1922)
- Pack Up Your TroublesPack Up Your TroublesPack Up Your Troubles is a 1932 Laurel and Hardy film directed by George Marshall and Raymond McCarey, named after the World War I song "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag, and smile, smile, smile." It is the team's second feature-length picture....
(1932) - Fra DiavoloFra Diavolo (1933 film)The Devil's Brother or Bogus Bandits or Fra Diavolo is a 1933 comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy. It is based on Daniel Auber's operetta Fra Diavolo about the Italian bandit Fra Diavolo.-Plot:...
(1933) - Me and My Pal (1933)
- The Midnight PatrolThe Midnight PatrolFor the television cartoon, see Midnight Patrol: Adventures in the Dream Zone.The Midnight Patrol is a short comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy released August 3, 1933.-Plot:Laurel and Hardy play two policemen on night patrol, hence the title...
(1933) - A Lad an' a LampA Lad an' a LampA Lad an' a Lamp is a 1932 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 119th Our Gang short that was released.-Plot:...
(1933) - Another Wild IdeaAnother Wild IdeaAnother Wild Idea is a 1934 short comedy science fiction film which was directed by Charley Chase who was also the films director. This short comedy movie focuses on a Ray Gun which releases all of a persons inhibitions.-Cast:* Charley Chase as Charley...
(1934) - Mike FrightMike FrightMike Fright is a 1934 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. It was the 130th Our Gang short that was released.-Plot:...
(1934) - Beginner's LuckBeginner's LuckBeginner's Luck is a 1935 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. It was the 135th Our Gang short that was released.-Plot:...
(1935) - The Fixer UppersThe Fixer UppersThe Fixer Uppers is a 1935 short film starring Laurel and Hardy, directed by Charles Rogers and produced by Hal Roach. The penultimate Laurel and Hardy short comedy made at Hal Roach Studios, the film is a reworking of Slipping Wives a silent comedy the comedians appeared in before they teamed up...
(1935) - Tit for TatTit for Tat (1935 film)Tit for Tat is a 1935 short comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy. It was the only direct sequel they made, following the story of the previous year's Them Thar Hills...
(1935) - Naughty Marietta (1935)
- Pardon My ScotchPardon My ScotchPardon My Scotch is the ninth short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
(1935) - The Fixer UppersThe Fixer UppersThe Fixer Uppers is a 1935 short film starring Laurel and Hardy, directed by Charles Rogers and produced by Hal Roach. The penultimate Laurel and Hardy short comedy made at Hal Roach Studios, the film is a reworking of Slipping Wives a silent comedy the comedians appeared in before they teamed up...
(1935) - The Timid Young ManThe Timid Young ManThe Timid Young Man is a 1935 short comedy film featuring Buster Keaton.-Cast:* Buster Keaton - Milton* Lona Andre - Helen* Tiny Sandford - Mortimer * Kitty McHugh - Milton's fiancée* Harry Bowen - Milton's Valet...
(1935) - Uncivil WarriorsUncivil WarriorsUncivil Warriors is the eighth short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
(1935) - Hoi PolloiHoi Polloi (1935 film)Hoi Polloi is the tenth short film starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
(1935) - Oh, My NervesOh, My NervesOh, My Nerves is a 1935 short comedy film directed by Del Lord. It was nominated for an Academy Award in 1935 for Best Short Subject .- Cast :* Monte Collins - Monty * Tom Kennedy - Tom* Ruth Hiatt* Elaine Waters* Tommy Bond...
(1935) - The Bohemian GirlThe Bohemian Girl (1936 film)The Bohemian Girl is a 1936 feature film version of the opera The Bohemian Girl by Michael William Balfe. It was produced at the Hal Roach Studios, and stars Laurel and Hardy and Thelma Todd in her last role before her death.-Plot:...
(1936) - Modern TimesModern Times (film)Modern Times is a 1936 comedy film by Charlie Chaplin that has his iconic Little Tramp character struggling to survive in the modern, industrialized world. The film is a comment on the desperate employment and fiscal conditions many people faced during the Great Depression, conditions created, in...
(1936) - Disorder in the CourtDisorder in the CourtDisorder in the Court is the 15th short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
(1936) - The Lucky CornerThe Lucky CornerThe Lucky Corner is a 1936 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. It was the 143rd Our Gang short to be released.-Plot:...
(1936) - A Pain in the PullmanA Pain in the PullmanA Pain in the Pullman is the 16th short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
(1936) - Our RelationsOur RelationsOur Relations is a 1936 feature film starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, produced by Laurel for Hal Roach Studios.-Plot:Laurel and Hardy star as both their famous Stan and Ollie characters and as Stan and Ollie's twin brothers Bert and Alf...
(1936) - Way Out WestWay Out WestWay Out West may refer to:* Way Out West , a world music influenced jazz group from Melbourne* Way Out West , a progressive house duo from the United Kingdom* Way Out West , starring Laurel and Hardy...
(1937) - Every Day's a HolidayEvery Day's a HolidayEvery Day's a Holiday is a comedy film starring and co-written by Mae West, directed by A. Edward Sutherland, and released by Paramount Pictures. The film, released on 18 December 1937, also starred Edmund Lowe, Charles Winninger, and Charles Butterworth...
(1937) - Pick a StarPick a StarPick a Star is a 1937 musical comedy film starring Rosina Lawrence, Jack Haley, Patsy Kelly and Mischa Auer, directed by Edward Sedgwick, produced by Hal Roach, and released through Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer...
(1937) - The Sitter DownersThe Sitter DownersThe Sitter Downers is the 27th short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
(1937) - Alexander's Ragtime BandAlexander's Ragtime Band"Alexander's Ragtime Band" is the name of a song by Irving Berlin. It was his first major hit, in 1911. There is some evidence, although inconclusive, that Berlin borrowed the melody from a draft of "A Real Slow Drag" submitted by Scott Joplin that had been submitted to a...
(1938) - Block-HeadsBlock-HeadsBlock-Heads is a 1938 comedy film starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, produced by Hal Roach Studios for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The film, a reworking of elements from the Laurel and Hardy shorts We Faw Down and Unaccustomed As We Are , was Roach's final film for MGM, and is remembered as one of...
(1938) - We Want Our MummyWe Want Our MummyWe Want Our Mummy is the 37th short subject starring American slapstick team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:Two museum curators We Want Our Mummy is the 37th short subject starring American slapstick team the Three Stooges....
(1939) - Three Little Sew and SewsThree Little Sew and SewsThree Little Sew and Sews is the 36th short subject starring American slapstick comedy team the Three Stooges. The trio made a total of 190 shorts for Columbia Pictures between 1934 and 1959.-Plot:...
(1939) - You Can't Cheat an Honest ManYou Can't Cheat an Honest ManYou Can't Cheat an Honest Man is a comedy film starring and scripted by W. C. Fields.-Production background:Fields plays "Larsen E. Whipsnade", the owner of a shady carnival that is constantly on the run from the law. The whimsical title comes from a line spoken by Fields about ten minutes into...
(1939) - Johnny EagerJohnny EagerJohnny Eager is a 1941 film noir starring Robert Taylor and Lana Turner. Van Heflin won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.The film is featured in the comedy spoof Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid .-Plot:...
(1942) - To the Shores of TripoliTo the Shores of TripoliTo the Shores of Tripoli is a Technicolor 1942 film starring John Payne, Maureen O'Hara, Randolph Scott, Nancy Kelly and Minor Watson. The film was directed by H...
(1942) - The Boogie Man Will Get YouThe Boogie Man Will Get YouThe Boogie Man Will Get You is a 1942 comedy horror film, directed by Lew Landers and starring Boris Karloff and Peter Lorre. One of six pictures Karloff made with Columbia...
(1942) - Boston Blackie Goes HollywoodBoston BlackieBoston Blackie is a fictional character created by author Jack Boyle . Originally a jewel thief and safecracker in Boyle's novels, he became a detective in adaptations for films, radio and television—an "enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friend."-Literature:Jack...
(1942) - Murder in Times Square (1943) (posthumous)
Director
- A Daughter of Uncle Sam (1918)