James Craig (born James Henry Meador, February 4, 1912 – June 27, 1985) was an American actor. He is best known for appearances in films like '' Kitty Foyle'' (1940) and ''

The Devil and Daniel Webster "The Devil and Daniel Webster" (1936) is a short story by American writer Stephen Vincent Benét. He tells of a New Hampshire farmer who sells his soul to the devil and is later defended by Daniel Webster, a fictional version of the noted 19th-c ...

'' (1941), and his stint as a leading man at

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded on April 17, 1924 ...

in the 1940s where he appeared in films like '' The Human Comedy'' (1943).

Biography

He was born in Nashville, Tennessee and studied at the

Rice Institute The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is an international agricultural research and training organization with its headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, in the Philippines, and offices in seventeen countries. IRRI is known for its wo ...

, planning a career in medicine. After graduation he worked for a time as a professional football player, and a debt collector. A visit to Hollywood made him decide to become an actor. He returned home and worked in theatre for a year, then went back to Hollywood. He did a screen test for Paramount, which offered him a contract.

Paramount

He began appearing in films at Paramount, originally using the name James Mead. He appeared mostly in B-movies and serials. His early credits included ''

Sophie Lang Goes West ''Sophie Lang Goes West'' is a 1937 American crime film directed by Charles Reisner, written by Frederick Irving Anderson, Doris Anderson, Brian Marlow and Robert Wyler, and starring Gertrude Michael, Lee Bowman, Sandra Storme, Buster Crabbe ...

'' (1937), '' This Way Please'' (1937), '' Thunder Trail'' (1937), ''

Born to the West ''Born to the West'' (reissue title ''Hell Town'') is a 1937 American Western film starring John Wayne, Marsha Hunt, and John Mack Brown. Filmed in black and white and based upon a Zane Grey novel, the movie incorporates footage from an ea ...

'' (1937), '' The Buccaneer'' (1938), '' The Big Broadcast of 1938'' (1938), and ''

Swing, Teacher, Swing ''College Swing'', also known as ''Swing, Teacher, Swing'' in the U.K., is a 1938 comedy film directed by Raoul Walsh and starring George Burns, Gracie Allen, Martha Raye, and Bob Hope. The supporting cast features Edward Everett Horton, Ben B ...

'' (1938). He was in ''

Pride of the West ''Pride of the West'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by Nate Watt. The film stars William Boyd, George "Gabby" Hayes, Russell Hayden, Earle Hodgins, Charlotte Field and Billy King. The film was released ...

'' (1938). Craig left Hollywood and went to New York. He appeared on Broadway in ''Missouri Legend'' (1938), which re-ignited Hollywood's interest in him.

Columbia

Craig tested for the role of

Rhett Butler Rhett Butler (Born in 1828) is a fictional character in the 1936 novel ''Gone with the Wind'' by Margaret Mitchell and in the 1939 film adaptation of the same name. It is one of Clark Gable's most recognizable and significant roles. Role Rhe ...

in '' Gone with the Wind'' and had the lead in '' North of Shanghai'' (1939) for Columbia. He was in '' The Lone Wolf's Daughter'' (1939) and the serial '' Flying G-Men'' (1939). He was in '' Blondie Meets the Boss'' (1939), '' Romance of the Redwoods'' (1939), '' Blind Alley'' (1939), '' Outside These Walls'' (1939), and '' Missing Daughters'' (1939). He was in a Buster Keaton short, '' Pest from the West'' (1939), then '' Good Girls Go to Paris'' (1939) and the serial '' Overland with Kit Carson'' (1939). He did a short with

Andy Clyde Andrew Allan Clyde (March 25, 1892 – May 18, 1967) was a Scottish-born American film and television actor whose career spanned more than four decades. In 1921 he broke into silent films as a Mack Sennett comic, debuting in ''On a Summer ...

, ''Trouble Finds Andy Clyde'' (1939), then '' Behind Prison Gates'' (1939), ''

The Man They Could Not Hang ''The Man They Could Not Hang'' is a 1939 American horror film directed by Nick Grinde from a screenplay by Karl Brown. It stars Boris Karloff as Dr. Henryk Savaard,Stephen Jacobs, ''Boris Karloff: More Than a Monster'', Tomahawk Press 2011 pp ...

'' (1939), and '' Konga'' (1939). Craig was in some

Charley Chase Charles Joseph Parrott (October 20, 1893 – June 20, 1940), known professionally as Charley Chase, was an American comedian, actor, screenwriter and film director. He worked for many pioneering comedy studios but is chiefly associated with pro ...

shorts, ''Skinny the Moocher'' (1939) and ''Static in the Attic'' (1939). After '' A Woman Is the Judge'' (1939) he appeared in the

Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical farce and slapstick. Six Stooges appear ...

film '' Oily to Bed, Oily to Rise''. Craig followed this with '' Taming of the West'' (1939), '' Scandal Sheet'' (1939), '' Forestalled'' (1939), and '' Cafe Hostess'' (1940).

Universal

Craig signed with Universal in November 1939. The studio announced it wanted to build him into a leading man. He had a support role in '' Black Friday'' (1940), then he did '' The House Across the Bay'' (1940) for Walter Wanger. He returned to Universal for ''

Zanzibar Zanzibar (; ; ) is an insular semi-autonomous province which united with Tanganyika in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. It is an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of the mainland, and consists of many small islan ...

'' (1940), where he had the male lead. He was down the cast list for ''

Secret Enemy ''Enemy Agent'' is a 1940 American spy thriller film directed by Lew Landers and starring Richard Cromwell, Helen Vinson, and Robert Armstrong.McLaughlin p.325 The supporting cast includes Jack La Rue, Jack Carson, Philip Dorn and Milburn ...

'' (1940), and the serial ''

Winners of the West Winners of the West can refer to two separate Universal film serials: * ''Winners of the West'' (1921 serial), early silent serial * ''Winners of the West'' (1940 serial), sound serial See also *''Winning of the West ''Winning of the West' ...

'' (1940) but had a lead part in '' South to Karanga'' (1940). Craig had smaller parts in ''

I'm Nobody's Sweetheart Now ''I'm Nobody's Sweetheart Now'' is a 1940 American romantic comedy directed by Arthur Lubin and starring Dennis O'Keefe, Constance Moore and Helen Parrish. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. Plot Football player Tod Lowell is ...

'' (1940), '' Seven Sinners'' (1940), and ''

Lucky Ralston ''Law and Order'' is a 1940 American western film directed by Ray Taylor and starring Johnny Mack Brown, Nell O'Day and James Craig.Pitts p.183 It was produced as a second feature by Universal Pictures. Shooting took place at Universal St ...

'' (1940).

RKO

Craig's big break happened when RKO bought out his contract with Universal to play one of Ginger Rogers' suitors in '' Kitty Foyle'' (1940). This was a big hit. RKO gave him the romantic lead in '' Unexpected Uncle'' (1941), and he played a New Hampshire farmer who sells his soul in '' All That Money Can Buy'', also titled ''

'' (1941), with

Walter Huston Walter Thomas Huston ( ;According to the Province of Ontario. ''Ontario, C ...

and Edward Arnold. He appeared with

Lucille Ball Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989) was an American actress, comedienne and producer. She was nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning five times, and was the recipient of several other accolades, such as the Gold ...

in an RKO Western, '' Valley of the Sun'' (1942). Edward Small cast him in '' Friendly Enemies'' (1942), supporting Charles Ruggles and Charles Winninger.

MGM

Louis B. Mayer, head of

, thought Craig resembled the studio's most popular male star Clark Gable. Mayer signed Craig to a seven-year contract to potentially fill in for Gable when he enlisted in the

United States Army Air Forces The United States Army Air Forces (USAAF or AAF) was the major land-based aerial warfare service component of the United States Army and ''de facto'' aerial warfare service branch of the United States during and immediately after World War II ...

. MGM started off Craig as the lead in some B Westerns, '' The Omaha Trail'' (1942) and '' Northwest Rangers'' (1942). The latter was a remake of '' Manhattan Melodrama'' with Craig playing the role played by Gable in the original. Both films lost money. Craig went back to RKO for ''

Seven Miles from Alcatraz ''Seven Miles from Alcatraz'' is a 1942 American action film directed by Edward Dmytryk. The screenplay concerns two prisoners who break out of Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. Plot During World War II, two prisoners break out of Alcatraz Federal ...

'' (1942) then did a naval propaganda short, ''Freedom Comes High''. MGM launched Craig as a star in '' The Human Comedy'' (1943), which was a massive success. He was Ann Sothern's love interest in '' Swing Shift Maisie'' (1943) and supported Margaret O'Brien in '' Lost Angel'' (1943). In 1944, Craig co-starred with William Powell and

Hedy Lamarr Hedy Lamarr (; born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler; November 9, 1914 January 19, 2000) was an Austrian-born American film actress and inventor. A film star during Hollywood's golden age, Lamarr has been described as one of the greatest movie actress ...

in '' The Heavenly Body''. That year exhibitors voted him the second most likely to be a "star of tomorrow". Craig supported Ronald Colman in '' Kismet'' (1944), and

Lana Turner Lana Turner ( ; born Julia Jean Turner; February 8, 1921June 29, 1995) was an American actress. Over the course of her nearly 50-year career, she achieved fame as both a pin-up model and a film actress, as well as for her highly publicized pe ...

in '' Marriage Is a Private Affair'' (1944); the latter was a big hit. Craig was given the star role in '' Gentle Annie'' (1945) and '' Dangerous Partners'' (1945); he was reunited with O'Brien in '' Our Vines Have Tender Grapes'' (1945). Craig starred in '' She Went to the Races'' (1945), and two with

Butch Jenkins Butch may refer to: People * Butch (nickname), a list of people *Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch, an Old West outlaw gang * Barbara Butch, French lesbian DJ and activist * Butch Miller (wrestler) (born 1944), ring name of New Zealand professional wr ...

, '' Boys' Ranch'' (1946) and '' Little Mister Jim'' (1947), which both lost money. Craig replaced Van Johnson in the final film of the Dr. Kildare series. The film, '' Dark Delusion'' (1947), lost money. Craig was loaned to

Eagle Lion Eagle Lion 1985-2013 was an event horse that has competed at the highest level of the sport with great success. He stood 16.1 hh (169 cm). Eagle Lion was out of the famous mare Stream Lion, a producer of excellent event horses, incl ...

to appear in '' The Man from Texas'' (1948).

borrowed him again for '' Northwest Stampede'' (1948) then he went back to MGM to play the villain in '' Side Street'' (1949). It flopped as did '' A Lady Without Passport'' (1950), where Craig supported Lamarr and John Hodiak, and '' The Strip'' (1951) with

Mickey Rooney Mickey Rooney (born Joseph Yule Jr.; other pseudonym Mickey Maguire; September 23, 1920 – April 6, 2014) was an American actor. In a career spanning nine decades, he appeared in more than 300 films and was among the last surviving stars of the ...

. Craig had the lead in a Western, '' Drums in the Deep South'' (1951), for the King Brothers and RKO. He supported Yvonne De Carlo in '' Hurricane Smith'' (1952). He wrote the script for the Western ''

Scorching Fury ''Scorching Fury'' is a 1952 American Western film. It stars Richard Devon, William Leslie and Sherwood Price and was written by Devon and James Craig. Plot Scorching Fury is based around a stage holdup. After the robbery the gang leaves the p ...

'' (1952). The ''Los Angeles Times'' noted that Craig's MGM contract "seems to go on and on... notwithstanding he only seems to appear in the company's films at well-spaced intervals." Walter Wanger gave him the lead in '' Fort Vengeance'' (1953). He supported in '' Code Two'' (1953) for MGM. In 1953 his $2,500 a week contract with MGM ended.

Later career

Craig began appearing on TV in "The Westerner" for '' Chevron Theatre'' and '' Studio 57'' and "Wedding March" for '' Ford Television Theatre''. He did "Dead Reckoning" for '' Science Fiction Theatre'' (1955). Craig returned to features with '' Last of the Desperados'' (1955), where he had the lead, and '' While the City Sleeps'' (1956), which he had a support role. He could be seen in starring roles in B films like '' The Women of Pitcairn Island'' (1956), ''

Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend ''Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend'' is a 1957 American Western film directed by Richard L. Bare and starring Randolph Scott, James Craig, Angie Dickinson and James Garner. James Garner, who had a small role, said "it was always fun working with ...

'' (1957) with

Randolph Scott George Randolph Scott (January 23, 1898 – March 2, 1987) was an American film actor whose career spanned the years from 1928 to 1962. As a leading man for all but the first three years of his cinematic career, Scott appeared in a variety of ...

, '' The Persuader'' (1957), '' The Cyclops'' (1957) for Bert I. Gordon, '' Naked in the Sun'' (1957), ''

Ghost Diver ''Ghost Diver'' is a 1957 American adventure film written and directed by Richard Einfeld and Merrill G. White, who usually worked as editors. The film stars James Craig, Audrey Totter, Nico Minardos, Lowell Brown, Rodolfo Hoyos Jr. and Pira ...

'' (1957), ''

Man or Gun ''Man or Gun'' is a 1958 American Western film directed by Albert C. Gannaway and written by Vance Skarstedt and James J. Cassity. The film stars Macdonald Carey, Audrey Totter, James Craig, James Gleason, Warren Stevens and Harry Shannon. T ...

'' (1958) and '' Four Fast Guns'' (1960). He guest starred on shows like '' The Millionaire'' (1956), '' Broken Arrow'' (1957), '' Have Gun – Will Travel'' (1958), '' Colgate Theatre'' (1958), ''

Death Valley Days ''Death Valley Days'' is an American old-time radio and television anthology series featuring true accounts of the American Old West, particularly the Death Valley country of southeastern California. Created in 1930 by Ruth Woodman, the progra ...

'' (1960), and '' Tales of Wells Fargo'' (1962).

B films

Craig went to Japan for '' The Revenge of Doctor X'' (1967), also known as ''Venus Flytrap''. He had support roles in '' Hostile Guns'' (1967), '' Fort Utah'' (1967) and '' Arizona Bushwhackers'' (1968) and guest starred in ''

Daniel Boone Daniel Boone (September 26, 1820) was an American pioneer and frontiersman whose exploits made him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. He became famous for his exploration and settlement of Kentucky, which was then beyond the w ...

'', '' Custer'', and '' The Virginian'' Craig could also be seen in '' The Devil's Brigade'' (1968), ''

If He Hollers, Let Him Go! ''If He Hollers Let Him Go'' is the first novel by American writer Chester Himes, published in 1945, about an African-American shipyard worker in Los Angeles during World War II. It earned him critical acclaim and was considered a "protest nove ...

'' (1968), '' Bigfoot'' (1970), and ''

The Tormentors ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in E ...

'' (1971). Both his last film and television performance came in 1972: he played Dr. Hainer in the sci-fi movie '' Doomsday Machine'' and John Rodman on '' The ABC Afternoon Playbreak'' episode "This Child Is Mine".

Personal life

Craig was married to Mary June Ray (from 1939 to 1954), Jil Jarmyn (married 1959, divorced 1963), and Sumie Jassi; each union ended in divorce. Craig's first wife claimed he hit her. In 1963, a judge issued an arrest warrant to Craig for refusing to attend a divorce hearing involving his second wife Jane. He turned himself in and successfully argued for his release. Jane alleged he had broken into their home, beaten her and cut-up her clothes; she also alleged he had a problem with drinking. In 1967 Jane killed her eleven year old son by a previous marriage, then committed suicide. Craig had two sons, Robert and James Jr., and a daughter; one of the sons predeceased him. During his 1954 divorce hearing, Craig revealed he made money from a variety of sources in addition to acting, including race horses, a cafe, a chicken ranch, and carpentry. After retiring from acting in 1972, Craig became a real estate agent.

Death

Craig died of

lung cancer Lung cancer, also known as lung carcinoma (since about 98–99% of all lung cancers are carcinomas), is a malignant lung tumor characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. Lung carcinomas derive from transformed, malign ...

at Western Medical Center in Tustin, California, in 1985. He was 74.

Selected filmography

* ''

'' (1937) – Waiter (uncredited) * '' This Way Please'' (1937) – Soldier (uncredited) * '' Thunder Trail'' (1937) – Bob Tate * ''

'' (1937) – Brady (uncredited) * '' The Buccaneer'' (1938) – Victory Ball Creole Guest (uncredited) * '' The Big Broadcast of 1938'' (1938) – Steward (uncredited) * '' College Swing'' (1938) – Student (uncredited) * ''

'' (1938) – Nixon * '' North of Shanghai'' (1939) – Jed Howard * '' The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt'' (1939) – Party Guest (uncredited) * '' Flying G-Men'' (1939, Serial) – John Cummings * '' Blondie Meets the Boss'' (1939) – (uncredited) * '' Romance of the Redwoods'' (1939) – Logger (uncredited) * '' Blind Alley'' (1939) – Party Guest (uncredited) * '' Outside These Walls'' (1939) – Reporter (uncredited) * '' Missing Daughters'' (1939) – 1st Attendant (uncredited) * '' Good Girls Go to Paris'' (1939) – Party Guest (uncredited) * '' Overland with Kit Carson'' (1939) – Trapper Tennessee * '' Behind Prison Gates'' (1939) – Jenkins (uncredited) * ''

'' (1939) – Juror Watkins * '' Konga, the Wild Stallion'' (1939) – Ed (uncredited) * '' A Woman Is the Judge'' (1939) – Detective (uncredited) * '' Oily to Bed, Oily to Rise'' (1939 ''

The Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical farce and slapstick. Six Stooges appear ...

'') – Swindler Driving Car (uncredited) * '' The Taming of the West'' (1939) – Handy Clem – Henchman * '' Scandal Sheet'' (1939) – Mann * '' Two-Fisted Rangers'' (1939) – Saloon Gambler (uncredited) * '' Cafe Hostess'' (1940) – Rocky (uncredited) * '' Black Friday'' (1940) – Reporter Ernst Gives Notes To (uncredited) * '' The House Across the Bay'' (1940) – Brenda's Friend (uncredited) * ''

'' (1940) – Steve Marland * '' Enemy Agent'' (1940) – Federal Agent Posing as Drunk (uncredited) * ''

'' (1940, Serial) – Jim Jackson * '' South to Karanga'' (1940) – Steve Hawley * ''

'' (1940) – Ray * '' Seven Sinners'' (1940) – Ensign #1 * '' Law and Order'' (1940) – Brant * '' Kitty Foyle'' (1940) – Mark Eisen * '' Unexpected Uncle'' (1941) – Johnny Kerrigan * ''

'' (1941) – Jabez Stone * '' Valley of the Sun'' (1942) – Jonathan Ware * '' Friendly Enemies'' (1942) – Bill Pfeiffer * '' The Omaha Trail'' (1942) – Pat Candel * '' Northwest Rangers'' (1942) – Frank 'Blackie' Marshall * ''

'' (1942) – Champ Larkin * '' The Human Comedy'' (1943) – Tom Spangler * '' Swing Shift Maisie'' (1943) – 'Breezy' McLaughlin * '' Lost Angel'' (1943) – Mike Regan * '' The Heavenly Body'' (1944) – Lloyd X. Hunter * '' Kismet'' (1944) – Caliph * '' Marriage Is a Private Affair'' (1944) – Capt. Miles Lancing * '' Gentle Annie'' (1944) – Lloyd Richland aka Rich Williams * '' Dangerous Partners'' (1945) – Jeff Caighn * '' Our Vines Have Tender Grapes'' (1945) – Nels Halverson * '' She Went to the Races'' (1945) – Steve Canfield * '' Boys' Ranch'' (1946) – Dan Walker * '' Little Mister Jim'' (1947) – Capt. Big Jim Tukker * '' Dark Delusion'' (1947) – Dr. Tommy Coalt * '' The Man from Texas'' (1948) – Tobias Simms, alias Toby Heath * '' Northwest Stampede'' (1948) – Dan Bennett * '' Side Street'' (1949) – Georgie Garsell * '' A Lady Without Passport'' (1950) – Chief Frank Westlake, INS * '' The Strip'' (1951) – Delwyn 'Sonny' Johnson * '' Drums in the Deep South'' (1951) – Maj. Clay Clayburn * '' Hurricane Smith'' (1952) – Gorvahlsen * '' Fort Vengeance'' (1953) – Dick Ross * '' Code Two'' (1953) – Police Lt. Redmon * '' Last of the Desperados'' (1955) – Sheriff Pat Garrett * ''

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 ...

'' (1956) – Teniente Ezparza * '' While the City Sleeps'' (1956) – 'Honest' Harry Kritzer * '' The Women of Pitcairn Island'' (1956) – Capt. Jeb Page * ''

'' (1957) – Ep Clark * '' The Persuader'' (1957) – Bick Justin * '' The Cyclops'' (1957) – Russ Bradford * '' Naked in the Sun'' (1957) – Chief Osceola * ''

'' (1957) – Roger Bristol * ''

'' (1958) – Pinch Corley * '' Four Fast Guns'' (1960) – Tom Sabin * '' Hostile Guns'' (1967) – Ned Cooper * '' Fort Utah'' (1967) – Bo Greer * '' Arizona Bushwhackers'' (1968) – Ike Clanton * '' The Devil's Brigade'' (1968) – Major General Knapp * ''

'' (1968) – Police Chief * '' Bigfoot'' (1970) – Cyrus * '' The Revenge of Dr. X'' (1970) – Dr. Bragan * ''The Tormentors'' (1971) * '' Doomsday Machine'' (1972) – Dr. Haines (final film role)

Radio appearances

References

External links

"James Craig, Once Billed as 2nd Gable, Dies"
''Los Angeles Times'' obituary, July 9, 1985.

''New York Times'' obituary, July 10, 1985.
"James Craig; Actor Had Clark Gable-type Roles"
''Chicago Tribune'' obituary, July 10, 1985.

* * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Craig, James 1912 births 1985 deaths American male stage actors American male film actors American male television actors Male actors from Nashville, Tennessee Deaths from lung cancer in California Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract players Rice University alumni 20th-century American male actors Universal Pictures contract players