John Qualen (born Johan Mandt Kvalen, December 8, 1899 – September 12, 1987) was an American character actor of Norwegian heritage who specialized in Scandinavian roles.

Early years

Qualen was born in

Vancouver Vancouver ( ) is a major city in western Canada, located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia. As the List of cities in British Columbia, most populous city in the province, the 2021 Canadian census recorded 662,248 people in the ...

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...

, the son of immigrants from Norway; his father was a

Lutheran Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and Protestant Reformers, reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Cathol ...

minister and changed the family's original surname, "Kvalen", to "Qualen" – though some sources give Oleson, later Oleson Kvalen as Qualen's earlier surnames. His father's ministering meant many moves and John was 20 when he graduated from Elgin (Illinois) High School in 1920. For four years, Qualen attended the University of Toronto, but he left there to join a Toronto-based traveling troupe as an actor.

Career

In a ''Milwaukee Journal'' interview he said he needed to start working and did so with the

Chautauqua Chautauqua ( ) was an adult education and social movement in the United States, highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s. The Chautauqua br ...

Circuit. He drove stakes for the tent used for presentations until a night in Ripon, Wisconsin, when the scheduled principal lecturer did not arrive. Qualen replaced the missing man after he showed the Chautauqua manager a medal he had won for oratory as a high school student. Not long after that, he formed his own troupe, The Qualen Concert Company. At the conclusion of a tour following his marriage, Qualen and his wife, Pearle, formed the company to produce plays. The group's stops in a two-year tour included Boston, Chicago, and New Orleans. The Qualens' income was low enough that he sold cookware in New York for additional funds. Using a handcart to move the merchandise, he made more money from sales than from his acting. Grapes of Wrath, The - (Original Trailer) - 08

Grapes of Wrath, The - (Original Trailer) - 08

Eventually reaching

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

, he gained his big break there in 1929, when he was cast as the Swedish janitor Carl Olsen in

Elmer Rice Elmer Rice (born Elmer Leopold Reizenstein, September 28, 1892 – May 8, 1967) was an American playwright. He is best known for his plays ''The Adding Machine'' (1923) and his Pulitzer Prize-winning drama of New York tenement life, '' Street Sce ...

's play '' Street Scene''. His movie career began when he re-created the role two years later in the film adaptation of the stage production. That screen performance was followed by his appearance in

John Ford John Martin Feeney (February 1, 1894 – August 31, 1973), known professionally as John Ford, was an American film director and naval officer. He is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential filmmakers of his generation. He ...

's '' Arrowsmith'' (1931), which began a more than 35-year membership in the director's "stock company", with supporting roles in ''

The Searchers ''The Searchers'' is a 1956 American Technicolor VistaVision epic Western film directed by John Ford and written by Frank S. Nugent, based on the 1954 novel by Alan Le May. It is set during the Texas-Native American wars, and stars John W ...

'' (1956), ''

Two Rode Together ''Two Rode Together'' is a 1961 American Western film directed by John Ford and starring James Stewart, Richard Widmark, and Shirley Jones. The supporting cast includes Linda Cristal, Andy Devine, and John McIntire. The film was based upon th ...

'' (1961), ''

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance ''The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance'' () is a 1962 American Western film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and James Stewart. The screenplay by James Warner Bellah and Willis Goldbeck was adapted from a 1953 short story written by ...

'' (1962) and '' Cheyenne Autumn'' (1964). John Qualen-Paul Henreid in Hollow Triumph

Appearing in well over one hundred films, and acting on television into the 1970s, Qualen performed many of his roles with various accents, usually Scandinavian, often intended for comic effect. Three of his more memorable roles showcase his versatility. Qualen assumed a Midwestern dialect as Muley, who recounts the destruction of his farm by the bank in Ford's ''

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), in a performance so powerful it reportedly reduced director Ford to tears; and as the confused killer Earl Williams in Howard Hawks' classic comedy ''

His Girl Friday ''His Girl Friday'' is a 1940 American screwball comedy directed by Howard Hawks, starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell and featuring Ralph Bellamy and Gene Lockhart. It was released by Columbia Pictures. The plot centers on a newspaper edito ...

'' (1940). As Berger, the jewelry-selling

Norwegian resistance member The Norwegian resistance (Norwegian: ''Motstandsbevegelsen'') to the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany began after Operation Weserübung in 1940 and ended in 1945. It took several forms: *Asserting the legitimacy of the exiled government, ...

Michael Curtiz Michael Curtiz ( ; born Manó Kaminer; since 1905 Mihály Kertész; hu, Kertész Mihály; December 24, 1886 April 10, 1962) was a Hungarian-American film director, recognized as one of the most prolific directors in history. He directed cla ...

' '' Casablanca'' (1942), he used a light Scandinavian accent, but put on a thicker Mediterranean accent as the homeward-bound fisherman Locota in

William Wellman William Augustus Wellman (February 29, 1896 – December 9, 1975) was an American film director, producer, screenwriter, actor and military pilot. He was known for his work in crime, adventure, and action genre films, often focusing on a ...

's '' The High and the Mighty'' (1954) Qualen was also a

flautist The flute is a family of classical music instrument in the woodwind group. Like all woodwinds, flutes are aerophones, meaning they make sound by vibrating a column of air. However, unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is a reedless ...

, having begun to play at age eight. He continued his musical education while at the University of Toronto and went on to play with some professional orchestras, including the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Qualen was treasurer of The Authors Club and historian of The Masquers, Hollywood's social group for actors.

Personal life and death

In 1924, after he became an actor, Qualen married Pearle Larson, whom he had known in high school. She joined him in the Toronto-based traveling troupe when he left university, becoming the troupe's costume mistress. The couple remained together for over 60 years, until 1987, when Qualen died at age 87 of heart failure in Torrance, California.

Filmography

1930s

*'' Street Scene'' (1931) as Karl Olsen *'' Arrowsmith'' (1931) as Henry Novak (uncredited) *''

The Devil's Brother ''The Devil's Brother'' (or ''Bogus Bandits'' as an Astor Pictures reissue title) or ''Fra Diavolo'' outside the U.S. is a 1933 American Pre-Code comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy. It is based on Daniel Auber's operetta ''Fra Diavolo'' abou ...

'' (1933) as Man who owned bull (unconfirmed) *''

Counsellor at Law ''Counsellor at Law'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by William Wyler. The screenplay by Elmer Rice is based on his 1931 Broadway play of the same title. Plot The story focuses on several days in a critical juncture in the lif ...

'' (1933) as Johan Breitstein *''

Let's Fall in Love "Let's Fall in Love" is a song written by Harold Arlen (music) and Ted Koehler (lyrics) for the film '' Let's Fall in Love'' and published in 1933. In the film, it is heard during the opening credits and later sung by Art Jarrett and chorus, a ...

'' (1933) as Svente Bjorkman (uncredited) *''

Hi Nellie! ''Hi, Nellie!'' is a 1934 American crime drama film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Paul Muni and Glenda Farrell. A newspaper editor is demoted to writing an advice column for refusing to go along with the crowd in declaring a missing lawye ...

'' (1934) as Steve (uncredited) *''

No Greater Glory ''No Greater Glory'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code allegorical anti-war film directed by Frank Borzage and based on the novel '' A Pál utcai fiúk'' by Ferenc Molnár, known in English as "The Boys of Paul Street." The film's box office performanc ...

'' (1934) as Nemecsek's father *'' Upper World'' (1934) as Chris *''

Sing and Like It ''Sing and Like It'' is a 1934 American pre-Code comedy film directed by William A. Seiter from a screenplay by Marion Dix and Laird Doyle, based on the unpublished short story ''So You Won't Sing, Eh?'' by Aben Kandel. The film stars ZaSu Pi ...

'' (1934) as Oswald *''

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 Schultz (uncredited) *''

He Was Her Man ''He Was Her Man'' is a 1934 American pre-Code mob film starring James Cagney, Joan Blondell, and Victor Jory. The film was directed by Lloyd Bacon. Plot Flicker Hayes (Cagney) informs the police after he sets up two men to be caught in a pho ...

'' (1934) as Dutch *'' Our Daily Bread'' (1934) as Chris *'' Straight Is the Way'' (1934) as Mr. Chapman (uncredited) *''

Servants' Entrance ''Servants' Entrance'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code musical comedy film. It was written by Samson Raphaelson from the Sigrid Boo novel and directed by Frank Lloyd, with a cartoon sequence by Walt Disney (Who's company now ironically owns this fil ...

'' (1934) as Detective *''

365 Nights in Hollywood ''365 Nights in Hollywood'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code drama film directed by George Marshall and starring Alice Faye and James Dunn. Cast * James Dunn as James 'Jimmy' Dale * Alice Faye Alice Faye (born Alice Jeanne Leppert; May 5, 1 ...

'' (1934) as Professor Herman Ellenbogen *''

Charlie Chan in Paris ''Charlie Chan in Paris'' is the seventh film produced by Fox with Warner Oland as Charlie Chan. Long thought lost, it is available on DVD as part of Twentieth Century Fox Home Video's ''Charlie Chan Collection, Vol. 1''. Hamilton MacFadden di ...

'' (1935) as Consierge *''

One More Spring ''One More Spring'' is a 1935 American comedy drama film about three people, played by Janet Gaynor, Warner Baxter, and Walter Woolf King, living together in a tool room at Central Park as an alternative to being homeless. The film was written by ...

'' (1935) as Auctioneer *''

The Great Hotel Murder ''The Great Hotel Murder'' is a 1935 American mystery film directed by Eugene Forde and starring Edmund Lowe, Victor McLaglen, Rosemary Ames and Mary Carlisle. It is based on ''Recipe for Murder'' a 1934 story by Vincent Starrett. The film sta ...

'' (1935) as Ole *'' Black Fury'' (1935) as Mike *'' Chasing Yesterday'' (1935) as Aristide Coccoz *'' Silk Hat Kid'' (1935) as Mr. Fossbender *''

Doubting Thomas A doubting Thomas is a skeptic who refuses to believe without direct personal experience — a reference to the Gospel of John's depiction of the Apostle Thomas, who, in John's account, refused to believe the resurrected Jesus had appeared to ...

'' as Von Blitzer *'' The Farmer Takes a Wife'' (1935) as Sol Tinker *''

Orchids to You ''Orchids to You'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by William A. Seiter and starring John Boles (actor), John Boles, Jean Muir (actress), Jean Muir and Charles Butterworth (actor), Charles Butterworth.Solomon p.379 The screenplay concerns ...

'' (1935) as Smith *''

Thunder in the Night ''Thunder in the Night'' is a 1935 American crime film directed by George Archainbaud and written by Frances Hyland and Eugene Solow. It is based on the 1934 play ''A Woman Lies'' by Ladislas Fodor. The film stars Edmund Lowe, Karen Morley, Pau ...

'' (1935) as Hotel porter *''

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 ...

'' (1935) as

Planchet A planchet is a round metal disk that is ready to be struck as a coin. An older word for planchet is flan. They are also referred to as blanks. History The preparation of the flan or planchet has varied over the years. In ancient times, the ...

*''

Whipsaw A whipsaw or pitsaw was originally a type of saw used in a saw pit, and consisted of a narrow blade held rigid by a frame and called a frame saw or sash saw (see illustrations). This evolved into a straight, stiff blade without a frame, up to 1 ...

'' (1935) as Will Dabson *''

Man of Iron ''Man of Iron'' ( pl, Człowiek z żelaza) is a 1981 film directed by Andrzej Wajda. It depicts the Solidarity labour movement and its first success in persuading the Polish government to recognize the workers' right to an independent union. Th ...

'' (1935) as Collins *'' Ring Around the Moon'' (1936) as Bill Harvey *'' Wife vs. Secretary'' (1936) as Mr. Jenkins (uncredited) *'' The Country Doctor'' (1936) as Asa Wyatt *''

The Road to Glory ''The Road to Glory'' is a 1936 dramatic film depiction of World War I trench warfare in France directed by Howard Hawks, starring Fredric March, Warner Baxter, Lionel Barrymore, and June Lang, and produced by 20th Century Fox. It is vaguely i ...

'' (1936) as Scared soldier *''

Meet Nero Wolfe ''Meet Nero Wolfe'' is a 1936 mystery film based on the 1934 novel '' Fer-de-Lance'', written by Rex Stout. Set in New York, the story introduced the detective genius Nero Wolfe ( Edward Arnold) and his assistant Archie Goodwin (Lionel Stander). ...

'' (1936) as Olaf *''

Girls' Dormitory ''Girls' Dormitory'' is a 1936 American romance film directed by Irving Cummings based upon the 1934 play ''Mature'' by Ladislas Fodor, and adapted for the screen by Gene Markey. Plot Set in the fictional Montreaux School for Girls in Switzerla ...

'' (1936) as Toni *''

Reunion Reunion may refer to: * Class reunion * Family reunion Reunion, Réunion, Re-union, Reunions or The Reunion may also refer to: Places * Réunion, a French overseas department and island in the Indian Ocean * Reunion, Commerce City, Colorado, U ...

'' (1936) as Asa Wyatt *'' Seventh Heaven'' (1937) as Sewer Rat *''

Angel's Holiday ''Angel's Holiday'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by James Tinling and written by Frank Fenton and Lynn Root. The film stars Jane Withers, Joan Davis, Sally Blane, Robert Kent, Harold Huber and Frank Jenks. The film was released on ...

'' (1937) as Waldo Everett *''

Fifty Roads to Town ''Fifty Roads to Town'' is a 1937 American romantic comedy film directed by Norman Taurog and starring Don Ameche and Ann Sothern. The film is based on a book of the same name by author Frederick Nebel. This is the third novel Nebel wrote. Plot ...

'' (1937) as Sheriff Dow *'' She Had to Eat'' (1937) as Sleepy *''

Fit for a King ''Fit for a King'' is a 1937 American film starring Joe E. Brown and directed by Edward Sedgwick. Plot summary Newspaper reporter "Scoop (term), Scoops" (Brown) is sent out on assignment, to investigate the failed assassination attempts on Arc ...

'' (1937) as Otto *'' Nothing Sacred'' (1937) as Fireman (uncredited) *''

The Bad Man of Brimstone ''The Bad Man of Brimstone'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by J. Walter Ruben and starring Wallace Beery, Virginia Bruce and Dennis O'Keefe. The screenplay was written by Cyril Hume and Richard Maibaum, from a story by Ruben and Maur ...

'' (1937) as "Loco" *''

Joy of Living ''Joy of Living'' is a 1938 American musical comedy film directed by Tay Garnett and starring Irene Dunne and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. with supporting performances from Alice Brady, Guy Kibbee, Jean Dixon, Eric Blore and Lucille Ball. It features ...

'' (1938) as Oswego *''

The Texans ''The Texans'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by James P. Hogan and starring Joan Bennett and Randolph Scott. The screenplay was written by Bertram Millhauser, Paul Sloane and William Wister Haines and is based on the novel ''North ...

'' (1938) as Abilene Swede (uncredited) *''

The Chaser The Chaser are an Australian satirical comedy group, best known for their television programmes and satirical news masthead. The group take their name from their satirical newspaper, a publication known to challenge conventions of taste. Th ...

'' (1938) as Lars *''

The Mad Miss Manton ''The Mad Miss Manton'' is a 1938 American screwball comedy-mystery film directed by Leigh Jason and starring Barbara Stanwyck as fun-loving socialite Melsa Manton and Henry Fonda as newspaper editor Peter Ames. Melsa and her debutante friends h ...

'' (1938) as Subway worker *''

Five of a Kind Five of a kind may refer to: * Five of a kind (poker) In poker, players form sets of five playing cards, called ''hands'', according to the rules of the game. Each hand has a rank, which is compared against the ranks of other hands participati ...

'' (1938) as Asa Wyatt *''

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 Stoner *'' Stand Up and Fight'' (1939) as Davy *''

Let Us Live ''Let Us Live'' is a 1939 American crime film directed by John Brahm starring Maureen O'Sullivan, Henry Fonda and Ralph Bellamy. The script of the film was adapted from the 1936 Harper's Magazine story "Murder in Massachusetts" by Joseph F. ...

'' (1939) as Dan (uncredited) *'' Mickey the Kid'' (1939) as Mailman *''

Career The career is an individual's metaphorical "journey" through learning, work and other aspects of life. There are a number of ways to define career and the term is used in a variety of ways. Definitions The ''Oxford English Dictionary'' defi ...

'' (1939) as Jeff Trotter (uncredited) *''

Honeymoon in Bali ''Honeymoon in Bali'' is a 1939 American romantic comedy film. It is also known by the alternative titles ''Husbands or Lovers'' and ''My Love for Yours''. Virginia Van Upp's screenplay was based on the short stories "Our Miss Keane" by Grace S ...

'' (1939) as Meek man *''

Thunder Afloat ''Thunder Afloat'' is a 1939 World War I naval film starring Wallace Beery and Chester Morris. The movie was directed by George B. Seitz. The submarine sequences were shot with the cooperation of the U. S. Navy at Annapolis, Maryland and aro ...

'' (1939) as Milo *''

Four Wives ''Four Wives'' is a 1939 American drama film starring the Lane Sisters ( Priscilla Lane, Rosemary Lane, Lola Lane) and Gale Page. The film was directed by Michael Curtiz and is based on the story "Sister Act" by Fannie Hurst. The supporting ...

'' (1939) as Frank

1940s

*''

'' (1940) as Earl Williams *''

'' (1940) as Muley Graves *''

Blondie on a Budget ''Blondie on a Budget'' is a 1940 American comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton, Arthur Lake and Rita Hayworth. It is the fifth entry into the long-running Blondie series of films, which ran between 1938 and 1950 ...

'' (1940) as Mr. Ed Fuddle *'' Saturday's Children'' (1940) as First carpenter (uncredited) *''

Ski Patrol Ski patrols are organizations that provide medical, rescue, and hazard prevention services to the injured in ski area boundaries, or sometimes beyond into backcountry settings. Many have technical-medical certifications, such as Outdoor Emergen ...

'' (1940) as Gustaf *''

On Their Own ''On Their Own'' is a 1940 American comedy film directed by Otto Brower and written by Harold Buchman and Val Burton. This last of 17 Jones Family films stars Spring Byington, Kenneth Howell, George Ernest, June Carlson, Florence Roberts, and ...

'' (1940) as Peters *''

Babies for Sale ''Babies for Sale'' is a 1940 American film noir crime drama film directed by Charles Barton and starring Rochelle Hudson, Glenn Ford and Miles Mander. Plot A newsman exposes a doctor running an adoption ring from a home for expectant mothers. ...

'' (1940) as Howard Anderson *''

Angels Over Broadway ''Angels Over Broadway'' (also called ''Before I Die'') is a 1940 American film noir drama film starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Rita Hayworth, Thomas Mitchell and John Qualen. Ben Hecht, who co-directed (with cinematographer Lee Garmes), co- ...

'' (1940) as Charles Engle *''

Knute Rockne, All American ''Knute Rockne, All American'' is a 1940 American biographical film that tells the story of Knute Rockne, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame's legendary football coach. It stars Pat O'Brien (actor), Pat O'Brien as Rockne and Ronald Reagan as pl ...

'' (1940) Lars Knuteson Rockne *''

The Long Voyage Home ''The Long Voyage Home'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by John Ford. It stars John Wayne, Thomas Mitchell and Ian Hunter. It features Barry Fitzgerald, Wilfrid Lawson, John Qualen, Mildred Natwick, and Ward Bond, among others. The f ...

'' (1940) as Axel *''

Youth Will Be Served ''Youth Will Be Served'' is a 1940 American musical film directed by Otto Brower and starring Jane Withers and Jane Darwell. Plot A southern girl (Withers) goes to a National Youth Association camp after her father goes to jail for bootlegging. ...

'' (1940) as Clem Howie *'' Model Wife'' (1941) as Janitor *'' Million Dollar Baby'' (1941) as Dr. Patterson *'' Out of the Fog'' (1941) as Olaf Johnson *'' The Shepherd of the Hills'' (1941) as Coot Royal *''

The Great Awakening ''The Great Awakening'' is the fourth studio album from the Christian rock band Leeland, released on September 20, 2011. ''The Great Awakening'' received a nomination to the 54th Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album The ...

'' (1941) as Hasslinger's Clerk *''

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) as Miser Stevens *''

Jungle Book ''The Jungle Book'' (1894) is a collection of stories by the English author Rudyard Kipling. Most of the characters are animals such as Shere Khan the tiger and Baloo the bear, though a principal character is the boy or "man-cub" Mowgli, who ...

'' (1942) as The Barber *''

Larceny, Inc. ''Larceny, Inc.'' is a 1942 American film. Originally released on May 2, 1942, by Warner Bros., the film is a cross between comedy and gangster genres. Directed by Lloyd Bacon, the film stars Edward G. Robinson, Jane Wyman, Broderick Crawford, a ...

'' (1942) as Sam Bachrach *''

Tortilla Flat ''Tortilla Flat'' (1935) is an early John Steinbeck novel set in Monterey, California. The novel was the author's first clear critical and commercial success. The book portrays a group of 'paisanos'—literally, countrymen—a small band of e ...

'' (1942) as Jose Maria Corcoran *'' Casablanca'' (1942) as Berger *'' Arabian Nights'' (1942) as Alladin *'' Swing Shift Maisie'' (1943) as Horatio Curly *'' The Impostor'' (1944) as Monge *'' An American Romance'' (1944) as Anton Dubechek *'' Dark Waters'' (1944) as Uncle Norbert *'' Roughly Speaking'' (1945) as Svend Olsen *''

River Gang ''River Gang'' is a 1945 American crime film directed by Charles David and written by Leslie Charteris and Dwight V. Babcock. The film stars Gloria Jean, John Qualen, Bill Goodwin, Keefe Brasselle, Sheldon Leonard, Gus Schilling and Vince Barne ...

'' (1945) as Uncle Bill *''

Captain Kidd William Kidd, also known as Captain William Kidd or simply Captain Kidd ( – 23 May 1701), was a Scottish sea captain who was commissioned as a privateer and had experience as a pirate. He was tried and executed in London in 1701 for murder a ...

'' (1945) as Bart Blivens *''

Adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme ...

'' (1945) as Model T *''

Song of Scheherazade ''Song of Scheherazade'' is a 1947 American musical film directed by Walter Reisch. It tells the story of an imaginary episode in the life of the Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (Jean-Pierre Aumont), in 1865, when he was a young naval ...

'' (1947) as Lorenzo *''

High Conquest ''High Conquest'' is a 1947 American drama film directed by Irving Allen and starring Anna Lee, Gilbert Roland, and Warren Douglas. It was adapted from the 1941 book of the same title by James Ramsey Ullman. It was distributed by Monogram Picture ...

'' (1947) as Peter Oberwalder Sr. *'' The Fugitive'' (1947) as Refugee doctor *''

Reaching from Heaven ''Reaching from Heaven'' is a 1948 American drama film directed by Frank Strayer, which stars Hugh Beaumont, Cheryl Walker, and John Qualen. The screenplay was written by Charles Palmer, from an original story by Henry Rische and H. W. Gockel. P ...

'' (1948) as The Stranger *''

On Our Merry Way ''On Our Merry Way'' is a 1948 American comedy film produced by Benedict Bogeaus and Burgess Meredith and released by United Artists. At the time of its release, King Vidor and Leslie Fenton were credited with its direction, although the DVD lis ...

'' (1948) (deleted sequence, uncredited) *''

Alias a Gentleman ''Alias a Gentleman'' is a 1948 American romantic comedy film directed by Harry Beaumont and starring Wallace Beery. The supporting cast includes Dorothy Patrick, Tom Drake, Gladys George and Sheldon Leonard. Plot Jim Breedin has been in priso ...

'' (1948) as No End *''

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 Svenson *'' 16 Fathoms Deep'' (1948) as Capt. Athos *''

Hollow Triumph ''Hollow Triumph'' (working title ''The Man Who Murdered Himself'', reissued in the United States as ''The Scar'') is a 1948 American film noir crime film directed by Steve Sekely starring Paul Henreid, Joan Bennett and Leslie Brooks. It was rel ...

'' (1948) as Swangon *''

The Big Steal ''The Big Steal'' is a 1949 American black-and-white film noir reteaming '' Out of the Past'' stars Robert Mitchum and Jane Greer. The film was directed by Don Siegel, based on the short story "The Road to Carmichael's" by Richard Wormser. Pl ...

'' (1949) as Julius Seton

1950s

*''

Captain China ''Captain China'' is a 1950 American adventure film directed by Lewis R. Foster and written by Lewis R. Foster and Gwen Bagni. The film stars John Payne, Gail Russell, Jeffrey Lynn, Lon Chaney Jr., Edgar Bergen, Michael O'Shea and Ellen Corb ...

'' (1950) as Geech *''

Buccaneer's Girl ''Buccaneer's Girl'' is a 1950 American Technicolor romantic adventure film directed by Frederick de Cordova starring Yvonne De Carlo and Philip Friend. Plot Deborah McCoy, a New Orleans singer, is on a ship that is captured by the forces of t ...

'' (1950) as Vegetable man *''

Woman on the Run ''Woman on the Run'' is a 1950 American crime film noir directed by Norman Foster and starring Ann Sheridan and Dennis O'Keefe. The film was based on the April 1948 short story "Man on the Run" by Sylvia Tate and filmed on location in San Franc ...

'' (1950) as Maibus *''

The Jackpot ''The Jackpot'' is a 1950 American comedy film directed by Walter Lang, with James Stewart and Barbara Hale in the lead roles. It features a young Natalie Wood. The screenplay was based on a John McNulty article, "The Jackpot", in ''The New York ...

'' (1950) as Mr. Ferguson (uncredited) *'' The Flying Missile'' (1950) as Lars Hansen *'' Belle Le Grand'' (1951) as Corky McGee *''

Goodbye, My Fancy ''Goodbye, My Fancy'' is a 1948 play by Fay Kanin. A comedy in 3 Acts and 4 scenes, the work premiered at the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario on October 21, 1948 for tryout performances before the production moved to Broadway in New York City. ...

'' (1951) as Professor Dingley *'' Hans Christian Andersen'' (1952) as Burgomaster *''

Ambush at Tomahawk Gap ''Ambush at Tomahawk Gap'' is a 1953 American Western film directed by Fred F. Sears and produced by Wallace MacDonald. It stars John Hodiak, John Derek, David Brian, and María Elena Marqués. Plot Four outlaws have just been released from ...

'' (1953) as Jonas P. Travis *''

Francis Covers the Big Town ''Francis Covers the Big Town'' is a 1953 American black-and-white comedy film from Universal-International, produced by Leonard Goldstein, directed by Arthur Lubin, that stars Donald O'Connor, Yvette Duguay, and Gene Lockhart. The distinctive vo ...

'' (1953) as Defense Attorney Cavendish (uncredited) *''

I, the Jury ''I, the Jury'' is the 1947 debut novel of American crime fiction writer Mickey Spillane, the first work to feature private investigator Mike Hammer. Plot summary The novel opens as private detective Mike Hammer is called to the apartment of i ...

'' (1953) as Dr. R. H. Vickers *'' The High and the Mighty'' (1954) as Jose Locota *''

The Student Prince ''The Student Prince'' is an operetta in four acts with music by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Dorothy Donnelly. It is based on Wilhelm Meyer-Förster's play '' Old Heidelberg''. The piece has a score with some of Romberg's most enduri ...

'' (1954) as Willie Klauber *'' Passion'' (1954) as Gasper Melo *'' The Other Woman'' (1954) as Papasha *'' Unchained'' (1955) as Leonard Haskins *''

The Sea Chase ''The Sea Chase'' is a 1955 World War II drama film starring John Wayne and Lana Turner, and featuring David Farrar, Lyle Bettger, and Tab Hunter. It was directed by John Farrow from a screenplay by James Warner Bellah and John Twist based on ...

'' (1955) as Chief Engineer Schmitt *'' At Gunpoint'' (1955) as Livingstone *''

'' (1956) as Lars Jorgensen *'' Johnny Concho'' (1956) as Jake *'' The Big Land'' (1957) as Sven Johnson *'' My World Dies Screaming'' (1958) as Jonah Snell *''

The Gun Runners ''The Gun Runners'' is a 1958 American film noir crime film directed by Don Siegel, is the third adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's 1937 novel ''To Have and Have Not'', and starring Audie Murphy. Everett Sloane essays the part of the alcoholic side ...

'' (1958) as Pop *''

Revolt in the Big House ''Revolt in the Big House'' is a 1958 American film noir directed by R. G. Springsteen and starring Gene Evans, Robert Blake and Timothy Carey. Portions of the film were shot on location at Folsom State Prison in California. Blacklisted screen ...

'' (1958) as Doc *''

Anatomy of a Murder ''Anatomy of a Murder'' is a 1959 American courtroom drama and crime film produced and directed by Otto Preminger. The screenplay by Wendell Mayes was based on the 1958 novel of the same name written by Michigan Supreme Court Justice John D. Vo ...

'' (1959) as Deputy Sheriff Sulo

1960s

*'' Hell Bent for Leather'' (1960) as Old Ben *''

Elmer Gantry ''Elmer Gantry'' is a satirical novel written by Sinclair Lewis in 1926 that presents aspects of the religious activity of America in fundamentalist and evangelistic circles and the attitudes of the 1920s public toward it. The novel's protagonis ...

'' (1960) as Sam, a storekeeper (uncredited) *''

North to Alaska ''North to Alaska'' is a 1960 comedic Western/Northern film directed by Henry Hathaway and John Wayne (uncredited). The picture stars Wayne along with Stewart Granger, Ernie Kovacs, Fabian, and Capucine. The script is based on the 1939 play ' ...

'' (1960) as Logger Judge *''

'' (1961) as Ole Knudsen *''

'' (1962) as Peter Erickson *''

Donovan's Reef ''Donovan's Reef'' is a 1963 American adventure comedy film starring John Wayne and Lee Marvin. It was directed by John Ford and filmed in Kauai, Hawaii, but is set in French Polynesia. The supporting cast features Elizabeth Allen, Jack War ...

'' (1963) as Deckhand (uncredited) *'' The Prize'' (1963) as Oscar *''

7 Faces of Dr. Lao ''7 Faces of Dr. Lao'' is a 1964 American Metrocolor Western fantasy-comedy film directed by George Pal (his final directorial effort) and starring Tony Randall. The film, an adaptation of the 1935 novel ''The Circus of Dr. Lao'' by Charles G. ...

'' (1964) as Luther Lindquist *'' Cheyenne Autumn'' (1964) as Svenson (uncredited) *''

Those Calloways ''Those Calloways'' is a 1964 American family drama film, adapted from the 1950 children's novel ''Swiftwater'' by Paul Annixter. The film was produced by Walt Disney and directed by Norman Tokar. It was the last credit for veteran film composer ...

'' (1965) as Ernie Evans *''

I'll Take Sweden ''I'll Take Sweden'' is a 1965 American comedy film directed by Frederick de Cordova, and starring Bob Hope, Frankie Avalon, and Tuesday Weld. Plot Single father Bob Holcomb, a widower, is unhappy with the guitar-playing boy Kenny his daughter ...

'' (1965) as Olaf *''

The Sons of Katie Elder ''The Sons of Katie Elder'' is a 1965 American Western (genre), Western film in Panavision, directed by Henry Hathaway and starring John Wayne and Dean Martin. It was filmed principally in Mexico. Plot The four adult sons of Katie Elder – Jo ...

'' (1965) as Charlie Biller *''

A Patch of Blue ''A Patch of Blue'' is a 1965 American drama film directed by Guy Green about the friendship between an educated black man (played by Sidney Poitier) and an illiterate, blind, white 18-year-old girl (played by Elizabeth Hartman), and the proble ...

'' (1965) as Mr. Faber *''

A Big Hand for the Little Lady ''A Big Hand for the Little Lady'' (released in the UK under the misleading title ''Big Deal at Dodge City'', as the film is set in Laredo, Texas) is a 1966 American Western film made by Eden Productions Inc. and released by Warner Bros. The ...

'' (1966) as Jesse Buford *''

The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin ''The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin'' is a 1967 American Western comedy film directed by James Neilson, produced by Walt Disney Productions, starring Roddy McDowall, Suzanne Pleshette, Hermione Baddeley, and Karl Malden. The film's screenpl ...

'' (1967) as Barber (uncredited) *''

Firecreek ''Firecreek'' is a 1968 American Western film directed by Vincent McEveety and starring James Stewart and Henry Fonda in his second role as an antagonist that year alongside Sergio Leone's '' Once Upon a Time in the West''. The film is similar ...

'' (1968) as Hall *'' P.J.'' (1968) as Poppa Gonowski *''Doc'' (1969, TV Movie) as Luke *''

Hail, Hero! ''Hail, Hero!'' is a 1969 drama film directed by David Miller, starring Michael Douglas, Deborah Winters and Peter Strauss. David Manber wrote the screenplay based on the novel by John Weston. The picture was produced by Harold D. Cohen and was ...

'' (1969) as Billy Hurd

1970s

*'' Getting Away from It All'' (1972, TV Movie) as Charlie Erickson *''Wednesday Night Out'' (1972, TV Movie) *''Frasier, the Sensuous Lion'' (1973) as Old man on porch

Television

*'' Alfred Hitchcock Presents'', episode "A Bullet for Baldwin" – Benjamin Steep (1956) *'' Alfred Hitchcock Presents'', episode "Help Wanted" – Mr. Crabtree (1956) *'' Alfred Hitchcock Presents'', episode "Shopping for Death" – Elmer Shore (1956) *''

Father Knows Best ''Father Knows Best'' is an American sitcom starring Robert Young, Jane Wyatt, Elinor Donahue, Billy Gray and Lauren Chapin. The series, which began on radio in 1949, aired as a television show for six seasons and 203 episodes. Created by ...

'', episode "The Bus to Nowhere" - Old Man (1956) *''

Cheyenne The Cheyenne ( ) are an Indigenous people of the Great Plains. Their Cheyenne language belongs to the Algonquian language family. Today, the Cheyenne people are split into two federally recognized nations: the Southern Cheyenne, who are enr ...

'', episode "Deadline" – Charley Dolan (1957) *''

Maverick Maverick, Maveric or Maverik may refer to: History * Maverick (animal), an unbranded range animal, derived from U.S. cattleman Samuel Maverick Aviation * AEA Maverick, an Australian single-seat sportsplane design * General Aviation Design Burea ...

'', episode "The Lonesome Reunion" – Leland Mills (1958) *'' The Californians'' episode "J. Jimmerson Jones, Inc."—J. Jimmerson Jones (1958) *''

Sea Hunt ''Sea Hunt'' is an American action adventure television series that aired in syndication from 1958 to 1961 and was popular for decades afterwards. The series originally aired for four seasons, with 155 episodes produced. It stars Lloyd Bridges a ...

'' (1960) Season 3, Episode 31 *''

Mister Ed ''Mister Ed'' is an American television sitcom produced by Filmways that aired in syndication from January 5 to July 2, 1961, and then on CBS from October 1, 1961, to February 6, 1966. The show's title character is a talking horse which orig ...

'', episode "Ed's New Shoes" – Axel (the Handyman) (1961) *'' Bonanza'', episode "Springtime" – Parley (1961) *''

'', episode "The Golden Fleecing" – Henry Albright (1961) *''The Andy Griffith Show'', episode "The Jinx" – Henry Bennett (1962) *''Laramie (TV series), Laramie'', episode "Shadow of the Past" – Mr. Elbee (1962) *''The Real McCoys'', episode "Cupid Wore a Tail" – Frank (1963) *''The Real McCoys'', episode "The Other Side of the Fence" – Frank (1963) *''Make Room for Daddy'', episodes "Sense of Humor" and "Call Off the Hounds" – Swenson, the Janitor (1964) *''The Virginian (TV series), The Virginian'', episode "A Bride for Lars" – Gosta Swenson (1964) *''The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.'', episode "The Jewels of Topango Affair" – Dr. Elmer Spritzer (1966) *''Hazel (TV series), Hazel'', episode "A Question of Ethics" – Mr. Johansson (1966) *''Shane (American TV series), Shane'', episode "The Hant" - Old Man (1966) *''I Spy (1965 TV series), I Spy'', episode "Red Sash of Courage" – Hannos (1967) *''Green Acres'', episode "Eb's Romance" - Mr. Appleby (1968) *''Green Acres'', episode "The Ex-Con" - Willy Dunhill (1970) *''The Odd Couple (1970 TV series), The Odd Couple'', episode “The Taste Of Money” - Sam (1971) *''Make Room for Granddaddy'', episode "The Arm Wrestle" Folsom (1971) *''The Partridge Family'' episode "My Heart Belongs to a Two Car Garage" – The Old Man (1972) *''The F.B.I. (TV series), The F.B.I.'', episode "The Detonator" (1973) *''Movin' On (TV series), Movin' On'', episode "Life Line" – Liggett (1974) (final appearance)

References

External links

* * * * * *
Photos of John Qualen from ''The Long Voyage Home''
by Ned Scott {{DEFAULTSORT:Qualen, John 1899 births 1987 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male television actors American people of Norwegian descent Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) Canadian emigrants to the United States Canadian people of Norwegian descent Male actors from Vancouver Male Western (genre) film actors Northwestern University alumni People from Elgin, Illinois