Johnny Arthur (born John Lennox Arthur Williams; May 20, 1883 – December 31, 1951) was an American stage and motion picture actor.

Early years

Born in

Scottdale, Pennsylvania Scottdale is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, southeast of Pittsburgh. Early in the 20th century, Scottdale was the center of the Frick coke interests. It had steel and iron pipe mills, brass and silver works, a casket facto ...

, Arthur was a veteran of twenty-five years on stage before he made his screen debut in 1923's ''

The Unknown Purple ''The Unknown Purple'' is a lost 1923 American silent mystery film that was written and directed by Roland West.Lon Chaney Leonidas Frank "Lon" Chaney (April 1, 1883 – August 26, 1930) was an American actor. He is regarded as one of the most versatile and powerful actors of cinema, renowned for his characterizations of tortured, often grotesque and affli ...

vehicle '' The Monster'' (1925).

Talkie era

With the coming of sound, Arthur developed his first comedic image, an effeminate character in films such as ''

The Desert Song ''The Desert Song'' is an operetta with music by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach and Frank Mandel. It was inspired by the 1925 uprising of the Riffs, a group of Moroccan fighters, against French colonia ...

'' (1929), '' She Couldn't Say No'' (1930), '' Penrod and Sam'' (1931) and ''

The Ghost Walks ''The Ghost Walks'' is a 1934 American horror film directed by Frank R. Strayer starring John Miljan and June Collyer. Plot On a stormy night, a theatrical producer, his secretary, and playwright Prescott Ames are stranded when their car skids ...

'' (1934). When the

Production Code The Motion Picture Production Code was a set of industry guidelines for the self-censorship of content that was applied to most motion pictures released by major studios in the United States from 1934 to 1968. It is also popularly known as the ...

took effect on July 1, 1934, the overtly homosexual characters played by Arthur were toned down in Hollywood movies. He spent the rest of the 1930s playing fussy characters. This served him well in low-budget films like ''The Natzy Nuisance'', ''Ellis Island'' and ''

Danger on the Air ''Danger on the Air'' is a 1938 American mystery film directed by Otis Garrett. The film was based on the novel ''Death Catches Up with Mr. Kluck'' by author Xanthippe. Plot summary Nan Grey, as Christina "Steenie" MacCorkle, a radio advertisin ...

'', as well as big budget pictures like ''Crime and Punishment'' and ''

Road to Singapore ''Road to Singapore'' is a 1940 American semi- musical comedy film directed by Victor Schertzinger and starring Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour and Bob Hope. Based on a story by Harry Hervey, the film is about two playboys trying to forget previo ...

''. Arthur is perhaps most remembered for his appearances as

Darla Hood Darla Jean Hood (November 8, 1931 – June 13, 1979) was an American child actress, best known as the leading lady in the ''Our Gang'' series from 1935 to 1941. She was born in Leedey, Oklahoma, the only child of music teacher Elizabeth Da ...

's father in

Hal Roach Harry Eugene "Hal" Roach Sr.Randy Skretvedt, Skretvedt, Randy (2016), ''Laurel and Hardy: The Magic Behind the Movies'', Bonaventure Press. p.608. (January 14, 1892 – November 2, 1992) was an American film and television producer, director, a ...

Our Gang ''Our Gang'' (also known as ''The Little Rascals'' or ''Hal Roach's Rascals'') is an American series of comedy short films chronicling a group of poor neighborhood children and their adventures. Created by film producer Hal Roach, also the ...

shorts. Most of his later roles were unbilled bits, with the notable exception of the 1942 serial, ''The Masked Marvel''.

Death

Arthur died on December 31, 1951, at the

Motion Picture Country Home The Motion Picture & Television Fund (MPTF) is a charitable organization that offers assistance and care to those in the motion picture and television industries and their families with limited or no resources, including services such as temp ...

. He was buried at the charitable expense of the

Motion Picture Fund In physics, motion is the phenomenon in which an object changes its position with respect to time. Motion is mathematically described in terms of displacement, distance, velocity, acceleration, speed and frame of reference to an observer and mea ...

Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery is located at 10621 Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood and Burbank, California. The cemetery has an entrance called the Portal of the Folded Wings Shrine to Aviation that is the final resting place for aviation ...

, but left in an unmarked grave for 60 years until the Friends of ''Dearly Departed Tours'' and ''Findadeath.com'' raised the funds for a gravestone and placed one in November 2012.

Selected filmography

*''

The Unknown Purple ''The Unknown Purple'' is a lost 1923 American silent mystery film that was written and directed by Roland West.Mademoiselle Midnight ''Mademoiselle Midnight'' is a 1924 American silent drama film starring Mae Murray and directed by Murray's then husband, Robert Z. Leonard. The film was written by Carl Harbaugh and John Russell. The film was the final release of Metro under ...

'' (1924) - Carlos de Quiros *'' Daring Love'' (1924) *'' The Monster'' (1925) - The Under Clerk *'' The Tourist'' (1925, Short) *'' Cleaning Up'' (1925, Short) - The Husband *''

My Stars ''My Stars'' is a 1926 American comedy film directed by Roscoe Arbuckle. Cast * Johnny Arthur as The Boy * Florence Lee as His Mother * Virginia Vance as The Girl * George Davis as The Butler * Glen Cavender as The Gardener See also * Fatty ...

'' (1926, Short) - Johnny *''

Home Cured ''Home Cured'' is a 1926 American silent comedy film directed by Roscoe Arbuckle. Although Arbuckle was acquitted in the third trial for the death of Virginia Rappe, he could not obtain work in Hollywood under his own name, so he adopted the ...

'' (1926, Short) - The Hypochondriac *''Honest Injun'' (1926, Short) - Johnny Peppercorn *''Open House'' (1926, Short) - Mr. Brown *''The Humdinger'' (1926, Short) - Johnny - the Small Town Boob *''Close Shaves'' (1926, Short) - The Barber *''Wedding Yells'' (1927, Short) - The Groom *''The Draw-Back'' (1927, Short) - Horace Hayseed *''Her Husky Hero'' (1927, Short) - The Henpecked Husband *''Live News'' (1927, Short) - The Young Reporter *''Scared Silly'' (1927, Short) *''Wildcat Valley'' (1928, Short) *''Visitors Welcome'' (1928, Short) - The Husband *''Blondes Beware'' (1928, Short) *''Wedded Blisters'' (1928, Short) *'' On Trial'' (1928) - Stanley Glover *''The Eligible Mr. Bangs'' (1929, Short) - Tom *''

'' (1929) - Benny Kidd *''Hot Lemonade'' (1929, Short) - The Lothario *'' The Gamblers'' (1929) - George Cowper *''Lovers' Delight'' (1929, Short) *''

Divorce Made Easy ''Divorce Made Easy'' is a 1929 American Pre-Code sound comedy film directed by Neal Burns and Walter Graham and written by Alfred A. Cohn, Wilson Collison, and Garrett Graham. The film stars Douglas MacLean, Marie Prevost, Johnny Arthur, Fran ...

'' (1929) - Percy Deering *''A Hint to Brides'' (1929, Short) - The Newlywed Husband *''Adam's Eve'' (1929, Short) *''

The Show of Shows ''The Show of Shows'' is a 1929 American pre-Code musical revue film directed by John G. Adolfi and distributed by Warner Bros. The all-talking Vitaphone production cost $850,000 and was shot almost entirely in Technicolor. ''The Show of Sho ...

'' (1929) - Hero - Performer in 'The Pirate' *'' The Aviator'' (1929) - Hobart *''

Personality Personality is the characteristic sets of behaviors, cognitions, and emotional patterns that are formed from biological and environmental factors, and which change over time. While there is no generally agreed-upon definition of personality, mos ...

'' (1930) - Sandy Jenkins *'' She Couldn't Say No'' (1930) - Tommy Blake *''Scrappily Married'' (1930, Short) *''Down with Husbands'' (1930, Short) - Henry Sweet *''Paper Hanging with Johnny Arthur'' (1930, Short) - Johnny *''

Cheer Up and Smile ''Cheer Up and Smile'' is a 1930 American pre-Code musical film directed by Sidney Lanfield. The film starred Arthur Lake, Dixie Lee and Olga Baclanova and a 23-year-old John Wayne had a minor uncredited role. Plot Cast * Arthur Lake as Edd ...

'' (1930) - Andy *''

Going Wild ''Going Wild'' is a 1930 Warner Brothers pre-Code comedy film based on the 1910 play ''The Aviator'' by James Montgomery and directed by William A. Seiter. The film stars many musical stars along with Joe E. Brown, Frank McHugh and Johnny Arth ...

'' (1930) - Simpkins *'' It's a Wise Child'' (1931) - Otho Peabody *'' Penrod and Sam'' (1931) - Mr. Bassett *''Should Crooners Marry'' (1933, Short) * ''

Easy Millions ''Easy Millions'' is a 1933 American comedy film directed by Fred C. Newmeyer and starring Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher, Dorothy Burgess and Merna Kennedy.Pitts p.161 Cast * Richard 'Skeets' Gallagher * Dorothy Burgess * Merna Kennedy * Jo ...

'' (1933) *''

Convention City ''Convention City'' is a 1933 American pre-Code sex comedy film directed by Archie Mayo, and starring Joan Blondell, Guy Kibbee, Dick Powell, Mary Astor and Adolphe Menjou. The film was produced by Henry Blanke and First National Pictures and ...

'' (1933) - Leonard Travis *''

Registered Nurse A registered nurse (RN) is a nurse who has graduated or successfully passed a nursing program from a recognized nursing school and met the requirements outlined by a country, state, province or similar government-authorized licensing body to o ...

'' (1934) - Ambulance Attendant (uncredited) *''

Twenty Million Sweethearts ''Twenty Million Sweethearts'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code musical comedy film directed by Ray Enright and starring Pat O'Brien, Dick Powell, Ginger Rogers, and The Mills Brothers. The film was remade in 1949 as ''My Dream Is Yours''. Plot Agen ...

'' (1934) - Norma Hanson's Secretary *'' Many Happy Returns'' (1934) - Davis *''

Dames ''Dame'' is an honorific title and the feminine form of address for the honour of damehood in many Christian chivalric orders, as well as the British honours system and those of several other Commonwealth realms, such as Australia and New Zeala ...

'' (1934) - Billings - Ounce's Secretary *''

'' (1934) - Homer Erskine *''

Hell in the Heavens ''Hell in the Heavens'' is a 1934 American aviation drama film directed by John G. Blystone and written by Byron Morgan, Ted Parsons and Jack Yellen based on the stage play ''Der Flieger'' by Hermann Rossmann. The film stars Warner Baxter, Conchi ...

'' (1934) - Clarence Perkins *''Hell in Heavens'' (1934) *''

Anniversary Trouble ''Anniversary Trouble'' is a 1935 ''Our Gang'' short subject, short comedy film directed by Gus Meins. It was the 134th ''Our Gang'' short (46th talking episode) that was released. Plot Spanky's appointment as treasurer of the Ancient and Honery O ...

'' (1935, Short) - John Spanky's Father *''

Traveling Saleslady ''Traveling Saleslady'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Ray Enright and starring Joan Blondell and Glenda Farrell. It was released by Warner Bros. on March 28, 1935. It is one of five films by Warner Bros. where Farrell and Blondell ...

'' (1935) - Melton *''

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 ...

'' (1935) - Ralph Twiller *''

Here Comes the Band ''Here Comes the Band'' is an album by Trinidadian Soca artist Machel Montano and his band Xtatik released in 2000. The album's 22 tracks feature different singers on each, with the album covering a diverse range of styles.Birchmeier, Jason " ' ...

'' (1935) - Audience Member (uncredited) *''

It's in the Air It's in the Air may refer to: * It's in the Air (1938 film) ''It’s in the Air'' is a 1938 British comedy film written and directed by Anthony Kimmins and starring George Formby, Polly Ward and Jack Hobbs. The film was released in the United Sta ...

'' (1935) - Jones, Photographer *'' Rendezvous'' (1935) - Code Room Clerk (uncredited) *''

Crime and Punishment ''Crime and Punishment'' ( pre-reform Russian: ; post-reform rus, Преступление и наказание, Prestupléniye i nakazániye, prʲɪstʊˈplʲenʲɪje ɪ nəkɐˈzanʲɪje) is a novel by the Russian author Fyodor Dostoevsky. ...

'' (1935) - Clerk *''

Too Tough to Kill ''Too Tough to Kill'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by D. Ross Lederman and starring Victor Jory. Cast * Victor Jory as John O'Hara * Sally O'Neil as Ann Miller * Johnny Arthur as Willie Dent * Robert Gleckler as Bill Anderson * Mon ...

'' (1935) - Willie Dent *''

The Bride Comes Home ''The Bride Comes Home'' is a 1935 comedy film made by Paramount Pictures, directed by Wesley Ruggles, and starring Claudette Colbert, Fred MacMurray and Robert Young (actor), Robert Young. It was written by Claude Binyon and Elisabeth Sanxay Hol ...

'' (1935) - Otto *''

The Murder of Dr. Harrigan ''The Murder of Dr. Harrigan'' is a 1936 American mystery film directed by Frank McDonald and written by Peter Milne and Sy Bartlett. The film stars Ricardo Cortez, Kay Linaker, John Eldredge, Mary Astor, Joseph Crehan and Frank Reicher. The f ...

'' (1936) - Mr. Wentworth *''

Freshman Love ''Freshman Love'' is a 1936 sound film based on George Ade's oft filmed 1904 play '' The College Widow'', adaptations of which were filmed twice previously, in 1915 and 1927, and parodied by the Marx Brothers in their 1932 film '' Horse Feathers ...

'' (1936) - Mr. Fields *''All-American Toothache'' (1936, Short) - Dental Professor *''

The King Steps Out ''The King Steps Out'' is a 1936 American light comedy film directed by Josef von Sternberg based on the early years of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as "Sisi" or "Sissi", and her courtship and marriage to Franz Joseph I of Austria, after ...

'' (1936) - Chief of the Secret Police *'' The Ex-Mrs. Bradford'' (1936) - Mr. Frankenstein, Process Server (uncredited) *'' Stage Struck'' (1936) - Oscar Freud *''

Our Relations ''Our Relations'' is a 1936 feature film starring Laurel and Hardy, produced by Stan Laurel for Hal Roach Studios. This is the third of three films in which they play a dual role: the first was '' Brats'' and the second was ''Twice Two''. The sto ...

'' (1936) - Denker's Beer Garden / Nightclub Customer (uncredited) *''

Ellis Island Ellis Island is a federally owned island in New York Harbor, situated within the U.S. states of New York and New Jersey, that was the busiest immigrant inspection and processing station in the United States. From 1892 to 1954, nearly 12 mi ...

'' (1936) - Kip Andrews *''

Under Cover of Night ''Under Cover of Night'' is a 1937 American action film directed by George B. Seitz, written by Bertram Millhauser, and starring Edmund Lowe, Florence Rice, Nat Pendleton, Henry Daniell, Sara Haden and Dean Jagger. It was released on January 8, ...

'' (1937) - Dr. Busby - Coroner *'' The Hit Parade'' (1937) - Success-Story Teller (uncredited) *''

It Happened Out West ''It Happened Out West'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Howard Bretherton and written by Earle Snell and John Roberts. The film stars Paul Kelly, Judith Allen, Johnny Arthur, LeRoy Mason, Lew Kelly, and Russell Hicks. The film wa ...

'' (1937) - Thad Crookshank *'' Pick a Star'' (1937) - Newlywed *''

Night 'n' Gales ''Night 'n' Gales'' is a 1937 ''Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Gordon Douglas. It was the 156th ''Our Gang'' short (157th episode, 68th talking short, and 69th talking episode that was released. Plot Though he would rather spend his ...

'' (1937, Short) - Arthur Hood, Darla's father *'' Make a Wish'' (1937) - Antoine *''

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) - Plotter (uncredited) *'' Something to Sing About'' (1937) - Mr. Daviani *''

Blossoms on Broadway ''Blossoms on Broadway'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Richard Wallace and written by Theodore Reeves. The film stars Edward Arnold, Shirley Ross, John Trent, Rufe Davis, Joe Weber, and Lew Fields. The film was released on Novembe ...

'' (1937) - P.J. Quinterfield Jr. *''

Amateur Crook ''Amateur Crook'' is a 1937 American romantic comedy film directed by Sam Katzman. The film is also known as ''Crooked But Dumb'' (in the United Kingdom) and ''Jewel Thief'' (American TV title). Plot Joan Barclay as Betsy Cummings takes a j ...

'' (1937) - Pedestrian (uncredited) *'' Every Day's a Holiday'' (1937) - Bit Part (uncredited) *''

Exiled to Shanghai ''Exiled to Shanghai'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Nick Grinde and Armand Schaefer and starring Wallace Ford, June Travis, and Dean Jagger.Dooley p.242 Production Despite its exotic-sounding title, none of the film is actually set ...

'' (1937) - Poppolas *'' Feed 'em and Weep'' (1938, Short) - Johnny Hood, Darla's Father *''

One Wild Night "One Wild Night" is a song by American Rock music, rock band Bon Jovi. It was released on April 30, 2001, as a single from their 2001 live album, ''One Wild Night Live 1985–2001''. It was written by Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, and produced ...

'' (1938) - Murgatroyd (uncredited) *''

'' (1938) - Aiken *''Half-way to Hollywood'' (1938, Short) - Johnny *'' You Can't Take It with You'' (1938) - Kirby's Office Aide (uncredited) *''

Fugitives for a Night ''Fugitives for a Night'' is a 1938 American Mystery film directed by Leslie Goodwins and written by Dalton Trumbo. The film stars Frank Albertson, Eleanor Lynn, Allan Lane, Bradley Page and Adrienne Ames. The film was released on September 23, ...

'' (1938) - Tootsies - Car Rental Man (uncredited) *'' Jeepers Creepers'' (1939) - Peabody *''

'' (1940) - Timothy Willow (uncredited) *'' Scatterbrain'' (1940) - (uncredited) *''

Li'l Abner ''Li'l Abner'' is a satirical American comic strip that appeared in many newspapers in the United States, Canada and Europe. It featured a fictional clan of hillbilly, hillbillies in the impoverished mountain village of Dogpatch, USA. Written a ...

'' (1940) - Montague *'' Road Show'' (1941) - Mr. N - Asylum Inmate (uncredited) *''

Tight Shoes ''Tight Shoes'' is the ninth studio album by the band Foghat. It was released in 1980 on Bearsville Records. It was also the last release Rod Price participated on until 1994's '' Return of the Boogie Men''. Track listing All tracks by Dave Pe ...

'' (1941) - Chapel Manager (uncredited) *''

Mountain Moonlight ''Mountain Moonlight'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Nick Grinde and written by Mauri Grashin, John W. Krafft, Dorrell McGowan and Stuart E. McGowan. The film stars the vaudeville comedy troupe the Weaver Brothers and Elviry, with Be ...

'' (1941) - Holbrook *'' Always Tomorrow: The Portrait of an American Business'' (1941) - Larry Larabee *''

Shepherd of the Ozarks ''Shepherd of the Ozarks'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Frank McDonald and written by Dorrell McGowan and Stuart E. McGowan. The film stars the vaudeville comedy troupe the Weaver Brothers and Elviry, with Marilyn Hare, Frank Alber ...

'' (1942) - Doolittle *'' A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen'' (1942) - Riley - Reporter (uncredited) *''

Moonlight Masquerade ''Moonlight Masquerade'' is a 1942 United States, American film starring Dennis O'Keefe and Jane Frazee. It is also known as ''Moonstruck'' and ''Tahiti Honey''. Plot Two business partners, John Bennett, Sr. and Robert Forrester, are starting t ...

'' (1942) - Minor Role (uncredited) *''

Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour ''Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Hugh Bennett and written by Edwin Blum and Aleen Leslie. The film stars Jimmy Lydon, Charles Smith (actor), Charles Smith, John Litel, Olive Blakeney, Diana Lynn and France ...

'' (1943) - Hotchkiss (uncredited) *''

That Nazty Nuisance ''That Nazty Nuisance'' is a 1943 American featurette that was one of Hal Roach's Streamliners and directed by Glenn Tryon. The film is also known as ''Double Crossed Fool'' (international TV title) and ''The Last Three''. It is a sequel to ''The ...

'' (1943) - Suki Yaki *''

The Masked Marvel ''The Masked Marvel'' (1943) is a 12-chapter film serial created by Republic Pictures, who produced many other well known serials. It was Republic's thirty-first serial, of the sixty-six they produced. Plot In ''The Masked Marvel'', a hero dress ...

'' (1943) - Mura Sakima *'' This Is the Life'' (1944) - Mr. Ferguson (uncredited) *''

Take It Big ''Take It Big'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Frank McDonald and written by Howard J. Green and Joe Bigelow. The film stars Jack Haley, Harriet Hilliard, Mary Beth Hughes, Richard Lane, Arline Judge and Fritz Feld. Also featured i ...

'' (1944) - Desk Clerk (uncredited) *''

It's in the Bag! ''It's in the Bag!'' is a 1945 comedy film featuring Fred Allen in his only starring film role. The film was released by United Artists at a time when Allen was at the peak of his fame as one of the most popular radio comedians. The film has bee ...

'' (1945) - Finley (uncredited) *''

Follow That Woman ''Follow That Woman'' is a 1945 crime film starring William Gargan, Nancy Kelly, and Regis Toomey. The movie was directed by Lew Landers. Plot summary Nancy spends the evening with her boyfriend at the Downtown Club, a notorious hangout for me ...

'' (1945) - Jeweler (uncredited) *'' It Happened on 5th Avenue'' (1947) - Apartment Manager (uncredited) *'' I Want You'' (1951) - (uncredited)

References

External links

* * *
Johnny Arthur
at Virtual History {{DEFAULTSORT:Arthur, Johnny 1883 births 1951 deaths Male actors from Pennsylvania American male silent film actors American male film actors Burials at Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery People from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania 20th-century American male actors Our Gang