James Gleason

DOB: 1882-05-22

DOD: 1959-04-12

James Gleason was born in New York City to William Gleason and Mina Crolius, who were both in the theatre. He was married to Lucile Gleason (born Lucile Webster), and had a son, Russell Gleason. As a young man James fought in the Spanish-American War. After the war he joined the stock company at the Liberty Theater in Oakland, California, which his parents were running. James and his wife then moved to Portland, Oregon, where they played in stock at the Baker Theater. For several years afterward they toured in road shows until James enlisted in the army during World War I. When he returned he appeared on the stage in "The Five Million." He then turned to writing, including "Is Zat So", which he produced for the NY stage. He also wrote and acted in "The Fall Guy" and "The Shannons on Broadway." Next he wrote The Broadway Melody (1929) for MGM. He collaborated, in 1930, on The Swellhead (1930), Dumbbells in Ermine (1930), What a Widow! (1930), Rain or Shine (1930) and His First Command (1929). He and his wife were then contracted to Pathe, Lucille to act, and James (or Jimmie as he was known) as a writer. Probably his most famous acting role was as Max Corkle, the manager of Joe Pendleton who was wrongly plucked from this life into the next, in the hit fantasy Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941).

Starred In

1952
Movie

We're Not Married!

1941
Movie

Meet John Doe

1942
Movie

Tales of Manhattan

1943
Movie

A Guy Named Joe

1942
Movie

Footlight Serenade

1931
Movie

The Big Gamble

1944
Movie

Once Upon a Time

1947
Movie

Down to Earth

1957
Movie

Loving You

1954
Movie

Suddenly

1947
Movie

The Bishop's Wife

1931
Movie

A Free Soul

1929
Movie

Oh, Yeah!

1952
Movie

What Price Glory

1946
Movie

The Hoodlum Saint

1945
Movie

The Clock

1943
Movie

Crash Dive

1933
Movie

Hoopla

1958
Movie

The Last Hurrah

1947
Movie

Tycoon

1958
Movie

Man or Gun

1935
Movie

Helldorado

1945
Movie

This Man's Navy

1936
Movie

The Plot Thickens

1942
Movie

Hay Foot

1950
Movie

The Yellow Cab Man

1939
Movie

On Your Toes

1942
Movie

My Gal Sal

1950
Movie

Key to the City

1951
Movie

Come Fill the Cup

1950
Movie

Riding High

1950
Movie

The Jackpot

1956
Movie

Star in the Dust

1948
Movie

Smart Woman

1937
Movie

Cinema Circus

1930
Movie

Swellhead

1930
Movie

Her Man

1932
Movie

The Crooked Circle

1953
Movie

Forever Female

1955
Movie

The Girl Rush

1933
Movie

Clear All Wires!

1932
Movie

Lady and Gent

1957
Movie

Spring Reunion

1938
Movie

Army Girl

1931
Movie

Sweepstakes

1931
Movie

Suicide Fleet

1929
Movie

Meet the Missus

1935
Movie

We're Only Human

1936
Movie

The Big Game

1947
Movie

The Homestretch

1932
Movie

Off His Base

1949
Movie

The Life of Riley

1958
Movie

The Female Animal

1946
Movie

Lady Luck

1949
Movie

Bad Boy

1958
Movie

Rock-a-Bye Baby

1934
Movie

Search for Beauty

1948
Movie

The Dude Goes West

1931
Movie

Beyond Victory

1942
Movie

Manila Calling

1951
Movie

Two Gals and a Guy

1957
Movie

Man in the Shadow

1934
Movie

Change of Heart

1958
Movie

No Time at All

1930
Movie

Don't Believe It

1938
Movie

The Higgins Family

1931
Movie

It's a Wise Child

1939
Movie

Money To Burn

1932
Movie

Rule 'Em and Weep

1941
Movie

Tanks a Million

1941
Movie

Babes on Broadway

1945
Movie

Captain Eddie

1941
Movie

Breakdowns of 1941

1935
Movie

Hot Tip

1932
Movie

Yoo-Hoo

1932
Movie

Fast Companions

1932
Movie

The All-American

1929
Movie

Fairways and Foul

1933
Movie

Orders Is Orders

1935
Movie

Hollywood Hobbies

1930
Movie

Big Money

1955
Tv

Cheyenne

1954
Tv

Climax!

1951
Tv

Racket Squad