J. Farrell MacDonald

John Farrell MacDonald was an American character actor and director. He played supporting roles and occasional leads. He appeared in over 325 films over a four-decade career from 1911 to 1951, and directed forty-four silent films from 1912 to 1917.
MacDonald was the principal director of L. Frank Baum's Oz Film Manufacturing Company, and he can frequently be seen in the films of Frank Capra, Preston Sturges and, especially, John Ford.

Early years

MacDonald was born in Waterbury, Connecticut. George A. Katchme's A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses gives his date of birth as April 14, 1875, although notes that one source gives a date of June 6. He was sometimes billed as Joseph Farrell MacDonald, J. F. Mcdonald and Joseph Farrell Macdonald as well as other variations.
MacDonald graduated from Yale University with a B.A. degree in 1903 and played football while he was there.

Career

Early in his career, MacDonald was a singer in minstrel shows, and he toured the United States extensively for two years with stage productions. He made his first silent film in 1911, a dramatic short entitled The Scarlett Letter made by Carl Laemmle's Independent Moving Pictures Company, the forerunner of Universal Pictures,. He continued to act in numerous films each year from that time on, and by 1912 he was directing them as well. The first film he directed was The Worth of a Man, another dramatic short, again for IMP, and he was to direct 43 more films until his last in 1917, Over the Fence, which he co-directed with Harold Lloyd. MacDonald had crossed paths with Lloyd several years earlier, when Lloyd was an extra and MacDonald had given him much-needed work – and he did the same with Hal Roach, both of whom appearing in small roles in The Patchwork Girl of Oz, which MacDonald directed in 1914. When Roach set up his own studio, with Lloyd as his principal attraction, he hired MacDonald to direct.
By 1918, MacDonald, who was to become one of the most beloved character men in Hollywood, had given up directing and was acting full-time, predominantly in Westerns and Irish comedies. He first worked under director John Ford in 1919's A Fight for Love and was to make three more with the director that same year. In all, Ford would use MacDonald on twenty-five films between 1919 and 1950, during the silent era notably in The Iron Horse, 3 Bad Men and Riley the Cop.
With a voice that matched his personality, MacDonald made the transition to sound films easily, with no noticeable drop in his acting output – if anything, it went up. In 1931, for instance, MacDonald appeared in 14 films – among them the first version of The Maltese Falcon, in which he played "Detective Tom Polhaus" – and in 22 of them in 1932. Although he played laborers, policemen, military men and priests, among many other characters, his roles were usually a cut above a "bit part". His characters usually had names, and he was most often credited for his performances. A highlight of this period was his performance as the hobo "Mr. Tramp" in Our Little Girl with Shirley Temple ; he also had large comedic roles in Alexander Hall's Madame Racketeer with Alison Skipworth and Richard Bennett as well as Raoul Walsh's Me and My Gal with Spencer Tracy and Richard Bennett's daughter Joan Bennett.
In the 1940s, MacDonald was part of Preston Sturges' unofficial "stock company" of character actors, appearing in seven films written and directed by Sturges. MacDonald appeared in Sullivan's Travels, The Palm Beach Story, The Miracle of Morgan's Creek, The Great Moment, The Sin of Harold Diddlebock, Unfaithfully Yours and The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend, Sturges' last American film. Earlier, MacDonald had also appeared in The Power and the Glory starring Spencer Tracy, which Sturges wrote. His work on Sturges' films was generally uncredited, which was more often the case as his career went on – although the quality of his work was undiminished. He was notable in 1946 in John Ford's My Darling Clementine in which he played "Mac," the bartender in the town saloon. MacDonald also had uncredited roles in It's a Wonderful Life and Here Comes the Groom.
MacDonald made his last film in 1951, a comedy called Elopement. His few television appearances also occurred in that same year.

Death

MacDonald died in Hollywood on August 2, 1952, at the age of 77. He was married to actress Edith Bostwick until her death in 1943, and they had a daughter, Lorna. His grave is located at Chapel of the Pines Crematory.

Filmography

Silent

The Scarlet Letter – Minor Role The Worth of a Man Rory o' the Bogs Samson The Patchwork Girl of Oz The Magic Cloak of Oz His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz The Last Egyptian – Kara, the Last EgyptianThe Heart of Maryland – Col. ThorpeRags – Paul FergusonLonesome Luke, Social Gangster Over the Fence The Best Man – Minor Role $5,000 Reward – NorcrossFair Enough – Chief of Police MorganRoped – ButlerMolly of the Follies – SwannickA Fight for Love – The PriestA Charge to Keep – Officer HennesseyRiders of Vengeance – BuellTrixie from Broadway – Slim HayesA Sporting Chance – Luther Ripley aka KennedyThe Outcasts of Poker Flat This Hero Stuff – Softnose SmithMarked Men – Tom Placer McGrawBullet Proof – Jim BooneThe Path She Chose – FatherHitchin' Posts – Joe AlabamThe Freeze-Out – Bobtail McGuire

Desperate Youth – 'Mendocino' BillThe Wallop – Neuces RiverLittle Miss Hawkshaw – Inspector HahnAction – Mormon PetersBucking the Line – Dave KinseyRiding with Death – Sheriff Pat GarrityTrailin' – Joseph PiottoSky High – Jim FrazerCome on Over – Michael MorahanThe Bachelor Daddy – Joe PeltonTracks – Jack BessOver the Border – Peter GalbraithThe Bonded Woman – Captain GaskellThe Ghost Breaker – Sam MarcumManslaughter – The Young Rajah – Amhad Beg – Prime MinisterWhile Paris Sleeps – George MorierQuicksands – Col. PattersonRacing Hearts – Silas MartinDrifting – MurphyThe Age of Desire – Dan ReaganFashionable Fakers – Pat O'DonnellFair Week – Jasper RemusThe Storm Daughter – Con MullaneyMademoiselle Midnight – Duc de Moing Western Luck – 'Chuck' CampbellThe Signal Tower – PeteThe Iron Horse – Cpl. CaseyGerald Cranston's Lady – RennieThose Who Dare The Brass Bowl – HickeyLet Women Alone – Commodore John GordonThe Scarlet Honeymoon – Joshua ThorpeLightnin' – Lemuel TownsendThe Lucky Horseshoe – MackKentucky Pride – DonovanThank You – AndyThe Fighting Heart – JerryThe First Year – Mr. BarstowThe Dixie Merchant – Jean Paul FippanyThe Shamrock Handicap – Con O'SheaA Trip to Chinatown – Benjamin StrongThe Last Frontier – Wild Bill Hickok3 Bad Men – Mike CostiganThe Family Upstairs – Joe HellerThe Country Beyond – Sgt. CassidyBertha, the Sewing Machine Girl – SloanThe Scarlet Honeymoon Ankles Preferred – McGuireLove Makes 'Em Wild – W. BardenRich But Honest – Diamond Jim O'GradyCradle Snatchers – George MartinColleen – Mr. O'FlynnPaid to Love – Peter RobertsSunrise: A Song of Two Humans – The PhotographerEast Side, West Side – Pug MaloneThe Cohens and the Kellys in Paris – Patrick KellyBringing Up Father – JiggsNone but the Brave – John Craig4 Devils – The ClownRiley the Cop – James 'Aloysius' RileyStrong Boy – Angus McGregorMasked Emotions – Will Whitten

Sound

Abie's Irish Rose – Patrick MurphyIn Old Arizona – Stage Passenger Masquerade – Joe HickeyHappy Days – Train ConductorThe Painted Angel – Pa HudlerSouth Sea Rose – HackettMen Without Women – CostelloSong o' My Heart – RaffertyThe Girl of the Golden West – Sonora SlimBorn Reckless – Pat O'TooleThe Truth About Youth – Colonel GrahamOther Men's Women – Peg-LegThe Painted Desert – Jeff CameronThe Easiest Way – BenWoman Hungry – BuzzardThe Millionaire – Dan LewisToo Young to Marry – Rev. StumpThe Maltese Falcon – Det. Sgt. Tom PolhouseSporting Blood – MacGuireThe Brat – Timothy Timson – the ButlerThe Squaw Man – Big BillThe Spirit of Notre Dame – CoachTouchdown – Pop StewartUnder Eighteen – Pop EvansDiscarded Lovers – Chief SommersHotel Continental – Detective MartinSteady Company – HoganProbation – Uncle GeorgeScandal for Sale – TreadwayThe Strange Love of Molly Louvain – Police Sgt. J.B. Antrim Week-End Marriage – Mr. DavisStranger in Town – Scout Madame Racketeer – John AdamsThe Vanishing Frontier – WacoThe Hurricane Express – Jim BakerThe Thirteenth Guest – Police Capt. RyanThe Phantom Express – D.J. 'Smokey' NolanHearts of Humanity – Tom O'Hara70,000 Witnesses – State CoachThis Sporting Age – Jerry O'DayHeritage of the Desert – Adam NaabThe Pride of the Legion – Police Chief ScottMen Are Such Fools – Prison Warden RandolphMe and My Gal – Pop RileyNo Man of Her Own – 'Dickie' CollinsThe Racing Strain – Mr. MartinThe Iron Master – J.C. StillmanThe Working Man – Henry DavisPeg o' My Heart – Patrick Shamus 'Pat' O'ConnellLaughing at Life – Prison WardenThe Power and the Glory – MulliganI Loved a Woman – ShusterMurder on the Campus – Police Capt. Ed KyneMyrt and Marge – GradyUnder Secret Orders – John BurkeMan of Two Worlds – MichaelThe Crosby Case – The Doorman—Mike CostelloThe Crime Doctor – KempOnce to Every Woman – FlanniganShe Made Her Bed – Bookmaker The Cat's-Paw – ShigleyBeggar's Holiday – Pop MalloyThe Best Man Wins – Captain—Harbor PatrolRomance in Manhattan – Officer MurphyMaybe It's Love – The CopSquare Shooter – SheriffNorthern Frontier – Inspector McKenzieThe Whole Town's Talking – Prison Warden Star of Midnight – Police Inspector DoremusSwellhead – UmpireLet 'Em Have It – Mr. KeeferOur Little Girl – Mr. TrampThe Healer – ApplejackThe Arizonian – Marshal Andy JordanShadows of the Orient – Inspector SullivanFront Page Woman – HallohanDanger Ahead – Harry Cromwell – City EditorThe Irish in Us – Capt. JacksonThe Farmer Takes a Wife – Waterfront Lady – Capt. O'BrienStormy – Trinidad DornFighting Youth – Coach ParkerHitch Hike Lady – Judge HaleRiffraff – 'Brains' McCallExclusive Story – Michael DevlinFlorida Special – Captain Timothy HarriganShow Boat – Windy McClainMysterious Crossing – Police Chief BullockMaid of Salem – Captain of ShipThe Great Barrier – Major RogersThe Hit Parade – Sgt. O'HaraParnell – Irish Laborer Slave Ship – ProprietorSlim – PopFlying Fists – Bill 'One-Punch' FaginRoaring Timber – Andrew MacKinleyTopper – PolicemanMy Dear Miss Aldrich – 'Doc' HoweThe Game That Kills – Joe HollandCounty Fair – Calvin Williams – Julie's FatherCourage of the West – Buck SaundersMy Old Kentucky Home – Mayor Jim HopkinsWhite Banners – Dr. ThompsonState Police – Charlie WheelerExtortion – Coach PearsonNumbered Woman Barefoot Boy – WardenThe Crowd Roars – Father RyanThe Last Express – William BartonThere Goes My Heart – OfficerSubmarine Patrol – CWO 'Sails' QuincannonGang Bullets – Chief ReardonCome On, Rangers – Colonel ForbesLittle Orphan Annie – 'Pop' CorriganThe Lone Ranger Rides Again – Craig DolanEast Side of Heaven – Doorman Zenobia – JudgeSusannah of the Mounties – Pat O'HanneganMickey the Kid – Sheriff J.J. WilloughbyThey Shall Have Music – Police Chief Conspiracy – Captain of the FalconCoast Guard – Capt. Hansen Full Confession – Joe, Police Sergeant The Housekeeper's Daughter – Police Captain The Gentleman from Arizona – Wild Bill CoburnKnights of the Range – CappyDark Command – DaveThe Light of Western Stars – Bill StillwellI Take This Oath – Insp. Tim RyanPrairie Law – Sheriff Jim AustinThe Last Alarm – Jim HadleyUntamed – Doctor BillarStagecoach War – Jeff ChapmanFriendly Neighbors – Sheiff PottsMeet John Doe – 'Sourpuss'In Old Cheyenne – Tim CaseyThe Great Lie – Dr. FergusonBroadway Limited – RR Line Supt. Mulcahey Riders of the Timberline – Jim KerriganSullivan's Travels – Desk Sergeant Law of the Timber – AdamsPrivate Snuffy Smith – General RosewaterWild Bill Hickok Rides – Judge Henry HathawayCaptains of the Clouds – Dr. NevilleReap the Wild Wind – Port CaptainOne Thrilling Night – Police Sgt. HaggertyLittle Tokyo, U.S.A. – Capt. WadeThe Palm Beach Story – Officer O'Donnell Phantom Killer – Police CaptainBowery at Midnight – Capt. MitchellThe Living Ghost – Police Lt. 'Pete' PetersonThe McGuerins from Brooklyn – CopThe Ape Man – Police CaptainO'BrienHarrigan's Kid – Frank Clancy Street Boys – Police Sgt. FlanaganTiger Fangs – Geoffrey MacCardleThe Miracle of Morgan's Creek – Sheriff True to Life – Bit Role Texas Masquerade – John MartindalePin Up Girl – Train Conductor Ladies of Washington – Night Watchman Follow the Leader – Clancy, PolicemanThe Great Moment – The PriestShadow of Suspicion – Police Captain Mike DolanGreenwich Village – Police Officer O'Shea Irish Eyes Are Smiling – Stage Doorman Hangover Square – Street Vendor A Tree Grows in Brooklyn – Carney The Junkman Circumstantial Evidence – Jury Foreman Nob Hill – Cabby with Katie The Dolly Sisters – Opera Stage Doorman Johnny Angel – Capt. AngelFallen Angel – Bank Guard The Woman Who Came Back – SheriffPillow of Death – The Graveyard Sexton Pardon My Past – Policeman Behind Green Lights – O'Malley – Morgue Attendant Joe Palooka, Champ – Long-Count BowmanSmoky – Jim – the CookMy Darling Clementine – Mac the BarmanIt's a Wonderful Life – Man Whose Grandfather Planted Tree The Sin of Harold Diddlebock – Desk Sergeant Web of Danger – Scotty MacKronish – Bus DriverThunder in the Valley – McPherson, Innkeeper Keeper of the Bees – PostmasterThe Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer – Mac – Bailiff Christmas Eve – Policeman If You Knew Susie – Police Sergeant Panhandle – Doc CooperSitting Pretty – Cop Fury at Furnace Creek – Pops Murphy The Walls of Jericho – Bailiff Unfaithfully Yours – Stage Doorman When My Baby Smiles at Me – Doorman Belle Starr's Daughter – Doc BensonShep Comes Home – Sheriff Cap WeatherbyWhispering Smith – Bill BaggsTrouble Preferred – Apartment House Manager Law of the Barbary Coast – Sergeant O'LearyStreets of San Francisco – Pop LockhartThe Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend – Sheriff SweetserYou're My Everything – Doorman Sand – Telegraph Operator Fighting Man of the Plains – PartridgeThe Dalton Gang – Judge PriceWhen Willie Comes Marching Home – Gilby – Pharmacist Dakota Lil – EllisThe Daltons' Women – Alvin – Stage Company RepresentativeMother Didn't Tell Me – Train Conductor Hostile Country – Mr. Lane Woman on the Run – Sea CaptainMr. Belvedere Rings the Bell – Mr. Kroeger Here Comes the Groom – Husband on Airplane Golden Girl – Husband Superman and the Mole Men – Pop ShannonElopement – Mr. Simpson