James Burke

Acting

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia James Burke (September 24, 1886 – May 23, 1968) was an American film and television actor born in New York City. He made his stage debut in New York around 1912 and went to Hollywood in 1933. He made over 200 film appearances during his career, which ranged from 1932 to 1964; he was more often than not cast as a cop, usually a none-too-bright one, most notably as Sgt. Velie in Columbia's Ellery Queen mysteries in the early 1940s. He appeared in The Maltese Falcon, At the Circus, Lone Star, and many others. One of his best roles was as Charles Ruggles' rowdy rancher pal in Ruggles of Red Gap. In the early 1950s, Burke appeared with Tom Conway in the ABC detective drama series then called Inspector Mark Saber -- Homicide Detective, later renamed, reformatted, and switched to NBC under the title Saber of London. From 1960-1961, Burke appeared in the role of Zeke Bonner in seven episodes of the ABC western television series Stagecoach West, starring Wayne Rogers, Robert Bray, and Richard Eyer. Burke suffered from a heart condition, which took his life at the age of eighty-one.

Filmography Movies

Acting

MOVIE

The Maltese Falcon

7.7(1.9K)

A private detective takes on a case that involves him with three eccentric criminals, a beautiful liar, and their quest for a priceless statuette.

The Big Clock

7.3(0.2K)

George Stroud, a crime magazine's crusading editor, has to postpone a vacation with his wife - again - when a glamorous blonde is murdered and he is assigned by his publishing boss to find the killer. As the investigation proceeds to its conclusion, Stroud must try to disrupt his ordinarily brilliant investigative team as they increasingly build evidence that he is the killer.

Public Pigeon No. 1

6.3(0.0K)

Swindlers con a lunchroom clerk into doing them a favor, supposedly on behalf of the FBI.

We're Not Married!

5.9(0.0K)

A Justice of the Peace performed weddings a few days before his license was valid. A few years later five couples learn they have never been legally married.

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We're Not Married!

Willie's Sergeant (uncredited)

MOVIE

At the Circus

6.4(0.1K)

Jeff Wilson, the owner of a small circus, owes his partner Carter $10,000. Before Jeff can pay, Carter's accomplices steal the money so he can take over the circus. Antonio Pirelli and Punchy, who work at the circus, together with lawyer Loophole try to find the thief and get the money back.

Bombshell

6.5(0.1K)

A glamorous film star rebels against the studio, her pushy press agent and a family of hangers-on.

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Bombshell

First Immigration Officer (uncredited)

MOVIE

Lucky Me

6.8(0.0K)

Three struggling theatrical performers meet a famous songwriter who is trying to convince a wealthy oilman to finance a musical he is scripting, promising them stardom if it comes to fruition.

Welcome Home

9.0(0.0K)

A con artist attends a reunion in his hometown and discovers that his former classmates are trying to trick an old millionaire into returning to build a factory.

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Welcome Home

Michael Shaughnessy