James Burke
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
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
as Self (archive footage)
Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?
as Self (archive footage)
Alias Jesse James
as Charlie (uncredited)
Alias Jesse James
as Charlie (uncredited)
The Unholy Wife
as Sheriff Tom Watling
The Unholy Wife
as Sheriff Tom Watling
Public Pigeon No. 1
as Harrigan
Public Pigeon No. 1
as Harrigan
Lucky Me
as Mahoney
Lucky Me
as Mahoney
Lone Star
as Luther Kilgore
Lone Star
as Luther Kilgore
Toughest Man in Arizona
Toughest Man in Arizona
We're Not Married!
as Willie's Sergeant (uncredited)
We're Not Married!
as Willie's Sergeant (uncredited)
Denver and Rio Grande
as Sheriff Ed Johnson
Denver and Rio Grande
as Sheriff Ed Johnson
Warpath
as Oldtimer
Warpath
as Oldtimer
Here Comes the Groom
as O'Neill, Policeman
Here Comes the Groom
as O'Neill, Policeman
His Kind of Woman
as Barkeeper in Nogales (uncredited)
His Kind of Woman
as Barkeeper in Nogales (uncredited)
Raton Pass
as Hank
Raton Pass
as Hank
The Last Outpost
as Stagecoach driver (uncredited)
The Last Outpost
as Stagecoach driver (uncredited)
Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone
as The Train Conductor
Mrs. O'Malley and Mr. Malone
as The Train Conductor
Let's Dance
as George (uncredited)
Let's Dance
as George (uncredited)
Copper Canyon
as Jeb Bassett
Copper Canyon
as Jeb Bassett
Red, Hot and Blue
as Doorman (uncredited)
Red, Hot and Blue
as Doorman (uncredited)
Alias Nick Beal
as Bum
Alias Nick Beal
as Bum
Shamrock Hill
as Michael Rogan
Shamrock Hill
as Michael Rogan
June Bride
as Luke Potter
June Bride
as Luke Potter
Night Wind
as Sheriff Hamilton
Night Wind
as Sheriff Hamilton
Beyond Glory
as Jim, the Bartender (uncredited)
Beyond Glory
as Jim, the Bartender (uncredited)
Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
as Cop (uncredited)
Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
as Cop (uncredited)
The Timber Trail
as Jed Baker
The Timber Trail
as Jed Baker
The Big Clock
as O'Brien
The Big Clock
as O'Brien
Body and Soul
as Arnold (uncredited)
Body and Soul
as Arnold (uncredited)
Nightmare Alley
as Rural Marshal (uncredited)
Nightmare Alley
as Rural Marshal (uncredited)
Song of the Thin Man
as Policeman Callahan (uncredited)
Song of the Thin Man
as Policeman Callahan (uncredited)
The Gas House Kids in Hollywood
as Police Lt. Burke
The Gas House Kids in Hollywood
as Police Lt. Burke
Down to Earth
as Detective Kelly
Down to Earth
as Detective Kelly
Philo Vance's Gamble
as Lt. Burke
Philo Vance's Gamble
as Lt. Burke
Easy Come, Easy Go
as Harry Weston
Easy Come, Easy Go
as Harry Weston
California
as Pokey
California
as Pokey
Two Years Before the Mast
as Carrick
Two Years Before the Mast
as Carrick
Bowery Bombshell
as Detective O'Malley
Bowery Bombshell
as Detective O'Malley
The Virginian
as Andy Jones (uncredited)
The Virginian
as Andy Jones (uncredited)
Young Widow
as Motorcycle Cop (Uncredited)
Young Widow
as Motorcycle Cop (Uncredited)
How DOooo You Do
as Detective
How DOooo You Do
as Detective
I Love a Bandleader
as Charles Gibley
I Love a Bandleader
as Charles Gibley
Shady Lady
as Crane
Shady Lady
as Crane
Anchors Aweigh
as Studio Cop
Anchors Aweigh
as Studio Cop
The Horn Blows at Midnight
as Policeman (uncredited)
The Horn Blows at Midnight
as Policeman (uncredited)
Casanova Brown
as O'Leary (uncredited)
Casanova Brown
as O'Leary (uncredited)
3 Men in White
as First Policeman (uncredited)
3 Men in White
as First Policeman (uncredited)
Riding High
as Pete
Riding High
as Pete
Thank Your Lucky Stars
as Bill, Intern Guard (uncredited)
Thank Your Lucky Stars
as Bill, Intern Guard (uncredited)
Dixie
as Riverboat Captain (uncredited)
Dixie
as Riverboat Captain (uncredited)
No Place for a Lady
as Police Substation Chief Moriarty
No Place for a Lady
as Police Substation Chief Moriarty
A Night to Remember
as Pat Murphy (uncredited)
A Night to Remember
as Pat Murphy (uncredited)
Army Surgeon
as Brooklyn
Army Surgeon
as Brooklyn
Enemy Agents Meet Ellery Queen
as Police Sergeant Velie
Enemy Agents Meet Ellery Queen
as Police Sergeant Velie
It Happened in Flatbush
as Umpire Shaunnessy
It Happened in Flatbush
as Umpire Shaunnessy
A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen
as Sgt. Velie
A Desperate Chance for Ellery Queen
as Sgt. Velie
My Favorite Blonde
as Union Secretary
My Favorite Blonde
as Union Secretary
A Close Call for Ellery Queen
as Sgt. Velie
A Close Call for Ellery Queen
as Sgt. Velie
All Through the Night
as Police Lt. Forbes
All Through the Night
as Police Lt. Forbes
Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring
as Sgt. Velie
Ellery Queen and the Murder Ring
as Sgt. Velie
The Maltese Falcon
as Luke
The Maltese Falcon
as Luke
Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime
as Sgt. Velie
Ellery Queen and the Perfect Crime
as Sgt. Velie
Million Dollar Baby
as Callahan
Million Dollar Baby
as Callahan
Reaching for the Sun
as Norm
Reaching for the Sun
as Norm
Pot o' Gold
as Lt. Grady
Pot o' Gold
as Lt. Grady
Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery
as Sgt. Velie
Ellery Queen's Penthouse Mystery
as Sgt. Velie
Ellery Queen, Master Detective
as Sgt. Velle
Ellery Queen, Master Detective
as Sgt. Velle
Little Nellie Kelly
as Sergeant McGowan
Little Nellie Kelly
as Sergeant McGowan
No Time for Comedy
as Police Sergeant (uncredited)
No Time for Comedy
as Police Sergeant (uncredited)
The Golden Fleecing
as Sibley
The Golden Fleecing
as Sibley
The Way of All Flesh
as Frisco
The Way of All Flesh
as Frisco
The Saint Takes Over
as Patrolman Mike
The Saint Takes Over
as Patrolman Mike
Buck Benny Rides Again
as Taxi Driver
Buck Benny Rides Again
as Taxi Driver
Opened by Mistake
as Police Sergeant Wilkins
Opened by Mistake
as Police Sergeant Wilkins
Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise
as Wilkie, house detective
Charlie Chan's Murder Cruise
as Wilkie, house detective
Double Alibi
as Police Captain Orr
Double Alibi
as Police Captain Orr
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
as Pop Saunders
The Cisco Kid and the Lady
as Pop Saunders
At the Circus
as John Carter
At the Circus
as John Carter
Fast and Furious
as Clancy
Fast and Furious
as Clancy
Beau Geste
as Lieutenant Dufour
Beau Geste
as Lieutenant Dufour
On Borrowed Time
as Sheriff Burlingame
On Borrowed Time
as Sheriff Burlingame
Dodge City
as Cattle Auctioneer (uncredited)
Dodge City
as Cattle Auctioneer (uncredited)
I'm from Missouri
as Walt Bliss
I'm from Missouri
as Walt Bliss
Sudden Money
as McPherson
Sudden Money
as McPherson
The Family Next Door
as Policeman
The Family Next Door
as Policeman
Within the Law
as 'Red'
Within the Law
as 'Red'
The Saint Strikes Back
as Headquarters Police Officer
The Saint Strikes Back
as Headquarters Police Officer
The Dawn Patrol
as Flaherty - Motorcycle Driver
The Dawn Patrol
as Flaherty - Motorcycle Driver
Little Orphan Annie
as Mike Moriarty
Little Orphan Annie
as Mike Moriarty
The Mad Miss Manton
as Sullivan
The Mad Miss Manton
as Sullivan
The Affairs of Annabel
as Muldoon
The Affairs of Annabel
as Muldoon
You Can't Take It with You
as Chief Detective (uncredited)
You Can't Take It with You
as Chief Detective (uncredited)
Men with Wings
as J.A. Nolan
Men with Wings
as J.A. Nolan
Joy of Living
as Mac
Joy of Living
as Mac
Flight Into Nowhere
as Ike Matthews
Flight Into Nowhere
as Ike Matthews
The Perfect Specimen
as Constable Snodgrass
The Perfect Specimen
as Constable Snodgrass
Life Begins with Love
as Darby McGraw
Life Begins with Love
as Darby McGraw
Dead End
as Mulligan
Dead End
as Mulligan
High, Wide and Handsome
as Stackpole
High, Wide and Handsome
as Stackpole
Champagne Waltz
as Mr. Scribner
Champagne Waltz
as Mr. Scribner
Laughing at Trouble
as Bill Norton
Laughing at Trouble
as Bill Norton
Great Guy
as Patrick James Aloysius 'Pat' Haley
Great Guy
as Patrick James Aloysius 'Pat' Haley
Can This Be Dixie?
as Sheriff N.B.F. Rider
Can This Be Dixie?
as Sheriff N.B.F. Rider
36 Hours to Kill
as Doyle - Process Server
36 Hours to Kill
as Doyle - Process Server
Rhythm on the Range
as Wabash
Rhythm on the Range
as Wabash
Forgotten Faces
as Sgt. Johnny Donovan / Harry's friend
Forgotten Faces
as Sgt. Johnny Donovan / Harry's friend
Song and Dance Man
as Lt. Mike Boyle
Song and Dance Man
as Lt. Mike Boyle
Klondike Annie
Klondike Annie
The Leathernecks Have Landed
as Corrigan
The Leathernecks Have Landed
as Corrigan
Dancing Feet
as Phil Moore
Dancing Feet
as Phil Moore
So Red the Rose
as Major Rushton
So Red the Rose
as Major Rushton
Frisco Waterfront
as Corrigan
Frisco Waterfront
as Corrigan
Coronado
as Slug Moran
Coronado
as Slug Moran
Hot Money
as Police Sgt. Burke
Hot Money
as Police Sgt. Burke
Music Is Magic
as Mickey (uncredited)
Music Is Magic
as Mickey (uncredited)
The Case of the Missing Man
as Police Sergeant Rorty
The Case of the Missing Man
as Police Sergeant Rorty
The Affair of Susan
as Hogan
The Affair of Susan
as Hogan
Here Comes Cookie
as Broken-Nose Reilly
Here Comes Cookie
as Broken-Nose Reilly
Welcome Home
as Michael Shaughnessy
Welcome Home
as Michael Shaughnessy
Call of the Wild
as Ole
Call of the Wild
as Ole
Man on the Flying Trapeze
as Patrolman
Man on the Flying Trapeze
as Patrolman
Broadway Gondolier
as Uncle Andy
Broadway Gondolier
as Uncle Andy
Make a Million
as Pete
Make a Million
as Pete
The Farmer Takes a Wife
as Man Hauling Rifles and Bullets
The Farmer Takes a Wife
as Man Hauling Rifles and Bullets
After the Dance
as Police Lieutenant
After the Dance
as Police Lieutenant
Dinky
as Truck Driver
Dinky
as Truck Driver
Mississippi
as Skeptical Passenger in Pilot House (uncredited)
Mississippi
as Skeptical Passenger in Pilot House (uncredited)
Ruggles of Red Gap
as Jeff Tuttle
Ruggles of Red Gap
as Jeff Tuttle
The Mystery Man
as Managing Editor Marvin
The Mystery Man
as Managing Editor Marvin
Ticket to a Crime
as Detective Lt. John Aloysius McGinnis
Ticket to a Crime
as Detective Lt. John Aloysius McGinnis
Love Time
as Emperor Francis I
Love Time
as Emperor Francis I
Lady by Choice
as Brannigan
Lady by Choice
as Brannigan
Treasure Island
as Pirate of the Spanish Main
Treasure Island
as Pirate of the Spanish Main
Friends of Mr. Sweeney
as Policeman Arresting Wynn
Friends of Mr. Sweeney
as Policeman Arresting Wynn
Such Women Are Dangerous
as Detective
Such Women Are Dangerous
as Detective
Little Miss Marker
as Detective Reardon (uncredited)
Little Miss Marker
as Detective Reardon (uncredited)
The Merry Frinks
as 3rd Expressman (uncredited)
The Merry Frinks
as 3rd Expressman (uncredited)
Twentieth Century
as Sheriff (uncredited)
Twentieth Century
as Sheriff (uncredited)
The Scarlet Empress
The Scarlet Empress
Sadie McKee
as Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)
Sadie McKee
as Motorcycle Cop (uncredited)
A Very Honorable Guy
as Sergeant
A Very Honorable Guy
as Sergeant
Sisters Under the Skin
as Conroy
Sisters Under the Skin
as Conroy
City Limits
as King, a Hobo
City Limits
as King, a Hobo
Wharf Angel
as Brooklyn Jack
Wharf Angel
as Brooklyn Jack
Gambling Lady
as Detective Making Raid (uncredited)
Gambling Lady
as Detective Making Raid (uncredited)
It Happened One Night
as Detective (uncredited)
It Happened One Night
as Detective (uncredited)
Six of a Kind
as Detective (uncredited)
Six of a Kind
as Detective (uncredited)
Queen Christina
as Blacksmith - 4th Rabble Rouser (uncredited)
Queen Christina
as Blacksmith - 4th Rabble Rouser (uncredited)
All of Me
as Welfare Island Guard (uncredited)
All of Me
as Welfare Island Guard (uncredited)
Lady Killer
as Panhandler (uncredited)
Lady Killer
as Panhandler (uncredited)
The Kennel Murder Case
as Policeman Who Lets Dog Out (uncredited)
The Kennel Murder Case
as Policeman Who Lets Dog Out (uncredited)
Bombshell
as First Immigration Officer (uncredited)
Bombshell
as First Immigration Officer (uncredited)
The Bowery
as Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
The Bowery
as Recruiting Sergeant (uncredited)
To the Last Man
as Kentucky Sheriff (uncredited)
To the Last Man
as Kentucky Sheriff (uncredited)
Torch Singer
as Taxi Driver
Torch Singer
as Taxi Driver
College Humor
as Cromwell Dexter
College Humor
as Cromwell Dexter
The Girl in 419
as Detective Jackson
The Girl in 419
as Detective Jackson
A Lady's Profession
as Mulroy
A Lady's Profession
as Mulroy
Face in the Sky
as Cop (uncredited)
Face in the Sky
as Cop (uncredited)
The Hollywood Handicap
The Hollywood Handicap