Charles Cahill Wilson
Charles Cahill Wilson (July 29, 1894 – January 7, 1948) was an American screen and stage actor. He appeared in numerous films during the Golden Age of Hollywood from the late 1920s to late 1940s. Born in New York City in 1894, the white-haired, burly actor was often typecast as an earnest police officer, newspaper editor or principal. He appeared in over 250 films between 1928 and 1948, mostly playing small supporting roles with a few sentences. Charles Wilson began his acting career at the theatre, including roles in six Broadway plays between 1918 and 1931. In 1928, he directed the Hollywood comedy Lucky Boy (1928), where he also made his film debut. According to the Internet Movie Database, Lucky Boy was Wilson's only film as a director. His most notable role was probably Clark Gable's "wonderfully aggravated" newspaper boss in Frank Capra's comedy It Happened One Night, which won five Academy Awards in 1935. He was also cast in small roles in other Capra movies such as Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946). Shortly before his death, Wilson appeared as the boss of the Three Stooges in the two-reel comedy Crime on Their Hands (1948).
Filmography
Commotion on the Ocean
as J.L. Cameron - Managing Editor (archive footage)
Commotion on the Ocean
as J.L. Cameron - Managing Editor (archive footage)
Crime on Their Hands
as J.L. Cameron
Crime on Their Hands
as J.L. Cameron
Blazing Across the Pecos
as Mayor Ace Brockway
Blazing Across the Pecos
as Mayor Ace Brockway
Big Town Scandal
as Editor of the Chronicle (uncredited)
Big Town Scandal
as Editor of the Chronicle (uncredited)
Key Witness
as Warden (uncredited)
Key Witness
as Warden (uncredited)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
as Police Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
as Police Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
Meet Mr. Mischief
as Harry's Boss
Meet Mr. Mischief
as Harry's Boss
It's a Wonderful Life
as Charlie (uncredited)
It's a Wonderful Life
as Charlie (uncredited)
Gas House Kids
as Inspector Shannon
Gas House Kids
as Inspector Shannon
Blonde for a Day
as Chief of Police Will Gentry (as Charles Wilson)
Blonde for a Day
as Chief of Police Will Gentry (as Charles Wilson)
Larceny in Her Heart
as Chief Gentry (as Charles Wilson)
Larceny in Her Heart
as Chief Gentry (as Charles Wilson)
Passkey to Danger
as Police Sergeant
Passkey to Danger
as Police Sergeant
Crime of the Century
as Police Lieutenant
Crime of the Century
as Police Lieutenant
Road to Utopia
as Official Policeman (uncredited)
Road to Utopia
as Official Policeman (uncredited)
Scarlet Street
as Watchman (uncredited)
Scarlet Street
as Watchman (uncredited)
Week-End at the Waldorf
as Hi Johns
Week-End at the Waldorf
as Hi Johns
A Gun in His Hand
as Chief of Police (uncredited)
A Gun in His Hand
as Chief of Police (uncredited)
Two O'Clock Courage
as Brant - City Editor (uncredited)
Two O'Clock Courage
as Brant - City Editor (uncredited)
The Missing Juror
as Mac Ellis (uncredited)
The Missing Juror
as Mac Ellis (uncredited)
Crime by Night
as District Attorney Hyatt
Crime by Night
as District Attorney Hyatt
Hey, Rookie
as Sam Jonas
Hey, Rookie
as Sam Jonas
Silver Spurs
as Mr. Hawkins
Silver Spurs
as Mr. Hawkins
Batman
as Captain Arnold
Batman
as Captain Arnold
Gentleman Jim
as Gurney (uncredited)
Gentleman Jim
as Gurney (uncredited)
The Secret Code
as Desk Sgt. Cullen
The Secret Code
as Desk Sgt. Cullen
Escape from Crime
as C.L. Reardon - Managing Editor (as Charles Wilson)
Escape from Crime
as C.L. Reardon - Managing Editor (as Charles Wilson)
Dr. Broadway
as District Attorney McNamara
Dr. Broadway
as District Attorney McNamara
This Gun for Hire
as Police Captain
This Gun for Hire
as Police Captain
Lady Gangster
as Detective
Lady Gangster
as Detective
Rings on Her Fingers
Rings on Her Fingers
The Man Who Returned to Life
as Inspector Mensil
The Man Who Returned to Life
as Inspector Mensil
Blondie Goes to College
as Police Sergeant
Blondie Goes to College
as Police Sergeant
The Officer and the Lady
as Police Captain Hart
The Officer and the Lady
as Police Captain Hart
Dressed to Kill
as Newspaper Editor
Dressed to Kill
as Newspaper Editor
Out of the Fog
Out of the Fog
Broadway Limited
as Detective (as Charles Wilson)
Broadway Limited
as Detective (as Charles Wilson)
Federal Fugitives
as Bruce Lane
Federal Fugitives
as Bruce Lane
Meet John Doe
as Charlie Dawson
Meet John Doe
as Charlie Dawson
The Face Behind the Mask
as Chief O'Brien
The Face Behind the Mask
as Chief O'Brien
Charter Pilot
as Owen
Charter Pilot
as Owen
Lady with Red Hair
as George Martin (uncredited)
Lady with Red Hair
as George Martin (uncredited)
Tin Pan Alley
as Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
Tin Pan Alley
as Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
Knute Rockne All American
as Gambler (uncredited)
Knute Rockne All American
as Gambler (uncredited)
City for Conquest
as Bill - Man Behind MacPherson at Fight (uncredited)
City for Conquest
as Bill - Man Behind MacPherson at Fight (uncredited)
Public Deb No. 1
as Sergeant
Public Deb No. 1
as Sergeant
They Drive by Night
as Mike Williams (uncredited)
They Drive by Night
as Mike Williams (uncredited)
Millionaires in Prison
as R.J. Reynolds, Sunday Editor (uncredited)
Millionaires in Prison
as R.J. Reynolds, Sunday Editor (uncredited)
Girl in 313
as Vincent Brady, Commissioner of Police
Girl in 313
as Vincent Brady, Commissioner of Police
Sandy Is a Lady
as Sergeant
Sandy Is a Lady
as Sergeant
Gangs of Chicago
Gangs of Chicago
He Married His Wife
as Warden
He Married His Wife
as Warden
Invisible Stripes
as Arresting Officer (uncredited)
Invisible Stripes
as Arresting Officer (uncredited)
The Return of Doctor X
as Det. Kincaid
The Return of Doctor X
as Det. Kincaid
The Roaring Twenties
as Policeman (uncredited)
The Roaring Twenties
as Policeman (uncredited)
Smashing the Money Ring
as Capt. Kilrane
Smashing the Money Ring
as Capt. Kilrane
Here I Am a Stranger
as Managing Editor
Here I Am a Stranger
as Managing Editor
Hotel for Women
as Albert
Hotel for Women
as Albert
The Cowboy Quarterback
as Coach Hap Farrell
The Cowboy Quarterback
as Coach Hap Farrell
Rose of Washington Square
as Mike Cavanaugh
Rose of Washington Square
as Mike Cavanaugh
Fighting Thoroughbreds
as Spencer Bogart
Fighting Thoroughbreds
as Spencer Bogart
Angels with Dirty Faces
Angels with Dirty Faces
The Spider's Web
as Chase
The Spider's Web
as Chase
The Night Hawk
as Lonigan
The Night Hawk
as Lonigan
Hold That Co-ed
as Coach Burke
Hold That Co-ed
as Coach Burke
Tenth Avenue Kid
as Commissioner
Tenth Avenue Kid
as Commissioner
Gateway
as Inspector
Gateway
as Inspector
When Were You Born
as Inspector Jim C. Gregg
When Were You Born
as Inspector Jim C. Gregg
Prison Farm
as Reardon
Prison Farm
as Reardon
Little Miss Thoroughbred
as Becker
Little Miss Thoroughbred
as Becker
State Police
as Captain Halstead
State Police
as Captain Halstead
Sally, Irene and Mary
as Covered Wagon Cafe Manager
Sally, Irene and Mary
as Covered Wagon Cafe Manager
Daughter of Shanghai
as Schwartz (uncredited)
Daughter of Shanghai
as Schwartz (uncredited)
The Adventurous Blonde
as Mortimer Gray
The Adventurous Blonde
as Mortimer Gray
That’s My Story
as Cummings
That’s My Story
as Cummings
Partners in Crime
as Inspector Simpson
Partners in Crime
as Inspector Simpson
Life Begins in College
as Tom Burke
Life Begins in College
as Tom Burke
Broadway Melody of 1938
as Horse Auctioneer (uncredited)
Broadway Melody of 1938
as Horse Auctioneer (uncredited)
One Mile from Heaven
as Fletcher
One Mile from Heaven
as Fletcher
Roaring Timber
as Sam Garvin
Roaring Timber
as Sam Garvin
The Case of the Stuttering Bishop
as Hamilton Burger
The Case of the Stuttering Bishop
as Hamilton Burger
Night Key
as Police Capt. Wallace (uncredited)
Night Key
as Police Capt. Wallace (uncredited)
Midnight Court
as Police Chief
Midnight Court
as Police Chief
Murder Goes to College
as Police Inspector Simpson
Murder Goes to College
as Police Inspector Simpson
The Great O'Malley
as Policeman Chiding School Bus Driver (uncredited)
The Great O'Malley
as Policeman Chiding School Bus Driver (uncredited)
They Wanted to Marry
as Clark
They Wanted to Marry
as Clark
You Only Live Once
as Police Inspector (uncredited)
You Only Live Once
as Police Inspector (uncredited)
Woman in Distress
as Editor Herbert Claxton
Woman in Distress
as Editor Herbert Claxton
Find the Witness
as Charley Blair (uncredited)
Find the Witness
as Charley Blair (uncredited)
Mind Your Own Business
as Detective
Mind Your Own Business
as Detective
Legion of Terror
as Colonel McCollum (as Charles Wilson)
Legion of Terror
as Colonel McCollum (as Charles Wilson)
The Magnificent Brute
as Murphy
The Magnificent Brute
as Murphy
Murder with Pictures
as Assistant Editor (uncredited)
Murder with Pictures
as Assistant Editor (uncredited)
The Gentleman from Louisiana
as Diamond Jim Brady
The Gentleman from Louisiana
as Diamond Jim Brady
I'd Give My Life
as Warden
I'd Give My Life
as Warden
Grand Jury
as City Editor
Grand Jury
as City Editor
Earthworm Tractors
as H.J. Russell
Earthworm Tractors
as H.J. Russell
36 Hours to Kill
as F.B.I. Chief
36 Hours to Kill
as F.B.I. Chief
Satan Met a Lady
as Detective Pollock
Satan Met a Lady
as Detective Pollock
Show Boat
Show Boat
The Mine with the Iron Door
as Pitkins
The Mine with the Iron Door
as Pitkins
Panic on the Air
as Fitzgerald
Panic on the Air
as Fitzgerald
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
as County Hospital Guard (uncredited)
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
as County Hospital Guard (uncredited)
Big Brown Eyes
as Prosecuting Attorney (Uncredited)
Big Brown Eyes
as Prosecuting Attorney (Uncredited)
The Country Doctor
as George the Boat Captain (uncredited)
The Country Doctor
as George the Boat Captain (uncredited)
The Return of Jimmy Valentine
as Kelley
The Return of Jimmy Valentine
as Kelley
Strike Me Pink
as Hardie
Strike Me Pink
as Hardie
Hitch Hike Lady
as Mike - a Racketeer
Hitch Hike Lady
as Mike - a Racketeer
We're Only Human
as Editor of The Daily Star
We're Only Human
as Editor of The Daily Star
White Lies
as Defense Attorney (uncredited)
White Lies
as Defense Attorney (uncredited)
Show Them No Mercy!
as Clifford
Show Them No Mercy!
as Clifford
Mary Burns, Fugitive
as G-Man at dancehall
Mary Burns, Fugitive
as G-Man at dancehall
Music Is Magic
as Decker - Theatre Manager (uncredited)
Music Is Magic
as Decker - Theatre Manager (uncredited)
The Case of the Lucky Legs
as Police Officer Ricker
The Case of the Lucky Legs
as Police Officer Ricker
Waterfront Lady
as Jim McFee aka Mac
Waterfront Lady
as Jim McFee aka Mac
The Public Menace
as First Detective
The Public Menace
as First Detective
Smart Girl
as Morgan (uncredited)
Smart Girl
as Morgan (uncredited)
The Glass Key
as District Attorney Edward J. Farr
The Glass Key
as District Attorney Edward J. Farr
The Nitwits
as Police Captain Jennings
The Nitwits
as Police Captain Jennings
Air Hawks
as Newspaper editor
Air Hawks
as Newspaper editor
Men of the Hour
as Harper
Men of the Hour
as Harper
The Case of the Curious Bride
as Ferry Captain (uncredited)
The Case of the Curious Bride
as Ferry Captain (uncredited)
Baby Face Harrington
as City Editor (uncredited)
Baby Face Harrington
as City Editor (uncredited)
The Perfect Clue
as District Attorney
The Perfect Clue
as District Attorney
The Great Hotel Murder
as Anthony Wilson
The Great Hotel Murder
as Anthony Wilson
The Gilded Lily
as Managing Editor
The Gilded Lily
as Managing Editor
Here Is My Heart
as Captain Dodge (uncredited)
Here Is My Heart
as Captain Dodge (uncredited)
Men of the Night
as Benson
Men of the Night
as Benson
Port of Lost Dreams
as Warden
Port of Lost Dreams
as Warden
The Human Side
as Furniture Buyer (uncredited)
The Human Side
as Furniture Buyer (uncredited)
I Believed in You
as Magistrate
I Believed in You
as Magistrate
It Happened One Night
as Joe Gordon
It Happened One Night
as Joe Gordon
The 9th Guest
as Burke (Uncredited)
The 9th Guest
as Burke (Uncredited)
Cross Country Cruise
as Detective (Uncredited)
Cross Country Cruise
as Detective (Uncredited)
Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen
as Chief of Police
Miss Fane's Baby Is Stolen
as Chief of Police
Shadows of Sing Sing
Shadows of Sing Sing
Female
as Private Detective Falihee (Uncredited)
Female
as Private Detective Falihee (Uncredited)
College Coach
as Charles Hauser
College Coach
as Charles Hauser
Mary Stevens, M.D.
as Walter Rising
Mary Stevens, M.D.
as Walter Rising
The Mayor of Hell
as Wilson (uncredited)
The Mayor of Hell
as Wilson (uncredited)
Private Detective 62
as Club Bartender (Uncredited)
Private Detective 62
as Club Bartender (Uncredited)
Gold Diggers of 1933
as Deputy (uncredited)
Gold Diggers of 1933
as Deputy (uncredited)
Hard to Handle
as Jailer (uncredited)
Hard to Handle
as Jailer (uncredited)
The Campus Mystery
as Detective Reardon
The Campus Mystery
as Detective Reardon
My Sin
as Guest in Pool Party
My Sin
as Guest in Pool Party
Stolen Heaven
as Detective
Stolen Heaven
as Detective
Getting a Ticket
as Motorcycle Cop
Getting a Ticket
as Motorcycle Cop
Acquitted
as Nelson
Acquitted
as Nelson
Broadway Scandals
as Jack
Broadway Scandals
as Jack