Spencer Charters

Spencer Charters

🎂 23rd March 1875 (150 yrs) 📍 Duncannon, Pennsylvania, USA

Known For

Arsenic and Old Lace

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Spencer Charters (March 25, 1875 – January 25, 1943) was an American film actor. He appeared in more than 220 films between 1920 and 1943, mostly in small supporting roles. Spencer Charters first stage work soon after leaving school was a walk on part, but it wasn't long before he was being given fair-sized roles. He played on Broadway between 1910 and 1929 and was a busy character actor in films during the 1930s and early 1940s. He often portrayed somewhat befuddeled judges, doctors, clerks, managers, and jailers.

He died by suicide from a mix of sleeping pills and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Spencer Charters

Movies Featuring Spencer Charters

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? (1975)

as Self (archive footage)
Arsenic and Old Lace

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

as Marriage License Clerk
Slightly Dangerous

Slightly Dangerous (1943)

as Claudius Swade- motel owner (uncredited)
Silver Queen

Silver Queen (1942)

as Doc Stonebraker
Scattergood Survives a Murder

Scattergood Survives a Murder (1942)

as Sheriff
The Pride of the Yankees

The Pride of the Yankees (1942)

as Mr. Larsen (uncredited)
The Postman Didn't Ring

The Postman Didn't Ring (1942)

as Judge Ben Holt
Dr. Broadway

Dr. Broadway (1942)

as Oscar Titus
The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine

The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine (1942)

as Cheevers Snow
The Night Before the Divorce

The Night Before the Divorce (1942)

as Second Judge
The Remarkable Andrew

The Remarkable Andrew (1942)

as Dr. Clarence Upjohn
Right to the Heart

Right to the Heart (1942)

as Jonah
Pacific Blackout

Pacific Blackout (1941)

as Cornelius
Bedtime Story

Bedtime Story (1941)

as Gas Station Attendant (uncredited)
Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case

Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case (1941)

as Judge White
Look Who's Laughing

Look Who's Laughing (1941)

as Motel Manager
They Died with Their Boots On

They Died with Their Boots On (1941)

as Station Master (uncredited)
Man at Large

Man at Large (1941)

as Mr. Gallon
Hold That Ghost

Hold That Ghost (1941)

as Storekeeper (uncredited)
Bad Men of Missouri

Bad Men of Missouri (1941)

as Clem
Moon Over Miami

Moon Over Miami (1941)

as Joe, the Postman
The Singing Hill

The Singing Hill (1941)

as Judge Henry Starrbottle
The Lady from Cheyenne

The Lady from Cheyenne (1941)

as Dr. McGuinness
So Ends Our Night

So Ends Our Night (1941)

as Swiss Policeman
Tobacco Road

Tobacco Road (1941)

as County Clerk
Petticoat Politics

Petticoat Politics (1941)

as Grandpa
High Sierra

High Sierra (1941)

as Ed
Santa Fe Trail

Santa Fe Trail (1940)

as Conductor
She Couldn't Say No

She Couldn't Say No (1940)

as Hank Woodcock
Meet the Missus

Meet the Missus (1940)

as Grandpa
Friendly Neighbors

Friendly Neighbors (1940)

as Bumblebee Hibbs
Blondie Plays Cupid

Blondie Plays Cupid (1940)

as Onkel Abner Henderson
The Golden Fleecing

The Golden Fleecing (1940)

as Justice of Peace
The Boys from Syracuse

The Boys from Syracuse (1940)

as Turnkey
Girl from God's Country

Girl from God's Country (1940)

as Dealer
Maryland

Maryland (1940)

as Judge
Three Faces West

Three Faces West (1940)

as Dr. 'Nunk' Atterbury
Lucky Cisco Kid

Lucky Cisco Kid (1940)

as Hotel Guest
Our Town

Our Town (1940)

as Constable
Alias the Deacon

Alias the Deacon (1940)

as Sheriff Yates
The Doctor Takes a Wife

The Doctor Takes a Wife (1940)

as Henry Quinn (uncredited)
Virginia City

Virginia City (1940)

as Sazerac Saloon Bartender (uncredited)
Remember the Night

Remember the Night (1940)

as Judge at Rummage Sale
He Married His Wife

He Married His Wife (1940)

as Mayer
Two Thoroughbreds

Two Thoroughbreds (1939)

as Doc Purdy
The Covered Trailer

The Covered Trailer (1939)

as Sheriff
Drums Along the Mohawk

Drums Along the Mohawk (1939)

as Innkeeper
Dust Be My Destiny

Dust Be My Destiny (1939)

as F.W. Jennson (uncredited)
The Hunchback of Notre Dame

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)

as Court Clerk
The Under-Pup

The Under-Pup (1939)

as Druggist
In Name Only

In Name Only (1939)

as Gardener
Second Fiddle

Second Fiddle (1939)

as Joe Clayton
Unexpected Father

Unexpected Father (1939)

as Magistrate
Young Mr. Lincoln

Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)

as Judge Herbert A. Bell
Exile Express

Exile Express (1939)

as Justice Henry P. Smith
No Image

They Asked For It (1939)

as Chief Lawson
Hotel Imperial

Hotel Imperial (1939)

as Visoff (uncredited)
Women in the Wind

Women in the Wind (1939)

as Farmer
They Made Her a Spy

They Made Her a Spy (1939)

as Lucius Wilkins
The Kid From Texas

The Kid From Texas (1939)

as Deputy Sheriff Serving Attachment Papers
Dodge City

Dodge City (1939)

as Reverend (uncredited)
The Flying Irishman

The Flying Irishman (1939)

as Smedley
I'm from Missouri

I'm from Missouri (1939)

as Charley Shook - Mule Breeder
The Lady and the Mob

The Lady and the Mob (1939)

as Flanagan, Bank Guard
Inside Story

Inside Story (1939)

as Uncle Ben Perkins
Yes, My Darling Daughter

Yes, My Darling Daughter (1939)

as Angus Dibble
Boy Trouble

Boy Trouble (1939)

as Bradley
Jesse James

Jesse James (1939)

as Minister
Topper Takes a Trip

Topper Takes a Trip (1938)

as Judge
Spring Madness

Spring Madness (1938)

as Police Chief
Five of a Kind

Five of a Kind (1938)

as Rev. Matthew Brand
Stablemates

Stablemates (1938)

as Choirmaster
Breaking the Ice

Breaking the Ice (1938)

as Smith
Mr. Chump

Mr. Chump (1938)

as Mr. Koeper
Four's a Crowd

Four's a Crowd (1938)

as Charlie (uncredited)
The Road to Reno

The Road to Reno (1938)

as The Judge
Professor Beware

Professor Beware (1938)

as Sheriff Henry Sweatt
Three Blind Mice

Three Blind Mice (1938)

as Hendricks
One Wild Night

One Wild Night (1938)

as Lem Halliday
Three Comrades

Three Comrades (1938)

as Herr Schultz
Vivacious Lady

Vivacious Lady (1938)

as Husband Shaving on Train (uncredited)
Crime School

Crime School (1938)

as Old Doctor
Joy of Living

Joy of Living (1938)

as Magistrate
In Old Chicago

In Old Chicago (1938)

as Commissioner W.J. Beavers
Mr. Boggs Steps Out

Mr. Boggs Steps Out (1938)

as Angus Tubbs
Forbidden Valley

Forbidden Valley (1938)

as Dr. Scudd
The Jury's Secret

The Jury's Secret (1938)

as Old Man
Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo (1937)

as Jethro - Old Confederate
Lady Behave!

Lady Behave! (1937)

as Innkeeper
Checkers

Checkers (1937)

as Zeb
Big Town Girl

Big Town Girl (1937)

as Isaiah Wickenback
The Hurricane

The Hurricane (1937)

as Judge (uncredited)
Danger – Love at Work

Danger – Love at Work (1937)

as Taxi driver
Behind the Mike

Behind the Mike (1937)

as Pete Jones
Wife, Doctor and Nurse

Wife, Doctor and Nurse (1937)

as Uncle
Make a Wish

Make a Wish (1937)

as Station Agent
Back in Circulation

Back in Circulation (1937)

as The Sheriff
Ever Since Eve

Ever Since Eve (1937)

as Mike - Monteray Tavern Porter (uncredited)
The Emperor's Candlesticks

The Emperor's Candlesticks (1937)

as Usher (uncredited)
She Had to Eat

She Had to Eat (1937)

as Franklin (uncredited)
Mountain Music

Mountain Music (1937)

as Justice of the Peace Sharody
Fifty Roads to Town

Fifty Roads to Town (1937)

as George Hession
Pick a Star

Pick a Star (1937)

as Judge
No Image

Venus Makes Trouble (1937)

as Joel Willard
Girl Loves Boy

Girl Loves Boy (1937)

as Rufus Boggs
Dangerous Number

Dangerous Number (1937)

as Jeffers Gass - Justice of the Peace
The Mighty Treve

The Mighty Treve (1937)

as Watling
Lady from Nowhere

Lady from Nowhere (1936)

as Alexander Scorzo
Career Woman

Career Woman (1936)

as Coroner McInery
Banjo on My Knee

Banjo on My Knee (1936)

as Judge Tope
No Image

Four Days Wonder (1936)

as Gilroy
Fugitive in the Sky

Fugitive in the Sky (1936)

as Henry Staeger
All American Chump

All American Chump (1936)

as Abiah Smith
Libeled Lady

Libeled Lady (1936)

as McCall the Magistrate
The Texas Rangers

The Texas Rangers (1936)

as Sheriff (uncredited)
Postal Inspector

Postal Inspector (1936)

as Grumpy
Back to Nature

Back to Nature (1936)

as Deputy Sheriff Putney
36 Hours to Kill

36 Hours to Kill (1936)

as Mr. Hutchins
Spendthrift

Spendthrift (1936)

as Col. Barnaby
The Bride Walks Out

The Bride Walks Out (1936)

as Marriage Bureau Justice of the Peace (uncredited)
The Mine with the Iron Door

The Mine with the Iron Door (1936)

as Thad Hill
F-Man

F-Man (1936)

as Sheriff Hank 'One Gun' Groder
The Ex-Mrs. Bradford

The Ex-Mrs. Bradford (1936)

as Dr. Bunting (uncredited)
No Image

The Harvester (1936)

as Stubby Pratt
Murder on a Bridle Path

Murder on a Bridle Path (1936)

as Warden Sylvester Mahoney
The Moon's Our Home

The Moon's Our Home (1936)

as Abner Simpson
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town

Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)

as Mal (uncredited)
Till We Meet Again

Till We Meet Again (1936)

as Herr Hoffer
The Farmer in the Dell

The Farmer in the Dell (1936)

as Milkman
Colleen

Colleen (1936)

as Doctor (uncredited)
Boulder Dam

Boulder Dam (1936)

as First Sheriff (uncredited)
Love on a Bet

Love on a Bet (1936)

as Plaza Ritz Hotel Owner
The Preview Murder Mystery

The Preview Murder Mystery (1936)

as Jones - Watchman
In Person

In Person (1935)

as Parson Calverton Lunk
The Great American Pie Company

The Great American Pie Company (1935)

as Phineas Doolittle (uncredited)
The Goose and the Gander

The Goose and the Gander (1935)

as Winkel 'Wink' Steinberg
The Gay Deception

The Gay Deception (1935)

as Mr. Mercer (uncredited)
Welcome Home

Welcome Home (1935)

as Constable Mulhausen
Don't Bet on Blondes

Don't Bet on Blondes (1935)

as Doc
The Raven

The Raven (1935)

as Col. Bertram Grant
Stranded

Stranded (1935)

as Boatman
Whispering Smith Speaks

Whispering Smith Speaks (1935)

as Cal Stone
Star of Midnight

Star of Midnight (1935)

as Hotel Doorman (uncredited)
Eight Bells

Eight Bells (1935)

as Walker
The Nut Farm

The Nut Farm (1935)

as Sliscomb, the Landlord
Murder on a Honeymoon

Murder on a Honeymoon (1935)

as Chief of Police Britt
Romance in Manhattan

Romance in Manhattan (1935)

as Clerk (uncredited)
Caravan

Caravan (1934)

as Flunkey (Uncredited)
The Secret Bride

The Secret Bride (1934)

as Diner 2 (uncredited)
The Ghost Walks

The Ghost Walks (1934)

as Guard
It's a Gift

It's a Gift (1934)

as Gate Guard
The St. Louis Kid

The St. Louis Kid (1934)

as Messeldopp
The Firebird

The Firebird (1934)

as Max Bauer, the Porter
Wake Up and Dream

Wake Up and Dream (1934)

as Earl Craft
The Pursuit of Happiness

The Pursuit of Happiness (1934)

as Sam Evans
Million Dollar Ransom

Million Dollar Ransom (1934)

as Pop McGarry (Uncredited)
Blind Date

Blind Date (1934)

as Pa Taylor
The Circus Clown

The Circus Clown (1934)

as Kingsley
The Loudspeaker

The Loudspeaker (1934)

as Burroughs
Half a Sinner

Half a Sinner (1934)

as Noel Cunningham
Rough Necking

Rough Necking (1934)

as Mr. Marshall
Fashions of 1934

Fashions of 1934 (1934)

as Man Removing Telephone
Hips, Hips, Hooray!

Hips, Hips, Hooray! (1934)

as Mr. Clark
Mr. Skitch

Mr. Skitch (1933)

as Mr. Umpchay
Lady Killer

Lady Killer (1933)

as Los Angeles Cop (uncredited)
From Headquarters

From Headquarters (1933)

as Teletype Man (uncredited)
Female

Female (1933)

as Tom
The Kennel Murder Case

The Kennel Murder Case (1933)

as Sergeant Snitkin (uncredited)
Gambling Ship

Gambling Ship (1933)

as Detective
So This Is Africa

So This Is Africa (1933)

as Doctor
Gabriel Over the White House

Gabriel Over the White House (1933)

as Vice President (uncredited)
The Match King

The Match King (1932)

as Oscar
20,000 Years in Sing Sing

20,000 Years in Sing Sing (1932)

as Officer Daniels (uncredited)
Central Park

Central Park (1932)

as Police Sergeant Riley (uncredited)
Three on a Match

Three on a Match (1932)

as Street Cleaner (uncredited)
The Crooked Circle

The Crooked Circle (1932)

as Kinny
Movie Crazy

Movie Crazy (1932)

as J.L. O'Brien
Hold 'Em Jail

Hold 'Em Jail (1932)

as Governor
Jewel Robbery

Jewel Robbery (1932)

as Johann Christian Lenz
The Tenderfoot

The Tenderfoot (1932)

as Oscar
The Famous Ferguson Case

The Famous Ferguson Case (1932)

as Fire Chief (uncredited)
Union Depot

Union Depot (1932)

as Police Officer Bert Brady (uncredited)
Palmy Days

Palmy Days (1931)

as Mr. Clark
Traveling Husbands

Traveling Husbands (1931)

as Joe
Ex-Bad Boy

Ex-Bad Boy (1931)

as Henry Simmons
The Front Page

The Front Page (1931)

as Woodenshoes
Lonely Wives

Lonely Wives (1931)

as Andrews, the Butler
The Bat Whispers

The Bat Whispers (1930)

as The Caretaker
Whoopee!

Whoopee! (1930)

as Jerome Underwood
Dancing Mothers

Dancing Mothers (1926)

as Butter and Egg Man
Janice Meredith

Janice Meredith (1924)

as Squire Hennion
Little Old New York

Little Old New York (1923)

as Bunny
April Folly

April Folly (1920)

as Dobbs