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Grady Sutton

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Grady Sutton
Florence Bates with Sutton in
My Dear Secretary (1948)
Born
Grady Harwell Sutton

(1906-04-05)April 5, 1906
Chattanooga, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedSeptember 17, 1995(1995-09-17) (aged 89)
Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1925–1979

Grady Harwell Sutton[citation needed] (April 5, 1906 – September 17, 1995) was an American film and television character actor from the 1920s to the 1970s. He appeared in more than 180 films.[1]

Early years

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Sutton was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee,[1] the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Sutton.[2] Raised in Florida, he attended St. Petersburg High School,[1] where he was a member of the swimming team.[2]

Career

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Sutton began his career during the silent film era and made the transition to sound films with the college themed shorts The Boy Friends.[1] He moved on to countless character roles, where he frequently played dimwitted country boys. His best-known roles were as Frank Dowling, Katharine Hepburn's dancing partner, in Alice Adams (1935) and as a foil to W.C. Fields in four films, The Pharmacist (1933), Man on the Flying Trapeze (1935), You Can't Cheat an Honest Man (1939), and The Bank Dick (1940).

Film historian William J. Mann characterizes Sutton as a typical "Hollywood Sissy"; that is, a homosexual actor who ordinarily portrayed an effeminate character for comedic effect.[3]

He continued to work throughout the 1950s and 1960s, finally retiring from acting in 1979. The strength of his association with Fields was such that it was mentioned in the commentary for My Fair Lady. Sutton has a non-speaking role in some of the formal-dress scenes, and subtly performs some comic shtick. The commentator refers to him as "an old W. C. Fields actor".

On television, Sutton appeared in an episode of The Odd Couple, as well as some commercials.[1]

Death

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On September 17, 1995,[1] Sutton died at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California at the age of 89.[4]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1925 The Mad Whirl Minor Role Uncredited
1925 The Freshman Student who goes to dean Uncredited
Alternative title: College Days
1926 Skinner's Dress Suit Party Guest Uncredited
1926 Brown of Harvard One of the Dickeys Uncredited
1926 The Boy Friend Uncredited
1926 The Whole Town's Talking Party Guest Uncredited
1929 Why Be Good? Guest at Junior's First Party Uncredited
1929 The Sophomore Cupie - Freshman Fraternity Brother Uncredited
1929 Sailor's Holiday Sailor Extra in Cafe Uncredited
1929 Welcome Danger Man at Party (silent version) (scenes deleted)
1929 So This Is College Football Spectator Uncredited
1929 Hit the Deck Sailor Uncredited
1930 Wild Company Anita's Boyfriend Uncredited
1930 Let's Go Native Diner Uncredited
1932 This Reckless Age Stepladder Schultz
1932 Movie Crazy Man afraid of mice Uncredited
1932 The Age of Consent Student at Dormitory Uncredited
1932 Pack Up Your Troubles the wrong Eddie
1932 Hot Saturday Archie
1933 The Story of Temple Drake Bob Uncredited
1933 College Humor Timid freshman
1933 Ace of Aces Party Guest with Newspaper Uncredited
1933 The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi Pledge
1933 Only Yesterday Charlie Smith, Party Guest Uncredited
1934 Bachelor Bait Don Beldon
1934 Gridiron Flash Pudge Harrison
1935 Laddie Peter Dover
1935 Stone of Silver Creek Jimmy
1935 Born to Gamble College Man at Senior Prom Uncredited
1935 Man on the Flying Trapeze Claude Neselrode Alternative title: The Memory Expert
1935 Alice Adams Frank Dowling
1935 Dr. Socrates Grocery Store Clerk Uncredited
1936 The Singing Kid Young Man (scenes deleted)
1936 Palm Springs Bud
1936 The Crime of Dr. Forbes Student Doctor Uncredited
1936 My Man Godfrey Charlie Van Rumple Uncredited
1936 King of the Royal Mounted RCMP Const. Slim Callum
1936 Valiant Is the Word for Carrie Mat Burdon
1936 Pigskin Parade Mortimer Higgins
1936 Two Minutes to Play Hank Durkee
1937 She's Dangerous Drunk Uncredited
1937 Waikiki Wedding Everett Todhunter
1937 We Have Our Moments Clem Porter
1937 Turn Off the Moon Truelove Spencer
1937 Dangerous Holiday Max
1937 Behind the Mike Curly Conway
1937 Stage Door Butch
1937 Love Takes Flight Donald
1938 Joy of Living Florist Uncredited
1938 Vivacious Lady Culpepper
1938 Having Wonderful Time Gus Alternative title: Having a Wonderful Time
1938 Three Loves Has Nancy George Wilkins, Jr.
1938 The Mad Miss Manton D.A.'s Secretary
1938 A Man to Remember Raymond Uncredited
1938 Hard to Get Stanley Potter
1939 You Can't Cheat an Honest Man Chester Dalrymple Uncredited
1939 Blondie Meets the Boss Camera Store Clerk Uncredited
1939 Three Smart Girls Grow Up Clarence, a Guest Uncredited
1939 They Made Her a Spy Quiet Man on Train Uncredited
1939 The Flying Irishman Clothing Salesman Uncredited
1939 Blind Alley Holmes Uncredited
1939 It's a Wonderful World Lupton Peabody
1939 Naughty but Nice Mr. Mankton Uncredited
1939 In Name Only Paul Graham - Escort Uncredited
1939 The Angels Wash Their Faces Gildersleeve (Mayor's secretary) Alternative title: Angels Wash Their Faces
1939 Three Sons Grimson
1940 City of Chance R.O. Champion Uncredited
1940 Millionaire Playboy Jerry Uncredited
1940 Torrid Zone Sam, Steve's Secretary
1940 Anne of Windy Poplars Gibson's Secretary Uncredited
1940 Millionaires in Prison Jock, Vander's Nephew Uncredited
1940 We Who Are Young New Father Uncredited
1940 Lucky Partners Reporter Uncredited
1940 He Stayed for Breakfast Salesman
1940 Sky Murder Buster - Chris' Boyfriend Uncredited
1940 Too Many Girls Football Coach Uncredited
1940 The Bank Dick Og Oggleby, Bank Teller
1941 Mr. District Attorney Hat Salesman Uncredited
1941 She Knew All the Answers Ogleby
1941 Hurry, Charlie, Hurry Dore Dare, a Tailor Uncredited
1941 Blondie in Society Doghouse Salesman Uncredited
1941 Flying Blind Chester Gimble
1941 Father Takes a Wife Tailor
1941 Doctors Don't Tell Dr. Piper
1941 You Belong to Me Department Store Clerk Uncredited
1941 Three Girls About Town Meeting Doorman Uncredited
1941 Cadet Girl Elmer - Train Passenger Uncredited
1941 Bedtime Story Bert, Fashion Designer Uncredited
1942 Four Jacks and a Jill Nightclub Patron Uncredited
1942 The Bashful Bachelor Cedric Wiehunt
1942 Whispering Ghosts Jonathan Flack
1942 The Affairs of Martha Justin I. Peacock, Jr
1942 Somewhere I'll Find You Man in Private Dining Room Uncredited
1943 The More the Merrier Diner server Uncredited
1943 Young Ideas Minor Role
1943 A Lady Takes a Chance Malcolm Scott Alternative title: The Cowboy and the Girl
1943 What a Woman Mr. Clark Alternative title: The Beautiful Cheat
1944 Week-End Pass Pajama Man
1944 Nine Girls Photographer
1944 Since You Went Away Soldier Hunting for Susie Fleming Uncredited
1944 Johnny Doesn't Live Here Anymore George
1944 The Great Moment Homer Quimby
1944 Allergic to Love Cuthbert
1944 Casanova Brown Tod Uncredited
1944 Goin' to Town Cedric
1944 Hi, Beautiful Attendant
1945 Grissly's Millions Robert Palmor Jr.
1945 Her Lucky Night Joe
1945 Salty O'Rourke Floorwalker Uncredited
1945 A Royal Scandal Boris Uncredited
1945 Brewster's Millions Packard - Costume Designer Uncredited
1945 Pillow to Post Alex, Coast Oil Flunky Uncredited
1945 Three's a Crowd Willy Davaney
1945 Captain Eddie Lester Thomas
1945 A Bell for Adano Pfc. Edward - Algiers Mail Clerk Uncredited
1945 On Stage Everybody Cathcart Uncredited
1945 Anchors Aweigh Bertram Kraler - Susan's beau
1945 Guest Wife Joe's Admirer Uncredited
1945 Ziegfeld Follies Texan ('Number Please') Uncredited
1945 Song of the Prairie William Van Welby
1945 She Went to the Races Hotel Clerk Uncredited
1945 Sing Your Way Home Book Shop Proprietor Uncredited
1945 Hit the Hay Wilbur Whittlesey
1945 The Stork Club Peter - Salesman Uncredited
1946 Idea Girl Percy Witherspoon Uncredited
1946 Partners in Time Cedric Weehunt / Caleb Weehunt
1946 Dragonwyck Astor House clerk Uncredited
1946 Two Sisters from Boston Recital Guest Uncredited
1946 Holiday in Mexico Tom, Iturbi's Assistant Uncredited
1946 It's Great to Be Young Ambrose Kenton Uncredited
1946 No Leave, No Love Hat Salesman Uncredited
1946 Nobody Lives Forever Horace Uncredited
1946 The Magnificent Rogue George Sheffield
1946 Plainsman and the Lady Male Secretary Uncredited
1946 My Dog Shep John H. Latham
1946 Susie Steps Out Dixon
1946 The Fabulous Suzanne Marstenson
1946 The Show-Off Mr. Hotchkiss Uncredited
1947 Beat the Band Harold
1947 Philo Vance's Gamble Mr. Willetts
1947 Love and Learn Pedestrian Against Divorce Uncredited
1947 Always Together Jack, the Soda Jerk Uncredited
1947 My Wild Irish Rose Brown
1948 Romance on the High Seas Ship Radio operator Uncredited
Alternative title: It's Magic
1948 My Dear Secretary Sylvan Scott
1948 Jiggs and Maggie in Court Mr. Twiddle
1948 Last of the Wild Horses Curly, the cook
1949 Grand Canyon Halfnote
1949 Air Hostess Ned Jenkins
1954 Living It Up Gift Shop Owner Uncredited
1954 A Star Is Born Artie Carver Uncredited
1954 White Christmas Mr. Herring Uncredited
1955 The Naked Dawn Cabaret Brawler Uncredited
1961 Madison Avenue Dilbock Uncredited
1962 Billy Rose's Jumbo Driver
1962 The Chapman Report Simon Uncredited
1963 Come Blow Your Horn Clothing Store Manager Uncredited
1963 4 for Texas Bank Clerk
1964 My Fair Lady Ascot Extra / Guest at Ball Uncredited
1965 Tickle Me Mr. Dabney
1965 The Bounty Killer Minister
1966 The Chase Mr. Siftifieus Uncredited
1966 Paradise, Hawaiian Style Mr. Cubberson
1968 Star! First Salesman at Cartier's Uncredited
1968 I Love You, Alice B. Toklas! Funeral Director Alternative title: Kiss My Butterfly
1970 The Great Bank Robbery Rev. Simms
1970 Myra Breckinridge Kid Barlow
1970 Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came Rev. Dinwood
1970 Dirty Dingus Magee Corporal Uncredited
1971 Support Your Local Gunfighter Storekeeper
1979 Rock 'n' Roll High School School Board President (final film role)

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1952 Studio One Mr. Caslon 1 episode
1954 I Married Joan Newsroom Walk Through 1 episode
Dear Phoebe Store Manager 1 episode
1955 Waterfront Ramsdale 1 episode
Stage 7 Blonde's Companion / Desk Clerk 2 episodes
The Milton Berle Show Harold Helot 1 episode
1955–56 The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet Mr. Van Buskirk / The Photographer 2 episodes
1956 The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp Store Clerk 1 episode
1957 Code 3 Ray Pence 1 episode
1960 The Ann Sothern Show Swann 2 episodes
Shirley Temple's Storybook Simon 1 episode
Death Valley Days Joe Shelton 1 episode
Sugarfoot Charles 1 episode
1960–62 Lawman Stiles / Ben Toomey 13 episodes
1961 Cheyenne Photographer 1 episode
Rawhide Desk Clerk 1 episode
1961–62 Father of the Bride Oscar 2 episodes
1962 77 Sunset Strip Doorman 1 episode
General Electric Theater The Questioner 1 episode
1963 Dennis the Menace Alvin Jessup 1 episode
1964 Dr. Kildare Christopher Blair 1 episode
Mickey Mr. Freebish 1 episode
1965 Burke's Law Hubie 1 episode
Petticoat Junction Chef 1 episode
1966 The Red Skelton Hour Torture Device Customer 1 episode
1966–67 The Pruitts of Southampton Sturgis 11 episodes
1967 Batman Irving Cash 1 episode
1972 Hawaii Five-O Minister 1 episode
1974 The Odd Couple Pops Belkin 1 episode

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Gifford, Denis (1995-09-26). "Obituary: Grady Sutton". The Independent (London). Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  2. ^ a b "Grady Sutton is still trying for romance". Tampa Bay Times. July 8, 1938. p. 8. Retrieved June 8, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Mann, William J. (2002). Behind the Screen: How Gays and Lesbians Shaped Hollywood, 1910-1969. New York: Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-1420-0114-1.
  4. ^ "Grady Sutton, 89, a Comic Foil to Fields, Hepburn and Lombard". The New York Times. 1992-10-28. Retrieved 2009-01-29.

Further reading

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  • Maltin, Leonard (2015) [First published 1969]. "Grady Sutton". The Real Stars : Profiles and Interviews of Hollywood's Unsung Featured Players (softcover) (Sixth / eBook ed.). Great Britain: CreateSpace Independent. pp. 256–277. ISBN 978-1-5116-4485-3.
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