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  • JOHN QUALEN


    INFORMATION FROM IMDb


    Date of birth
    8 December 1899
    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada


    Date of death
    12 September 1987
    Torrance, California, USA. (heart failure)


    Birth name
    Johan Mandt Kvalen


    Sometimes Credited As:
    John M. Qualen / John T. Qualen


    Height
    5' 7" (1.70 m)


    Spouse
    Pearle Larson (1924 - ?) 3 daughters


    Trivia
    Though some reference works list his birth name as Oleson or Olson, in actuality Qualen's grandfather changed the family name from Olson to Kvalen long before Qualen's birth. Qualen's father subsequently changed the name from Kvalen to Qualen, after Qualen's birth. Originally pronounced identically to the previous spelling ("Kvah-len"), John Qualen himself changed the pronunciation to "Kway-len."


    Of Norwegian parentage.


    In 1930, although working in New York, his home base was at 328 Sidney Street West, St. Paul, Minnesota.


    Mini Biography
    One of the best and most familiar character actors of the first four decades of sound films, although few who knew his face also knew his name. John Qualen was born in Canada to Norwegian parents. His father was a minister. The family moved to the United States and Qualen (whose real name was Kvalen) grew up in Elgin, Illinois. He won an oratory contest and was given a scholarship to Northwestern University. His interest in acting was piqued there, and he began appearing in tent shows on the Lyceum-Chautauqua circuit, and in stock. He went to New York in 1929 and got his big break as the Swedish janitor in Elmer Rice's Street Scene. He repeated the role two years later in the film version. That same year he first worked for director John Ford in Arrowsmith (1931). He became a member of Ford's famed "stock company, and had prominent roles for Ford for the next thirty-five years. He became a most familiar character player, specializing in Scandinavians of various nationalities, but frequently playing a wide variety of other ethnicities. Perhaps his greatest work among many memorable roles was as the pitiful Muley, who recounts the destruction of his farm by the bank in Ford's masterpiece, The Grapes of Wrath (1940). Although plagued in his later years by failing eyesight, he continued to work steadily into his final years. He was treasurer of The Authors Club and historian of The Masquers, Hollywood's famed social group for actors. He had three children, Elizabeth, Kathleen, and Meredith. Qualen died in 1987.
    Jim Beaver


    Filmography
    Actor
    1. "Movin' On"
    - Lifeline (1974) TV Episode
    2. Frasier, the Sensuous Lion (1973) .... Old Man on Porch
    3. "The Odd Couple"
    - Sometimes a Great Ocean (1973) TV Episode .... Mr. Larson
    - A Grave for Felix (1971) TV Episode .... Groundskeeper
    - A Taste of Money (1971) TV Episode .... Sam
    4. Wednesday Night Out (1972) (TV)
    5. Getting Away from It All (1972) (TV) .... Charlie Erickson
    6. "Medical Center" - Countdown (1971) TV Episode .... Charlie
    7. "Disneyland"
    ... aka Disney's Wonderful World (USA: new title)
    ... aka The Disney Sunday Movie (USA: new title)
    ... aka The Magical World of Disney (USA: new title)
    ... aka The Wonderful World of Disney (USA: new title)
    ... aka Walt Disney (USA: new title)
    ... aka Walt Disney Presents (USA: new title)
    ... aka Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (USA: new title)
    - The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin: Part 3 (1971) TV Episode .... Barber
    - The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin: Part 2 (1971) TV Episode .... Barber
    - The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin: Part 1 (1971) TV Episode .... Barber
    - Those Calloways: Part 3 (1969) TV Episode .... Ernie Evans
    - Those Calloways: Part 2 (1969) TV Episode .... Ernie Evans
    (1 more)
    8. "Green Acres"
    - The Ex-Con (1970) TV Episode .... Willie Dunhill
    - Eb's Romance (1968) TV Episode .... Mr. Appleby
    9. Hail, Hero! (1969) .... Billy Hurd
    10. Doc (1969) (TV) .... Luke
    11. Firecreek (1968) .... Hall
    12. P.J. (1968)
    ... aka New Face in Hell (UK)
    13. "I Spy"
    - Red Sash of Courage (1967) TV Episode .... Hannos
    14. The Adventures of Bullwhip Griffin (1967) .... Barber
    15. "Shane"
    - The Hant (1966) TV Episode .... Old Man
    16. "Jericho"
    - Dutch and Go (1966) TV Episode
    17. A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966) .... Jesse Buford
    ... aka Big Deal at Dodge City (UK)
    18. "Burke's Law"
    ... aka Amos Burke, Secret Agent (USA: new title)
    - Terror in a Tiny Town: Part 2 (1966) TV Episode .... Richard Prince
    - Terror in a Tiny Town: Part 1 (1966) TV Episode .... Richard Prince
    19. "The Donna Reed Show"
    - My Son, the Councilman (1966) TV Episode .... Zeke
    20. "Mister Ed"
    - Ed the Bridegroom (1965) TV Episode .... Justice of the Peace
    - Ed's New Shoes (1961) TV Episode .... Axel the Handyman
    - Pine Lake Lodge (1961) TV Episode .... Milo
    21. A Patch of Blue (1965) .... Mr. Faber
    22. Sally and Sam (1965) (TV) .... Picket
    23. The Sons of Katie Elder (1965) .... Charlie Biller
    24. I'll Take Sweden (1965) .... Olaf
    25. "Ben Casey"
    - A Horse Named Stravinsky (1965) TV Episode .... John Paul McGarrity
    - The White Ones Are Dolphins (1963) TV Episode .... Mr. Wren
    26. Those Calloways (1965) .... Ernie Evans
    27. "Dr. Kildare"
    - An Exchange of Gifts (1964) TV Episode .... Callahan
    28. Cheyenne Autumn (1964) (uncredited) .... Swenson
    ... aka John Ford's Cheyenne Autumn (USA: complete title)
    29. "The Virginian"
    ... aka The Men from Shiloh (new title)
    - A Bride for Lars (1964) TV Episode .... Gosta Swenson
    30. 7 Faces of Dr. Lao (1964) .... Luther Lindquist
    ... aka The Secret World of Dr. Lao
    31. "Make Room for Daddy"
    ... aka The Danny Thomas Show (new title)
    - Sense of Humor (1964) TV Episode .... Swenson, the Janitor
    32. "My Favorite Martian"
    - Now You See It, Now You Don't (1964) TV Episode .... Matt, Security Guard
    33. "The Real McCoys" (1957) TV Series .... Frank, the Howards Handyman (1963)
    ... aka The McCoys
    34. The Prize (1963) .... Oscar (Welcome Basket)
    35. "The Third Man"
    - An Act of Atonement (1963) TV Episode
    36. Donovan's Reef (1963) (uncredited) .... Deck hand who cries 'Man Overboard'
    37. "The Wide Country"
    - Whose Hand at My Throat? (1963) TV Episode .... Henry Demeter
    38. "Laramie"
    - Shadow of the Past (1962) TV Episode
    39. "Lawman"
    ... aka The Lawman (USA: alternative title)
    - Explosion (1962) TV Episode
    - Blind Hate (1961) TV Episode
    - Old Stefano (1960) TV Episode
    40. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962) .... Peter Ericson
    41. "The Andy Griffith Show"
    ... aka Andy of Mayberry (USA: rerun title)
    - The Jinx (1962) TV Episode .... Henry Bennett
    42. "Maverick"
    - The Golden Fleecing (1961) TV Episode .... Henry Albright
    - Lonesome Reunion (1958) TV Episode .... Leland Mills
    43. "Bonanza"
    ... aka Ponderosa (USA: rerun title)
    - Springtime (1961) TV Episode .... Parley
    44. Two Rode Together (1961) .... Ole Knudsen
    45. "The Barbara Stanwyck Show"
    - Big Jake (1961) TV Episode .... Sam Lundborg
    46. "Thriller"
    ... aka Boris Karloff's Thriller
    - Mr. George (1961) TV Episode .... Mr. George
    47. "Klondike"
    - Queen of the Klondike (1961) TV Episode .... Larsen
    48. North to Alaska (1960) .... Logger
    49. "Sea Hunt"
    - Changing Patterns (1960) TV Episode
    50. Elmer Gantry (1960) (uncredited) .... Sam (storekeeper)
    51. "Sugarfoot"
    ... aka Tenderfoot (UK)
    - Funeral at Forty Mile (1960) TV Episode .... Jens Jensen
    52. "Overland Trail"
    ... aka Overland Stage
    - Lawyer in Petticoats (1960) TV Episode
    53. Hell Bent for Leather (1960) .... Old Ben
    54. "The Gale Storm Show"
    ... aka Oh! Susanna
    - Love by Yiminy (1960) TV Episode .... Olaf Hansen
    - The Swedish Steward (1959) TV Episode .... Olaf Hansen
    55. "The Alaskans"
    - Starvation Stampede (1959) TV Episode .... Jack Despain
    56. "Bronco"
    - The Burning Springs (1959) TV Episode .... Mr. Colby
    57. "Tightrope"
    - The Cracking Point (1959) TV Episode .... Lucas
    58. Anatomy of a Murder (1959) .... Deputy Sheriff Sulo
    59. "The Californians"
    - Stampede at Misery Flats (1959) TV Episode .... Vinegar Pete Jones
    - J. Jimmerson Jones, Inc. (1958) TV Episode .... J. Jimmerson Jones
    60. "Yancy Derringer"
    - Old Dixie (1958) TV Episode .... Captain Sven Larsen
    - Gallatin Street (1958) TV Episode .... Captain Sven Larsen
    61. Revolt in the Big House (1958) .... Doc
    62. The Gun Runners (1958) .... Pop, pawnbroker-casino operator
    ... aka Gunrunners (International: English title)
    63. My World Dies Screaming (1958) .... Jonah Snell
    ... aka Terror in the Haunted House
    64. The Big Land (1957) .... Sven Johnson
    ... aka Stampeded (UK)
    65. "Cheyenne"
    - Deadline (1957) TV Episode .... Charley Dolan
    66. "December Bride"
    - Royalty (1957) TV Episode .... The Count
    67. "The Millionaire"
    ... aka If You Had a Million
    - The Charles Hartford Simpson Story (1956) TV Episode .... Jackson
    68. "Climax!"
    ... aka Climax Mystery Theater (USA)
    - The Fog (1956) TV Episode .... Geist
    69. Johnny Concho (1956) .... Jake
    70. "Alfred Hitchcock Presents"
    - Help Wanted (1956) TV Episode .... Mr. Crabtree
    - Shopping for Death (1956) TV Episode .... Insurance Salesman
    - A Bullet for Baldwin (1956) TV Episode .... Mr. Stepp
    71. The Searchers (1956) .... Lars Jorgensen
    72. At Gunpoint (1955) .... Livingstone
    ... aka Gunpoint! (UK)
    73. "Science Fiction Theater"
    - Death at Two A.M. (1955) TV Episode .... Prof. Avery
    74. The Sea Chase (1955) .... Chief Engineer Schmitt
    75. Unchained (1955) .... Leonard Haskins
    76. Passion (1954) .... Gaspar Melo
    77. "The Ford Television Theatre"
    ... aka Ford Theatre (USA: short title)
    - Girl in Flight (1954) TV Episode .... Francois
    78. The Other Woman (1954) .... Papasha
    79. "The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse"
    ... aka Action Tonight (USA: syndication title)
    - Portrait of Tobey (1954) TV Episode
    80. The High and the Mighty (1954) .... Jose Locota
    81. The Student Prince (1954) .... Prof. Willie Klauber
    82. "The Philco Television Playhouse"
    ... aka Arena Theatre (USA: new title)
    ... aka Repertory Theatre (USA: new title)
    ... aka The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse (USA: new title)
    - Adapt or Die (1954) TV Episode .... Gus Gruntle
    83. "Schlitz Playhouse of Stars"
    ... aka Herald Playhouse (USA: syndication title)
    ... aka Schlitz Playhouse (USA: new title)
    ... aka The Playhouse (USA: syndication title)
    - The Whale on the Beach (1954) TV Episode
    84. "The Public Defender"
    - The Prize Fighter Story (1954) TV Episode .... Ames
    85. "Dragnet"
    ... aka Badge 714 (USA: syndication title)
    - The Big Revolt (1953) TV Episode
    - The Big Fire (1953) TV Episode
    86. I, the Jury (1953) .... Dr. R.H. Vickers, Veterinarian
    87. "General Electric Theater"
    ... aka G.E. Theatre (USA)
    - Thirteen O'Clock (1953) TV Episode
    88. Francis Covers the Big Town (1953) (uncredited) .... Defense Attorney Cavendish
    89. Ambush at Tomahawk Gap (1953) .... Jonas P. Travis
    90. Hans Christian Andersen (1952) .... Burgomaster
    91. "The Schaefer Century Theatre"
    - Portrait of Toby (1952) TV Episode
    92. "Celanese Theatre"
    - Anna Christie (1952) TV Episode
    93. Goodbye, My Fancy (1951) .... Professor Dingley
    94. "Stars Over Hollywood"
    - Son of the Rock (1951) TV Episode
    95. Belle Le Grand (1951) .... Corky McGee
    96. The Flying Missile (1950) .... Lars Hansen
    ... aka The Flying Fish (USA)
    97. Woman on the Run (1950) .... Mailbus
    98. The Jackpot (1950) (uncredited) .... Mr. Ferguson
    99. Buccaneer's Girl (1950) .... Vegetable Man
    100. Captain China (1950) .... Geech


    101. The Big Steal (1949) .... Julius Seton
    102. Hollow Triumph (1948) .... Swangron
    ... aka The Scar (UK)
    103. 16 Fathoms Deep (1948) .... Capt. Athos
    104. My Girl Tisa (1948) .... Svenson
    105. On Our Merry Way (1948) (scenes deleted) .... Mr. Atwood
    ... aka A Miracle Can Happen (USA)
    106. Alias a Gentleman (1948) .... No End
    107. Reaching from Heaven (1948) .... Immigrant
    108. The Fugitive (1947) .... A Refugee Doctor
    ... aka Fugitivo, El (Mexico)
    109. High Conquest (1947) .... Peter Oberwalder Sr.
    110. Song of Scheherazade (1947) .... Lorenzo
    111. Adventure (1945) .... Model T
    112. Captain Kidd (1945) .... Bart Blivens
    113. River Gang (1945) .... Uncle Bill
    ... aka Fairy Tale Murder (UK)
    114. Roughly Speaking (1945) .... Svend Olsen
    115. An American Romance (1944) .... Anton Dubechek
    116. The Impostor (1944) .... Monge
    ... aka Bayonet Charge (USA: reissue title)
    ... aka Strange Confession (USA: new title)
    117. Dark Waters (1944) .... Uncle Norbert
    118. Swing Shift Maisie (1943) .... Horatio Curley
    ... aka The Girl in Overalls (UK)
    119. Arabian Nights (1942) .... Aladdin
    120. Casablanca (1942) .... Berger
    121. Tortilla Flat (1942) .... Jose Maria Corcoran
    122. Larceny, Inc. (1942) .... Sam Bachrach
    123. Jungle Book (1942) .... The barber
    ... aka Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book
    124. The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) .... Miser Stevens
    ... aka A Certain Mr. Scratch (USA: alternative title)
    ... aka All That Money Can Buy (USA: bible belt title)
    ... aka Daniel and the Devil (USA: reissue title)
    ... aka Here Is a Man (USA: preview title)
    125. New Wine (1941) .... Hasslinger's Clerk
    ... aka The Great Awakening (UK)
    ... aka The Melody Master (USA: reissue title)
    126. The Shepherd of the Hills (1941) .... Coot Royal
    127. Out of the Fog (1941) .... Olaf Johnson
    128. Million Dollar Baby (1941) .... Dr. Patterson, Chemist
    129. Model Wife (1941) .... The Janitor
    130. Youth Will Be Served (1940) .... Clem Howie
    131. The Long Voyage Home (1940) .... Axel Swanson
    132. Knute Rockne All American (1940) .... Lars Knutson Rockne
    ... aka A Modern Hero (UK)
    133. Angels Over Broadway (1940) .... Charles Engle
    134. Babies for Sale (1940) .... Howard Anderson
    135. Brother Orchid (1940) (scenes deleted) .... Mr. Pigeon
    136. On Their Own (1940) .... Peters
    137. Ski Patrol (1940) .... Gustaf Nerkuu
    138. Saturday's Children (1940) (uncredited) .... First Carpenter
    139. Blondie on a Budget (1940) .... Mr. Ed Fuddle
    140. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) .... Muley Graves
    141. His Girl Friday (1940) .... Earl Williams
    ... aka Howard Hawks' His Girl Friday (USA: complete title)


    142. Four Wives (1939) .... Frank, a Patient
    143. Thunder Afloat (1939) .... Milo
    144. Honeymoon in Bali (1939) (uncredited) .... Man
    ... aka Husbands or Lovers (UK)
    ... aka My Love for Yours (USA: video title)
    145. Career (1939) (uncredited) .... Jeff Trotter
    146. Mickey the Kid (1939) .... Mailman
    ... aka Mickey
    147. Let Us Live! (1939) (uncredited) .... Dan
    148. Stand Up and Fight (1939) .... Davy
    149. Strange Case of Dr. Meade (1938) .... Stoner
    150. Five of a Kind (1938) .... Asa Wyatt
    151. The Mad Miss Manton (1938) .... Subway Watchman
    152. The Chaser (1938) .... Lars
    153. The Texans (1938) (uncredited) .... Swede
    154. Joy of Living (1938) .... Oswego
    155. The Bad Man of Brimstone (1937) .... Loco
    156. Nothing Sacred (1937) (uncredited) .... Fireman
    157. Fit for a King (1937) .... Otto
    158. She Had to Eat (1937) .... Sleepy
    159. Fifty Roads to Town (1937) .... Sheriff Dow
    ... aka Fifty Races to Town
    160. Angel's Holiday (1937) .... Waldo
    161. Seventh Heaven (1937) .... Sewer Rat
    162. Reunion (1936) .... Asa Wyatt
    163. Girls' Dormitory (1936) .... Toni
    164. Meet Nero Wolfe (1936) .... Olaf
    165. The Road to Glory (1936) .... Duflous
    166. The Country Doctor (1936) .... Asa Wyatt
    167. Wife vs. Secretary (1936) (uncredited) .... Mr. Jenkins, the Auditor
    168. Ring Around the Moon (1936) .... Bill Harvey
    169. Man of Iron (1935) .... Collins, a Factory Worker
    170. Whipsaw (1935) .... Will Dabson
    171. The Three Musketeers (1935) .... Planchet, d'Artagnan's Servant
    172. Thunder in the Night (1935) .... Porter
    173. Orchids to You (1935) .... Smith
    174. Doubting Thomas (1935) .... Von Blitzen
    175. Silk Hat Kid (1935) .... Mr. Fossbender
    176. The Farmer Takes a Wife (1935) .... Sol Tinker
    177. Black Fury (1935) (as John T. Qualen) .... Mike Shemanski
    178. Chasing Yesterday (1935) .... Aristide Coccoz
    179. The Great Hotel Murder (1935) .... Ole
    180. One More Spring (1935) .... Auctioneer
    181. Charlie Chan in Paris (1935) .... Concierge, Dufresne's Hotel (bit)
    182. 365 Nights in Hollywood (1934) .... Prof. Herman Ellenbogen
    183. Servants' Entrance (1934) .... Detective
    184. Straight Is the Way (1934) (uncredited) .... Mr. Clapman
    185. Our Daily Bread (1934) .... Chris
    ... aka Hell's Crossroads (USA)
    ... aka The Miracle of Life (USA)
    186. He Was Her Man (1934) .... Dutch, Santa Avila's Cabbie
    187. Private Scandal (1934) (uncredited) .... Schultz
    188. Upperworld (1934) .... Chris, the Janitor
    189. Sing and Like It (1934) .... Oswald
    190. Hi, Nellie! (1934) (uncredited) .... Steve
    191. Let's Fall in Love (1933) (uncredited) .... Svente Bjorkman
    ... aka Scarlet Blonde (USA)
    192. Counsellor at Law (1933) .... Johan Breitstein
    193. The Devil's Brother (1933) (uncredited) .... Bull owner
    ... aka Bogus Bandits (USA: reissue title)
    ... aka Fra Diavolo (UK)
    ... aka The Virtuous Tramps (USA: reissue title)
    194. Arrowsmith (1931) (uncredited) .... Henry Novak
    195. Street Scene (1931) (as John M. Qualen) .... Karl Olsen


    Composer
    1. The High and the Mighty (1954) (cues) (uncredited)

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 4 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • John Qualen, was a fine character actor, of Norwegian origin,
    played, many parts, with Scandinavian, dialogue or accent,
    mostly playing the comic Swede, type role.



    He made 9 films with Duke:-


    The Sons Of Katie Elder(1965) .... Charlie Biller
    Donovan's Reef(1963) (uncredited) .... Deck hand who cries 'Man Overboard'
    The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance(1962) .... Peter Ericson
    North to Alaska (1960) .... Logger
    The Searchers (1956) .... Lars Jorgensen
    The Sea Chase (1955) .... Chief Engineer Schmitt
    The High and the Mighty (1954) .... Jose Locota
    The Shepherd of the Hills (1941) .... Coot Royal
    The Long Voyage Home (1940) .... Axel Swanson


    Composer - filmography


    The High and the Mighty (1954) (cues) (uncredited)


    A great character actor, who I am sure,
    is held in the highest esteem, by all Duke fans.

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

    Edited 3 times, last by ethanedwards ().

  • Hi all,
    I like Qualen very much. May be most of all in The Long Voyage Home. But of course his unforgettable performances at The Searchers and The High and the Mighty is also very impressive. Unfortunatly I haven't seen YET four of his movies with Duke but hope soon.
    By the way, Keith and Arthur, why the actor is uncredited? I was much surprised that he was uncredited in the High and the Mighty.
    Regards,
    Vera :rolleyes:

  • Hi Vera,


    Great character actor wasn't he, and one of my favourites.


    In The High and the Mighty (1954) ,


    John Qualen was credited as.... Jose Locota


    It was as a composer for that film,
    that he remains un-credited.


    Best Wishes,

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England


  • Composer? But who was then D.Tiomkin?
    Or you mean his plaing aboard the plane at the critical moment.
    But anyway it all sounds pretty interesting.
    Thanks,
    Vera :rolleyes:



  • Vera,

    The composer of the music was DT,
    and the song soared to the top of the Hit Parade.
    JQ was involved in what they term as 'cues'
    which I can only assume, was incidental and link bits of music,

    Beat Wishes

    Best Wishes
    Keith
    London- England

  • Another actor from vancouver you have to like that. I think he played all his rolls well but my fav might be as a logger in North to Alaska.

    Greetings from North of the 49th