James Dugan (May 19, 1898 – August 5, 1937), also known as James S. Dugan or Jimmy Dugan was an American film director of the silent and early sound film eras. While mostly used as an assistant or second unit director, he had the opportunity to direct a few silent films. Dugan's career was cut short when he died in 1937 due to heart disease.
James S. Dugan | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 19, 1898 Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Died | August 5, 1937 (aged 39) Hollywood, California, United States |
| Occupation | Director |
| Years active | 1921–1937 |
Life and career
editBorn on May 19, 1898, in Los Angeles, California, Dugan would enter the film industry at the age of 23, assisting the prolific director/actor Jerome Storm on the 1921 silent film, Her Social Value. In 1927 he would have his first opportunity to have the top directing slot when he was tagged to direct the western film, The Desert Pirate. Over the next 2 years he would again take the directing reins twice more, but other than that brief foray, the remainder of his career would see him return to either assistant or unit direction roles.[1] In 1935, although he had worked with her on several films, Dugan would remove himself as assistant director on Mae West's film, Klondike Annie, citing differences with the actress.[2]
In the midst a career in which he was continuously working, Dugan would die on August 5, 1937, from heart disease, mere months after the release of the final film he worked on, A Family Affair.[3] He was survived by a wife and two children.[4]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Silent (S)/Talkie (T) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1921 | Her Social Value | Assistant director | S | |
| 1921 | Trust Your Wife | Assistant director | S | |
| 1926 | Rose of the Tenements | Assistant director | S | |
| 1926 | The Adorable Deceiver | Assistant director | S | |
| 1926 | Going the Limit | Assistant director | S | |
| 1927 | Aflame in the Sky | Assistant director | S | |
| 1927 | The Desert Pirate | Director | S | |
| 1927 | The Lure of the Night Club | Assistant director | S | |
| 1927 | Moulders of Men | Assistant director | S | |
| 1928 | Dead Man's Curve | Assistant director | S | |
| 1928 | Dog Justice | Assistant director | S | |
| 1928 | Her Summer Hero | Director | S | |
| 1928 | King Cowboy | Assistant director | S | |
| 1928 | Phantom of the Range | Director | S | |
| 1928 | Sinners in Love | Assistant director | S | |
| 1928 | Night Parade | Actor - "Artie" | S | |
| 1929 | The Drifter | Assistant director | S | |
| 1929 | Outlawed | Assistant director | S | |
| 1929 | Warming Up | Cast - "Brill" | T | |
| 1931 | Everything's Rosie | Assistant director | T | |
| 1933 | She Done Him Wrong | Assistant director | T | |
| 1934 | Belle of the Nineties | Assistant director | T | |
| 1934 | Four Frightened People | Assistant director | T | |
| 1934 | The Lemon Drop Kid | Assistant director | T | |
| 1935 | Accent on Youth | Assistant director | T | |
| 1935 | Goin' to Town | Assistant director | T | |
| 1936 | Wives Never Know | Second unit director | T | |
| 1936 | Yours for the Asking | Assistant director | T | |
| 1937 | A Family Affair | Assistant director | T |
References
edit- ^ a b "James Dugan". American Film Institute. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
- ^ "Klondike Annie: Detail View". Retrieved October 25, 2014.
- ^ "James Dugan". All Movie. Retrieved October 25, 2014.
- ^ "Obituaries: James Dugan". Variety. August 11, 1937. p. 62.