James Edward Barton (November 1, 1890 – February 19, 1962) was an American vaudevillian, stage performer, and a character actor in films and television.
Early life Barton was born into a theatrical family, on November 1, 1890, in Gloucester City, New Jersey.
Career Barton began performing in minstrel shows and burlesque houses throughout the country in 1898.James Barton at StreetSwing.com His years of experience working with African American performers led to his becoming one of the first jazz dancers in America.James Barton at DanceUniverse.com
After working with repertory companies in the South and Midwest, he made his Broadway debut in the musical revue The Passing Show of 1919 in a role originally intended for Ed Wynn. He frequently was the highlight in otherwise-mediocre productions, and a critic for the New York Daily News noted, "Whenever the book failed him, he shuffled into one or more of his eccentric dances." He commonly worked in blackface at the time.""James Barton—the famous 'Blackface' comedian has become an exclusive Okeh Artist." Talking Machine World, 15 August 1924, p. 59 (advertisement). Barton's other theatre credits include Sweet and Low in 1930, Tobacco Road in 1933, Bright Lights of 1944 (which ran for only four performances), The Iceman Cometh in 1946, and Paint Your Wagon in 1951.
While appearing on Broadway, Barton also achieved the highest pinnacle of status in vaudeville, headlining at the Palace Theater on Broadway not once but eight times, from March 1928 through April 1932.Encyclopedia of Vaudeville, Anthony Slide, p. 26
Barton's film career was also concurrent to his stage performances. It began in the silent era, in 1923, and he appeared in a number of Paramount Pictures short subjects in 1929.
On television he appeared in The Ford Television Theatre, Lux Video Theatre, Studio One, The Kaiser Aluminum Hour, Playhouse 90, Kraft Television Theatre, The Rifleman, The Americans, Adventures in Paradise, Naked City, and Frontier Circus.
Bing Crosby considered James Barton to be one of his ten favorite performers of all time, alongside names such as Al Jolson, Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, and Nat King Cole.David Wallechinsky, Irving Wallace, Amy Wallace, The Book of Lists, 1977, p. 118 Sammy Cahn has stated he considered Barton to be the greatest entertainer ("If there was a decathlon for performing ... James Barton would win, going away."https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeZ_EYQPzRg&feature=em-subs_digest Interview with Brian Linehan, 1975), and cherished the St. Genesius medal he was given by Barton's widow above his Academy Awards.
Death Barton died of a heart attack at Nassau Hospital in Mineola, New York, on Long Island, on February 19, 1962.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1923 Why Women Remarry Don Compton 1929 After Seben Nightclub Emcee/Gambler/Dancer 1935 Helldorado Motorcycle Cop Uncredited1935 Captain Hurricane Capt. Zenas Henry Brewster 1935 His Family Tree Patrick 'Bosun' Murphy 1936 Back to Nature Motorcycle Officer Uncredited1936 Hideaway Girl Motorcycle cop 1941 The Shepherd of the Hills Old Matt Matthews 1948 The Time of Your Life Kit Carson 1948 Yellow Sky Grandpa 1950 The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady Dennis O'Grady 1950 Wabash Avenue Harrigan 1951 The Scarf Ezra Thompson 1951 Here Comes the Groom William 'Pa' Jones 1951 Golden Girl John Crabtree 1956 The Naked Hills Jimmo McCann 1957 Quantez Minstrel 1961 The Misfits Fletcher's Grandfather
References
External links
James Barton on Answers.com James Barton Filmography James Barton Papers, 1890s-1990s, held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts