Emory Parnell
Emory Parnell was an American vaudeville performer and actor who appeared in over 250 films in his 36-year career.
Early years
Parnell was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He spent eight months in the Arctic in 1929, looking for gold in that area's wastelands. He also worked as a telegrapher.
Music
Parnell spent his early years as a concert violinist. He performed on the Chautauqua and Lyceum circuits until 1930, when he relocated to Detroit, Michigan, to narrate and act in commercial and industrial films. A 1923 newspaper article described an upcoming Lyceum performance of "Emory Parnell, the one man band," saying that Parnell "plays an accordion, the snare drum and base drum, all at the same time."
During part of the Chautauqua years, Parnell had a family act that included his wife. In 1970, she recalled, "e covered every state as well as Canada, Alaska and New Zealand." The Parnells resumed the act during the Korean War, doing "three to six programs a week in Army camps."
Film
Seeking better opportunities in Hollywood, Parnell and his wife moved to Los Angeles, California, where, helped by his red-faced Irish look of frustration, he immediately began to appear in films in roles such as policemen, doormen, landlords, and small town businessmen. One of his first films was Doctor Rhythm.
Although his appearances were often in "B" films, he also performed in "A" films, including portraying a Paramount studio executive who sang about avoiding libel suits to open 1941's Louisiana Purchase. Parnell was also part of writer-director Preston Sturges' unofficial "stock company" of character actors in the 1940s, appearing in five of Sturges's films, including The Miracle of Morgan's Creek, where he played the mean-spirited Mr. Tuerck, the chief antagonist of Constable Kockenlocker. He also appeared as grumpy socialite Ajax Bullion in the Three Stooges short subject All the World's a Stooge.
Radio
In the late 1930s, Parnell was a member of the cast of Grouch Club on NBC.
Stage
In May 1949, Parnell appeared on Broadway for the first and only time, in the play Mr. Adam, which ran for only five performances.
Television
In the 1950s, Parnell began to appear on television in dramatic shows and situation comedies in roles similar to those that he had played in films. He portrayed William Bendix's factory foreman, Hank Hawkins, on The Life of Riley, and Bill Anders on five episodes of the ABC/Warner Brothers western series, Maverick.
Parnell appeared on the ABC/WB series, Conflict and The Alaskans, with Roger Moore, and a related NBC series, Klondike, with James Coburn and Ralph Taeger. He appeared in 1958 as fire chief Sam Carter in the television series The Real McCoys, and in 1960 in Waldo, an unsold television pilot that aired as an episode of the anthology series New Comedy Showcase. In 1961, he appeared as Ira Ponder in the western series Bat Masterson. He appeared in an episode of the NBC family drama, National Velvet and in a 1964 episode of Perry Mason as an angry investor in "The Case of the Latent Lover". In 1966 he portrayed Sheriff Blake in "Jury at the Shady Rest" on Petticoat Junction and in "Pig in a Poke" on Green Acres.
Later years
As late as 1970, Parnell was traveling and entertaining with a family act—himself, his wife, and their grandson, Dennis Parnell.
Parnell's last acting appearance on television was in 1971 as a prospector on CBS's Gunsmoke. His last film role was as a bartender in the 1973 film, Girls on the Road. His final public appearance came in 1974, when he and his wife were interviewed by TV talk-show host Tom Snyder along with other residents of the Motion Picture Country Home and Hospital.
Personal life
Parnell was married to Effie Laird, an actress who appeared with him both in vaudeville and in films. They had two children together, one of whom, James Parnell, also became an actor. His son James died in 1961.
Parnell owned a 36-foot yacht and was a member of the United States Coast Guard Reserve.
Selected filmography
Arson Gang Busters as Chief J.P. RileyCall of the Yukon as Swenson Doctor Rhythm as Sgt. Olson I Am the Law as Detective Brophy King of Alcatraz as OlafThe Mad Miss Manton as Doorman Girls on Probation as Officer Craig Illegal Traffic as Lieutenant Angels with Dirty Faces as Officer McMann Blondie as Police Desk Sergeant Sweethearts as Fire Inspector Pacific Liner as OlafOff the Record as Policeman Idiot's Delight as Fifth Avenue Mounted Cop St. Louis Blues as Policeman White Twelve Crowded Hours as Doorkeeper Let Freedom Ring as Axel - 1st Swede You Can't Get Away with Murder as Second Detective Sudden Money as Cop The Lady and the Mob as Policeman Riley East Side of Heaven as Doorman Union Pacific as Foreman Unmarried as Cop The [House of Fear (1939 film)|The House of Fear] as Policeman They Shall Have Music as Policeman in Rain The Spellbinder as Club 88 Doorman Winter Carnival as Williams - Editor I Stole a Million as Friendly Cop at Flower Shop The Star Maker as Mr. OlsonThe Day the Bookies Wept as Motor Cop At the Circus aka The Marx Brothers at the Circus as Ringmaster Sued for Libel as Jerome WalshOn Dress Parade as Paddy - Policeman Little Accident as Policeman The Roaring Twenties as Gangster One Hour to Live as Fats MonohamThe Secret of Dr. Kildare as Policeman on Gaylor Ave.Invisible Stripes as Policeman Outside Bank Abe Lincoln in Illinois as Minor Role Young Tom Edison as Bob Blondie on a Budget as Policeman Dempsey If I Had My Way as Gustav Erickson Those Were the Days! as Jailer Out West with the Peppers as OleThe Great McGinty as Policeman at Soup Kitchen Stranger on the Third Floor as Detective Foreign Correspondent as Captain John Martin of "The Mohican"The Golden Fleecing as Featherway Hit Parade of 1941 North West Mounted Police as George Higgins The Devil's Pipeline as R. J. AdamsA Night at Earl Carroll's as Policeman Babes on Broadway as Inspector Moriarity Dangerously They Live as John Dill Law of the Tropics as Bartender Mob Town as Captain Harrington - Police Chief Honky Tonk as Dr. Otis Nine Lives Are Not Enough as Lieutenant Buckley Manpower as Cully Blondie in Society as Chief of Police For Beauty's Sake as Police Lt. Doleman Thieves Fall Out as Policeman The Wagons Roll at Night as Doc Strange Alibi as Captain Alibi Washington Melodrama as Simpson The Sea Wolf as First Detective Golden Hoofs as Booth The Trial of Mary Dugan as John Dugan Western Union as Sheriff The Case of the Black Parrot as SimmondsSo Ends Our Night as WeissMr. & Mrs. Smith as Conway The Monster and the Girl as Policeman in Alley A [Shot in the Dark (1941 film)|A Shot in the Dark] as MarsottiThe Lady from Cheyenne as Crowley Blossoms in the Dust as Texas Senator Kiss the Boys Goodbye as Deputy Three Sons o' Guns as Delivery Man The Maltese Falcon as Mate of the La Paloma The Blonde from Singapore as Capt. NelsonUnholy Partners as Col. MasonSullivan's Travels as Rail Yard Bull Johnny Eager as Policeman Louisiana Purchase as Sam Horowitz - LawyerAll Through the Night as Cop Outside Warehouse Cadets on Parade as Inspector KennedyObliging Young Lady as Motorcycle Policeman Behind Billboard Kings Row as Harley Davis The Remarkable Andrew as Policeman Reap the Wild Wind as Jailer Two Yanks in Trinidad as Police Chief Saboteur as Henry - Husband in Movie Larceny, Inc. as Police Officer O'Casey Syncopation as Judge They All Kissed the Bride as MahoneyNight in New Orleans as Jensen Little Tokyo, U.S.A. as Slavin The Pride of the Yankees as Chicago Policeman O'Doal Wings for the Eagle as PolicemanApache Trail as Mr. Walters The Major and the Minor as Conductor #2 Highways by Night as Police Sergeant RansomeI Married a Witch as Allen - Hotel Owner Once Upon a Honeymoon as Quisling Gentleman Jim as Dennis Simmons - Doorman Over My Dead Body as Police Capt. GradyArabian Nights as Harem SentryThe Hard Way as Mac - Policeman at Hospital London Blackout Murders as Henryk Peterson The Outlaw as Dolan - Man Entering Saloon The Human Comedy as Policeman with Scared Ulysses Slightly Dangerous as Policeman of Newspaper Office Mission to Moscow as Uncaring Businessman It's a Great Life as Policeman Nazty Nuisance as Capt. SpenseDu Barry Was a Lady as Gatekeeper Mr. Lucky as Dock Watchman Two Senoritas from Chicago as Rupert ShannonYoung Ideas as Judge Canute J.KellyLet's Face It as Colonel Dangerous Blondes as Officer McGuire The Unknown Guest as Sheriff Dave LarsenYou're a Lucky Fellow, Mr. Smith as Conductor Government Girl as The Chief The Dancing Masters as Featherstone The Miracle of Morgan's Creek as Mr. TuerckAddress Unknown as PostmanSeven Days Ashore as Captain Harvey Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble as Train Conductor Once Upon a Time as Radio Cart Cop Gildersleeve's Ghost as Police Commissioner HaleyA Night of Adventure as JudgeWilson as Chairman of Democratic Committee The Great Moment as Mr. Gruber The Falcon in Mexico as Winthrop 'Lucky Diamond' HughesCasanova Brown as FrankTall in the Saddle as Sheriff JacksonHeavenly Days as Detective The Falcon in Hollywood as Inspector McBrideWhat a Blonde as McPherson, A1 Plumbing / Ration Board The Crime Doctor's Courage as Police Captain BirchHaving Wonderful Crime as Desk Sergeant Two O'Clock Courage as Insp. Bill BrennerIt's in the Bag! as Mr. Buddoo Zombies on Broadway as Ship's Captain Radio Stars on Parade as Chief Inspector Mama Loves Papa as O'LearyState Fair as Congressman James A. Goodheart Sing Your Way Home as Ship's CaptainColonel Effingham's Raid as Joe AlsobrookDeadline at Dawn as Captain Bender Riverboat Rhythm as Sheriff MartinThe Falcon's Alibi as MetcafBadman's Territory as Bitter Creek Strange Triangle as Barney ShaeferDeadline for Murder as MasseurQueen of Burlesque as Police Insp. Tom CrowleyGallant Journey as Car Driver Little Iodine as Mr. BigdomeThe Show-Off as Mr. AppeltonAbie's Irish Rose as Father John WhalenCalendar Girl as The Mayor Suddenly, It's Spring as Elevator Passenger The Guilt of Janet Ames as Susie's Father Violence as True DawsonGas House Kids Go West as Police Sgt. CaseyStork Bites Man as Alan KimberlyThe Crime Doctor's Gamble as O'ReillySummer Holiday as Dannville Beach Club Bartender Here Comes Trouble as Winfield 'Windy' BlakeSong of Idaho as J. Chester NottinghamMr. Blandings Builds His Dream House as Mr. PeDelfordAssigned to Danger as Sheriff Blonde Ice as Police Capt. Bill MurdockThe Babe Ruth Story as Saloon Keeper You Gotta Stay Happy as Bank WatchmanStrike It Rich as CarltonDisaster as Father Mulvaney Words and Music as Mr. FeinerRose of the Yukon as Tim McNabA Woman's Secret as Desk SergeantAlaska Patrol as Capt. Jan RobartHideout as Arnie AndersonMa and Pa Kettle as Bill ReedThe Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend as Mr. HinglemanHellfire as Sheriff DuffyMassacre River as Sgt. JohanssenUnmasked as 'Pop' SwensonKey to the City as Council ChairmanBeware of Blondie as Herb WoodleyRock Island Trail as Senator WellsKill the Umpire as Schultz - Home Plate Umpire County Fair as Tim BrennanChain Gang as Capt. DuncanTo Please a Lady as Mr. WendallTrail of Robin Hood as J. Corwin AldridgeGrounds for Marriage Cop taking Ina Back to Apartment Belle Le Grand as Marshal at Concert My True Story as Ed PraskinsThe Lemon Drop Kid as Man bumped into on street The Redhead and the Cowboy as Northern Sympathizer Barfly Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm as Billy ReedTwo of a Kind as First Deputy Show Boat as Jake Green, the Trocadero nightclub manager Let's Go Navy! as Police Sgt. MulloyAll That I Have as Juror BarstowHoneychile as MayorGolden Girl as McGuire Boots Malone as Evans Rancho Notorious as Sheriff #2Oklahoma Annie as Judge ByrnesThe Fabulous Senorita as Dean BradshawMacao as Ship's Captain Gobs and Gals as Senator PrenticeWhen in Rome as Ship's CaptainAnd Now Tomorrow The Girl in White as Yardman Has Anybody Seen My Gal as Policeman Clancy Washington Story as Howard - INS Chief Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair as Billy ReedDreamboat as Used Car Salesman 'Crazy Sam' Lost in Alaska as ShermanThe Lawless Breed as Bartender Confidentially Connie as Mr. Daveney Call Me Madam as Sen. Charlie GallagherFort Vengeance as Patrick FitzgibbonThe Girl Who Had Everything as Horse Auctioneer Safari Drums as Larry ConradThe Band Wagon as Man on Train Sweethearts on Parade as MayorHere Come the Girls as Police Chief Garrity Shadows of Tombstone as Sheriff Webb Easy to Love as Mr. Huffnagel So You Want to Learn to Dance as George BilvensThe Long, Long Trailer as Policeman The Battle of Rogue River as Sgt. McClainMa and Pa Kettle at Home as Billy ReedThe Rocket Man as Big Bill WatkinsPride of the Blue Grass as Mr. CaseySabrina as Charles - Butler Jungle Gents as Police Capt. Daly The Looters as Joe Sr.The Road to Denver as Mr. Murdock You're Never Too Young as Train Conductor How to Be Very, Very Popular as Chief of PoliceArtists and Models as Mr. Kelly That Certain Feeling as Senator Pardners as Col. Hart The Young Guns as Padgett Hot Shots as B. L. Taylor The Delicate Delinquent as Sgt. Levitch The Notorious Mr. Monks as Sheriff Cobus AndersMan of the West as Henry The Hot Angel as Judd PfeiferAlias Jesse James as Angel's Rest Sheriff This Earth Is Mine as Berke A Hole in the Head as Sheriff Ada as Security Guard The Two Little Bears as Grimshaw WilkesThe Bounty Killer as Sam - BartenderGit! as T. C. KnoxChanges as Man Seated at Lunchcounter The Andromeda Strain as Pete 'Old Doughboy' Arnold Girls in the Road as Bartender