Robert Middlemass


Robert Middlemass was an American playwright and stage actor, and later character actor with over 100 film appearances, usually playing detectives or policemen.

Biography

Middlemass was born in New Britain, Connecticut. He graduated from Harvard University in 1909 and initially went into the insurance business, but soon went on the stage, joining the Castle Square Theatre stock company in Boston. He debuted on Broadway in September 1914 in The Bludgeon at the Maxine Elliott Theatre.
His best known play was a one-act melodrama written with Holworthy Hall titled The Valiant, which was also made into a film of the same name in 1929, and as The Man Who Wouldn't Talk in 1940. The play became a favorite for amateur and local theater groups and is still performed today.
Middlemass moved to Los Angeles around 1935 and began appearing in films. He died there in 1949.

Select theatre credits

Buddies For All of Us The Butter and Egg Man The Valiant, first published in McClure's in 1921.Gambling

Selected filmography

Other Men's Daughters - Richard OrmsbyFive Thousand an Hour - Ashley LoringThe Winchester Woman - Alan WoodwardParty Wire - Judge StephensonAir Hawks - Martin DrewenThe Awakening of Jim Burke - Bill DukeUnknown Woman - HammacherThe Black Room - The Prosecutor After the Dance - KingAtlantic Adventure - Harry Van DiemanThe Public Menace - FrentrupShe Couldn't Take It - Desk Sergeant Grand Exit - Fire Chief MulliganCrime and Punishment - Cop One Way Ticket - BenderSuper Speed - Wilson GaleToo Tough to Kill - HubbelIf You Could Only Cook - Chief Inspector The Lone Wolf Returns - Chief of Detectives McGowanTwo Against the World - Bertram C. ReynoldsDangerous Intrigue - Koenig Muss 'em Up - Inspector BrockYou May Be Next - Dan McMahonFrankie and Johnny - Minor Role F-Man - Chief CartwrightNobody's Fool - Sharkey A Son Comes Home - SheriffGrand Jury - Police Chief Brady The Case of the Velvet Claws - Police Sgt. Wilbur HoffmanCain and Mabel - Mr. George, Cafe ProprietorHideaway Girl - Capt. DixonHats Off - Tex ConnollyGeneral Spanky - OverseerGuns of the Pecos - Judge L.F. BlakeTrapped - Sol RothertA Day at the Races - SheriffThe Last Train from Madrid - Militiaman Meet the Boyfriend - McGrathCharlie Chan on Broadway - Police Official Madame X - Prefect of Police Navy Blue and Gold - Academy Superintendent45 Fathers - Lawyer Calhoun The Bad Man of Brimstone - Schurz - Jury Foreman Love Is a Headache - Police Commissioner Blondes at Work - Boylan - EditorArsène Lupin Returns - Sergeant Men Are Such Fools - Elevator-Starter Highway Patrol - J.W. BradyI Am the Law - Moss KitchellSpawn of the North - Davis Hold That Co-ed - Campaign Committeeman The Mad Miss Manton - District Attorney Tarnished Angel - Police Chief Thomas I Stand Accused - Norman L. MitchellThe Cowboy and the Lady - Newspaper Chief While New York Sleeps - James SawyerKentucky - Track OfficialStand Up and Fight - HarkriderIdiot's Delight - Hospital Commandant Hotel Imperial - General Von Schwartzberg Maisie - Doctor Indianapolis Speedway - Edward HartThe Magnificent Fraud - MoralesCoast Guard - Capt. LyonsStanley and Livingstone - Carmichael Blackmail - Desk Sergeant Espionage Agent - Militant American Tourist The Arizona Kid - General StarkMr. Smith Goes to Washington - 2nd Radio Announcer Blondie Brings Up Baby - Abner CartwrightThe Amazing Mr. Williams - Police Commissioner Slightly Honorable - Sen. BerryAbe Lincoln in Illinois - Minor Role Little Old New York - Nicholas RooseveltThe Saint Takes Over - Captain WadeThe Captain Is a Lady - Captain Peterson Pop Always Pays - Mr. ObertonGold Rush Maisie - Charlie - Camp Owner Dulcy - The Real Schuyler Van Dyke The Great Plane Robbery - Manager The Man Who Wouldn't Talk Road to Zanzibar - Police inspectorThey Met in Argentina - George Hastings Lady Scarface - Police Capt. Lovell No Hands on the Clock - Police Chief BatesTorpedo Boat - Mr. TownsendKlondike Fury - Sam ArmstrongThe War Against Mrs. Hadley - Air Raid Warden Daring Young Man - DrummondThe Payoff - Lester NorrisJohnny Doughboy - V.J. Truck Busters - LandisSubmarine Alert - Johnny's Father Bombardier - Officer The Black Raven - Tim WinfieldLady in the Death House - State's AttorneyGambler's Choice - Thomas J. Dennis Wilson - Lindley M. Garrison - Secretary of War An American Romance - Mr. Jarrett My Buddy - Judge Main Street After Dark - Detective A Sporting Chance - William ReardonMama Loves Papa - The Mayor The Dolly Sisters - Oscar Hammerstein Hold That Blonde - Police Captain Masquerade in Mexico - Customs Official Suspense - Lead Woodsman The Trouble with Women - Pompus Regent