Walter Catlett

Biography

Walter Catlett was an American actor and comedian who specialized in fussy, meddlesome blowhards. Born in San Francisco, he began in vaudeville and opera, made his stage debut in 1906 and reached Broadway in either The Prince of Pilsen or So Long Letty. His first film appearance came in 1912, but he stayed mostly on the stage until 1929, working in musicals such as the Ziegfeld Follies of 1917, Sally (1920) and Lady, Be Good (1924). Talking pictures revived his screen career, and he starred in two-reel comedies, many for RKO. He was best remembered as the constable in Bringing Up Baby (1938), the theater manager in Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) and the drunken poet Morrow in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936). He voiced Honest John the Fox in Pinocchio (1940). Later films included Friendly Persuasion (1956), Here Comes the Groom and Beau James. He received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 1960.

71years old at death

Born February 4, 1889San Francisco
Died November 14, 1960Woodland Hills
Star sign: AquariusThe sign runs January 20 to February 18
Also credited as Walter Leland Catlett

Movie Career

Films: 16
Career span: 25 years1931 to 1956

Genres

Comedy63%, 10 films
Romance63%, 10 films
Drama56%, 9 films
Family25%, 4 films
Adventure13%, 2 films

First and latest

Did you know?!

Beyond film
Walter Catlett performed in operettas and musicals, among them the Gershwins' Lady, Be Good in 1924. In that show he introduced the song "Oh, Lady Be Good!"
Getting ready for a role
While Bringing Up Baby was being filmed, Walter Catlett was widely reported to have served as Katharine Hepburn's comedy coach.
Beyond film
In 1922, Walter Catlett appeared in the musical Baby Bunting in London. His antics in the show had King George V laughing "uproariously".

Walter Catlett movies on Netflix

Davy Crockett and the River Pirates1956IMDb rating 6.6as Col. Plug
Friendly Persuasion1956IMDb rating 7.3as Professor Quigley
The Inspector General1949IMDb rating 6.7as Colonel Castine
The Boy with Green Hair1948IMDb rating 6.7as The King
Yankee Doodle Dandy1942IMDb rating 7.6as Theatre Manager
Horror Island1941IMDb rating 5.9as Sergeant McGoon
It Started with Eve1941IMDb rating 7.6as Dr. Harvey
Pinocchio1940IMDb rating 7.4as 'Honest John' Worthington Foulfellow (voice)
Exile Express1939IMDb rating 5.2as Gus
Bringing Up Baby1938IMDb rating 7.8as Slocum
Love Is News1937IMDb rating 6.9as Eddie Johnson
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town1936IMDb rating 7.8as Morrow
A Tale of Two Cities1935IMDb rating 7.8as Barsad
Rain1932IMDb rating 6.9as Quartermaster Bates
Platinum Blonde1931IMDb rating 6.7as Bingy Baker
The Front Page1931IMDb rating 6.7as Murphy

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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Pinocchio1940 Animation, Family, Fantasyas 'Honest John' Worthington Foulfellowvoice
IMDb rating 7.4175K votes
Bringing Up Baby1938 Comedy, Family, Romanceas Slocum
IMDb rating 7.870K votes
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town1936as Morrow
IMDb rating 7.825K votes
The Front Page1931as Murphy
IMDb rating 6.73.9K votes
Friendly Persuasion1956as Professor Quigley
IMDb rating 7.38.5K votes
The Boy with Green Hair1948as The King
IMDb rating 6.73.6K votes
Yankee Doodle Dandy1942as Theatre Manager
IMDb rating 7.618K votes
A Tale of Two Cities1935as Barsad
IMDb rating 7.87.0K votes

Most often with

Frank Capra directed two of these films, Lewis Milestone two and Henry Koster two. Spencer Charters appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Spencer Charters

Irving Bacon

Gary Cooper

Byron Foulger

Reginald Owen

Don Brodie

Frank CapraDirector, 2 films Lewis MilestoneDirector, 2 films Henry KosterDirector, 2 films

Films together

Spencer Charters3 films together, 1931 to 1939
Spencer Charters's page
- Exile Express1939IMDb rating 5.2Catlett as GusCharters as Justice of the Peace Henry P. Smith
- Mr. Deeds Goes to Town1936IMDb rating 7.8Catlett as MorrowCharters as Mal
- The Front Page1931IMDb rating 6.7Catlett as MurphyCharters as Woodenshoes
Irving Bacon2 films together, 1936 to 1941
Irving Bacon's page
- It Started with Eve1941IMDb rating 7.6Catlett as Dr. HarveyBacon as Raven
- Mr. Deeds Goes to Town1936IMDb rating 7.8Catlett as MorrowBacon as Frank
Gary Cooper2 films together, 1936 to 1956
Gary Cooper's page
- Friendly Persuasion1956IMDb rating 7.3Catlett as Professor QuigleyCooper as Jess Birdwell
- Mr. Deeds Goes to Town1936IMDb rating 7.8Catlett as MorrowCooper as Longfellow Deeds
Byron Foulger2 films together, 1939 to 1949
Byron Foulger's page
- The Inspector General1949IMDb rating 6.7Catlett as Colonel CastineFoulger as Burbis
- Exile Express1939IMDb rating 5.2Catlett as GusFoulger as Serge
Reginald Owen2 films together, 1931 to 1935
Reginald Owen's page
- A Tale of Two Cities1935IMDb rating 7.8Catlett as BarsadOwen as Stryver
- Platinum Blonde1931IMDb rating 6.7Catlett as Bingy BakerOwen as Dexter Grayson
Don Brodie2 films together, 1939 to 1940
Don Brodie's page
- Pinocchio1940IMDb rating 7.4Catlett as 'Honest John' Worthington FoulfellowvoiceBrodie as Carnival Barkervoice
- Exile Express1939IMDb rating 5.2Catlett as GusBrodie as Mullins
Frank CapraDirector, 2 films, 1931 to 1936
All films by Frank Capra
- Mr. Deeds Goes to Town1936IMDb rating 7.8Catlett as Morrow
- Platinum Blonde1931IMDb rating 6.7Catlett as Bingy Baker
Lewis MilestoneDirector, 2 films, 1931 to 1932
All films by Lewis Milestone
- Rain1932IMDb rating 6.9Catlett as Quartermaster Bates
- The Front Page1931IMDb rating 6.7Catlett as Murphy
Henry KosterDirector, 2 films, 1941 to 1949
All films by Henry Koster
- The Inspector General1949IMDb rating 6.7Catlett as Colonel Castine
- It Started with Eve1941IMDb rating 7.6Catlett as Dr. Harvey
Also two films together10 more actors
- Billy BevanBringing Up Baby (1938) and Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
- Guy KibbeeIt Started with Eve (1941) and Rain (1932)
- Loretta YoungLove Is News (1937) and Platinum Blonde (1931)
- Charles ColemanIt Started with Eve (1941) and Love Is News (1937)
- Eddy ChandlerHorror Island (1941) and Platinum Blonde (1931)
- Walter HustonYankee Doodle Dandy (1942) and Rain (1932)
- Pat O'BrienThe Boy with Green Hair (1948) and The Front Page (1931)
- Slim SummervilleLove Is News (1937) and The Front Page (1931)
- Don DillawayHorror Island (1941) and Platinum Blonde (1931)
- Matt MooreRain (1932) and The Front Page (1931)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Awards

One award and honor.

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Walter Catlett's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Film	Result
Other honors
	Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame		Honored

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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