Porter Hall
Biography
Clifford Porter Hall, also known as Clifford Po, was an American character actor born in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 18, 1888. He was known for playing movie villains or comedic incompetent characters across a number of films in the 1930s and 1940s. He began his career touring as a stage actor, securing roles in 1926 productions of The Great Gatsby and Naked. Hall made his film debut in the 1931 drama Secrets of a Secretary. His final onscreen appearance occurred in the 1954 film Return to Treasure Island, which was released posthumously following his death on October 6, 1953, at the age of sixty-five. Throughout his acting career, he amassed seventy-six known credits on film.
Career overview
Clifford Porter Hall was an American character actor born in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 19, 1888, with sources also noting his birthday as September 18, 1888. He began his career touring as a stage actor, securing roles in productions of The Great Gatsby and Naked in 1926. He later became known for appearing in a number of films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, frequently playing movie villains or comedic incompetent characters.
Hall made his film debut in the 1931 drama Secrets of a Secretary. Among his notable work, he was probably best remembered for four roles, which included a senator in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, an atheist in Going My Way, and the nervous, ill-tempered Granvi. His career spanned 76 known acting credits on the movie database.
Hall passed away on October 6, 1953, at the age of 65. Following his death, he made his last onscreen appearance in the 1954 film Return to Treasure Island.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
76 titles- Return to Treasure Island (1954) as Maximillian 'Maxie' Harris
- Pony Express (1953) as Jim Bridger
- Vice Squad (1953) as Jack Hartrampf
- Four Star Playhouse (1952) as J. R. Martin
- The Half-Breed (1952) as Kraemer
- Carbine Williams (1952) as Sam Markley
- Holiday for Sinners (1952) as Louie
- Ace in the Hole (1951) as Jacob Q. Boot
- Intruder in the Dust (1949) as Nub Gowrie
- The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend (1949) as Judge O'Toole
- Chicken Every Sunday (1949) as Sam Howell
- That Wonderful Urge (1948) as Attorney Ketchell
- You Gotta Stay Happy (1948) as Mr. Caslon
- Miracle on 34th Street (1947) as Granville Sawyer
- Unconquered (1947) as Leach
- Singapore (1947) as Mr. Bellows
- Kiss and Tell (1945) as Bill Franklin
- Week-End at the Waldorf (1945) as Stevens
- Blood on the Sun (1945) as Arthur Bickett
- Murder, He Says (1945) as Mr. Johnson
- Bring on the Girls (1945) as Dr. Efrington
- Double Indemnity (1944) as Mr. Jackson
- Going My Way (1944) as Mr. Belknap
- The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944) as Jacob Woodson, Justice of the Peace
- The Great Moment (1944) as President Franklin Pierce
- The Mark of the Whistler (1944) as Joe Sorsby
- Standing Room Only (1944) as Hugo Farenhall
- The Desperadoes (1943) as Banker Clanton
- The Woman of the Town (1943) as Mayor Dog Killey
- A Stranger in Town (1943) as Judge Austin Harkley
- Butch Minds the Baby (1942) as Brandy Smith
- The Remarkable Andrew (1942) as Chief Clerk Art Slocumb
- Mr. and Mrs. North (1942) as George Heyler
- Sullivan's Travels (1941) as Mr. Hadrian
- The Parson of Panamint (1941) as Jonathan Randall
- His Girl Friday (1940) as Murphy
- Dark Command (1940) as Angus McCloud
- Arizona (1940) as Lazarus Ward
- Trail of the Vigilantes (1940) as Sheriff Korley
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) as Senator Monroe
- They Shall Have Music (1939) as Mr. Flower
- Bulldog Drummond's Secret Police (1939) as Man in Drummond's Dream
- Grand Jury Secrets (1939) as Anthony Pelton
- Henry Goes Arizona (1939) as Banker Edward G. Walsh (uncredited)
- Stolen Heaven (1938) as 'Von' Offer
- Men with Wings (1938) as Hiram F. Jenkins
- Prison Farm (1938) as Chiston R. Bradby
- Dangerous to Know (1938) as Mayor Bradley
- Scandal Street (1938) as James Wilson
- Bulldog Drummond's Peril (1938) as Dr. Botulian
- Tom Sawyer, Detective (1938) as Uncle Silas Phelps
- King of Alcatraz (1938) as Matthew Talbot
- The Arkansas Traveler (1938) as Mayor Daniels
- Wells Fargo (1937) as James Oliver
- Make Way for Tomorrow (1937) as Harvey Chase
- Souls at Sea (1937) as Court Prosecutor
- True Confession (1937) as Mr. Hartman
- Bulldog Drummond Escapes (1937) as Norman Merridew
- Wild Money (1937) as Bill Court
- This Way Please (1937) as S.J. Crawford
- King of Gamblers (1937) as George Kramer
- The Petrified Forest (1936) as Jason Maple
- The Princess Comes Across (1936) as Darcy
- The Plainsman (1936) as Jack McCall
- The Story of Louis Pasteur (1936) as Dr. Rossignol
- Snowed Under (1936) as Arthur Layton
- The General Died at Dawn (1936) as Peter Perrie
- Satan Met a Lady (1936) as Milton Ames
- And Sudden Death (1936) as District Attorney
- Too Many Parents (1936) as Mrs. Saunders
- Let's Make a Million (1936) as Spencer
- The Case of the Lucky Legs (1935) as Col. Bradbury
- The Thin Man (1934) as Herbert MacCaulay
- Murder in the Private Car (1934) as Alden Murray
- The Cheat (1931) as Leslie (uncredited)
- Secrets of a Secretary (1931) as Drunk
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Porter Hall best known for?
Porter Hall is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Pony Express (1953), Vice Squad (1953), Four Star Playhouse (1952), Ace in the Hole (1951).
When and where was Porter Hall born?
Porter Hall was born on September 18, 1888 in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. They passed away on October 6, 1953.
How many credits does Porter Hall have?
Porter Hall has accumulated over 76 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1931 to 1954.
What is Porter Hall's background in cinema and television?
Clifford Porter Hall, also known as Clifford Po, was an American character actor born in Cincinnati, Ohio on September 18, 1888. He was known for playing movie villains or comedic incompetent characters across a number of films in the 1930s and 1940s. He began his career touring as a stage actor, securing roles in 1926...
Porter Hall by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Double Indemnity (1944) as Mr. Jackson — aged about 55
- Ace in the Hole (1951) as Jacob Q. Boot — aged about 62
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) as Senator Monroe — aged about 50
- The Thin Man (1934) as Herbert MacCaulay — aged about 45
- Miracle on 34th Street (1947) as Granville Sawyer — aged about 58
- Sullivan's Travels (1941) as Mr. Hadrian — aged about 52
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