James T. Murray (February 9, 1901 – July 11, 1936) was an American film actor best known for starring in Vidor’s 1928 film The Crowd.
Born in The Bronx, Murray was the second of 7 children of Mary (née Casserly) and Christopher Murray. His mother was of Ireland, as was his father, who by 1910 was employed in New York insurance inspector for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
Debut
In 1923, Murray made his debut as Captain John Alden in the Pilgrims, a three-reel production shot at Yale University and surrounding areas.
In 1924, Murray moved to Hollywood with hopes of continuing an acting career. Over the next three years, Murray found film work, mostly as extra.
In 1927, Murray got his break when he was “discovered” by director King Vidor, then in pre-production for The Crowd. Vidor saw Murray walking near the casting office on the MGM lot and thought Murray looked right for the lead. Murray, however, failed to show up for a meeting, thinking the prospective offer was a joke. Vidor tracked Murray down and eventually cast him as “the ordinary man as hero” John Sims.
Upon its premiere in March 1928, The Crowd was critical and commercial success and Murray’s performance was lauded by critics and the public. Before the film’s release, but after working in Vidor’s production, Murray got another boost towards stardom when reshoots occurred for Rose-Marie and he was given the lead opposite Joan Crawford in the film, released in February 1928.
After The Crowd, Murray appeared in Warner comedy The Little Wildcat. He also starred opposite Lon Chaney in The Big City, followed by supporting role in Chaney’s final silent film Thunder in 1929. Thunder would also be Murray’s last film for M-G-M in which he had significant role.
In 1929, Murray made the transition from silent to sound films in the part-talkie The Shakedown for Universal.
By 1930, Murray’s promising career begann to falter due to increasing alcoholism and alcohol related arrests.
In August 1930, Murray was sentenced to 6 months in jail for appearing in court drunk on previous drunk-driving charge. After serving 4 months of hard labor, Murray was released and attempted to reignite his career. He stopped drinking, and in February 1933, he signed a seven-year contract with First National Pictures and Warner Bros.
The same year, he married beauty pageant contestant (“Miss Florida”) and actress Marion Sayers. The marriage and Murray’s sobriety was short lived; Sayers was granted a divorce in November 1933 on the grounds that Murray drank excessively and forced her to work to support him.
By 1934, Murray was unable to secure acting work due to alcoholism and began panhandling.
Director King Vidor (who had cast Murray in The Crowd) was casting Our Daily Bread (1934) and had Murray in mind for the lead. Vidor had heard of Murray’s plight and set about finding him. He found much heavier and unkempt Murray panhandling on the street and offered to buy him a drink. Vidor then offered Murray the lead, provided he pull himself together. Murray rejected the offer and reportedly told Vidor, “Just because I stop you on the street and try to borrow a buck you think you can tell me what to do. As far as I am concerned, you know what you can do with your lousy part.”
Murray appeared in a 36 films during his 12-year career. In the majority of films in the sound era, during the last few years of his career, he was cast in bit parts or as uncredited extra.
Murray’s final onscreen appearance was as uncredited “earthquake survivor” in the 1936 disaster drama San Francisco.
Death: Suicide?
On July 11, 1936, Murray drowned after jumping from the North River pier in New York City.
The medical examiner determined the cause was “asphyxia by submersion,” without ruling on whether his death was accident or suicide. He was interred at the Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, Queens, New York.
Decades later Vidor, haunted by Murray’s decline and early death, wrote script titled “The Actor,” although his work never was produced.
Filmography
1924
The Pilgrims John Alden Short film
1927
Tillie the Toiler One of Tillie’s Admirers in Restaurant Uncredited
In Old Kentucky Jimmy Brierly
The Lovelorn Charlie Lost film
1928
Rose-Marie, Jim Kenyon Lost film
The Big City, Curly Lost film
The Crowd, John “Johnny” Sims
The Little Wildcat Conrad Burton Lost film
1929
Thunder Tommy Lost film
The Shakedown Dave Roberts
Shanghai Lady ‘Badlands’ McKinney
1930
Hide-Out Jimmy Dorgan
The Rampant Age Sandy Benton
Bright Lights Connie Lamont
1931
Kick In Benny LaMarr
Hold ‘er Sheriff Jimmy Dalton Short film
Trapped Jimmy Dare Short film
In Line of Duty Cpl. Sherwood
1932
The Reckoning Terry
Alaska Love Freddie Watson Short film
The Hollywood Handicap Character Short film
Bachelor Mother Joe Bigelow
Frisco Jenny Dan McAllister
1933
Baby Face Brakeman Uncredited
High Gear Mark “High Gear” Sherrod a.k.a. The Big Thrill
Air Hostess Ted Hunter
Central Airport Eddie Hughes
Heroes for Sale Blind Soldier
Havana Widows Bank Teller, Uncredited
1934
Now I’ll Tell, Henchman with Curtis, Uncredited
1935
$20 a Week Peter Douglas
The Drunkard Edward Middleton
The Informer Bit role, Uncredited
Ship Cafe Gerald, Uncredited
Skull and Crown Matt – Henchman
1936
Rose-Marie, Bit Part Uncredited
San Francisco, Earthquake Survivor Uncredited
