Actor. Comedic character performer of silent and early talkie films. Born in Scottsdale, Pennsylvania, he began performing as a teen and had 25 years of experience in vaudeville and English music hall before making his movie debut in 1923. He starred in the 1925 horror spoof "The Monster" (as the unlikely romantic interest), and in a series of two-reelers for the Christie studio in the late 1920s. Arthur's heyday was in the pre-Production Code period (1929 to 1933), when he had a virtual monopoly on fussy, stereotypically gay characters; he went on to play more hetero wimps and prigs after Hollywood censors barred the depiction of homosexuality onscreen. Today he is probably best remembered for his appearances in three "Our Gang" comedies, playing Spanky's father in "Anniversary Trouble" (1934) and Darla's father in "Night N' Gales" (1937) and "Feed 'Em And Weep" (1938). His later roles were mostly uncredited bits. He died at the Motion Picture Country Home.
Actor. Comedic character performer of silent and early talkie films. Born in Scottsdale, Pennsylvania, he began performing as a teen and had 25 years of experience in vaudeville and English music hall before making his movie debut in 1923. He starred in the 1925 horror spoof "The Monster" (as the unlikely romantic interest), and in a series of two-reelers for the Christie studio in the late 1920s. Arthur's heyday was in the pre-Production Code period (1929 to 1933), when he had a virtual monopoly on fussy, stereotypically gay characters; he went on to play more hetero wimps and prigs after Hollywood censors barred the depiction of homosexuality onscreen. Today he is probably best remembered for his appearances in three "Our Gang" comedies, playing Spanky's father in "Anniversary Trouble" (1934) and Darla's father in "Night N' Gales" (1937) and "Feed 'Em And Weep" (1938). His later roles were mostly uncredited bits. He died at the Motion Picture Country Home.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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