Murdock MacQuarrie

American actor (1878–1942)

Murdock MacQuarrie
Who's Who in the Film World, 1914
Born	(1878-08-25)August 25, 1878 San Francisco, California, U.S.
Died	August 20, 1942(1942-08-20) (aged 63) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1912–1942
Relatives	Albert MacQuarrie (brother) Frank MacQuarrie (brother) George MacQuarrie (brother)

Murdock MacQuarrie (August 25, 1878^{[citation needed]} – August 20, 1942) was an American silent film actor and director. His name was also seen as Murdock McQuarrie.^[1]

MacQuarrie was born in San Francisco, California, and attended school there.^[2] He was the brother of actors Albert MacQuarrie, Frank MacQuarrie, and George MacQuarrie.^{[citation needed]}

After acting on stage, MacQuarrie began acting in films in 1902 with Biograph.^[2] Around 1912-1913, he was acting for the Kinemacolor Company of America.^[3] His film work included The Count of Monte Cristo (1913), before becoming a director at Universal. He is perhaps best-remembered by modern audiences as J. Widdecombe Billows, the eccentric inventor of the eating machine, in Charlie Chaplin's Modern Times (1936).

In the 1910s, MacQuarrie directed at Universal, and in the early 1920s he returned to acting.^[4]

He diversified his activities in 1919, joining his wife in her real-estate business in Hollywood.^[1]

On August 20, 1942, MacQuarrie died in Los Angeles, California, aged 63.^[2]

Filmography

Actor

1910s

The Hand of Mystery (1912, Short)
The Ways of Fate (1913, Short)
The Scarlet Letter (1913, Short) .... Roger Chillingworth
Mission Bells (1913, Short)
Mother (1913, Short)
The Trap (1913, Short) .... Chance
The Echo of a Song (1913, Short) .... A modern fagin
Criminals (1913, Short) .... Richard Wainwright / John Dick
The Thumb Print (1913, Short) .... The Cook (credited as Malcolm J. MacQuarrie)
When Death United (1913, Short) .... (credited as Malcolm MacQuarrie)
The Count of Monte Cristo (1913) .... Danglars
The Boob's Dream Girl (1913, Short) .... Count Alberti (credited as Malcolm MacQuarrie)
Red Margaret, Moonshiner (1913, Short) .... Government Agent
Bloodhounds of the North (1913, Short) .... Mountie
The Lie (1914, Short) .... Auld MacGregor
The Honor of the Mounted (1914, Short) .... Mountie
Remember Mary Magdalen (1914, Short) .... The Minister
Discord and Harmony (1914, Short) .... The Composer
The Menace to Carlotta (1914, Short) .... Tony's Father
The Embezzler (1914, Short) .... John Spencer
The Lamb, the Woman, the Wolf (1914, Short) .... The Lamb
The End of the Feud (1914, Short) .... Hen Dawson
The Tragedy of Whispering Creek (1914, Short) .... The Stranger
The Unlawful Trade (1914, Short) .... The Revenue Man
Heart Strings (1914, Short)
The Forbidden Room (1914, Short) .... Dr. Gibson
The Old Cobbler (1914, Short) .... The Cobbler
The Hopes of Blind Alley (1914, Short) .... Jean Basse
A Ranch Romance (1914, Short) .... Jack Deering
Her Grave Mistake (1914, Short) .... Roger Grant
By the Sun's Rays (1914, Short) .... John Murdock
The Oubliette (1914, Short) .... François Villon
A Miner's Romance (1914, Short) .... Bob Jenkins
The Higher Law (1914, Short) .... François Villon
Be Neutral (1914, Short)
Richelieu (1914) .... Cardinal Richelieu
The Old Bell-Ringer (1914, Short) .... Thomas Drake - the Old Organist
Monsieur Bluebeard (1914, Short) .... François Villon
The Nihilists (1914, Short) .... Thomas Madison - Prosecuting Attorney
The Wall of Flame (1914, Short) .... Old Fenton - the Father
The Star Gazer (1914, Short) .... The Old Astronomer
Two Thieves (1914, Short) .... The Burglar
Ninety Black Boxes (1914, Short) .... François Villon
As We Journey Through Life (1914, Short) .... Old Uncle Eli
The Foundlings of Father Time (1914, Short) .... Daddy Ross - the Aged Husband
The Widow's Last (1914, Short) .... The Old Shoemaker
The Christmas Spirit (1914, Short) .... Harry the Hobo
For I Have Toiled (1914, Short) .... Hiram Marshall
When It's One of Your Own (1914, Short) .... Heinrich Gerhardt
His Last Performance (1915, Short) .... Old Doc Jackson
The Clutch of the Emperor (1915, Short)
The Useless One (1915, Short)
A Small Town Girl (1915, Short) .... The Snob's Father
The Dear Old Hypocrite (1915, Short) .... Wealthy Uncle George
Alias Mr. Smith (1915, Short) .... Frank Wilson alias Mr. Smith
Seven and Seventy (1915, Short) .... Captain John Brent
Dad (1915, Short) .... Dad
An Example (1915, Short) .... Ex-Sheriff Joseph Bohn
The Prayer of a Horse or: His Life Story Told by Himself (1915, Short) .... Tom Collins
Wheels Within Wheels (1915, Short) .... Von Ludwig
The Truth About Dan Deering (1915, Short) .... Dan Deering
At His Own Terms (1915, Short) .... John Marsh - Backwoodsman
Number 239 (1915, Short) .... John Anders
The Cameo Ring (1915, Short) .... John Brown
Putting One Over (1915, Short) .... Bad Louis
The Old Tutor (1915, Short) .... The Old Tutor
The Troubadour (1915, Short) .... Joe Trinidad - the Troubadour
The Fear Within (1915, Short) .... Brother Gregoire
The Faith of Her Fathers (1915, Short) .... Rabbi Tamor
The Stronger Mind (1915, Short) .... A Crook
Where Brains Are Needed (1915, Short) .... Old Tom Sharpleigh - the Detective
The Old Doctor (1915, Short) .... Old Doctor Jones
The Swinging Doors (1915, Short) .... Jean Dumont
In His Mind's Eye (1915, Short) .... Peter von Helm - Blind Beggar
The Tinker of Stubbenville (1915, Short) .... Will Harvey - the Tinkerof Stubbinville
The Old Grouch (1915, Short) .... John Agnew
The Closing Chapter (1915, Short) .... Hamilton Walker - the Grandfather
Mein Friendt Schneider (1915, Short) .... David Hoffman - the Pawnbroker (as Murdock McQuarrie)
His Beloved Violin (1915, Short) .... Von Wagner
Ethel's Burglar (1915, Short) .... Norton - the Burglar
The Mystery of the Tapestry Room (1915, Short) .... Tom Sharpleigh - Detective
The Tam o' Shanter (1915, Short) .... Tam O' Shanter
The Finest Gold (1915, Short) .... Scrooge McQuoil
The Sheriff of Red Rock Gulch (1915, Short) .... Bill Borden
The $50,000 Jewel Theft (1915, Short) .... Detective Tom Sparks (as M.J. MacQuarrie)
The Flag of Fortune (1915, Short) .... Grandpa
The Trap That Failed (1915, Short) .... Frank Harwood
The Sacrifice of Jonathan Gray (1915, Short) .... Jonathan Gray
Colonel Steel, Master Gambler (1915, Short) .... Colonel Steele
Babbling Tongues (1915, Short) .... Martin Lowe
X-3 (1916, Short) .... Henshaw
The Fatal Introduction (1916, Short) .... Jim Claverling
On Dangerous Ground (1916, Short) .... Louis Goldenberg
The Stain in the Blood (1916) .... Bill Jenkins (as Murdock J. MacQuarrie)
Nancy's Birthright (1916) .... John Martingale
The Narrow Creed (1916, Short) .... Dr. Hendricks
Life's Maelstrom (1916, Short) .... John Barclay
Accusing Evidence (1916, Short)
Panthea (1917) .... Police Agent
John Bates' Secret (1917, Short) .... John Bates, a.k.a. Edward Stevenson
John Osborne's Triumph (1917, Short) .... John Osborne
Fear Not (1917) .... Allen Mornington
The Kingdom of Love (1917) .... Buck, Dance Hall Owner
Loyalty (1917) .... Randell
Humility (1918) .... Stuart Hamilton
Her Moment (1918) .... Mr. Johnson (credited as Murdock McQuarrie)
Riders of the Purple Sage (1918) .... Tull
Gambling in Souls (1919) .... Thomas Philborn
When a Woman Strikes (1919)
Jacques of the Silver North (1919) .... Jim Blake
The Little Diplomat (1919) .... Raymond Brownleigh

1920s

The Silver Horde (1920) .... Richard Jones
Sure Fire (1921) .... Major Parker
Cheated Hearts (1921) .... Ibrahim
The Unfoldment (1922) .... Mayor of Avenue A
The Hidden Woman (1922) .... Iron MacLoid
If I Were Queen (1922) .... Duke of Wortz
Canyon of the Fools (1923) .... Sproul
Ashes of Vengeance (1923) .... Carlotte
The Only Woman (1924) .... Yacht Captain
A Gentleman Roughneck (1925)
The High Hand (1926) .... Martin Shaler
Going the Limit (1926) .... Simson Windsor
Hair-Trigger Baxter (1926) .... Joe Craddock
The Jazz Girl (1926) .... Henry Wade
The Long Loop on the Pecos (1927)
The Man from Hard Pan (1927) .... Henry Hardy
Black Jack (1927) .... Holbrook
The Apache Raider (1928) .... Don Felix Beinal
.45 Calibre War (1929) .... Mark Blodgett
The Love Parade (1929) .... First Radio Announcer (uncredited)

1930s

Troopers Three (1930) .... Army Officer
Captain of the Guard (1930) .... Pierre
Pardon My Gun (1930) .... Rancher (uncredited)
The Lottery Bride (1930) .... Captain Larsen (uncredited)
Command Performance (1931) .... Blondel
The Drums of Jeopardy (1931) .... Stephen (uncredited)
Hell Bound (1931)
Two Gun Man (1931) .... Rancher Markham
Law of the Rio Grande (1931) .... Saloon Gambler (uncredited)
Sundown Trail (1931) .... Executor of the Estate
Arizona Terror (1931) .... Joe Moore
Near the Trail's End (1931) .... Dan Cather
Grief Street (1931) .... 2nd Theater Doorman (uncredited)
Lariats and Sixshooters (1931) .... Townsman (uncredited)
The Devil Plays (1931) .... Butler
The Wide Open Spaces (1931, Short) .... Townsman at Wedding (as Murdock McQuarrie)
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) .... Dissenting doctor in crowd (uncredited)
One Man Law (1932) .... Ed Grimm (credited as Murdock McQuarrie)
The Shadow of the Eagle (1932, Serial) .... Frank - Watchman (uncredited)
Forty-Five Calibre Echo (1932) .... Old man in saloon (uncredited)
Cross-Examination (1932) .... Court Officer (uncredited)
Texas Cyclone (1932) .... Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
The Saddle Buster (1932) .... Doc (uncredited)
Border Devils (1932) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Rule 'Em and Weep (1932, Short)
Daring Danger (1932) .... 'Pa' Norris
Ride Him, Cowboy (1932) .... Doctor attending Webb (uncredited)
Fighting for Justice (1932) .... Sheriff (uncredited)
Two Lips and Juleps; or, Southern Love and Northern Exposure (1932, Short)
Wild Girl (1932) .... Jess Larabee (uncredited)
The Gambling Sex (1932) .... Thompson
The Penal Code (1932) .... Lefty
Phantom Thunderbolt (1933) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Son of the Border (1933) .... Townsman (uncredited)
The Lone Avenger (1933) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Cross Fire (1933) .... Sheriff Jim Wells
Easy Millions (1933)
Stolen by Gypsies or Beer and Bicycles (1933, Short) .... Sheriff
One Year Later (1933) .... Well-Wisher at Train Station (uncredited)
Girl Trouble (1933) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Roman Scandals (1933) .... Senator Fool (uncredited)
Potluck Pards (1934, Short) .... 'Pop' Hennessey
The House of Rothschild (1934) .... Man at Stock Exchange (uncredited)
Romance Revier (1934, Short) .... Banker William Carter
Randy Rides Alone (1934) .... Murder victim (uncredited)
Smoking Guns (1934) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Going Bye-Bye! (1934, Short) .... Jury Foreman
Fighting Hero (1934) .... Prosecutor
The Tonto Kid (1934) .... 'Pop' Slawson (as Murdock McQuarrie)
The Man from Hell (1934) .... Sheriff Jake Klein
The Dude Ranger (1934) .... Doc Welsh (uncredited)
The Return of Chandu (1934, Serial) .... The "Voice" of Ubasti [Chs. 4-12]
Terror of the Plains (1934) .... Foreman Cole (as Murdock McQuarrie)
When Lightning Strikes (1934) .... Jim Caldwell
The Mighty Barnum (1934) .... Husband at Table (uncredited)
Clive of India (1935) .... Sneering Man (uncredited)
North of Arizona (1935) .... Marshal Herron
Outlaw Rule (1935) .... Coroner Williamson (uncredited)
Les Misérables (1935) .... Fauchelevant (uncredited)
Stone of Silver Creek (1935) .... George J. Mason
Bride of Frankenstein (1935) .... Sympathetic villager (uncredited)
Gun Smoke (1935) .... Card Player (uncredited)
Silent Valley (1935) .... Elmer Barnes (rancher)
The Laramie Kid (1935) .... Dad Bland
Outlawed Guns (1935) .... Banker Honeycutt (uncredited)
Bonnie Scotland (1935) .... Recruiting Clerk (uncredited)
Diamond Jim (1935) .... Stockbroker (uncredited)
The Dark Angel (1935) .... Waiter at Inn (uncredited)
The New Frontier (1935) .... Tom Lewis
Nevada (1935) .... Watson (uncredited)
Lawless Riders (1935) .... Townsman (uncredited)
The Shadow of Silk Lennox (1935) .... Haskell, Silk's Lawyer (uncredited)
Sunset of Power (1935) .... Doctor
I'll Name the Murderer (1936) .... Wreck Witness (uncredited)
Modern Times (1936) .... J. Widdecombe Billows (as Murdoch McQuarrie)
The Prisoner of Shark Island (1936) .... Edman Spangler (uncredited)
The Drag-Net (1936) - Hot-Check Gambler (uncredited)
Pinto Rustlers (1936) .... Ed Walton
The Lonely Trail (1936) .... Rancher (uncredited)
Fury (1936) .... Dawson's friend (uncredited)
Winds of the Wasteland (1936) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Shakedown (1936) .... Attendant (uncredited)
Prison Shadows (1936) .... Fight fan (uncredited)
The Idaho Kid (1936) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Santa Fe Bound (1936) .... Dad Bates (uncredited)
Oh, Susanna! (1936) .... Sage City Townsman (uncredited)
Ride 'Em Cowboy (1936) .... Race Spectator (uncredited)
Cavalry (1936) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Song of the Gringo (1936) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Roarin' Lead (1936) .... Sims (uncredited)
The Old Corral (1936) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Stormy Trails (1936) .... Sheriff
Great Guy (1936) .... Mr. Marvin (a client) (uncredited)
Hittin' the Trail (1937) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Venus Makes Trouble (1937) .... Sour-faced Man (uncredited)
Back to the Woods (1937) .... Judge (uncredited)
Pick a Star (1937) .... Jefferson Watts - Undertaker (uncredited)
The Fighting Texan (1937) .... Jim Perkins
Flying Fists (1937) .... Health Camp Man (uncredited)
Slaves in Bondage (1937) .... Gambler (uncredited)
On Such a Night (1937) .... Vasalia Juror (uncredited)
Stars Over Arizona (1937) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Zorro Rides Again (1937, Serial) .... Jones (night watchman) [Ch. 10] (uncredited)
The Jury's Secret (1938) .... Flood Victim (uncredited)
The Purple Vigilantes (1938) .... Juror (uncredited)
The Lone Ranger (1938, Serial) .... Matt Clark [Ch. 6] (uncredited)
Cattle Raiders (1938) .... Juror (uncredited)
Frontier Town (1938) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Topa Topa (1938) .... Hunter (uncredited)
Outlaws of Sonora (1938) .... Barfly (uncredited)
Western Trails (1938) (uncredited) .... Williams - Station Master (uncredited)
Blockade (1938) .... Seaman (uncredited)
Guilty Trails (1938) .... Judge Howard
Prairie Justice (1938) .... Stage Line Agent (uncredited)
Santa Fe Stampede (1938) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Ghost Town Riders (1938) .... Tax Collector Harry Branson
Tom Sawyer, Detective (1938) .... Posse Member (uncredited)
Stand Up and Fight (1939) .... Engineer (uncredited)
Disbarred (1939) .... First Jury Foreman (uncredited)
Honor of the West (1939) .... Hank (as Murdock McQuarrie)
The Phantom Stage (1939) .... John Scott -Stage Agent
Arizona Legion (1939) .... Party Guest (uncredited)
Smoky Trails (1939) .... Will Archer
Wolf Call (1939) .... Miner (uncredited)
They All Come Out (1939) .... Watchman (uncredited)
Colorado Sunset (1939) .... Dairyman Jones (uncredited)
Mutiny on the Blackhawk (1939) .... Bill, a Settler (uncredited)
Konga, the Wild Stallion (1939) .... Clerk (uncredited)
At the Circus (1939) .... Attendant (uncredited)
Tower of London (1939) .... Councilman (uncredited)
Cowboys from Texas (1939) .... Congressman (uncredited)
Death Rides the Range (1939) .... Sheriff (uncredited)

1940s

The Shadow (1940, Serial) .... Richards, Rand's Butler [Chs. 2-3] (uncredited)
The House of the Seven Gables (1940) .... Town Gossip (uncredited)
The Showdown (1940) .... Zeke (uncredited)
An Angel from Texas (1940) .... Lone Star Townsman (uncredited)
Pinto Canyon (1940) .... Rancher Barnes
Those Were the Days! (1940) .... First Citizen (uncredited)
The Captain Is a Lady (1940) .... Seaman (uncredited)
Boys of the City (1940) .... Man on Sidewalk Watching Fight (uncredited)
Deadwood Dick (1940, Serial) .... Jasper Kenyon [Chs. 11-13] (uncredited)
Brigham Young (1940) .... Minor Role (uncredited)
The Mummy's Hand (1940) .... Temple Priest (uncredited)
Frontier Vengeance (1940) .... Townsman (uncredited)
The Wildcat of Tucson (1940) .... Doctor (uncredited)
Federal Fugitives (1941) .... Night Watchman (uncredited)
The Return of Daniel Boone (1941) .... Telegrapher (uncredited)
Paper Bullets (1941) .... 1st Bailiff (uncredited)
They Meet Again (1941) .... Juror (uncredited)
Arizona Bound (1941) .... Zeke (uncredited)
The Richest Man in Town (1941) .... Postman (uncredited)
Man from Montana (1941) .... Joel Preston
Freckles Comes Home (1942) .... Bus Passenger / Indiana Townsman (uncredited)
Woman of the Year (1942) .... Head Copy Reader (uncredited)
Ghost Town Law (1942) .... Judge Crail
The Corpse Vanishes (1942) .... The Minister (uncredited)
Tombstone, the Town Too Tough to Die (1942) .... Townsman (uncredited)
Jackass Mail (1942) .... Hickory Jake (uncredited)
Timber (1942) .... Old Timer (uncredited)
The Omaha Trail (1942) .... Oxen Owner (uncredited)
Cat People (1942) .... Sheep caretaker (uncredited)
Arabian Nights (1942) .... Bidder (uncredited)
Dr. Terror's House of Horrors (1943) .... The High Priest (segment "The Panther Men of Zuma") (archive footage)
Wolves of the Range (1943) .... Stock footage townsman (uncredited)
Silver City Raiders (1943) .... Townsman (uncredited)

Director

The Old Cobbler (1914)
The Old Bell-Ringer (1914)
The Nihilists (1914)
The Wall of Flame (1914)
The Star Gazer (1914)
Two Thieves (1914)
As We Journey Through Life (1914)
The Christmas Spirit (1914)
For I Have Toiled (1914)
When It's One of Your Own (1914)
His Last Performance (1915)
The Clutch of the Emperor (1915)
The Useless One (1915)
The Dear Old Hypocrite (1915)
Alias Mr. Smith (1915)
Seven and Seventy (1915)
The Prayer of a Horse or: His Life Story Told by Himself (1915)
Wheels Within Wheels (1915)
The Truth About Dan Deering (1915)
The Old Tutor (1915)
The Troubadour (1915)
Where Brains Are Needed (1915)
The Old Doctor (1915)
The Swinging Doors (1915)
The Tinker of Stubbenville (1915)
The Old Grouch (1915)
The Closing Chapter (1915)
Mein Friendt Schneider (1915) (credited as Murdock McQuarrie)
His Beloved Violin (1915)
Ethel's Burglar (1915)
The Mystery of the Tapestry Room (1915)
The Finest Gold (1915)
The Tam o' Shanter (1915)
The Sheriff of Red Rock Gulch (1915)
The $50,000 Jewel Theft (1915)
The Flag of Fortune (1915)
The Trap That Failed (1915)
The Sacrifice of Jonathan Gray (1915)
Colonel Steel, Master Gambler (1915)
Babbling Tongues (1915)
In the Web of the Grafters (1916)
The Fatal Introduction (1916)
On Dangerous Ground (1916)
The Stain in the Blood (1916)
Nancy's Birthright (1916)
The Sign of the Spade (1916)
Sandy, Reformer (1916) (completed film)
El Diablo (1916)
The Gambler's Lost Love (1916)
John Osborne's Triumph (1917)
Thunderbolt Jack (1920)
The Unfoldment (1922)

Writer

The Hopes of Blind Alley (1914) (story)
Ethel's Burglar (1915) (scenario)
The $50,000 Jewel Theft (1915)
Life's Maelstrom (1916) (scenario)

References

^ ^a ^b "Murdock McQuarrie Enters Business". Holly Leaves. 12 July 1919. p. 9. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c Katchmer, George A. (20 May 2015). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. p. 227. ISBN 978-1-4766-0905-8. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
^ Slide, Anthony (2014). The New Historical Dictionary of the American Film Industry. Taylor & Francis. pp. 109–110. ISBN 9781135925611.
^ "Murdock MacQuarrie". AllMovie. Archived from the original on 10 July 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.