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Talented Hawaiian Island Boy makes it in Hollywood Movies! 2 |
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With his large amount of film industry contacts, Mr. Spencer gradually moved on to become a busy film actor. He was sometimes credited as Jimmy Spencer or Jim Spencer on film call sheets. Due to his exotic looks, he was often cast as an pacific islander or some other "native" role. Later, his acting roles became more recognizable. He would work with some of Hollywood's largest film stars (Jimmy Cagney, George Raft, Joel McCrea, Lucille Ball, Charles Laughton, Greta Garbo) and classic film directors (Fritz Lang, C.B. De Mile). |
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His many acting roles were: � Frozen Justice ('29) �The Sea God ('30)deep sea diver. �Pueblo Terror (Cosmos Pictures '31) "Pedro". �The Jungle Princess (Paramount '36)East Indian big game native. Starring Lola Montez. � Ebb Tide (Paramount '37).cook.Starring Francis Farmer. � Hawk of the Wilderness (Republic Pictures serial '38).island native warrior. � Each Dawn I Die (Warner Bros '39).prison cellmate. Starring Cagney and Raft. **BEST ** � Union Pacific (Paramount '39)Sioux warrior. Starring Barbara Stanwyck, Joel McCrea. Cecil B. De Mile director. � Western Union (20th Ctry Fox '41)Plains Indian warrior. Starring Randolph Scott. Fritz Lang director. � Girl, a Guy and a Gob (RKO '41) comedy.island native. Starring Lucille Ball, George Murphy. � Blossoms in the Dust (MGM '41)"Mr. Dirk". Starring Walter Pigeon, Greer Garson. � Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (MGM '41)young man. Starring Spencer Tracy. � Moonlight in Hawaii (Universal '41).Hawaiian "Chief Kikhanoui". � Unholy Partners (MGM '41)"Jimmy", drug store clerk. Starring Edward G. Robinson. � Two-Faced Women (MGM '41)."Carl". Starring Greta Garbo. � The Bugle Sounds (MGM '41).army recruit. Starring Wallace Beery. � The Tuttles of Tahiti (RKO '42)"Tupa". Starring Charles Laughton. � Pardon My Sarong (Universal '42)..comedy.island native. Starring Bud Abbot and Lou Costello. � Two Flags West (20th Ctry Fox '50)Plains Indian warrior. Starring Jeff Chandler. [Released after Spencer's death.] |
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Mr. Spencer was now in his mid-forties and his acting career was building nicely. He was getting more substantial acting roles in larger films. He was acting with larger film stars. The best example of his acting prowess was in Warner's "Each Dawn I Die", with James Cagney and George Raft. A comfortable film career could be seen for him "on the horizon". Tragically, this was not to be. Mr. Spencer was to accidentally die on a movie set at the peak of his livelihood. Some explanation of 1940's movie set lighting must be mentioned here. This is because of its importance when understanding Mr. Spencer's deadly film set accident. Film set lighting was done from an overhead-suspended lighting bed on film production sound stages. The large and very heavy film lamps were suspended overhead by putting the lamp's main central pivoting post through large holes drilled in the wooden "bed" bottom planks. These wooden lighting beds were used over and over. These "beds" would literally become "honey combed" with 3-inch lamp holes cut into their bottoms planks due to this. The lighting "beds" were hung high above the set area that needed lighting for film shooting. On June 28, 1943 at MGM film studios, a large lamp fell 40 feet and stuck Mr. Spencer. This accident killed him. He was only 50 years old. His funeral arrangements were simple and honorable. His funeral was held on 1943. His family had his remains cremated. Due to his US Army service, he was given a veteran's plot at the Los Angeles National Cemetery. Mr. James P. Spencer's life was abundantly filled with family, music, good friends, dance, and a major pride in his Polynesian ancestry. He enthusiastically shared that with all. He found an inexhaustible way to take his many native talents and give them to many people. By his working in the film, he continues to share his work for others to enjoy after he has gone. He was an energetic, fun loving, and creative person. He vocation put him into the Golden Age of MGM. There he showed the best of his island culture and home. The more I learn about his times and talents, I appreciate his life more and more. May my grandfather rest in peace! |
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Website content copyright A Genovese 05 |
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