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James Craig

James Craig

Actor · Died June 27, 1985, aged 73 · Nashville, Tennessee, USA

Tall, rugged James Craig's career as an MGM contract player blossomed in the 1940s. This was due in large part to his strong physical and vocal resemblance to the studio's top leading man, Clark Gable (who was -- by the time Craig was signed to MGM -- serving in the U.S. Army Air Forces). The Rice Institute graduate had studied to be a physician until a sojourn in the movie capital persuaded him to try his luck as an actor. He was tutored by thespian Cyril Delevanti in 1934 and began in the industry as an extra. Having lived for some time in Texas, he had the perfect drawl just tailor-made for a western hero. James Henry Meador consequently transformed himself into James Craig when it looked like he might be given a role in the melodrama Craig's Wife (1936). As it turned out, he was mainly cast in low-budget second-feature westerns for the first two years of his Hollywood tenure. Craig's breakthrough arrived courtesy of a loan-out to RKO where he was co-starred opposite Ginger Rogers in Kitty Foyle (1940). He had some critical success as farmer Jabez Stone in The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941) and scored high-profile parts in a couple of other A-grade features: the caliph in Kismet (1944), and as Halverson in Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945). However, before long, Mr. Gable returned from the war and it was back to low budget horse operas for Craig. After working in episodic television for several years in the 1960s, he called it quits and turned his talents towards a lucrative career in real estate.

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
February 4, 1912
Died
June 27, 1985 (aged 73)
From
Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
33 on MovieCove · 84 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 18% in 30 days

What are James Craig's films like?

Across their 23 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama11 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 16th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
36%
Bonds
24%
Self
12%
Survival
10%
Society
8%
Power
8%
Ideas
2%
Justice11 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 23 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 11 · Serious 9 · Dark 3

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 17 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 1

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 4 · Charged 15 · Intense 4

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 11 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 14 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 13 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 19 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

16 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 7 of 16 analyzed roles.

Hero
7 of 16
Ally
4 of 16
Shadow
2 of 16
Shapeshifter
2 of 16
Threshold guardian
1 of 16
Show the 16 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
18
Thrilling
7
Romantic
7
Contemplative
6
Hopeful
6
Other
19

How their films linger

Feel-good10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet11
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch James Craig's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 15 of their 33 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for James Craig's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

84 credits, 33 with a MovieCove page.

  • The ABC Afternoon Playbreak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as John Rodman

  • Doomsday Machine(1976)

    as Dr. Haines

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Tormentors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Bigfoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Cyrus

  • If He Hollers, Let Him Go!(1968)

    as Police Chief Jim

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Devil's Brigade(1968)

    as Maj. Gen. Knapp

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Arizona Bushwhackers(1968)

    as Ike Clanton

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Custer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Fort Utah(1967)

    as Bo Greer

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Hostile Guns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Ned Cooper

  • Venus Flytrap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Dr. Bragan

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Sgt. Wayne

  • Four Fast Guns(1960)

    as Tom Sabin

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Man or Gun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Pinch Corley

  • Ghost Diver (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Roger Bristol

  • Naked In The Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Osceola

  • Have Gun, Will Travel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Cyclops(1957)

    as Russ Bradford

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Shoot-Out at Medicine Bend(1957)

    as Ep Clark

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • The Persuader (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Bick Justin

  • The Women of Pitcairn Island (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Jeb Page

  • Massacre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Ezparza

  • While the City Sleeps(1956)

    as "Honest" Harry Kritzer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Last of the Desperados (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Sheriff Pat Garrett

  • The Millionaire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Tom Garrity

  • Code Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Police Lt. Redmon

  • Fort Vengeance(1953)

    as Dick Ross

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Hurricane Smith(1952)

    as Gorvahlsen

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Drums in the Deep South(1951)

    as Maj. Clay Clayburn

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Delwyn 'Sonny' Johnson

  • A Lady Without Passport(1950)

    as Chief Frank Westlake, INS

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Side Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as George Garsell / Mr. Howard

  • Northwest Stampede (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Dan Bennett

  • The Man from Texas(1948)

    as Tobias Simms

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Dark Delusion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Tommy Coalt

  • Little Mister Jim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Capt. Big Jim Tukker

  • Boys' Ranch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Dan Walker

  • Appointment in Tokyo(1945)

    as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • She Went to the Races (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Steve Canfield

  • Our Vines Have Tender Grapes(1945)

    as Nels Halverson

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Dangerous Partners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Jeff Caighn

  • Gentle Annie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Lloyd Richland aka Rich Williams

  • Kismet(1944)

    as Caliph

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Marriage Is a Private Affair(1944)

    as Captain Miles Lancing

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • The Heavenly Body (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Lloyd X. Hunter

  • Twenty Years After (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as (archive footage)

  • Lost Angel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Mike Regan

  • Swing Shift Maisie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    as Brian 'Breezy' McLaughlin

  • The Human Comedy(1943)

    as Tom Spangler

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Freedom Comes High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    Actor

  • Seven Miles from Alcatraz(1942)

    as Champ Larkin

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Northwest Rangers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Frank 'Blackie' Marshal

  • The Omaha Trail (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Patrick Terence "Pat" Candel

  • Friendly Enemies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Bill Pfeiffer

  • Valley of the Sun(1942)

    as Jonathan Ware

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Unexpected Uncle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Johnny Kerrigan

  • The Devil and Daniel Webster(1941)

    as Jabez Stone

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Kitty Foyle(1940)

    as Mark

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Law and Order (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Brant

  • Seven Sinners(1940)

    as Ensign

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • I'm Nobody's Sweetheart Now (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Ray

  • South to Karanga (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Steve Hawley

  • Winners of the West(1940)

    as Jim Jackson

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Zanzibar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Steve Marland

  • The House Across the Bay(1940)

    as Brenda's Friend

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Black Friday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Reporter Ernst Gives Notes To

  • Cafe Hostess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Rocky

  • Taming of the West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Handy Clem

  • Scandal Sheet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Mann

  • Oily to Bed, Oily to Rise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Swindler Driving Car (uncredited)

  • A Woman Is the Judge(1939)

    as Detective (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Man They Could Not Hang(1939)

    as Juror Watkins

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Overland with Kit Carson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Tennessee

  • Good Girls Go to Paris(1939)

    as Party Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Pest from the West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Pedro (uncredited)

  • Blind Alley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Joe

  • Blondie Meets the Boss (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as (uncredited)

  • Flying G-Men (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as John Cummings

  • The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt(1939)

    as Party Guest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • North of Shanghai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Jed Howard

  • Pride of the West(1938)

    as Nixon

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Big Broadcast of 1938(1938)

    as Steward (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Thunder Trail(1937)

    as Bob Tate

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Love Test (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Boiler Man

Career shape

Star power in the 90th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 84 titles from 1935 to 1972.

Biggest box office

While the City Sleeps (1956)

$7.7K worldwide

Highest rated

Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

While the City Sleeps (1956)

Film career

Top draw in 1 MovieCove title.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting84 of 84: 84 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score45th

By decade

1930s17 · acting1940s35 · acting1950s19 · acting1960s9 · acting1970s4 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 10% of 10 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do James Craig's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 45th percentile, the median of all 33; across their 23 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 40th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

40thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Approval · how many liked their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Reach · how many have seen their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 23

Midcredits score across 33 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 33 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Universally Panned1
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

A Woman Is the Judge (1939)

65th percentile spread · 23% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Devil and Daniel Webster (1941)

Midcredits 92nd · 82% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 22 reviewed titles; fans 68, detractors 41. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does James Craig work with?

People who share at least 2 of James Craig's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Lesley Selander shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers