Al Bridge
Acting
Biography
Al Bridge was an American character actor, a fixture both in Westerns and in the comedies of Preston Sturges. Although frequently billed as Alan Bridge, he was born Alfred Morton Bridge in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1891 (not as Alford Bridge in 1890, as his tombstone erroneously states). Following service as a corporal in the U.S. Army infantry in the first World War, Bridge joined a theatrical troupe. He dabbled in writing and in 1930 sold a script to a short film, Her Hired Husband (1930). He followed this with a B-Western script, God's Country and the Man (1931), in which he made his film debut as an actor. For the next quarter century, he managed the atypical achievement of maintaining a career in both B-Westerns and in bigger dramatic and comedy features. Ten films for director Preston Sturges represent probably his most familiar contribution to Hollywood history. Bridge also appeared frequently on television until his death in 1957 at 66.
Born: February 25, 1891
Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Known For
Son of the Border
An honest rancher, after killing his best friend who's turned outlaw, takes his pal's orphaned younger brother into his own home. The boy, however, isn't aware he's now living with the man responsible for his brother's death. This 1933 RKO B-western, directed by Lloyd Nosler, stars Tom Keene, Lon Chaney Jr., David Durand, Julie Haydon, Edgar Kennedy, Charles King and Al Bridge.
It's a Wonderful Life
George Bailey has spent his entire life giving to the people of Bedford Falls. All that prevents rich skinflint Mr. Potter from taking over the entire town is George's modest building and loan company. But on Christmas Eve the business's $8,000 is lost and George's troubles begin.
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
After the death of a United States Senator, idealistic Jefferson Smith is appointed as his replacement in Washington. Soon, the naive and earnest new senator has to battle political corruption.
Strangers on a Train
A charming psychopath tries to coerce a tennis star into his theory that two strangers can commit the perfect crime by exchanging murders—each killing the other’s most-hated person.
The Little Foxes
In 1900, a clan attempts to strike a deal with a Chicago industrialist to get him to build cotton mills in their Deep South town.
The Roaring Twenties
After World War I, Armistice Lloyd Hart goes back to practice law, former saloon keeper George Hally turns to bootlegging, and out-of-work Eddie Bartlett becomes a cab driver. Eddie builds a fleet of cabs through delivery of bootleg liquor and hires Lloyd as his lawyer. George becomes Eddie's partner and the rackets flourish until love and rivalry interfere.
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
In Brooklyn circa 1900, the Nolans manage to enjoy life on pennies despite great poverty and Papa's alcoholism. We come to know these people well through big and little troubles: Aunt Sissy's scandalous succession of "husbands"; the removal of the one tree visible from their tenement; and young Francie's desire to transfer to a better school...if irresponsible Papa can get his act together.
Sullivan's Travels
Successful movie director John L. Sullivan, convinced he won't be able to film his ambitious masterpiece until he has suffered, dons a hobo disguise and sets off on a journey, aiming to "know trouble" first-hand. When all he finds is a train ride back to Hollywood and a beautiful blonde companion, he redoubles his efforts, managing to land himself in more trouble than he bargained for when he loses his memory and ends up a prisoner on a chain gang.
A Night at the Opera
The Marx Brothers take on high society and the opera world to bring two lovers together. A sly business manager and two wacky friends of two opera singers help them achieve success while humiliating their stuffy and snobbish enemies.
The Talk of the Town
Hilarity ensues when a falsely accused fugitive from justice hides at the house of his childhood friend, which she has recently rented to a high-principled law teacher.
Filmography
as Banker (uncredited)
as Mr. Turner (uncredited)
as Hotel Desk Clerk
as Pop Wade
as Walt Stone
as Marshal
as Homesteader McGraw
as Detective Magnus (uncredited)
as Lem Shaver
as Sam Sickle
as John Biddle
as Tennis Judge (uncredited)
as Sheriff (uncredited)
as Sheriff (uncredited)
as Jake Ledbetter
as Ulysses Grant Sheldon (uncredited)
as Conover
as Sheriff
as Editor
as Elmer Hood
as Deputy Sheriff (uncredited)
as Sheriff
as House Detective
as Judge Kormac
as Sam Slade
as Agent in Phone Booth (uncredited)
as Dr. Jonas - Veterinarian
as Florida Club Bartender
as Police Captain (uncredited)
as Sheriff
as (uncredited)
as Mr. Cudd (uncredited)
as Wild Bill Hickock
as New York City Policeman (uncredited)
as Town Marshal (uncredited)
as Toothless Derelict (uncredited)
as Honest John Richards
as Sam Bartlett
as Sheriff (uncredited)
as Detective Flynn
as Turner
as Captain Allen
as Police Inspector Blake
as Detective Smiley (uncredited)
as Ship Captain (uncredited)
as Lieutenant Colonel (uncredited)
as Conductor (uncredited)
as Soule Gang Engineer (uncredited)
as Bartender (uncredited)
as Dr. Hicks
as Cheap Charlie (uncredited)
as Sheriff Mack
as Deputy Sheriff Ben (uncredited)
as Mr. Johnson
as Political Boss
as Bum (uncredited)
as Jailer
as Matt Warner
as Second Prison Guard (uncredited)
as Captain Peterson
as Conductor
as Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
as Mace Arnold
as Furniture Mover (uncredited)
as Police Turnkey (uncredited)
as Worker (uncredited)
as Marine MP Sergeant (uncredited)
as Trustee
as Hobo
as Man
as Guard (uncredited)
as Shooting Gallery Proprietor
as Tom Houston
as The Mister
as Townsman at Meeting House (uncredited)
as Plainview Lawman
as Dawson (uncredited)
as Rawlings
as Jamison
as Captain of Police
as Mr. Matthews
as First Steward (uncredited)
as Bob Harmon / Jim Breeden
as Flop House Manager (uncredited)
as Bob Cameron
as Ship's Captain
as Palmyra Townsman (uncredited)
as Mr. Hillbeiner
as Highway Patrolman (uncredited)
as Captain
as Slave Trader
as Bert Karsin
as Sheriff
as Marshal Larsen
as Barfly Drinking Straight Whiskey (uncredited)
as Jeff Browning
as Ship Captain (uncredited)
as Senator Dwight (uncredited)
as Kentuck
as Fisherman (uncredited)
as Slick Larson
as Prisoner (uncredited)
as Marshal
as Dynamo Room Floor Guard
as Boss Whittaker
as Would-Be Settler (uncredited)
as Captain of the Guards
as White Rose Sailor
as Cpl. Dronov
as Mark Sheldon
as Official in Passport Office (uncredited)
as Sheriff chasing Loma
as Mr. Burke
as Sheriff (as Al Bridges)
as New Orleans Sheriff (uncredited)
as Kennedy - Trucker in Cafe (uncredited)
as Sheriff
as Scar Lewis
as Capt. Trowbridge
as Briggs
as Motor Cop (uncredited)
as Policeman in Drina's Apartment (uncredited)
as Holman (as Alan Bridge)
as Mob Leader Outside Governor's Mansion (uncredited)
as Steve Claggett, Henchman
as Red Grindy
as Process Server (uncredited)
as Kipp Faulkner
as Dandy Morgan
as Guard (uncredited)
as 'Bull' Feeney
as Slade
as Dawson
as Babson
as Paul Wyckoff
as Alden Canfield
as Detective
as Desk Sergeant (uncredited)
as Swartzman
as Mrs. Walton's Chauffeur (uncredited)
as Sam Porter
as Steele
as Ballistics Expert (uncredited)
as Henchman Black
as Travis
as Salty Smith
as Immigration Inspector (uncredited)
as Kit
as Sergeant (uncredited)
as Matt Kirby
as Ranger Sergeant Parsons
as Hanover - Walsh's Henchman
as Chief Inspector August Wilmer
as Jail Attendant (uncredited)
as Poker Player on Train
as Mitchell
as Judge John C. Garfield (uncredited)
as Jim Farley
as Ditch-Digger (uncredited)
as John Cassidy (uncredited)
as Sheriff Angel Verner
as George Tully
as Deputy Bat Lindstrom
as Tom Henderson
as Mover
as Ship's Officer in Rescue Party (uncredited)
as Townsman (uncredited)
as Highway Patrolman (uncredited)
as Reynolds
as Gur Durkin
as Burl Adams
as Tupper
as Hack Driver
as George Hunter
as Lariat Smith
as Denver Ed
as Montana Slade
as Steve Cantrell
as Henchman Curley Bates
as Squaw O'Hara
as Tenant
as Sheriff Matt Farraday
as Bouncer (uncredited)
as Al
as Policeman (uncredited)
as The Station Agent
as Secret Emissary #3 (uncredited)
as Steve - Rustler
as Tom Fallon
as Henchman Wooly
as Sandy Thompson
as Nikkos (as Al Bridges)
as Deputy Bill Gaines
as Livermore