Samuel S. Hinds

Samuel S. Hinds

1875-04-03 – 1948-10-13 (age 73) Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
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Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Samuel Southey Hinds (April 4, 1875 – October 13, 1948) was an American actor and former lawyer. He was often cast as kindly authoritarian figures and appeared in over 200 films until his death.

Hinds was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Joseph E. Hinds and Mary A. Beetham Hinds.

He was a graduate of Phillips Andover Academy and Harvard Law School and worked for over 32 years as a lawyer before becoming a professional actor. After he lost most of his money in the financial crisis of 1929, Hinds retired as a lawyer and joined the Pasadena Community Playhouse. He started acting in Broadway shows at age 54.

Hinds is perhaps best remembered for playing Peter Bailey, the father of James Stewart and founder of the Bailey Building and Loan, in It's a Wonderful Life (1946) and for his part as Paul Sycamore in You Can't Take It With You (1938), both films directed by Frank Capra. Hinds was also known for his roles in the Abbott & Costello films such as Buck Privates (1941), Ride 'Em Cowboy (1942) and Pardon My Sarong (1942). He also portrayed Lew Ayres' father in the Dr. Kildare film series during the early 1940s. Hinds mostly played supporting roles, often kind and dignified authority figures; often lawyers, doctors, mayors, judges or the father of the main figure.

Hinds' first film was If I Had a Million (1932); his second film was The Road Is Open Again (1933) where he portrayed President Woodrow Wilson. His earlier career was reflected in the role of Judge Thatcher, tortured by the mad Dr. Richard Vollin (Bela Lugosi) in The Raven (1935).

Hinds acted in a total of 214 films. His last film was The Bribe, released in 1949, after his death.

Hinds died of pneumonia in Pasadena, California, on October 13, 1948 at age 73. He was married to Dorothy Cruickshack, they had two children.

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Known For

It's a Wonderful Life
It's a Wonderful Life

1946

as Pa Bailey

Little Women
Little Women

1933

as Mr. March

Buck Privates
Buck Privates

1941

as Maj. Gen. Emerson

A Lost Lady
A Lost Lady

1934

as Jim Sloane

Scarlet Street
Scarlet Street

1945

as Charles Pringle

In Person
In Person

1935

as Aaron Sylvester

The Spoilers
The Spoilers

1942

as Judge Stillman

You Can't Take It with You
You Can't Take It with You

1938

as Paul Sycamore

Stage Door
Stage Door

1937

as Henry Sims

Cobra Woman
Cobra Woman

1944

as Father Paul

Know For Sure
Know For Sure

1941

as Dr. Perkins

Call Northside 777
Call Northside 777

1948

as Judge Charles Moulton (uncredited)

She
She

1935

as John Vincey

Jungle Woman
Jungle Woman

1944

as Coroner

Hellzapoppin'
Hellzapoppin'

1941

as Showboat Captain (uncredited)

Ex-Champ
Ex-Champ

1939

as Edward P. Nash

Straightaway
Fog
Fog

1933

as Dickens

Phantom Lady
Phantom Lady

1944

as Judge (voice) (uncredited)

Test Pilot
Test Pilot

1938

as General Ross