James Dugan (director)


James Dugan, also known as James S. Dugan or Jimmy Dugan was an American film director of the silent and early sound film eras. While mostly used as an assistant or second unit director, he had the opportunity to helm a few silent films. Dugan's career was cut short when he died in 1937 due to heart disease.

Life and career

Born on May 19, 1898 in Los Angeles, California, Dugan would enter the film industry at the age of 23, assisting the prolific director/actor Jerome Storm on the 1921 silent film, Her Social Value. In 1927 he would have his first opportunity to have the top directing slot when he was tagged to direct the western film, The Desert Pirate. Over the next 2 years he would again take the directing reins twice more, but other than that brief foray, the remainder of his career would see him return to either assistant or unit direction roles. In 1935, although he had worked with her on several films, Dugan would remove himself as assistant director on Mae West's film, Klondike Annie, citing differences with the actress.
In the midst a career in which he was continuously working, Dugan would die on August 5, 1937 from heart disease, mere months after the release of the final film he worked on, A Family Affair. He was survived by a wife and two children.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleSilent /Talkie Notes
1921Her Social ValueAssistant directorS
1921Trust Your WifeAssistant directorS
1926Rose of the TenementsAssistant directorS
1926'Assistant directorS
1926Going the LimitAssistant directorS
1927Aflame in the SkyAssistant directorS
1927'DirectorS
1927'Assistant directorS
1927Moulders of MenAssistant directorS
1928Dead Man's CurveAssistant directorS
1928Dog JusticeAssistant directorS
1928Her Summer HeroDirectorS
1928King CowboyAssistant directorS
1928Phantom of the RangeDirectorS
1928Sinners in LoveAssistant directorS
1928Night ParadeActor - "Artie"S
1929'Assistant directorS
1929OutlawedAssistant directorS
1929Warming UpCast - "Brill"T
1931Everything's RosieAssistant directorT
1933She Done Him WrongAssistant directorT
1934Belle of the NinetiesAssistant directorT
1934Four Frightened PeopleAssistant directorT
1934'Assistant directorT
1935Accent on YouthAssistant directorT
1935Goin' to TownAssistant directorT
1936Wives Never KnowSecond unit directorT
1936Yours for the AskingAssistant directorT
1937'Assistant directorT