Biography
From 1931 until his death in 1939, American actor James P. Burtis was usually confined to minor roles and walk-ons. Burtis was most often seen as brawling sailors, lynch-happy sheriffs, dumb cops and pushy reporters. Usually his characters were identified by type rather than by name, e. g. the Military Policeman in the all-star
If I Had a Million (1932) and the Highland Quartet Member (the one with the "invisible accordion") in Laurel and Hardy's
Bonnie Scotland (1935). James Burtis' more substantial roles included Gay-Nineties oaf Dink Hoops in
One Sunday Afternoon (1933) and thick-eared detective Epstein in Wheeler and Woolsey's Hips Hips Hooray (1934). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide