- Timothy Farrell
Timothy Farrell, (born
June 26 ,1922 , diedMay 9 ,1989 ) real name Timothy Sperl, was an American film actor, best known for his roles in theEdward D. Wood, Jr. films "Jail Bait", "The Violent Years", and "Glen or Glenda ". In the latter film, he plays a doctor who patiently explains to a police detective that there is no shame or scandal in crossdressing, thus providing the contextual backdrop for Wood's story-within-the-story about his own double life as a transvestite.Farrell led a double life himself, working as a bailiff for the
Los Angeles Marshal's Department while also working in sleazy low-budget movies.In 1948 he portrayed a doctor in the film "Test Tube Babies", a similar role to that in the subsequent "Glen or Glenda". He patiently explained to a young couple that there is no shame or scandal in test-tube fertilization.
In 1951, Farrell, along with everyone else on the film set of "Paris After Midnight", was swept up in a police vice raid, which caused him professional embarrassment with his courtroom career.
Farrell's career was notable for its recurring characters:
* He made three low-budget exploitation movies in which he played the part of sleazy gymnasium owner Umberto Scalli. These films, largely a vehicle for female-wrestling footage, include "Devil's Sleep", "Racket Girls", and "Dance Hall Racket". Oddly, Scalli was gunned down at the end of "Racket Girls" but alive and well in "Dance Hall Racket".
* His character of "Joe the Pimp" appeared in "Girl Gang" and "Gun Girls".
* His character of "Dr.Wright" appeared in "Hometown Girls" and the aforementioned "Test Tube Babies".
* In 1954, his legal and theatrical careers dovetailed in theGeorge Cukor movie "A Star is Born", in which he played a bailiff. It happened again in 1958, when he appeared as a bailiff in the short-lived television series "Accused".
* "Racket Girls" was featured on an episode of "Mystery Science Theater 3000 ".He went on to work 26 years for the Los Angeles County Marshal's Office, rising through the ranks and eventually was appointed the County Marshal in 1971. However, in 1975 he was fired after his conviction of felony charges for "illegal use of deputy marshals in political activities". He was given a six month sentence, but received probation due to poor health.
Farrell's later years were spent in business, such as operating a lumber mill in South Dakota and rental properties in Los Angeles, California. He was extremely active in the "Animal Rights and Welfare Movement", begun by his wife, Shirley. He donated some of his estate to the "Sperl Family Foundation", a no cost spay and neuter organization for animals. Farrell died on May 9, 1989 at St. Johns Hospital in Santa Monica, California of a Heart Attack. He was proceeded in death by his wife Shirley Lee Sperl (an RKO Contract Actress) and then daughter Timmie Lee Sperl.
External links
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