Calleia, Joseph (1897-1975)
Maltese by birth and
originally an opera singer, Joseph Calleia became typecast by his swarthy com?plexion
and heavy-lidded eyes in character roles as either Mexican bandit or Italianate
hood. An actor of considerable range and subtlety, at his best as the monstrous
Cap?tain Quinlan's haplessly
loyal sidekick in Touch of
Evil, he usually managed to imbue his villains with a sardonic sense of
humour that hinted at a Machiavellian malevolence. He earned one co-screenplay
credit, with William Wellman, on The
Robin Hood of El Dorado (1936).
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