James Quinn


Biography

Before it grew and expanded into cable TV, American dramatic television was a much smaller world. One of the longtime inhabitants of that world was James Quinn, a director whose hands were on many episodes of the serious offerings of that era. He began his career as an assistant director on films in the 1970s, participating in the creation of the classic Martin Scorsese documentary about...

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Biography

Before it grew and expanded into cable TV, American dramatic television was a much smaller world. One of the longtime inhabitants of that world was James Quinn, a director whose hands were on many episodes of the serious offerings of that era. He began his career as an assistant director on films in the 1970s, participating in the creation of the classic Martin Scorsese documentary about The Band's final concert, "The Last Waltz" (1978), among other films. In the mid-1980s he shifted almost exclusively to the small screen, working as first assistant director on the police action series and cultural phenomenon "Miami Vice" (1984). Initially working as an assistant director on that show, he finally got the chance to helm several episodes himself in 1987. His other work during this era included being first assistant director on the heart-tugging TV movie "Miracle of the Heart: A Boys Town Story" (1986). After "Miami Vice," Quinn stayed firmly planted in the director's chair, occupying it for one-offs or several-episode runs of many TV series. He helmed editions of such shows as the sprawling period crime saga "Crime Story" (1987) and the durable procedural "Law & Order " (1990), as well as one of that series' spinoffs.

Filmography

 

Director (Feature Film)

Blind Man's Bluff (1992)
Director

Assistant Direction (Feature Film)

Crackers (1984)
1st Assistant Director
Gremlins (1984)
Assistant Director
Kiss Me Goodbye (1982)
1st Assistant Director
Rich and Famous (1981)
Assistant Director
Up The Academy (1980)
Assistant Director
The Last Waltz (1978)
Assistant Director
Smokey And The Bandit (1977)
Assistant Director

Cast (Feature Film)

Stablemates (1938)
Swipe
When Love Is Young (1937)
Taxi driver
Sophie Lang Goes West (1937)
Cameraman
The Toast of New York (1937)
News butcher
Man of the People (1937)
A Day at the Races (1937)
Wells Fargo (1937)
Miner
Exclusive (1937)
Rioter
Fury (1936)
Dawson's friend
The Bride Comes Home (1936)
Conductor
Woman Trap (1936)
Barkeep
Two in a Crowd (1936)
Hop-head
Here Comes Cookie (1935)
Counterman
The Gilded Lily (1935)
Guard #2
The Whole Town's Talking (1935)
Pickpocket
Coronado (1935)
Hot dog man
I Hate Women (1934)
Blinkie
I Give My Love (1934)
Spieler
I'll Fix It (1934)
Reporter
Jealousy (1934)
Reporter
The Dance of Life (1929)
Jimmy
The Argyle Case (1929)
Skidd
Women Who Dare (1928)
Benny, the Spider
The Dixie Handicap (1925)
A tout
Second Hand Love (1923)
Dugg's partner
Mile-a-Minute Romeo (1923)
Coroner
Afraid To Fight (1922)
Slim Dawson

Producer (Feature Film)

Overlord (1975)
Producer

Film Production - Main (Feature Film)

Forever Strong (2008)
Grip
Spinning Into Butter (2007)
Production Assistant
Kate & Leopold (2001)
Best Boy Grip
Joe Gould's Secret (2000)
Grip
Big Daddy (1999)
Dolly Grip
Illuminata (1999)
Construction Grip

Misc. Crew (Feature Film)

Thunderheart (1992)
Other
Raising Cain (1992)
Other
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)
Other
Hudson Hawk (1991)
Other
City Slickers (1991)
Other

Director (Special)

Sniff (1988)
Director

Cast (Special)

Terror in the Heartland: The Black Legion (2000)
The Bulkin Trail (1993)
Sleepers (1991)

Assistant Direction (TV Mini-Series)

Freedom Road (1979)
Assistant Director

Cast (TV Mini-Series)

Cracker: To Say I Love You (1994)

Life Events

Bibliography