by Hans J. Wollstein
biography
Mustachioed, French-born silent screen villain James Mason, a former musician, was one of the few professional extras to move into featured roles. In the 1920s, Mason established himself as the ideal "Boss Villain" in budget Westerns and would play variations of that role well into the sound era. In his later years, the no longer svelte Mason would find himself further down the cast lists playing one of the villain's henchmen or a deputy marshal. Often using the friendlier "Jim" rather than "James," this veteran screen actor should of course not be confused with the sophisticated British leading man of the same name.
