Timothy Farrell
Encyclopedia
Timothy Farrell, real name Timothy Sperl, was an American film actor, best known for his roles in the Edward 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.
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. Both films were produced by George Weiss
who used Farrell in a string of lurid exploitation films in the '50s.
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.
Timmie died of a drug overdose in 2004.
The Violent Years
The Violent Years is a 1956 American exploitation film starring Jean Moorhead as Paula Parkins, the leader of a gang of juvenile delinquent high school girls. The film is notable for the input of Ed Wood, Jr...
, 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.
Early life
Farrell led a double life himself, working as a bailiff for the Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
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. Both films were produced by George Weiss
George Weiss
George Weiss may refer to:*George David Weiss , songwriter*George Henry Weiss , writer*George Weiss , baseball executive*George Weiss , film producerSee also:...
who used Farrell in a string of lurid exploitation films in the '50s.
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.
Notable Farrell Characters
Farrell's career was notable for its recurring characters:- He made three low-budget exploitation movies for George Weiss 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 the George CukorGeorge CukorGeorge Dewey Cukor was an American film director. He mainly concentrated on comedies and literary adaptations. His career flourished at RKO and later MGM, where he directed What Price Hollywood? , A Bill of Divorcement , Dinner at Eight , Little Women , David Copperfield , Romeo and Juliet and...
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 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000Mystery Science Theater 3000 is an American cult television comedy series created by Joel Hodgson and produced by Best Brains, Inc., that ran from 1988 to 1999....
.
L.A. County Marshal's Office
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.Personal life
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. His son, Anthony Kelly Sperl runs the Sperl Family Foundation out of Downtown Los Angeles.DaughterTimmie died of a drug overdose in 2004.