Darby Jones

Darby Jones (February 10, 1910 – November 30, 1986 ) was an American actor known for his role as the zombie-like Carrefour in the 1943 horror film I Walked with a Zombie. He had uncredited appearances in the 1937 films Swing High, Swing Low and A Day at the Races, and his other roles include Broken Strings, Virginia (1941), White Cargo (1942), and Zamba (1949). Jones also appeared in several Tarzan films, including the 1933 film serial Tarzan the Fearless, and the films Tarzan Escapes (1936) and Tarzan's New York Adventure (1942).

In 1991, film critic Danny Peary characterized Jones as having been "even more typecast than the typical black actor," relegated to roles in "jungle pictures."

Early life A native of Los Angeles, Jones broke the Los Angeles high jump record in 1929 at while at Polytechnic High School.

Career Early films Jones made his acting debut in the 1933 film serial Tarzan the Fearless, in an uncredited role as the Head Bearer. In 1936, he appeared as Bomba in the film Tarzan Escapes. In 1937, he appeared in the romantic comedy film Swing High, Swing Low as a black Santa Claus lounging in a Panama café. That same year, he was a background extra in the Marx Brothers film A Day at the Races, appearing as a trumpet player during the "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" number in the film.

In 1940, Jones played a yokel named Stringbeans Johnson in the film Broken Strings. In one scene, he dances to swing music at a nightclub, executing four midair splits among other dance moves. The following year, Jones appeared in Virginia as Joseph, a loyal servant on a plantation. In 1942, Jones appeared in Tarzan's New York Adventure in an uncredited role as a Swahili chief, and in White Cargo in a credited role as an obedient houseboy named Darby.

I Walked with a Zombie In 1943, Jones appeared as the zombie-like Carrefour in horror film I Walked with a Zombie, directed by Jacques Tourneur and produced by Val Lewton. It is one of Jones's best-known roles, described as recognizable to fans of horror films. In 1957, Jones appeared in a minor role in the drama film Something of Value.

In 1991, film critic Danny Peary described Jones as having been "even more typecast than the typical black actor," writing that his roles were "limited to jungle pictures." 1936 Tarzan Escapes Bomba Zamba Keega Also known as Zamba, the Gorilla 1957 Something of Value Wine steward Uncredited role