Joe Flynn

Joseph Anthony Flynn III (November 8, 1924 – July 19, 1974) was an American actor. He was known for playing Captain Wallace Binghamton in the 1960s ABC television situation comedy McHale's Navy. Flynn was also a frequent guest star on 1960s TV shows, such as Batman, and appeared in several Walt Disney film comedies.

Early career

Flynn had an interest in theater before leaving northeastern Ohio. He established himself early as a ventriloquist and radio disc jockey. Flynn gained local celebrity as a director by guiding the Canfield Players in such productions as Harvey, Antigone and Pursuit of Happiness.

He broke into television in pre-network days in Los Angeles. In 1948, he starred in his own local situation comedy, Yer Old Buddy, He guest starred on Walter Brennan's ABC sitcom The Real McCoys, Tab Hunter′s NBC sitcom The Tab Hunter Show and on the syndicated western Pony Express. In 1961, Flynn appeared in season 1 of The Joey Bishop Show.

McHale's Navy From 1962 to 1966, Flynn played the irascible Captain Wallace "Wally" Burton Binghamton (also known as "Old Leadbottom") on ABC's McHale's Navy in all but one episode, in which he became known for his exasperated catch phrases "What is it, What, WHAT, WHAT!?", "What in the name of the Blue Pacific/Halsey/Nimitz" and "I could just scream!" He also starred in two 1964 theatrical films spun off from the series, McHale's Navy and McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force. Flynn is interred in Culver City's Holy Cross Cemetery. His June 13, 1974, taping of The Merv Griffin Show had been announced for broadcast on July 19, prior to Flynn's death the same day, proving to be his final appearance.

Selected filmography

The Babe Ruth Story (1948) — Extra (uncredited) The Big Chase (1954) — Milton Graves , Reporter The Seven Little Foys (1955) — Priest (uncredited) The Desperate Hours (1955) — Motorist Hijacked by Hal (uncredited) Trial (1955) — Speakers Bureau (uncredited) Highway Patrol (1956) (Season 1 Episode 36: "Taxi") — robber Steve Stanky The Steel Jungle (1956) — Marlin's Henchman (uncredited) Indestructible Man (1956) — Bradshaw's Assistant (uncredited) The Boss (1956) — Ernie Jackson Portland Exposé (1957) — Ted Carl (uncredited) Panama Sal (1957) — Barrington C. Ashbrook This Happy Feeling (1958) — Dr. McCafferty Go, Johnny, Go! (1959) — Head Usher (uncredited) -30- (1959) — Hymie Shapiro The Twilight Zone (1959) (Season 1 Episode 6: "Escape Clause") - Steve, Insurance Man #2 Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1961) (Season 6 Episode 37: "Make My Death Bed") - Ken Taylor Cry for Happy (1961) — John McIntosh The Last Time I Saw Archie (1961) — Private Russell Drexler Lover Come Back (1961) — Hadley Son of Flubber (1963) — Rex Williams (uncredited) McHale's Navy (1964) — Captain Wallace B. Binghamton McHale's Navy Joins the Air Force (1965) — Captain Wallace B. Binghamton Divorce American Style (1967) — Lionel Blandsforth Did You Hear the One About the Traveling Saleslady? (1968) — Hubert Shelton I Dream of Jeannie (1968) (Season 4 Episode 11: "Dr. Bellows Goes Sane") — Dr. Corbett The Love Bug (1969) — Havershaw The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969) — Dean Higgins That Girl (1970) — as Uncle Herbert, season 5 episode 13 "An Uncle Herbert for All Seasons" The Wonderful World of Disney (1970) — Mayor Philbrick, in two-part episode "The Wacky Zoo of Morgan City" How to Frame a Figg (1971) — Kermit Sanderson The Barefoot Executive (1971) — Francis X. Wilbanks The Million Dollar Duck (1971) — Finley Hooper Sesame Street (1971) -Himself Now You See Him, Now You Don't (1972) — Dean Higgins Gentle Savage (1973) — Chief Deputy Moody Superdad (1973) — Cyrus Hershberger Match Game (1974) - Himself, Guest Panelist (5 episodes) The Strongest Man in the World (1975) — Dean Higgins (posthumous release) The Rescuers (1977) — Mr. Snoops (voice) (final film role, posthumous release)