Sidney Olcott

Directing

Sidney Olcott

Born September 20, 1873 · Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Died December 16, 1949 · aged 76

John Sidney Olcott was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. After making a number of very successful films for the Kalem studio, including "Ben Hur" (1907) with its dramatic chariot race scene, Olcott became the company's president and was rewarded with one share of its stock.

Known For

Madame ButterflyMadame Butterfly · 1915
Madame Butterfly
4.51915
MovieDrama
The story of a Japanese woman and the tragedy that ensues when she loves an American naval officer.
The Green GoddessThe Green Goddess · 1923
The Green Goddess
7.01923
MovieAdventureDrama
The Green Goddess is a 1923 American silent adventure film based on the play The Green Goddess by William Archer. Set during the British Raj, it stars George Arliss as the Rajah of Rukh, into whose land arrive three British subjects, played by Alice Joyce, David Powell, and Harry T. Morey.
The SmugglersThe Smugglers · 1916
The Smugglers
5.01916
MovieComedy
While honeymooning in Paris, wealthy John Battleby Watts is persuaded to purchase a $20,000 necklace for his capricious young wife. When the jeweler refuses to accept his check, John heads to the bank for the necessary funds. En route, he passes a little shop specializing in imitation jewelry. Figuring his wife will never know the difference, he buys a cheap duplicate of the 20-grand bauble. Later on, however, he reconsiders and purchases the genuine article. But before he can reach his hotel, John is detained by saucy chorus girl Rita Bori, whom he presents with what he thinks is the imitation necklace.
The Daughter of MacGregorThe Daughter of MacGregor · 1916
The Daughter of MacGregor
7.01916
MovieComedyDrama
1916 American silent film.
Marriage for ConvenienceMarriage for Convenience · 1919
Marriage for Convenience
9.01919
MovieDrama
Barbara Rand is blinded when she leaps through a window to escape an assailant. Her sister, Natalie, reluctantly abandons her fiancé, Ned Gardiner, and marries Oliver Landis, who can provide the money needed for Barbara's operation. Unaware that Oliver was Barbara's attacker, Natalie blames his business partner, Howard Pollard, who was with Barbara on the night she was injured. Natalie holds Howard at gunpoint, but when her husband arrives, he promises to deal with the villain making sure Howard falls to his death. Upon Barbara’s release from the hospital, Oliver tries to blind her once. Natalie threatens him with a pistol, but Oliver wrests it away from her. He then realizes that he can no longer hide his guilt from Natalie or the police and shoots himself. Barbara has been avenged, and Natalie is free to marry Ned.
Ranson's FollyRanson's Folly · 1926
Ranson's Folly
7.21926
MovieWesternAdventure
U. S. Cavalry Lieutenant Ranson belittles the exploits of a bandit known as "The Red Rider," and boasts to his fellow officers that he could hold up a stagecoach with a pair of scissors. And rides out and does so. But the next day, the postmaster, returning from a neighboring town, is also held up and his bodyguard is killed. Ranson is arrested on suspicion and placed on trial. But at the trial suspicion point to Cahill, post trader, and father of Ranson's sweetheart, Mary. In order to save him, Ranson pleads guilty but, in return and knowing that his daughter loves Ranson, Cahill admits he is "The Red Rider." Meanwhile, the real "Red Rider" is still at large.
The White Black SheepThe White Black Sheep · 1926
The White Black Sheep
7.01926
MovieDramaRomance
Robert Kincairn, the dissolute son of a British colonel, is gallant enough to take the blame for a robbery perpetrated by his fiancee Enid. Thrown out of his home, he changes his name and joins the army.
The Poacher's PardonThe Poacher's Pardon · 1912
The Poacher's Pardon
7.01912
MovieDrama
A gamekeeper's daughter is shot while warning a poacher.

Filmography

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Marriage for ConvenienceMarriage for Convenience · 1919
Marriage for Convenience
9.01919
MovieDrama
Barbara Rand is blinded when she leaps through a window to escape an assailant. Her sister, Natalie, reluctantly abandons her fiancé, Ned Gardiner, and marries Oliver Landis, who can provide the money needed for Barbara's operation. Unaware that Oliver was Barbara's attacker, Natalie blames his business partner, Howard Pollard, who was with Barbara on the night she was injured. Natalie holds Howard at gunpoint, but when her husband arrives, he promises to deal with the villain making sure Howard falls to his death. Upon Barbara’s release from the hospital, Oliver tries to blind her once. Natalie threatens him with a pistol, but Oliver wrests it away from her. He then realizes that he can no longer hide his guilt from Natalie or the police and shoots himself. Barbara has been avenged, and Natalie is free to marry Ned.

Director

The CharmerThe Charmer · 1925
The Charmer
7.01925
MovieDrama
A wild dancer in a cheap Seville cafe, Mariposa is taken to New York by Señor Sprott, a prominent theatrical producer. Billed as "The Charmer," Mariposa becomes the toast of two continents. Among her most ardent admirers are Ralph Bayne, a millionaire playboy, and his chauffeur, Dan Murray, both of whom first met her in Spain. Madly in love with Bayne, Mrs. Sedgwick invites Mariposa and her mother to a weekend party in a deliberate attempt to humiliate the beautiful dancer. Bayne quickly realizes that Mariposa is out of place in high society, and, determining to make her his mistress, takes her home with him. Mrs. Sedgwick unexpectedly arrives at Bayne's swank suite ( followed by her suspicious husband), and Mariposa protects the society woman's reputation at the cost of her own.

Director

Monsieur BeaucaireMonsieur Beaucaire · 1924
Monsieur Beaucaire
5.61924
MovieDramaRomance
The Duke of Chartres is in love with Princess Henriette, but she seemingly wants nothing to do with him. Eventually he grows tired of her insults and flees to England when Louis XV insists that the two marry. He goes undercover as Monsieur Beaucaire, the barber of the French Ambassador, and finds that he enjoys the freedom of a commoner’s life. After catching the Duke of Winterset cheating at cards, he forces him to introduce him as a nobleman to Lady Mary, with whom he has become infatuated. When Lady Mary is led to believe that the Duke of Chartres is merely a barber she loses interest in him. She eventually learns that he is a nobleman after all and tries to win him back, but the Duke of Chartres opts to return to France and Princess Henriette who now returns his affection.

Director

Winning a WidowWinning a Widow · 1912
Winning a Widow
8.01912
MovieDramaRomance
While crossing the Atlantic, Jim White, an American tourist, is attracted by a charming young widow. He succeeds in making the lady's acquaintance through her four-year-old son and thereafter he becomes a persistent suitor and shadow. It happens that Luxor, Egypt, is the destination of both parties and when they arrive at that point Jim determines to win the widow without further delay. She does not encourage his suit and he becomes desperate. Jim hits upon a subterfuge and engages an Egyptian to help him out. However, the best laid plans often miscarry, and when the widow learns of the plot she prepares one of her own. Jim meets with a decided surprise and the little son is the means of bringing about a mutual understanding.

Director