Acting
William S. Hart
Born December 6, 1864 · Newburgh, New York, USA
Died June 23, 1946 · aged 81
The first Western superstar, the taciturn Hart actually was a successful Shakespearean actor who played Messala in “Ben-Hur” on Broadway in 1899 before riding the range in movies. A longtime fan of the Old West, Hart was friends with Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson. His film career began in 1914. After two supporting roles he gained fame as the lead in the feature-length western “The Bargain” shot o…
Known For
Riddle Gawne · 1918Riddle Gawne
1918
MovieActionWestern
When Gawne finds his brother dying and hears that the killer has run off with his brother's wife, he swears revenge.
Shark Monroe · 1918Shark Monroe
★ 6.01918
MovieAdventureDrama
In this 1918 film, newly restored by MoMA, Hart is a ship's captain in the Pacific Northwest who abandons his post to pursue a woman who does not love him (MacDonald) across the Klondike, eventually rescuing her from the grip of a white slaver.
Yesterday and Today · 1953Yesterday and Today
★ 7.01953
MovieDocumentary
A compilation of early-day silent films that serves as a glimpse back to the formative days of the movie industry as a salute to Hollywood's Golden Year, so proclaimed by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce as 1953.
The Silent Man · 1917The Silent Man
★ 4.51917
MovieWestern
A hard-working prospector enters the town of Bakeoven to stake his claim, only to have his rights stolen and his face on "Wanted" posters. He plans reprisal.
The Grudge · 1915The Grudge
1915
MovieWestern
Bandit Rio Ed (played by William S. Hart) is insulted by a "sick youth" calling him a "cheap bully". In a unique display of honor, the bandit proposes to restore the youth to health so they can fight a fair duel to settle the insult. The narrative is further complicated by the arrival of the youth's sister and a "Mexican lover". The film features several dramatically staged fight scenes, including a final struggle where the bandit kills the Mexican rival.
The House That Shadows Built · 1931The House That Shadows Built
★ 8.51931
MovieDocumentary
The House That Shadows Built (1931) is a short feature, roughly 48 minutes long, from Paramount Pictures made to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the studio's founding in 1912. It was a promotional film for exhibitors and never had a regular theatrical release and includes a brief history of Paramount, interviews with various actors, and clips from upcoming projects (some of which never came to fruition). The title comes from a biography of Paramount founder Adolph Zukor, The House That Shadows Built (1928), by William Henry Irwin.
Hollywood · 1923Hollywood
★ 9.01923
MovieComedyDrama
Angela comes to Hollywood with only two things: Her dream to become a movie star, and Grandpa. She leaves an Aunt, a brother, Grandma, and her longtime boyfriend back in Centerville. Despite seeing major movie stars around every corner, and knocking on every casting office door in town, at the end of her first day she is still unemployed. To her horror, when she arrives back at their hotel, she finds that Grandpa has been cast in a movie by William DeMille and quickly becomes a star during the ensuing weeks. Her family, worried that Angela and Grandpa are getting into trouble, come to Hollywood to drag them back home. In short order Aunt, Grandma, brother, boyfriend and even the parrot become superstars, but Angela is still unemployed...
Singer Jim Mckee · 1924Singer Jim Mckee
★ 10.01924
MovieWestern
Jim McKee and his friend Buck rob a stagecoach to get money to support Buck's daughter. Buck is killed, but Jim and the daughter escape. Fifteen years later, Jim finds that he must turn robber again to continue to provide for Buck's daughter.
Filmography
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