"In the performing arts industry such as theatre, film, or television, casting, or a casting call, is a pre-production process for selecting a certain type of actor, dancer, singer, or extra for a particular role or part in a script, screenplay, or teleplay. This process may be used for a motion picture, television program, documentary film, music video, play, or advertisement, intended for an audience." — Quoted from Casting article on Wikipedia
Below are concise biographies used in the casting section of my articles on silent movies. Each entry briefly describes the leading performers, including their age at the time of filming, the specific character they portrayed, and their previous work in the entertainment industry.
Jack Abbot (1886-1964) was 29 years old when he played Max. Jack was an actor, eventually becoming a writer and assistant director. The bulk of his roles during his acting career were in short subjects. He spent all of 1916 under contract with Universal. This role was his only known associateship with Lloyd B. Carleton's production in 1916.
Josephine Adair (1921–1966) was born on June 27, 1916, in Lamar, Colorado. Adair was 6 when she acted in the role of Mary (Age 6). She was an established child star when filming started on this production. Like many of the cast members of this movie, Adair had also acted in In the Name of the Law. Josephine Adair was the younger sister of another child actress, Elizabeth Adair.[1] A newspaper article recounted one Adair story. Emory Johnson was losing light for a particular scene he was shooting. Filming part of the prologue required Josephine Adair to cry. She could not evoke a tear flow on her own, so Emory took matters into his own hands. Read about his clever solution in this newspaper article.[2]
Alfred Allen (1866-1947) was 50 years old when he was selected to play Richard Angus. Allen was highly educated, had a commanding presence and stood six feet, and weighed two hundred pounds. He got his start in the film industry at Universal City in 1913. He landed his first role in 1915. His roles were character parts, and he played mostly fathers, villains, or ranch owners. Alfred Allen appeared in 69 features from 1916 through 1929. After heartaches he would appear in four more Davenport-Johnson projects: A Yoke of Gold, The Unattainable, The Human Gamble and Barriers of Society.[3]
Virginia True Boardman (1889–1971) was born Margaret Shields on May 23, 1889, in Fort Davis, Texas. She was 33 when she played xxxx. This was her first role in a Johnson production. She would appear in The Third Alarm playing Ralph Lewis's wife - mother McDowell. Boardman began her theatrical career in 1906 and would continue to appear in 52 films between 1911 and 1936. [4][5]
Hobart Van Zandt Bosworth v1 (1867-1943) was 48 years old when he starred in this movie as Tambor. Bosworth was a well-known Universal actor. After Universal signed a 21-year-old Emory Johnson, Hobart thought he saw a potential mega-career for the 21-year-old. Hobart decided to mentor the young actor.[6] After finishing The Yaqui released March 1916, they immediately made another feature-length Western - Two Men of Sandy Bar released in April. Later in the year, Emory would make two more films with Bosworth. They would continue collaborating in other films in the coming years. In Bosworth's long cinematic career, he appeared in nearly 300 films.
Hobart Bosworth v2 (1867-1943) was 48 years old when he played the heavy, John Nevill. This film was a radical departure from Bosworth's previous roles. "Heretofore Bosworth has been known to patrons of the films the world over as a leading man with no taint of the heavy about him."[7] When Universal hired Emory Johnson in January 1916, Bosworth took the youngster under his wing.[6] Bosworth and Johnson's first two movies for Universal were the feature-length Westerns – The Yaqui released March 1916 and Two Men of Sandy Bar released in April. Dr. Neighbor would be the first pairing of the Davenport-Johnson twosome in Carl Laemmle's search for screen chemistry. Later in the year, Emory would make two more films with Bosworth. They would continue collaborating in other films in the coming years. In Bosworth's long cinematic career, he appeared in nearly 300 films.
Dicky Brandon (née Richard Ellison Brandon) (1919 – 2010) ) was born on March 30, 1919, in Toledo, Ohio. He was 5 years old when he played the role of Little Johnnie Gains. This was his first role in a movie. Life's Greatest Game, released in October 1924, would mark his final appearance in a Johnson production.
He belonged to the vast pool of child actors in the bustling child actor market of the American film industry. His career was brief, and he only made a few movies in his mid-twenties. This movie is one of his six listed on AFI.[8]
Mary Carr (née Mary Kennivan) (1874–1973) was born on March 14, 1874, in Germantown, Pennsylvania. She was 50 when she played Gold Star Mother Mary Gains, Tom's wife, and Johnnie's mother.[a] This was her first role in a Johnson production. Her next performance in a Johnson vehicle would be the 1927 Universal production of The Fourth Commandment, where she played another mother figure. Carr and Walker shared the spotlight in this film, with FBO promoting their roles as a reunion of sorts. The reference alluded to the film Over the Hill to the Poorhouse, an 11-reel motion picture distributed by Fox on September 17, 1920. In this movie, Carr portrayed a destitute mother, while Walker played her son.[10] One FBO magazine ad for this movie contained the word segment — Together Again for the first time since their never-to-be-forgotten success "Over The Hill."[11]
Initially, Carr worked as a schoolteacher but abandoned the profession to become an actor in traveling theater companies. She married fellow actor William Carr and accompanied him on tours with his theater troupe. In the early 1900s, William ventured into film production. He enlisted Mary and their six children to join him in the burgeoning film industry. In 1915, Mary began her career in film, eventually becoming a character actor celebrated for her roles as maternal figures. She appeared in over 140 films between 1915 ‐ 1956.[b] She was also a close friend of Emilie Johnson.
Rosemary Cooper (1898–1961) was born on January 1, 1898, in Lewiston, Idaho. She was 26 when she played the villainess Zelda Burrows, the daughter of John Burrows and the woman who married Silas Gains. She made her screen debut in the Johnson production of The Mailman.[12] Notably, this was Cooper's third film and her final appearance in a Johnson film.
Rosemary Cooper had spent a couple of years with various stock companies before making her screen debut in 1923. AFI credits her with making 15 silent movies in the twenties.[13] However, with the advent of sound in films, Cooper decided to step away from the industry. Rosemary Cooper stood at a height of 5'4" and weighed 125 pounds. She possessed auburn hair and brown eyes[12][14]
T. D. Crittenden (1878–1938) was 37 years-old when he played the heavy, Tom Willis. He appeared in 69 films between 1912 and 1924, and he made 22 movies in 1916, of which 5 were features.
Jack Curtis (1880-1956) was 36 years old when he acted in this movie. His character was Peter Sturton, a former governor, supporting Croyden's bid for a second term. Curtis appeared in 157 films between 1915 and 1950.[15]
Marcella Daly (1901 – 1966) was born on January 31, 1901, in Kansas City, Missouri.[16] Daly was 25 years old when she portrayed the character of Anna Larson (Lar's wife). She was an actress, known for Accused (1925), The Midnight Watch (1927), and Black Paradise (1926). She died on 30 July 1966 in Torrance, California, USA.
Dorothy Davenport v2 (1895-1977) was an established star for Universal when the 21 year-old actress played Cleo. She had acted in hundreds of movies by the time she starred in this film. The majority of these films were 2-reel shorts, as was the norm in Hollywood's teen years. She had been making movies since 1910. She started dating Wally Reid when she was barely 16, and he was 20. They married in 1913. After her husband died in 1923, she used the name "Mrs. Wallace Reid" in the credits for any project she took part in.[17] Besides being an actress, she would eventually become a film director, producer, and writer.[18][c]
David Dunbar (1886 – 1953) was born on September 14, 1886, in West Maitland, New South Wales, Australia.[19] The Australian actor was 39 years old when he portrayed the character of Karl Kruger (Skipper of the "Gretchen"). He was a stage actor in Australia, and Britain before beginning his screen career with Pathe Freres, Paris in 1910. He would remain active until his death in 1953. A few weeks before this movie was released, his wife Blanche was killed in a car collision in the Hollywood Hills.
Knute Erickson (1873 – 1945) was born Knut Timar on May 27, 1873, in Norrköping, Sweden.[20] Erickson was 52 years old when he portrayed the character of sea captain Lars Larson. Erickson migrated to the United States with his parents in 1881. They stayed in Salt Lake City, Utah, and kept living there until 1916. Erickson achieved naturalization on Jun 10, 1887, and launched a lucrative career as a vaudevillian comedian. His most famous stage creation was that of the character Swedish Immigrant Daffy Dan. Erickson began his film career in 1915 and kept appearing in films until 1936. Erickson's role in this film impressed Emory Johnson enough; he cast Erickson in his next movie, The Forth Commandment.
Adele Farrington (Mrs. Hobart Bosworth) (c. 1867-1936) was 49 years old when she played Mrs. Lake. Farrington was also a Universal contract player appearing in 74 films between 1914 and 1926. Although she got her start in movies when she was 47-years-old (1914), Universal cast her mostly in character leads. Many of her roles were acting alongside her husband, Hobart Bosworth, whom she married in 1909 and divorced in 1920. In addition to her roles as an actress, she was also a music composer and writer.
Martin (Marty) Faust (1886–1943) was born on January 16, 1886 in Poughkeepsie, New York. He was an American film actor and director. He was active in the film industry between 1910 and 1944. Faust was 26 years-old when he played Paul (Elizabeth's Sweetheart).[21]
Mark Fenton (1866–1925) was born on November 11, 1866, in Crestline, Ohio. He achieved fame as an American stage performer and motion-picture character actor who appeared in at least 80 films between 1915 and 1925. At 57, he was already an established actor when he portrayed John J. Burrows, a prosperous landowner. This film marked Fenton's only appearance in a Johnson production.
Fenton began his acting journey in his twenties, launching his career in vaudeville and theatrical productions around the turn of the century. In 1915, at the late age of 49, Fenton started acting in movies. Joining the ranks of other actors who transitioned from the legitimate stage to the silver screen later in life, Fenton was widely regarded as a character actor. Demonstrating his versatility, he appeared in a diverse range of film genres, including action and westerns, accumulating an extensive body of work. Tragically, Fenton's life was cut short by an automobile accident. On July 29, 1925, at the age of 58, he succumbed to complications arising from surgery. [22][23]
Taylor Graves (1896–1960) was born on May 28, 1896, in Alameda, California. The 26 year-old actor landed the role of the Buckley family's adopted son - Henry. His next appearance in a Johnson production would be The Mailman.
Gloria Grey (née Maria Dragomanovich)(1909–1947) was born on October 23, 1909, in Portland, Oregon.[24] She was 14 when she played Gretchen Schultz, the daughter of German-born Otto Schultz. Gretchen is the woman whom Johnnie Gains fancied before joining the salvation army and heading off to war. Since she portrayed the daughter of a German character, she injected a paradoxical element into the film, as both brothers willingly enlisted to combat the Germans during World War I. This film was her third credited movie role and her only appearance in a Johnson production. She would blossom into a screen actress and director.
Before launching her film career in 1923, Grey showcased her talent in vaudeville. Besides making movies, she became one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars in 1924 along with Clara Bow.[25] Her career was spent making 33 films during the 1920s in Hollywood, and five Spanish-language films made in Argentina during World War II. Grey was petite, standing at 5'2" and weighing 115 pounds. Her distinctive features included beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes.
Gordon Griffith (1907-1958) was 8 years old when he played the role of a 12-year-old boy named Richard (Dick) Angus. He was one of the first child actors in the American movie industry. He was already an experienced actor by the age of seven. He was born on July 4, 1907, in Chicago, Illinois.
Raymond Hackett (1902–1958) was an American stage and screen actor from a theatrical family in New York. Hackett was born on July 15, 1902, in New York City, the son of Maurice Hackett and silent screen actress Florence Hackett. He became a child actor, making his debut on Broadway in 1907. The family moved to Philadelphia. After the move, Ray left the stage and started performing as a childhood actor in Lubin movies. In those days, he was called Master Raymond Hackett and often appeared with his younger brother, Albert Hackett was nine years old when he played Harold (Little Boy Blue.) Later in life, he reminisced about an event that caused a delay in filming this movie.[d] He remained active in film until 1931, when his career faded.[27]
Ella Hall (1896–1981) was born on March 17, 1896, in Hoboken, New Jersey. Johnson chose Ella Hall to play the female lead in this movie. She was 26. Josephine Adair played 6-year-old Mary in the Prologue. Hall acted as the adult Mary, now 18. Hall's last film was the 15-part serial production of The Great Reward, released on May 9, 1921. Her husband, Emory Johnson, coaxed her out of domestic life to take the feminine leads in this film and his following two FBO productions – The Third Alarm and The West~Bound Limited.
Edith Hallor (1896–1971) was an 20 year-old actress when she played the part of Isabelle Hamlin. She was an American stage and film actress and starred in several films during the silent era. She was active during 1914–1945.[29]
John Harron (1903–1939) was born on March 31, 1903, in New York City. The 20 year-old actor was selected to be the male lead and fill the role of Johnny Buckley, Bill Buckley's son and a "Chip of the Old Block." At the time, he was best known as Robert Harron younger brother. Johnnie Walker was Emory Johnson's first choice for Johnny Buckley. However, Walker was having a banner year and was unavailable for the role because he was filming The Fourth Musketeer.[30][31] This was John Harron the only appearance in a Johnson production, while Johnnie Walker would act in five Johnson vehicles.
Wilbur Higby (Wilbur Higbee Jones) (1867–1934), was an American actor of the silent era. He was born on August 21, 1867, in Meridian, Mississippi. The 55 year-old actor played Fire Chief Andrews. This was his first acting role in a Johnson production. Higby usually played character roles. He appeared in more than 70 films between 1914 — 1934. His career spanned 49 years alternating between Stage and Screen.[32]
William S. Hooser (1836–unk) was born on July 20, 1836, in Litchfield, Illinois.[36] The octogenarian was 87 when he portrayed the character of Otto Schultz, Gretchen's father. He was an individual of remarkable longevity in the business. During his brief film career, Hooser appeared in The Highest Bid (1916), The Return (1916), and this movie.
Prior to his venture into films, William S. Hooser had already established himself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. His career included engagements with renowned personalities such as P. T. Barnum, Dan Rice and Frank C. Bostock.[37] Hooser exhibited a diverse range of talents, including dancing, singing, playing the piano, impersonations, and character acting. Furthermore, he was known for his ability to perform mental and psychic demonstrations, adding another intriguing dimension to his repertoire.
Newton House (1911–1987) was born on November 1, 1911 in Holly, Colorado. He was 12 when he played a younger version of Silas Gains before he reached adulthood. This was his third role in movies, his 2nd credited role, and his 2nd feature film. He was one of six children born to actor and stuntman Jack House (1887-1963). Many of Newton's siblings also entered the acting field, including brothers Don and Jimmy. By the time Newton turned 15, his aptitude for horsemanship became evident as he amassed 112 trophies for his exceptional skill in trick and fancy riding. AFI shows him playing supporting character roles between 1924 - 1936. He successfully transitioned into talkies, acting in several films between 1932 and 1936. AFI also shows him getting credit as a makeup artist from 1939—1945.[38][39]
Arthur Hoyt (1874-1953) was 42 years old when he portrayed the Alchemist. He was an American film character actor who appeared in more than 275 films. He started seriously acting in 1916 and continued getting parts until 1947.
Ralph Lewis (1872–1931) was born on October 8, 1872, in Englewood, Illinois. The 49 year-old actor landed the leading man role in this production. He played a rugged middle-aged xxxx. He had starring roles in Emory Johnson's FBO vehicles – In the Name of the Law, The Third Alarm, The West~Bound Limited, andThe Mailman released in December 1923. He also landed a role in Johnson's seventh film – The Last Edition, released in November 1925. The Last Edition was Lewis's fifth and final film in an Emory Johnson production.[40] FBO rewarded Ralph Lewis for his work In the Name of the Law, The Third Alarm, and The West~Bound Limited by placing him under a long-term contract in April 1923.[41]
Lewis's film debut came in 1911.[42] Lewis appeared in 160 films between 1912 and 1938. Lewis will always be remembered for his role as abolitionist U.S. Representative Austin Stoneman in D. W. Griffith's The Birth of a Nation (1915) and the governor in Intolerance (1916).[43][e] The June 5, 1923, edition of the Poughkeepsie Eagle-News observed: "Ralph Lewis, is especially good in parts built upon strength of character ..."[45]
Buster Johnson (1908–1969) was born Roswell J. Johnson on July 12, 1908 in Brooklyn, New York. He was another American child actor cast in this children's film. Buster was 3 years-old when he acted in the uncredited role of a background child.[46]
Emory Johnson (1894-1960) was 22 years old when he acted in this movie as Mason Van Horton. In January 1916, Emory signed a contract with Universal Film Manufacturing Company. Carl Laemmle of Universal Film Manufacturing Company thought he saw great potential in Johnson, so he chose him to be Universal's new leading man. Laemmle hoped Johnson would become another Wallace Reed. A significant part of his plan was to create a movie couple that would sizzle on the silver screen. Laemmle thought Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson could make the chemistry he sought. Johnson and Davenport would complete 13 films together. They started with the successful feature production of Doctor Neighbor in May 1916 and ended with The Devil's Bondwoman in November 1916. After completing the last movie, Laemmle thought Johnson did not have the screen presence he wanted. He decided not to renew his contract.[47][18] Johnson would make 18 movies in 1916, including 8 shorts and 10 feature-length Dramas. 1916 would become the highest movie output of his entire acting career. Emory acted in 26 films for Universal, mostly dramas with a sprinkling of comedies and westerns.
Gretchen Lederer (1891-1955) was a 25 year-old actress when she landed this role as xxxx . Lederer was a German actress getting her first start in 1912 with Carl Laemmle of Universal Film Manufacturing Company. At the time of this film, she was still a Universal contract actress. She had previously acted in two Bosworth-Johnson projects preceding this movie - The Yaqui and Two Men of Sandy Bar. She would unite with Emory Johnson in the 1916 productions of A Yoke of Gold and The Morals of Hilda.
Frankie Lee (1911–1970), was an American child actor of the silent era born on December 31, 1911, in Gunnison, Colorado. Lee was 4 years old when he appeared in this film. Lee had a part in the 1916 Universal production of The Right to Be Happy. He would appear in the 1922 Emory Johnson-directed picture The Third Alarm. He made his acting debut in the 1916 Universal production of Her Greatest Story. Frankie made his last film appearance in the 1925 production of The Golden Strain which starred Hobart Bosworth and Madge Bellamy. He appeared in 56 films between 1916 and 1925.[48] He was the older brother of child actor Davey Lee.[49]
Virginia Kerrigan, otherwise known as Baby Kerrigan (1915-1924), was a 5-months-old when she featured as the baby in this film. Baby Kerrigan was born Virginia Richdale Kerrigan on November 4, 1915, to Universal film executive William Wallace Kerrigan and Nina Richdale. She was the niece of the actor J. Warren Kerrigan and his sister actress Kathleen Kerrigan. She earned $5.00 per day (equivalent to $76 in 2019) making films for universal. At one time, she was the youngest featured player in the world.[50] She was noted for the fact she never cries. She would be cast next in In His Service, released as Good and Evil in August 1916. She died a tragic death 9 years later in Los Angeles on December 27, 1924.
David (Red) Kirby (1880–1954) (1880–1954) was born on July 16, 1880, in St. Louis, Missouri. He was an prominent actor when the 43 year-old played the villainous Jim Fuller. Like his previous outing in the The West~Bound Limited, Kirby is once again cast as a Heavies along with Rosemary Cooper. Throughout his collaboration with Emory Johnson, he appeared in a total of six of Johnson's productions, making him the actor with the highest number of appearances in Johnson's films.
Physically, Kirby stood at a height of five feet eleven inches, possessing brown hair and eyes. AFI credits the actor/director with 33 Titles in Filmography.[51][52]
Hardee Kirkland (1868–1929) was born on May 23, 1868, in Savannah, Georgia. The 55 year-old actor acted in the other heavie role of Captain Franz. Kirkland was active in the industry between 1912 – 1925 making 40 films. He would die in Los Angeles, California six years after making this film. Kirkland was also the son of former Confederate Brigadier General William Whedbee Kirkland.[53]
Mary Maurice (1844-1918) was 71 year-old actress when she landed the role of Mrs. Rossitor. After a long and distinguished stage career supporting many of the same touring companies that employed Richard Morris, she appeared in 150 films between 1909 and 1918, frequently playing mothers or grandmothers.[54]
Claire McDowell (1877–1966) was born on November 2, 1877, in New York City. The 44 year-old actress was an established star when she assumed the role of xxxx. She had previously acted in In The Name of The Law. She would also play another mother figure in Johnson's third film, the 1923 production for FBO – The West~Bound Limited. She would make appearances in a total of four Emory Johnson productions.[55]
Frederick (Fred) Montague (c. 1864-1919) was a 52 year-old actor when he played Silas Gorham, the wealthy father of Martha Gorham. He was an English film actor and appeared in 59 films between 1912 and 1919.
Jennie (Jane) Morgan (1880–1972) was born on December 6, 1880, and raised in Boston, Massachusetts. The 42 year-old actress played Mrs. Bernard Miller, President Miller's wife and Esther's mother. This would be the last appearance of the actress in a Johnson film.
Richard (Dick) Morris (1862–1924) was born on January 30, 1862, in Charlestown, Massachusetts. The 60 year-old actor played Mr. Lucus. Morris usually played character roles and heavies. His early education included spending three years overseas studying grand opera. His first professional work was touring America for two seasons as an opera singer. He then spent three years in London singing opera. In September 1909, he joined the Lubin organization and made his first movie appearance in 1912 when he was 50.[56]
Wedgwood Nowell (born Harry Wedgwood Nowell) (1878–1957) was an American film actor, director, producer, musician, and stage actor who was born on January 24, 1878, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The 45 year-old actor would portray J. Lawrence Wilton, the President's general adviser. His name credit is misspelled in the movie - Wedgewood Nowell. Many sites also incorrectly list Wedgwood Nowell as playing a character named Raymond McKim. This mistaken name credit was due to some early promotional material released by the studio before the film's final version was released.[58] "J Lawrence Wilton ~~the President's general adviser" is the actual credit listing in the film. Nowell's character Wilton would become the Chief Antagonist in this film. This would be Nowell's only appearance in a Johnson film.[59]
Gertrude Olmstead (Also Known As Gertrude Olmsted) (1904–1975) was born on November 13, 1904, in LaSalle, Illinois. While she was still a student at LaSalle-Peru High School, she won the 1920 Chicago Herald-Examiner beauty contest. She became "The Spirit of America" in the July 1920 Elks parade in Chicago. Her win led to a movie contract with Universal. She had her first credited role in The Fox starring Harry Carey, released in July 1921. She was an established star when the 19 year-old actress played Nora Malone in this movie. Olmstead married director Robert Z. Leonard in June 1926 and made her last picture: The Time, the Place and the Girl released July 8, 1929. She remained happily married until her husband's died in 1968. She was five feet two inches, with light brown hair and grey eyes. AFI credits the actress with 45 Titles in Filmography.[60][61]
Wilfred Rogers (c. 1882-1917) was a 34 actor when he played the role of Edwin Rossitor. He acted primarily in silent films and was also another speaking stage convert.
Tom Santschi (1878–1931) was born on October 14, 1878, in Crystal City, Missouri. He was an established star when the 45 year-old actor played Jack Donovan. He had acted in hundreds of movies by the time she starred in this film. Tom Santschi grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, where he started playing baseball. While attending high school, he became a pitcher but soon transferred to the outfield because of his hitting prowess. The athletic Santschi eventually went to Purdue University, where he played in the outfield but occasionally tried his hand on the pitcher's mound. Both Santschi and Johnnie Walker loved the game they played in their youth. Each admits they were happy to accept a role in this film.[62] Tom was six feet one inch tall, curly brown hair and piercing blue eyes. The bulk of his movie career was making westerns. AFI credits the actor/director with 103 Titles in Filmography.[63][64]
Martha Sleeper (1910–1983) was born on June 24, 1910, in Lake Bluff, Illinois. The 12 year-old actress played Johnnie's kid sister—Betty Morley. This role would be her first appearance on the silver screen.[65] Martha Sleeper was discovered by Emory Johnson before the shooting started in 1923.[f] Although it should be pointed out, Sleeper was not just some chance discovery in a forgotten photo. She had an entertainment pedigree. Her father, mother, and uncle were in the entertainment business..[67] After this role, she would appear comedies.[68] In 1927, Sleeper was one of 13 actresses selected as a WAMPAS Baby Star i.e.one of the year's feminine personalities whom exhibitors thought had a promising future in feature films.[67] She would remain active in the movie industry and Broadway between 1923 and 1945. After her entertainment career, she would rediscover herself and become a fashion icon.
Carl Stockdale (born William Carlton Stockdale) (1874–1953) was born on February 19, 1874, in Worthington, Minnesota. At 50, he was already a well-known character actor when he portrayed Thomas Gains, the father of Johnnie Gains. This film marked Stockdale's sole appearance in a Johnson production. Standing at a height of five feet eleven inches, he possessed brown hair and blue-grey eyes.
Stockdale started his career as a property master with a repertory theatrical company. He then spent 15 years on stage in repertory theater and vaudeville. In 1913, at the relatively late age of 39, Stockdale ventured into the realm of films, joining the Essanay Studios and securing a minor role in a Broncho Billy's Western. He worked with Essanay for two years before joining the David W. Griffith Corp's film company. As Stockdale's career unfolded, he seamlessly adapted from silent films to talkies. In his last movie, he acted uncredited in Hangmen Also Die!, released in 1943.[69][70]
Cuyler Supplee (1894–1944) was born on February 13, 1894, in Germantown, Pennsylvania. He was 30 when he played Silas Gains, the oldest son in the Gains Family. His next appearance in a Johnson production would be FBO's The Last Edition, released in November 1925, and his last would be Johnson's The Lone Eagle, released in August 1927. He was an actor and author. According to the American Film Institute, his brief acting career spanned 12 features from 1922 through 1928. Supplee's roles were all character parts.[71][72]
Jane Thomas (1899–1976) was born on May 31, 1899, in Chicago, Illinois. When Johnson began searching for a feminine lead in this production, he tried to find a woman possessing Gibson Girl flowing hair. He wanted this actress to look and dress like a typical woman in 1906. He then needed her to age 18 years to play Jackie's mother. In Hollywood, most actresses and flappers wore their hair in a Shingle bob. Unable to find his leading woman with the right hairstyle, Johnson turned his attention to the East Coast and selected Jane Thomas living in New York. She was a seasoned movie veteran and had the look Johnson desired. They put her on a train, and she headed West. She was an established star when the 24-the year-old actress played Mary Donovan. AFI credits the actress with 26 Titles in Filmography.[73][74]
Johnnie Walkerv1 (1894–1949) was born on January 7, 1894, in New York City, New York. He was an upcoming star when the 28 year-old actor was awarded the supporting role of Johnnie O'Hara, age 20, Patrick O'Hara's son. Walker appeared in five Johnson FBO productions. In every production, he played the son of the working-class father. Walker would be featured in Johnson's sixth film for FBO – Life's Greatest Game, released in October 1924. Life's Greatest Game was Walker's fifth and final role in an Emory Johnson production. Walker is five feet eleven inches tall, with black hair and blue eyes. AFI credits the actor with 48 Titles in his Filmography.[75][76]
Johnnie Walkerv2 (1894–1949) was born on January 7, 1894, in New York City, New York. He was an established star when the 29 year-old actor played Johnie Morley, Bob Morley's son. He previously had featured roles in Johnson's FBO vehicles – In the Name of the Law, and The Third Alarm where he played Ralph Lewis character's son in both films. John Harron replaced Walker in the April 1923 production of The West~Bound Limited, but Walker reappeared in this film in his favored role of Ralph Lewis's son. Walker would later be featured in Johnson's sixth film for FBO – Life's Greatest Game, released in October 1924.Life's Greatest Game was Walker's fifth and final role in an Emory Johnson production. Johnnie Walker appeared in five Emory Johnson FBO productions. He played the son of the film's leading father figure in each film. In each of Walker's supporting roles, the character was named Johnnie or a derivative.[g]
Walker is five feet eleven inches tall, with black hair and blue eyes. AFI credits the actor with 48 Titles in his Filmography.[75][76]
Mrs. George W. Walters (1835–1916) was an English actress born Mary Stanton in c. 1835. She was a contract player for Lubin and considered "...the grande dame of the Lubin company."[78] Walters was 77 years-old when she played Mrs. Stone.[79][80]
Marie Wierman (1893–1956) was born Marie Elizabeth Wierman on November 6, 1893 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[81] Wierman started her career at Lubin at the urging of Lubin director Barry O'Neil, a friend of the family.[82] She married Napoleon B. Kukuck (Stage name of Lee Phelps) on December 21, 1916.[83] After her marriage, she acquired the stage name of Mary Warren.[84] Wierman was 18 years-old when she played Elizabeth, Harold's older sister. This film was one of her earliest efforts. She was an American actress active in the movie industry between 1912 – 1934.
Frank Whitson (1877-1946) was a 39 year-old actor when he played August. He appeared in 66 films between 1915 and 1937. This was one of his early efforts, and he would become more widely known later in his acting career.
Helen Wright (1868-1928) was 47 years old when she acted in this movie playing Virginia Warrington Payne. Helen Wright (born Helen Boyd) was a well-known Universal character actress who appeared mostly in silent films between 1915 and 1930. She spent most of her career under contract at Universal.
The note in its entirety can be read under the individual casting entry
Though a young man, Raymond Hackett remembers the good, old days of the movies, because he spent his boyhood in the studios
1923 marked the release of Johnnie Walker's two biggest starring release by the Film Booking Offices in The Fourth Musketeer and Captain Fly-by-Night.
The Digest of the Motion Picture Industry
Studio Directory
The Unbiased Reviewing Service! With Specially Written Program Copy
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was invoked but never defined (see the help page).Will personify "Spirit of America" in Elks Parade in Chicago in July