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William S. Hart filmography

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Portrait of Hart in cowboy garb
William S. Hart, c. 1920

William S. Hart (1864–1946) was an American silent film actor, screenwriter, director and producer.[1] He is remembered as a foremost Western star of the silent era who "imbued all of his characters with honor and integrity."[2] During the late 1910s and early 1920s, he was one of the most consistently popular movie stars, frequently ranking high among male actors in popularity contests held by movie fan magazines.[3]

Hart was born in New York and began his acting career in 1888.[4] He had success as a Shakespearean actor on Broadway, and appeared in the original stage production of Ben-Hur (1899).[5] He entered films in 1914, and after playing supporting roles in two short films, he achieved stardom the same year as the lead in the feature The Bargain.[6] Hart was particularly interested in making realistic Western films. His films are noted for their authentic costumes and props, as well as Hart's acting ability, honed on Shakespearean theater stages in the United States and England. Beginning in 1915, Hart starred in his own series of two-reel Western short subjects for producer Thomas Ince, which were so popular that they were supplanted by a series of feature films.[7] In 1915 and 1916, exhibitors voted him the biggest money making star in the United States.[8] In 1917, Hart accepted a lucrative offer from Adolph Zukor to join Famous Players–Lasky, which merged into Paramount Pictures.[9]

By the early 1920s, Hart's brand of gritty, rugged Westerns with drab costumes and moralistic themes gradually fell out of fashion. The public became attracted by a new kind of movie cowboy, epitomized by Tom Mix, who wore flashier costumes and was involved in more action scenes. Paramount dropped Hart, who then made one last bid for his kind of Western. He produced Tumbleweeds (1925) with his own money, arranging to release it independently through United Artists. After Tumbleweeds, Hart retired to his to home in Newhall, California.[10]

For his contribution to the motion picture industry, William S. Hart has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6363 Hollywood Blvd.[11] In 1975, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.[12] As of November 2024, two of the films Hart starred in—The Bargain and Hell's Hinges—along with Show People, in which he has a cameo, have been added to the National Film Registry.[13]

Filmography

[edit]
Release date Title Role Credited as Notes Ref.
Director Writer Producer
July 2, 1914 His Hour of Manhood Pete Larson Two reels; survival status unknown [14]
July 23, 1914 Jim Cameron's Wife Andy Stiles Two reels; survival status unknown [15]
December 3, 1914 The Bargain Jim Stokes Added to the National Film Registry in 2010 [16]
December 23, 1914 The Passing of Two-Gun Hicks Two-Gun Hicks Yes Two reels; survival status unknown [17]
December 25, 1914 In the Sagebrush Country Jim Brandon Yes Two reels [18]
January 6, 1915 The Scourge of the Desert Bill Evers Yes Two reels; survival status unknown [19]
February 19, 1915 Mr. "Silent" Haskins Lon Haskins Yes Two reels [20]
February 25, 1915 The Grudge Rio Ed Yes Two reels; survival status unknown [21]
February 26, 1915 The Sheriff's Streak of Yellow Sheriff Hale Yes Two reels; survival status unknown [22]
April 9, 1915 The Roughneck Dave Page Yes Two reels [23]
April 15, 1915 On the Night Stage "Silent Texas" Smith [24]
April 16, 1915 The Taking of Luke McVane Luke McVane Yes Two reels [25]
May 6, 1915 The Man from Nowhere Buck Varley - the Man from Nowhere Yes Two reels [26]
May 21, 1915 Bad Buck of Santa Ynez Bad Buck Peters Yes Two reels [27]
May 31, 1915 The Darkening Trail Yukon Ed Yes [28]
June 2, 1915 The Conversion of Frosty Blake Frosty Blake Yes Two reels [29]
July 7, 1915 Tools of Providence Steve Blake Yes Two reels [30]
July 14, 1915 The Ruse "Bat" Peters Yes Two reels [31]
July 21, 1915 Cash Parrish's Pal Cash Parrish Yes Two reels [32]
August 20, 1915 Knight of the Trail Jim Treen Yes Two reels [33]
August 25, 1915 Pinto Ben Boss Rider Yes Yes Two reels [34]
August 27, 1915 Keno Bates, Liar Keno Bates Yes Two reels [35]
November 21, 1915 The Disciple Jim Houston Yes [36]
January 2, 1916 Between Men Bob White Yes [37]
February 3, 1916 Hell's Hinges Blaze Tracy Yes Added to the National Film Registry in 1994 [38]
April 9, 1916 The Aryan Steve Denton Yes [39]
May 21, 1916 The Primal Lure Angus McConnell Yes Lost film [40]
June 25, 1916 The Apostle of Vengeance David Hudson Lost film [41]
July 23, 1916 The Captive God Chiapa [42]
September 3, 1916 The Patriot Bob Wiley Yes Lost film [43]
September 24, 1916 The Dawn Maker Joe Elk Yes Lost film [44]
October 15, 1916 The Return of Draw Egan Draw Egan aka William Blake Yes [45]
November 26, 1916 The Devil's Double "Bowie" Blake Yes Lost film [46]
January 7, 1917 Truthful Tulliver Truthful Tulliver Yes [47]
February 11, 1917 The Gunfighter Cliff Hudspeth Yes [48]
March 25, 1917 The Desert Man Jim Alton Yes [49]
April 22, 1917 The Square Deal Man Jack O'Diamonds Yes [50]
May 27, 1917 Wolf Lowry Tom "Wolf" Lowery Yes [51]
November 17, 1917 The Cold Deck Jefferson "On-the-Level" Leigh Yes [52]
October 1917 All-Star Production of Patriotic Episodes for the Second Liberty Loan Himself ½ reel [53]
November 26, 1917 The Silent Man "Silent" Budd Marr Yes [54]
December 30, 1917 The Narrow Trail Ice Harding Yes Yes [55]
January 14, 1918 Wolves of the Rail "Buck" Andrade Yes Yes Yes [56]
February 18, 1918 Blue Blazes Rawden Blue Blazes Rawden Yes Yes [57]
April 1, 1918 The Tiger Man Hawk Parsons Yes Yes [58]
May 20, 1918 Selfish Yates "Selfish" Yates Yes Yes [59]
July 8, 1918 Shark Monroe Shark Monroe Yes Yes [60]
August 19, 1918 Riddle Gawne Jefferson "Riddle" Gawne Yes Yes Two of five reels exist; co-stars Lon Chaney [61]
September 1918 A Bullet for Berlin Himself Yes Yes Yes ½ reel [62]
September 10, 1918 The Border Wireless Steve Ransom Yes Yes Lost film [63]
December 15, 1918 Branding Broadway Robert Sands Yes Yes [64]
February 2, 1919 Breed of Men Careless Carmody Yes [65]
March 16, 1919 The Poppy Girl's Husband Hairpin Harry Dutton Yes Yes Lost film [66]
April 20, 1919 The Money Corral Lem Beason Yes Yes [67]
July 15, 1919 Square Deal Sanderson Square Deal Sanderson Yes Yes Co-directed by Lambert Hillyer [68]
July 21, 1919 Wagon Tracks Buckskin Hamilton Yes Directed by Lambert Hillyer [69]
November 2, 1919 John Petticoats "Hardwood" John Haynes Yes Directed by Lambert Hillyer [70]
April 28, 1920 The Toll Gate Black Deering Yes Yes Directed by Lambert Hillyer [71]
June 27, 1920 Sand! Dan Kurrie Yes Directed by Lambert Hillyer [72]
October 17, 1920 The Cradle of Courage "Square" Kelly Yes Directed by Lambert Hillyer [73]
December 26, 1920 The Testing Block "Sierra" Bill Yes Yes Directed by Lambert Hillyer [74]
December 20, 1921 O'Malley of the Mounted Sergeant O'Malley Yes Yes Directed by Lambert Hillyer; remade in 1936 with George O'Brien [75]
March 27, 1921 The Whistle Robert Evans Yes Directed by Lambert Hillyer [76]
October 16, 1921 Three Word Brand Ben Trego / Three Word Brand / Governor Marsden Yes Directed by Lambert Hillyer [77]
December 18, 1921 White Oak Oak Miller - A Gambling Man Yes Yes Directed by Lambert Hillyer [78]
March 11, 1922 Travelin' On J.B. Yes Yes Directed by Lambert Hillyer [79]
August 19, 1923 Hollywood Himself (cameo) Lost film; directed by James Cruze [80]
December 2, 1923 Wild Bill Hickok Wild Bill Hickok Yes Directed by Clifford Smith [81]
March 2, 1924 Singer Jim McKee "Singer" Jim McKee Yes Yes Directed by Clifford Smith [82]
December 27, 1925 Tumbleweeds Don Carver Yes Directed by King Baggot; reissued in 1939 with Hart in a new talking prologue [83]
November 11, 1928 Show People Himself (cameo) Directed by King Vidor; added to the National Film Registry in 2003 [84]

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Everson, William K. (January 1, 1992). The Hollywood Western: 90 Years of Cowboys and Indians, Train Robbers, Sheriffs and Gunslingers, and Assorted Heroes and Desperados. New York, NY: Citadel Press. ISBN 0-8065-1256-3.
  • Koszarski, Diane Kaiser (January 1, 1980). The Complete Films of William S. Hart: A Pictorial Record. New York, NY: Dover Publications. ISBN 978-0486238630.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Obituaries". Variety. June 26, 1946. p. 62. Retrieved August 4, 2023..
  2. ^ King, Susan (July 25, 2011). "Classic Hollywood: Western Film Pioneers Have Silent-Era Roots". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
  3. ^ Sources:
  4. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. x
  5. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. xi
  6. ^ Everson 1992, p. 48
  7. ^ Everson 1992, p. 48
  8. ^ "Shootin' to Fame". The Mercury. Hobart, Tasmania. August 27, 1942. p. 6. Archived from the original on August 4, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2012 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. xv
  10. ^ Everson 1992, pp. 54–57
  11. ^ "William S. Hart". Hollywood Walk of Fame. 25 October 2019. Archived from the original on 28 July 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  12. ^ "Hall of Great Western Performers". National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  13. ^ "Personnel Credits". National Film Preservation Board. LOC. Archived from the original on November 5, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2023.
  14. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 1
  15. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 2
  16. ^ Sources:
  17. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 10
  18. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 11
  19. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 12
  20. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 13
  21. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 15
  22. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 14
  23. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 16
  24. ^ "On the Night Stage". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  25. ^ Koszarski 1980, pp. 17–18
  26. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 19
  27. ^ Koszarski 1980, pp. 20–21
  28. ^ "The Darkening Trail". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  29. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 24
  30. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 25
  31. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 27
  32. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 26
  33. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 33
  34. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 29
  35. ^ Koszarski 1980, pp. 31–32
  36. ^ "The Disciple". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  37. ^ "Between Men". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  38. ^ Sources:
  39. ^ "The Aryan". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  40. ^ *"The Primal Lure". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
    • "The Primal Lure". American Silent Feature Film Survival Database. LOC. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  41. ^ Sources:
  42. ^ "The Captive God". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  43. ^ Sources:
    • "The Patriot". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
    • "The Patriot". American Silent Feature Film Survival Database. LOC. Archived from the original on July 27, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  44. ^ Sources:
  45. ^ "The Return of Draw Egan". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  46. ^ Sources:
  47. ^ "Truthful Tulliver". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  48. ^ "The Gun Fighter". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  49. ^ "The Desert Man". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  50. ^ "The Square Deal Man". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  51. ^ "Wolf Lowry". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  52. ^ "The Cold Deck". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  53. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 73
  54. ^ "The Silent Man". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  55. ^ "The Narrow Trail". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  56. ^ "Wolves of the Rail". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  57. ^ "Blue Blazes Rawden". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  58. ^ "The Tiger Man". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  59. ^ "Selfish Yates". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  60. ^ "Shark Monroe". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  61. ^ Sources:
    • "Riddle Gawne". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
    • "Riddle Gawne". Progressive Silent Film List. Carl Bennett and the Silent Era Company. Archived from the original on February 19, 2023. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  62. ^ Koszarski 1980, p. 97
  63. ^ Sources:
  64. ^ "Branding Broadway". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  65. ^ "Breed of Men". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  66. ^ Sources:
  67. ^ "The Money Corral". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  68. ^ "Square Deal Sanderson". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  69. ^ "Wagon Tracks". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  70. ^ "John Petticoats". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  71. ^ "The Toll Gate". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  72. ^ "Sand!". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  73. ^ "The Cradle of Courage". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  74. ^ "The Testing Block". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  75. ^ Sources:
  76. ^ "The Whistle". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  77. ^ "Three Word Brand". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  78. ^ "White Oak". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  79. ^ "Travelin' on". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  80. ^ "Hollywood". AFI. Archived from the original on January 4, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  81. ^ "Wild Bill Hickok". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  82. ^ "Singer Jim McKee". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  83. ^ "Tumbleweeds". AFI. Archived from the original on July 25, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  84. ^ Sources:
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