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Young Tom Edison
''Young Tom Edison'' is a 1940 biographical film about the early life of inventor Thomas Edison directed by Norman Taurog and starring Mickey Rooney. The film was the first of a complementary pair of Edison biopics that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer released in 1940. ''Edison, the Man'', starring Spencer Tracy, followed two months later, completing the two-part story of Edison's life. The film had a special preview on February 10, 1940 in Port Huron, Michigan, the place where Thomas Edison spent his childhood. Plot The film follows the imaginative, curious—and clumsy—boy Tom as he continually gets into mischief and causes accidents with his inventions and experiments. The townspeople regard him as a troublemaker and figure of fun. The schoolmistress expels him for daydreaming, distracting the other students and asking ridiculous questions. She suggests that his father take him to a doctor because he is “addled”. Tom's family loves him, although his father is frustrated and sometime ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Norman Taurog
Norman Rae Taurog (February 23, 1899 – April 7, 1981) was an American film director and screenwriter. From 1920 to 1968, Taurog directed 180 films. At the age of 32, he received the Academy Award for Best Director for '' Skippy'' (1931). He is the second youngest person ever to win the award after Damien Chazelle, who won for ''La La Land'' in 2017. He was later nominated for Best Director for the film '' Boys Town'' (1938). He directed some of the best-known actors of the twentieth century, including his nephew Jackie Cooper, Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland, Deanna Durbin, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Deborah Kerr, Peter Lawford, Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, and Elvis Presley. Taurog directed six Martin and Lewis films, and nine Elvis Presley films, more than any other director. For his contribution to the motion picture industry, Taurog has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1600 Vine Street. Early life Norman Taurog was born February 23, 1899, in Chicago, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Port Huron, Michigan
Port Huron is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of St. Clair County. The population was 30,184 at the 2010 census. The city is adjacent to Port Huron Township but is administered separately. Located along the St. Clair River, it is connected to Point Edward, Ontario in Canada via the Blue Water Bridge. The city lies at the southern end of Lake Huron and is the easternmost point on land in Michigan. Port Huron is home to two paper mills, Mueller Brass, and many businesses related to tourism and the automotive industry. The city features a historic downtown area, boardwalk, marina, museum, lighthouse, and the McMorran Place arena and entertainment complex. History This area was long occupied by the Ojibwa people. French colonists had a temporary trading post and fort at this site in the 17th century. In 1814 following the War of 1812, the United States established Fort Gratiot at the base of Lake Huron. A community developed around it. The early 19th ce ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mitchell Lewis (actor)
Mitchell Lewis (June 26, 1880 – August 24, 1956) was an American film actor whose career as a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract player encompassed both silent and sound films. Born in 1880, Lewis appeared in more than 175 films between 1914 and 1956, although many of the roles in his later films were uncredited. He played supporting roles, such as Sheihk Idrim in 1925's '' Ben Hur'' in the silent era and Ernest Defarge in ''A Tale of Two Cities'' (1935) in the sound era, but his career would diminish to small uncredited roles like the Captain of the Winkie Guards in '' The Wizard of Oz'' (1939). His last film was ''The Fastest Gun Alive'', starring Glenn Ford and Broderick Crawford, which was released shortly before Lewis' death in 1956. Mitchell also served as one of the original board members of the Motion Picture Relief Fund, now known as the Motion Picture & Television Fund. Selected filmography * ''The Million Dollar Mystery'' (1914, Serial) - Gang Leader * ''Zudora ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Olin Howland
Olin Ross Howland (February 10, 1886 – September 20, 1959) was an American film and theatre actor. Life and career Howland was born in Denver, Colorado, to Joby A. Howland, one of the youngest enlisted participants in the Civil War, and Mary C. Bunting. His sister was stage actress Jobyna Howland. From 1909 to 1927, Howland appeared on Broadway in musicals, occasionally performing in silent films. The musicals include ''Leave It to Jane'' (1917), ''Two Little Girls in Blue'' (1921) and ''Wildflower'' (1923). He was in the film ''Janice Meredith'' (1924) with Marion Davies. With the advent of sound films, his theatre background proved an asset, and he concentrated mostly on films thereafter, appearing in nearly two hundred movies between 1918 and 1958. Howland often played eccentric and rural roles in Hollywood. His parts were often small and uncredited, and he never got a leading role. He was a personal favorite of David O. Selznick, who cast him in his movies '' Not ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Stanley Blystone
William Stanley Blystone (August 1, 1894 – July 16, 1956) was an American film actor who made more than 500 films appearances between 1924 and 1956. He was sometimes billed as William Blystone or William Stanley. Early years Blystone was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He was a steel production engineer and worked in ore mines before he became an actor. Career Blystone is best known for his appearance in Charlie Chaplin's '' Modern Times'', playing Paulette Goddard's father, and several short films starring The Three Stooges. Some of his more memorable roles were in the films ''Half Shot Shooters'', '' False Alarms'', ''Goofs and Saddles'', ''Three Little Twirps'' and '' Slaphappy Sleuths''. His final appearance with the trio was ''Of Cash and Hash'' in 1955. He also appeared in several Laurel and Hardy films. Personal life and death Blystone was married to Hollywood starlet Alma Tell. They had no children. Blystone's brother John G. Blystone was a film director in Hol ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Harry Shannon (actor)
Harry Shannon (June 13, 1890 – July 27, 1964) was an American character actor. He often appeared in Western films. Biography Shannon was born on a farm in Saginaw, Michigan. After beginning his career in live theater and vaudeville, be switched to the film industry in the 1930s. His Broadway credits included ''Mrs. O'Brien Entertains'' (1939), ''Washington Jitters'' (1938), ''Under Glass'' (1933), ''Pardon My English'' (1933), ''Free For All'' (1931), ''Simple Simon'' (1931), ''Jonica'' (1930), ''Hold Everything'' (1928), and ''Oh, Kay!'' (1926). Although he appeared most frequently in Westerns, such as villain cowboy Dad "Jobe Craig" in S3E27's "Meeting at Mimbres" in the 1961 western ''Bat Masterson'', his best-known film role was perhaps as Charles Foster Kane's rough father in ''Citizen Kane'' (1941). Among his other films were ''Someone to Remember'' (1943), ''Alaska Highway'' (1943), ''San Quentin'' (1946), ''Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House'' (1948) and ''Witness ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Clem Bevans
Clem Guy Bevans (October 16, 1880 – August 11, 1963) was an American character actor best remembered for playing eccentric, grumpy old men. Early life Bevans was born in Cozzadale, Ohio. Career Bevans had a very long career, starting in vaudeville in 1900 in an act with Grace Emmett. He progressed to burlesque, Broadway, and even light opera, before making his film debut at the age of 55 in ''Way Down East'' (1935). His portrayal was so good, he became stereotyped and played mostly likable old codgers for the rest of his life. Bevans played the neighbour of Gregory Peck in ''The Yearling'' and the gatekeeper in ''Harvey'' (1950). However, he did occasionally play against type, for example as a Nazi spy in Alfred Hitchcock's ''Saboteur'' (1942). He also made some television appearances, including the role of Captain Hugo in the 1958 ''Perry Mason'' episode "The Case of the Demure Defendant" and as Pete in ''The Twilight Zone'' episode "Hocus-Pocus and Frisby" (1962). He play ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
John Kellogg (actor)
John Kellogg (June 3, 1916 – February 22, 2000) was an American actor in film, stage and television. Some sources, including ancestry.com, state that his given name was Giles Vernon Kellogg, Jr. Biography Kellogg began his acting career in the 1930s as ''Giles V. Kellogg'', starring in the long-running comedy ''Brother Rat''.Full Biography The New York Times Meanwhile, he acted on stage in several plays until broke out. He turned to the film industry, playing bit parts in several films. In 1946, he signed a contract at |
Lloyd Corrigan
Lloyd Corrigan (October 16, 1900 – November 5, 1969) was an American film and television actor, producer, screenwriter, and director who began working in films in the 1920s. The son of actress Lillian Elliott, Corrigan directed films, usually mysteries such as '' Daughter of the Dragon'' starring Anna May Wong (one of a trilogy of Fu Manchu movies for which he has writing credits), before dedicating himself more to acting in 1938. His short '' La Cucaracha'' won an Academy Award in 1935. Early life Corrigan was born in San Francisco, California, to actress Lillian Hiby Corrigan (Lillian Elliott) (April 24, 1874 – January 15, 1959) and actor James Corrigan (October 17, 1867 – February 28, 1929). Career Corrigan studied drama at the University of California, Berkeley, from which he graduated in 1922. Directing (1930–1937) ''Follow Thru'' (1930) to ''Lady Behave!'' (1937). Writing (1926–1939) ''Hands Up!'' (1926) to ''Night Work'' (1939) Acting (1925&nd ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Bobby Jordan
Robert G. Jordan (April 1, 1923 – September 10, 1965) was an American actor, most notable for being a member of the Dead End Kids, the East Side Kids, and The Bowery Boys. Early life and career Jordan was born in Harrison, New York, At the age of four, he was working in an early movie version of ''A Christmas Carol''. His mother took him to talent shows in and around Harrison, New York. He also modeled for newspaper and magazine advertisements and appeared in short films and radio programs. In the late 1920s, his family moved to the upper west side of Manhattan. In 1929, he was cast as Charles Hildebrand in the 1929 Broadway play '' Street Scene''. Dead End Kids and East Side Kids Though he was the youngest, Jordan was the first of the boys who made up the Dead End Kids to work in films with a role in a 1933 Universal short. In 1935, he became one of the original Dead End Kids by winning the role of Angel in Sydney Kingsley's Broadway drama ''Dead End'' about life in th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Victor Kilian
Victor Arthur Kilian (March 6, 1891 – March 11, 1979) was an American actor who was blacklisted by the Hollywood movie studio bosses in the 1950s. Early life, career, and homicide Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, Victor Kilian began his career in entertainment at the age of 18 by joining a vaudeville company. In the mid-1920s, he began to perform in Broadway plays and by the end of the decade had made his debut in motion pictures. For the next two decades, he made a good living as a character actor in secondary or minor roles in films such as ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' (1938). He was frequently cast as a villain. While staging a fight scene with John Wayne for a 1942 film, Kilian suffered a serious injury that resulted in the loss of one eye. He was an early resident of Free Acres, a social experimental community developed by Bolton Hall in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey. During the McCarthyism of the 1950s, Kilian was blacklisted for his political beliefs, but bec ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eugene Pallette
Eugene William Pallette (July 8, 1889 – September 3, 1954) was an American actor who worked in both the silent and sound eras, performing in more than 240 productions between 1913 and 1946. After an early career as a slender leading man, Pallette became a stout character actor. He had a deep voice, which some critics have likened to the sound of a croaking frog, and is probably best-remembered for comic character roles such as Alexander Bullock ( Carole Lombard's character's father) in '' My Man Godfrey'' (1936), Friar Tuck in ''The Adventures of Robin Hood'' (1938), and his similar role as Fray Felipe in '' The Mark of Zorro'' (1940). He also co-starred in '' Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'' (1939) and '' Heaven Can Wait'' (1943). Early life He was born in Winfield, Kansas, the son of William Baird Pallette and Elnora "Ella" Jackson. His parents had been actors in their younger years, but by 1889 Pallette's father was an insurance salesman. His sister was Beulah L. Pal ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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