Elisha Helm Calvert (born William Helm; June 27, 1863 – October 5, 1941) was an American film actor and director. He appeared in more than 170 films, as well as directing a further 60 titles.

Biography

He was born William Helm in

Madison, Wisconsin Madison is the county seat of Dane County and the capital city of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. As of the 2020 census the population was 269,840, making it the second-largest city in Wisconsin by population, after Milwaukee, and the 80th-lar ...

, (or in

Alexandria, Virginia Alexandria is an independent city (United States), independent city in the northern region of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. It lies on the western bank of the Potomac River approximately south of Downto ...

), and died in

Hollywood, California Hollywood is a neighborhood in the central region of Los Angeles, California. Its name has come to be a shorthand reference for the U.S. film industry and the people associated with it. Many notable film studios, such as Columbia Pictures, ...

. He was a

Spanish–American War , partof = the Philippine Revolution, the decolonization of the Americas, and the Cuban War of Independence , image = Collage infobox for Spanish-American War.jpg , image_size = 300px , caption = (clock ...

veteran who served in Cuba. He was a member of the Adventurers Club of New York. Calvert was raised in Madison and graduated from Central High School. He acted for a summer at the Fuller Opera House. After a military career from which he retired as a captain, he acted in stock theater, including working in Arizona, where he acted with

Theodore Roberts Theodore Roberts (October 8, 1861 – December 14, 1928) was an American film and stage actor. Early life Roberts was born in San Francisco, California. He was a cousin of the stage actress Florence Roberts. His choice of a career disapp ...

. He also performed in vaudeville. For 18 years, he was a director, beginning with the Essanay Company. He also acted in films for Essanay. Calvert had a son, also named William Helm.

Selected filmography

* '' The Snare'' (1912) * '' One Wonderful Night'' (1914, director) - Chief Detective Steingall * ''The Showman'' (1914) * ''

The Slim Princess ''The Slim Princess'' is a 1920 American silent comedy film starring Mabel Normand, directed by Victor Schertzinger, produced by Samuel Goldwyn, and written by Gerald C. Duffy based on a musical play of the same name by Henry Blossom and Lesl ...

'' (1915, director) * ''The Crimson Wing'' (1915) - Count Ludwig von Leun-Walram * ''A Daughter of the City'' (1915) - Henry L. Bancroft * ''Vultures of Society'' (1916) - Raymond Raphael * ''According to the Code'' (1916) - Judge Andrews * The Wide, Wrong Way (

Essanay The Essanay Film Manufacturing Company was an early American motion picture studio. The studio was founded in 1907 in Chicago, and later developed an additional film lot in Niles Canyon, California. Its various stars included Francis X. Bushman, ...

1917, director) * '' Branded'' (1920, director) * '' Affinities'' (1922) * ''

Silent Evidence ''Silent Evidence'' is a 1922 British silent film, silent mystery film directed by E. H. Calvert and starring David Hawthorne (actor), David Hawthorne, Marjorie Hume and Frank Dane.Low p.450 Cast * David Hawthorne (actor), David Hawthorne as Mar ...

'' (1922, director) * ''

The Silent Partner ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' (1923) - Jim Harker * ''

Why Men Leave Home ''Why Men Leave Home'' is a 1924 American silent comedy-drama film directed by John M. Stahl directed and stars Lewis Stone and Helene Chadwick. Produced by Louis B. Mayer and released through First National Pictures (then known as Associated ...

'' (1924) - Arthur Phillips * ''

Bluff Bluff or The Bluff may refer to: Places Australia * Bluff, Queensland, Australia, a town * The Bluff, Queensland (Ipswich), a rural locality in the city of Ipswich * The Bluff, Queensland (Toowoomba Region), a rural locality * Bluff River (New So ...

'' (1924) - Norbert Conroy * ''

The Only Woman ''The Only Woman'' is a 1924 American silent film, silent drama film produced by Joseph M. Schenck for Norma Talmadge Productions and distributed by First National. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Norma Talmadge as the leading woman.

'' (1924) - Rodney Blake * ''

Inez from Hollywood ''Inez from Hollywood'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Alfred E. Green. It was produced by Sam E. Rork with distribution through First National Pictures. The film is based on the short story ''The Worst Woman in Hollywood'' by ...

'' (1924) - Gardner * ''

East of Suez East of Suez is used in British military and political discussions in reference to interests beyond the European theatre, and east of the Suez Canal, and may or may not include the Middle East.

'' (1925) - Sidney Forbes * ''

Sally Sally may refer to: People *Sally (name), a list of notable people with the name Military *Sortie (siege warfare), Sally (military), an attack by the defenders of a town or fortress under siege against a besieging force; see sally port *Sally, ...

'' (1925) - Richard Farquar * ''

The Talker ''The Talker'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Alfred E. Green and starring Anna Q. Nilsson, Lewis Stone Lewis Shepard Stone (November 15, 1879 – September 12, 1953) was an American film actor. He spent 29 years as a co ...

'' (1925) - Mr. Grayson * ''

Havoc High Altitude Venus Operational Concept (HAVOC) is a set of crewed NASA mission concepts to the planet Venus. All human portions of the missions would be conducted from lighter-than-air craft or from orbit. Background Venus is a planet with a r ...

'' (1925) - Regimental Adjutant * ''

The Girl from Montmartre ''The Girl from Montmartre'' is a 1926 American silent romantic drama film directed by Alfred E. Green and starring Barbara La Marr in her last film role. It was distributed through First National on the day after La Marr died. Plot As descr ...

'' (1926) - Lord Robert Hautrive * ''

Ella Cinders ''Ella Cinders'' is an American syndicated comic strip created by writer Bill Conselman and artist Charles Plumb. Distributed for most of its run by United Feature Syndicate, the daily version was launched June 1, 1925, and a Sunday page foll ...

'' (1926) - Studio Actor (uncredited) * ''

The House Without a Key ''The House Without a Key'' is a 1925 novel by Earl Derr Biggers, the first of the Charlie Chan mysteries. Set in 1920s Hawaii, the novel acquaints the reader with the look and feel of the islands from the standpoint of both white and non-white ...

'' (1926, Serial) - Dan Winterclip * '' Melting Millions'' (1927) * '' Rookies'' (1927) - Colonel * ''

The First Auto ''The First Auto'' is a 1927 film about the transition from horses to cars and the rift it causes in one family. It stars Charles Emmett Mack and Patsy Ruth Miller, with Barney Oldfield having a guest role in the movie. While mainly a silent f ...

'' (1927) - Elmer Hays (uncredited) * ''

Lonesome Ladies ''Lonesome Ladies'' is a 1927 American comedy film directed by Joseph Henabery and written by Winifred Dunn. The film stars Lewis Stone, Anna Q. Nilsson, Jane Winton, Doris Lloyd, Edward Martindel and Fritzi Ridgeway. The film was released on Ju ...

'' (1927) - Mr. Burton * ''

The Wizard Wizard, the wizard, or wizards may refer to: * Wizard (fantasy), a fictional practitioner of magic * Wizard (supernatural), a practitioner of magic Art, entertainment and media Fictional characters * Wizard (Archie Comics), a comic book supe ...

'' (1927) - Edwin Palmer * ''

West Point The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known Metonymy, metonymically as West Point or simply as Army, is a United States service academies, United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a f ...

'' (1927) - Superintendent (uncredited) * ''

The Man Without a Face ''The Man Without a Face'' is a 1993 American drama film starring and directed by Mel Gibson, in his directorial debut. The film is based on Isabelle Holland's 1972 novel of the same name. Gibson's direction received positive reviews from most c ...

'' (1928, Serial) * ''Let 'Er Go Gallegher'' (1928) - City Editor * ''

The Legion of the Condemned ''The Legion of the Condemned'' (aka ''Legion of the Condemned'') is a 1928 American silent film directed by William A. Wellman and produced by Jesse L. Lasky, Wellman, and Adolph Zukor and distributed by Paramount Pictures.Wynne 1987, p. 62. ...

'' (1928) - Commandant * ''

Why Sailors Go Wrong ''Why Sailors Go Wrong'' is a 1928 American silent comedy film directed by Henry Lehrman and written by Randall Faye and Delos Sutherland. The film stars Sammy Cohen, Ted McNamara, Sally Phipps, Nick Stuart, E. H. Calvert, and Carl Miller. Th ...

'' (1928) - Cyrus Green * ''

4 Devils ''4 Devils'' (also known as ''Four Devils'') is a 1928 American silent drama film directed by German director F. W. Murnau and starring Janet Gaynor. It is considered to be lost. Premise The plot concerns four orphans (Janet Gaynor, Nancy Drex ...

'' (1928) * ''

Moran of the Marines ''Moran of the Marines'' is a lost 1928 American comedy silent film directed by Frank R. Strayer and written by Ray Harris, Agnes Brand Leahy, George Marion Jr., Sam Mintz and Linton Wells. The film stars Richard Dix, Ruth Elder, Roscoe Karns, ...

'' (1928) - Gen. Marshall * '' Prep and Pep'' (1928) - Col. Marsh * '' The City of Youth'' (1928, director) * ''

The Canary Murder Case ''For the film adaptation see The Canary Murder Case (film)'' ''The Canary Murder Case'' (1927) is a murder mystery novel which deals with the murders of a sexy nightclub singer known as "the Canary," and, eventually, her boyfriend, solved by Ph ...

'' (1929) - Dist. Atty. John F.X. Markham * '' Blue Skies'' (1929) - Mr. Semple Jones (episode 1) * ''

The Studio Murder Mystery ''The Studio Murder Mystery'' is a 1929 American mystery film directed by Frank Tuttle and written by Ethel Doherty, A. Channing Edington, Carmen Ballen Edington, Joseph L. Mankiewicz and Frank Tuttle. The film stars Neil Hamilton, Doris Hill, ...

'' (1929) - Grant (uncredited) * ''

Thunderbolt A thunderbolt or lightning bolt is a symbolic representation of lightning when accompanied by a loud thunderclap. In Indo-European mythology, the thunderbolt was identified with the 'Sky Father'; this association is also found in later Hell ...

'' (1929) - Dist. Atty. McKay * '' Dark Streets'' (1929) - Police Lieutenant * ''

The Greene Murder Case ''The Greene Murder Case'' is a 1928 mystery novel by S. S. Van Dine. It focuses on the murders, one by one, of members of the wealthy and contentious Greene family. This is the third in the series of Philo Vance whodunits, and the first of the ...

'' (1929) - Dist. Atty. John F.X. Markham * ''

Fast Company ''Fast Company'' is a monthly American business magazine published in print and online that focuses on technology, business, and design. It publishes six print issues per year. History ''Fast Company'' was launched in November 1995 by Alan Web ...

'' (1929) - Platt * ''

Illusion An illusion is a distortion of the senses, which can reveal how the mind normally organizes and interprets sensory stimulation. Although illusions distort the human perception of reality, they are generally shared by most people. Illusions may o ...

'' (1929) - Doctor (uncredited) * '' The Virginian'' (1929) - Judge Henry * ''

The Mighty ''The Mighty'' is a 1998 American coming of age buddy comedy-drama film directed by Peter Chelsom and written by Charles Leavitt. Based on the book ''Freak the Mighty'' by Rodman Philbrick, the film stars Sharon Stone, Gena Rowlands, Gillian And ...

'' (1929) - Major General * ''

The Love Parade ''The Love Parade'' is a 1929 American pre-Code musical comedy film, directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring Maurice Chevalier and Jeanette MacDonald, involving the marital difficulties of Queen Louise of Sylvania (MacDonald) and her consort, ...

'' (1929) - Sylvanian Ambassador * '' Darkened Rooms'' (1929) - Mr. Clayton (uncredited) * '' Peacock Alley'' (1930) - Paul * ''

The Kibitzer ''The Kibitzer'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Edward Sloman and written by Marion Dix, Sam Mintz and Viola Brothers Shore. It is based on the 1929 play ''The Kibitzer'' by Jo Swerling and Edward G. Robinson. The film stars ...

'' (1930) - Westcott * ''

Behind the Make-Up ''Behind the Make-Up'' is a 1930 American pre-Code drama film directed by Robert Milton and Dorothy Arzner (who was uncredited),Mayne, p. 54, 183 and based on the short story "The Feeder" by Mildred Cram. The film stars Hal Skelly, William Pow ...

'' (1930) - Dawson * '' Only the Brave'' (1930) - The Colonel * ''

Men Are Like That ''Men Are Like That'' is a 1930 American pre-Code drama film directed by Frank Tuttle and written by Herman J. Mankiewicz and Marion Dix, based on the George Kelly play ''The Show-Off'', which had already been the source material for a 1926 s ...

'' (1930) - Superintendent (uncredited) * ''

The Benson Murder Case ''The Benson Murder Case'' is the first novel in the Philo Vance series of mystery novels by S. S. Van Dine, which became a best-seller. Plot outline New York dilettante Philo Vance decides to assist the police in investigating the death of an ...

'' (1930) - Dist. Atty. John F.X. Markham * ''

Ladies Love Brutes ''Ladies Love Brutes'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film starring George Bancroft, Mary Astor, and Fredric March. The film was directed by Rowland V. Lee and based on the play ''Pardon My Glove'' by Zoë Akins. Cast *George Bancroft as J ...

'' (1930) - Committeeman (uncredited) * ''

The Social Lion ''The Social Lion'' is a 1930 American Pre-Code comedy film directed by A. Edward Sutherland and written by Octavus Roy Cohen, Joseph L. Mankiewicz and Agnes Brand Leahy, and starring Jack Oakie, Mary Brian, Richard "Skeets" Gallagher, Olive B ...

'' (1930) - Henderson * '' The Border Legion'' (1930) - Judge Savin * ''

A Man from Wyoming ''A Man from Wyoming'' is a 1930 American Pre-Code war romance film directed by Rowland V. Lee and starring Gary Cooper, June Collyer, and Regis Toomey. Written by Albert S. Le Vino and John V.A. Weaver, the film is about a man from Wyoming who ...

'' (1930) - Maj. Gen. Hunter * ''

Let's Go Native ''Let's Go Native'' is a 1930 American pre-Code black-and-white musical comedy film, directed by Leo McCarey and released by Paramount Pictures. Jerry comments on being the only man on an island populated by women, "It was one of the Virgin I ...

'' (1930) - Diner (uncredited) * ''

Half Shot at Sunrise ''Half Shot at Sunrise'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film starring the comedy duo Wheeler & Woolsey and Dorothy Lee. Their fourth film together, it was the second starring vehicle for the two, following the success of '' The Cuckoos'', w ...

'' (1930) - Gen. Hale (uncredited) * ''

The Widow from Chicago ''The Widow from Chicago'' is a 1930 American pre-Code crime drama film directed by Edward F. Cline and starring Alice White, Edward G. Robinson, Neil Hamilton (actor), Neil Hamilton, and Frank McHugh. It was released by First National Pictures, ...

'' (1930) - Police Captain R.L. Davis * ''

Beyond Victory ''Beyond Victory'' is a 1931 American pre-Code war film starring Bill Boyd, James Gleason, Lew Cody, and ZaSu Pitts. While John Robertson received directing credit, Edward H. Griffith supposedly took extensive re-takes after production ended an ...

'' (1931) - Commanding Officer (uncredited) * ''

Graft Graft or grafting may refer to: *Graft (politics), a form of political corruption *Graft, Netherlands, a village in the municipality of Graft-De Rijp Science and technology *Graft (surgery), a surgical procedure *Grafting, the joining of plant ti ...

'' (1931) - Police Inspector (uncredited) * ''

Horse Feathers ''Horse Feathers'' is a 1932 pre-Code comedy film starring the Marx Brothers. It stars the Four Marx Brothers (Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo), Thelma Todd and David Landau. It was written by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, S. J. Perelman, an ...

'' (1932) - Professor in Wagstaff's office (uncredited) * '' The Conquerors'' (1932) - Doctor * '' Wild Horse Mesa'' (1932) - Sheriff * '' The Mysterious Rider'' (1933) - Sheriff Matt Arnold * ''

The Power and the Glory ''The Power and the Glory'' is a 1940 novel by British author Graham Greene. The title is an allusion to the doxology often recited at the end of the Lord's Prayer: "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever, amen." ...

'' (1933) - Board of Directors (uncredited) * '' Duck Soup'' (1933) - Officer in Battle Sequence (uncredited) * ''

The House of Rothschild ''The House of Rothschild'' is a 1934 American pre-Code historical drama film directed by Alfred L. Werker and starring George Arliss, Loretta Young and Boris Karloff. It was adapted by Nunnally Johnson from the play by George Hembert Westley, ...

'' (1934) - Lord Chamberlain (uncredited) * ''

Here Comes the Groom ''Here Comes the Groom'' is a 1951 American musical romantic comedy film produced and directed by Frank Capra and starring Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman. Based on a story by Robert Riskin and Liam O'Brien, the film is about a foreign correspondent w ...

'' (1934) - George Randolph * ''

One Exciting Adventure ''One Exciting Adventure'' is a 1934 American comedy film directed by Ernst L. Frank and starring Binnie Barnes, Neil Hamilton and Paul Cavanagh.Goble p.229 It is a remake of the 1933 German film ''What Women Dream''. Cast * Binnie Barnes as Re ...

'' (1934) - Casino Door Man (uncredited) * ''

The Mighty Barnum ''The Mighty Barnum'' is a 1934 film starring Wallace Beery as P.T. Barnum. The movie was written by Gene Fowler and Bess Meredyth, adapted from their play of the same name, and directed by Walter Lang. Beery had played Barnum four years earlier ...

'' (1934) - House Detective (uncredited) * ''

Rumba The term rumba may refer to a variety of unrelated music styles. Originally, "rumba" was used as a synonym for "party" in northern Cuba, and by the late 19th century it was used to denote the complex of secular music styles known as Cuban rumba ...

'' (1935) - Police Captain (uncredited) * ''

So Red the Rose ''So Red the Rose'' is the only studio album by the Duran Duran-spinoff group Arcadia, released in 1985. It included the singles "Election Day", " Goodbye Is Forever" and " The Flame". The album peaked at #23 on the Billboard 200 in January ...

'' (1935) - Cavalry Major (uncredited) * ''

Death from a Distance ''Death from a Distance'' is a 1935 American mystery film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Russell Hopton, Lola Lane and George F. Marion. The film's sets were designed by the art director Edward C. Jewell. It was the first feature film ...

'' (1935) - District Attorney * ''

Western Courage ''Western Courage'' is a 1927 American silent Western film directed by Ben Wilson, starring Richard Hatton, Elsa Benham, and Robert Walker. Cast * Richard Hatton * Elsa Benham * Robert Walker * Art Mix * Ed La Niece * Al Ferguson Al Fe ...

'' (1935) - Colonel Austin * '' The Oregon Trail'' (1936) - Jim Ridgeley * ''

Murder at Glen Athol ''Murder at Glen Athol'' is a 1936 American film directed by Frank R. Strayer. Plot summary A famous detective is invited to a swanky party at an elegant mansion. Before the night is over, he finds himself involved with gangsters, blackmail and ...

'' (1936) - District Attorney McDougal * ''

The Glory Trail ''The Glory Trail'' is a 1936 American Western film. Directed by Lynn Shores, the film stars Tom Keene, Joan Barclay, and E. H. Calvert. It was released on September 15, 1936. Cast list * Tom Keene as Captain John Morgan * Joan Barclay as Lu ...

'' (1936) - Colonel Strong * ''

Ellis Island Ellis Island is a federally owned island in New York Harbor, situated within the U.S. states of New York and New Jersey, that was the busiest immigrant inspection and processing station in the United States. From 1892 to 1954, nearly 12 mi ...

'' (1936) - Commissioner H.L. Carson (uncredited) * ''

Union Pacific The Union Pacific Railroad , legally Union Pacific Railroad Company and often called simply Union Pacific, is a freight-hauling railroad that operates 8,300 locomotives over routes in 23 U.S. states west of Chicago and New Orleans. Union Paci ...

'' (1939) - Major (uncredited) (final film role)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Calvert, E. H. 1863 births 1941 deaths American male film actors Male actors from Alexandria, Virginia Film directors from Virginia 20th-century American male actors American military personnel of the Spanish–American War Vaudeville performers