Paul Scardon (6 May 1874 – 17 January 1954) was an actor, a producer, and a director on both Australian and New York stages. When he was 15, Scardon debuted on stage as a contortionist in vaudeville. He progressed from that to pantomime and then joined a troupe headed by J. C. Williamson, touring New Zealand and Australia for five years. In 1905, he joined a company headed by

Nance O'Neil Gertrude Lamson (October 8, 1874 – February 7, 1965), known professionally as Nance O'Neil or Nancy O'Neil, was an American stage and film actress who performed in plays in various theaters around the world but worked predominantly in the Unite ...

, and that group's tour brought him to the United States. Scardon's Broadway credits include ''Mrs. Bumpstead-Leigh'' (1911), ''Becky Sharp'' (1911), ''The Green Cockatoo'' (1910), ''Hannele'' (1910), ''The Debtors'' (1909), ''Agnes''(1908), ''Our American Cousin'' (1908), and ''Brigadier Gerard'' (1906). Scardon went to Hollywood in 1910. In motion pictures, he worked for

Majestic Pictures Majestic Pictures was an American film production and distribution company active during the 1930s. Under the control of Larry Darmour the company specialized in low-budget production, and was one of the more stable Poverty Row outfits during the ...

, Reliance-Majestic Studios and

Vitagraph Studios Vitagraph Studios, also known as the Vitagraph Company of America, was a United States motion picture studio. It was founded by J. Stuart Blackton and Albert E. Smith in 1897 in Brooklyn, New York, as the American Vitagraph Company. By 1907, ...

. He directed

Blanche Sweet Sarah Blanche Sweet (June 18, 1896 – September 6, 1986) was an American silent film actress who began her career in the earliest days of the Hollywood motion picture film industry. Early life Born Sarah Blanche Sweet (though her first nam ...

in ''Unwilling Husband'', Bessie Barriscale in some of her most successful productions, and most of the

melodramas A modern melodrama is a dramatic work in which the plot, typically sensationalized and for a strong emotional appeal, takes precedence over detailed characterization. Melodramas typically concentrate on dialogue that is often bombastic or exces ...

which starred his wife, actress Betty Blythe. Retiring when

sound films A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image, as opposed to a silent film. The first known public exhibition of projected sound films took place in Paris in 1900, but decades passed befor ...

came in, Scardon returned to films as an actor in the 1940s, playing bit roles until he retired from the film industry in 1948.

Personal life and death

At the time of his death, Scardon was married to actress Betty Blythe. On January 18, 1954, Scardon died of a heart attack in Fontana, California, at age 79.

Filmography

Actor

*''

A Simple Life A, or a, is the first letter and the first vowel of the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''a'' (pronounced ), plural ''aes' ...

'' (1912, Short) – Cy Smith – Marie's Father *''

Uncle Tom's Cabin ''Uncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly'' is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in two volumes in 1852, the novel had a profound effect on attitudes toward African Americans and slavery in the U ...

'' (1914) – Haley *''The Sins of the Mothers'' (1914) – Anatole De Voie *''The Juggernaut'' (1915) – Alexander Jones *''The Goddess'' (1915) – Prof. Stilliter *''

The Battle Cry of Peace ''The Battle Cry of Peace'' is a 1915 American silent War film directed by Wilfrid North and J. Stuart Blackton, one of the founders of Vitagraph Company of America who also wrote the scenario. The film is based on the book ''Defenseless Ameri ...

'' (1915) – Gen. Ulysses S. Grant *''The Alibi'' (1916) – Walter Slayton *'' Man from Montreal'' (1939) – Trapper (uncredited) *'' Fighting Mad'' (1939) *''

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'' (1940, Serial) – Timothy Bryan h. 7(uncredited) *'' The Fatal Hour'' (1940) – Homer Lyons – Informant (uncredited) *''

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'' (1940) – Backdoor Stage Doorman (uncredited) *'' The Fargo Kid'' (1940) – Caleb Winters *'' Lady From Louisiana'' (1941) – Judge Wilson *'' The Son of Davy Crockett'' (1941) – Zeke *''

Today I Hang Today (archaically to-day) may refer to: * Day of the present, the time that is perceived directly, often called ''now'' * Current era, present * The current calendar date Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Today'' (1930 film), a 1930 ...

'' (1942) – Peter Hobbs *''

The Man Who Returned to Life ''The Man Who Returned to Life'' is a 1942 American black-and-white drama film directed by Lew Landers, written by Gordon Rigby and released by Columbia Pictures. Plot David Jameson lives in a rural town in Maryland. He is forced to flee afte ...

'' (1942) – Reverend Tuller (uncredited) *''

My Favorite Blonde ''My Favorite Blonde'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Sidney Lanfield and starring Bob Hope and Madeleine Carroll. Based on a story by Melvin Frank and Norman Panama, the film is about a vaudeville performer who gets mixed up with Bri ...

'' (1942) – Dr. Robert Higby (uncredited) *'' Mrs. Miniver'' (1942) – Nobby (uncredited) *''

Ten Gentlemen from West Point ''Ten Gentlemen from West Point'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Henry Hathaway and starring George Montgomery, Maureen O'Hara and John Sutton. Its cinematography was nominated for an Academy Award in 1943. George Montgomery replac ...

'' (1942) – Senator (uncredited) *''

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'' (1942) – Toronto Postal Clerk (uncredited) *''

A Yank at Eton ''A Yank at Eton'' is an American comedy-drama film directed by Norman Taurog for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and starring Mickey Rooney, Ian Hunter, and Peter Lawford. Released in 1942, it is a kind of junior thematic sequel to MGM's British-made f ...

'' (1942) – Old Cleaner (uncredited) *'' The Man from the Rio Grande'' (1943) – Hanlon – County Clerk *'' His Butler's Sister'' (1943) – Professor (uncredited) *'' The Adventures of Mark Twain'' (1944) – Rudyard Kipling (uncredited) *'' Kitty'' (1945) – Undertaker (uncredited) *'' The Daltons Ride Again'' (1945) – Attorney (uncredited) *'' Cinderella Jones'' (1946) – Judge Rutledge (uncredited) *''

Down Missouri Way ''Down Missouri Way'' is a 1946 American musical film directed by Josef Berne and written by Sam Neuman. The film stars Martha O'Driscoll, John Carradine, Eddie Dean, William Wright, Roscoe Karns and Renee Godfrey. The film was released on ...

'' (1946) – Prof. Lewis *'' Gentleman Joe Palooka'' (1946) – File Room Attendant (uncredited) *''

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'' (1946) – Sexton (uncredited) *''

Pursued ''Pursued'' is a 1947 American Western film directed by Raoul Walsh with cinematography by James Wong Howe, written by Niven Busch, and starring Theresa Wright and Robert Mitchum. The supporting cast features Judith Anderson, Dean Jagger, Alan ...

'' (1947) – Juryman (uncredited) *'' Time Out of Mind'' (1947) – Butler (uncredited) *'' Joe Palooka in the Knockout'' (1947) – Railroad Clerk (uncredited) *''

Magic Town ''Magic Town'' is a 1947 comedy film directed by William A. Wellman and starring James Stewart and Jane Wyman. The picture is one of the first films about the then-new practice of public opinion polling. The film was inspired by the Middletown ...

'' (1947) – Hodges *'' Merton of the Movies'' (1947) – Club Member (uncredited) *''

The Fabulous Texan ''The Fabulous Texan'' is a 1947 American Western film directed by Edward Ludwig and written by Lawrence Hazard and Horace McCoy. The film stars Wild Bill Elliott, John Carroll, Catherine McLeod, Albert Dekker, Andy Devine and Patricia Knig ...

'' (1947) – Citizen (uncredited) *''

Secret Beyond the Door ''Secret Beyond the Door'' is a 1947 American film noir psychological thriller and a modern updating of the Bluebeard fairytale, directed by Fritz Lang, produced by Lang's Diana Productions, and released by Universal Pictures. The film stars Joan ...

'' (1947) – Owl Eyes (uncredited) *'' Joe Palooka in Fighting Mad'' (1948) – Dr. Burman *''

The Sign of the Ram ''The Sign of the Ram'' is a 1948 American film noir directed by John Sturges and screenplay by Charles Bennett, based on a novel written by Margaret Ferguson. The drama features Susan Peters and Alexander Knox. It also featured Ron Randell. T ...

'' (1948) – Perowen (uncredited) *'' Canon City'' (1948) – Joe Bondy *''

He Walked by Night ''He Walked by Night'' is a 1948 American police procedural film noir directed by Alfred L. Werker and an uncredited Anthony Mann. The film, shot in semidocumentary tone, was loosely based on newspaper accounts of the real-life actions of Erwin ...

'' (1948) – Liquor Store Proprietor (uncredited) *'' The Shanghai Chest'' (1948) *''

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court ''A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court'' is an 1889 novel by American humorist and writer Mark Twain. The book was originally titled ''A Yankee in King Arthur's Court''. Some early editions are titled ''A Yankee at the Court of King Arth ...

'' (1949) – White Haired Peddler (uncredited) *''

The Doolins of Oklahoma ''The Doolins of Oklahoma'' is a 1949 American Western film directed by Gordon Douglas and starring Randolph Scott, George Macready and Louise Allbritton. It was distributed by Columbia Pictures. Plot When the Daltons are killed at Coffeyvill ...

'' (1949) – Minor Role (uncredited) *''

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'' (1949) – Beggar (uncredited) *''

Belle of Old Mexico ''Belle of Old Mexico'' is a 1950 American Trucolor comedy film directed by Robert G. Springsteen starring Estelita Rodriguez, Robert Rockwell and Dorothy Patrick. The film was successful at the box office, impressing the bosses at Republic P ...

'' (1950) – Mr. Ambercrombie (uncredited) (final film role)

Director

*''The Alibi'' *''All Man'' *''Apartment 29'' * '' Arsene Lupin'' (1917) *''A Bachelor's Children'' *''Beating the Odds'' *''Beauty-Proof'' * '' The Breaking Point'' (1921) *''The Broken Gate'' *''Children Not Wanted'' *''The Darkest Hour'' *''The Dawn of Freedom'' *''The Desired Woman'' *'' The Enemy'' * ''

False Kisses ''False Kisses'' is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by Paul Scardon and starring Miss DuPont, Pat O'Malley and Lloyd Whitlock.Munden p.228 Cast * Miss DuPont as Jennie * Pat O'Malley as Paul * Lloyd Whitlock as Jim * Camilla Clark ...

'' (1921) *''Fighting Destiny'' *''The Gamblers'' *''A Game with Fate'' *''

The Golden Gallows ''The Golden Gallows'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Paul Scardon and starring Miss DuPont. It was produced and distributed by the Universal Film Manufacturing Company.

'' *'' The Golden Goal'' (1918) * '' The Green God'' (1918) *'' The Grell Mystery'' (1917) *''The Hawk'' * ''

Her Own Free Will ''Her Own Free Will'' is a 1924 American silent film, silent drama film directed by Paul Scardon and starring Helene Chadwick, Holmes Herbert, and Violet Mersereau. It was based on a novel of the same name by the British writer Ethel M. Dell. Ca ...

'' (1924) *''

Her Right to Live ''Her Right to Live'' is a 1917 dramatic silent film released by the Vitagraph Studios. This film is now lost. Plot Polly Biggs (Peggy Hyland) is the eldest of a family of orphaned children who are taken in by their uncle, Mayor Hoadley (John ...

'' * '' Her Unwilling Husband'' (1920) *''

The Hero of Submarine D-2 ''The Hero of Submarine D-2'' is a lost 1916 silent film adventure war film directed by Paul Scardon and starring Charles Richman. It was produced by the Vitagraph Company of America and released by V-L-S-E Incorporated.''Pictorial History of the ...

'' * '' Hoarded Assets'' (1918) * ''

In Honor's Web ''In Honor's Web'' is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by Paul Scardon, written by Sam Taylor (scenario) and Perry N. Vekroff (story). The film stars Harry T. Morey, Gladden James, and George Backus George may refer to: People * ...

'' (1919) *''In the Balance'' *''The Island of Surprise'' *''The King of Diamonds'' *''The Love Doctor'' *''

The Maelstrom ''The Maelstrom'' is a 1917 silent film drama directed by Paul Scardon. It stars Dorothy Kelly, Earle Williams and Julia Swayne Gordon. Thomas Ince produced along with the Vitagraph Company. Cast *Dorothy Kelly – Peggy Greye-Stratton *Earle Wi ...

'' *'' The Man Who Won'' (1919) * '' Milestones'' (1920) *''The Other Man'' *''Partners of the Night'' (1920) *''Phantom Fortunes'' *''

A Prince in a Pawnshop ''A Prince in a Pawnshop'' is a lost 1916 silent film directed by Paul Scardon and starring Barney Bernard. Vitagraph Company of America produced while it was released by Greater Vitagraph as a Blue Ribbon label.''Pictorial History of the Silent Sc ...

'' *''The Redemption of Dave Darcey'' *''Rose of the South'' * '' Shattered Dreams'' (1922) *'' Silent Strength'' (1919) *''Soldiers of Chance'' *'' The Stolen Treaty'' (1917) * '' Tangled Lives'' (1918) *''Transgression'' * '' When the Devil Drives'' (1922) *''

A Wonderful Wife ''A Wonderful Wife'' is a 1922 American drama film directed by Paul Scardon and written by Arthur F. Statter. It is based on the 1904 novel ''The Rat Trap'' by Dolf Wyllarde. The film stars Miss DuPont, Vernon Steele, Landers Stevens, Charles A ...

References

External links

*
1923 passport photo of Paul and wife Betty
courtesy Puzzlemaster, flickr.com) {{DEFAULTSORT:Scardon, Paul Australian male stage actors American male film actors American film directors American male silent film actors Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) 1874 births 1954 deaths 20th-century American male actors Australian emigrants to the United States Vaudeville performers Film directors from Melbourne Male actors from Melbourne