William Sidney Stanton (September 18, 1885 – December 18, 1969) was an American character actor, whose career spanned the first twenty-five years of the

sound film 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 before ...

era. Stanton broke into the film industry at the very tail end of the

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when ...

era in 1927, appearing in several film shorts for

Hal Roach Studios Hal Roach Studios was an American motion picture and television production studio. Known as ''The Laugh Factory to the World'', it was founded by producer Hal Roach and business partners Dan Linthicum and I.H. Nance as the Rolin Film Company on Ju ...

. He would debut in a feature film with a small role in

Raoul Walsh Raoul Walsh (born Albert Edward Walsh; March 11, 1887December 31, 1980) was an American film director, actor, founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), and the brother of silent screen actor George Walsh. He w ...

's 1928 silent film, ''

Sadie Thompson Sadie Thompson refers to the main character from "Rain" by W. Somerset Maugham (1921). Several adaptations of that story exist with that title: *''Miss Sadie Thompson'', a 1953 film starring Rita Hayworth as Sadie Thompson * ''Sadie Thompson'' (fil ...

'', starring Gloria Swanson,

Lionel Barrymore Lionel Barrymore (born Lionel Herbert Blythe; April 28, 1878 – November 15, 1954) was an American actor of stage, screen and radio as well as a film director. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in ''A Free Soul'' (1931) ...

, and Walsh. During the following 20 years he would appear in another 70 films, mostly in small and supporting roles. Notable films in which he appeared include: the 1933 version of

Alice in Wonderland ''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'' (commonly ''Alice in Wonderland'') is an 1865 English novel by Lewis Carroll. It details the story of a young girl named Alice who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world of anthropomorphic creatur ...

, whose ensemble cast included

Cary Grant Cary Grant (born Archibald Alec Leach; January 18, 1904November 29, 1986) was an English-American actor. He was known for his Mid-Atlantic accent, debonair demeanor, light-hearted approach to acting, and sense of comic timing. He was one o ...

W.C. Fields WC or wc may refer to: * Water closet or flush toilet Arts and entertainment * ''W.C.'' (film), an Irish feature film * WC (band), a Polish punk rock band * WC (rapper), a rapper from Los Angeles, California * Westside Connection, former hi ...

Gary Cooper Gary Cooper (born Frank James Cooper; May 7, 1901May 13, 1961) was an American actor known for his strong, quiet screen persona and understated acting style. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor twice and had a further three nominations, a ...

and

Edward Everett Horton Edward Everett Horton Jr. (March 18, 1886 – September 29, 1970) was an American character actor. He had a long career in film, theater, radio, television, and voice work for animated cartoons. Early life Horton was born in Kings County ...

; the classic '' Mutiny on the Bounty'' (1935), starring

Charles Laughton Charles Laughton (1 July 1899 – 15 December 1962) was a British actor. He was trained in London at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and first appeared professionally on the stage in 1926. In 1927, he was cast in a play with his future w ...

and

Clark Gable William Clark Gable (February 1, 1901November 16, 1960) was an American film actor, often referred to as "The King of Hollywood". He had roles in more than 60 motion pictures in multiple genres during a career that lasted 37 years, three decades ...

; the 1936

film adaptation A film adaptation is the transfer of a work or story, in whole or in part, to a feature film. Although often considered a type of derivative work, film adaptation has been conceptualized recently by academic scholars such as Robert Stam as a dial ...

James Fenimore Cooper James Fenimore Cooper (September 15, 1789 – September 14, 1851) was an American writer of the first half of the 19th century, whose historical romances depicting colonist and Indigenous characters from the 17th to the 19th centuries brought h ...

's classic, ''

Last of the Mohicans ''The Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757'' is a historical romance written by James Fenimore Cooper in 1826. It is the second book of the '' Leatherstocking Tales'' pentalogy and the best known to contemporary audiences. '' The Pathfind ...

'', directed by

George B. Seitz George Brackett Seitz (January 3, 1888 – July 8, 1944) was an American playwright, screenwriter, film actor and director. He was known for his screenplays for action serials, such as '' The Perils of Pauline'' (1914) and ''The Exploits o ...

, and starring

Randolph Scott George Randolph Scott (January 23, 1898 – March 2, 1987) was an American film actor whose career spanned the years from 1928 to 1962. As a leading man for all but the first three years of his cinematic career, Scott appeared in a variety of ...

; ''

The Prince and the Pauper ''The Prince and the Pauper'' is a novel by American author Mark Twain. It was first published in 1881 in Canada, before its 1882 publication in the United States. The novel represents Twain's first attempt at historical fiction. Set in 1547, ...

'' (1937), starring

Errol Flynn Errol Leslie Thomson Flynn (20 June 1909 – 14 October 1959) was an Australian-American actor who achieved worldwide fame during the Golden Age of Hollywood. He was known for his romantic swashbuckler roles, frequent partnerships with Olivia ...

and

Claude Rains William Claude Rains (10 November 188930 May 1967) was a British actor whose career spanned almost seven decades. After his American film debut as Dr. Jack Griffin in ''The Invisible Man'' (1933), he appeared in such highly regarded films as '' ...

;

Howard Hawks Howard Winchester Hawks (May 30, 1896December 26, 1977) was an American film director, producer and screenwriter of the classic Hollywood era. Critic Leonard Maltin called him "the greatest American director who is not a household name." A v ...

' 1941 classic, ''

Sergeant York Alvin Cullum York (December 13, 1887 – September 2, 1964), also known as Sergeant York, was one of the most decorated United States Army soldiers of World War I. He received the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine ...

'', with

; and ''

The Ghost and Mrs. Muir ''The Ghost and Mrs. Muir'' is a 1947 American romantic fantasy film starring Gene Tierney and Rex Harrison. It was directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and is based on a 1945 novel written by Josephine Leslie under the pseudonym of R.A. Dick. In ...

'' (1947), directed by

Joseph L. Mankiewicz Joseph Leo Mankiewicz (; February 11, 1909 – February 5, 1993) was an American film director, screenwriter, and producer. Mankiewicz had a long Hollywood career, and won both the Academy Award for Best Director and the Academy Award for Best ...

, and starring

Gene Tierney Gene Eliza Tierney (November 19, 1920 – November 6, 1991) was an American film and stage actress. Acclaimed for her great beauty, she became established as a leading lady. Tierney was best known for her portrayal of the title character in the ...

Rex Harrison Sir Reginald Carey "Rex" Harrison (5 March 1908 – 2 June 1990) was an English actor. Harrison began his career on the stage in 1924. He made his West End debut in 1936 appearing in the Terence Rattigan play ''French Without Tears'', in what ...

, and George Sanders. His final big screen appearance would be as a cab driver in the

Spencer Tracy Spencer Bonaventure Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was an American actor. He was known for his natural performing style and versatility. One of the major stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, Tracy was the first actor to win two cons ...

and

Katharine Hepburn Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12, 1907 – June 29, 2003) was an American actress in film, stage, and television. Her career as a Hollywood leading lady spanned over 60 years. She was known for her headstrong independence, spirited perso ...

romantic comedy, '' Adam's Rib'', directed by

George Cukor George Dewey Cukor (; July 7, 1899 – January 24, 1983) was an American film director and film producer. He mainly concentrated on comedies and literary adaptations. His career flourished at RKO when David O. Selznick, the studio's Head of ...

. Stanton would make one last acting performance, appearing on an episode of television's Schlitz Playhouse in 1954. Stanton died on December 18, 1969, in Los Angeles, California, and was buried in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale.

Filmography

Per AFI database * ''

With Love and Hisses ''With Love and Hisses'' is a silent comedy short film starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy prior to their official billing as the duo Laurel and Hardy. The team appeared in a total of 107 films between 1921 and 1950 Plot Slow-witted army ...

'' (1927 short) as Sleeping Soldier (uncredited) * ''

Sailors, Beware! ''Sailors, Beware!'' is a silent comedy short film starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy prior to their official billing as the duo Laurel and Hardy. The team appeared in a total of 107 films between 1921 and 1951. Plot An honest cab driver ( ...

'' (1927 short) as Baron Behr (uncredited) * ''

'' (1928) as Quartermaster Bates * ''

The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu ''The Return of Dr. Fu Manchu'' is a 1930 American pre-Code film directed by Rowland V. Lee. It is the second of three films starring Warner Oland as the fiendish Fu Manchu, who returns from apparent death in the previous film, '' The Mysteriou ...

'' (1930) as Curious Passerby at Fu's Funeral (uncredited) * ''

Paradise Island Paradise Island is an island in The Bahamas formerly known as Hog Island. The island, with an area of (2.8 km2/1.1 sq mi), is located just off the shore of the city of Nassau, which is itself located on the northern edge of the island of ...

'' (1930) as Limey * '' Two Gun Man'' (1931) as Kettle-Belly (uncredited) * '' Pardon Us'' (1931) as Insurgent Convict (uncredited) * ''

I Surrender Dear "I Surrender Dear" (sometimes written as "I Surrender, Dear") is a song composed by Harry Barris with lyrics by Gordon Clifford, first performed by Gus Arnheim and His Cocoanut Grove Orchestra with Bing Crosby in 1931, which became his first s ...

'' (1931 short) as George Dobbs (uncredited) * ''

Any Old Port! ''Any Old Port!'' is an American 1932 pre-Code comedy short film directed by James W. Horne and starring Laurel and Hardy. It was produced by Hal Roach. Plot Sailors Laurel and Hardy disembark and book in a sleazy hotel. The owner Mugsie Lo ...

'' (1932 short) as Drunk * ''

Roar of the Dragon ''Roar of the Dragon'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code adventure film directed by Wesley Ruggles and written by Howard Estabrook. The film stars Richard Dix, Gwili Andre, Edward Everett Horton, Arline Judge and ZaSu Pitts. The film was released on ...

'' (1932) as Sailor Sam * '' Me and My Gal'' (1932) as Drunk (uncredited) * '' Cavalcade'' (1933) as Tommy Jolly - in the Show (uncredited) * ''

Sailor's Luck ''Sailor's Luck'' is a 1933 American pre-Code romantic comedy film directed by Raoul Walsh for Fox Film Corporation. It stars James Dunn, Sally Eilers, Victor Jory, and Frank Moran. The plot has a sailor on shore leave falling for a nice gir ...

'' (1933) as J. Felix Hemingway * '' Hello, Sister!'' (1933) as Drunk * ''

'' (1933) as Seven of Spades (uncredited) * '' Pursued'' (1934) as Ticket Agent (uncredited) * ''

The Man Who Reclaimed His Head ''The Man Who Reclaimed His Head'' is a 1934 American drama film directed by Edward Ludwig and written by Jean Bart and Samuel Ornitz. The film stars Claude Rains, Joan Bennett, Lionel Atwill, Juanita Quigley, Henry O'Neill and Henry Armetta. The ...

'' (1934) as Drunk Soldier (uncredited) * '' Baby Face Harrington'' (1935) as Drunken Prisoner (uncredited) * ''

Escapade Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (EscaPADE) is a planned spacecraft mission to Mars consisting of two spacecraft known as ''Blue'' and ''Gold''. The mission, expected to launch in August 2024, is part of NASA's SIMPLEx progr ...

'' (1935) as Singer (uncredited) * '' The Irish in Us'' (1935) as Drunk at Fight (uncredited) * '' Atlantic Adventure'' (1935) as Steward (uncredited) * '' Bad Boy'' (1935) as Racker in Pool Hall (uncredited) * '' The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo'' (1935) as Drunken Waiter (uncredited) * '' Annie Oakley'' (1935) as Drunk (uncredited) * '' Mutiny on the Bounty'' (1935) as Portsmouth Joe (uncredited) * '' Fury'' (1936) as Drunk Leaving Bar (uncredited) * '' The Blackmailer'' (1936) as Nick (uncredited) * ''

The Last of the Mohicans ''The Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757'' is a historical romance written by James Fenimore Cooper in 1826. It is the second book of the '' Leatherstocking Tales'' pentalogy and the best known to contemporary audiences. '' The Pathfinde ...

'' (1936) as Jenkins * ''

The Gentleman from Louisiana ''The Gentleman from Louisiana'' is a 1936 American drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually q ...

'' (1936) * ''

White Hunter White hunter is a literary term used for professional big game hunting, big game hunters of European or North American backgrounds who plied their trade in Africa, especially during the first half of the 20th century. The activity continues in t ...

'' (1936) as Harry * '' Lloyd's of London'' (1936) as Smutt * ''

'' (1937) as Man in Crowd (uncredited) * ''

Affairs of Cappy Ricks ''Affairs of Cappy Ricks'' is a 1937 American comedy-drama film directed by Ralph Staub and starring Walter Brennan, Mary Brian, Lyle Talbot, Frank Shields, and Frank Melton. The plot is about a captain who returns home from a long voyage and ha ...

'' (1937) as Steward (uncredited) * '' Another Dawn'' (1937) as John's Caddy (uncredited) * '' Big City'' (1937) as Comet Cab Driver (uncredited) * '' International Crime'' (1938) as Lush * '' Four Men and a Prayer'' (1938) as Cockney in Marlanda * ''

Straight Place and Show ''Straight, Place and Show'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by David Butler and starring the Ritz Brothers, Richard Arlen, and Ethel Merman, and released by 20th Century Fox. It based on the unproduced play ''Saratoga Chips'' by Damon ...

'' (1938) as Truck Driver - Syd Robins * ''

Devil's Island The penal colony of Cayenne ( French: ''Bagne de Cayenne''), commonly known as Devil's Island (''Île du Diable''), was a French penal colony that operated for 100 years, from 1852 to 1952, and officially closed in 1953 in the Salvation Islands ...

'' (1939) as Bobo * '' The Little Princess'' (1939) as Groom * '' Captain Fury'' (1939) as Bertie Green * '' Fast and Furious'' (1939) as Waiter (uncredited) * '' We Are Not Alone'' (1939) as Mr. Deane (uncredited) * '' The Devil and Miss Jones'' (1941) as Pickpocket at Precinct House (uncredited) * ''

Broadway Limited The ''Broadway Limited'' was a passenger train operated by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) between New York City and Chicago. It operated from 1912 to 1995. It was the Pennsylvania's premier train, competing directly with the New York Central R ...

'' (1941) as Cafe Customer (uncredited) * ''

'' (1941) as Cockney Soldier (uncredited) * '' Charley's Aunt'' (1941) as Messenger * '' International Squadron'' (1941) as Minor Role (uncredited) * '' Reap the Wild Wind'' (1942) as Rat-Faced Man (uncredited) * ''

This Above All ''This Above All'' (1941) is a novel by English writer Eric Knight. It was adapted into an Academy Award-winning movie in 1942. Title The title of the novel is derived from a quote by Polonius in William Shakespeare's ''Hamlet'' (Act 1, scene 3) ...

'' (1942) as Bartender (uncredited) * ''

It Ain't Hay ''It Ain't Hay'' is a 1943 film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. Plot Cab driver Wilbur Hoolihan accidentally kills a hack horse owned by King O'Hara and his daughter, Princess O’Hara, by feeding it candy. In hopes of raising ...

'' (1943) as Drunk (uncredited) * ''

Thumbs Up A thumb signal, usually described as a thumbs-up or thumbs-down, is a common hand gesture achieved by a closed fist held with the thumb extended upward or downward in approval or disapproval, respectively. These gestures have become metaphors i ...

'' (1943) as Workman (uncredited) * ''

The Man from Down Under ''The Man from Down Under'' is an American 1943 drama film starring Charles Laughton as a man who raises two war orphans. It was called "Hollywood's first full-length film dealing exclusively with Australia and Australians". Plot After the end ...

'' (1943) as Bettor (uncredited) * '' Thank Your Lucky Stars'' (1943) as Pub Character in Errol Flynn Number (uncredited) * '' The Lodger'' (1944) as Newsboy (uncredited) * ''

Shine on Harvest Moon "Shine On, Harvest Moon" is a popular early-1900s song credited to the married vaudeville team Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth. It was one of a series of moon-related Tin Pan Alley songs of the era. The song was debuted by Bayes and Norworth in the Z ...

'' (1944) as Drunk (uncredited) * ''

Mr. Skeffington ''Mr. Skeffington'' is a 1944 American drama film directed by Vincent Sherman, based on the 1940 novel of the same name by Elizabeth von Arnim. The film stars Bette Davis as a beautiful but self-centered woman who has many suitors but marries Jo ...

'' (1944) as Sid Lapham (uncredited) * ''

The Canterville Ghost "The Canterville Ghost" is a humorous short story by Oscar Wilde. It was the first of Wilde's stories to be published, appearing in two parts in '' The Court and Society Review'', 23 February and 2 March 1887. The story is about an American fa ...

'' (1944) as Stonemason (uncredited) * '' Our Hearts Were Young and Gay'' (1944) as Cockney Cabin Steward (uncredited) * '' Lost in a Harem'' (1944) as Plain Native in Café (uncredited) * ''

A Guy, a Gal and a Pal ''A Guy, a Gal and a Pal'' is a 1945 American comedy-drama romance film directed by Budd Boetticher (as Oscar Boetticher Jr.) and starring Ross Hunter and Lynn Merrick.Budd Boetticher: The Last Interview Wheeler, Winston Dixon. Film Criticism; Mea ...

'' (1945) as Barclay * '' Son of Lassie'' (1945) as Dog Trainer (uncredited) * ''

Nob Hill Nob Hill is a neighborhood of San Francisco, California, United States that is known for its numerous luxury hotels and historic mansions. Nob Hill has historically served as a center of San Francisco's upper class. Nob Hill is among the highes ...

'' (1945) as Tourist at Wax Museum (uncredited) * ''

Confidential Agent ''Confidential Agent'' is a 1945 American spy film starring Charles Boyer and Lauren Bacall which was a Warner Brothers production. The movie was directed by Herman Shumlin and produced by Robert Buckner with Jack L. Warner as executive producer ...

'' (1945) as Miner (uncredited) * '' To Each His Own'' (1946) as Funny Little Waiter (uncredited) * '' Renegades'' (1946) as Barfly (uncredited) * '' Wife Wanted'' (1946) as Squint (uncredited) * ''

'' (1947) as Porter (uncredited) * ''

The Exile ''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 ...

'' (1947) as Tucket * '' Forever Amber'' (1947) as Dead Eye (uncredited) * ''

Slightly French ''Slightly French'' is a 1949 American musical comedy film directed by Douglas Sirk and starring Dorothy Lamour, Don Ameche and Janis Carter.Stern p.59 The screenplay concerns a Hollywood director who recruits an American singer. Plot After cla ...

'' (1949) as Cockney Barker (uncredited) * '' Adam's Rib'' (1949) as Taxicab Driver (uncredited)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Stanton, Will 20th-century American male actors American male film actors American male silent film actors 1885 births 1969 deaths Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) Male actors from London British emigrants to the United States