William Desmond (born William Mannion; January 23, 1878 – November 3, 1949) was an American actor. He appeared in more than 200 films between 1915 and 1948. He was nicknamed "The King of the Silent Serials." Born William Mannion in

Horseheads Horseheads is a town in Chemung County, New York, United States. The population was 19,412 at the 2020 census. The name of the town is derived from the number of bleached horses' skulls once found there. Horseheads is north of the city of Elmi ...

, New York, he was raised in New York City. He later changed his surname to a

stage name A stage name is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. Such professional aliases are adopted for a wide variety of reasons and they may be similar, or nearly identical, to an individu ...

. He started out in

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...

and the legitimate

stage Stage or stages may refer to: Acting * Stage (theatre), a space for the performance of theatrical productions * Theatre, a branch of the performing arts, often referred to as "the stage" * ''The Stage'', a weekly British theatre newspaper * Sta ...

before making his film debut. In 1919, he married his co-star Mary McIvor, with whom he had two daughters. On November 3, 1949, Desmond died at age 71 of a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may tr ...

Los Angeles, California Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

. He is interred at the

Chapel of the Pines Crematory Chapel of the Pines Crematory is a crematory and columbarium located at 1605 South Catalina Street, Los Angeles, in the U.S. state of California, in the historic West Adams District a short distance southwest of Downtown. It is beside Angelus- ...

, Los Angeles.

Selected filmography

* '' Kilmeny'' (1915) - Bob Meredith * ''

The Majesty of the Law ''The Majesty of the Law'' is a 1915 American drama silent film written and directed by Julia Crawford Ivers. The film stars George Fawcett (in his film debut), Jane Wolfe, William Desmond, Myrtle Stedman, John Oaker, and Charlie Ruggles. The fi ...

'' (1915) - Jackson Morgan Kent * ''

Peer Gynt ''Peer Gynt'' (, ) is a five- act play in verse by the Norwegian dramatist Henrik Ibsen published in 1876. Written in Norwegian, it is one of the most widely performed Norwegian plays. Ibsen believed ''Per Gynt'', the Norwegian fairy tale on wh ...

'' (1915) - The Parson * '' Peggy'' (1916) - Rev. Donald Bruce * ''Bullets and Brown Eyes'' (1916) - Prince Carl * ''The Waifs'' (1916) - Arthur Rayburn * ''

Not My Sister ''Not My Sister'' is a lost 1916 silent film drama directed by Charles Giblyn and starring Bessie Barriscale and William Desmond. It was produced by Thomas H. Ince for Kay-Bee Pictures and distributed by Triangle Film Corporation in Culver C ...

'' (1916) - Michael Arnold * ''The Sorrows of Love'' (1916) - Guido Perli * ''The Captive God'' (1916) * ''The Payment'' (1916) - Dick * ''Lieutenant Danny, U.S.A.'' (1916) - Lt. Danny Ward * '' The Dawn Maker'' (1916) - Bruce Smithson * ''The Criminal'' (1916) - Donald White * ''A Gamble in Souls'' (1916) - Arthur Worden, Evangelist * ''

The Iced Bullet ''The Iced Bullet'' is a 1917 American silent mystery film directed by Reginald Barker and starring William Desmond, Robert McKim and J. Barney Sherry.Langman p.183 The film's sets were designed by the art director Robert Brunton. Cast * W ...

'' (1917) - The Author / Horace Lee * ''

The Last of the Ingrams ''The Last of the Ingrams'' is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Walter Edwards and starring William Desmond, Margery Wilson and Robert McKim.Katchmer p.404 Cast * William Desmond as Jules Ingram * Margery Wilson as Mercy Reed * ...

'' (1917) - Jules Ingram * ''

Blood Will Tell ''Blood Will Tell: Tezuka Osamu's Dororo'', released as in Japan, is a 2004 PlayStation 2 game released by Sega. It is based on the Japanese manga series ''Dororo'', which was created by Osamu Tezuka. It concerns a hero named Hyakkimaru, who ...

'' (1917) - Samson Oakley III * '' Paddy O'Hara'' (1917) - Paddy O'Hara * '' Paws of the Bear'' (1917) - Ray Bourke * ''

Time Locks and Diamonds ''Time Locks and Diamonds'' is a 1917 American silent crime film directed by Walter Edwards and starring William Desmond, Gloria Hope and Robert McKim.Katchmer p.168 Cast * William Desmond as Silver Jim Farrel * Gloria Hope as Marjory Farre ...

'' (1917) - Silver Jim Farrel * ''Master of His Home'' (1917) - Carson Stewart * '' Flying Colors'' (1917) - Brent Brewster * ''Married in Name Only'' (1917) * '' Fighting Back'' (1917) - The Weakling * ''The Sudden Gentleman'' (1917) - Garry Garrity * ''

Captain of His Soul ''Captain of His Soul'' is a 1918 film directed by Gilbert P. Hamilton for Triangle Film Corporation Triangle Film Corporation (also known as Triangle Motion Picture Company) was a major American motion-picture studio, founded in July 1915 in ...

'' (1918) - Horace Boyce * ''The Sea Panther'' (1918) - Paul Le Marsan * ''

Society for Sale ''Society for Sale'' is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring William Desmond and Gloria Swanson. It is not known whether the film currently survives, which suggests that it is a lost film. Plot As descr ...

'' (1918) - Honorable Billy * ''An Honest Man'' (1918) - Benny Boggs * ''Old Hartwell's Cub'' (1918) - Bill Hartwell * ''Closin' In'' (1918) - Jack Bradon * ''Hell's End'' (1918) - Jack Donovan * ''Beyond the Shadows'' (1918) - Jean Du Bois * '' Wild Life'' (1918) - Chick Ward * ''The Pretender'' (1918) - Bob Baldwin * ''Deuce Duncan'' (1918) - Deuce Duncan * ''Life's a Funny Proposition'' (1919) - Jimmie Pendleton * ''The Prodigal Liar'' (1919) - Percival Montgomery Edwards * ''

Her Code of Honor ''Her Code of Honor'' is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by John M. Stahl and starring Florence Reed. Its alternate title was ''The Call of the Heart''. A print of it is held by the British Film Institute's National Film and Televisio ...

'' (1919) - Eugene La Salle * ''Whitewashed Walls'' (1919) - Larry Donovan * ''The Mints of Hell'' (1919) - Dan Burke * ''

Bare-Fisted Gallagher ''Bare-Fisted Gallagher'' is a lost 1919 silent western feature directed by Joseph J. Franz and starring William Desmond. It was produced by Jesse D. Hampton and released through Robertson-Cole soon to amalgamate into Film Booking Offices of ...

'' (1919) - 'Bare-Fisted' Gallagher * '' A Sagebrush Hamlet'' (1919) - Larry Lang * ''Dangerous Waters'' (1919) - Jimmie Moulton * ''The Blue Bandanna'' (1919) - Jerry Jerome * ''

The Prince and Betty ''The Prince and Betty'' is a novel by P. G. Wodehouse. It was originally published in '' Ainslee's Magazine'' in the United States in January 1912, and, in a slightly different form, as a serial in '' Strand Magazine'' in the United Kingdom bet ...

'' (1919) - John Maude * ''

A Broadway Cowboy ''A Broadway Cowboy'' is a 1920 American silent Western comedy film directed by Joseph Franz and starring William Desmond. It was distributed by Pathé Exchange. Plot As described in a film magazine, Betty Jordan (Francisco), daughter of a M ...

'' (1920) - Burke Randolph * ''Twin Beds'' (1920) - Harry Hawkins * ''The Parish Priest'' (1920) - Reverend John Whalen * ''Women Men Love'' (1921) - David Hunter * ''

The Child Thou Gavest Me ''The Child Thou Gavest Me'' is a 1921 American drama film directed by John M. Stahl and written by Chester L. Roberts. The film stars Barbara Castleton, Adele Farrington, Winter Hall, Lewis Stone, William Desmond, and Richard Headrick. The f ...

'' (1921) - Tom Marshall * ''Dangerous Toys'' (1921) - Jack Gray * ''

Fightin' Mad ''Fightin' Mad'' is a 1921 American silent Western comedy film directed by Joseph Franz and starring William Desmond, Virginia Brown Faire and Rosemary Theby.Munden, p. 238. Cast * William Desmond as Bud McGraw * Virginia Brown Faire as Peg ...

'' (1921) - Bud McGraw * ''Don't Leave Your Husband'' (1921) * ''

Perils of the Yukon ''Perils of the Yukon'' is a 1922 American Northern silent film serial directed by Jay Marchant, J. P. McGowan and Perry N. Vekroff. This serial was presumabed to be lost, but a copy is preserved by the Belgian Cinematek in Brussels. Cast * ...

'' (1922) - Jack Merrill * ''

Night Life in Hollywood ''Night Life in Hollywood'', called ''The Shriek of Hollywood'' in Europe, is a 1922 American silent film, silent comedy film directed by Fred Caldwell. It starred J. Frank Glendon, Josephine Hill, and Gale Henry, and featured a number of cameo ...

'' (1922) - Himself * ''

Around the World in Eighteen Days ''Around the World in 18 Days'' is a 1923 American silent film serial directed by B. Reeves Eason and Robert F. Hill. A total of twelve episodes of the serial were released. The film is now considered lost. Cast * William Desmond as Phineas F ...

'' (1923) - Phineas Fogg III * ''

The Phantom Fortune ''The Phantom Fortune'' is a 1923 American silent Western film serial directed by Robert F. Hill. It is thought to be lost. Cast * William Desmond as Larry Barclay * Esther Ralston as Mary Rogers * Lewis Sargent as Speck O'Dawn * Harry De Ver ...

'' (1923) - Larry Barclay * ''

McGuire of the Mounted ''McGuire of the Mounted'' is a 1923 American crime film directed by Richard Stanton and written by George Hively. The film stars William Desmond, Louise Lorraine, Willard Louis, Vera James, J. P. Lockney, and William Lowery. The film was rel ...

'' (1923) - Bob McGuire * ''

Shadows of the North ''Shadows of the North'' is a lost 1923 American silent adventure film directed by Robert F. Hill and written by Paul Schofield. The film stars William Desmond, Virginia Brown Faire, Fred Kohler, William Welsh, Al Hart, and James O. Barrows ...

'' (1923) - Ben 'Wolf' Darby * '' Beasts of Paradise'' (1923) - Phil Grant * ''

The Extra Girl ''The Extra Girl'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by F. Richard Jones and starring Mabel Normand.

'' (1923) - William Desmond - Actor * ''

The Eagle's Talons ''The Eagle's Talons'' is a 1923 American film serial directed by Duke Worne. The film is considered to be lost. Cast * Fred Thomson - Jack Alden * Ann Little - Enid Markham * Al Wilson - Charles Dean * Herbert Fortier - Gregory Markham * J ...

'' (1923) * ''

The Breathless Moment ''The Breathless Moment'' is a 1924 American silent comedy drama film directed by Robert F. Hill and starring William Desmond, Charlotte Merriam Charlotte Merriam (April 5, 1903 – July 10, 1972) was an American motion picture actress. ...

'' (1924) - Billy Carson * '' Big Timber'' (1924) - Walter Sandry *'' The Measure of a Man'' (1924) - John Fairmeadow * '' The Sunset Trail'' (1924) - Happy Hobo * ''

The Riddle Rider ''The Riddle Rider'' is a 1924 American silent film, silent Western (genre), Western film serial directed by William James Craft starring William Desmond (actor), William Desmond and Eileen Sedgwick. The film is considered to be lost film, lost. ...

'' (1924) - Randolph Parker / The Riddle Rider * ''

Hello, 'Frisco ''Hello, 'Frisco'' is a 1924 American silent short comedy film directed by Slim Summerville and starring Summerville, Bobby Dunn, and a host of famous film actors of the era. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. Cast See al ...

'' (1924 short) - Himself - William Desmond * '' Outwitted'' (1925) - Jack Blaisdel * ''

Ridin' Pretty ''Ridin' Pretty'' is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Arthur Rosson and starring William Desmond, Ann Forrest, and Stanhope Wheatcroft. Plot As described in a review in a film magazine, Arizona cowboy Sky Parker (Desmond) goes ...

'' (1925) - Sky Parker * '' Barriers of the Law'' (1925) - Rex Brandon * '' Duped'' (1925) - John Morgan * '' Straight Through'' (1925) - Good Deed O'Day * ''

The Burning Trail ''The Burning Trail'' is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Arthur Rosson and starring William Desmond, Albert J. Smith, and Mary McIvor. After accidentally killing a man in a fight, a boxer heads West West or Occident is o ...

'' (1925) - Smiling Bill Flannigan * '' Blood and Steel'' (1925) - Gordon Steele *''

The Meddler ''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 ...

'' (1925) - Richard Gilmore * ''

Ace of Spades The Ace of Spades (also known as the Spadille and Death Card) is traditionally the highest and most valued card in the deck of playing cards in English-speaking countries. The actual value of the card varies from game to game. Design The orn ...

'' (1925 serial) - Dan Harvey * ''Ace of Spies'' (1925) * '' The Winking Idol'' (1926) - Dave Ledbetter * ''

Strings of Steel ''Strings of Steel'' is a 1926 action film serial directed by Henry MacRae. The film is considered to be lost. Cast * William Desmond as Ned Brown * Eileen Sedgwick as Gloria Van Norton * Albert J. Smith as Peter Allen * Arthur Morrison as Jim ...

'' (1926) - Ned Brown * '' Tongues of Scandal'' (1927) - Gov. John Rhodes * '' The Return of the Riddle Rider'' (1927) - Randolph Parker / The Riddle Rider * ''

Red Clay Ultisols, commonly known as red clay soils, are one of twelve soil orders in the United States Department of Agriculture soil taxonomy. The word "Ultisol" is derived from "ultimate", because Ultisols were seen as the ultimate product of continu ...

'' (1927) - Chief John Nisheto * ''

The Vanishing Rider ''The Vanishing Rider'' is a 1928 American silent Western film serial directed by Ray Taylor and featuring William Desmond and Ethlyne Clair. Boris Karloff was also in the cast. The film is now considered to be lost. Plot Cast * William ...

'' (1928) - Jim Davis / The Vanishing Rider * ''The Devil's Trademark'' (1928) - Morgan Gray * ''

The Mystery Rider ''The Mystery Rider'' is a lost 1928 American silent Western film serial directed by Robert J. Horner and starring William Desmond. Horner produced and released through Universal Pictures. AFI has the film listed as a five-reel feature (a pos ...

'' (1928) - Winthrop Lane / The Mystery Rider * '' No Defense'' (1929) - John Harper * ''

The Phantom of the West ''The Phantom of the West'' is a 1931 American pre-Code Western film serial and was the second all-talking serial produced by Mascot Pictures. Tom Tyler stars as Jim Lester, trying to prove that Francisco Cortez (Frank Lanning) is innocent of ki ...

'' (1931) - Martin Blair * ''

The Vanishing Legion ''The Vanishing Legion'' is a 1931 American pre-Code Western film serial from Mascot, directed by Ford Beebe and B. Reeves Eason. Stars Harry Carey and Edwina Booth were originally intended to be in the studio's previous serial, '' King of th ...

'' (1931) - Milesburg Sheriff * ''First Aid'' (1931) - Chief of Police * ''

Hell-Bent for Frisco ''Hell-Bent for Frisco'' is a 1931 American pre-Code action film directed by Stuart Paton and starring Charles Delaney, Vera Reynolds and Carroll Nye.Darby, p. 107 Synopsis After his girlfriend's brother is murdered, a San Francisco newspaperm ...

'' (1931) - The Editor * ''

Oklahoma Jim ''Oklahoma Jim'' is a 1931 American Western film directed by Harry L. Fraser and written by George Arthur Durlam and Harry L. Fraser. The film stars Bill Cody, Andy Shuford, Marion Burns, William Desmond, Franklyn Farnum and John Elliott. Th ...

'' (1931) - Lacy * ''

The Lightning Warrior ''The Lightning Warrior'' is a 1931 American Pre-Code Mascot movie serial starring Rin Tin Tin in his last role. It is regarded as one of the better Mascot serials. A number of the production's outdoor action sequences were filmed on the rocky ...

'' (1931 serial) - Townsman (uncredited) * ''

Battling with Buffalo Bill ''Battling with Buffalo Bill'' is a 1931 American pre-Code Western serial film directed by Ray Taylor and starring Tom Tyler, Lucile Browne, William Desmond, Rex Bell, and Francis Ford. Based on the book ''The Great West That Was'' by Wi ...

'' (1931) - John Mills * '' Heroes of the West'' (1932) - John Blaine * '' The Last Frontier'' (1932 serial) - General Custer (Ch. 1) * ''

Jungle Mystery ''Jungle Mystery'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code Hollywood, pre-Code Universal Pictures, Universal 12-chapter Serial (film), movie serial directed by Ray Taylor (director), Ray Taylor. The serial was based on a book called "The Ivory Trail" by T ...

'' (1932) - John Morgan * ''A Scarlet Week-End'' (1932) * ''

Clancy of the Mounted ''Clancy of the Mounted'' (1933) is an American pre-Code Universal movie serial based on the poem " Clancy of the Mounted Police" by Robert W. Service, directed by Ray Taylor. Tom Tyler played Sgt. Clancy, and William L. Thorne played the villai ...

'' (1933) - Dave Moran * '' Rustlers' Roundup'' (1933) - San Dimas Sheriff Holden * ''

The Three Musketeers ''The Three Musketeers'' (french: Les Trois Mousquetaires, links=no, ) is a French historical adventure novel written in 1844 by French author Alexandre Dumas. It is in the swashbuckler genre, which has heroic, chivalrous swordsmen who fight f ...

'' (1933 serial) - Captain Boncour * ''

The Whispering Shadow ''The Whispering Shadow'' is a 1933 American pre-Code Pre-Code Hollywood was the brief era in the American film industry between the widespread adoption of sound in film in 1929LaSalle (2002), p. 1. and the enforcement of the Motion Pictur ...

'' (1933 serial) - Empire Transport Co. driver (uncredited) * ''

The Phantom of the Air ''The Phantom of the Air'' is a 12-episode 1933 Pre-Code Universal film serial directed by Ray Taylor. The film stars Tom Tyler, who was cast most often in Westerns. Other actors include Gloria Shea, LeRoy Mason, Craig Reynolds and William Desm ...

'' (1933 serial) - Thomas Edmonds * ''

Laughing at Life ''Laughing at Life'' is a 1933 American pre-Code film directed by Ford Beebe. Plot summary Easter, a soldier of fortune and gunrunner, leaves his family behind escaping from the authorities and an American detective named Mason. His globe-ho ...

'' (1933) - Military Cabinet Officer * ''

Gordon of Ghost City ''Gordon of Ghost City'' is a 1933 Pre-Code Universal movie serial based on the novel ''Oh, Promise Me!'' by Peter B. Kyne, directed by Ray Taylor and starring Buck Jones and Madge Bellamy. Plot Buck Gordon is hired to discover who has been ...

'' (1933 serial) - John Mulford * '' Strawberry Roan'' (1933) - Colonel Brownlee * '' The Perils of Pauline'' (1933 serial) - Prof. Thompson hs. 9-12* ''

Fargo Express ''Fargo Express'' is a 1933 American pre-Code Western film directed by Alan James and starring Ken Maynard, Helen Mack and Roy Stewart.Darby, p. 355 Cast * Ken Maynard as Ken Benton * Helen Mack as Helen Clark * Roy Stewart as Sam Goss * ...

'' (1933) - Sheriff Joe Thompson * ''

Pirate Treasure ''Pirate Treasure'' is a 1934 Universal film serial. It was the twenty-first sound serial released by Universal, of the sixty-nine they released in total (it was the eighty-ninth serial if Universal's silent serials are considered as well, of a ...

'' (1934) - Capt. Jim Carson * ''Border Guns'' (1934) - Dr. Jim Wilson * ''

The Vanishing Shadow ''The Vanishing Shadow'' is a 1934 Universal science fiction film serial directed by Lew Landers. It features what is believed to be the first appearance of a hand-held ray gun in film. (apart from '' The Death Ray''). Many science fiction gadget ...

'' (1934 serial) - Newspaper Editor MacDonald * ''

I Can't Escape ''I Can't Escape'' is a 1934 American film directed by Otto Brower. The film is also known as ''The Magic Vault'' (American alternative title). Cast *Onslow Stevens as Steve Nichols, alias Steve Cummings *Lila Lee as Mae Nichols *Russell Glea ...

'' (1934) - Parole Officer Donovan * ''

The Red Rider ''The Red Rider'' is a 1934 American Western film serial from Universal Pictures and starring Buck Jones. It has 15 chapters based on the short story "The Redhead from Sun Dog" by W. C. Tuttle, and is a remake of Buck Jones' earlier 1931 film '' ...

'' (1934 serial) - Sheriff Campbell * ''

The Way of the West ''The Way of the West'' is a 1934 American Western film directed by Robert Emmett Tansey. Cast * Hal Taliaferro as Wally Gordon *Bobby Nelson as Bobby Parker * Myrla Bratton as "Fiery" Parker * Fred Parker as Dad Parker * William Desmond as ...

'' (1934) - 'Cash' Horton * ''

Tailspin Tommy ''Tailspin Tommy'' was an air adventure comic strip about a youthful pilot, "Tailspin" Tommy Tomkins (sometimes spelled Tompkins). Originally illustrated by Hal Forrest and initially distributed by John Neville Wheeler's Bell Syndicate and the ...

'' (1934 serial) - Sloane - Taggart's Office Henchman, Chs. 4, 7, 10-11 * '' Frontier Days'' (1934) - Sheriff Barnes * ''Gunfire'' (1934) - Townsman (uncredited) * ''

The Rawhide Terror ''The Rawhide Terror'' is a 1934 American Western horror film directed by Bruce M. Mitchell and Jack Nelson. Plot summary A gang of renegades disguised as Indians murder the parents of two brothers, as a result, the brothers separate. Ten ...

'' (1934) - Tom Blake - Betty's Older Brother * '' When Lightning Strikes'' (1934) - Marshall Jack Stevens * ''

Rustlers of Red Dog ''Rustlers of Red Dog'' is a 1935 American Western film serial from Universal Pictures based on the book ''The Great West That Was'' by William "Buffalo Bill" Cody. It was a remake of the earlier, 1930 serial ''The Indians are Coming''. Plot J ...

'' (1935 serial) - Ira Dale (Wagonmaster) * ''

Five Bad Men ''Five Bad Men'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Clifford S. Smith, starring Noah Beery Jr., Bill Patton, and Jay Wilsey. Cast * Noah Beery Jr. as Gene Taggart * Bill Patton as Bad man * Jay Wilsey (credited as Buffalo Bill Jr ...

'' (1935) - Colonel Matoon * ''Defying the Law'' (1935) - Jim Kenmore * '' Naughty Marietta'' (1935) - Gendarme Chief (uncredited) * '' Born to Battle'' (1935) - John Brownell * ''Devil's Canyon'' (1935) * ''

The Cowboy and the Bandit ''The Cowboy and the Bandit'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Albert Herman, starring Rex Lease, Bobby Nelson, and Blanche Mehaffey. Cast * Rex Lease as Bill * Bobby Nelson as Bobbie arton* Blanche Mehaffey (credited as Janet Mo ...

'' (1935) - Sheriff Pete * ''

Cyclone of the Saddle ''Cyclone of the Saddle'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Elmer Clifton, starring Rex Lease, Janet Chandler, Bobby Nelson, and Yakima Canutt. Cast * Rex Lease as Andy Thomas * Janet Chandler as Sue * Bobby Nelson as Dick * Yakima ...

'' (1935) - Wagon Master * '' The Call of the Savage'' (1935) - Allen * ''The Tia Juana Kid'' (1935) - Cantina Owner * ''

The Phantom Cowboy ''The Phantom Cowboy'' is a 1935 American western film directed by Robert J. Horner and starring Ted Wells, George Chesebro and Jimmy Aubrey. Plot Cast *Ted Wells as Bill Collins / Jim Russell (The Phantom Rider) * Doris Brook as Ruth Roge ...

'' (1935) - Barfly (uncredited) * '' The Ghost Rider'' (1935) - Guard * ''

Social Error ''Social Error'' is a 1935 American crime film directed by Harry L. Fraser and starring David Sharpe, Gertrude Messinger and Monte Blue.Pitts p.129-30 It was re-released by Astor Pictures in 1948. Main cast * David Sharpe as Edward 'Eddie' B ...

'' (1935) - Policeman (uncredited) * ''

The Roaring West ''The Roaring West'' is a 1935 American Western film serial starring Buck Jones as Montana Larkin. It co-stars his horse, Silver, and Frank McGlynn Sr. as his trusty sidekick Jinglebob Morgan. The film was released by Universal. Plot Cast * ...

'' (1935) - Jim Parker * '' Powdersmoke Range'' (1935) - Happy - Bartender * ''

Rough Riding Ranger ''Rough Riding Ranger'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Elmer Clifton. Plot Cast * Rex Lease as Ranger Corporal Daniels / Tombstone Kid * Bobby Nelson as Bobby Francis * Janet Chandler as Dorothy White * Yakima Canutt as Hench ...

'' (1935) - Major Wright * ''

Courage of the North ''Courage of the North'' is a 1935 American Western film directed by Robert Emmett Tansey and starring John Preston, William Desmond and Tom London.Pitts, p. 149. Cast * John Preston as Sergeant Bruce Morton * William Desmond as Gene Travis * ...

'' (1935) - Gene Travis * ''

Tailspin Tommy in the Great Air Mystery ''Tailspin Tommy in the Great Air Mystery'' is a 12-episode 1935 Universal movie serial based on the Tailspin Tommy comic strip by Hal Forrest and starring Clark Williams, Jean Rogers and Noah Beery, Jr. The picture was the 96th of the 137 serials ...

'' (1935 serial) - Foreman Burke hs. 7-9,11-12(uncredited) * ''

Nevada Nevada ( ; ) is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, Western region of the United States. It is bordered by Oregon to the northwest, Idaho to the northeast, California to the west, Arizona to the southeast, and Utah to the east. N ...

'' (1935) - Wilson * ''

Frisco Kid ''Frisco Kid'' is a 1935 film starring James Cagney and directed by Lloyd Bacon. Set in San Francisco in the 1850s, it traces the rise and fall (and possible redemption) of a sailor who achieves wealth and success on San Francisco's Barbary Coas ...

'' (1935) - Vigilante Hangman (uncredited) * '' Timber Terrors'' (1935) - Royce Horter * ''

Custer's Last Stand The Battle of the Little Bighorn, known to the Lakota and other Plains Indians as the Battle of the Greasy Grass, and also commonly referred to as Custer's Last Stand, was an armed engagement between combined forces of the Lakota Sioux, Nor ...

'' (1936 serial) - Wagon Master h. 1(as Bill Desmond) * ''The Broken Coin'' (1936) * ''

The Adventures of Frank Merriwell ''The Adventures of Frank Merriwell'' first ran on NBC radio from March 26 to June 22, 1934 as a 15-minute serial airing three times a week at 5:30 pm. Sponsored by Dr. West's Toothpaste, this program starred Donald Briggs as Frank Merriwell. Harl ...

'' (1936 serial) - Captain of the 'Viking' (uncredited) * ''

Song of the Saddle '' Song of the Saddle '' is a 1936 American Western film starring Dick Foran, Alma Lloyd, Charles Middleton, and featuring an uncredited Sons of the Pioneers with Roy Rogers. Cast *Dick Foran - Frank Wilson Jr. as The Singing Kid * Alma Lloy ...

'' (1936) - Stage Driver Tim * ''

Flash Gordon Flash Gordon is the protagonist of a space adventure comic strip created and originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by, and created to compete with, the already established ''Buck Rogers'' adve ...

'' (1936 serial) - Hawkman Lookout Captain (uncredited) * ''

The Clutching Hand ''The Clutching Hand'' (in full, ''The Amazing Exploits of the Clutching Hand'') is a 15-episode serial produced by the Weiss Brothers in 1936, based on the final Craig Kennedy novel of the 1934 same name by Arthur B. Reeve. A 70-minute feature ...

'' (1936 serial) - Bartender Steve hs.5,8,10-12,14(uncredited) * '' Treachery Rides the Range'' (1936) - Bill - Stage Driver (uncredited) * ''

Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood Boulevard is a major east–west street in Los Angeles, California. It begins in the east at Sunset Boulevard in the Los Feliz district and proceeds to the west as a major thoroughfare through Little Armenia and Thai Town, Hollywoo ...

'' (1936) - Pago Pago Patron (uncredited) * ''

The Vigilantes Are Coming ''The Vigilantes Are Coming'' is a 1936 American Republic film serial directed by Ray Taylor and Mack V. Wright. It was the third of the sixty six serials made by Republic Pictures (and the third released in 1936). This serial was filmed betwee ...

'' (1936) - Anderson * ''The Black Coin'' (1936) - Cantina Bartender * ''

Cavalry Historically, cavalry (from the French word ''cavalerie'', itself derived from "cheval" meaning "horse") are soldiers or warriors who fight mounted on horseback. Cavalry were the most mobile of the combat arms, operating as light cavalry ...

'' (1936) - Cavalry Major (uncredited) * ''

Song of the Gringo ''Song of the Gringo'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by John P. McCarthy. The film is also known as ''The Old Corral'' in the United Kingdom. The film was the debut of singing cowboy Tex Ritter. It was co-written by former outlaw an ...

'' (1936) - Bailiff * ''

Headin' for the Rio Grande ''Headin' for the Rio Grande'' is a 1936 American Western film directed by Robert North Bradbury and written by Robert Emmett Tansey. The film stars Tex Ritter, Eleanor Stewart, Syd Saylor, Warner Richmond, Charles King, Earl Dwire, Forrest Tay ...

'' (1936) - Mr. Mack * '' Arizona Days'' (1937) - Stranger (uncredited) * ''

The Mysterious Pilot ''The Mysterious Pilot'' is a 15-episode 1937 Columbia movie serial based on the book by William Byron Mowery and starring the record-breaking aviator Frank Hawks. This was the second serial produced by Columbia. In the serial, Hawks plays a fl ...

'' (1937 serial) - Lumberjack / Townsman (uncredited) * ''

Tim Tyler's Luck ''Tim Tyler's Luck'' is an adventure comic strip created by Lyman Young, elder brother of '' Blondie'' creator Chic Young. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, the strip ran from August 13, 1928, until August 24, 1996. Characters and story ...

'' (1937 serial) - Dock Official h. 1(uncredited) * ''

Man of Conquest ''Man of Conquest'' is a 1939 American Western film directed by George Nicholls Jr. and starring Richard Dix, Gail Patrick, and Joan Fontaine. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Score, Best Sound ( Charles L. Lootens), a ...

'' (1939) - Tennessee Man (uncredited) * '' Winners of the West'' (1940 serial) - Bill Brine - Foreman * ''

The Boys from Syracuse ''The Boys from Syracuse'' is a musical with music by Richard Rodgers and lyrics by Lorenz Hart, based on William Shakespeare's play ''The Comedy of Errors'', as adapted by librettist George Abbott. The score includes swing and other contemp ...

'' (1940) - Citizen (uncredited) * ''

Junior G-Men ''Junior G-Men'' was an American boys club and popular culture phenomenon during the late 1930s and early 1940s that began with a radio program and culminated with films featuring the Dead End Kids. Origins After leaving the Federal Bureau of Inve ...

'' (1940 serial) - Irish Cop

h. 6 H is the eighth letter of the Latin alphabet. H may also refer to: Musical symbols * H number, Harry Halbreich reference mechanism for music by Honegger and Martinů * H, B (musical note) * H, B major People * H. (noble) (died after 12 ...

(uncredited) * '' A Little Bit of Heaven'' (1940) - Uncle Francis * '' Where Did You Get That Girl?'' (1941) - Tourist (uncredited) * ''

Nice Girl? ''Nice Girl?'' is a 1941 American musical film directed by William A. Seiter, and starring Deanna Durbin, Franchot Tone, Walter Brennan, Robert Stack, and Robert Benchley. Based on the play ''Nice Girl?'' by Phyllis Duganne, the film is about a y ...

'' (1941) - Postman (uncredited) * ''

Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie "Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie" is a cowboy folk song. Also known as "The Cowboy's Lament", "The Dying Cowboy", "Bury Me Out on the Lone Prairie", and "Oh, Bury Me Not", the song is described as the most famous cowboy ballad. Members of the West ...

'' (1941) - Bartender * ''

Sky Raiders ''Sky Raiders'' is a 12-episode 1941 Universal film serial. The serial was directed by Ford Beebe and Ray Taylor. ''Sky Raiders'' stars Donald Woods, Billy Halop, Robert Armstrong and Eduardo Ciannelli. ''Sky Raiders'' has little in common wi ...

'' (1941 serial) - Murphy - Police Officer h. 9(uncredited) * '' Don Winslow of the Navy'' (1942 serial) - Pat - Smelter Foreman

h. 5 H is the eighth letter of the Latin alphabet. H may also refer to: Musical symbols * H number, Harry Halbreich reference mechanism for music by Honegger and Martinů * H, B (musical note) * H, B major People * H. (noble) (died after 127 ...

(uncredited) * ''

Stagecoach Buckaroo ''Stagecoach Buckaroo'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Ray Taylor and written by Al Martin. The film stars Johnny Mack Brown, Fuzzy Knight, Nell O'Day, Anne Nagel, Herbert Rawlinson and Glenn Strange. The film was released on Feb ...

'' (1942) - Barfly (uncredited) * ''Raiders of the West'' (1942) - Townsman (uncredited) * ''

Gang Busters ''Gang Busters'' is an American dramatic radio program heralded as "the only national program that brings you authentic police case histories." It premiered on January 15, 1936, and was broadcast over 21 years through November 27, 1957. Histo ...

'' (1942 serial) - Rogan's Death Witness

h. 4 H is the eighth letter of the Latin alphabet. H may also refer to: Musical symbols * H number, Harry Halbreich reference mechanism for music by Honegger and Martinů * H, B (musical note) * H, B major People * H. (noble) (died after 12 ...

(uncredited) * ''

Junior G-Men of the Air ''Junior G-Men of the Air'' is a 1942 Universal film serial starring the Dead End Kids and the Little Tough Guys. A group of youthful flying enthusiasts join the "Junior G-Men" to help break up a planned attack on the United States. Plot During ...

'' (1942 serial) - Parts Customer h. 1(uncredited) * ''

Down Rio Grande Way ''Down Rio Grande Way'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by William Berke and written by Paul Franklin. The film stars Charles Starrett, Russell Hayden, Britt Wood, Rose Anne Stevens, Norman Willis and Davison Clark. The film was releas ...

'' (1942) - Townsman (uncredited) * '' The Silver Bullet'' (1942) - Townsman (uncredited) * ''

Overland Mail Butterfield Overland Mail (officially the Overland Mail Company)Waterman L. Ormsby, edited by Lyle H. Wright and Josephine M. Bynum, "The Butterfield Overland Mail", The Huntington Library, San Marino, California, 1991. was a stagecoach service ...

'' (1942 serial) - Williams - Banker hs. 5, 12(uncredited) * '' Sin Town'' (1942) - Town Leader (uncredited) * ''

Prairie Chickens ''Prairie Chickens'' is a 1943 American Western film and a sequel to ''Dudes are Pretty People'' (1942) and '' Calaboose'' (1943), Western films from "Hal Roach's Streamliners", a series of approximately 50-minute comedic movies, in this case d ...

'' (1943) - Cache Lake Townsman (uncredited) * '' Cheyenne Roundup'' (1943) - Pete (uncredited) * '' Frontier Fury'' (1943) - Townsman (uncredited) * ''

The Lone Star Trail ''The Lone Star Trail'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Ray Taylor and starring Johnny Mack Brown and Tex Ritter. The supporting cast features Fuzzy Knight and Jennifer Holt and, in a small role as a villain, Robert Mitchum (bille ...

'' (1943) - Bartender Mike (uncredited) * ''

Frontier Badmen ''Frontier Badmen'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Ford Beebe and starring Robert Paige, Anne Gwynne and Diana Barrymore. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. Several members of the cast are offspring of silent sc ...

'' (1943) - Townsman (uncredited) * ''

Phantom of the Opera ''The Phantom of the Opera'' (french: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serial in from 23 September 1909 to 8 January 1910, and was released in volume form in late March 1910 by Pierr ...

'' (1943) - Stagehand (uncredited) * '' Thank Your Lucky Stars'' (1943) - Westerner in Dennis Morgan Number (uncredited) * ''

Marshal of Gunsmoke ''Marshal of Gunsmoke'' is a 1944 American Western film directed by Vernon Keays and written by William Lively. The film stars Tex Ritter, Russell Hayden, Fuzzy Knight, Jennifer Holt, Harry Woods and Herbert Rawlinson. The film was released on ...

'' (1944) - Barfly (uncredited) * ''

Oklahoma Raiders ''Oklahoma Raiders'' is a 1944 American Western film directed by Lewis D. Collins and starring Tex Ritter. Plot In This western, cowboys go to buy fresh horses for the cavalry and end up taking on two badguys and a female vigilante. Cast ...

'' (1944) - Townsman Grinning at Banjo's Fall (uncredited) * ''

The Scarlet Claw ''The Scarlet Claw'' is a 1944 American mystery thriller film based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes detective stories. Directed by Roy William Neill and starring Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce, it is the eighth film of the Rathbone/ ...

'' (1944) - Member of Royal Canadian Occult Society (uncredited) * '' The Yellow Rose of Texas'' (1944) - Townsman (uncredited) * ''

The Mummy's Ghost ''The Mummy's Ghost'' is a 1944 American horror film directed by Reginald Le Borg. It is the second of three sequels to that company's ''The Mummy's Hand'' of 1940. The film is the sequel to ''The Mummy's Tomb'' (1942). Lon Chaney, Jr. again take ...

'' (1944) - Museum Tourist (uncredited) * ''National Barn Dance'' (1944) - Farmer at Barn Dance (uncredited) * '' Tall in the Saddle'' (1944) - Town Citizen (uncredited) * ''

The Climax The Climax may refer to: * The Climax (1944 film), a horror film * The Climax (1930 film), a thriller film * The Climax (illustration), a work of art by Aubrey Beardsley See also * Climax (disambiguation) * {{DEFAULTSORT:Climax, The ...

'' (1944) - Backstage Technician (uncredited) * ''

Bowery to Broadway ''Bowery to Broadway'' is a 1944 American film starring Maria Montez, Jack Oakie, and Susanna Foster. Donald O'Connor and Peggy Ryan also had a small specialty act, and it was the only film they were in together where they didn't have a name or ...

'' (1944) - Man at Bar (uncredited) * '' The Old Texas Trail'' (1944) - Townsman (uncredited) * ''

Firebrands of Arizona ''Firebrands of Arizona'' is a 1944 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by Randall Faye. The film stars Smiley Burnette, Sunset Carson, Peggy Stewart, Earle Hodgins, Roy Barcroft and LeRoy Mason. The film was released ...

'' (1944) - Townsman (uncredited) * ''

Hi, Beautiful ''Hi, Beautiful'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Leslie Goodwins and written by Dick Irving Hyland. The film stars Martha O'Driscoll, Noah Beery Jr., Hattie McDaniel, Walter Catlett, Tim Ryan, Florence Lake, Grady Sutton, Lou Lubin ...

'' (1944) - Passenger (uncredited) * ''See My Lawyer'' (1945) - Bystander (uncredited) * ''

Song of the Sarong ''Song of the Sarong'' (1945) is a musical film starring Nancy Kelly and William Gargan. The film was written by Gene Lewis and directed by Harold Young. Plot There are valuable pearls worth millions of dollars being guarded by a formidable ...

'' (1945) - Councillor (uncredited) * ''The Return of the Durango Kid'' (1945) - Street Ambusher (uncredited) * ''

Beyond the Pecos ''Beyond the Pecos'' is a 1945 American Western film directed by Lambert Hillyer and written by Bennett Cohen. The film stars Rod Cameron, Eddie Dew, Fuzzy Knight, Jennifer Holt, Ray Whitley, Gene Roth, Robert Homans and Jack Ingram. The film ...

'' (1945) - Bill - Barfly (uncredited) * ''

The Naughty Nineties ''The Naughty Nineties'' is a 1945 American film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. The film is noteworthy for containing a filmed version of the duo's famous " Who's on First?" routine. This version is shown at the National Baseba ...

'' (1945) - (uncredited) * ''

That Night with You ''That Night With You'' is a 1945 American comedy film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Susanna Foster, Franchot Tone and Louise Allbritton. Produced and distributed by Universal Pictures, it featured Buster Keaton in a supporting role ...

'' (1945) - Man in Market (uncredited) * ''

Strange Confession ''Strange Confession'' is a 1945 Inner Sanctum film noir mystery horror film, released by Universal Pictures and starring Lon Chaney Jr., J. Carrol Naish and Brenda Joyce. The film was directed by John Hoffman and was later rereleased unde ...

'' (1945) - Peanut Vendor (uncredited) * ''

The Royal Mounted Rides Again ''The Royal Mounted Rides Again'' is a 1945 Universal film serial. Adventure serials of this type were popular in the early days of cinema. The serial, often called cliffhangers, would show one episode per week, with an ending that would hide t ...

'' (1945) - Miner at Meeting (uncredited) * ''

Frontier Gal ''Frontier Gal'' is a 1945 American Western film directed by Charles Lamont and starring Yvonne De Carlo and Rod Cameron. Plot Johnny Hart heads for Red Gulch, looking for the mystery man who murdered his partner. He quickly meets Lorena Dumon ...

'' (1945) - Barfly (uncredited) * ''

The Scarlet Horseman ''The Scarlet Horseman'' is a 1946 American Western film serial from Universal Pictures. It is directed by Lewis D. Collins and Ray Taylor. Paul Guilfoyle plays Jim Bannion, secret identity of The Scarlet Horseman, with Janet Shaw as Elise, hi ...

'' (1946 serial) - Barfly (uncredited) * '' Code of the West'' (1947) - Settler (uncredited) * ''

The Michigan Kid ''The Michigan Kid'' is a 1947 American Cinecolor Western film directed by Ray Taylor and starring Jon Hall, Victor McLaglen, Rita Johnson, and Andy Devine. It was Hall's first film after getting out of the army and filming began 15 April 1 ...

'' (1947) - Townsman (uncredited) * ''

The Egg and I ''The Egg and I'', first published in 1945, is a humorous memoir by American author Betty MacDonald about her adventures and travels as a young wife on a chicken farm on the Olympic Peninsula in the US state of Washington. The book is based on ...

'' (1947) - Spectator at County Fair (uncredited) * ''

Relentless Relentless may refer to: Film * ''Relentless'' (1948 film), an American film directed by George Sherman * ''Relentless'', a 1977 American television film starring Will Sampson * ''Relentless'' (1989 film), an American crime film starring Jud ...

'' (1948) - Townsman on Porch (uncredited) * ''

Are You with It? ''Are You with It?'' is a 1948 American musical comedy film directed by Jack Hively. The plot is about a young insurance man who quits his job to join a traveling carnival. The film is based on the 1945 Broadway musical of the same name and the ...

'' (1948) - Spectator (uncredited)

References

External links

*
William Desmond
at Virtual History {{DEFAULTSORT:Desmond, William 1878 births 1949 deaths American male stage actors American male film actors American male silent film actors Male actors from Dublin (city) Male actors from New York City Irish emigrants to the United States (before 1923) Burials at Chapel of the Pines Crematory 20th-century American male actors Male Western (genre) film actors