The heartbreaking yet hopeful saga of john and mary sims memorably played by james murray and eleanor boardman continues to strike an emotional chord with worldwide audiences. Such is the sentiment of this masterwork of the silent era perhaps the. James murray 1901 1936 was an american movie actor. An amazingly absorbing site that shows many then and now photos of locations of chaplins films, the keystone studio, and much more. In this silent predecessor to the modern documentary, filmmaker robert j. According to imdb, he actually appeared on screens as far back as 1979 appearing in an episode of bbc series shoestring he played charlie. James murray english actor born 1975, english actor born in manchester james murray puppeteer, see the adventures of timmy the tooth james murray comedian born 1976, american comedian, television star and member of the tenderloins. American actress eleanor boardman was born on 19th august, 1898 in philadephia, pennsylvania and passed away on 12th dec 1991 santa barbara, california aged 93. Murray february 9, 1901 july 11, 1936 was an american film actor best known for starring in the 1928 film the. American film actors, american actors and people from the bronx. When king vidor chose him for the lead in the crowd 1928, he was playing occasional extra parts in movies. Maude fealy was a wellknown movieactress between 1911 and 1917 and appeared in nearly all cecili b.
James murray full list of movies and tv shows in theaters, in production and upcoming films. Eleanor boardman 18981991 eleanor boardman was born on august 19th, 1898 in philadelphia, pennsylvannia and attended an art school, before leaving for new york as a teenager to pursue her dreams of becoming an actress. Discover the most famous people named james including james charles, james corden, james franco, james wright, james harden and many more. Not so for actor james murray, whose death occurred in a similar fashion to driscoll. When offered the part, murray confessed to vidor that. I dont see the film as one of the greatest silent films of all time as some do, but. In 1979, he tried unsuccessfully to raise money for a film called actor. If only silent films had never died, and simply became a separate entity from talkies, film, as a whole, would have so much more beauty and love to them.
Its no joke impractical jokers star, james murray and. His own transition was successful, in part because he refused to let it change the. Cinema posters film posters james murray new movies good movies. The 30 best silent movies in hollywood history taste of. With the help of great performances by james murray and eleanor. Silent film performers, an annotated bibliography of published, unpublished and archival sources for over 350 actors and actresses jefferson, north carolina. Alas, the young actors personal problems caused him to be dropped by mgm. Douglas fairbanks silent film star actor 1920s vintage.
Mar 23, 2009 the classy introduction to tcms silent sundays. Indeed they did, and they continue to fascinate us to this day. King vidor has always been one of my favorite directors and the author covers his career fully and affectionately. It was made in 1927, but mgm set on it for over a year before releasing the picture. But until the end of his life, he continued to develop projects for new films he hoped to make. James murray architect died 1634, scottish architect james murray american actor 19011936, american actor james murray director, director of films and programs such as the national dream james murray english actor born 1975, english actor born in manchester james murray puppeteer, see the adventures of timmy the tooth. But it is james murray as john sims who really stands out. Alas, james murray, the actor catapulted to the big time in the crowd, was not a part. Murray was an american film actor best known for starring in the 1928 film the crowd. English comic actor charlie chaplin glossy 8x10 photo famous film.
Viola dana started her career as a child actress and continued making silent movies throughout the 1920s. James murray, american actor, died july at the age of. Our dancing daughters balloons the flesh and the devil greta garbo and john gilbert. The crowd is another movie released at the very end of the silent era that shows just how advanced the art form of the movies had become before they all began talking. The story centres on johnny sims played by james murray, an idealistic young man who moves with his new wife, mary eleanor boardman, to a major. Eleanor boardman is a member of the following lists. James murray, american actor, died july 11, at the age of 35. American actor 19141986 for both stage and film, and father of actors alan and antony alda. Vidor told murray that if he could pull himself together, the part was his. His final feature film was solomon and sheba 1959, and he then taught at usc and wrote books on the art and craft of filmmaking. But for every movie icon there were hundreds of actresses who appeared in silent movies whose names havent stood the test of time in the same way, either because of tragic early death.
Silent movie newsgroup, discussion, silent movie music, film preservation its all here. The following 7 files are in this category, out of 7. Silent film gallery page 7 silent tcm message boards. Flaherty spends one year following the lives of nanook and his family, inuits living in the arctic circle. The crowd, american silent film classic, released in 1928, featuring the struggles of a young couple amid the callousness of modern bigcity life. Since the hitormiss sunday night silents doesnt mean a thing anymore, a daily guide is now absolutely required. James murray american actor interesting stories about. Eleanor boardman 18981991 eleanor boardman was born on august 19th, 1898 in philadelphia, pennsylvannia and attended an art school, before leaving for new york as a teenager to pursue her. The movie stars james murray, and eleanor boardman. Heres a link to an article about the film at the tcm site, which mentions that wellman was forced to delete footage of barthelmess first crash in the movie in case it damaged the. His brother was harry murray, an actor in silent films in the late 1920s and early 1930s and then production manager for cbstv in new york, where he worked on the television game shows password 1961 and to tell the truth 1956. Movie still photographs, biography and filmography of silent film star mae murray. American film actors, 1991 deaths and american silent film actors.
His brother was harry murray, an actor in silent films in the late. When offered the part, murray confessed to vidor that he didnt even know if he could act. The films featured in the montage as they appear in order. The irony is that silent movies reached their artistic peak in 1928. I hope that this list of silent movies will enlighten and entertain you. Career born in the bronx, new york, james murray went to. Director king vidor got his way and the movie went on to become a masterpiece of silent cinema. Classic movie posters original movie posters classic films film.
In 1927, warner brothers released the first sound film, the jazz singer and less than 10 years later, charles chaplin s modern times would unofficially put an end to the era. Join sign up keep track of your favorite shows and movies, across all your devices. Academy and historian kevin brownlow present king vidors. When we think of silent movie stars we inevitably think of garbo, charlie chaplin, rudolph valentino as well as perhaps lillian gish not forgetting the quintessential flappers clara bow and louise brooks. For james murray an actor from the hidden camera series, impractical jokersthe publication of his bestselling novel, awakened, would lead him to that truth when he bent a knee to propose to the love of his life on august 30, 2019. She is most remembered for the crowd, wampas baby star of 1923. It was shot as a silent film, then transformed into a talkie. British actor james murray was born on the 22nd january 1975, in manchester, england, and debuted in the entertainment industry in 1998 by landing the role of. His own transition was successful, in part because he refused to let it change the way he made films. Here are the 24 silent movies playing on tcm in the month of may. Director king vidors the crowd 1928 remains among the most socially relevant films ever made. Old movie posters cinema posters film posters vintage posters silent film stars movie stars vintage movies old movies film movie the crowd 1928 james murray, eleanor boardman directed by king vidor silent film poster. James murray vintage 1920s era 5x7 movie star fan photo the crowd actor. They didnt think anyone would go to see it do to the subject matter.
As a result, he was signed by mgm and quickly costarred in three films, all of which were released before the crowd so as to build up murrays audience appeal. King vidors second wife eleanor boardman played mary. He was universally hailed for his incredibly touching performance. Jan 01, 2018 british actor james murray was born on the 22nd january 1975, in manchester, england, and debuted in the entertainment industry in 1998 by landing the role of sandy hunter in the longrunning tv. Silent movie actress betty ross clarke who made 33 movies between 1920. Searching for an actor for his grim tale of alienation, director king vidor thought murray would be perfect. Born in the bronx, new york, james murray went to hollywood in the 1920s to try to succeed as an actor.
His brother was harry murray, an actor in silent films in the late 1920s and. Daughter, ellajayne murray, was born five weeks prematurely in may, 2008, but died the following january. Oct 11, 2010 there is also a brief role for james murray, star of king vidors great silent film the crowd, who has small parts in several of wellmans 1930s films. The story concentrates on john sims, brilliantly played by james murray. Signed photo, 5 x 7 inches, inscribed, missing a small piece on the top right corner not affecting the image, otherwise in very good condition. The story centres on johnny sims played by james murray, an idealistic young man who moves with his new wife, mary eleanor boardman, to a major city.
July 11, 1936 was an american movie actor best known for starring in the 1928 film the crowd career. There is also a brief role for james murray, star of king vidors great silent film the crowd, who has small parts in several of wellmans 1930s films. Alas, james murray, the actor catapulted to the big time in the crowd, was not a part of the project. Two years later, drunk and possibly suicidal, murray fell into the hudson river and drowned. There are chapters about deleted scenes as well as biographies about the stars, eleanor boardman and james murray an actor i always wanted to know more about and the rest of the cast and crew. Vidor tracked him down and hired him for the silent drama the crowd. James had a role in krod mandoon and the flaming sword of fire, a comic fantasy series for comedy central and bbc two, which began airing in april 2009. The gritty and haunting crowd chronicles the ups and downs of a young married couple eleanor boardman, who was married to vidor, and james murray. Salary, married, wedding, spouse, family sometimes the early tragic death of a hollywood actor can lead to immortality, as in the cases of icons james dean and marilyn monroeand, to a somewhat lesser extent, little bobby driscoll, who died a skid row bum in the streets, a victim of drug addiction. James murray 19011936 james murray had been a movie theatre doorman, a dishwasher and a rail rider. Japanese silent film includes the tradition of the. Murray on 9th february, 1901 in bronx, new york city, new york usa and passed away on 11th jul 1936 new york city, new york, usa aged 35. A headstrong, irresponsible man, murray had squandered the chance offered him by vidor, and.
James murray was born on january 22, 1975 in manchester, greater manchester, england. In 1927, warner brothers released the first sound film, the jazz singer and less than 10 years later, charles chaplins modern times would unofficially put an end to the era. Details about douglas fairbanks silent film star actor 1920s vintage orig photo postcard rppc. The young actors most substantial role was in william wylers the shakedown 1929, starring james murray. Down on his luck, murray was living on the streets of new york. Vidor plucked minor actor james murray from obscurity to play johnny, and cast his own. Login to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. Jul 10, 2008 the crowd is one of the greatest silent films.
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