Francis J. Grandon

Francis "Frank" J. Grandon (1879, Chicago, Illinois - July 11, 1929, Los Angeles, California) was an American silent film actor and director who acted in almost 100 films and directed over 100. Frank Grandon's obituary, printed in newspapers from coast-to- coast, called him "the father of movie serial motion pictures" and a mentor to many young film stars.

Early career

Little here is know about the early life of Francis Grandon other than he was listed as a members of Jessie May Hall’s company during an 1895 engagement at the Opera House in Portsmouth, Ohio and that he first arrived in Los Angeles in 1902, most likely as a member of a traveling repertory troupe.

The Moving Picture World

Transcribed from The Moving Picture World, January 22, 1916

Director F. J. Grandon Goes to Metro

Before joining Metro Mr. Grandon was a director with the Triangle Company. He began his career with D. W. Griffith, at the old Biograph company, and was associated with Mr. Griffith for several years. Mr. Grandon then received an attractive offer from Lubin, and went with that company as their first director. Later Mr. Grandon joined the Selig's forces, and while with that concern directed and produced the first serial released in connection with syndicated newspaper stories. This was "The Adventures of Kathlyn," with Kathlyn Williams, the star.

W. Griffith

W. Griffith was the second head football coach for Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and he held that position for the 1896 season. His overall coaching record at Washburn was 6 wins, 1 losses, and 1 ties. This ranks him number 24th at Washburn in terms of total wins.

References

Mary Pickford

Mary Pickford (April 8, 1892 – May 29, 1979) was a Canadian-American motion picture actress, co-founder of the film studio United Artists and one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Known in her prime as "America's Sweetheart" and the "girl with the curls", Pickford was one of the Canadian pioneers in early Hollywood and a significant figure in the development of film acting. Pickford was one of the earliest stars to be billed under her name (film stars up until that time were usually unbilled), and was one of the most popular actresses of the 10s and 20s, earning the nickname "Queen of the Movies".

Pickford was awarded the second ever Academy Award for Best Actress for her first sound film role and also received an honorary Academy Award in 1976. In consideration of her contributions to American cinema, the American Film Institute ranked Pickford as 24th in its 1999 list of greatest female stars of classic Hollywood Cinema.

Early life

An Arcadian Maid

An Arcadian Maid is a 1910 American silent film directed by D.W. Griffith.

Plot

Mary Pickford plays Priscilla an unemployed maid who finds work at a farm. There she meets a no-good peddler who starts flirting with her and makes her fall in love with him. He runs up a gambling bill and asks her to help him pay his debts or he won't be able to marry her.

Cast

See also

References

External links

Wilfred Lucas

Wilfred Lucas (January 30, 1871 – December 13, 1940) was a Canadian-born American stage actor who found success in film as an actor, director, and screenwriter.

Early life

Wilfred Van Norman Lucas was born in Norfolk County, Ontario on January 30, 1871,. most likely in the township of Townsend where at the time his father served as a Wesleyan Methodist minister. He was the youngest of three sons to be raised by Daniel Lucas and the former E. Adeline Reynolds, in Townsend and later Montreal, Quebec. Lucas attended Montreal High School and McGill University before immigrating to America in the late 1880s. His early career there was that of a baritone singer performing at church functions and at small venues.

Career

Wilfred Lucas eventually made a name for himself performing in light and grand opera in America and abroad. He made his Broadway debut on April 4, 1904 at the Savoy Theater playing in both the curtain raiser “The Blue Grass Handicap” and The Superstition of Sue in which he played Sue’s brother, Percy Flage. Following his 1906 role in the highly successful play, The Chorus Lady, Lucas was recruited to the fledgling Biograph Studios by D. W. Griffith. At the time, the film business was still looked down upon by many members of the theatrical community. In her 1925 book titled When the Movies Were Young, Griffith's wife, actress Linda Arvidson, told the story of the early days at Biograph Studios. In it, she referred to Lucas as the "first real grand actor, democratic enough to work in Biograph movies."