William Russell
Actor · 1884 – 1929 · The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
From Wikipedia William Russell (April 12, 1884 – February 18, 1929), born William Francis Lerche, was an American actor, director, producer and screenwriter. He appeared in over two hundred silent era motion pictures between 1910 and 1929, directing five of them in 1916 and producing two through his own production company in 1918 and 1925. Russell began his screen career in New York with the Biograph Company, where he worked for nine months before signing with the Thanhouser Company. He was also part of the company of players for the American Film Manufacturing Company and their Flying "A" Studios in Santa Barbara. In 1917, he and actress Charlotte Burton were married. They divorced in 1921. He and actress Helen Ferguson were married on June 21, 1925, at the Wilshire Boulevard Congregational Church, after a six-year romance. William Russell died at age 44 from pneumonia at Hollywood Hospital in Los Angeles.
Movies24
MovieComedyKingston Hollister admires Bernice Cleveland from afar. He asks Officer Callahan, the policeman on the beat, about her and mistakenly believes she is a lady's maid. So the wealthy Hollister disguises himself as the cop so he can meet her.
Brass Buttons
1919
Movie10.0ComedyWesternTraveling salesman and teller of tall tales Robert Winchester McTabb arrives in Yellow Jacket, Arizona selling coffins and cradles with his motto that he "catches 'em coming and going." Celie Sterling believes McTabbs lies about his prowess and promises to buy a coffin if he will kill the man she wants to occupy it--Sheldon Lewis Kellard, who has papers which jeopardize her father's reputation.
Some Liar
1919 · 1 votes
Movie8.0ComedyDramaIn Jedda, Persia, American consul George Gage, known as a woman hater, is shocked when his newly arrived assistant, "Billie Baxter," whom he assumes will be a man, turns out to be an attractive woman. Despite his formerly anti-female leanings, George finds himself falling in love with Billie and is jealous when his womanizing friend, Brad Wilson, arrives in Jedda and makes a play for her. At the same time, when the ruling Pasha, Abdul Mustapha, meets Billie, he also becomes smitten and tries to have her brought to his harem. Despite their rivalry, George and Brad join forces and save Billie from the Pasha, after which she decides that George is the man she loves and wants to marry. Considered a lost film.
Woman Wise
1928 · 1 votes
Movie7.0ActionCrimeMary Carlton, who lives with her invalid father on a cotton plantation, receives a letter from Bob, her brother, in New York, stating that he faces death in the electric chair for a crime of which he claims to be innocent. Determined to save him, she goes there, learns of his association with an underworld gang, and begins to suspect Handsome Joe of a connection with the crime.
The Girl from Chicago
1927 · 1 votes
Movie8.0DramaA dog named Thunder, the weakling of his brood, is born in a lumber camp in the North Woods, operated by Anita Baker. The cowardly dog is cast out of the camp and adopted by forest ranger Allen Gregory. Meanwhile, Bill Martin, the brutal camp superintendent, covets both Anita and her property. When Bill attacks Anita, Thunder comes to the rescue and proves his courage by warding off the villain.
Wings of the Storm
1926 · 1 votes
Movie10.0WesternOutlaw Sam Hemp attempts to induce homesteader Lang Rush, faced with foreclosure due to drought, to rob the bank as restitution. The exchange escalates into a gunfight leaving Sam and his wealthy friend, Drayton, dead. Fleeing to the mountains and the refuge of a deserted shack near Singing River Lang prospects for silver. Another former homesteader, Bert Condon, trails Lang in the hope of collecting a $5,000 reward, but befriends the fugitive and assists in filing Lang's claim when he strikes ore. On his return to town, Lang rescues the sheriff's daughter, Alice Thornton, from Hemp's gang and defeats their leader, L. W. Bransom, in a fistfight. He then clears himself of the murder charge and wins Alice.
Singing River
1920 · 1 votes
- Movie8.0Drama
The story's hero, a reformer in politics, has been accused and convicted of "padding the registration lists," but on procured evidence and on a frame-up, made by the ring leader's heeler, William Russell. He is sent to prison and the story works out to his coming home, a cleared and rehabilitated man, on Christmas Eve.
The Repeater
1912 · 1 votes
- Movie9.0Comedy
Millionaire's son Jack Newberry is determined to make it in the motion picture industry on his own terms. To accomplish this, he invests all of his money into a film project and borrows an additional $40,000 from his sweetheart's father to finance the production. He hires a foreign director, Eric von Greed, to direct the film. To the surprise of everyone, the film becomes a massive success. Having firmly proven his business acumen and earning the respect of his future father-in-law, Jack marries his sweetheart.
My Neighbor's Wife
1925 · 1 votes
- Movie7.0Drama
An American girl and her father were traveling in the Orient, and there they were joined by the young woman's fiancé. He knew the dangers of the country of old, but the girl laughed at his warnings and believed that the life and property were as safe as it is on Broadway, New York. The girl hired a dragoman, and took an excursion into the desert, despite her sweetheart's most emphatic warning. It does not pay to disregard the advice of the well informed, as the girl soon found to her cost, for the treacherous guide led her into the midst of a band of Arabs.
Into the Desert
1912 · 1 votes
- Movie10.0Comedy
In the course of a fashionable reception at her home, a young girl quarrels with her suitor. Piqued by a fancied wrong, the girl with complaisance accepts the proposal of a foreign nobleman and determines to forget The Man forever. As time progresses and the day set for her wedding to the sallow baron approaches, she is obsessed by a feeling of discontent and a yearning for her former lover.
Their Burglar
1911 · 1 votes
Movie7.0DramaThrillerTo spite her fiancé, who claims to know how to handle women, Rosamond engages in reckless behavior, including racing cars and getting arrested. Climax: After surviving a car crash, she is captured by criminals but eventually rescued, leading to her submissive reform.
The Way of a Girl
1925 · 1 votes
Movie5.0RomanceFantasyDramatic three-reel film based on Wagner's opera of chivalry and spiritual struggle. Wandering minstrel Tannhauser wins the heart of Elizabeth, niece of the powerful Landgrave. Later, under the spell of Venus and her nymphs, Tannhauser passes into Venusberg, a netherworld of earthly pleasures. Returning to the Landgrave's court, he praises Venus in song and sparks the righteous anger of all present. His own prayers and those of Elizabeth free him from enchantment and he takes up the habit of a monk, devoting himself to God. He sets off to seek absolution in Rome while Elizabeth waits at court, ever weakening in his absence.
Tannhäuser
1913 · 4 votes
Movie10.0MysteryBing Howard a former stockbroker, is called the "Night Wind" because he is a fugitive from justice, persistently being trailed by Clifford Rushton, a private detective who has framed Howard on a bond robbery. Rushton's failure to catch Howard forces the chief to turn the case over to Detective Katherine Maxwell, alias "Lady Kate," whose brother was sent to prison for bond robbery on the same evidence Rushton has brought against Howard.
Alias the Night Wind
1923 · 1 votes
- Movie9.0Drama
When the two little daughters of a young widower are told that he is preparing to bring up to the house to see them, a young lady who is to be their new mamma, they are at once plunged into the depths of despair. They feel that their home will be no longer bearable if they are to have a stepmother, so they run away to go out in the world to earn their own living.
The Stepmother
1911 · 1 votes
Movie9.0DramaHistoryA southerner who fought with the Union army regains the confidence of his community after the war.
A Rough Shod Fighter
1917 · 1 votes
MovieDramaRonald, heir to Lord Earle in Earlescourt, England, secretly loves Dora Thorne, a desirable but working-class woman. When Lord Earle hears of the relationship, he brings Valentine Charteris to the estate to distract his lovesick son. True to his love, however, Ronald refuses Valentine and marries Dora. After emigrating to Italy, Ronald earns a modest living as a painter, and Dora gives birth to twins. When Ronald receives a generous commission to paint a portrait, he asks Dora to pose for him, but overly preoccupied with the children, she refuses. Wounded by the rejection, Ronald calls on Valentine Charteris and quickly becomes infatuated with her, forcing Dora to return to Earlescourt with the twins.
Dora Thorne
1915
- Movie7.0DramaRomance
A rich man who finds that there is nothing in life worth living for, is worse off than is a poor man in similar circumstances, for the poor man may he stricken with ambition, and in a last effort to attain fame and fortune, redeems himself. But what is a man to do if he has wealth, health, all the fame he desires, and yet looks at life through blue spectacles?
Rejuvenation
1912 · 1 votes
MovieRomanceFantasyIn the days long ago when knights were brave and venturesome, enchanted forests grew and mythical creatures lived among us.
Undine
1912
Movie8.0WesternComedyWilliam Russell plays Cliff Redfern, a hard-ridin' Westerner who takes a liking to Easterner Ned Caldwell (Cullen Landis), the dissolute son of a wealthy cattle rancher. Certain that all Caldwell needs to become a "real man" is a dose of frontier life, Cliff kidnaps Ned and brings him back to the wide open spaces.
Where the West Begins
1919 · 1 votes
Movie8.0WesternHobbs in a Hurry
1918 · 1 votes
MovieAdventureDramaTo maintain order aboard the Southern Cross, Bull Dorgan, its fierce captain, beats Pedro, a trouble-making sailor, who swears revenge as he steers the boat toward the wild Barbary Coast.
The Sea Master
1917
Movie10.0ComedyThe very wealthy and very idle Dickey Derrickson is scorned by his fiancée Madge Earle because of his refusal to work. To counter her criticism, he buys a detective agency that has no cases, but Madge discovers the ruse. To create a demand for his services, Dickey hires a group of thugs to steal valuables from his rich friends.
Leave It to Me
1920 · 1 votes
Movie7.0DramaTo escape a loathsome marriage to the king of a neighboring principality, Princess Isabel flees her kingdom for England, where she is rescued by Lord Anthony Conway. His friends are distressed by his gay escapades, and they rebel when he encourages them to entertain the princess, assuming her to be an actress whom she strongly resembles. Returning to her country with the Englishman, she realizes that she must marry the neighboring king to save her country.
The Lady from Longacre
1921 · 1 votes
Movie10.0WesternVeteran action hero William Russell starred opposite his offscreen wife Helen Ferguson in this typical Fox oater about a miner who finds himself up against a master swindler (George Webb).
The Crusader
1922 · 1 votes