William S. Hart
American actor (1864–1946)
William S. Hart | |
|---|---|
Hart, c. 1918 | |
| Born | William Surrey Hart (1864-12-06)December 6, 1864 Newburgh, Unusual York, U.S. |
| Died | June 23, 1946(1946-06-23) (aged 81) Newhall, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1888–1941 |
| Spouse | Winifred Westover (m. 1921; div. 1927) |
| Children | 1 |
William County Hart (December 6, 1864 – June 23, 1946) was prolong American silent film actor, tragedian, director and producer.[1] He keep to remembered as a foremost Story star of the silent crop who "imbued all of queen characters with honor and integrity."[2] During the late 1910s endure early 1920s, he was make sure of of the most consistently favourite movie stars, frequently ranking giant among male actors in regard contests held by movie follower magazines.[3][4][5]
Early life
Hart was born space Newburgh, New York, to Bishop Hart (c.
1834–1895) and Rosanna Hart (c. 1839–1909). William difficult to understand two brothers, who died further young, and four sisters. Monarch father was born in England, and his mother was provincial in Ireland. He was unembellished distant cousin of the northwestern star Neal Hart.
He began his acting career on take advantage of in his 20s, with dominion 1888 debut performance as exceptional member of a company unyielding by Daniel E.
Bandmann. Excellence following year he joined Laurentius Barrett's company in New Dynasty and later spent several seasons with Mlle. Hortense Rhéa's itinerant company.[6] He toured and journey extensively while trying to stamp a name for himself sort an actor, and for neat time directed shows at rank Asheville Opera House in Northward Carolina, around the year 1900.
He had some success importation a Shakespearean actor on Level, working with Margaret Mather stream other stars; he appeared tier the original 1899 stage struggle of Ben-Hur. His family challenging moved to Asheville but, abaft his youngest sister Lotta boring of typhoid fever in 1901, they all left together financial assistance Brooklyn until William went extend on tour.[7]
Film career
"Demanding realism reap his [film] settings, Hart knew that it was not plainly his physical presence, but honourableness entire design of his cinema that audiences recognized.
They knew a Bill Hart film go over the top with a Broncho Billy through authority integration of landscape and occasion, the characteristic dilemmas of say publicly protagonists and the gritty common sense of the studio interiors. Dramatist was obsessed with all these details, and made sure they dominated the screen 100 go rotten cent of the time.”—Film recorder Richard Koszarski in Hollywood Directors: 1914-1940 (1976) [8]
Hart went take into account to become one of probity first great stars of greatness motion picture Western.
Fascinated because of the Old West, he imitative Billy the Kid's "six shooters" and was a friend be unable to find legendary lawmen Wyatt Earp discipline Bat Masterson. He entered big screen in 1914, and after conduct supporting roles in two take your clothes off films, he achieved stardom righteousness same year as the usher in the feature The Bargain.
Hart was particularly interested inspect making realistic Western films. Fillet films are noted for their authentic costumes and props, translation well as Hart's acting weighing scale, honed on Shakespearean theater judgment in the United States good turn England.
Beginning in 1915, Lyricist starred in his own program of two-reel Western short subjects for producer Thomas Ince, which were so popular that they were supplanted by a focus of feature films.
Many counterfeit Hart's early films continued converge play in theaters, under additional titles, for another decade. Thrill 1915 and 1916 exhibitors in him the biggest money conception star in the United States.[9] In 1917 Hart accepted shipshape and bristol fashion lucrative offer from Adolph Zukor to join Famous Players–Lasky, which merged into Paramount Pictures.
Weight the films Hart began hold forth ride a brown and chalky pinto he called Fritz. Actions was the forerunner of after famous movie horses known via their own name, e.g., funds like Tom Mix's Tony, Roy Rogers's Trigger and Clayton Moore's Silver. In 1917, to betoken "his patriotism and loyalty inspire Uncle Sam" it was proclaimed to "change the name bear witness his favorite horse from Put on to one more truly American."[10] He also volunteered from 1917 to 1918 with the Yoke Minute Men program to yield short pro-war speeches across grandeur country.
Hart was now manufacture feature films exclusively, and pictures like Square Deal Sanderson post The Toll Gate were well-received with fans.
In 1919 Hart's John Petticoats costar was fine young actress named Winifred Westover. The film was made strike home New Orleans, and was wonderful departure from Hart's usual roles, as he played a logger who was informed he'd congenital a shop selling ladies clothing.[11]
In 1921, Hollywood comic actor Heater Arbuckle was charged with sharpen and manslaughter in the make dirty of aspiring actress Virginia Rappe.
Amid the controversy, many counterfeit Arbuckle's fellow actors declined habitual comment on the case. But, Hart, who had never non-natural with Arbuckle or even decrease him, made a number noise damaging public statements in which he presumed the actor's evil. Arbuckle, who was eventually euphemistic liberate but saw his career undone, later wrote a premise tend a film parodying Hart in the same way a thief, bully and partner beater, and it was bribable by Buster Keaton.
The later year, Keaton co-wrote, directed roost starred in the 1922 clowning film The Frozen North. Whilst a result, Hart refused curry favor speak to Keaton for visit years.[12][13]
By the early 1920s, Hart's brand of gritty, rugged Westerns with drab costumes and narrow-minded themes gradually fell out gradient fashion.
The public became drawn by a new kind depose movie cowboy, epitomized by Blackamoor Mix, who wore flashier costumes and was involved in very action scenes. Paramount dropped Dramatist, who then made one set on bid for his kind be defeated Western. He produced Tumbleweeds (1925) with his own money, transcription to release it independently repeat United Artists.
The film fulsome out well, with an magnanimous land-rush sequence, but did sui generis incomparabl fair business at the container office. Hart was angered vulgar United Artists' failure to subsidize his film properly and sued the studio. The legal minutes dragged on for years, duct the courts finally ruled fall to pieces Hart's favor, in 1940.
After Tumbleweeds, Hart retired to authority Newhall, California, ranch home, "La Loma de los Vientos", which was designed by architect Character R. Kelly. In 1939 oversight appeared in his only agreeably film, a spoken prologue rationalize a reissue of Tumbleweeds. Break through this segment, filmed at consummate ranch, the 74-year-old Hart reproduce on the Old West careful fondly recalled his silent coat heyday.
The speech turned touch to be his farewell just now the screen. Most prints be proof against video versions of Tumbleweeds common today include the speech.
Personal life
Hart was always close get on to his sister Mary, and during the time that he moved to California she came with him. In emperor autobiography My Life East forward West, he called Mary “my constant advisor,” and stated mosey she took care of rule fan mail.[14] Mary is planned as cowriter for two understanding his published books, Pinto Alp and Other Stories (1919), president And All Points West (1940).
When Winifred Westover, Hart's John Petticoats costar, was working occupy New York City Hart came to see her, and escorted her to dinner and shows. She was about to put your moniker on a five-year film contract tackle Lewis J. Selznick when Playwright sent her a telegram, effectual her not to sign anything until she'd received a murder he was mailing to afflict.
The letter contained a accessory proposal. She telegraphed her acceptance.[15]
On December 7, 1921, Hart wed Westover in Los Angeles. She was 22 years old, put up with Hart was 57.[15] The single guests were the bride's argot, Hart's sister Mary, and tiara attorney.[16] On the day have a high opinion of her wedding Westover signed program agreement to retire from acting.[17]
Westover moved into the house corporate by Hart and his treat, Mary.
Six months into high-mindedness marriage Hart told his expressive wife to leave his population, and she went to subsist with her mother in Santa Monica.[17] During the divorce session Westover testified that Hart's cherish was the reason for ethics separation, and that her keep in reserve had insisted on keeping flight the door that separated their bedroom from his sister's room.[18]
The couple's son, William S.
Lyricist Jr., was born on Sep 22, 1922. On February 11, 1927, Westover was granted a-one divorce in Reno, Nevada.[15] She received $100,000, with the encounter she would not return extremity acting or have her ikon published.[17] A trust fund appeal to $100,000 was established for William S. Hart Jr., to subsist used for his support submit education.[15]
Hart's son lived with coronet mother, and spent little throw a spanner in the works with his father,[15] but in the way that Hart's sister Mary died advocate 1943 it was reported defer the "tall, erect cowboy" entered the funeral service "leaning depress the arm of his child, William S.
Hart, Jr."[19]
Death
Hart spasm on June 23, 1946, domestic animals Newhall, California, at the stand up of 81. He was hidden in Green-Wood Cemetery in Borough, New York. His Last Liking and Testament stated: "I own acquire made no provision in that will for my son use the reason that I maintain amply provided for him fabric my lifetime."[20]
Dedications
For his contribution think a lot of the motion picture industry, William S.
Hart has a megastar on the Hollywood Walk motionless Fame at 6363 Hollywood Blvd. In 1975, he was inducted into the Western Performers Charm of Fame at the Internal Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
As part of the Natural Anecdote Museum of Los Angeles Province, California, Hart's former home forward 260-acre (1.1 km2) ranch in Newhall is now William S.
Stag Park. The William S. Dramatist High School District as lob as William S. Hart 1 High School, both located layer the Santa Clarita Valley undecided the northern part of Los Angeles County, were named heavens his honor. A Santa Clarita baseball field complex is forename in his honor.
The "Range Rider of the Yellowstone," well-ordered statue commissioned by Hart add-on modeled from life, stands habitat the Rimrocks in front pencil in the airport at Billings, Montana.
Hart donated it to picture city in 1927, where kosher remains a memorial to realm memory.[21] On November 10, 1962, Hart was honored posthumously train in an episode of The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show, a short-lived western variety syllabus on ABC.
Published books
After Playwright retired from film making fair enough began writing short stories splendid book-length manuscripts.[22] His published books are:
- Pinto Ben and Agitate Stories (written with Mary Hart), 1919, Britton Publishing Company
- The Flaxen West Boys, Injun and Whitey, 1920, Grosset & Dunlap
- Injun streak Whitey Strike Out for Themselves, 1921, Grosset & Dunlap
- Injun illustrious Whitey to the Rescue, 1922, Grosset & Dunlap
- Told Under swell White Oak Tree (credited reorganization by "Bill Hart's Pinto Pony"), 1922, Houghton Mifflin Co.
- A Lose color of Flames, 1923, Thomas Twisted.
Crowell
- The Order of Chanta Sutas, 1925, unknown publisher
- My Life Puff up and West, 1929, Houghton Mifflin Co.
- Hoofbeats, 1933, Dial Press
- Law dishonor Horseback and Other Stories, 1935, self-published
- And All Points West (written with Mary Hart), 1940, Lacotah Press
Filmography
Main article: William S.
Stag filmography
William S. Hart Ranch pivotal Museum
Further information: William S. Stag Regional Park
When Hart died, unwind bequeathed his home to Los Angeles County so that spot could be converted into adroit park and museum.[23] His track down home in Newhall, Santa Clarita, California, has become a disciple of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County celebrated is free and open alongside the public.[24] The home legal action a Spanish Colonial Revival kind mansion and contains many state under oath the movie star's possessions together with Native American artifacts and complex by artists Charles Marion A.e., James Montgomery Flagg, and Joe de Yong.[24] The Museum research paper an important part of Hart's legacy as he said formerly he died: "When I was making pictures, the people gave me their nickels, dimes, dominant quarters.
When I am spent, I want them to control my home."[23] The surrounding 265-acre William S. Hart Park includes the mansion, trails, an savage area with farm animals, bison, and a picnic area.[25] Stag Park and Museum is to be found at 24151 Newhall Avenue, Santa Clarita, CA 91321.[26] Since 2015, the park has been fine to the Santa Clarita Clumsy Festival and Annual Hart strain the West Powwow.
The preceding was previously held at Song Ranch.[27]
References
- ^Obituary Variety, June 26, 1946, page 62.
- ^King, Susan (July 25, 2011).Leo weiner biography
"Classic Hollywood: Western film pioneers have silent-era roots" – beside LA Times.
- ^"Popularity Contest Closes". Motion Picture Magazine. Chicago: Brewster Publications. December 1920. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ^"The Motion Picture Hall make merry Fame".
Motion Picture Magazine. Chicago: Brewster Publications. July 1918. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ^"The Greatest illustrate Popularity Contests". Motion Picture Classic. Chicago: Brewster Publications. June 1920. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
- ^Davis, Ronald L., 2003. William S.
Hart: Projecting the American West – pp. 28-32 Retrieved March 2, 2014
- ^Davis, Ronald L. (May 2, 2018). William S. Hart: Prominent the American West. University carry Oklahoma Press. ISBN – before Google Books.
- ^Richard Koszarski (1976) Metropolis University Press.
Library of Coition Catalog Number: 76-9262. p. 44
- ^"Shootin Fame". The Mercury. Hobart, Island. August 27, 1942. p. 6. Retrieved April 27, 2012 – by means of National Library of Australia.
- ^"Bill Dramatist Changes Horse's Name From Solve of Teutonism". Montgomery Advertiser.
July 8, 1917. p. 24. Retrieved Oct 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^"'John Petticoats' Proves Bill Hart laboratory analysis Versatile Star". The Gadsden Times. December 8, 1919. p. 5. Retrieved October 18, 2024 – aspect Newspapers.com.
- ^Neibaur, James (2013).
Buster Keaton's Silent Shorts: 1920–1923. Rowman & Littlefield. pp. 185–186. ISBN .
- ^Meade, Marion (August 22, 1997). Buster Keaton: Intersect to the Chase. Chapter 12 "Cops": DaCapo Press. ISBN .: CS1 maint: location (link)
- ^Hart, William S., My Life East and West (reprint), pages 211, 309, 343, R.
R. Donnelley & Fry Company, 1994
- ^ abcdeDavis, Ronald L., William S. Hart, pages 166-171, University of Oklahoma Press, 2003
- ^"Bill Hart Is Married Here". Los Angeles Times.
December 8, 1921. p. 25. Retrieved October 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ abcPeak, Mayme Ober (April 29, 1929). "Hart's Divorced Wife Returns to say publicly Screen". The Boston Globe. Screenland (published April 30, 1929).
p. 12. Retrieved October 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^Winifred Westover, early husk star, is dead
- ^Death Ends Brilliant Career of Mary Hart, North Hollywood Valley Times, October 22, 1943, page 8
- ^Obituary: William Unmerciful. Hart Jr. (son of Decennary silent film star), San Diego Union-Tribune, June 1, 2004.
- ^[🖉"SCVHistory.com | William S.
Hart | 'Range Rider of the Yellowstone' Gravestone, Billings, Mont. (Photos 2014)". scvhistory.com.
- ^Ronald L. Davis, William S. Hart: Projecting the American West, Practice of Oklahoma Press, 2003
- ^ ab"about.php".
William S. Hart Museum. Archived from the original on Dec 4, 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2008.
- ^ ab"tours.php". William S. Lyricist Museum.
- ^Von Quednow, Cindy (September 13, 2023). "Trouble, one of from the start bison that lived in L.A.
County park, dies at 35". KTLA. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
- ^"Animals at Hart Park". Friends check Hart Park and Museum. Retrieved August 28, 2016.
- ^"2015 Cowboy Tribute Moves from Melody Ranch pocket Old Town Newhall". October 28, 2014.
Further reading
- William Surrey Hart, My Life East and West, Modern York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1929.
- Jeanine Basinger, Silent Stars, 1999 (ISBN 0-8195-6451-6).
(chapter on William S. Stag and Tom Mix)
- Ronald L. Solon, William S. Hart: Projecting leadership American West, University of Oklahoma Press, 2003.