Cullen Landis
Encyclopedia
Cullen Landis was an American
motion picture actor and director whose career began in the early years of the silent film era.
In 1928 Cullen Landis starred in the first ‘all talking’ motion picture, Lights of New York
. He once confided in a friend that talkies were perfect for musicals and that he was no "song and dance man". He left Hollywood for Detroit in 1930 to produce and direct industrial films for automobile companies. Landis began as a movie director, only turning to acting after his lead player broke a leg and it was discovered that the actor’s costumes fit him. Landis went on to become one of the more popular lead actors of the silent era, appearing in some one hundred films over fourteen years.
As a boy Landis was a train enthusiast and dreamed to be an railroad engineer. Though the ambition eventually faded, his interest in railroads did not, and some years later he helped design for himself a model train set powered by steam (left).
During World War II
Landis served as a captain with US Army Signal Corps producing training films in the South Pacific. By war’s end he was twice decorated and promoted to major. In the post war years he made documentaries for the US State Department that took him to the far corners of the world.
James Cullen Landis passed away on August 28, 1975 at a nursing home
in Bloomfield, Michigan, some three moths after the death of his wife, Jane (née Greiner) Landis.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
motion picture actor and director whose career began in the early years of the silent film era.
Biography
James Cullen Landis was the middle of two sons and a daughter raised by Lulan and Margaret (née Cullen) Landis. He was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, where his father supported his family as a stock broker. Landis began working in the fledgling film industry at the age of eighteen around the time his older sister, Margaret Landis, appeared in her first film.In 1928 Cullen Landis starred in the first ‘all talking’ motion picture, Lights of New York
Lights of New York (1928 film)
Lights of New York was the first all-talking feature film, released by Warner Brothers and directed by Bryan Foy. The film, which cost only $23,000 to produce, grossed over $1,000,000. It was also the first film to define the crime genre...
. He once confided in a friend that talkies were perfect for musicals and that he was no "song and dance man". He left Hollywood for Detroit in 1930 to produce and direct industrial films for automobile companies. Landis began as a movie director, only turning to acting after his lead player broke a leg and it was discovered that the actor’s costumes fit him. Landis went on to become one of the more popular lead actors of the silent era, appearing in some one hundred films over fourteen years.
As a boy Landis was a train enthusiast and dreamed to be an railroad engineer. Though the ambition eventually faded, his interest in railroads did not, and some years later he helped design for himself a model train set powered by steam (left).
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Landis served as a captain with US Army Signal Corps producing training films in the South Pacific. By war’s end he was twice decorated and promoted to major. In the post war years he made documentaries for the US State Department that took him to the far corners of the world.
James Cullen Landis passed away on August 28, 1975 at a nursing home
Nursing home
A nursing home, convalescent home, skilled nursing unit , care home, rest home, or old people's home provides a type of care of residents: it is a place of residence for people who require constant nursing care and have significant deficiencies with activities of daily living...
in Bloomfield, Michigan, some three moths after the death of his wife, Jane (née Greiner) Landis.
Selected filmography
- The Little Wild GirlThe Little Wild GirlThe Little Wild Girl is a 1928 American drama film directed by Frank S. Mattison and featuring Boris Karloff.-Cast:* Lila Lee as Marie Cleste* Cullen Landis as Jules Barbier* Frank Merrill as Tavish McBride* Sheldon Lewis as Wanakee...
(1928) - Lights of New YorkLights of New York (1928 film)Lights of New York was the first all-talking feature film, released by Warner Brothers and directed by Bryan Foy. The film, which cost only $23,000 to produce, grossed over $1,000,000. It was also the first film to define the crime genre...
(1928) - The Crimson FlashThe Crimson FlashThe Crimson Flash is a 1927 action film serial directed by Arch Heath. The film is now considered to be lost.-Cast:* Cullen Landis* Eugenia Gilbert* Thomas Holding * J. Barney Sherry* Walter P. Lewis* Ivan Linow* Mary Gardner...
(1927) - On GuardOn Guard (serial)On Guard is a 1927 drama film serial directed by Arch Heath. It is considered to be lost.-Cast:* Cullen Landis - Bob Adams* Muriel Kingston - Betty Lee* Louise Du Pre - Catherine Nevens* Walter P. Lewis - James Stagg* Tom Blake - Sergeant Major Murphy...
(1927) - Crashin' ThruCrashin' ThruCrashin' Thru is a 1923 Western film starring Harry Carey.-Cast:* Harry Carey - Blake* Cullen Landis - Cons Saunders* Myrtle Stedman - Celia* Vola Vale - Diane* Charles Le Moyne - Saunders* Winifred Bryson - Gracia...
(1923) - The Famous Mrs. FairThe Famous Mrs. FairThe Famous Mrs. Fair is a silent drama film produced by Louis B. Mayer, distributed through Metro Pictures, and directed by Fred Niblo. The film is based on the Broadway play of the same name by James Forbes that had starred Blanche Bates in the 1919 theatre season. This is now considered a lost...
(1923) - The Outcasts of Poker FlatThe Outcasts of Poker Flat (1919 film)The Outcasts of Poker Flat was a 1919 Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost. -Cast:* Harry Carey - Square Shootin' Harry Lanyon/John Oakhurst* Cullen Landis - Billy Lanyon/Tommy Oakhurst...
(1919)