Josef Swickard
Encyclopedia
Josef Swickard was a German
-born veteran stage and screen character actor
, who had toured with stock companies in Europe, South Africa, and South America.
. He appeared in Charles Chaplin's Laughing Gas
and Caught in a Cabaret
. He remained with Sennett until 1917, when he settled into his prolific career of playing mostly aristocratic characters. Modern audiences are perhaps most familiar with his role of Marcelo Desnoyers, the well intentioned but impractical French upper class father in Rex Ingram
's 1921 film The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
. His career in sound films was somewhat limited and he played in low-budget and action serial type films. He played the villainous Prime Minister Kruel in 1925 film version of Wizard of Oz
.
, who on June 27, 1939 was brutally murdered by their adult son. Nearly seven months to-the-day after his ex-wife's murder, Swickard died on February 29, 1940. He was 73.
Despite rumors that Swickard committed suicide by jumping from the Hollywood sign
, in fact he died from natural causes.
Swickard was buried in under a simple headstone at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
-born veteran stage and screen character actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, who had toured with stock companies in Europe, South Africa, and South America.
Career
Swickard entered films with D.W. Griffith in 1912 and by 1914 was playing supporting roles for Mack SennettMack Sennett
Mack Sennett was a Canadian-born American director and was known as the innovator of slapstick comedy in film. During his lifetime he was known at times as the "King of Comedy"...
. He appeared in Charles Chaplin's Laughing Gas
Laughing Gas (film)
Laughing Gas is the title of several movie shorts whose plot revolves around real or would-be dentists....
and Caught in a Cabaret
Caught in a Cabaret
Caught in a Cabaret is a short film from 1914 starring Charlie Chaplin and the film's writer/director Mabel Normand. Chaplin plays a waiter who fakes being a Greek Ambassador to impress a girl. He then is invited to a garden party where he gets in trouble with the girl's jealous boyfriend...
. He remained with Sennett until 1917, when he settled into his prolific career of playing mostly aristocratic characters. Modern audiences are perhaps most familiar with his role of Marcelo Desnoyers, the well intentioned but impractical French upper class father in Rex Ingram
Rex Ingram (director)
Rex Ingram was an Irish film director, producer, writer and actor. Legendary director Erich von Stroheim once called him "the world's greatest director."-Early life:...
's 1921 film The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (film)
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is a 1921 silent movie produced by Metro Pictures Corporation, adapted by June Mathis, directed by Rex Ingram and starring Rudolph Valentino, Pomeroy Cannon, Josef Swickard, Wallace Beery, and Alice Terry...
. His career in sound films was somewhat limited and he played in low-budget and action serial type films. He played the villainous Prime Minister Kruel in 1925 film version of Wizard of Oz
Wizard of Oz (1925 film)
Wizard of Oz is a 1925 silent film directed by Larry Semon, who also appears in a lead role. The first major film adaptation of L. Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this film features a young Oliver Hardy as the "Tin Woodsman."-Plot:...
.
Family & Death
Swickard was the brother of actor Charles Swickard, and the husband of Broadway actress Margaret CampbellMargaret Campbell
Margaret Campbell was an American character actress in silent films.-Career:Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Campbell had been the leading lady of the Bramhall Players and appeared on Broadway in revivals of Hamlet and The Merchant of Venice during the early 1910s...
, who on June 27, 1939 was brutally murdered by their adult son. Nearly seven months to-the-day after his ex-wife's murder, Swickard died on February 29, 1940. He was 73.
Despite rumors that Swickard committed suicide by jumping from the Hollywood sign
Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood Sign is a landmark and American cultural icon in the Hollywood Hills area of Mount Lee, Santa Monica Mountains, in Los Angeles, California. The sign spells out the name of the area in and white letters. It was created as an advertisement in 1923, but garnered increasing recognition...
, in fact he died from natural causes.
Swickard was buried in under a simple headstone at Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Hollywood Forever Cemetery, originally called Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, is one of the oldest cemeteries in Los Angeles, California. It is located at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard in the Hollywood...
.
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1913 | Cupid in a Dental Parlor Cupid in a Dental Parlor Cupid in a Dental Parlor is a 1913 short comedy film directed by Henry Lehrman. Harold Lloyd is said to have appeared in this film, but this is unconfirmed.-Cast:* Fred Mace* Ethel Parks* Chester Conklin* Josef Swickard* Harold Lloyd -... |
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| 1914 | Twenty Minutes of Love Twenty Minutes of Love Twenty Minutes of Love is a 1914 American comedy silent film made by Keystone Studios. It was the first film written and directed by Charlie Chaplin.-Cast:* Charlie Chaplin - Pickpocket* Minta Durfee - Edgar' Girl* Edgar Kennedy - Lover... |
Victim | |
| Caught in a Cabaret Caught in a Cabaret Caught in a Cabaret is a short film from 1914 starring Charlie Chaplin and the film's writer/director Mabel Normand. Chaplin plays a waiter who fakes being a Greek Ambassador to impress a girl. He then is invited to a garden party where he gets in trouble with the girl's jealous boyfriend... |
Father | ||
| A Rowboat Romance A Rowboat Romance A Rowboat Romance is a 1914 short comedy film directed by and starring Fatty Arbuckle.-Cast:* Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle* Slim Summerville* Mack Swain* Josef Swickard... |
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| Laughing Gas Laughing Gas (film) Laughing Gas is the title of several movie shorts whose plot revolves around real or would-be dentists.... |
Patient | ||
| The Property Man The Property Man The Property Man is a short 1914 American comedy silent film made by Keystone Studios starring Charlie Chaplin.-Synopsis:Charlie is in charge of stage "props" and has trouble with actors' luggage and conflicts over who gets the star's dressing room.... |
Old Stagehand | Uncredited | |
| The Face on the Bar Room Floor The Face on the Bar Room Floor (1914 film) The Face on the Bar Room Floor is a short film written and directed by Charles Chaplin in 1914. Chaplin stars in this film, loosely based on the poem of the same name by Hugh Antoine d'Arcy.-Synopsis:... |
Drinker | Uncredited | |
| Lover's Luck Lover's Luck Lover's Luck is a 1914 short comedy film directed by and starring Fatty Arbuckle.-Cast:* Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle - Fatty* Minta Durfee - The Girl* Al St. John - Fatty's Rival* Josef Swickard - The Girl's Father* Phyllis Allen - The Girl's Mother... |
The Girl's Father | ||
| Hello, Mabel Hello, Mabel Hello, Mabel is a 1914 short comedy film both starring and directed by Mabel Normand, and featuring Charley Chase, Al St. John, Minta Durfee, and Mack Swain.-Cast: Mabel Normand ... MabelIn alphabetical order: Phyllis Allen ... Woman in hall... |
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| Tillie's Punctured Romance Tillie's Punctured Romance (1914 film) Tillie's Punctured Romance is the first feature-length comedy film from Keystone Film Company and the Christie Film Company, produced in 1914. A silent film directed by Mack Sennett, the film stars Marie Dressler, Mabel Normand, Charles Chaplin, and the Keystone Cops... |
Cinema spectator | Uncredited | |
| Fatty and Minnie He-Haw Fatty and Minnie He-Haw Fatty and Minnie He-Haw is a 1914 short comedy film directed by and starring Fatty Arbuckle.-Cast:* Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle - Fatty* Minnie Devereaux - Minnie He-Haw* Edward Dillon - * Minta Durfee - Minta... |
Minta's father | ||
| 1915 | Mabel and Fatty's Simple Life Mabel and Fatty's Simple Life Mabel and Fatty's Simple Life is a 1915 short comedy film directed by and starring Fatty Arbuckle.-Cast:* Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle - Roscoe* Mabel Normand - Mabel* Al St. John - The Squire's son* Josef Swickard - Mabel's father... |
Mabel's father | |
| Mabel, Fatty and the Law Mabel, Fatty and the Law Mabel, Fatty and the Law is a 1915 short comedy film starring Fatty Arbuckle and Mabel Normand, and directed by Fatty Arbuckle.-Cast:* Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle - Fatty* Mabel Normand - Fatty's Wife* Harry Gribbon - Hubby* Minta Durfee - Hubby's Wife... |
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| Mabel and Fatty's Married Life Mabel and Fatty's Married Life Mabel and Fatty's Married Life is a 1915 short comedy film directed by and starring Fatty Arbuckle.-Cast:* Mabel Normand - Mabel* Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle - Fatty, her husband* Al St... |
Uncredited | ||
| Hogan's Romance Upset Hogan's Romance Upset Hogan's Romance Upset is a 1915 short comedy film directed by Charles Avery and featuring both Fatty Arbuckle and Harold Lloyd in uncredited roles as a spectators.-Cast:* Charles Murray - Hogan* Bobby Dunn - Weary Willie* Louise Fazenda* Ben Turpin... |
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| Love, Loot and Crash Love, Loot and Crash Love, Loot and Crash is a 1915 short comedy film. It features Harold Lloyd in an uncredited role.-Plot:Dora and her father are lost in the kitchen . An ad for new one in the newspaper attracts two crooks . He dresses like a woman to apply for the job... |
Mary's Father, a Banker | ||
| 1916 | A Social Cub A Social Cub A Social Cub is a 1916 short silent comedy film directed by Clarence G. Badger and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Elizabeth De Witt* Gonda Durand* Harry Gribbon* Reggie Morris* Blanche Payson* Della Pringle* Gloria Swanson* Josef Swickard... |
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| Haystacks and Steeples Haystacks and Steeples Haystacks and Steeples is a 1916 silent comedy film directed by Clarence G. Badger and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Sylvia Ashton* Helen Bray* George Felix* Reggie Morris* Della Pringle* Gloria Swanson* Josef Swickard* Eva Thatcher... |
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| 1918 | When a Woman Sins When a Woman Sins When a Woman Sins is a 1918 silent drama film directed by J. Gordon Edwards and starring Theda Bara. The film is now considered to be lost.-Cast:* Theda Bara as Lilian Marchard / Poppea* Josef Swickard as Mortimer West... |
Mortimer West | |
| 1921 | The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (film) The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is a 1921 silent movie produced by Metro Pictures Corporation, adapted by June Mathis, directed by Rex Ingram and starring Rudolph Valentino, Pomeroy Cannon, Josef Swickard, Wallace Beery, and Alice Terry... |
Marcelo Desnoyers | |
| No Woman Knows No Woman Knows -Cast:* Max Davidson - Ferdinand Brandeis* Snitz Edwards - Herr Bauer* Grace Marvin - Molly Brandeis* Bernice Radom - Little Fanny Brandeis* Danny Hoy - Aloysius* E. Alyn Warren - Rabbi Thalman -Cast:* Max Davidson - Ferdinand Brandeis* Snitz Edwards - Herr Bauer* Grace Marvin - Molly Brandeis*... |
The Great Schabelitz | ||
| Cheated Hearts Cheated Hearts (film) Cheated Hearts is a 1921 drama film directed by Hobart Henley and featuring Boris Karloff.-Cast:* Herbert Rawlinson - Barry Gordon* Warner Baxter - Tom Gordon* Marjorie Daw - Muriel Bekkman* Doris Pawn - Kitty Van Ness* Winter Hall - Nathanial Beekman... |
Colonel Fairfax Gordon | ||
| 1922 | The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe (serial) The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe is a 1922 adventure film serial directed by Robert F. Hill. It is now considered to be lost.-Cast:* Harry Myers - Robinson Crusoe* Noble Johnson - Friday* Gertrude Olmstead* Aaron Edwards* Josef Swickard... |
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| My American Wife My American Wife My American Wife is a 1922 silent drama film directed by Sam Wood and starring Gloria Swanson. The film is considered to be lost, since no prints seem to have survived.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - Natalie Chester* Antonio Moreno - Manuel La Tessa... |
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| 1923 | Maytime Maytime (1923 film) Maytime is a 1923 American silent romantic drama film directed by Louis J. Gasnier and starring Ethel Shannon, Harrison Ford and William Norris. The film also features one of Clara Bow's earliest cinema roles... |
Colonel Van Zandt | |
| 1924 | The Shadow of the Desert The Shadow of the Desert The Shadow of the Desert is a 1924 silent American horror film directed by George Archainbaud... |
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| 1925 | Wizard of Oz Wizard of Oz (1925 film) Wizard of Oz is a 1925 silent film directed by Larry Semon, who also appears in a lead role. The first major film adaptation of L. Frank Baum's novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this film features a young Oliver Hardy as the "Tin Woodsman."-Plot:... |
Prime Minister Kruel | |
| 1926 | Stop, Look and Listen Stop, Look and Listen (film) Stop, Look and Listen is a 1926 American comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy.-Cast:* Larry Semon - Luther Meek* Dorothy Dwan - Dorothy* Mary Carr - Mother* William Gillespie - Bill* Lionel Belmore - Sheriff* B.F... |
Old Actor | |
| Don Juan Don Juan (1926 film) Don Juan is a Warner Brothers film, directed by Alan Crosland. It was the first feature-length film with synchronized Vitaphone sound effects and musical soundtrack, though it has no spoken dialogue... |
Duke Della Varnese | ||
| Desert Gold Desert Gold (1926 film) -Cast:* Neil Hamilton as George Thorne* Shirley Mason as Mercedes Castanada* Robert Frazer as Dick Gale* William Powell as Snake Landree* Josef Swickard as Sebastian Castaneda* George Irving as Richard Stanton Gale* Eddie Gribbon as One-Found Kelley... |
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| 1927 | The Golden Stallion The Golden Stallion The Golden Stallion is a 1927 Western film serial directed by Harry S. Webb.-Cast:* Maurice Bennett Flynn - Wynne Randall* Joe Bonomo - Ewart Garth* Jay J... |
John Forsythe | |
| 1928 | Sharp Shooters Sharp Shooters Sharp Shooters is a 1928 comedy film directed by John G. Blystone and starring George O'Brien. A print survives in the UCLA Film and Television Archive... |
Grandpère | |
| Eagle of the Night Eagle of the Night Eagle of the Night is a 1928 drama film serial directed by James F. Fulton.-Cast:* Frank Clarke* Shirley Palmer* Earl Metcalfe* Josef Swickard* Maurice Costello* Max Hawley* Roy Wilson* Jack Richardson-See also:* List of American films of 1928... |
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| 1929 | The Phantom of the North The Phantom of the North The Phantom of the North is a 1929 drama film directed by Harry S. Webb and featuring Boris Karloff.-Cast:* Edith Roberts - Doris Rayburn* Donald Keith - Bob Donald* Kathleen Key - Colette* Boris Karloff - Jules Gregg* Joe Bonomo - Pierre Blanc... |
Colonel Rayburn | |
| Street Corner Street Corner (1929 film) Street Corner is a black-and-white short film starring Josef Swickard and Henry B. Walthall, and directed by Russell Birdwell.-External links:*... |
short film | ||
| 1933 | The Perils of Pauline The Perils of Pauline (1933 serial) The Perils of Pauline is a movie serial, and sound film remake, of the Pathé original. The 1933 12-chapter "cliffhanger" was produced by Universal Studios. Evalyn Knapp, herself a graduate of silent Pathé short subjects, starred as heroine Pauline Hargrave... |
Haggins, Foreign Consul | Chapter 9 |
| 1935 | The Lost City The Lost City (1935 serial) The Lost City is an independently made film serial produced in 1935 directed by Harry Revier.-Plot:The film took the premise of that year's The Phantom Empire but transferred the lost civilization motif from the west to another popular serial locale, the African jungle... |
Dr. Manyus | |
| 1938 | The Secret of Treasure Island The Secret of Treasure Island The Secret of Treasure Island is a Columbia movie serial based on Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island. The serial is broken into fifteen chapters. Reporter Larry Kent travels to an island in the Caribbean to investigate the disappearance of his colleague, and discovers that the island... |
Passenger Ship Doctor | Uncredited, chapter 1 |
| You Can't Take It with You You Can't Take It with You You Can't Take It with You is a comedic play in three acts by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The original production of the play opened at the Booth Theater on December 14, 1936, and played for 837 performances... |
Professor | ||
| 1939 | Dick Tracy's G-Men Dick Tracy's G-Men Dick Tracy's G-Men is a 15-Chapter Republic Movie Serial based on the Dick Tracy comic strip by Chester Gould. It was directed by William Witney and John English.... |
Presidente Huenemo Mendoza | Chapter 3 |