Manuel Granada
Encyclopedia
Manuel Granada was an actor in American
, Spanish
, Argentine
and Mexican
films. For the first half of his career, he worked under the name Paul Ellis.
Granada was born Benjamin Italo Jose Ingenito O'Higgins in Buenos Aires
on November 6, 1896. He made his film debut in the Metro-Goldwyn film The Bandolero in 1924 under the name Paul Ellis. An April 1925 article by Harry Carr for Motion Picture dubbed him 'Hollywood's New Sheik.' Like other Latino actors in silent-era Hollywood, he had adapted a WASPy screen name, which stood in contrast to his dark features, a look that was popular at the time. Despite this, he was still cast almost exclusively as secondary ethnic characters, unlike his contemporaries in silent-era Hollywood like Gilbert Roland
and Barry Norton
(a fellow Argentine).
The coming of sound found Paul Ellis relegated to bit parts, though he did secure some substantial roles in Spanish-language versions of English-language films such as La Voluntad del muerto
(1930). In 1930, he also wrote and appeared in Charros, gauchos y manolas
, a musical directed by Xavier Cugat
. These films were usually released in Spanish-language territories only. He continued to appear in American films for another ten years, mostly in brief uncredited roles, though he is remembered by some for his appearance in Marihuana
(1936), which retains a small cult following. He made his last American film, Whistling in the Dark, in 1941.
Still using the name Paul Ellis, Granada next shows up in films in 1947 in Argentina, and continued to appear in films in Spain and Argentina. He appeared in the Mexican/Argentine co-production La Tierra del Fuego se apaga. He made his last film appearance in 1971 in the Spanish film El bosque del lobo
. He died on January 30, 1974.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
and Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
films. For the first half of his career, he worked under the name Paul Ellis.
Granada was born Benjamin Italo Jose Ingenito O'Higgins in Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
on November 6, 1896. He made his film debut in the Metro-Goldwyn film The Bandolero in 1924 under the name Paul Ellis. An April 1925 article by Harry Carr for Motion Picture dubbed him 'Hollywood's New Sheik.' Like other Latino actors in silent-era Hollywood, he had adapted a WASPy screen name, which stood in contrast to his dark features, a look that was popular at the time. Despite this, he was still cast almost exclusively as secondary ethnic characters, unlike his contemporaries in silent-era Hollywood like Gilbert Roland
Gilbert Roland
Gilbert Roland was a Mexican-born American film actor.He was born Luis Antonio Dámaso de Alonso in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico and originally intended to become a bullfighter like his father. When the family moved to the United States, however, he became interested in acting when he was...
and Barry Norton
Barry Norton
Barry Norton was an Argentine-born actor in American films. He appeared in over ninety films from 1925 until the time of his death. He is perhaps best known for his role as Juan Harker in the Spanish-language version of Dracula , produced by Universal Pictures.-Career:Norton was born to an...
(a fellow Argentine).
The coming of sound found Paul Ellis relegated to bit parts, though he did secure some substantial roles in Spanish-language versions of English-language films such as La Voluntad del muerto
La Voluntad del muerto
La Voluntad del muerto is a 1930 Spanish-language remake of the 1927 silent film The Cat and the Canary and a Spanish-language version of The Cat Creeps which is now considered a lost film....
(1930). In 1930, he also wrote and appeared in Charros, gauchos y manolas
Charros, gauchos y manolas
Charros, gauchos y manolas is a Spanish-language musical produced by Hollywood Spanish Pictures in 1930 and directed by Xavier Cugat.-Scenario:...
, a musical directed by Xavier Cugat
Xavier Cugat
Xavier Cugat was a Spanish-American bandleader who spent his formative years in Havana, Cuba. A trained violinist and arranger, he was a key personality in the spread of Latin music in United States popular music. He was also a cartoonist and a successful businessman...
. These films were usually released in Spanish-language territories only. He continued to appear in American films for another ten years, mostly in brief uncredited roles, though he is remembered by some for his appearance in Marihuana
Marihuana (film)
Marihuana is a 1936 exploitation film directed by Dwain Esper, and written by Esper's wife, Hildegarde Stadie.- Pot :Burma is a confused girl who likes to party. One day, she meets some strangers in a bar who invite her and her group to a party...
(1936), which retains a small cult following. He made his last American film, Whistling in the Dark, in 1941.
Still using the name Paul Ellis, Granada next shows up in films in 1947 in Argentina, and continued to appear in films in Spain and Argentina. He appeared in the Mexican/Argentine co-production La Tierra del Fuego se apaga. He made his last film appearance in 1971 in the Spanish film El bosque del lobo
El bosque del lobo
El Bosque del Lobo is a 1971 Spanish drama film about a werewolf directed by Pedro Olea. It is based on a novel by Carlos Martínez-Barbeito.-Cast:*José Luis López Vázquez ... Benito Freire*Amparo Soler Leal ... Pacucha...
. He died on January 30, 1974.