William Gillespie (actor)
Encyclopedia
William Gillespie was a Scottish
actor
who started in Hollywood films from the silent era
. Born in Aberdeen
, he supported such comedians as Charlie Chaplin
, Charley Chase
and Laurel and Hardy
, but was most prolific supporting Harold Lloyd
in over 50 films.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
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 started in Hollywood films from the silent era
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
. Born in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, he supported such comedians as Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
, Charley Chase
Charley Chase
Charley Chase was an American comedian, actor, screenwriter and film director, best known for his work in Hal Roach short film comedies...
and Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were one of the most popular and critically acclaimed comedy double acts of the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema...
, but was most prolific supporting Harold Lloyd
Harold Lloyd
Harold Clayton Lloyd, Sr. was an American film actor and producer, most famous for his silent comedies....
in over 50 films.
Selected filmography
- The CureThe CureThe Cure are an English rock band formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976. The band has experienced several line-up changes, with frontman, vocalist, guitarist and principal songwriter Robert Smith being the only constant member...
(1917) - Easy StreetEasy Street (film)Easy Street is a 1917 short comedy film by Charlie Chaplin.In the film, the police are failing to maintain law and order and so it is Chaplin, as the Little Tramp character, who steps forward to rid the street of bullies, help the poor, save women from madmen and generally keep the peace.-Plot:As...
(1917) - The ImmigrantThe ImmigrantThe Immigrant is a 1917 American comedy short film starring the Charlie Chaplin Tramp character as an immigrant coming to the United States who is accused of theft on the voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, and befriends a young woman along the way...
(1917) - One Terrible DayOne Terrible DayOne Terrible Day is a 1922 American silent short film, the first entry in Hal Roach's Our Gang series to be released. Directed by Robert F. McGowan and Tom McNamara, the two-reel short was released to theaters in September 1922 by Pathé...
(1922) - Young SherlocksYoung SherlocksYoung Sherlocks is a 1922 silent short subject, the fourth entry in Hal Roach's Our Gang series. Directed by Robert F...
(1922) - Doctor JackDoctor JackDr. Jack is the title of a 1922 comedy movie starring Harold Lloyd. It was produced by Hal Roach and Directed by Fred Newmeyer. The story was by Jean Havez, Hal Roach, and Sam Taylor. The film was released on November 26 1922.- Plot :...
(1922) - Saturday MorningSaturday Morning (film)Saturday Morning is the fifth Our Gang short subject comedy released. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.-Synopsis:...
(1922) - A Quiet StreetA Quiet StreetA Quiet Street is the sixth Our Gang short subject comedy released. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.-Synopsis:...
(1922) - Safety Last!Safety Last!Safety Last! is a 1923 romantic comedy silent film starring Harold Lloyd. It includes one of the most famous images from the silent film era: Lloyd clutching the hands of a large clock as he dangles from the outside of a skyscraper above moving traffic. The film was highly successful and critically...
(1923) - A Pleasant JourneyA Pleasant JourneyA Pleasant Journey is a 1923 silent short comedy film and the tenth Our Gang short subject comedy released. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.-Plot:...
(1923) - Giants vs. YanksGiants vs. YanksGiants vs. Yanks is the 12th Our Gang short subject comedy released. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.-Plot:...
(1923) - Back StageBack Stage (1923 film)Back Stage is the 13th silent Our Gang short subject comedy released. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.- Plot :...
(1923) - Her Dangerous PathHer Dangerous PathHer Dangerous Path is a 1923 adventure film serial directed by Roy Clements.-Cast:* Edna Murphy - Corinne Grant* Charley Chase - Glen Harper * Hayford Hobbs - Donald Bartlett* William F. Moran - Dr. Philip Markham...
(1923) - Stage FrightStage Fright (1923 film)Stage Fright is the 18th Our Gang short subject comedy released. The Our Gang series was created by Hal Roach in 1922, and continued production until 1944.-Plot:...
(1923) - Big BusinessBig Business (1924 film)Big Business is a 1924 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 22nd Our Gang short subject released.-Plot:The gang starts up their own barbershop, giving the neighborhood kids haircuts that wouldn't become popular for another sixty years. When they see Mickie in his...
(1924) - The Mysterious Mystery!The Mysterious Mystery!The Mysterious Mystery! is a 1924 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 33rd Our Gang short subject released.-Cast:* Mickey Daniels - Mickey* Jackie Condon - Little Adelbert* Joe Cobb - Joe* Allen Hoskins - Farina...
(1924) - The Big TownThe Big Town (1925 film)The Big Town is a 1925 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 34th Our Gang short subject released.-Cast:The Gang* Mickey Daniels - Mickey* Joe Cobb - Joe* Jackie Condon - Jackie* Allen Hoskins - Farina...
(1925) - Dog DaysDog Days (1925 film)Dog Days is a 1925 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 36th Our Gang short subject released.-Plot:The boys are showing off their dogs to each other when little rich girl Mary Kornman rides by in her pony-drawn cart. When the pony shies and runs away, Mickey comes to...
(1925) - The Love BugThe Love Bug (1925 film)The Love Bug is a 1925 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 37th Our Gang short subject released.-Synopsis:...
(1925) - Better MoviesBetter MoviesBetter Movies is a 1925 short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 44th Our Gang short subject released.-Cast:* Mickey Daniels - Mickey* Joe Cobb - Joe* Allen Hoskins - Farina* Jackie Condon - Jackie* Jay R...
(1925) - Playin' HookeyPlayin' HookeyPlayin' Hookey is a 1928 short silent comedy film directed by Robert A. McGowan. It was the 69th Our Gang short subject released.-Cast:* Joe Cobb - Joe* Allen Hoskins - Farina* Jannie Hoskins - Zuccini* Jackie Condon - Jackie* Jay R...
(1928) - Barnum & Ringling, Inc.Barnum & Ringling, Inc.Barnum & Ringling, Inc. is a 1928 Our Gang short silent comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 74th Our Gang short that was released and the first to have a synchronized musical and sound-effects track.-Cast:* Jean Darling - Jean...
(1928) - Wrong AgainWrong AgainWrong Again is a 1929 two-reel comedy silent film starring Laurel and Hardy. It was shot in October and November 1928, and released February 23, 1929, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer...
(1929) - Double WhoopeeDouble WhoopeeDouble Whoopee is a 1929 Hal Roach Studios silent short comedy starring Laurel and Hardy. It was shot during February 1929 and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on May 18 of that year.-Synopsis:...
(1929) - Pups Is PupsPups Is PupsPups Is Pups is a two-reel comedy short subject, part of the Our Gang series. It was produced and directed by Robert F. McGowan for Hal Roach, and originally released to theatres by M-G-M in 1930. It was the 100th Our Gang short that was released.-Plot:Wheezer attempts to find his puppies after...
(1930) - Helping GrandmaHelping GrandmaHelping Grandma is a 1931 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 103rd Our Gang short that was released.-Plot:...
(1931) - The Music Box (1932)
- Sons of the DesertSons of the DesertSons of the Desert is a 1933 American film starring Laurel and Hardy, and directed by William A. Seiter. It was first released in the United States on December 29, 1933 and is regarded as one of Laurel and Hardy's greatest films...
(1933)
- There is another William Gillespie who was an African-American bass-baritone and who appeared in several films. He introduced the classic Harold ArlenHarold ArlenHarold Arlen was an American composer of popular music, having written over 500 songs, a number of which have become known the world over. In addition to composing the songs for The Wizard of Oz, including the classic 1938 song, "Over the Rainbow,” Arlen is a highly regarded contributor to the...
- Johnny MercerJohnny MercerJohn Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
song Blues in the NightBlues in the Night"Blues in the Night" is a popular song which has become a pop standard and is generally considered to be part of the Great American Songbook. The music was written by Harold Arlen, the lyrics by Johnny Mercer, for a 1941 film begun with the working title Hot Nocturne, but finally released as Blues...
in the 1941 film of the same name. In the 1945 Rhapsody in BlueRhapsody in Blue (film)Rhapsody in Blue is a 1945 fictionalized screen biography of the American composer and musician George Gershwin . Starring Robert Alda as Gershwin, the film features a few of Gershwin's acquaintances playing themselves...
, a biopic of the life of George GershwinGeorge GershwinGeorge Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
, he was seen as Porgy in the Porgy and Bess sequence, but oddly enough, did not sing.