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Richard Morris (actor)

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Richard Morris
Richard Morris Movie Actor
Morris in 1916
Born
William Richard Stuart Morris

(1862-01-30)January 30, 1862
Charlestown, Massachusetts, U.S.
DiedOctober 11, 1924(1924-10-11) (aged 62)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeLos Angeles National Cemetery
NationalityAmerican
Occupations
  • Movie actor
  • Opera singer
  • Stage actor
Years active1912–1924
EraSilent film
Known for

Richard Morris (January 30, 1862 – October 11, 1924) was an American opera singer, stage performer, and silent film actor. Morris was born on January 30, 1862, in Charlestown, Massachusetts. He was 62 when he died in Los Angeles, California on October 11, 1924. Between 1912 and 1924, Richard Morris acted in 59 films.

Early life

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In Boston's oldest Irish neighborhood, William Richard Stuart Morris was born on January 30, 1862, to working-class Irish parents in Charlestown, Massachusetts.[1] His father, William A. Morris, came from Ireland, while his mother, Catherine Keefe, was a native of Boston. Being the eldest son in an Irish Catholic household, he was given his father's name, continuing a long-held tradition observed by generations prior. The 1870 census lists Morris's father as an expressman and his mother as a homemaker.[2] Over time, the Morris family expanded to include eight children.

During his early education, he spent three years overseas, undergoing training for grand opera. Unfortunately, no matriculation records are available to specify the nature of this training. Upon his return to America, he showcased his talent as an opera singer, performing for audiences in domestic venues during the 1880s.[3]

In 1889, records show he maintained his Charlestown place of residence as his permanent residence.[4] His mother, aged 59, died at home in 1898.[5]

According to the 1900 census, William RS Morris, 36 years old, lived at the same address as his widowed father and five sisters.[6] At 74, Morris's father died in 1907. At the time of his death, Morris was touring Europe.[7]

Career

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Stage

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Edwin Booth and
Helena Modjeska 1890

Early in his stage career, Morris worked in Shakespearean touring companies, e.g., Lawrence Barrett (1838-1891). In 1889, William Morris was 27 when he started acting with the renowned Shakespearean touring company of Edwin Booth (1833-1893) and Helena Modjeska (1840-1909). In Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 29, 1890, an evening performance of Macbeth was performed on the stage. A copy of the program features a listing of the cast of characters, including Mr. W.R.S. Morris, in the role of the second witch.[8] The following year, 1891, Booth suffered a debilitating stroke, bringing an end to his stage career. On June 7, 1893, Edwin Booth died in New York City at age of 59.[9]

He reunited with Helena Modjeska after her recovery from a stroke suffered in 1897. Morris eventually connected with Shakespearean actress Minna Gale (1868-1944) and her Repertory theatre.[3] Like Morris, Gale had also lived in Europe, pursuing studies in music and theater. They had even more in common when they saw how their stage backgrounds helped them transition to acting on screen.[10]

In 1906, the 44-year-old Morris departed for London. He returned to the operatic stage and continued to perform until 1909.[3]

Lubin

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Lubin Manufacturing Company
1914

After spending three years in London, Morris returned to America in early 1909. He sought work in the burgeoning movie industry. Morris was 47, a late age when seeking employment in films. In September 1909, he joined the Lubin Manufacturing Company based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[3]

Lubin was an American motion picture company producing silent films from 1896 to 1916. Morris made his movie debut, playing an organ grinder in the Lubin-produced film Little Boy Blue released on May 6, 1912. Between 1912 and 1914, he acted in 25 films for Lubin, ending with the December 1914 release of "A Believer in Dreams."[11] No records exist documenting whether Morris acted in any Lubin productions before 1912 or when he started using the screen name of Richard Morris.

During his time at Lubin, he met director Lloyd B. Carleton. Carleton had signed a Lubin contract in 1911, which gave him the opportunity to direct features and shorts. Carleton recognized Morris's value as a character actor, and they made three 2-reelers in 1914. Morris remained with Lubin until July 1914. Carleton departed Lubin in the Autumn 1914. Carleton had found a fellow performer from the Eastern stage with impeccable stage credentials. He remained one of Lloyd B. Carleton's favorite character actors. Between 1914 and 1920, Morris acted in 15 Lloyd B. Carleton-directed films.[3]

After making more than a thousand motion pictures, the Lubin Manufacturing Company declared bankruptcy on September 1, 1916

Lasky and Selig

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Selig-Polyscope
1915

In late Summer 1914, Morris traveled once again to London, England. During his stay in London, World War I was flaring up. On August 4, 1914, the United Kingdom declared war on Germany. Morris returned to American, arriving in New York on November 16, 1914. The ship's manifest lists William R Stuart Morris, born in Charlestown on January 30, 1862. The manifest further states he was single, 52 years old, and residing at 1108 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[12]

Between January and August 1915, Morris returned to making movies and acted in 4 films for various organizations, including Powers Picture Plays and Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play

In 1915, Morris signed a contract with Selig Polyscope based in Chicago, Illinois but having offices in Los Angeles. During his stay with Selig, he was reunited with Lloyd B. Carleton. Between September and December, Morris acted in 4 Carleton-directed short films. Morris's total film output for 1915 was 6 short movies and 2 feature-length. He made 3 more pictures for Selig Polyscope before departing.

Universal

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Universal logo

Lloyd Carleton signed a Universal contract in the autumn of 1915. Richard Morris signed a Universal contract in 1916 and permanently moved to Los Angeles, California.

Morris reunited with Lloyd B. Carleton again and acted in the Red Feather feature-length production of A Yoke of Gold released on August 14, 1916. The same film provided an introduction to Emory Johnson. This relationship would prove beneficial in the coming years.

Between August 1916 and December, Morris would act in 7 Lloyd Carleton-directed films. All films were feature-length with the sole exception of the 2-reeler The Human Gamble. All films would feature Emory Johnson in the lead. The feature-length films were:

1916 would be Morris's glory year in films. He had successfully made the transition from filming 2-reelers to feature-length movies. He would continue to shoot only feature-length films for the remainder of his career.

FBO

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Film Booking Offices
1926

After he departed from Universal in 1916, his picture output declined. He was an actor in his later 50s looking for work in a youth-obsessed industry. He acted in one film in 1918 and another one in 1919. He made 4 films in 1920, including reuniting with Lloyd Carleton to act in The Amazing Woman.

In January 1921, Richard Morris turned 59-years-old. In 1921, Hobart Bosworth productions invited Morris to play the part of Uncle Billy in The Sea Lion. He acted with Hobart Bosworth, Emory Johnson and Bessie Love. It was the only movie Morris filmed in 1921.

Emory Johnson embarked upon a career as a director in 1922. Johnson's first film was the FBO feature-length production of In the Name of the Law. When Johnson evaluated players for his first movie, Johnson probably recalled Morris had acted in 7 movies with him in 1916. Johnson hired the aging actor to play the role of Dr. Lucus in his first film.

Richard Morris would continue to appear in FBO productions directed by Emory Johnson including The Third Alarm, The West~Bound Limited, The Mailman and The Spirit of the USA until his untimely death in October 1924.[3]

Alternate names

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Richard Morris used many different pseudonyms during his career, including:

  • Dick Morris
  • Mr. Richard Morris
  • Mr. W.R.S. Morris
  • William Morris
  • Stuart Morris
  • William R S Morris

Death

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The 1920 census registers Richard Morris as a single 57-year-old lodger living in Los Angeles. His listed occupation is an actor.[13] The Emory Johnson-directed film The Spirit of the USA was released by Film Booking Offices of America on May 18, 1924. It would be Richard Morris's last movie.

On Saturday, October 11, 1924, Richard Stewart Morris died in Los Angeles, California. The newspaper listed him as being 63 years-old. (His real age was 62 ) when he died. A simple obituary appeared in the Los Angeles Times on October 13, 1924:

MORRIS, Richard Stewart Morris, aged 63 years, a native of Boston, MASS.
Services at 2 pm Tuesday at Le Roy Bagley's parlors, 5440 Hollywood Blvd.,
Rev. Neal Dodd officiating

— The Los Angeles Times 1924[14]

The funeral was held at the Pierce Brothers LeRoy Bagley Mortuary Hollywood, California with "The padre of Hollywood", the Rev. Neal Dodd officiating. That same year, Rev Dodd would become a founding member of a relief fund to aid film workers in need.[15] A brief obituary would appear in The Boston Globe noting the death of William Richard Stuart Morris.[16] Richard Morris was buried in the Los Angeles National Cemetery.

Filmography

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          ◆   Filmography of Richard Morris   ◆          
Year Title Role Production Distribution Released Genre Reels
1924 The Spirit of the USA[17] Grandpa Gains Emory Johnson FBO May 18, 1924 Melodrama Full
1923 The Mailman[18] Admiral Fleming Emory Johnson FBO Sep 12, 1923 Melodrama Full
The West~Bound Limited[19] Bernard Miller Emory Johnson FBO Apr 15, 1923 Melodrama Full
1922 The Third Alarm[20] Dr. Rutherford Emory Johnson FBO Dec 1, 1922 Melodrama Full
In the Name of the Law[21] Mr. Lucas Emory Johnson FBO Aug 16, 1922 Melodrama Full
1921 The Sea Lion Billy Hobart Bosworth Associated Producers Dec 5, 1921 Melodrama Full
1920 The Gift Supreme Unknown Macauley Photoplays Republic Dist Corp May 9, 1920 Melodrama Full
Parted Curtains Unknown National Film Corp Warner Bros. Apr 2, 1920 Drama Full
The Walk-Offs Judge Brent Screen Classics Inc Metro Pictures Feb 1, 1920 Comedy Full
The Amazing Woman Gaston Duval Lloyd Carleton Republic Dist Corp Jan 1, 1920 Drama Full
1919 Blind Man's Eyes Gabriel Warden Metro Pictures Metro Pictures Mar 19, 1919 Drama Full
1918 Hobbs in a Hurry Rufus Renshaw American Film Company Pathé Exchange Oct 6, 1918 Western Full
1916 The Morals of Hilda Harris Grail Universal Studios Universal Studios Dec 11, 1916 Drama Full
The Devil's Bondwoman Prince Vandloup Universal Studios Universal Studios Nov 20, 1916 Drama Full
Barriers of Society Harry Arnold Universal Studios Universal Studios Oct 16, 1916 Drama Full
The Human Gamble Frank Garner Universal Studios Universal Studios Oct 8, 1916 Drama Short
Black Friday[22] Richard Strong Universal Studios Universal Studios Sep 18, 1916 Drama Full
The Unattainable Henry Morton Universal Studios Universal Studios Sep 4, 1916 Drama Full
A Yoke of Gold Padre Amador Universal Studios Universal Studios Aug 14, 1916 Drama Full
The Regeneration of Jim Halsey The Man Selig Polyscope General Film Mar 13, 1916 Drama Short
The Grinning Skull John Dermond Selig Polyscope General Film Feb 28, 1916 Drama Short
The Buried Treasure of Cobre Colonel Goddard Selig Polyscope General Film Jan 3, 1916 Drama Short
1915 The Golden Spurs Colonel Ryder Selig Polyscope General Film Dec 16, 1915 Drama Short
The Love of Loti San Unknown Selig Polyscope General Film Dec 2, 1915 Drama Short
Their Sinful Influence Rev. Dr. Carr Selig Polyscope General Film Nov 4, 1915 Drama Short
The Jungle Lovers Van Cleeve Selig Polyscope General Film Sep 16, 1915 Drama Short
The Marriage of Kitty John Travers Jesse L. Lasky Paramount Aug 16, 1915 Drama Full
The Fighting Hope Craven Jesse L. Lasky Paramount Jul 19, 1915 Drama Full
Was She a Vampire? Richard Desmond Powers Picture Plays Universal Studios Jul 10, 1915 Drama Short
Wildfire (1915 film) Robert W. Barrington World Film World Film Jan 25, 1915 Drama Short
1914 A Believer in Dreams Unknown Lubin General Film Dec 4, 1914 Drama Short
The Impostor II Horace Cadby Lubin General Film Oct 15, 1914 Drama Short
His Brother's Blood Tyson Brooks Lubin General Film Aug 20, 1914 Drama Short
Codes of Honor Kid Hogg Lubin General Film Jul 15, 1914 Drama Short
A Leaf from the Past Dick Trent Lubin General Film May 21, 1914 Drama Short
The Klondike Bubble Hungerford Wolf Lubin General Film Apr 22, 1914 Drama Short
Strength of Family Ties John Brant Lubin General Film Apr 16, 1914 Drama Short
Through Fire to Fortune George Bowers Lubin General Film Feb 1, 1914 Drama Full
The Lion and the Mouse Ex-Judge Scott Lubin General Film Jan 1, 1914 Drama Full
1913 The Smuggler's Daughter III Girot - the Smuggler Lubin General Film Dec 3, 1913 Drama Short
Partners in Crime II Howard Jansen - Esther's Father Lubin General Film Nov 20, 1913 Drama Short
When the Earth Trembled Richard Sims Lubin General Film Nov 2, 1913 Drama 3 reel
A Deal in Oil The Father Lubin General Film Oct 14, 1913 Drama Short
Mary's Temptation The Convict Husband Lubin General Film Aug 13, 1913 Drama Short
The Faith of a Girl Richard Starley Lubin General Film May 30, 1913 Drama Short
Granny (I) Peter Richards Lubin General Film Apr 29, 1913 Drama Short
Pete Tries the Stage LeGrade - Hotel Proprietor Lubin General Film Apr 12, 1913 Comedy Short
Heroes One and All The Burglar Lubin General Film Mar 29, 1913 Drama Short
Memories of His Youth Unknown Lubin General Film Mar 27, 1913 Drama Short
Pete, the Artist Unknown Lubin General Film Mar 22, 1913 Drama Short
Pete Joins the Force Unknown Lubin General Film Mar 8, 1913 Comedy Short
Auntie's Affinity The Hotel Proprietor Lubin General Film Mar 1, 1913 Drama Short
1912 The Wonderful One-Horse Shay Abe Hobbs Lubin General Film Dec 10, 1912 Drama Short
By the Sea Lubin General Film Dec 2, 1912 Drama Short
The Doctor's Debt Dr. Richard Morris Lubin General Film Sep 28, 1912 Drama Short
The Derelict's Return The Doctor Lubin General Film Jul 31, 1912 Drama Short
A Child's Prayer Dick Morris - Devereaux's Foreman Lubin General Film Jul 4, 1912 Drama Short
A Modern Portia Earl Manning aka John White Lubin General Film Jun 8, 1912 Drama Short
Little Boy Blue The Organ Grinder Lubin General Film May 6, 1912 Comedy Short
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References

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  1. ^ "Massachusetts, U.S., Birth Records, 1840-1915". NARA. 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  2. ^ "1870 United States Federal Census". NARA. July 29, 1870. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Richard Morris, Characters, Universal". Motion Picture Studio Directory and Trade Annual. New York, Motion Picture News, Inc. October 21, 1916. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  4. ^ "1889-U.S., City Directories, 1822-1995". Ancestry.com. 2009. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  5. ^ "Massachusetts, U.S., Death Records, 1841-1915". New England Historic Genealogical Society; Boston, Massachusetts; Massachusetts Vital Records. 2013. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  6. ^ "1900 Twelfth United States Federal Census". NARA. June 5, 1900. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  7. ^ "Deaths". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. October 7, 1907. p. 12. Retrieved March 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Digital Collections, The New York Public Library. "(text) Program for Edwin Booth and Helena Modjeska touring in Macbeth in English's Ohio and Indianapolis, (1890-04-29)". The New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
  9. ^ "His Funeral Friday - Edwin Booth will be laid to Rest in Mount Auburn". The Evening World. New York, New York. June 7, 1893. p. 1. Retrieved February 18, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ A fascinating interview with Actress Bessie Love
  11. ^ "Catalog of Copyright Entries-Cumulative Series". Motion Pictures. 1912–1939. Library of Congress, Copyright Office. 1951. Retrieved February 18, 2024. A Believer in Dreams 1914
  12. ^ "New York, U.S., Arriving Passenger and Crew Lists 1820-1957". Ancestry Operations, Inc. 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2021. Year: 1914; Arrival: New York, New York, USA; Microfilm Serial: T715, 1897-1957; Line: 5; Page Number: 24
  13. ^ "1920 United States Federal Census". Ancestry.com. 2013. Retrieved March 31, 2021. Provided in association with National Archives and Records Administration
  14. ^ "DEATHS - With Funeral Announcements". The Los Angeles Times. October 13, 1924. p. 16. Retrieved March 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ Grace, Michael L. (October 27, 2018). "Hollywood's Padre was called "One take Dodd" and performed 300 Screen "Weddings"". cruiselinehistory.com. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
  16. ^ "DEATHS". The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. October 16, 1924. p. 15. Retrieved March 31, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ Morris, Richard (1924), The Spirit of the USA
  18. ^ Morris, Richard (1923), The Mailman
  19. ^ Morris, Richard (1923), The West~Bound Limited
  20. ^ Morris, Richard (1922), The Third Alarm
  21. ^ Morris, Richard (1922), In the Name of the Law
  22. ^ Morris, Richard (1916), Black Friday, retrieved March 26, 2021
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