William J. Butler
Encyclopedia
William J. Butler was an Irish silent film
actor. He appeared in 262 films between 1908
and 1917
.
Butler, an Irish immigrant to the United States
, moved his family from Ohio
to Hollywood, California, in 1908. At the age of 48, he wanted to get involved in a new industry called motion pictures. He appeared in more than 200 silent film
s. He made frequent appearances in films made by famed silent film producer/director D. W. Griffith
, who made more than 500 films beginning in 1908. In addition to acting, Butler was a crew member and screenwriter of early films.
William's son, Larry Butler
, born in Akron, Ohio
, just prior to the family's move to Hollywood. Larry grew up in the film business, dropped out of Burbank High School to work with his father on special effects projects. In 1940, Larry won his first of two Oscars. He was nominated five times for Oscars. His first Oscar was for special effects work done on "The Thief of Baghdad." Larry is credited with inventing the blue screen and the traveling matte, both processes were necessary for all special effects and are used today.
Butler's grandsons, Michael C. Butler and David Butler, became highly respected cinematographers. William's grandson, Christopher Butler, is also a cinematographer.
The Butler family which began with William Butler in 1908 have made movies for 100 years, and the generations span the silent era, the studio era, the independent director era and the current era
Butler was born in Ireland
, and died in New York, New York.
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...
actor. He appeared in 262 films between 1908
1908 in film
The year 1908 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Thomas Edison formed the Motion Picture Patents Company, with goals of controlling production and distribution, raising theater admission prices, cooperating with censorship bodies, and preventing film stock from getting into the hands...
and 1917
1917 in film
The year 1917 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Foundation of Universum Film AG , as a propaganda film company, in Berlin.*Technicolor System 1, a two-color process, is introduced...
.
Butler, an Irish immigrant to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, moved his family from Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
to Hollywood, California, in 1908. At the age of 48, he wanted to get involved in a new industry called motion pictures. He appeared in more than 200 silent film
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...
s. He made frequent appearances in films made by famed silent film producer/director D. W. Griffith
D. W. Griffith
David Llewelyn Wark Griffith was a premier pioneering American film director. He is best known as the director of the controversial and groundbreaking 1915 film The Birth of a Nation and the subsequent film Intolerance .Griffith's film The Birth of a Nation made pioneering use of advanced camera...
, who made more than 500 films beginning in 1908. In addition to acting, Butler was a crew member and screenwriter of early films.
William's son, Larry Butler
Larry Butler
Larry Butler is a country music producer/songwriter. From the mid-1970s through the 1980s, he worked with Kenny Rogers. Many of his albums with Rogers went either gold or platinum and accumulated many millions of sales around the world...
, born in Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
, just prior to the family's move to Hollywood. Larry grew up in the film business, dropped out of Burbank High School to work with his father on special effects projects. In 1940, Larry won his first of two Oscars. He was nominated five times for Oscars. His first Oscar was for special effects work done on "The Thief of Baghdad." Larry is credited with inventing the blue screen and the traveling matte, both processes were necessary for all special effects and are used today.
Butler's grandsons, Michael C. Butler and David Butler, became highly respected cinematographers. William's grandson, Christopher Butler, is also a cinematographer.
The Butler family which began with William Butler in 1908 have made movies for 100 years, and the generations span the silent era, the studio era, the independent director era and the current era
Butler was born in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, and died in New York, New York.
Selected filmography
- The Taming of the ShrewThe Taming of the Shrew (1908 film)The Taming of the Shrew is a 1908 silent film directed by D. W. Griffith. It was based on Shakespeare's play of the same name.- Cast :*Florence Lawrence ... Katharina*Arthur V. Johnson ... Petruchio*Linda Arvidson ... Bianca...
(19081908 in filmThe year 1908 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Thomas Edison formed the Motion Picture Patents Company, with goals of controlling production and distribution, raising theater admission prices, cooperating with censorship bodies, and preventing film stock from getting into the hands...
) - In Little ItalyIn Little ItalyIn Little Italy is a 1909 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith.-Cast:* Marion Leonard - Marie Cadrone* George Nichols - Tony Guiletto* Henry B. Walthall - Victor* Charles Arling * Kate Bruce - At the Ball* William J...
(19091909 in filmThe year 1909 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Matsunosuke Onoe, who would become the first superstar of Japanese cinema, appears in his first film, Goban Tadanobu.*James Joyce opens the Volta, the first cinema in Dublin....
) - A Trap for SantaA Trap for SantaA Trap for Santa Claus is a 1909 one-reel film, a Biograph Company production, directed by D.W. Griffith.-Cast:*Henry B. Walthall*Marion Leonard*Gladys Egan*Kate Bruce*William J. Butler *W. Chrystie Miller*John Tansey*Charles Craig...
(1909) - The Hessian RenegadesThe Hessian RenegadesThe Hessian Renegades is a 1909 silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith.-Cast:* Owen Moore - American Soldier* Linda Arvidson - Farmer* Kate Bruce - Soldier's Family* William J. Butler - Farmer* Verner Clarges - Farmer* D.W. Griffith...
(1909) - The House with Closed ShuttersThe House with Closed ShuttersThe House with Closed Shutters is a 1910 drama film directed by D.W. Griffith. Prints of the film exist in the film archives of the Museum of Modern Art, George Eastman House and the Library of Congress. -Cast:* Henry B...
(19101910 in filmThe year 1910 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*The newsreel footage of the funeral of King Edward VII of the United Kingdom is shot in Kinemacolor, making it the first color newsreel....
) - A Flash of LightA Flash of LightA Flash of Light is a 1910 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Charles West and featuring Mary Pickford and Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Charles West - John Rogers* Vivian Prescott - Belle* Stephanie Longfellow - The Older Sister...
(1910) - In the Border StatesIn the Border StatesIn the Border States is a 1910 drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Prints of the film survive in the film archives of the Museum of Modern Art and the Library of Congress.-Cast:* Charles West - Young Father* Charles Arling...
(1910) - The Miser's HeartThe Miser's HeartThe Miser's Heart is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. The film was shot in Fort Lee, New Jersey where early film studios in America's first motion picture industry were based at the beginning of the 20th century. A print of the film...
(19111911 in filmThe year 1911 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*March 23: D.W Griffith shows the first major close-up shot on film with the successful release of The Lonedale Operator proving his ever growing mastery of how to utilise film....
) - The Battle (1911)
- The Long RoadThe Long Road (film)The Long Road is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Blanche Sweet - Edith* Grace Henderson - Edith's Mother* Charles West - Ned* Claire McDowell - Ned's Wife* Edna Foster - Ned's Son...
(1911) - The Making of a ManThe Making of a ManThe Making of a Man is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Dell Henderson - Leading Man* Blanche Sweet - Young Woman* Edwin August - Young Woman's Family...
(1911) - The Last Drop of WaterThe Last Drop of WaterThe Last Drop of Water is a 1911 short silent Western film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. A print of the film survives...
(1911) - Enoch ArdenEnoch Arden (1911 film)Enoch Arden is a two-part 1911 short silent drama film, based on the Tennyson poem of the same name. It was directed by D. W. Griffith, starred Wilfred Lucas and featured Blanche Sweet. A print of the film survives in the film archive of the Library of Congress.-Cast:* Wilfred Lucas - Enoch Arden*...
(1911) - Priscilla and the UmbrellaPriscilla and the UmbrellaPriscilla and the Umbrella is a 1911 short silent comedy film directed by Frank Powell and Mack Sennett, starring Florence Barker and featuring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Florence Barker - Priscilla* Joseph Graybill - Paul...
(1911) - The Spanish GypsyThe Spanish Gypsy (film)The Spanish Gypsy is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Wilfred Lucas and featuring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Wilfred Lucas - Jose* Vivian Prescott - Pepita* Kate Bruce - Pepita's Mother* William J...
(1911) - The Lily of the TenementsThe Lily of the TenementsThe Lily of the Tenements is a 1911 American short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Clara T. Bracy and featuring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Dorothy West as The Tenement Girl* Clara T. Bracy as The Tenement Girl's Mother...
(1911) - What Shall We Do with Our Old?What Shall We Do with Our Old?What Shall We Do with Our Old? is a 1911 drama film directed by D.W. Griffith.-Cast:* W. Chrystie Miller - The Old Carpenter* Claire McDowell - The Old Carpenter's Wife* Adolph Lestina - The Doctor* George Nichols - The Judge...
(1911) - The God WithinThe God WithinThe God Within is a 1912 short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. A print of the film survives.-Cast:* Henry B. Walthall - The Woodsman* Claire McDowell - The Woodsman's Wife* Blanche Sweet - The Woman of the Camp...
(19121912 in filmThe year 1912 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Mack Sennett, who had previously worked as an actor and comedy director with D. W. Griffith, formed a new company with New York City entrepreneur Adam Kessel called Keystone Studios...
) - BrutalityBrutality (film)-Cast:* Walter Miller - The Young Man* Mae Marsh - The Young Woman* Joseph Graybill - The Victim of Anger* Lionel Barrymore - At Wedding* Elmer Booth - In Play* Clara T. Bracy - At Wedding/At Theatre* William J. Butler - At Theatre* Harry Carey - At Theatre...
(1912) - Gold and GlitterGold and GlitterGold and Glitter is a 1912 drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and Frank Powell. Lillian Gish's role as the principal female was praised for its variety of emotion, in comparison to her previous roles.-Cast:* Elmer Booth - The Husband...
(1912) - The Painted LadyThe Painted LadyThe Painted Lady is a 1912 short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. A print of the film survives.-Cast:*Blanche Sweet - The Older Sister*Madge Kirby - The Younger Sister*Charles Hill Mailes - Their Father...
(1912) - In the Aisles of the WildIn the Aisles of the WildIn the Aisles of the Wild is a 1912 drama film directed by D. W. Griffith.-Cast:* Lillian Gish - The Younger Daughter* Claire McDowell - The Elder Daughter* William J. Butler - The Widower* Henry B. Walthall - Jim Watson* Harry Carey - Bob Cole...
(1912) - A Feud in the Kentucky HillsA Feud in the Kentucky HillsA Feud in the Kentucky Hills is a 1912 silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. The film, by the Biograph Company, was shot on the Hudson Palisades near Fort Lee, New Jersey when many early film studios in America's first motion picture industry were based there at the beginning of the 20th...
(1912) - Blind Love (1912)
- A Change of SpiritA Change of SpiritA Change of Spirit is a 1912 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Blanche Sweet - The Young Woman* William J. Butler - The Young Woman's Father* Kate Toncray - The Young Woman's Mother* Henry B...
(1912) - Man's Lust for GoldMan's Lust for GoldMan's Lust for Gold is a 1912 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Blanche Sweet - The Prospector's Daughter* Robert Harron - The Prospector's Son* Frank Opperman - The Claim Jumper...
(1912) - The PunishmentThe Punishment (film)The Punishment is a 1912 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Blanche Sweet - The Fruit Grower's Daughter* J. Jiquel Lanoe - The Father* Kate Bruce - The Mother* William J...
(1912) - A Voice from the DeepA Voice from the DeepA Voice from the Deep is a 1912 short comedy film featuring Fatty Arbuckle and Mabel Normand.-Cast:* Mabel Normand* Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle - * Edward Dillon - Percy* Fred Mace - Harold...
(1912) - A String of PearlsA String of Pearls (film)A String of Pearls is a 1912 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Dorothy Bernard - The Poor Woman* Charles West - The Poor Woman's Brother * Kate Bruce - The Poor Woman's Mother...
(1912) - The Transformation of MikeThe Transformation of MikeThe Transformation of Mike is a 1912 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Wilfred Lucas - Mike* Blanche Sweet - The Tenement Girl* Edna Foster - The Tenement Girl's Brother...
(1912) - The Law and His SonThe Law and His SonThe Law and His Son is a 1913 drama film featuring Harry Carey.-Cast:* Harry Carey - Manning* Claire McDowell - Marguerite, Manning's Sister* Reggie Morris - The Outcast Son* William J. Butler - The Outcast Son's Father* Frank Evans - Prison Official...
(19131913 in filmThe year 1913 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* The Squaw Man, the first Hollywood feature film, is made.* December 29, Charlie Chaplin signs a contract with Mack Sennett to begin making films at Keystone Studios.* D. W...
) - The Stolen TreatyThe Stolen TreatyThe Stolen Treaty is a 1913 drama film featuring Harry Carey.-Cast:* Lionel Barrymore - The Japanese Diplomat* Claire McDowell - Olga* Reggie Morris - Olga's Friend* Harry Carey - The Detective* William J. Butler - A Diplomat...
(1913) - The Strong Man's BurdenThe Strong Man's BurdenThe Strong Man's Burden is a 1913 drama film featuring Harry Carey.-Cast:* Kate Bruce - Bob & John's Mother* Harry Carey - Bob* Lionel Barrymore - John* William J. Butler - The Doctor* Claire McDowell - The Nurse...
(1913) - The Crook and the GirlThe Crook and the GirlThe Crook and the Girl is a 1913 drama film featuring Harry Carey.-Cast:* Lionel Barrymore - The Nephew* Harry Carey - The Crook* Claire McDowell - The Uncle's Adopted Daughter* Hector Dion - The Butler* William J. Butler - The Lawyer...
(1913) - The Enemy's BabyThe Enemy's BabyThe Enemy's Baby is a 1913 drama film directed by D. W. Griffith.-Cast:* Lionel Barrymore - Ben Brown* William J. Butler - Sam Miller, the Grandfather* Kate Bruce - Sam Miller's Wife* Harry Carey - Miller* Claire McDowell - Miller's Wife...
(1913) - In Diplomatic CirclesIn Diplomatic CirclesIn Diplomatic Circles is a 1913 drama film featuring Harry Carey.-Cast:* Walter Miller - The Reporter* William J. Butler - The Father* Constance Johnson - The Daughter* Charles West - The Lover* Lionel Barrymore - The Japanese Ambassador...
(1913) - The Mothering HeartThe Mothering HeartThe Mothering Heart is a 1913 short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. A print of the film survives in the film archive of the Museum of Modern Art.-Plot:...
(1913) - Red Hicks Defies the WorldRed Hicks Defies the WorldRed Hicks Defies the World is a 1913 short comedy film featuring Harry Carey.-Cast:* Charles Murray - Red Hicks* Edward Dillon - O'Shea, the Fighting Irishman* Dorothy Gish - Hicks' Sweetheart* Kate Toncray - Hick's Mother* Bud Duncan - Hick's Trainer...
(1913) - A Timely InterceptionA Timely InterceptionA Timely Interception is a 1913 short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith.-Cast:* W. Chrystie Miller - The Farmer* Lillian Gish - The Farmer's Daughter* Robert Harron - The Farmer's Adopted Son* Lionel Barrymore - The Farmer's Brother...
(1913) - The House of DarknessThe House of DarknessThe House of Darkness is a 1913 short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith.-Plot:In the introduction a woman is shown descending into insanity after having lost her baby. As she mourns, she takes a blanket from the baby's cradle and starts rocking it as if it were her deceased child. This serves...
(1913) - The Tenderfoot's MoneyThe Tenderfoot's MoneyThe Tenderfoot's Money is a 1913 film featuring Harry Carey.-Cast:* Harry Carey - The Gambler* William A. Carroll - The Tenderfoot* Henry B. Walthall - The Prospector* Claire McDowell - The Prospector's Wife* William Beaudine - In Bar...
(1913) - The Left-Handed ManThe Left-Handed ManThe Left-Handed Man is a 1913 short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Prints of the film survive at the film archive of the Museum of Modern Art.-Cast:* Lillian Gish as The Old Soldier's Daughter...
(1913) - The Hero of Little ItalyThe Hero of Little ItalyThe Hero of Little Italy is a 1913 drama film directed by D.W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Charles West - Joe* Blanche Sweet - Maria* Harry Carey - Tony* Charles Hill Mailes - The Father* Kate Toncray - The Mother...
(1913) - Oil and WaterOil and Water (1913 film)Oil and Water is a 1913 film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. The supporting cast includes Henry B. Walthall, Lionel Barrymore, and Harry Carey. A stage dancer and a serious-type homebody discover, after marriage, that their individual styles don't mesh...
(1913) - Lord ChumleyLord ChumleyLord Chumley is a 1914 short drama film directed by James Kirkwood. Prints of the film survive at the film archive of the Library of Congress.-Cast:* Lillian Gish - Eleanor Butterworth* Henry B. Walthall - Lord Chumley* Mary Alden* Walter Miller...
(19141914 in filmThe year 1914 in film involved some significant events, including the debut of Cecil B. DeMille as a director.-Events:*The 3,300-seat Mark Strand Theatre opens in New York City....
) - Brute ForceBrute Force (1914 film)Brute Force is a short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, and starring Robert Harron and Mae Marsh. The film was shot in Chatsworth Park, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California...
(1914) - Judith of BethuliaJudith of BethuliaJudith of Bethulia is a film starring Blanche Sweet and Henry B. Walthall. The film was produced and directed by D. W. Griffith and was the first feature-length film made by pioneering film company Biograph, although the second that Biograph released....
(1914)