Bert Lytell

Bert Lytell (February 24, 1885 in New York City - September 28, 1954 in New York City), Born Bertram Lytell, he was a popular screen star of the silent film era who starred in romantic, melodrama and adventure films.

Born in New York City,[1] Lytell was the son of actor, author, and producer William H. Lytell and Blanche Mortimer. His mother was an actress before she married, and her father and grandfather were actors. Lytell left Upper Canada College at age 16 to become an actor.[2]

Lytell's acting debut came with the Columbia Stock Company in Newark, New Jersey, when he was 17 years old. He went on to appear with stock theater companies in Boston, Honolulu, Los Angeles, New Orleans, and Rochester, in addition to heading his own stock troupes in Albany, New York, and San Francisco.[1] He appeared with Marie Dressler in her 1914 Broadway play, A MIX-UP. He also performed in vaudeville in the 1920s with the one-act play The Valiant.[3]

In 1917, Lytell made his film debut starring as Michael Lanyard in The Lone Wolf. He subsequently made four Lone Wolf sequels, ending with The Last of the Lone Wolf (1930). He also starred as Boston Blackie in Boston Blackie's Little Pal (1918) and Blackie's Redemption (1919).[citation needed]

On old-time radio, Lytell had the title role in Alias Jimmy Valentine[4] – a role he had played in the 1920 film of the same name,[5] and was host of Bert Lytell Dramas[4]:36 and Stage Door Canteen.[4]:312

His younger brother Wilfred Lytell (1891–1954) also became a stage and screen actor. Bert Lytell married the silent film actress Claire Windsor in 1925; they divorced in 1927.[6] Like many other silent screen stars, Lytell's career collapsed after the advent of talking pictures. He worked on NBC daytime shows in the early 1950s while he was Shepherd (President) of the actors club The Lambs from 1947 to 1952. Lytell was named an Immortal Lamb.[7]

Lytell died in New York City, aged 69. His brother Wilfred died 18 days before. He has a star at 6417 Hollywood Avenue in the Motion Picture section of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.[8]

Served on a civilian committee during World War II and urged the USO to stage "Macbeth" at Fort Meade, Maryland. All were surprised when the soldiers requested "more of that Shakespeare stuff."

The handsome, dashing matinee idol introduced two classic sleuths to the screen: The Lone Wolf and Boston Blackie.

His career declined with the advent of sound pictures.

Was President of the actors club 'The Lambs' from 1947-1952.

Has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Was the radio host of "Stage Door Canteen" during World War II.

Unwittingly made his stage debut at age 3 in 1887 during a production of "Lights of LBondon" in Halifax, Canada when he wandered from his actor parent's dressing room onto the stage during a live performance.

Was leading man at San Francisco's Alcazar Theater, where he became a matinée idol. Regular members of that illustrious company included Marjorie Rambeau, Charlie Ruggles, Evelyn Vaughan, Edmund Lowe, James Gleason, and Walter Catlett.

Made his screen debut in 1917 in "The Lone Wolf" when John Barrymore withdrew to play "Raffles" for another studio. Lytell went on to make four sequels as Michael Lanyard in the coming years as well as other gentleman crooks, Boston Blackie and Jimmy Valentine.

Made his sound debut with one of Warner's earliest all-talkie efforts, "On Trial" with Pauline Frederick. Served as Actors Equity president from 1943 through 1945.

Lytell played dual roles in "The Right of Way," "Blind Man's Eyes," "The Face Between," "Brothers," and "Rupert of Hentzau.".

Popular silent-screen star.

On stage he was with Marie Dressler in her 1914 Broadway play, A MIX-UP.

Like many other silent screen stars, Lytell's career collapsed after the advent of talking pictures. Lytell was married to the popular silent film actress Claire Windsor from 1924 to 1927.

His younger brother Wilfred Lytell (1891–1954) was a popular stage and screen actor.

Lytell was President (Shepherd) of the famed actors club The Lambs from 1947-1952. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Selected filmography

The Lone Wolf (1917) - Michael Lanyard

Empty Pockets (1918) - Dr. Clinton Worthing

The Trail to Yesterday (1918) - Ned 'Dakota' Keegles

No Man's Land (1918, also co-wrote scenario) - Garrett Cope

Boston Blackie's Little Pal (1918) - Boston Blackie

Unexpected Places (1918) - Dick Holloway

Hitting the High Spots (1918, also co-wrote scenario) - Bob Durland

The Spender (1919) - Dick Bisbee

Faith (1919) - George Farrelly

Blind Man's Eyes (1919) - Hugh Overton, aka Philip D. Eaton

Blackie's Redemption (1919) - Boston Blackie

The Lion's Den (1919) - Reverend Sam Webster

One-Thing-at-a-Time O'Day (1919) - Stradivarius O'Day

Easy to Make Money (1919) - James 'Jimmy' Frederick Slocum Jr.

Lombardi, Ltd. (1919) - Tito Lambardi

The Right of Way (1920) - Charley Steele

Alias Jimmy Valentine (1920) - Lee Randall / Jimmy Valentine

The Price of Redemption (1920) - Leigh Dering

The Misleading Lady (1920) - Jack Craigen

A Message from Mars (1921) - Horace Parker

The Man Who (1921) - Bedford Mills

A Trip to Paradise (1921) - 'Curley' Flynn

Alias Ladyfingers (1921) - Robert Ashe - Ladyfingers

A Trip to Paradise (1921, an adaptation of Liliom)

The Idle Rich (1921) - Samuel Weatherbee

The Right That Failed (1922) - Johnny Duffey

A Trip to Paramountown (1922, Documentary short) - Himself

The Face Between (1922) - Tommy Carteret Sr.

Sherlock Brown (1922) - William Brown

To Have and to Hold (1922) - Captain Ralph Percy

Kick In (1922) - Chick Hewes

Rupert of Hentzau (1923) - King of Ruritania / Rudolph Rassendyll

The Meanest Man in the World (1923) - Richard Clark

The Eternal City (1923) - David Rossi

A Son of the Sahara (1924) - Raoul Le Breton

Sandra (1924) - David Waring

Born Rich (1924) - Jimmy Fairfax

The Boomerang (1925) - Dr. Sumner

Steele of the Royal Mounted (1925) - Philip Steele

Eve's Lover (1925) - Baron Geraldo Maddox

Never the Twain Shall Meet (1925) - Dan Pritchard

The Sporting Life (1925) - Lord Woodstock

The Ship of Souls (1925) - Langley Barnes

Lady Windermere's Fan (1925) - Lord Windermere

The Gilded Butterfly (1926) - Brian Anestry

The Lone Wolf Returns (1926) - Michael Lanyard / The Lone Wolf

That Model from Paris (1926) - Robert Richmond

Obey The Law (1926) - Phil Schuyler

The First Night (1927) - Dr. Richard Bard

Alias the Lone Wolf (1927) - Michael Lanyard / The Lone Wolf

Women's Wares (1927) - Robert Crane

On Trial (1928) - Robert Strickland

The Lone Wolf's Daughter (1929) - Michael Lanyard / The Lone Wolf

The Last of the Lone Wolf (1930) - Michael Lanyard

Brothers (1930) - Bob Naughton / Eddie Connolly

The Stolen Jools (1931) - Joe Strickland

Stage Door Canteen (1943) - Canteen Master of Ceremonies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Lytell