Rupert Julian (born Thomas Percival Hayes; 25 January 1879 – 27 December 1943[1]) was a New Zealand cinema actor, director, writer and producer. During his career, Julian directed 60 films and acted in over 90 films. He is best remembered for directing Lon Chaney in The Phantom of the Opera (1925). He also directed The Cat Creeps (1930), a sound remake of The Cat and the Canary (1927),[2] which is now considered a lost film, with only two minutes of footage remaining in the 1932 Universal comedy short film Boo!.

Rupert Julian
Julian in 1923
Born
Thomas Percival Hayes

(1879-01-25)25 January 1879
Died27 September 1943(1943-09-27) (aged 64)
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California
Occupations
  • Film Director
  • Writer
  • Producer
  • Actor
Years active1913–1930
Notable work
Spouse
(m. 1906)
Parent(s)John Daly Hayes Jr.
Eliza Harriet Hayes

Early years

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Julian was born Thomas Percival Hayes[1] in Whangaroa, New Zealand, son of John Daly Hayes (Jr) and Eliza Harriet Hayes.[citation needed] His father was a rancher who raised cattle and sheep.[3]

Julian's parents had him educated in preparation for becoming a Roman Catholic priest, but he went his own way. He volunteered to serve in the British army during the Boer War, and during his two years' service he was captured twice. The first time, he was exchanged, and the second time he escaped. By the time he left the military he was a lieutenant. He also worked as a sailor, a tea salesman, and engineer of a donkey engine.[3]

Career

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Julian became an actor when he was 16.[4] He performed on stage in his native country and Australia before emigrating to the United States in 1911, where he started his career as an actor at the Daly Theatre in New York[citation needed] and touring with Tyrone Power, Sr.,[5] and then worked in silent movies. He turned to directing in 1914, often directing his wife Elsie Jane Wilson (also a director), and earned a substantial sum for his film The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin, which he wrote, produced, directed, and starred in the title role. This made him a star in Hollywood at the time and opened doors to larger projects with Universal Studios.

He was assigned to complete Merry-Go-Round in 1923 when director Erich von Stroheim was fired from it.[6] In 1924, he directed Lon Chaney in The Phantom of the Opera,[7] but left the production shortly before it was released. The studio hired another director to complete the filming and changed the ending. Julian moved to Cecil B. DeMille's Producers Distributing Corporation for a series of films, but after directing The Cat Creeps and Love Comes Along (both in 1930), his career faded.

Death

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On 27 December 1943, Julian died at his home in Hollywood, California, at the age of 64.[5] He was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California,[1] in 1943. His wife Elsie died in 1965.

Filmography

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              Filmography of Rupert Julian             
Year Film Actor Director Wife Writer Production Distribution Genre Length Released Notes
1913 The Wife's Deceit
 
Rex Prod Universal Comedy Short 1913-12-21
1913 The Mask 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1913-12-14
1913 The Blood Brotherhood 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1913-11-16
1913 The Haunted Bride 
 
Rex Prod Universal Comedy Short 1913-11-09
1913 Two Thieves and a Cross 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1913-11-04
1913 The Clue 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1913-10-30
1913 Memories 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1913-10-16
1913 Shadows of Life 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1913-11-09
1913 His Brand 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1913-11-02
1913 Genesis 4:9 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1913-09-25
1913 The Heart of a Jewess 
 
Victor Universal Drama Short 1913-08-15
1913 Through Strife 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1913-07-13
1913 The Peacemaker 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1913-03-23
1913 Troubled Waters 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1913-03-09
1913 His Sister 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1913-02-09
1914 The Master Key
 
Universal Universal Drama serial 1914-11-16
1914 A Law Unto Herself 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-11-08
1914 Daisies 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-09-03
1914 Out of the Depths
 
 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-08-20
1914 The Hole in the Garden Wall
 
 
 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-08-23
1914 The Midnight Visitor
 
 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-08-09
1914 Behind the Veil 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-08-02
1914 The Pursuit of Hate 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-06-14
1914 Closed Gates 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-06-07
1914 Avenged 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-05-24
1914 The Triumph of Mind 
 
 
Bison Motion Pictures Universal Drama Short 1914-05-23
1914 The Career of Waterloo Peterson 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-05-10
1914 An Episode 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-04-30
1914 In the Days of His Youth 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-03-28
1914 The Spider and Her Web 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-03-26
1914 A Modern Fairy Tale 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-03-08
1914 The Weaker Sister 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-03-01
1914 The Merchant of Venice
 
Universal Universal Drama Feature 1914-02-01
1914 Woman's Burden 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-02-22
1914 An Old Locket 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-02-15
1914 The Coward Hater 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-02-08
1914 The Leper's Coat 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-01-25
1914 The Imp Abroad 
 
Victor Universal Comedy Short 1914-01-12
1914 A Fool and His Money 
 
Rex Prod Universal Comedy Short 1914-01-04
1914 The Female of the Species 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1914-01-01
1915 The Evil of Suspicion
 
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1915-12-28
1915 One Hundred Years Ago
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1915-12-23
1915 The Water Clue
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1915-12-18
1915 Gilded Youth
 
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1915-11-02
1915 A White Feather Volunteer
 
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1915-11-04
1915 The Wolf's Den 
 
Navajo Films Asso Film Sales Western Short 1915-10-09
1915 Jewel
 
Universal Universal Drama Feature 1915-08-30
1915 A Cigarette - That's All 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1915-08-10
1915 Scandal
 
Universal Universal Drama Feature 1915-07-19
1915 Where the Trail Led
 
 
Balboa Prod Pathé Western Short 1915-07-19
1915 The Pretty Sister of Jose
 
Famous Players Paramount Pictures Drama Feature 1915-05-31
1915 The Heritage of a Century 
 
Paragon Films Kriterion Film Drama Short 1915-04-05
1915 The Lone Star Rush
 
Climax Company Alliance Films Drama Feature 1915-03-05
1915 A Voice from the Sea 
 
Paragon Films Kriterion Film Drama Short 1915-03-27
1915 The Hawk and the Hermit 
 
Paragon Films Kriterion Film Drama Short 1915-03-22
1915 The Bond of Friendship 
 
Alhambra Films Kriterion Film Drama Short 1915-03-13
1915 Fate's Vengeance 
 
Paragon Films Kriterion Film Drama Short 1915-03-08
1915 A Tale of the Hills 
 
Paragon Films Kriterion Film Drama Short 1915-02-22
1915 A Small Town Girl 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1915-01-17
1916 The Gilded Life 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1916-12-29
1916 The Right to Be Happy
 
 
Bluebird Universal Drama Feature 1916-12-25
1916 The Celebrated Stielow Case
 
Argosy Pictures Drama Feature 1916-12-02
1916 The Bugler of Algiers
 
 
Bluebird Universal Drama Feature 1916-11-27
1916 The Evil Women Do
 
 
 
Bluebird Universal Comedy Feature 1916-09-26
1916 Bettina Loved a Soldier
 
 
 
Bluebird Universal Comedy Feature 1916-08-14
1916 Little Boy Blue
 
 
 
 
Victor Film Universal Comedy Short 1916-06-14
1916 The Human Cactus
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1916-06-29
1916 The Turn of the Wheel
 
Paragon Films Mutual Film Drama Short 1916-11-13
1916 Romance at Random
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1916-06-18
1916 The False Gems
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1916-06-11
1916 The Fur Trimmed Coat
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1916-05-30
1916 Naked Hearts
 
 
 
Bluebird Universal Drama Feature 1916-05-10
1916 The Marriage of Arthur
 
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1916-05-07
1916 The Eyes of Fear
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1916-04-06
1916 The Desperado
 
 
Universal Universal Western Short 1916-03-22
1916 The Blackmailer
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1916-03-05
1916 John Pellet's Dream
 
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1916-02-24
1916 As Fate Decides
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1916-02-16
1916 Arthur's Last Fling
 
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1916-02-13
1916 The Dumb Girl of Portici
 
Universal Universal Drama Feature 1916-04-04
1916 The Red Lie
 
 
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Short 1916-01-27
1916 The Underworld
 
 
 
 
Universal Universal Comedy Short 1916-01-15
1917 The Circus of Life
 
 
Butterfly Universal Drama Feature 1917-06-04
1917 The Desire of the Moth
 
 
Bluebird Universal Western Feature 1917-10-22
1917 The Mysterious Mr. Tiller
 
 
Bluebird Universal Drama Feature 1917-09-17
1917 The Door Between
 
Bluebird Universal Drama Feature 1917-11-18
1917 Mother O' Mine
 
 
 
 
Bluebird Universal Drama Feature 1917-09-02
1917 A Kentucky Cinderella
 
 
 
Bluebird Universal Drama Feature 1917-06-25
1917 The Gift Girl
 
 
Bluebird Universal Drama Feature 1917-03-26
1917 The Boyhood He Forgot 
 
Rex Prod Universal Drama Short 1917-03-24
1917 Alone in the World 
 
Bluebird Universal Drama Short 1917-01-02
1917 The Savage
 
Bluebird Universal Western Feature 1917-11-19
1917 My Little Boy
 
 
Bluebird Universal Drama Feature 1917-12-17
1918 Hands Down
 
 
Bluebird Universal Western Feature 1918-02-11
1918 Midnight Madness
 
Bluebird Universal Drama Feature 1918-06-08
1918 Fires of Youth
 
 
Bluebird Universal Drama Feature 1918-08-26
1918 The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin
 
 
 
Jewel Universal Drama Feature 1918-03-19
1918 Hungry Eyes
 
 
Bluebird Universal Western Feature 1918-02-11
1919 The Fire Flingers
 
 
Universal Universal Drama Feature 1919-04-21
1919 Creaking Stairs
 
 
Universal Universal Horror Feature 1919-02-10
1919 The Millionaire Pirate
 
Bluebird Universal Drama Feature 1919-02-10
1919 The Sleeping Lion
 
Universal Universal Drama Feature 1919-06-23
1920 The Honey Bee
 
 
American Film Pathé Drama Feature 1920-04-01
1922 The Girl Who Ran Wild
 
 
Universal Universal Western Feature 1922-10-09
1923 The Midnight Guest
 
Universal Universal Drama Feature 1923-03-17
1923 Merry-Go-Round
 
Universal Universal Drama Feature 1923-09-03
1924 Love and Glory
 
 
Universal Universal Western Feature 1924-12-07
1925 Hell's Highroad
 
DeMille Pictures Producers Distributing Drama Feature 1925-10-18
1925 Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
 
MGM MGM Drama Feature 1927-10-08
1925 The Phantom of the Opera
 
Jewel Universal Horror Feature 1925-11-15
1926 Three Faces East
 
 
Cinema Corp Producers Dist Corp Drama Feature 1926-02-03
1926 Silence
 
DeMille Pictures Producers Dist Drama Feature 1926-04-25
1927 The Yankee Clipper
 
DeMille Pictures Producers Dist Drama Feature 1927-05-07
1927 The Country Doctor
 
DeMille Pictures Pathé Drama Feature 1927-08-22
1928 The Leopard Lady
 
DeMille Pictures Pathé Drama Feature 1928-01-22
1928 Walking Back
 
 
DeMille Pictures Pathé Drama Feature 1928-05-21
1930 Love Comes Along
 
RKO RKO Drama Feature 1930-01-05
1930 The Cat Creeps
 
Universal Universal Horror Feature 1930-11-10
  Rupert Julian acted in these 95 films
  Rupert Julian directed these 60 films
  Rupert and Elsie Julian participated in these 28 films
  Rupert Julian participated in the writing of these 20 films

References

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  1. ^ a b c Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed. McFarland. p. 389. ISBN 978-1-4766-2599-7. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  2. ^ "The Cat Creeps". American Film Institute. Retrieved 14 January 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Rupert Julian is veteran of the Boer War". Edmonton Journal. 24 February 1917. p. 20. Retrieved 8 January 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Veteran of film goes to De Mille". Los Angeles Times. 15 April 1925. p. 22. Retrieved 8 January 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Rupert Julian, 64, Veteran Actor, Dies". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Associated Press. 29 December 1943. p. 5. Retrieved 8 January 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Production Difficulties". The New York Times. 22 July 1923. p. X 2. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  7. ^ Guida, Fred (2006). A Christmas Carol and Its Adaptations: A Critical Examination of Dickens's Story and Its Productions on Screen and Television. McFarland. p. 78. ISBN 978-0-7864-2840-3. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
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