William J. Butler
Also Known As: William Butler, W.J. Butler, W. J. Butler
Biography: Biography not available
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Ireland
Adult: No
Birthday: December 30, 1859
Age: 165 years old
Gender: Male
Deathday: January 27, 1927
Popularity:
Known For:
The Honor of His Family
Overview: An old colonel is proud as a peacock: his son leads a group of volunteers in the American Civil War. Untill one day his son returns home as a deserter.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1910-01-24
Popularity:
Teaching Dad to Like Her
Overview: Harry wants to marry Dolly, a showgirl, but only on the condition that she can win over his disapproving father. The father is so charmed when he meets Dolly that he wants to win her for himself.
Genres: Comedy Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-03-20
Popularity:
Sunshine Sue
Overview: A country girl follows a city suitor, but is left alone and must fend for herself.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1910-11-14
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Fisher Folks
Overview: A crippled girl marries a fisherman, who also has eyes for the town flirt.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-02-16
Popularity:
The Long Road
Overview: Edith enters a convent after losing her fiancé to someone else. Years later, Edith finds him again, now poverty-stricken, and secretly helps his family.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-10-26
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A Trap for Santa Claus
Overview: The children of a household attempt to capture Santa, but they catch something else entirely.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1909-12-20
Popularity:
When the Fire-Bells Rang
Overview: They are brothers; one is a member of the village fire department, the other the property man at the "Opry House." A traveling dramatic company arrives, and. in putting on a Roman tragedy, needs twenty "supers" to play "Roman soldiers." "Props" engages the members of the fire company, who are rehearsed and dressed in Roman costumes. Everything goes fine until the fire-bells ring out an alarm, then, well...
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-05-08
Popularity:
The Would-Be Shriner
Overview: Hank Hopkins is a "rube" of the most extreme type, and on the morning of the great Shrine Parade in Los Angeles, he is met by a couple of friends, practical jokers, who make him believe that they can effect his participating in the grand pageant. He telephones his wife to be on the grandstand to see him march by. Mrs. Hopkins receives a great disappointment, but it is slight to what Hank receives when he attempts to get into line.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-07-25
Popularity:
In the Aisles of the Wild
Overview: A widower and his two daughters live in the wilds of the north woods. They form the acquaintance of two trappers, Bob Cole and Jim Watson, who hunt in the neighborhood. As fate will have it, both trappers love the same girl, the elder sister, but she loves Bob, while the younger girl is attracted by Jim. The elder girl, however, through a woman's whim, pays marked attention to Jim simply to arouse jealousy in Bob. He, in temper, cannot reason her motive and leaves, so through pique she accepts and marries Jim. Later Bob revisits the place, feeling that the girl loves him best, and tries to induce her to go away with him. He finally succeeds and, as you may imagine, fate brings about justice.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-10-14
Popularity:
Gold and Glitter
Overview: As the husband leaves for the lumber regions, his wife gives him a memory message to be opened after his arrival. Attracted by a maid, cherished by the love of two old brothers, he forgets it until sometime later. The message serves its purpose, however, for through it, after a thrilling experience, the maid learns the true value of the man's love, while he in his turn, goes back to his waiting wife and finds there, along with his shame and regeneration, his heart's desire.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-11-11
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Red Hicks Defies the World
Overview: Hard as nails and as strong winded as a gale in March, Red Hicks may have been a bit "chesty," but he was in perfect trim. The town depended on the champion, O'Shea, the fighting Irishman, to make soft putty of the world famous pugilist, but on the day of the fight there was no O'Shea. The supposition was he did not have the price: and other domestic difficulties interfered. O'Shea's trainer, however, solved the problem and Bed Hicks found his Waterloo.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1913-06-09
Popularity:
In Diplomatic Circles
Overview: The reporter assigned to obtain a copy of the message from the Japanese Government unraveled the mystery of its disappearance in a clever manner. Every foreign government naturally was eager for a copy ahead, while the meeting of the Japanese Ambassador and Secretary of State was surrounded with greater risk than they imagined.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1913-06-26
Popularity:
The Enemy's Baby
Overview: A feud began with a political argument. Then the justice declared if granddad did not pay up he would attach his household goods. Granddad was that mad all he left of the furniture was kindling. When he learned his act had made him liable to the law he fled with his family, but came back after a lost baby, now in the hands of the enemy.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1913-06-10
Popularity:
The Crook and the Girl
Overview: In the guise of a gardener he came to steal the paper telling the whereabouts of the second will. That was so the nephew might enjoy the inheritance alone. Then the girl learned his true mission, but in the end he restored her confidence and beat her enemies at their own game.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1913-08-25
Popularity:
Brute Force
Overview: A thin gent in formal wear, amid a club or party, reads a book about primitive man after he's ignored by a pretty lady. We see the book enacted: Weakhands loses his girlfriend to Bruteforce, but chances upon a design for a weapon to vanquish his rival and win her back. His tribe sees this and sets him up as their leader. With the club, he fends off various creatures (a winged lizard, a snake, a dinosaur) and a rival tribe led by Monkeywalk. The women even manage to repel an attack. But the rival tribe discovers the secret of the club themselves, and capture the women. Weakhands, sitting in despair, chances upon a new weapon: the bow and arrow.
Genres: Adventure Action Drama History Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1914-04-24
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The Stolen Treaty
Overview: On the day of the meeting which should settle the controversy regarding the Panama Canal, the Japanese Embassy commissioned Olga to obtain a copy of the agreement. The young Secretary to the Secretary of State became her dupe, but the detective succeeded in recovering the stolen treaty by a clever unwinding of threads taking thereby a desperate and thrilling chance.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1913-09-13
Popularity:
The Law and His Son
Overview: In this film one is shown the contrast of two fathers. One father refuses to believe his son guiltless, while the other, fully realizing the weakness of his son, struggles to save him from further disgrace. In this attempt he exonerates the innocent youth, but at the same time exposes the guilt of his own son.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1913-09-22
Popularity:
The Miser's Heart
Overview: Thieves decide to steal the money an old miser has hidden away. He refuses to open the safe for them, so they threaten to kill a little girl who lives in his building.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-11-20
Popularity:
Susie Snowflake
Overview: When a young girl who has grown up as a music hall entertainer is brought to live in a stodgy New England town, the quiet town life is changed forever.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1916-06-25
Popularity:
Saved from Himself
Overview: Joseph Graybill, learning that his friends have been making a lot of money in the stock market, takes a flyer himself. However, when a drop in the shares he has bought wipes him out, he breaks into his employer's safe for money to pay for a margin call. Will the thought of his grey-haired mother and the importunities of his co-worker Mabel Normand stop him or will he descend to a life of crime?
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-12-10
Popularity:
Strongheart
Overview: STRONGHEART (1914) is a Native American Indian drama. Based on a famous play of the time, the film features an all-star cast. Originally five reels, the film was reissued at three reels in 1916.
Genres: Western Action
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1914-03-08
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A Child of the Ghetto
Overview: After her mother's death, Ruth struggles to support herself as a seamstress. While Ruth delivers shirts to the factory owner, the owner's son steals some money and Ruth is accused of the crime. She flees the ghetto of New York's Lower East Side and hides in the country where she meets a young farmer.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1910-06-06
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A Voice from the Deep
Overview: Percy and Harold are rivals and both take the object of their affections for an outing.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-03-21
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Muggsy Becomes a Hero
Overview: Two spinsters on their way to church, are accosted by a couple of burly tramps. When Mabel is called to the church meeting with her mother, she sends Muggsy a note asking him to meet her after the service so he may walk home with her. Muggsy is there on time, however, the old ladies are afraid to make the return trip unaccompanied. The pastor asks that a man escort them home. Poor Muggsy gets chosen, and when the trio reach the deserted part of the road, the tramps again appear.
Genres: Comedy Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1910-09-01
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The Wife
Overview: A story of duplicity, ambition and misunderstandings when four peoples lives become intertwined in a quest for a political appointment.
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1914-05-28
Popularity:
Almost a Wild Man
Overview: Rooly, Pooly and Dooly were "picture sandwiches," but hardly shining lights, even in that capacity. Consequently they were "canned" by the management. A brilliant idea; one would play the wild man in the village square, a real live show of their own. Rooly and Pooly then basked in the society of fair country belles, but Dooly at length was rescued by Miss Smart, looking for excitement. She was not disappointed.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1913-06-19
Popularity:
Swords and Hearts
Overview: A poor girl is secretly in love with a wealthy young planter.
Genres: Romance Drama War History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-08-27
Popularity:
More Than Friends
Overview: A Biograph short drama directed by George Reehm.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1915-07-30
Popularity:
The Taming of the Shrew
Overview: Based on Shakespeare's play. Petruchio courts the bad-tempered Katharina, and tries to change her aggressive behavior.
Genres: Romance Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1908-11-10
Popularity:
A Flash of Light
Overview: An experiment goes wrong and blinds a newly married chemist. The chemist's wife does not want to take on the burden of caring for the blind chemist, and her younger sister take her place.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1910-07-17
Popularity:
Getting Rid of Trouble
Overview: The Newlyweds move into their new flat and prepare to entertain their uncle.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-09-05
Popularity:
What Shall We Do with Our Old?
Overview: An elderly carpenter is told by a doctor that his wife is seriously ill. Soon afterwards, an insensitive shop foreman lays him off from his job because of his age. Unable to find work, and with his wife's condition getting worse, he soon becomes desperate.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-02-13
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The Manicure Lady
Overview: The manicure lady spurns the barber and dates a rich cad instead.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-05-18
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The Speed Demon
Overview: An ambitious race driver who is not allowed to compete decides to outwit his competitors.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-07-14
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Toys of Destiny
Overview: A romantic film in which the good-hearted Charles falls in love with Mary, a girl whom he has employed because she cannot pay her rent. When she receives an inheritance, she moves in with her aunt and uncle, and the man falls ill.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1915-05-02
Popularity:
The Strong Man's Burden
Overview: A crime drama in which a police officer does everything possible to help his criminal younger brother.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1913-09-05
Popularity:
The Rose of Kentucky
Overview: A farmer takes in a young orphan after her mother's death and sends her off to school. After she's grown, he encourages her to consider his younger brother as a husband. When the younger brother proves to be a coward, she chooses the older brother instead.
Genres: Romance History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-08-24
Popularity:
The Unveiling
Overview: The boy, who is the idol of his widowed mother, returns from college with a collegiate record she is justly proud of. To mark the occasion his boyhood sweetheart and her mother come to spend a few days. The too-indulgent mother, however, is blind to the fact that the boy is spending most of his evenings in full dress, which should have told her that Bohemian society was engaging his attention. A showgirl, who learns that he will soon come into great wealth, determines to win him. Unsophisticated as he is, he is an easy prey. A friend of the family warns the mother of her boy's danger,
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-10-16
Popularity:
The Making of a Man
Overview: A young woman becomes infatuated with the leading man of a traveling theatrical troupe. She sneaks away to join him in the next town, but her father forces her to return home...
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-10-04
Popularity:
The House with Closed Shutters
Overview: During the Civil War a young soldier loses his nerve in battle and runs away to his home to hide; his sister puts on his uniform, takes her brother's place in the battle, and is killed. Their mother, not wanting the shameful truth to become known, closes all the shutters (hence the film's title) and keeps her son's presence a secret for many years, though two boyhood chums stumble upon the truth...
Genres: Drama War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1910-08-08
Popularity:
A Plain Song
Overview: Edith is a salesgirl in a department store who envys her store-mates, as she views them passing by with their sweethearts, lighthearted and happy. Therefore she feels highly flattered and pleased at the attentions of a traveling repertoire manager who enters the store advertising his show, and presents Edith with two complimentary tickets for that evening's performance. The next day the manager appears again and invites her to take a stroll with him. This is the first attention the poor girl has ever experienced, and when the manager tries to persuade her to go away with him it is a supreme struggle with inclination that prevents her leaving her old folks.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1910-11-28
Popularity:
Comrades
Overview: Two creative bums invade a high society gathering by pretending to be rich.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-03-13
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Serious Sixteen
Overview: When young Tom and Adele learn they must wait four years before they can marry, they agree to kill themselves. They reconsider, and then decide to elope. The plan sours when Adele sees two friends flirting with Tom. Brokenhearted, she decides to give her life to the Salvation Army. Tom responds by choosing to join a monastery. When, however, Adele’s father buys her a new hat, Adele backslides and Tom follows suit.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1910-06-08
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A Timely Interception
Overview: A farmer has saved all his life to pay for his daughter's wedding, but when his brother is fired from his job on the oil rig, the wedding must be postponed and the money put to the more pressing need. The farmer, now himself destitute, is forced to put his house up for sale to repay his creditors. Meanwhile, a man from the oil syndicate discovers oil on the farmer's land. Moving quickly, the syndicate tries to buy the farm before the farmer knows what he is selling. -Harpodeon
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1913-06-07
Popularity:
A Corner in Wheat
Overview: On a whim, a greedy tycoon decides to corner the world market in wheat. This doubles the price of bread, forcing grain producers into charity lines and others further into poverty. The film contrasts the differences between the lives of those who work to grow the wheat and the life of the man who dabbles in its sale for profit.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1909-12-13
Popularity:
The Slave
Overview: A Greek woman marries a struggling sculptor. When he can't support her and their baby, she offers to sell herself as a slave to allow them to buy food.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1909-07-29
Popularity:
Hot Stuff
Overview: Hank (Mack Sennett) loses his girl (Mabel Normand) to another guy (Dell Henderson) so he decides to get even with some hot sauce.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-03-21
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The Engagement Ring
Overview: Alice has two persistent suitors, one rich, one poor. Each buys her an engagement ring; the rich man pays cash, but the poor man must pay on installments. He has trouble making the payments, but then he's injured in an auto accident and the settlement allows him to pay off the ring and propose to Alice.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-03-10
Popularity:
The Diving Girl
Overview: With her uncle she visits the seashore and goes bathing with a party of her brother's friends. Uncle also takes a dip and is annoyed at the perilous performance of the girl. He orders her from the water and locks her in her room, but brother releases her. He finally concludes that home is the best place for her, for there she will run no chance of drowning.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-08-21
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Why He Gave Up
Overview: Hubby is anxious to get away for a little time at the beach with the boys, and works up a quarrel with wifey over a new hat, the bill for which he is asked to pay. Making this excuse, he goes off with his chums. The wife is an expert swimmer and diver and is invited to attend a meet of the ladies' swimming club, of which she was formerly a member. Her husband's treatment induces her to accept the invitation. The affair takes place at the very beach to which the husband hied himself. One may imagine that hubby has not only plunged into the cooling waters of the surf, but into domestic hot water as well.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-12-04
Popularity:
He Must Have a Wife
Overview: Harry expected to come in for a portion of his uncle's estate, but didn't figure that he would get his share before his worthy relative's demise. The uncle, however, being an eccentric individual, decides to divide his estate while he is alive so as to avoid misunderstandings. Harry's share is $25,000, but the condition is that he is happily married, otherwise he doesn't get a penny. He has only a couple of hours in which to comply with the condition. Well, he gets his share, but, oh, what a struggle.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-09-05
Popularity:
The Squaw's Love
Overview: Wild Flower follows her banished lover, Gray Fox, into the wilderness. Her departure is witnessed by Silver Fawn, who mistakenly thinks Wild Flower is stealing her fiancé. Silver Fawn sets out in pursuit and jealously attacks Wild Flower. They fall into the river but are rescued by Gray Fox.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-09-13
Popularity:
Wilful Peggy
Overview: Peggy is a high-spirited young woman from a poor family. One day she catches the eye of a wealthy lord, who proposes marriage and wants to introduce her into his social circle. But complications arise when the lord's nephew also becomes attracted to Peggy.
Genres: Drama Romance Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1910-08-24
Popularity:
The Usurer
Overview: A wealthy, callous moneylender finds a terrifying way to learn about money's limitations.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1910-08-15
Popularity:
They Would Elope
Overview: Two lovers elope and expect to be pursued by her father. But the clever father has tricked them into running off, and celebrates their wedding when they return home.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1909-08-09
Popularity:
A Girl Like That
Overview: Nell Gordon's father was once a burglar, but he has turned over a new leaf. When he falls ill, however, the burglar's old cronies persuade Nell to help them in a bank robbery, supposedly to raise funds for their sick friend. Nell gets a job in the bank, and learns how to open the safe, but then she falls in love with Jim Brooks, another bank employee, and decides not to help with the robbery after all. The crooks try to force her father to insist, and when he refuses, they shoot him. Seeing their true colors, Nell forms a plan. She agrees to help with the robbery, but in the middle of the heist she calls the sheriff. Of course the story ends with the crooks in jail, and Nell and Jim in love.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1917-01-18
Popularity:
At First Sight
Overview: Famous romance writer Hartly Poole retreats to the country for inspiration. There he meets ardent admirer Justina Chaffin, who is about to marry a fortune-hunting scoundrel. After Justina and Hartly fall in love, she discovers her fiancé's deception and flees to Hartly's cottage. Seeing her car parked in front, the sheriff accuses Hartly of abduction, but all is resolved when Justina and Hartly exchange vows.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1917-07-02
Popularity:
I Accuse
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1916-02-21
Popularity:
The Great Secret
Overview: A wealthy young athlete comes to the aid of a beautiful heiress, whose fortune is being threatened by two arch villains, The Great Master and Doctor Zulph.
Genres: Action Adventure
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1917-01-08
Popularity:
The Message of the Violin
Overview: A girl's family suddenly becomes rich and rejects her long-time sweetheart.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1910-10-24
Popularity:
The Root of Evil
Overview: A woman, driven by envy, is convinced that her husband loves another woman, leading her to a vengeful act that ultimately destroys her own happiness.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-03-18
Popularity:
A String of Pearls
Overview: A story about a poor young man who falls ill, while his wealthy employer ignores his plight and instead spends lavishly on a pearl necklace for his wife. The poor man recovers with the help of his community, while the rich wife falls ill and dies, the necklace ultimately proving useless
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-03-07
Popularity:
In the Border States
Overview: During the Civil War, a father living in a border state leaves to join the Union Army. After he leaves, Confederate troops forage on his property, where a soldier encounters one of his daughters. The father himself is wounded on a hazardous mission and must run for his life, pursued by Confederate soldiers.
Genres: Drama War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1910-06-13
Popularity: