Charles Villiers (actor)

Charles Villiers was an Australian actor and occasional director who appeared in many silent films. According to a contemporary report, "there is probably no actor in Australia that has done more consistent picture work than Mr. Villiers, both as heavy lead, and director."[1] He was particularly well known for playing villains.[2]

Biography

In 1912 Villiers managed Lytton's Picture Stadium in Orange.[1][3]

Villiers started working in films for the Australian Photoplay Company for whom he was one of their main actors. He then made a series of films for the Fraser Film Release and Photographic Company.

In 1914 he toured for 12 months with the Oliver Dramatic Company.[4]

Beaumont Smith later estimated Villiers appeared in more than 60 silent films.[5]

His wife was also an actor.[6]

Select filmography

• Moora Neya, or The Message of the Spear (1911)
• The Lady Outlaw (1911)
• Way Outback (1911)
• What Women Suffer (1911)
• The Cup Winner (1911)
• Caloola, or The Adventures of a Jackeroo (1911)
• King of the Coiners (1912)
• Do Men Love Women? (1912)
• The Sin of a Woman (1912)
• The Crime and the Criminal (1912)
• Cooee and the Echo (1912)
• The Love Tyrant (1912)
• The Cheat (1912)
• Whose Was the Hand? (1912)
• The Moira, or Mystery of the Bush (1912)
• 'Neath Austral Skies (1913)
• Sea Dogs of Australia (1913)
• The Silence of Dean Maitland (1914)
• The Sunny South or The Whirlwind of Fate (1915)
• The Loyal Rebel (1915)
• For Australia (1915)
• Hypocrites (1915)
• The Martyrdom of Nurse Cavell (1916)
• In the Last Stride (1916)
• The Mutiny of the Bounty (1916)
• The Murder of Captain Fryatt (1917)
• Australia's Peril (1917)
• His Convict Bride (1918)
• A Coo-ee from Home (1918)
• Satan in Sydney (1918)
• The Face at the Window (1919) – also directed
• The Man from Kangaroo (1920)
• While the Billy Boils (1921)
• Possum Paddock (1921) – co-directed
• The Lust for Gold (1922)
• A Daughter of Australia (1922)
• When the Kellys Were Out (1923)
• Daughter of the East (1924)
• Sunrise (1926)[7]

Select theatre credits

• The Scarlet Pimpernel (1909)[8]
• The Sign of the Cross (1909)[9]
• The Corsican Brothers (1909)[10]

References

1. "Personal". The Leader. Orange, NSW. 28 April 1919. p. 1. Retrieved 15 November 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
2. "MOVIE "HEAVY" CHATS LIGHTLY". Winner (Melbourne, Vic. : 1914–1917). Melbourne. 22 December 1915. p. 12. Retrieved 15 November 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
3. "Orange Town Band". The National Advocate. Bathurst, NSW. 22 November 1912. p. 1. Retrieved 15 November 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
4. "OFF TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA". The Leader. Orange, NSW. 16 June 1914. p. 2. Retrieved 15 November 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
5. "Who's Who in the Movies". Table Talk. Melbourne. 18 October 1928. p. 24. Retrieved 15 November 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
6. "Personal". The Leader. Orange, NSW. 12 January 1917. p. 5. Retrieved 15 November 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
7. "PERSONALITIES OF TORONTO MURDER TRIAL". The Evening News. Sydney. 30 June 1925. p. 16. Retrieved 15 November 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
8. "Advertising". The Brisbane Courier. 26 July 1909. p. 2. Retrieved 15 November 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
9. "AMUSEMENTS". The Register. Adelaide. 19 April 1909. p. 3. Retrieved 15 November 2014 – via National Library of Australia.
10. ""THE CORSICAN BROTHERS."". The Sunday Times. Sydney. 12 December 1909. p. 2. Retrieved 15 November 2014 – via National Library of Australia.

External links

• Charles Villiers at IMDb
• Charles Villiers at the National Film and Sound Archive