Charles Villiers (actor)

Australian 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

[edit]

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

[edit]

* 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

[edit]

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

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b "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

[edit]

* Charles Villiers at IMDb
* Charles Villiers[permanent dead link‍] at the National Film and Sound Archive

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