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Had you asked me ten years ago who my favorite actor of all time was I would have probably answered either Clark Gable or Humphrey Bogart, perhaps Orson Welles if my mind was running on a slightly higher plane that day. But our digital age has granted us exposure to so many more stars of the past that while I still love all of those actors, plus so many more, not one of them does any more for me today than a far lesser known star of the thirties and forties by the name of Warren William. I have a strong feeling that if you can already picture Warren William just by mention of his name, then you may already agree–this site is for you and for those who are just discovering Warren William for the first time.
There he is, up above, often described as a poor-man's John Barrymore, both back then and now, you can see why. The comparison usually holds up with his performance on-screen as well.
As forgotten as he is Warren William's resume is quite impressive. He is probably best known by the widest margin of people today for his portrayals of famed detectives–he played Michael Lanyard a.k.a. The Lone Wolf nine times, followed William Powell as Philo Vance and played the part twice, and preceded Raymond Burr's famed TV version of Perry Mason in four films back in the mid-thirties. These are all fun movies, but best enjoyed after viewing some of William's other films which are mentioned more specifically a couple of paragraphs down.
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Warren William will live on in film forever for his small role as the Dr. Lloyd in "The Wolfman." Several classic parts are somewhat relegated to history because the films were later successfully remade, but he was the original Dave ‘the Dude’ in "Lady for a Day" (remade in 1961 as “Pocketful of Miracles”) and played Steve Archer in 1934’s “Imitation of Life” (later played by John Gavin opposite Lana Turner). As Ted Shayne in "Satan Met a Lady" he was playing the part originally written by Dashiell Hammett and later billed on film as Sam Spade when played by Bogie in the classic "The Maltese Falcon". He even played Julius Caesar in Cecil B. DeMille’s 1934 version of "Cleopatra". You can easily find all of those movies in current DVD releases, but what Warren William should be remembered for are a group of roles that have been pretty much forgotten except by the enthusiastic fans of pre-code era films.
The movies I'm talking about can be caught playing on TCM every so often, or you can hunt down what are sometimes quite expensive out-of-print VHS or laser disc releases from the 1990's on eBay, but none have yet to see an official DVD release, which is a shame. I'm referring to the pre-code era films featuring Warren William as what can best be described as a charming heel, perhaps even a villainous hero. He's the heavy, yet at the same time he's often the lead.
These are the parts Warren William played as the fast talking businessman in films such as "Skyscraper Souls" (1932) and "Employees' Entrance" (1933). He's playing the same type, though from more humble beginnings, in 1932's "The Match King", where the film opens with him sweeping up outside of Wrigley Field before he goes on to monopolize the match business, and in "The Mouthpiece" (1932), where he wins a case that sends an innocent man to the electric chair only to have his guilt over that inciting incident somehow propel him into a career as a flamboyant mob lawyer. In "Bedside" (1934) he gambles away money gifted to him for medical school but manages to become a society doctor through his dealings with an ex-doctor turned morphine addict and a slick public relations man who gets his name out to the public–if that one sounds fun, don't worry, there's a lot more than that going on, I can't wait to cover it in more detail here!
Warren William’s roles in these films, more often than not from his home studio of Warner Brothers (with the notable exception of MGM's "Skyscraper Souls"), were shaped by the Depression and each of these movies would play well today in a history class as an introduction to the era. While it’s easy to imagine period movie crowds sympathizing with his cutthroat rise to the top, or equally strong desire to remain there, it’s a credit to William’s charm and talent that his characters still play as the hero when viewed today. Sometimes this is because of the vulnerability his characters show after climbing so high that they must fall, maybe it's just because no matter how bad a guy he is a Warren William character is always hustling to make himself better–or at least better-off. Personally I think it’s just because he plays the parts so damn well, but whatever your take on it you find yourself rooting for the guy every time.
This site is being built purely for fun, and so it may take some time for all of the pieces to come together, but the general idea is for it to mold itself into the home of all things Warren William. There will be a little advertising and surely some affiliate links to help pay the bills, but I'll try not to make them very intrusive and include them largely for the purpose of leading you to more Warren William, either products or information. I’ll also try to set up something on the site to allow you to post your thoughts and memories of Warren William. I’m honestly surprised at myself for trying to build this, as a few years ago I would have never dreamed of becoming such a huge fan of an actor who I’d never heard of and who’s been gone so long–my father was only a year old when Warren William passed away, so that alone should illustrate how distant this talent is from me, yet nothing cheers me up more than if the TV is on and Warren William should pop up on the screen (I guess I have on TCM then, right?). Enjoy!
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July 16th, 2009 at 1:22 am
Another Warren Willliam fan – there are a few of us! Five years ago I saw “The Case of the Lucky Legs,” and was completely entranced by the face, voice and acting of Warren William. I’d never really seen anyone quite like him. I’ve been fortunate to discover some photos of him in antique shops and on eBay (my favorite is Warren reclining in a sail boat, wearing a jaunty knit cap and holding a little terrier in his arms) which are mounted on the wall at home and work. When TCM celebrated his birthday month a few years back, I took the day off work to watch his movies. Thankfully, I’ve since discovered TiVo. And thankfully, I’ve discovered your website!
July 16th, 2009 at 2:57 am
Hi Deborah,
Yes, I think we’re growing in number! Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment (btw, if you click the link at the top of the page you’ll see a lot more articles-can’t get the sidebar to stick on this page).
Uh oh, you must be my opposing bidder!
I just watched “The Case of the Lucky Legs” a couple of weeks ago with plans of writing about it, but got sidetracked. May need another viewing now, but it’ll be here eventually!
Thanks again,
Cliff
July 24th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
So Cliff, I have to ask you – did you bid on the autographed Warren William photo? I sadly watched it jump up to $366 in the last few seconds of bidding and just couldn’t compete. In fact, I let out a gasp so loud that my dog rushed over to see what was going on!
When I’m able to scan photos, I’ll send you the one one of him on the boat (steering with his feet) that I have.
Hope you were the successful bidder,
Deborah
July 24th, 2009 at 11:15 pm
Whew, Deborah, that’s a bit rich for my blood! Good for Warren William though!
I’ve got to be honest, autographs have always scared me, so I won’t pay top dollar for them–I buy everything under the assumption that it’s either forged or ghost-signed. It’s an area of collecting that I’ve never really enjoyed, unless I’ve obtained the signature in person … which in Warren William’s case would obviously be impossible.
If I ever decide to spend over $100 or so on an item like this I’d probably ease my mind by bidding at a major auction house. I know I’d pay a premium, but honestly I can’t see one going for much more than that!
Thanks,Cliff
August 14th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Boy, am I glad I found this site. I love WW. Thank you for this.
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:04 pm
Hey!!!
Love the site!
It was a great surprise to look up Warren and find his site. Being a fan of pre-code cinema you start getting favorite actors that aren’t on AFI’s lists. I still love Bogie and Carey Grant but suddenly I found myself looking for others leads like Norma Shearer, William Powell, and the like. (not to mention all the great character actors like Guy Kibbee and Edward Everett Horton. But above all I LOVE Warren. I happened to watch Skyscraper Souls and Employee’s Enterance right in a row. It was like a one to punch. Next I found myself searching everywhere for his work. I’m glad others out there are around to keep his work alive.
Tanks again for your work.
Noirkiss3
September 2nd, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Thanks so much, Noirkiss3! Those are the 2 that first hooked me in too, those VHS Forbidden releases with Leonard Maltin’s picture on them.
I’m a fan of everybody you’ve named there.
Thanks for the kind words, hope you enjoy what you find here and maybe happen upon a title you wouldn’t have thought of watching previously.
Cliff
October 11th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
So nice to find other Warren William fans, The Lone Wolf series is a joy to watch. I managed to purchase a dvd with all the Lone Wolf films on but sadly the reproduction is very poor. Here in the UK it is very rare for WW films to be aired which is sad. He was so gifted and oozed charm he died the year of my birth, i would have loved to have met him. Thanks AMF. Manchester.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Welcome aboard, Alan, glad you found the site! While updates are on a somewhat irregular basis, they do keep coming, as I’ve got plenty more I want to say, but only so much time to type it out!
Love the Lone Wolf films, and hey, sometimes you got to take what you can get–mine are pretty ugly too. Even with TCM, they don’t air often enough over here, except for the obvious titles which would still be airing with or without WW.
Thanks again, hope you find some interesting notes here!
Cliff
December 1st, 2009 at 9:00 am
Cliff
I recently discovered Warren William myself and was very glad to find your site. Everything you say about William as an actor is true and I agree that his pre-code films deserve to be known today. They hold up extremely well. Like you, I discovered William in SKYSCRAPER SOULS. I was amazed by his great performance (also, by the way, by the even more forgotten Veree Teasdale–their interplay in this movie is fantastic). Later I caught William in THE MIND READER, EMPLOYEES’ ENTRANCE, THE MATCH KING and others. William’s comic turn in SATAN MET A LADY is near-genius. Can’t wait to see more of him. And can’t wait to explore your site.
Thanks
mackjay
December 1st, 2009 at 4:14 pm
Love your site!
I saw a Lone Wolf film on TCM a year or so ago and loved it. I read your comment concerning a dvd with all the Lone Wolf films on it. Can you offer any suggestions as to how I could obtain this dvd?
Thank you
December 1st, 2009 at 4:23 pm
Thanks for commenting mackjay, glad you found us!
Wow, “near-genius,” so the trend continues–I’m not the only one who likes “Satan Met a Lady”! This movie is despised in critical reviews dating back to its release, I don’t know, it cracks me up.
You’ve seen a lot of my favorites, that’s for sure! That said, I highly recommend “Bedside” if you’ve yet to catch it.
Thanks again, Cliff
December 1st, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Hi David,
Thanks for finding the site!
Sure, there’s no official mainstream DVD release for The Lone Wolf series yet (though there are rumors of one), so you’d have to settle for DVD-R copies like the rest of us for now (basically a collector to collector recording on blank DVD-R’s).
There are a couple of sets from different sellers available on eBay right now
(affiliate link), I’d picked up mine sometime back on iOffer.com if you prefer checking there.
Thanks again! Cliff
December 29th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
When I was in high school (in the 70s), I had to draw an “ideal man” for art class. I chose Warren William (a ringer for the Arrow shirt guys of the 20s/30s).
He is debonair, clasically handsome, and appropriatly rakish.
I have been a WW fan since the 60s.
December 31st, 2009 at 4:00 am
Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hi, ww, I appreciate it! Wow, the 60’s huh–let me ask, was there more appreciation for Warren William then than there is now, or had he already been more or less cast aside? I know some of his films enjoyed popular re-release through the 1950’s, which must have given him the spotlight every so often, but I’m not sure if that practice continued as steadily in the 60’s. Thanks again, Cliff
January 23rd, 2010 at 7:46 am
Though often times his name slips my mind when trying to remember it once I see another of his films on TCM I recall why I so enjoy his films. After watching Lady for a Day again just recently I decided to look up this gifted actor and came across the site. I believe it is wonderful that people take the time to create web sites so those of us like myself can learn more about them. Good job and bravo!
March 5th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
What a lovely website! It’s an inspiration to anybody who takes the time to look at it. I’m a Kay Francis fan who somehow found her way here. I’ve only seen Warren William in DR. MONICA and THE WOLFMAN but he was marvelous in both. In fact, I watched DR. MONICA again last night and – although it’s easily Kay’s film all the way – Mr. William does a great job playing a very-far-less-than admirable character. Now that I’ve seen your site, I have to try to hunt down THE MATCH KING and EMPLOYEES’ ENTRANCE.
March 7th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Thanks so much! Dr. Monica is one of the handful with Warren William I’ve yet to see, but that fact that I haven’t watched it yet has directly led me to a newly found appreciation of Kay Francis! I’d had both DM and Living on Velvet waiting to be watched on my DVR when it short-circuited and all movies were wiped out! Since I’d counted these as in my collection, despite not watching yet, I was forced to track them down anew. Doing so I wound up with copies on a couple of discs highlighting Kay Francis movies–well, I’ve watched Living on Velvet, Doctor Monica is up next, but I also found myself sidetracked and thoroughly enjoyed seeing Kay in each Mandalay and especially Confession for the first time! Previously I’d really only appreciated her in Trouble in Paradise and Jewel Thief, but these bonus experiences have added Kay to my must-watch list!
Thanks again, Cliff
March 9th, 2010 at 2:42 am
After I wrote my first post here, I felt so stupid because I have also seen LIVING ON VELVET. Everyone in it is marvelous.
Finding a site such as yours is such a real pleasure in this age of ours when many people don’t know any Golden Age stars except Marilyn Monroe and Humphrey Bogart. I love to see such passion for actors whose craft and talent gave us all these wonderful movies. Thank you so much for the lovely comments on the Kay movies. MANDALAY should be in the FORBIDDEN HOLLYWOOD collection by now but – of course – is not. And CONFESSION is my top favorite Kay Francis film. It’s the one that made me a rabid fan. Oddly enough, I watched it to see Basil Rathbone.
Where can I find THE MATCH KING and EMPLOYEES’ ENTRANCE?
March 12th, 2010 at 1:58 am
THE MATCH KING can be had from Vintage Classic Movies. EMPLOYEES’ ENTRANCE can be had, albeit on VHS, from marketplace sellers on Amazon.