Claude Gillingwater

Tall, balding character actor in US films from 1921 until the year he died, usually portraying obstinate or irascible types. A man so disagreeable on celluloid, Claude Gillingwater's characters seemed to subsist on a steady diet of persimmons. Fondly recalled as the cranky old skinflint whose seemingly cold heart could only be warmed by the actions of a cute little tyke, the tall and rangy Gillingwater invariably played much older than he was. He, with the omnipresent bushy brows, crop of silver hair and perpetually sour puss, had a much more versatile career than perhaps realized -- on both stage and in film. Most assuredly, this caustic screen image he perfected belied a softer, gentler off-screen demeanor for he was a kind and sympathetic gent and devoted husband to wife Carlyn Stiletz (or Stellith). Their only child, Claude Gillingwater Jr., briefly became an actor himself. Sadly, Gillingwater Sr.'s thriving character career ended on a grim and tragic note in 1939. A serious accident on the movie set of the picture Florida Special (1936) (he fell from a platform and injured his back) damaged his health and threatened his career, and the death of his long-time wife Carlyn left him irrevocably depressed. Fearing the possibility of becoming an invalid and wishing not to become a serious burden to anyone, the 69-year-old actor committed suicide at his Beverly Hills home with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head. Gillingwater left a fine Hollywood legacy and the fun of ...

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Before Midnight (1933)

A detective tries to figure out who killed a man who predicted his own death.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lambert Hillyer
CAST:  Ralph Bellamy  •  June Collyer  •  Claude Gillingwater  •  Bradley Page

A detective tries to figure out who killed a man who predicted his own death.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lambert Hillyer
CAST:  Ralph Bellamy  •  June Collyer  •  Claude Gillingwater  •  Bradley Page

45 Minutes from Hollywood (1926)

A young man visiting Hollywood on family business gets into trouble when he sees a bank robbery in progress, and thinks it is a movie scene.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Fred Guiol
CAST:  Glenn Tryon  •  Charlotte Mineau  •  Theda Bara  •  Oliver Hardy

A young man visiting Hollywood on family business gets into trouble when he sees a bank robbery in progress, and thinks it is a movie scene.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Fred Guiol
CAST:  Glenn Tryon  •  Charlotte Mineau  •  Theda Bara  •  Oliver Hardy

A Tale of Two Cities (1935)

The exciting story of Dr. Manette, who escapes the horrors of the infamous Bastille prison in Paris. The action switches between London and Paris on the eve of the revolution where we witness 'the best of times and the worst of times' - love, hope, the uncaring ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jack Conway
CAST:  Ronald Colman  •  Elizabeth Allan  •  Edna May Oliver  •  Reginald Owen

The exciting story of Dr. Manette, who escapes the horrors of the infamous Bastille prison in Paris. The action switches between London and Paris on the eve of the revolution where we witness 'the best of times and the worst of times' - love, hope, the uncaring ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jack Conway
CAST:  Ronald Colman  •  Elizabeth Allan  •  Edna May Oliver  •  Reginald Owen

Conquest (1937)

A polish countess dispatched by her country to become Napoleon Bonaparte's mistress at the urging of Polish leaders, who feel she might influence him to make Poland independent.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clarence Brown
CAST:  Greta Garbo  •  Charles Boyer  •  Reginald Owen  •  Alan Marshal

A polish countess dispatched by her country to become Napoleon Bonaparte's mistress at the urging of Polish leaders, who feel she might influence him to make Poland independent.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Clarence Brown
CAST:  Greta Garbo  •  Charles Boyer  •  Reginald Owen  •  Alan Marshal

Souls for Sale (1923)

A young woman hits Hollywood, determined to become a star.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rupert Hughes
CAST:  Eleanor Boardman  •  Frank Mayo  •  Richard Dix  •  Mae Busch

A young woman hits Hollywood, determined to become a star.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rupert Hughes
CAST:  Eleanor Boardman  •  Frank Mayo  •  Richard Dix  •  Mae Busch

A Yank at Oxford (1938)

FunnyCharmingEnjoyableLighthearted

A brash young American aristocrat attending Oxford University gets a chance to prove himself and win the heart of his antagonist's sister.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jack Conway
CAST:  Robert Taylor  •  Lionel Barrymore  •  Maureen O'Sullivan  •  Vivien Leigh

A brash young American aristocrat attending Oxford University gets a chance to prove himself and win the heart of his antagonist's sister.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jack Conway
CAST:  Robert Taylor  •  Lionel Barrymore  •  Maureen O'Sullivan  •  Vivien Leigh

Remembrance (1922)

Although he graduated from that time-worn university, the college of hard knocks, the tireless efforts of John P. Grout have paid off. He owns a number of department stores and his wife and children are well provided for. However, his family is completely ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rupert Hughes
CAST:  Claude Gillingwater  •  Kate Lester  •  Patsy Ruth Miller  •  Cullen Landis

Although he graduated from that time-worn university, the college of hard knocks, the tireless efforts of John P. Grout have paid off. He owns a number of department stores and his wife and children are well provided for. However, his family is completely ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Rupert Hughes
CAST:  Claude Gillingwater  •  Kate Lester  •  Patsy Ruth Miller  •  Cullen Landis

Baby Face Harrington (1935)

Thanks to a series of comic mishaps, a timid, small-town office clerk finds himself wanted by the police and labeled by the media as "Public Enemy No. 2." Comedy.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Raoul Walsh
CAST:  Charles Butterworth  •  Una Merkel  •  Eugene Pallette  •  Harvey Stephens

Thanks to a series of comic mishaps, a timid, small-town office clerk finds himself wanted by the police and labeled by the media as "Public Enemy No. 2." Comedy.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Raoul Walsh
CAST:  Charles Butterworth  •  Una Merkel  •  Eugene Pallette  •  Harvey Stephens

Calm Yourself (1935)

A recently-fired advertising executive starts his own company, Confidential Services, to help clients solve their unusual and problematic situations.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George B. Seitz
CAST:  Madge Evans  •  Betty Furness  •  Nat Pendleton  •  Ralph Morgan

A recently-fired advertising executive starts his own company, Confidential Services, to help clients solve their unusual and problematic situations.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George B. Seitz
CAST:  Madge Evans  •  Betty Furness  •  Nat Pendleton  •  Ralph Morgan

Women They Talk About (1928)

Women They Talk About is a part-talkie Vitaphone film, with talking, music and sound effects sequences, starring Irene Rich, directed by Lloyd Bacon and produced and distributed by Warner Bros. It is considered to be a lost film.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Bacon
CAST:  Irene Rich  •  Audrey Ferris  •  Anders Randolf  •  Claude Gillingwater

Women They Talk About is a part-talkie Vitaphone film, with talking, music and sound effects sequences, starring Irene Rich, directed by Lloyd Bacon and produced and distributed by Warner Bros. It is considered to be a lost film.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Bacon
CAST:  Irene Rich  •  Audrey Ferris  •  Anders Randolf  •  Claude Gillingwater

So Long Letty (1929)

Uncle Claude comes to the Ardmore Beach Hotel to see Tommy and his wife. At the hotel, with his two granddaughters Ruth and Sally, Uncle Claude meets a wise talking employee named Letty, which causes him to leave the hotel. When he finds Tommy, he mistakes Grace ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Bacon
CAST:  Charlotte Greenwood  •  Claude Gillingwater  •  Grant Withers  •  Patsy Ruth Miller

Uncle Claude comes to the Ardmore Beach Hotel to see Tommy and his wife. At the hotel, with his two granddaughters Ruth and Sally, Uncle Claude meets a wise talking employee named Letty, which causes him to leave the hotel. When he finds Tommy, he mistakes Grace ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Bacon
CAST:  Charlotte Greenwood  •  Claude Gillingwater  •  Grant Withers  •  Patsy Ruth Miller

Stark Mad (1929)

An expedition sets out through the jungle to find a missing explorer, but stumbles upon an ancient Mayan temple that houses a giant ape.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Bacon
CAST:  H.B. Warner  •  Louise Fazenda  •  Jacqueline Logan  •  Henry B. Walthall

An expedition sets out through the jungle to find a missing explorer, but stumbles upon an ancient Mayan temple that houses a giant ape.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lloyd Bacon
CAST:  H.B. Warner  •  Louise Fazenda  •  Jacqueline Logan  •  Henry B. Walthall

Top of the Town (1937)

In this musical set in swingin' Manhattan, an heiress plans a ballet in the famous Moonbeam ballroom located atop a 100-story skyscraper. Unfortunately, the attending audience is quite bored until someone starts the place swinging. Musical numbers include: "Blame ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ralph Murphy  •  Walter Lang  •  Sam White
CAST:  Doris Nolan  •  George Murphy  •  Ella Logan  •  Hugh Herbert

In this musical set in swingin' Manhattan, an heiress plans a ballet in the famous Moonbeam ballroom located atop a 100-story skyscraper. Unfortunately, the attending audience is quite bored until someone starts the place swinging. Musical numbers include: "Blame ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ralph Murphy  •  Walter Lang  •  Sam White
CAST:  Doris Nolan  •  George Murphy  •  Ella Logan  •  Hugh Herbert

Little Miss Broadway (1938)

An orphan is provisionally adopted by the manager of a hotel populated by show business people. The hotel's owner doesn't like the entertainers and wants the girl returned to the orphanage.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Irving Cummings
CAST:  Shirley Temple  •  George Murphy  •  Jimmy Durante  •  Phyllis Brooks

An orphan is provisionally adopted by the manager of a hotel populated by show business people. The hotel's owner doesn't like the entertainers and wants the girl returned to the orphanage.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Irving Cummings
CAST:  Shirley Temple  •  George Murphy  •  Jimmy Durante  •  Phyllis Brooks

The Christian (1923)

Glory Quayle and John Storm, sweethearts since childhood on the Isle of Man, go to London, Glory to become a nurse and John to enter a monastery. Instead, Glory becomes a theater star, and John renounces his vows because he cannot forget his love for her. Lord ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Maurice Tourneur
CAST:  Richard Dix  •  Mae Busch  •  Phyllis Haver  •  Cyril Chadwick

Glory Quayle and John Storm, sweethearts since childhood on the Isle of Man, go to London, Glory to become a nurse and John to enter a monastery. Instead, Glory becomes a theater star, and John renounces his vows because he cannot forget his love for her. Lord ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Maurice Tourneur
CAST:  Richard Dix  •  Mae Busch  •  Phyllis Haver  •  Cyril Chadwick

Skyway (1933)

A cocky young pilot, at the urging of his girlfriend, takes a nice, "safe" job at the bank where her father is president.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lewis D. Collins
CAST:  Ray Walker  •  Claude Gillingwater  •  Jed Prouty  •  Kathryn Crawford

A cocky young pilot, at the urging of his girlfriend, takes a nice, "safe" job at the bank where her father is president.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Lewis D. Collins
CAST:  Ray Walker  •  Claude Gillingwater  •  Jed Prouty  •  Kathryn Crawford

I Loved a Woman (1933)

The son of a ruthless meatpacking king goes through a number of changes in ideals and motivations as he reluctantly inherits the mantle and falls in love.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alfred E. Green
CAST:  Edward G. Robinson  •  Kay Francis  •  Genevieve Tobin  •  Robert Barrat

The son of a ruthless meatpacking king goes through a number of changes in ideals and motivations as he reluctantly inherits the mantle and falls in love.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Alfred E. Green
CAST:  Edward G. Robinson  •  Kay Francis  •  Genevieve Tobin  •  Robert Barrat

Mexicali Rose (1929)

The owner of a border town gambling saloon falls in love with a promiscuous young girl. When she has an affair with another, he tosses her out of town. She gets revenge by marrying his younger brother.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Erle C. Kenton
CAST:  Barbara Stanwyck  •  Sam Hardy  •  William Janney  •  Louis Natheaux

The owner of a border town gambling saloon falls in love with a promiscuous young girl. When she has an affair with another, he tosses her out of town. She gets revenge by marrying his younger brother.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Erle C. Kenton
CAST:  Barbara Stanwyck  •  Sam Hardy  •  William Janney  •  Louis Natheaux

My Boy (1921)

An orphan escapes immigration officials at Ellis Island and goes to live with an old ship's master who can't find work and can't pay the rent.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Victor Heerman  •  Albert Austin
CAST:  Jackie Coogan  •  Claude Gillingwater  •  Mathilde Brundage  •  Patsy Marks

An orphan escapes immigration officials at Ellis Island and goes to live with an old ship's master who can't find work and can't pay the rent.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Victor Heerman  •  Albert Austin
CAST:  Jackie Coogan  •  Claude Gillingwater  •  Mathilde Brundage  •  Patsy Marks

You Can't Buy Everything (1934)

A scorned woman dreams of revenge on the man who betrayed her.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles Reisner
CAST:  May Robson  •  Jean Parker  •  Lewis Stone  •  William Bakewell

A scorned woman dreams of revenge on the man who betrayed her.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Charles Reisner
CAST:  May Robson  •  Jean Parker  •  Lewis Stone  •  William Bakewell
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