movie where louis calhern plays as an attorney

by Ashlynn Towne Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago 7 min read

Who was Louis Calhern?

Carl Henry Vogt (February 19, 1895 – May 12, 1956), known professionally as Louis Calhern, was an American stage and screen actor. For portraying Oliver Wendell Holmes in the film The Magnificent Yankee (1950), he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor .

How did Calhern die?

Death. Calhern died at age 61 of a sudden heart attack in Nara, Japan, while there to film The Teahouse of the August Moon. He was replaced in the film by Paul Ford, who had played Calhern's role in the original Broadway production. Calhern was cremated and is interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery .

Where was Calhern born?

Calhern was born Carl Henry Vogt in Brooklyn, New York in 1895, the son of Eugene Adolf Vogt and Hubertina Friese Vogt, both of whom immigrated to New York from Germany. He had one known sibling, a sister. His father was a tobacco dealer. His family left New York while he was in elementary school and moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was raised. While playing high school football, a stage manager from a touring theatrical stock company noticed the tall, handsome youth, and hired him as a bit player. Another source states " Grace George hired his entire high school football team as supers for a Shakespearean play." Due to the anti-German sentiment during World War I, he thought it wise to change his Teutonic given name. His stage name is an amalgam of his hometown of St. Louis and his first and middle names, Carl and Henry (Calhern).

Who directed the Blot?

Calhern and Claire Windsor in The Blot (1921) directed by Lois Weber. Calhern began working in silent films for director Lois Weber in the early 1920s; the most notable being The Blot (1921).

How many times was Ilka Chase married?

Calhern was married four times: Ilka Chase (1900–1978) from 1926 to 1927, Julia Hoyt (1897–1955) from 1927 to 1932, Natalie Schafer (1900–1991) from 1933 to 1942, and Marianne Stewart (1922–1992) from 1946 to 1955. All four marriages ended in divorce.

Overview

Film

Calhern began working in silent films for director Lois Weber in the early 1920s; the most notable being The Blot (1921). A newspaper article commented: "The new arrival in stardom is Louis Calhern, who, until Miss Weber engaged him to enact the leading male role in What's Worth While?, had been playing leads in the Morosco Stock company of Los Angeles."

Early life

Calhern was born Carl Henry Vogt in Brooklyn, New York, in 1895, the son of Eugene Adolf Vogt and Hubertina Friese Vogt, both of whom immigrated to New York from Germany. He had one known sibling, a sister. His father was a tobacco dealer. His family left New York while he was in elementary school and moved to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was raised. While playing high school football, a stage manager from a touring theatrical stock company noticed the tall, hands…

Stage

Just before World War I, Calhern decided to return to New York to pursue an acting career. He began as a prop boy and bit player with various touring and burlesque companies. He became a matinee idol by virtue of a play titled Cobra.
Calhern's Broadway credits include:
• Roger Bloomer (1923)

Military service

Calhern's burgeoning career was interrupted by World War I; he served in France in the 143rd Field Artillery of the United States Army.

Personal life

Calhern was married four times: Ilka Chase from 1926 to 1927, Julia Hoyt from 1927 to 1932, Natalie Schafer from 1933 to 1942, and Marianne Stewart from 1946 to 1955. All four marriages ended in divorce.
Calhern battled alcoholism for much of his adult life; as a result, he lost several important screen and stage roles. According to former wife Schafer, Calhern's inability to overcome his addiction …

Death

Calhern died at age 61 of a sudden heart attack in Nara, Japan, while there to film The Teahouse of the August Moon. He was replaced in the film by Paul Ford, who had played Calhern's role in the original Broadway production. Calhern was cremated and is interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Selected filmography

• What's Worth While? (1921) as "Squire" Elton
• Too Wise Wives (1921) as Mr. David Graham
• The Blot (1921) as The Professor's Pupil as Phil West
• Woman, Wake Up (1922) as Monte Collins