John F. Hines (July 25, 1895 – October 24, 1970) was an American actor who had numerous film roles during the silent era, including many starring ones. He appeared in more than 50 films and numerous film shorts. But he did not succeed in transitioning well into talking pictures in the late 1920s, and had only six roles in the 1930s. He last appeared in a bit part in Magnificent Doll (1946).
Hines had two older brothers who also became involved in the new film industry: Charles as a director during the silent era, and Samuel as a bit-part actor during the early sound years.
Life and career
Born in Golden, Colorado on June 25, 1895, John (known as Johnny) was the third of three Hines brothers: Samuel E. was the oldest and Charles was the second. All three brothers were later active in the film industry, Hines as an actor, Charles as a director primarily during the silent era, and Samuel as a bit-part actor during the early years of sound film.[citation needed]
In the early 1910s, Hines attended the City College of New York (CCNY), although it is unclear whether he obtained his degree.[1] During the early years, many films were produced in New York and New Jersey, before Hollywood, California became a center of filmmaking.
Hines made his film debut in 1914, when he appeared in several shorts and three films; all were silent films. He was first seen in a featured role in The Man of the Hour, starring Robert Warwick.[2] During the remaining more than 10 years of silent pictures, Hines appeared in almost 50 films, many times in starring roles.[3][4]
During the silent era, Hines co-directed two of the films in which he starred: Burn 'Em Up Barnes (1921) and Little Johnny Jones (1923).[3] Hines wrote the screenplay Conductor 1492 (1924), in which he also starred, and his brother, Charles, directed.[8]
With the advent of sound in the motion picture industry, Hines's career went into decline. The "talkies" called for different skills and not all actors could make the transition. During the 1930s, Hines appeared in only six films, all in smaller, supporting roles. In 1938 he played his last significant film role, that of Parsons in Too Hot to Handle. It starred Clark Gable, Myrna Loy and Walter Pidgeon.[9] He appeared in only one more film, Magnificent Doll (1946), in which he had a bit part while Ginger Rogers and David Niven starred.[10]
Hines died on October 24, 1970, at the age of 75 in Los Angeles, California. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery.[11]
^Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.
External links
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