VETERAN OF THE SCREEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 144, 19 June 1936, Page 7

VETERAN OF THE SCREEN

DEATH OF HENRY B. WALTHALL. FAMOUS CHARACTER ACTOR. HOLLYWOOD, June .17. Henry B. W althall, screen actor died to-day iu a sanatorium. The late Henry B. Walthall was one of the best-known veterans of the screen, having appeared iu hundreds, perhaps thousands, of films. He appeared in pictures since the earliest days and acted with more stars, past and present, than any other character aetc-r ou the screen. Mr. Walthall first became known in “The Birth of a Nation,” in which he appeared as the Little Colonel. One of the finest actors on the screen, he specialised iu sympathetic parts, usually of a persecuted character, who suffered at the hands of the oppressor. One of his most vivid performances recently was as the “Little Man” in “Vivi Villa,” while only a few weeks ago he appeared as Elizabeth Allen’s father in “A Talc of Two Cities.” Henry Walthall will be mourned by Hollywood aud the moving-pic-ture world more than any star G-f importance. Although his career has not been sensational of meteoric like that of the much publicised star, he has bceu associated with the screen fur so many years, has seen so many stars rise and fall, and yet continued steadily on his way contributing perfect characterisations, which have saved many a film from mediocrity. Many famous players of the screen owe much to tho art of lhe late Mr. Walthall. Beginning his film career as early as 1906, Henry Walthall’s record stands atone in the cinema world. He was 58 years of age.