Dan Hanlon
Actor
About Dan Hanlon
Dan Hanlon was a silent film actor who had a brief but notable career during the early days of American cinema. His most significant work came in 1916 when he appeared in the groundbreaking underwater adventure film '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,' one of the earliest feature-length adaptations of Jules Verne's classic novel. This film was notable for its innovative underwater photography techniques and was one of the most expensive productions of its time. Hanlon's role, while not the lead, placed him among the cast of what would become a historically significant film in cinema history. Like many actors of the silent era, his career appears to have been concentrated in a single year, 1916, suggesting he may have been either a bit player who transitioned out of the industry or someone whose filmography has been incompletely documented. His participation in this ambitious production places him among the pioneers of early American feature filmmaking.
The Craft
On Screen
Typical of silent era actors, Hanlon would have employed exaggerated gestures and facial expressions to convey emotion without dialogue, though specific details about his particular style are not documented
Milestones
- Appeared in the pioneering underwater film '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' (1916)
- Participated in one of the most expensive and technically innovative films of the silent era
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Dan Hanlon's cultural impact is primarily derived from his participation in '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' (1916), a film that represents a significant milestone in early American cinema. The movie was groundbreaking for its underwater sequences and special effects, pushing the boundaries of what was technically possible in filmmaking during the silent era. While Hanlon himself was not a major star, his inclusion in this ambitious production places him among the early pioneers who helped establish the feature film as the dominant form of cinematic entertainment.
Lasting Legacy
Dan Hanlon's legacy is that of a representative figure from the silent era's vast pool of supporting actors who contributed to early cinema's development. His work in '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' ensures he is remembered as part of film history, even if his individual contributions were modest. He represents the thousands of actors whose collective efforts made the silent era possible, many of whom remain largely undocumented in film history.
Who They Inspired
As a brief-career supporting actor from the silent era, Dan Hanlon's direct influence on subsequent generations of filmmakers and actors appears minimal. However, his participation in innovative early films contributed to the foundation upon which later cinema would build, indirectly influencing the evolution of film as an art form.
Off Screen
Very little is documented about Dan Hanlon's personal life, which was common for supporting actors of the silent era who did not achieve major stardom. Like many bit players of the period, his life story remains largely unknown to film historians.
Did You Know?
- Appeared in what was considered one of the most expensive films of 1916
- Participated in the first feature-length adaptation of Jules Verne's famous novel
- The film he appeared in featured groundbreaking underwater photography for its time
- His entire known filmography consists of a single year of work (1916)
- The underwater scenes in his film were shot in the Bahamas, making it an early example of location shooting
- The film used a special underwater camera housing designed by the Williamson Submarine Film Company
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Dan Hanlon?
Dan Hanlon was a silent film actor active in 1916, best known for his appearance in the groundbreaking underwater adventure film '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.' His career appears to have been brief, with documented work limited to that single year.
What films is Dan Hanlon best known for?
Dan Hanlon is primarily known for his role in '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea' (1916), an innovative silent film adaptation of Jules Verne's novel that was notable for its underwater photography techniques.
When was Dan Hanlon born and when did he die?
Unfortunately, specific birth and death dates for Dan Hanlon are not documented in available film history records, which is common for supporting actors from the silent era.
What awards did Dan Hanlon win?
There are no documented awards or nominations for Dan Hanlon, which was typical for supporting actors of the silent era who were not major stars.
What was Dan Hanlon's acting style?
While specific details about Hanlon's acting style are not documented, he would have employed typical silent era techniques including exaggerated gestures and facial expressions to convey emotion without dialogue.
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Films
1 film
