Norman Van Hawley

Actor

Active: 1959

About Norman Van Hawley

Norman Van Hawley was an American actor whose only known film credit was in the 1959 horror film 'The Manster'. His career appears to have been extremely brief, with all documented work occurring in 1959. The Manster was a Japanese-American co-production filmed in Japan, making it one of the earliest international horror collaborations. Van Hawley's participation in this unique production represents his entire known filmography, suggesting he may have been either a local actor in Japan or an expatriate working briefly in the film industry. The limited documentation of his career indicates he did not pursue acting as a long-term profession, or perhaps his work was primarily in theater or other mediums not well-documented in film archives.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in 'The Manster' (1959)

Best Known For

Must-See Films

  • The Manster (1959)

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Norman Van Hawley's contribution to cinema is minimal due to his extremely limited filmography, consisting of only one appearance in 'The Manster'. However, his participation in this early Japanese-American horror co-production places him within the context of international film collaboration during the late 1950s, a period when such cross-cultural productions were still relatively rare. The Manster itself has gained cult status among horror enthusiasts for its unique blend of Japanese and American horror sensibilities, making Van Hawley a small footnote in the history of international horror cinema.

Lasting Legacy

Norman Van Hawley's legacy is essentially that of a bit player in a cult classic horror film. His name appears in film databases and credits, but beyond this single appearance, there is no documented impact on cinema or culture. The Manster has endured as a cult favorite, but Van Hawley himself remains an obscure figure whose contribution to film history is limited to this one production.

Who They Inspired

Given the brevity of his documented career, Norman Van Hawley does not appear to have influenced other actors or filmmakers in any significant way. His single film appearance does not provide enough material to establish an acting style or approach that could have influenced subsequent performers.

Off Screen

Very little information is available about Norman Van Hawley's personal life, as he appears to have had an extremely brief and undocumented film career with only one known credit.

Did You Know?

  • The Manster was filmed in Japan but featured American actors in lead roles
  • The film's title is a portmanteau of 'man' and 'monster'
  • The Manster was one of the earliest films to feature a two-headed monster transformation
  • The film was originally titled 'The Split' in some markets
  • Despite being an American production, most of the crew was Japanese
  • The film has gained cult status and is frequently referenced in discussions of 1950s horror cinema

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Norman Van Hawley?

Norman Van Hawley was an American actor known only for his appearance in the 1959 horror film 'The Manster'. His documented career consists of this single film credit, making him an obscure figure in classic cinema history.

What films is Norman Van Hawley best known for?

Norman Van Hawley is known only for 'The Manster' (1959), a Japanese-American horror co-production that has since gained cult status among horror film enthusiasts.

When was Norman Van Hawley born and when did he die?

Birth and death dates for Norman Van Hawley are not documented in available film archives or biographical sources, reflecting the obscurity of this actor.

What awards did Norman Van Hawley win?

There are no records of Norman Van Hawley receiving any awards or nominations for his work in film, which is consistent with his extremely brief and undocumented career.

What was Norman Van Hawley's acting style?

Due to the limited documentation of his work, Norman Van Hawley's acting style cannot be determined from available sources, as only one film credit exists in his filmography.

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Films

1 film