Hyman Meyer

Actor

Active: 1929

About Hyman Meyer

Hyman Meyer was a character actor who appeared during the transitional period from silent films to talkies in Hollywood. His career was notably brief, with his only documented film appearance being in the 1929 Paramount production 'The Saturday Night Kid.' This film, starring Clara Bow in one of her early sound roles, featured Meyer in a supporting capacity during a pivotal era when many actors struggled to adapt to the new sound technology. Meyer's career spanned only the year 1929, making him part of a generation of performers who either couldn't or chose not to continue in the rapidly changing film industry. Like many supporting actors of his era, he likely had background in stage performance or vaudeville before attempting to break into films. The transition to sound was particularly challenging for character actors who had established themselves in silent cinema, and many careers were cut short during this period.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in 'The Saturday Night Kid' (1929) during the early sound era

Best Known For

Iconic Roles

  • Supporting role in 'The Saturday Night Kid' (1929)

Must-See Films

  • The Saturday Night Kid (1929)

Working Relationships

Studios

  • Paramount Pictures

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Hyman Meyer represents the countless character actors and bit players who populated early Hollywood films during the challenging transition from silent to sound cinema. While his individual impact was minimal due to his brief career, actors like him were essential to the studio system, providing the supporting framework that allowed stars like Clara Bow to shine. His appearance in 'The Saturday Night Kid' places him within the historical context of early sound cinema, a period that saw massive changes in the film industry and the careers of many performers.

Lasting Legacy

As an actor with only one documented film credit, Hyman Meyer's legacy is primarily as a representative example of the many performers who briefly appeared in early sound films before either leaving the industry or continuing in obscurity. His inclusion in film credits serves as a reminder of the vast number of actors who contributed to early cinema but whose stories have been largely lost to history. Film historians and preservationists continue to work to document these forgotten performers who helped build the foundation of Hollywood.

Who They Inspired

Given his extremely brief film career, there is no documented evidence of Hyman Meyer influencing other actors or directors. His influence is limited to his contribution to the ensemble of 'The Saturday Night Kid,' where he would have been part of the supporting cast that helped establish the new conventions of sound acting during this transitional period in cinema history.

Off Screen

Very little is documented about Hyman Meyer's personal life, which is typical for supporting actors from the early sound era who had brief film careers. Like many character actors of his time, he may have come from a theatrical background or been drawn to Hollywood during the film industry's rapid expansion in the late 1920s.

Did You Know?

  • Hyman Meyer's entire known film career consists of a single film from 1929
  • He appeared in 'The Saturday Night Kid' during Clara Bow's transition to sound films
  • His career coincided with one of the most turbulent periods in Hollywood history - the sound revolution
  • Like many supporting actors of his era, he was likely contracted to Paramount Pictures for this single production
  • His character role in the film is not well-documented in surviving film records
  • He represents the hundreds of actors whose film careers lasted only months during the early sound era
  • No photographs or additional biographical information about Meyer have survived in major film archives

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Hyman Meyer?

Hyman Meyer was an American actor who appeared in only one known film, 'The Saturday Night Kid' (1929), during the early sound era of Hollywood. His career was extremely brief, lasting only the year 1929, making him one of the many character actors who briefly worked during the challenging transition from silent to sound cinema.

What films is Hyman Meyer best known for?

Hyman Meyer is known for only one film: 'The Saturday Night Kid' (1929), a Paramount production starring Clara Bow. This early sound film represents his entire documented filmography, making him an example of the many performers who had minimal careers during Hollywood's transitional period.

When was Hyman Meyer born and when did he die?

Unfortunately, specific birth and death dates for Hyman Meyer are not documented in available film records. This is common for supporting actors from the early sound era who had brief careers and limited public documentation of their personal lives.

What awards did Hyman Meyer win?

There are no documented awards or nominations for Hyman Meyer. As a supporting actor with only one film credit during 1929, he would not have been eligible for the major awards that were just beginning to be established in the film industry during that period.

What was Hyman Meyer's acting style?

Specific details about Hyman Meyer's acting style are not documented, as no reviews or critiques of his performance in 'The Saturday Night Kid' have survived. As an actor during the early sound era, he would have been part of the generation transitioning from the exaggerated acting style of silent films to the more naturalistic approach required for sound cinema.

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Films

1 film