Kamuela C. Searle
Actor
About Kamuela C. Searle
Kamuela C. Searle was an American actor of Hawaiian descent who had a brief but memorable career during the silent film era. He is best known for his starring role as Jack Clayton, also known as Korak (the son of Tarzan), in the 1920 film adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' 'The Son of Tarzan.' Searle was selected for this role due to his athletic physique and striking appearance, which perfectly matched the description of Tarzan's son in Burroughs' novels. His performance in this serial film was notable for its physical demands, requiring extensive stunt work and action sequences. Despite the critical and commercial success of the film, Searle's acting career appears to have been limited to this single major production, making him one of Hollywood's many one-film wonders of the silent era. His portrayal of Korak remains his only significant contribution to cinema history, though it has been preserved as an important example of early adventure serials.
The Craft
On Screen
Physical and athletic performance style typical of silent era action stars, emphasizing expressive body language and stunt work rather than dialogue
Milestones
- Starred as Jack Clayton/Korak in 'The Son of Tarzan' (1920)
- One of the first actors to portray Tarzan's son on film
- Performed his own stunts in the action serial
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Kamuela C. Searle's contribution to cinema, while brief, represents an important moment in early Hollywood's adaptation of literary adventure stories. His portrayal of Tarzan's son helped establish the visual template for jungle adventure characters in silent cinema. As one of the few actors of Hawaiian descent to appear in major silent films, he represented early diversity in Hollywood, albeit in a role that didn't specifically call for his heritage. The serial format of 'The Son of Tarzan' was popular during this era, and Searle's performance contributed to the genre's development, influencing later adventure serials and feature films.
Lasting Legacy
Kamuela C. Searle's legacy is primarily preserved through his performance in 'The Son of Tarzan,' which survives as an important artifact of silent cinema and early adventure films. While he did not have a long-lasting career, his work represents the type of physical, athletic performances that characterized action stars of the silent era. Film historians and Tarzan enthusiasts continue to study his portrayal of Korak as part of the broader Tarzan film franchise history. His brief career serves as an example of the many actors who contributed to early cinema's development but whose names have largely been forgotten by mainstream audiences.
Who They Inspired
Due to his extremely brief career, Kamuela C. Searle had limited direct influence on other actors or filmmakers. However, his portrayal of Korak helped establish the character archetype for later actors who would play Tarzan's son in subsequent adaptations. His athletic performance style exemplified the physical requirements for action roles in silent cinema, setting standards that would be followed by later adventure film stars. The film itself influenced the jungle adventure genre, though Searle's personal influence on the industry remained minimal due to his short time in the business.
Off Screen
Very little is documented about Kamuela C. Searle's personal life beyond his brief film career. As an actor of Hawaiian heritage during the early 1920s, he was part of a small minority in Hollywood at the time. His real name was Samuel C. Searle, with 'Kamuela' being the Hawaiian equivalent. He appears to have left the film industry shortly after his debut and returned to private life. Historical records suggest he passed away in 1930 at the relatively young age of 34, though the circumstances of his death are not well documented.
Did You Know?
- His stage name 'Kamuela' is the Hawaiian form of 'Samuel'
- He was one of the first actors to portray Tarzan's son on film
- The Son of Tarzan was a 15-chapter serial film, requiring extensive filming
- He performed many of his own stunts in the dangerous jungle sequences
- Despite the film's success, he never appeared in another movie
- The role required him to learn various jungle skills and athletic techniques
- His casting was considered unusual for the time due to his Hawaiian heritage
- The film was shot on location in California, not in actual jungle settings
- He was discovered by talent scouts while working as a physical education instructor
- His character Korak was created by Edgar Rice Burroughs specifically for the novels
In Their Own Words
As a silent film actor, no recorded dialogue quotes exist from Kamuela C. Searle's performances
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Kamuela C. Searle?
Kamuela C. Searle was an American actor of Hawaiian descent who starred as Jack Clayton/Korak, the son of Tarzan, in the 1920 silent film serial 'The Son of Tarzan.' His career in Hollywood was extremely brief, limited primarily to this single production, making him one of the many one-film actors of the silent era.
What films is Kamuela C. Searle best known for?
Kamuela C. Searle is exclusively known for his starring role in 'The Son of Tarzan' (1920), a 15-chapter silent film serial where he portrayed the title character. This appears to be his only significant film credit, as he did not appear in other major productions during or after this period.
When was Kamuela C. Searle born and when did he die?
Kamuela C. Searle was born in 1896 in Hawaii, United States, and died in 1930 at the age of 34. His real name was Samuel C. Searle, with 'Kamuela' being the Hawaiian equivalent that he used as his stage name.
What awards did Kamuela C. Searle win?
There are no recorded awards or nominations for Kamuela C. Searle, which was not uncommon for actors in silent film serials during the early 1920s. The Academy Awards were not established until 1929, after his brief career had already concluded.
What was Kamuela C. Searle's acting style?
Searle's acting style was characteristic of silent era action stars, emphasizing physical performance, athletic movement, and expressive body language rather than dialogue. His role required extensive stunt work and action sequences, showcasing his physical abilities in the jungle adventure setting.
Why did Kamuela C. Searle's career end so quickly?
The exact reasons for Searle's brief career are not well documented, but this was common for many actors in the silent era who appeared in one successful film but did not secure subsequent roles. Some factors may have included the transition to sound films, typecasting, or personal choices to leave the industry.
How was Kamuela C. Searle cast in The Son of Tarzan?
Searle was reportedly discovered by talent scouts while working as a physical education instructor. His athletic physique and striking appearance made him an ideal choice for the role of Tarzan's son, which required significant physical prowess and an adventurous appearance suitable for jungle adventure films.
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Films
1 film
