Howard Davies
Actor
About Howard Davies
Howard Davies was an American actor who worked during the silent film era in the late 1910s. His career, though brief, spanned from 1916 to 1919, during which he appeared in at least two notable films. His first known appearance was in 'The Call of the Cumberlands' in 1916, a drama set in the Appalachian mountains. Davies later appeared in 'Auction of Souls' (1919), also known as 'Ravished Armenia,' a significant historical drama about the Armenian genocide that starred Aurora Mardiganian. Like many actors of the silent era who were not major stars, detailed records of Davies' life and career are extremely limited. His filmography appears to have been confined to these few years, after which he seemingly disappeared from the film industry, as was common for many supporting actors of the period who either left the industry or failed to transition to sound films.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in 'The Call of the Cumberlands' (1916)
- Acted in 'Auction of Souls' (1919), a significant historical film about the Armenian genocide
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Howard Davies represents the countless anonymous actors who populated early American cinema but whose contributions have been largely lost to history. His appearance in 'Auction of Souls' (1919) connects him to one of the earliest films to address genocide, making him part of cinema's early attempts at social consciousness and historical documentation. While his individual impact was minimal, he was part of the foundational period of American filmmaking when the industry was establishing its storytelling techniques and social relevance.
Lasting Legacy
Howard Davies' legacy is primarily that of a typical silent era supporting actor whose career was brief and largely undocumented. His participation in historically significant films like 'Auction of Souls' ensures that he remains part of cinema history, even if his personal story remains obscure. He represents the thousands of early film actors whose names have faded but who collectively contributed to the development of American cinema.
Who They Inspired
As a minor actor from the silent era, Howard Davies had no discernible influence on subsequent generations of performers. His career was too brief and his roles too minor to have left a lasting impression on the craft of acting or the development of cinema techniques.
Off Screen
Very little is known about Howard Davies' personal life, which was typical for many supporting actors in the silent era who were not major stars. Like many bit players from this period, biographical details were often not preserved in studio records or contemporary publications.
Did You Know?
- Howard Davies appeared in only two known films during his brief career
- His second film 'Auction of Souls' was also known as 'Ravished Armenia' and was one of the first films to depict the Armenian genocide
- Like many silent era actors, most biographical details about Davies have been lost to history
- The Call of the Cumberlands (1916) was set in the Appalachian mountains and was typical of the regional dramas popular in the teens
- Davies' career ended before the transition to sound films in the late 1920s
- No photographs of Howard Davies are widely available in modern film archives
- His filmography represents the typical brevity of many supporting actors' careers in early Hollywood
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Howard Davies?
Howard Davies was an American actor who worked during the silent film era, appearing in at least two films between 1916 and 1919. He was a supporting actor typical of the period, appearing in 'The Call of the Cumberlands' (1916) and 'Auction of Souls' (1919). Like many actors from this era, most details about his life and career have been lost to history.
What films is Howard Davies best known for?
Howard Davies is known for appearing in only two films: 'The Call of the Cumberlands' (1916), a drama set in Appalachia, and 'Auction of Souls' (1919), also known as 'Ravished Armenia,' which was a significant historical film about the Armenian genocide.
When was Howard Davies born and when did he die?
Unfortunately, Howard Davies' birth and death dates are not known. Like many supporting actors from the silent era, biographical information was not well preserved, and most personal details about his life have been lost to history.
What awards did Howard Davies win?
Howard Davies did not receive any known awards or nominations during his brief career. As a supporting actor in the silent era, he would not have been eligible for the major awards that were established later in film history.
What was Howard Davies' acting style?
There is no documented information about Howard Davies' specific acting style or techniques. As a minor actor from the silent era who appeared in only two films, no contemporary reviews or analyses of his performances have survived to provide insight into his artistic approach.
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Films
2 films
