Harry Burns
Actor
About Harry Burns
Harry Burns was an American actor who worked briefly during the silent film era, with his only known credited appearance being in the 1918 comedy short 'Look Pleasant, Please.' Like many actors of this period, Burns likely entered the film industry during the boom years of World War I when studios were rapidly producing content. His career appears to have been extremely brief, spanning only the year 1918, which was not uncommon for supporting actors and bit players in early cinema. The film he appeared in was a typical two-reel comedy of the period, reflecting the popular demand for short, humorous entertainment. Burns' limited filmography suggests he may have been either a bit player, an extra who received a rare credit, or someone who briefly tried acting before pursuing other career paths. The lack of additional credits or information about his career indicates he was not among the actors who successfully transitioned from shorts to features or from silent films to talkies.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in 'Look Pleasant, Please' (1918)
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Harry Burns' cultural impact is minimal due to his extremely brief and limited film career. As a minor actor in a single 1918 short film, he represents the thousands of anonymous performers who populated early cinema but left little lasting trace on film history. His existence serves primarily as a reminder of the vast, undocumented workforce that powered Hollywood's early years.
Lasting Legacy
Harry Burns' legacy is essentially non-existent in terms of lasting influence on cinema. He represents the transient nature of early Hollywood careers, where countless actors appeared in films briefly before disappearing from the industry. His single film credit survives as a historical artifact of the silent era's massive but often forgotten cast of performers.
Who They Inspired
Given his limited filmography, Harry Burns had no discernible influence on other actors or the film industry. He was likely a journeyman performer or bit player whose contribution to cinema, while part of the collaborative art form, was too minor to create any lasting impact on subsequent generations of performers.
Off Screen
Very little is known about Harry Burns' personal life, which is typical for minor actors from the silent era who did not achieve significant fame. Like many bit players of the period, his life story remains largely undocumented in film history records.
Did You Know?
- Harry Burns appeared in only one known film during his entire career
- 'Look Pleasant, Please' (1918) was a comedy short, typical of the era's popular format
- His career spanned exactly one year according to available records
- Like many silent era actors, his personal details remain largely undocumented
- He represents the thousands of anonymous performers who populated early Hollywood
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Harry Burns?
Harry Burns was an American actor who had a very brief career in silent films, appearing in only one known movie, the 1918 comedy short 'Look Pleasant, Please.' His career lasted just one year, making him one of the many anonymous performers from early cinema.
What films is Harry Burns best known for?
Harry Burns is known for only one film appearance in 'Look Pleasant, Please' (1918), a comedy short from the silent era. This appears to be his sole credited acting role.
When was Harry Burns born and when did he die?
Unfortunately, Harry Burns' birth and death dates are not documented in available film records, which is common for minor actors from the silent era who did not achieve significant fame.
What awards did Harry Burns win?
Harry Burns did not receive any known awards or nominations during his brief acting career, which consisted of only one film appearance in 1918.
What was Harry Burns' acting style?
Due to the lack of surviving information about his performances beyond one film credit, Harry Burns' specific acting style cannot be determined. He likely performed in the exaggerated manner typical of silent era comedy shorts.
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Films
1 film
