Raymond Griffith | WatchedThis

Raymond Griffith

Raymond Griffith

Acting

Biography

Raymond Griffith was one of the great silent movie comedians. Later in his career, he worked behind the camera as writer and producer. Griffith was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He lost his voice at an early age, causing him to speak for the rest of his life in a hoarse whisper. Griffith claimed that it was the result of his having to scream at the top of his lungs every night in a stage melodrama as a child actor —others have stated that a childhood disease was more likely the cause. Although a few comedy films of his are considered classics, Griffith is almost totally forgotten today. Many of his starring feature films have long since been lost, but probably the best known of his films today is Hands Up! (1926), a Civil War comedy feature directed by Clarence G. Badger, and co-starring Mack Swain, which was entered into the National Film Registry in 2005. Also considered a classic is Badger's Paths to Paradise, a caper film that is in all circulating prints missing its final reel. Like many silent comedians, he had a traditional costume; his was a top hat, white tie and tails, often augmented by a cape and/or walking stick. The coming of sound ended Griffith's acting career, but he did have one memorable role in a motion picture before retiring from the screen, playing a French soldier killed by Lew Ayres in the 1930 Lewis Milestone film All Quiet on the Western Front. He then segued into a writing/producing career at Twentieth Century Fox. Griffith choked to death at the Masquers Club in Los Angeles, California, aged 62, on November 25, 1957.

Filmography Movies

Acting

Poster for All Quiet on the Western Front
MOVIE

All Quiet on the Western Front

7.7(0.9K)
All Quiet on the Western Front
Gérard Duval (uncredited)
A Dash of CourageMOVIE
MOVIE

A Dash of Courage

A Dash of Courage
Policeman
Poster for Fools First
MOVIE

Fools First

8.0(0.0K)
Fools First
Tony
Poster for Changing Husbands
MOVIE

Changing Husbands

7.0(0.0K)
Changing Husbands
Bob Hamilton
Poster for Poisoned Paradise
MOVIE

Poisoned Paradise

8.0(0.0K)
Poisoned Paradise
Martel
Poster for The Crossroads of New York
MOVIE

The Crossroads of New York

7.0(0.0K)
The Crossroads of New York
Wall Street 'Wolf'
Poster for Hands Up!
MOVIE

Hands Up!

5.6(0.0K)
Hands Up!
Jack
Poster for Paths to Paradise
MOVIE

Paths to Paradise

6.1(0.0K)
Paths to Paradise
The Dude from Duluth
Poster for White Tiger
MOVIE

White Tiger

5.3(0.0K)
White Tiger
Roy Donovan
Poster for Trent's Last Case
MOVIE

Trent's Last Case

8.0(0.0K)
Trent's Last Case
Philip Trent

Production

Poster for The Crossroads of New York
MOVIE

The Crossroads of New York

7.0(0.0K)
The Crossroads of New York
Writer
Poster for Expensive Women
MOVIE

Expensive Women

5.7(0.0K)
Expensive Women
Writer
Poster for Day-time Wife
MOVIE

Day-time Wife

6.0(0.0K)
Day-time Wife
Producer
Poster for Girls About Town
MOVIE

Girls About Town

6.6(0.0K)
Girls About Town
Writer
Poster for Bought!
MOVIE

Bought!

8.0(0.0K)
Bought!
Writer
Poster for Broadway Thru a Keyhole
MOVIE

Broadway Thru a Keyhole

6.3(0.0K)
Broadway Thru a Keyhole
Producer
Poster for Blood Money
MOVIE

Blood Money

7.1(0.0K)
Blood Money
Associate Producer
Poster for God's Gift to Women
MOVIE

God's Gift to Women

4.8(0.0K)
God's Gift to Women
Screenplay
Poster for Poor Little Rich Girl
MOVIE

Poor Little Rich Girl

6.6(0.0K)
Poor Little Rich Girl
Producer
Poster for Wife, Doctor and Nurse
MOVIE

Wife, Doctor and Nurse

7.0(0.0K)
Wife, Doctor and Nurse
Producer

Gallery

Raymond Griffith portrait
Raymond Griffith portrait
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