Ralph Graves

Ralph Graves (born Ralph Horsburgh; January 23, 1900 – February 18, 1977) was an American screenwriter, film director and actor who appeared in more than 90 films between 1918 and 1949.

Biography

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Graves had already been cast in 46 films, half of them produced by Mack Sennett, before he wrote, directed, and starred in Swell Hogan in 1926. That film was produced by Howard Hughes, whose father had once supported the young actor in the early stages of his career by placing him on the payroll of the Hughes Tool Company between screen assignments, even though Graves never actually worked there.

Graves and the younger Hughes met on the Wilshire Country Club golf course, and over lunch the actor pitched a film about a Bowery bum who adopts a baby. The plot intrigued Hughes, who had a strong interest in Hollywood, and he invested $40,000 in the project. During filming he sat on the sidelines in order to familiarize himself with the technical aspects of production. The budget eventually doubled, and after seeing the completed film numerous times, Hughes hired Dorothy Arzner to help him re-edit it, but there was little they could do to salvage it.

When asked his opinion of it, Hughes' uncle, novelist and film director Rupert Hughes, said, "It's nothing. No plot. No build up. No character development. The acting stinks. Destroy the film. If anybody sees it, you and that homo Graves will be the laughing stock of Hollywood." Hughes took his uncle's advice and ordered the screening room projectionist to burn the sole copy. Graves later claimed he and Hughes had engaged in a sexual relationship while collaborating on Swell Hogan.

Despite this temporary setback, Graves directed four more films in 1927 and contributed the story or wrote the screenplay for 12 additional films, but most of his career was spent acting. While working for Sennett, Graves met director Frank Capra, who later cast him in several films, which include the 1929 release Flight, based on a story by Graves, as well as a series of adventure films with fellow actor Jack Holt.

Graves became engaged to actress Ann May after meeting her at the studio of D.W. Griffith.

Graves retired from films in 1949. He died in Santa Barbara, California, aged 77.

Selected filmography YearFilmRoleDirectorNotes 1918 Men Who Have Made Love to Me The Callow Youth Arthur Berthelet 1918 Tinsel Bobby Woodward Oscar Apfel 1918 The Sporting Life John, Earl of Woodstock Maurice Tourneur 1918 The Yellow Dog Tom Blakely Colin Campbell 1919 The Scarlet Shadow Van Presby Robert Z. Leonard 1919 What Am I Bid? Ralph McGibbon 1919 The White Heather Alec McClintock Maurice Tourneur 1919 The Home Town Girl John Stanley Robert G. Vignola 1919 I'll Get Him Yet Harold Packard Elmer CliftonLeigh R. Smith (assistant) 1919 Nobody Home Malcolm Dale Elmer Clifton 1919 Her Kingdom of Dreams Billy Dayne Marshall Neilan 1919 Scarlet Days John Randolph aka Sir Whiteheart D. W. Griffith 1919 The Greatest Question John Hilton Jr. D. W. Griffith 1920 Mary Ellen Comes to Town Bob Fairacres Elmer Clifton 1920 Little Miss Rebellion Sgt. Richard Ellis George Fawcett 1920 Polly With a Past Rex Van Zile Leander de Cordova 1921 Dream Street James 'Spike' McFadden D. W. Griffith 1922 Kindred of the Dust Donald McKaye Raoul Walsh 1922 Come on Over Shane O'Mealia Alfred E. Green 1922 The Long Chance Bob McGraw Jack Conway 1922 The Jilt Sandy Sanderson Irving Cummings 1923 Mind Over Motor Jasper McCutcheon Ward Lascelle 1923 The Ghost Patrol Terry Rafferty 1923 Just Like a Woman James Landon Hugh McClung 1923 Prodigal Daughters Roger Corbin Sam Wood 1923 The Extra Girl Dave Giddings F. Richard Jones 1924 Off His Trolley The Boy 1924 Daughters of Today Ralph Adams Rollin S. Sturgeon 1924 Yolanda Maximillian of Styria Robert G. Vignola 1926 Womanpower Johnny White Bromley Harry Beaumont 1926 Blarney James Carabine Marcel De Sano 1926 The Country Beyond Roger McKay Irving Cummings 1926 Swell Hogan 1927 The Kid Sister Ralph Graves 1927 Rich Men's Sons Arnold Treadway Ralph Graves 1927 Alias the Deacon Jim Adams Edward Sloman 1927 The Swell-Head Lefty Malone Ralph Graves 1927 A Reno Divorce David Ralph Graves 1928 That Certain Thing Andy B. Charles Jr. Frank Capra 1928 The Cheer Leader Jimmy Grant Alan James 1928 Bachelor's Paradise Joe Wallace George Archainbaud 1928 Submarine Bob Mason Frank Capra 1928 Bitter Sweets Ralph Horton Charles Hutchison 1928 The Sideshow Gentleman Ted Rogers Erle C. Kenton 1929 The Flying Fleet Steve Randall George W. Hill 1929 The Fatal Warning Russell Thorne Richard Thorpe 1929 The Eternal Woman Hartley Forbes John P. McCarthy 1929 Glad Rag Doll John Fairchild Michael Curtiz 1929 The College Coquette George Archainbaud 1929 Flight 'Lefty' Phelps Frank Capra 1929 Song of Love Tom Gibson Erle C. Kenton 1930 Ladies of Leisure Jerry Strong Frank Capra 1930 Vengeance Archie Mayo 1930 Sisters James Flood 1930 Hell's Island Griff Edward Sloman 1931 Dirigible 'Frisky' Pierce Frank Capra 1931 Hell Divers George W. Hill (uncredited) 1931 Salvation Nell Jim Platt James Cruze 1931 A Dangerous Affair Wally Cook Edward Sedgwick 1931 West of Broadway Harry Beaumont 1932 When a Feller Needs a Friend Mr. Tom Randall Harry A. Pollard 1932 Huddle Coach Malcolm Gale Sam Wood 1932 Scandal for Sale Russell Mack 1932 War Correspondent Franklyn Bennett Paul Sloane 1934 Ticket to a Crime Clay Holt Lewis D. Collins 1934 Born to Be Bad Lowell Sherman 1935 Speed Limited Jerry Paley Albert Herman 1936 The Black Coin Walter Prescott 1937 Outlaws of the Orient Ernest B. Schoedsack 1939 The Flying Irishman First Man Grounding Doug in New York (uncredited) Leigh Jason 1939 Street of Missing Men Mike Reardon Sidney Salkow 1939 Three Texas Steers George Ward George Sherman 1939 Eternally Yours Mr. Morrisey Charles Kerr (assistant) 1944 Double Exposure William Berke 1947 The Spirit of West Point Burt (uncredited) Ralph Murphy 1949 Amazon Quest Anna's Attorney Steve Sekely 1949 Batman and Robin Winslow Harrison [Chs. 7–8] Spencer Gordon Bennet 1949 Alimony George W. Griswold / Curtis P. Carter Alfred Zeisler 1949 Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch Dr. Colman