Oscar Apfel

Acting

Oscar Apfel

Born 1878-01-16 · Cleveland, Ohio, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Oscar C. Apfel (January 17, 1878 – March 21, 1938) was an American film actor, director, screenwriter and producer. He appeared in 167 films between 1913 and 1939, and also directed 94 films between 1911 and 1927. Apfel was born in Cleveland, Ohio. After a number of years in commerce, he decided to adopt the stage as a profession. He secured his first professional engagement in 1900, in his hometown. He rose rapidly and soon held a position as director and producer and was at the time noted as being the youngest stage director in America.[1] He spent eleven years on the stage on Broadway then joined the Edison Manufacturing Company. Apfel first directed for Thomas A. Edison, Inc. in 1911–12, where he made the innovative short film The Passer-By (1912). He also did some experimental work at Edison's laboratory in Orange, on the Edison Talking Pictures devices. After many years as a director, he gradually returned to acting. On March 21, 1938, Apfel died in Hollywood from a heart attack.

Acting credits

The Finger Points poster
6.4

Lee is a fresh young kid from the South when he gets a job with The Press. His first assignment on gangsters gets his name in the paper, the police on a raid and Lee in the hospital.

The Finger Points

1931

When a Feller Needs a Friend poster
5.5

A lame boy's uncle tries to rescue him from his over-protective parents.

When a Feller Needs a Friend

1932

Marianne poster
6.5

At the conclusion of World War I, a French girl is romanced by an American doughboy even though she is promised to a French soldier who was sent to the front.

Marianne

1929

Crack-Up poster
5.9

Betrayal and espionage abound as an experimental aircraft is readied for its maiden voyage.

Crack-Up

1936

The Bridge of Sighs poster
8.0

Assistant District Attorney Jeffery Powell has just sent an innocent man to prison for the murder of a gambler. Powell is in love with, Marion Courtney, but he's unaware that Marion is the sister of the innocent man he sent to prison. Marion gets herself committed to a women's prison to get proof from inmate, Evelyn 'Duchess' Thane, that her brother is innocent. Powell learns of Marion's plight and believes she's in love with the man he sent to prison.

The Bridge of Sighs

1936

Abraham Lincoln poster
5.5

A biopic dramatizing Abraham Lincoln's life through a series of vignettes depicting its defining chapters: his romance with Ann Rutledge; his early years as a country lawyer; his marriage to Mary Todd; his debates with Stephen A. Douglas; the election of 1860; his presidency during the Civil War; and his assassination in Ford’s Theater in 1865.

Abraham Lincoln

1930

Shopworn poster
6.7

A waitress falls for a wealthy young man but has to fight his mother to find happiness.

Shopworn

1932

Before Dawn poster
5.7

After the death of a gangster, those familiar with his million dollar stash start mysteriously dying. Police detectives with the help of a clairvoyant try to determine who, living or dead, is responsible.

Before Dawn

1933

State's Attorney poster
6.9

Corrupt alcoholic attorney Tom Cardigan is one of the best lawyers around, commanding the courtroom like a stage and often winning his cases. Mobster Valentine Powers, who employs Cardigan and put him through school, asks him to represent a woman, June Perry, accused of prostitution. Cardigan agrees. But he never expected to fall for her, which is problematic since he's angling to become governor and will need the right kind of wife.

State's Attorney

1932

True Heaven poster
7.0

Phillip Gresson is in the employ of the British secret service, while heroine Judith is a spy for the Enemy. Hoping to gain possession of the usual Secret Plans, Judith pretends to be in love with Phillip. Only after nursing the seriously wounded Phillip back to health does Judith come to the realization that she genuinely loves him.

True Heaven

1929

The Bowery poster
5.4

"In the Gay Nineties New York had grown up into bustles and balloon Sleeves ... but The Bowery had grown younger, louder and more rowdy until it was known as the 'Livest Mile on the face of the globe' ... the cradle of men who were later to be famous.

The Bowery

1933

Pick-up poster
5.1

The scheme of a pair of married con artists goes awry when their victim dies, and they are both caught and imprisoned. When she gets out of prison, she tries to put her life back together.

Pick-up

1933

Emergency Call poster
6.3

A surgeon and an ambulance driver fight racketeers who take over their hospital.

Emergency Call

1933

The Bargain poster
9.0

A father changes jobs with his son, and each learns he has made a mistake.

The Bargain

1931

Manhattan Melodrama poster
7.0

The friendship between two orphans endures even though they grow up on opposite sides of the law and fall in love with the same woman.

Manhattan Melodrama

1934

The House of Rothschild poster
6.2

The story of the rise of the Rothschild financial empire founded by Mayer Rothschild and continued by his five sons. From humble beginnings the business grows and helps to finance the war against Napoleon, but it's not always easy, especially because of the prejudices against Jews.

The House of Rothschild

1934

Five Star Final poster
6.6

Searching for headlines at any cost, an unscrupulous newspaper owner forces his editor to print a serial based on a past murder, tormenting a woman involved.

Five Star Final

1931

Big Business Girl poster
6.8

A young woman goes to New York and finds success in advertising thanks to her legs while her boyfriend spends the summer in Europe with his band.

Big Business Girl

1931

And Sudden Death poster
8.0

An heiress with a penchant for speeding runs afoul of a traffic cop. Romance develops between the two, but it's soon complicated when he believes she is responsible for killing someone due to reckless driving.

And Sudden Death

1936

Call Her Savage poster
5.8

A high-spirited and short-tempered Texan woman storms her way through life until her luck runs out, forcing her to learn the error of her ways.

Call Her Savage

1932

A Successful Calamity poster
5.6

Henry Wilton is an elderly millionaire saddled with his selfish young second wife Emmy 'Sweetie' Wilton and a pair of spoiled grown children, Peggy and Eddie. To test his family's mettle, Henry pretends to have gone broke. Just as he suspected they would, his children rally to their father's side and change their ways: Peggy forsakes the fortune hunter George Struthers for the nice young man she's really in love with, the polo coach Larry Rivers, while Eddie applies for a demanding job and performs admirably. Only Sweetie seems to desert Henry.

A Successful Calamity

1932

Bulldog Edition poster
4.3

Two rival newspapers are engaged in a circulation battle, complicated by the fact that a vicious gangster inserts himself into the middle of it. Also complicating matters is that one newspaper's editor and circulation director are competing for the affections of a pretty blonde reporter.

Bulldog Edition

1936

Blondie of the Follies poster
6.3

New York City tenement dwelling neighbors Blondie and Lottie are longtime best friends. When Lottie makes the cast of the Follies and moves up in the world, she arranges for Blondie, as well, to join the cast and gain the advantages. But the friendship goes awry when Lottie's sweetheart, wealthy Larry Belmont, falls for Blondie and she for him.

Blondie of the Follies

1932

Sutter's Gold poster
7.0

Story of the gold strike on an immigrant's property that started the 1849 California Gold Rush.

Sutter's Gold

1936

Behind the camera

Brewster's Millions poster
6.0

The first movie adaptation of the famous novel where a young man has to spend a fortune on 60 days to inherit an even larger sum of money. Considered to be a lost film.

Brewster's Millions

1914

The Grouch poster
9.0

No synopsis available yet.

The Grouch

1918

The Thoroughbred poster
10.0

Bob Beemis comes to New York City hoping to get his family entrenched in the high-society circuit, but only succeeds in making friends with one person in the social whirl, Archie de Rennsaler. They party with a couple of chorus girls and Bob falls in love with one of them. His uncle arrives from the West to check out his progress, finds there has been none, and closes out his bank account. What's a poor rich-boy do do? Well, he could enter his horse in a really, really Big Race.

The Thoroughbred

1925

No artwork available
7.0

Steel millionaire John Blake buys the auctioned estate of the formerly wealthy Fairchilds to avenge his father, once the Fairchild's gardener, who died after being dismissed because John thrashed Andrew Whipple, a guest who tormented him. When John learns that Fairchild secretly paid for his education, he tries to repay him, but the proud Fairchild refuses. John marries Fairchild's daughter Eleanor, with whom he is infatuated, so that Fairchild can benefit, although Eleanor marries only for the half-million dollars involved. After Whipple returns and pursues Eleanor, John offers her a divorce if she will sign the money over to her father. When Whipple makes her suspect that John loves a young widow, Eleanor writes a note of farewell and leaves, but she is stopped by Whipple, who wanting to elope, embraces her. When John sees this and fights Whipple, Eleanor shields John from a bullet and is wounded. She recovers, and, learning that John loves her, declares her love.

The Steel King

1919

No artwork available
7.0

Steel millionaire John Blake buys the auctioned estate of the formerly wealthy Fairchilds to avenge his father, once the Fairchild's gardener, who died after being dismissed because John thrashed Andrew Whipple, a guest who tormented him. When John learns that Fairchild secretly paid for his education, he tries to repay him, but the proud Fairchild refuses. John marries Fairchild's daughter Eleanor, with whom he is infatuated, so that Fairchild can benefit, although Eleanor marries only for the half-million dollars involved. After Whipple returns and pursues Eleanor, John offers her a divorce if she will sign the money over to her father. When Whipple makes her suspect that John loves a young widow, Eleanor writes a note of farewell and leaves, but she is stopped by Whipple, who wanting to elope, embraces her. When John sees this and fights Whipple, Eleanor shields John from a bullet and is wounded. She recovers, and, learning that John loves her, declares her love.

The Steel King

1919

The Price of Her Soul poster
NR

Gun Connor decides to fight the drug evil, after learning that his brother is a victim. He redoubles his efforts when he learns that the father of the girl he loves is the manufacturer and chief distributor of the drug. In his effort and with revenge as a motive he becomes responsible for Ailene Graham, daughter of the head of the drug gang, succumbing to the influence of the deadly narcotic. He works every angle to torture her father into realizing the dangers he has been dealing out to others, through daily letters in which the girl's growing helplessness is pointed out. Finally, when she becomes a helpless victim of the drug, Connor takes her to her father, who, upon seeing that his dealings in the drug have reached his own fireside, refrains from the further dealings, and months later, joins his daughter in the mountains, where Connor has taken her and his own brother. Completely cured, Connor's love is rewarded. A cure is effected and contentment reigns.

The Price of Her Soul

1917

Somebody's Mother poster
8.0

"Matches Mary" has sold matches on the streets of New York for many years and nobody knows her real identity. The truth is that Mary's young son had been kidnapped many years ago and she donned ragged attire while searching for the man, whom she knew, who did it. Years later day she meets him on the street and demands to know about her son, now grown to manhood. The man, now calling himself Foster, escapes but Mary track him to his home. Foster's nephew comes in and announces that he has gotten married while in college. Foster is furious and threatens violence. That night he is found murdered and Peter is accused of the crime, and is put on trial. Mary testifies she was the one who murdered Foster. She is about to be sentenced when a detective brings in a confession from two burglars who admit killing Foster. Peter asks Mary who she is and she replies she is just "somebody's mother." Later, an old friend and a lawyer bring evidence that reunites Mary with her lost son, Peter.

Somebody's Mother

1926

Somebody's Mother poster
8.0

"Matches Mary" has sold matches on the streets of New York for many years and nobody knows her real identity. The truth is that Mary's young son had been kidnapped many years ago and she donned ragged attire while searching for the man, whom she knew, who did it. Years later day she meets him on the street and demands to know about her son, now grown to manhood. The man, now calling himself Foster, escapes but Mary track him to his home. Foster's nephew comes in and announces that he has gotten married while in college. Foster is furious and threatens violence. That night he is found murdered and Peter is accused of the crime, and is put on trial. Mary testifies she was the one who murdered Foster. She is about to be sentenced when a detective brings in a confession from two burglars who admit killing Foster. Peter asks Mary who she is and she replies she is just "somebody's mother." Later, an old friend and a lawyer bring evidence that reunites Mary with her lost son, Peter.

Somebody's Mother

1926

No artwork available
8.0

Firemen Tom and Joe each loves the other's sister, although neither is able to support a wife. Tom's troubles are compounded by a rival for his sweetheart's hand. In a drawn out fight he bests the rival, who steals the revenue from the firemen's ball (of which Tom is treasurer) and hides the money in the storage warehouse in which Tom's sister works as a stenographer. While Tom, Joe, and their sweethearts search for the money, the villain also returns for his loot, and, in his haste, he sets the building afire--trapping the foursome behind a steel door. Their calls for help reach the street, an alarm is turned in, firemen come to the rescue, and the money is found in a blazing desk.

The Last Alarm

1926

No artwork available
NR

Aida, daughter of the King of Ethiopia, having fallen a prisoner into the hands of the Egyptians, is given as a slave by their king to his daughter Amneris who, captivated by the grace and beauty of the unknown maid, takes her into favor. Radames, a young captain of the king's guards, loved by Amneris, suspecting a rival in her slave, swears to be avenged. Meanwhile war is again declared between Egypt and Ethiopia and Radames, appointed leader of the army by the High Priest of Isis, is invested with the sacred arms and departs to fight the Ethiopians who, headed by their king, have invaded Egypt. Radames defeats them and returns victorious, followed by the prisoners, among whom is the king himself, disguised as an officer.

Aida

1911

Auction of Souls poster
4.9

A Hollywood biographical film about a survivor's experience of the Armenian Genocide. Arshaluys (Aurora) Mardiganian plays herself in the film which is based on her published memoirs. It is thought to be the first film about made about genocide. All known complete copies of the film have been lost. A restored and edited 24-minute segment of the historic motion picture was released in 2009 by the Armenian Genocide Resource Center of Northern California. It is based on a rare surviving reel of film edited in Soviet Armenia.

Auction of Souls

1919

Phil-for-Short poster
7.0

A feisty, independent young woman, Damophilia Illington ("Phil" for short, hence the title), the daughter of a progressive university professor, is devastated by the sudden death of her father. The town's banker, an arrogant stuffed shirt, wants to marry Phil and has himself declared her guardian. Not wanting to marry him, she quickly leaves town and lands a job at a nearby university as an assistant to a professor of Greek literature (an area in which her father trained her) who is bitter and resentful after the breakup of his engagement to a woman who, it turned out, had been lying to him. "Phil", however, is determined to win him over.

Phil-for-Short

1919

Phil-for-Short poster
7.0

A feisty, independent young woman, Damophilia Illington ("Phil" for short, hence the title), the daughter of a progressive university professor, is devastated by the sudden death of her father. The town's banker, an arrogant stuffed shirt, wants to marry Phil and has himself declared her guardian. Not wanting to marry him, she quickly leaves town and lands a job at a nearby university as an assistant to a professor of Greek literature (an area in which her father trained her) who is bitter and resentful after the breakup of his engagement to a woman who, it turned out, had been lying to him. "Phil", however, is determined to win him over.

Phil-for-Short

1919

When Seconds Count poster
8.0

Following a rift with his wealthy father, Billy Mathewson, a young Broadway wastrel, escapes with his friend, Dizzy Durby, to the small town of Salino, where his father's company is building a dam. However, a crooked foreman is engaged in making himself rich at the expense of his employer and the villagers. However, Billy defeats the villain, and also wins Elinor, the daughter of a prominent local resident.

When Seconds Count

1927

Ten Nights in a Bar Room poster
10.0

Joe Morgan, a previously respectable worker, becomes a town drunkard, losing his job and neglecting his family due to the influence of the local tavern, the "Sickle and Sheaf". Joe's daughter, Little Mary, frequently comes to the bar to beg her father to return home. During a confrontation in the bar, a thrown glass hits Little Mary, resulting in her death. Devastated by the death of his child, Joe vows revenge but reforms, ending his addiction and reuniting with his family.

Ten Nights in a Bar Room

1921

A Soldier's Oath poster
NR

While engaged in battle, Pierre Duval, a French soldier, stumbles onto the mortally wounded Count de Morave. Before dying, the count begs Pierre to deliver some family jewels and papers to the Vicomte Raoul de Reyntiens. At home, Pierre places the jewels in a box that also contains a necklace given to Margot, his wife, by the Duke D'Auberg. While stealing the box, Lazare, a war correspondent who witnessed Pierre's scene with the count, attacks and kills Margot. Found guilty of the crime, Pierre is sentenced to life imprisonment but is pardoned after performing a dangerous jailhouse rescue. Mavis, his daughter, who has been adopted by the duke, falls in love with the poor vicomte but is courted by Lazare, now posing as the Count de Morave. To win her love, Lazare gives her some of the stolen jewels, including the duke's necklace, but when Pierre sees the necklace later, he exposes Lazare and wins retribution.

A Soldier's Oath

1915

A Soldier's Oath poster
NR

While engaged in battle, Pierre Duval, a French soldier, stumbles onto the mortally wounded Count de Morave. Before dying, the count begs Pierre to deliver some family jewels and papers to the Vicomte Raoul de Reyntiens. At home, Pierre places the jewels in a box that also contains a necklace given to Margot, his wife, by the Duke D'Auberg. While stealing the box, Lazare, a war correspondent who witnessed Pierre's scene with the count, attacks and kills Margot. Found guilty of the crime, Pierre is sentenced to life imprisonment but is pardoned after performing a dangerous jailhouse rescue. Mavis, his daughter, who has been adopted by the duke, falls in love with the poor vicomte but is courted by Lazare, now posing as the Count de Morave. To win her love, Lazare gives her some of the stolen jewels, including the duke's necklace, but when Pierre sees the necklace later, he exposes Lazare and wins retribution.

A Soldier's Oath

1915

The Call of the North poster
5.2

Graehme, Ned Stewart's father, was accused of adultery and killed being innocent. Ned decided to avenge his father, but got captured and sent to the long journey to death "la longue traverse".

The Call of the North

1914

The Only Son poster
1.0

Thomas Brainerd, Sr., as a prospector, is a dutiful and loving husband and father, but when he strikes gold he becomes obsessed with business and all his relationships suffer. Due to his inattention his wife nearly strays and his son bitter at his father lack of understanding becomes estranged. All end happily though.

The Only Son

1914

No artwork available
NR

The Man on the Box is a 1914 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Oscar Apfel and co-directed by Cecil B. DeMille. It was based on the 1904 novel of the same name by Harold MacGrath and stars Horace B. Carpenter.

The Man on the Box

1914

The Little Gypsy poster
NR

A gypsy girl brought up by a Scottish Lord is arrested for rioting escapes jail and refugee with a young Minister who falls in love with her.

The Little Gypsy

1915

No artwork available
5.0

While traveling incognito through his kingdom, Prince Ludwig of Saxe-Tholberg becomes infatuated with Katrina, the daughter of innkeeper Hermann Ardelheim, but their idyll is interrupted by the arrival of a courier bearing the news that Austrania has threatened war. Katrina is heartbroken to discover the identity of her sweetheart whom she can never hope to marry. After Ludwig's departure, Katrina overhears the plotting of two spies and with the help of her brother Roalf, she confronts them. In the ensuing struggle, Katrina kills one of them, who turns out to be the Austranian ambassador. Although Katrina admits her crime, Marshal von Trump plans to execute Roalf in order to pacify the Austranians. Katrina appeals to Ludwig, who pardons Roalf over the advice of his counselors causing Austrania to declare war. A crucial battle is fought near the Ardelheim inn, during which Katrina becomes a heroine by signaling the advance of Ludwig's troops.

The Last Volunteer

1914

Peer Gynt poster
NR

A fantasy from Ibsen's verse drama. Ne'er-do-well and braggart Peer Gynt has many adventures in varied countries, making and losing money, gaining fortune at others' expense, until he finds salvation in the love of Solveig.

Peer Gynt

1915

Peer Gynt poster
NR

A fantasy from Ibsen's verse drama. Ne'er-do-well and braggart Peer Gynt has many adventures in varied countries, making and losing money, gaining fortune at others' expense, until he finds salvation in the love of Solveig.

Peer Gynt

1915