Billy McClain

Acting

Billy McClain

Born — Died

1866-10-12 — 1950-01-19

Place of birth

Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

Known for

Acting

Credits

11 titles

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia William C. ("Billy") McClain (12 October 1866 – 19 January 1950) was an African-American acrobat, comedian and actor who starred in minstrel shows before World War I. He wrote, produced and directed several major stage and outdoor extravaganzas, and wrote a number of popular songs. He was influential in extending the range of minstrel shows far beyond the traditional conventions of the time, giving them appeal to much wider audiences. He toured in the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe. Later he promoted boxing and played several minor roles in movies. In 1931 McClain moved to Los Angeles and obtained a position with the Pasadena police department as a …

Known for

Film credits

1930s · 10 titles

Black Moon poster
5.5

A woman returning to her island birthplace finds herself drawn to a voodoo cult.

Black Moon

1934

Devil's Island poster
5.7

A French doctor sentenced for treason performs brain surgery on the prison commandant's daughter.

Devil's Island

1939

Diamond Jim poster
6.5

A loose biopic based on the life of Gilded Age tycoon "Diamond" Jim Brady.

Diamond Jim

1935

Espionage Agent poster
6.3

When Barry Corvall discovers that his new bride is a possible enemy agent, he resigns from the diplomatic service to go undercover to route out an espionage ring planning to destroy American industrial capability.

Espionage Agent

1939

Kentucky poster
6.1

Young lovers Jack and Sally are from families that compete to send horses to the 1938 Kentucky Derby, but during the Civil War, her family sided with the South while his sided with the North--and her Uncle Peter will have nothing to do with Jack's family.

Kentucky

1938

Name the Woman poster
9.0

The fate of a city hangs upon the innocence of a girl charged with murder. A young, inexperienced, but adventurous newspaper reporter is bent on clearing her name by ripping the lid off a corrupt government machine.

Name the Woman

1934

Nagana poster
8.0

A doctor searches for the cure for nagana, the sleeping sickness caused by the tsetse fly.

Nagana

1933

Dimples poster
6.6

Dimples Appleby lives with her pick-pocket grandfather in 19th century New York City. She entertains the crowds while he works his racket. A rich lady makes it possible for the girl to go legit.

Dimples

1936

Black Aces poster
5.6

When Len Stoddard wins Ted Ames ranch in a poker game he sends his brother Jake along with Ted to take over the ranch. When Jake is found murdered he offers a reward for the capture of Ted who now is believed to be a member of the Black Aces gang. Ted finds the probable location of the gang's hideout and sets out to clear himself.

Black Aces

1937

The Lucky Corner poster
7.0

The gang help Scotty and his grandfather after an obnoxious lunch counter owner forces them to move their lemonade stand.

The Lucky Corner

1936