
Acting
Billy Quirk
Born — Died
1873-03-27 — 1926-04-20
Place of birth
Jersey City, New Jersey, USA
Known for
Acting
Credits
60 titles
William Andrew 'Billy' Quirk (March 27, 1873 – April 20, 1926) was an American stage and silent film actor. He performed in more than 180 films between 1909 and 1924. Gem Motion Picture Company produced a series of "Billy"-titled pictures starring Quirk. [biography (excerpted) from Wikipedia]
Known for
7.1The story of a poor young woman, separated by prejudice from her husband and baby, is interwoven with tales of intolerance from throughout history.
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
1916
4.7A mountain girl is seduced by a traveler from the valley. Her brother tracks the seducer down and kills him. In retaliation, the sheriff captures the brother and prepares to lynch him. Mother intervenes and, to save her son the disgrace of hanging, shoots him.
The Mountaineer's Honor
1909
7.0As children, sisters Helen Mathews and Mary Mathews couldn't be more dissimilar--Helen is selfish, thoughtless and self-centered, while Mary is exactly the opposite. Later, Helen--out of spite--steals Mary's boyfriend. May has enough and leaves home to become a chorus girl in New York City. She eventually becomes a star and attracts a young millionaire, Philip Pierce, but--to the astonishment of the other chorus girls--she turns him down. Philip, however, doesn't intend to take this rejection without a fight.
At the Stage Door
1921
4.4Two miners are fighting over a woman, and one is about to murder the other in his sleep. At the critical moment, the woman introduces her fiancé from the city.
The Renunciation
1909
5.2Agnes, a singer in a country church, is practicing one day when a vaudeville manager hears her and offers her a job. Over the objections of the curate who loves her, she accepts the offer and goes to the city. Later the curate goes to hear Agnes perform and, fearing that her soul is being corrupted by show business, he asks her to return to the small town with him. When she refuses, he is prepared to kill her in order to protect the purity of her soul. This brings about her change of heart, and together they return to the little church.
To Save Her Soul
1909
9.0Although Susan Branch is herself without finances, she has many wealthy friends who supply her with clothes and gay times. She is in love with struggling author Nick Lansing, who also attracts the interests of Susan's chief patron, Ursula Gillow, and is persuaded by Ellie Vanderlyn to marry him for at least a year's happiness. Their marriage falls apart when their wedding gifts are spent; they become involved with the Vanderlyns' domestic affairs; and Ursula decides she wants Nick for herself. However, the lawyer handling the Lansings' divorce proceedings brings them back together, and Nick sells his novel. A lost film.
The Glimpses of the Moon
1923
Film credits
1920s · 5 titles
7.0As children, sisters Helen Mathews and Mary Mathews couldn't be more dissimilar--Helen is selfish, thoughtless and self-centered, while Mary is exactly the opposite. Later, Helen--out of spite--steals Mary's boyfriend. May has enough and leaves home to become a chorus girl in New York City. She eventually becomes a star and attracts a young millionaire, Philip Pierce, but--to the astonishment of the other chorus girls--she turns him down. Philip, however, doesn't intend to take this rejection without a fight.
At the Stage Door
1921
9.0Although Susan Branch is herself without finances, she has many wealthy friends who supply her with clothes and gay times. She is in love with struggling author Nick Lansing, who also attracts the interests of Susan's chief patron, Ursula Gillow, and is persuaded by Ellie Vanderlyn to marry him for at least a year's happiness. Their marriage falls apart when their wedding gifts are spent; they become involved with the Vanderlyns' domestic affairs; and Ursula decides she wants Nick for herself. However, the lawyer handling the Lansings' divorce proceedings brings them back together, and Nick sells his novel. A lost film.
The Glimpses of the Moon
1923
While having dental work done, Jimmy inhales too much gas and begins believing that he is a detective. He sets out to capture a gang of thieves who robbed Jean's uncle's bank.
A Bride for a Knight
1923
10.0The often-told film story of a drunken actor hitting the skids, making a comeback, and helping his grown daughter in the bargain.
Success
1923
9.0After serving time in Sing Sing, for which he was unjustly sentenced, and encouraged by two "sharpers," Richard Goodloe returns to the home of his wealthy southern mother in dread fear that she and Virginia Sanders should learn of his prison record--a fear which is constantly nurtured by his rival, Con Arnold.
My Old Kentucky Home
1922
1910s · 34 titles
7.1The story of a poor young woman, separated by prejudice from her husband and baby, is interwoven with tales of intolerance from throughout history.
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages
1916
3.9In this film, West escapes a couple of cops and fights for the hand of Leatrice Joy with Oliver Hardy (doing his best Eric Campell). A barber by trade, our tramp serves his boorish clientele with similarly bad manners before the whole crowd attends a swanky Barbers' Ball.
His Day Out
1918
Two eccentric Frenchmen argue for the hand of an eligible American girl, who finally discouraged both of them by introducing her betrothed.
An Affair of Hearts
1910
5.0A scrappy lad from the skids attempts to court a well-to-do maiden. During his visits to her family estate, he upsets the Uplift committee that's weaseled their way into the home.
Muggsy's First Sweetheart
1910
4.5A rich nobleman steals a perfume merchant's wife just prior to the French Revolution, in which the perfumer is a leader of the peasants. His priest made him swear an oath to leave vengeance to God, however.
The Oath and the Man
1910
5.0Two spinsters on their way to church, are accosted by a couple of burly tramps. When Mabel is called to the church meeting with her mother, she sends Muggsy a note asking him to meet her after the service so he may walk home with her. Muggsy is there on time, however, the old ladies are afraid to make the return trip unaccompanied. The pastor asks that a man escort them home. Poor Muggsy gets chosen, and when the trio reach the deserted part of the road, the tramps again appear.
Muggsy Becomes a Hero
1910
NRIn Camarillo, principality of the Spanish dominion, there lived two brothers, Jose and Manuel. Born in a noble Spanish family and reared by a mother noble in both station and character, they were vastly different morally. Jose was a dutiful son and upright young man, while Manuel was the black sheep. It was on Easter Sunday morning during the processional that Manuel appears in an intoxicated condition and foully ridicules the priests and acolytes as they enter the chapel of the old mission. At this the mother's pride is hurt beyond endurance and she exiles her profligate son from her forever. Manuel is shunned as a viper and while making his way along the road, meets Pedro, the notorious political outlaw, who sympathizes with him and offers him inducements to join him, and so takes him to his camp. Meanwhile, Jose woos and wins the Red Rose of Capistran and the day for the wedding is set.
The Two Brothers
1910
No synopsis available yet.
Hubby Does the Washing
1912
Billy takes his friend Tom out for a drive in his new car. Tom asks Billy to wait while he makes a purchase. Along comes the beautiful Marian who assumes he is a public chauffeur and hires him. Billy goes along with the misunderstanding and tells Marian that she may always have his car at cut rates if she phones him at the garage. This leads to comic adventures and eventual love for the couple.
Auto Suggestion
1912
Harry Townsend, a young stock broker, is in love with the pretty daughter of James Petersby, a Wall Street magnate, and as Harry is a very promising young fellow, he gives his consent to the match. Harry, however, is hard hit by the panic, and loses practically all. This changes the color of things and the young lover is forbidden the wealthy man's house. Despairing, he goes to look for employment at a detective agency.
The Woman from Mellon's
1910
5.0Diplomacy was not Tom's strong suit. So when May showed to him her latest painting he poured scorn on it. He was anxious to discourage her from painting, knowing full well that she would never become a great artist. Howard, his rival, was more diplomatic. He praised her efforts, and is at once the top-notcher in May's esteem.
When We Were in Our 'Teens
1910
Aching for an opportunity to get square with strong-willed Mrs. Drexel, boarding house mistress and mother of his sweetheart, Constance, Billy sees his opportunity when his uncle Battledore is suddenly called out of town. He hangs out a "Boarders Wanted" sign in front of his uncle's house, then with a big roll of bills the young man, just after Mrs. Drexel has given all the servants a raking over, lures them all away from her. When her boarders troop down to breakfast and find no breakfast awaiting them they all quit on the spot with feelings beyond description.
The Boarding House Feud
1915
Because of a family feud, Bobby Scrawn's love for Mary Stretch seems hopeless, particularly after the young man has been spanked with a fence picket wielded by the sturdy arm of Pa Stretch. A few days later Mrs. Stretch gives a preliminary talk on tramps and how they can be saved. She announces the subject will be continued at her home on the following Thursday. Mary gets a startling idea and tells Bobby of it. Thursday arrives and twenty or more women are listening to Mrs. Stretch talk on hobos, when "Hungry Hank," a tough-looking and ragged tramp, applies at the kitchen door for a "hand-out."
A Study in Tramps
1915
4.9When Algie Allmore asks to marry Clarice, the young woman's father gives him one year to prove that he's a man.
Algie, the Miner
1912
8.0A man mistakes a woman's blown kisses as being directed at him. When he comes over to call on her, she attempts to shoo him away, but must hide him when her husband comes home unexpectedly.
A Comedy of Errors
1912
While stopping at the Bronzegilt Hotel, Slick and Slim, two high-class and well-dressed burglars, overhear Baroness Vodka tell the manager she wishes to place her million-dollar box of jewels in the hotel vault, which is set into the wall at the end of the hallway. The manager accordingly escorts her to the big safe, and she watches him place the little box inside. Next morning the manager goes to cash a check for the Baroness, and finds the whole vault has completely vanished.
The Vanishing Vault
1915
5.5A Jewish man is treated poorly by a member of the upper-class. When tragedy strikes, the Jewish man has an opportunity for revenge, but he turns the other cheek.
A Man's a Man
1912
Old Betsey Older lives in a boarding house in which money-loving Bud Doolittle and wise Tom Dear are also unfortunate boarders. Poor Betsey loses her heart to both of these gentlemen. Betsey tries hard to win the love of these gentlemen, but the harder she tries the less progress she makes. In fact, she gets so tangled up that before long she thinks she "sees things." Bud and Tom try to stake her to each other, for they are both victims of flirting Marian. Tom finally gets Bud to propose to Betsey, misleading him with a phantom legacy. Bud learns the truth of the heiress' real financial position and then leaves her at the altar.
The Boarding House Heiress
1912
The inimitable Billy Quirk needs a wife in order to inherit his vociferous western uncle's fortune. Billy borrows his friend's wife. After a volcanic and side-splitting series of incidents, the breezy western uncle blows into town tagging with him a pretty stenographer. Well, you leave it to Billy. He gets rid of his borrowed wife in a hurry. And the uncle, what's the use! The story is as funny as a wooden leg would be on the Statue of Liberty.
Lend Me Your Wife
1912
5.0A young man's girlfriend is forbidden by her father to see him again. When the father takes his family on a hunting trip to the woods, the girl and her suitor hatch a plan where he dresses up in a bear suit to "menace" the family, then leaves and reappears as himself to "save" them. However, things don't go quite to plan.
Billy the Bear Tamer
1915
Becoming extremely tired of his wife's propensity for indulging in bridge whist parties and other social functions, to the sad neglect of her domestic duties, Walter Greene determines to teach her a lesson.
The Master of His House
1915
In search of a maid, Mrs. Cook, an aristocratic and extremely proud society woman, goes to an employment agency and hires Luna, fat, awkward and straight from Sweden. The new maid creates quite a stir in the staid and fashionable home of Mrs. Cook. While capering about in her room above, she brings down the ceiling. Mrs. Cook saves her from being discharged and then calls up the plasterer, whose name is John Haines, a widower, and the father of Bert, the chauffeur, in love with Marie Cook, their daughter. John fixes the ceiling, and on his return home finds a note from his son saying he is going to be married and suggests his father follow his example. John tells the news to Luna, proposes to her, and without a second's hesitation, she accepts him.
The Maid from Sweden
1914
Because of his effeminacy, Percival and Mildred are humiliated wherever they go. After some very distressing incidents in a restaurant, on the boardwalk and on the beach, she becomes thoroughly disgusted, and breaks off the engagement, saying she wants to marry a real man. Percival is almost heartbroken and confides his troubles to a friend, who suggests he make a hero of himself by fighting "Young Hickey," a pugilist.
The Evolution of Percival
1914
No synopsis available yet.
Treasures on the Wing
1912
Bobby Tucker, while strolling about a Railroad Station, spies Nan Tubbs, a charming young lady whom her father and mother are very anxious to marry off to some rich young man. While waiting for a train she smiles at Bobby and he smiles back. Papa catches them at it, and horrified, hustles her away, after delivering a severe lecture on the subject of flirting. A few minutes later Pa Tubbs happens to pick up a sheet of paper on which Bobby had been industriously "figgering," and finds written on it, "My profit $50,000." Deciding the young man must be a millionaire in disguise, Pa Tubbs immediately makes amends by introducing his daughter to Bobby, who is rather bewildered, but tells them, "My father is Major-Gen. Tucker." This augments the young man's prestige, and he is invited to spend a week at the Tubbs' home.
The Young Man Who 'Figgered'
1915
No synopsis available yet.
Father and the Boys
1912
5.0A young man and a young woman, each unlucky in love, determine never to marry. But Cupid (and two separate bands of misinformed revelers) has other ideas.
The Newlyweds
1910
Owen Moore is addicted to gambling and about to lose his family and job because of it. James Kirkwood, his brother-in-law, shows up and cures him of his gambling fever.
The Last Deal
1910
10.0A remake for the US market of Alice Guy's Les Résultats du féminisme. The film is considered to be lost.
In the Year 2000
1912
Constance and Billy are sweethearts. Mr. and Mrs. Boggs, her parents, are both prim, straitlaced people. Pa Boggs has little use for young men of the present generation and when Billy awkwardly drops a race-track badge on the floor, Boggs rises up in his wrath and orders the "perfidious gambler" from his house forever.
Forcing Dad's Consent
1914
5.0Peggy is a high-spirited young woman from a poor family. One day she catches the eye of a wealthy lord, who proposes marriage and wants to introduce her into his social circle. But complications arise when the lord's nephew also becomes attracted to Peggy.
Wilful Peggy
1910
Cobbler’s daughter May has beautiful, long blond hair. Her fiancée Billy, her father's youthful apprentice, loves both May and her hair. But Billy has a weakness for long hair and is ensnared by Madge, who wears an elaborate wig. Billy wants May to fix her hair as prettily as Madge does, but when Madge’s hairdresser demands payment for the wigs she refuses because the hairdresser has turned her hair green. The case lands in court with Billy summoned to serve on the jury. When Madge pulls off her wig Billy runs back to May ready and willing to eat his humble pie.
A Question of Hair
1912
8.0The story involves a man who goes to a gambling den regardless of the protestations of his wife. He is extremely lucky and his luck attracts attention. Strangers become friendly with him and he being a "good feller," "sets up" the crowd. After the night's playing, he is advised by the owner of the den that it would be hazardous for him to attempt going home alone with so much cash on his person. Chance decides to remain over night. He is shown to a room. During the night, he not only finds that he has been trapped, but an attempt is made on his life. (Moving Picture World)
A Terrible Lesson
1912
9.0Vincent, the lazy son of a wealthy father, travels to the country in an attempt to clean up his act. There he meets Kitty Trent, and he offers to marry her. His intention is to hold a fake ceremony, but Kitty's childhood sweetheart, Tom Wilson, finds out about this scheme and threatens Vincent at gunpoint to make the wedding a real one. Vincent does, but afterwards goes on seeing other women, neglecting his wife and, later, baby.
The Web of Life
1917
1900s · 21 titles
4.7A mountain girl is seduced by a traveler from the valley. Her brother tracks the seducer down and kills him. In retaliation, the sheriff captures the brother and prepares to lynch him. Mother intervenes and, to save her son the disgrace of hanging, shoots him.
The Mountaineer's Honor
1909
4.4Two miners are fighting over a woman, and one is about to murder the other in his sleep. At the critical moment, the woman introduces her fiancé from the city.
The Renunciation
1909
5.2Agnes, a singer in a country church, is practicing one day when a vaudeville manager hears her and offers her a job. Over the objections of the curate who loves her, she accepts the offer and goes to the city. Later the curate goes to hear Agnes perform and, fearing that her soul is being corrupted by show business, he asks her to return to the small town with him. When she refuses, he is prepared to kill her in order to protect the purity of her soul. This brings about her change of heart, and together they return to the little church.
To Save Her Soul
1909
5.2During the American Revolution, a young soldier carrying a crucial message to General Washington is spotted and pursued by a group of enemy soldiers. He takes refuge with a civilian family, but is soon detected. The family and their neighbors must then make plans to see that the important message gets through after all.
1776, or The Hessian Renegades
1909
4.2Soon after their engagement, Bill goes to sea, and Emily vows to stay true until his return. Unknown to her, Bill marries another woman from a different port. Emily waits faithfully for six years, finally becoming dangerously ill. When Bill suddenly appears in town with his family, Joe, who has loved Emily all along, forces Bill to make Emily's final moments happy by pretending he has returned to marry her.
Lines of White on a Sullen Sea
1909
0.5Harry leaves his new wife at home while he goes out to play poker. Angry, his wife fakes evidence that she has had a male caller while he was gone.
His Wife's Visitor
1909
6.2On a whim, a greedy tycoon decides to corner the world market in wheat. This doubles the price of bread, forcing grain producers into charity lines and others further into poverty. The film contrasts the differences between the lives of those who work to grow the wheat and the life of the man who dabbles in its sale for profit.
A Corner in Wheat
1909
2.2A disfigured violinist mistakes a token of appreciation for a love bouquet. When he realizes his mistake, he loses his mind.
The Faded Lilies
1909
5.2An Indian village is forced to leave its land by white settlers, and must make a long and weary journey to find a new home. The settlers make one young Indian woman stay behind. This woman is thus separated from her sweetheart, whose elderly father needs his help on the journey ahead
The Redman's View
1909
5.8A son leaves to seek his fortune in the city. Many years later he returns and checks into his parents' inn. They don't recognize him, but noticing his fat wallet, plan to rob him.
The Son's Return
1909
3.7A royal woman rejects her arranged marriage. The cardinal hatches a plan: the suitor will shave and change clothes. He arranges with 4 clowns to stage an attack on the princess which he easily repels. It works; the princess falls for him, especially when the cardinal arranges his arrest.
The Cardinal's Conspiracy
1909
4.0Mrs. Kendrick borrows a jeweled necklace from a friend for an important social event. The necklace is stolen, and Mr. Kendrick goes into debt to replace it. The thief discovers it's costume jewelry, but the Kendricks never learns the truth; Husband and wife struggle for years to pay off the huge debt.
The Necklace
1909
4.4This might be termed a comedy of errors, for the overzealousness of a lot of good-hearted simple folks places them in a rather embarrassing position. Lillie Green, who keeps a boarding house, receives a letter from her old school chum, Polly Brown, whom sin hasn't seen in years, to the effect that as Lillie has never seen her little darling daughter, she will send her for a few days' visit, asking that someone meet the child at the 3:40 train. Lillie's boarders are a bunch of kind-hearted bachelors, who at once prepare to give the "Little Darling" the time of her life, buying a load of toys, etc., for her amusement, also procuring a baby carriage with which to meet her at the train. You may imagine their embarrassment when they find that Tootsie, instead of being a baby, proves to be a handsome young lady of seventeen, whose tastes run rather to garden gates, shady lanes and quiet nooks, than toys. (Moving Picture World)
The Little Darling
1909
5.1Two lovers elope and expect to be pursued by her father. But the clever father has tricked them into running off, and celebrates their wedding when they return home.
They Would Elope
1909
4.1A disfigured young woman with two beautiful sisters is courted by a blind man. Will he still love her when his sight is restored?
The Light That Came
1909
5.2Papa is proud of his new birthday present, a shotgun. Mary's boyfriend arrives for a visit and she is anxious to introduce him to Papa. When Harry sees Papa walk in with a shotgun he misunderstands and departs in terror. Harry continues to encounter Papa everywhere and runs away, baffling the old man. At last Papa hauls Harry back home for an explanation and a reunion with Mary.
What's Your Hurry?
1909
5.4Pippa awakes and faces the world outside with a song. Unbeknown to her, the music has a healing effect on all who hear her as she passes by.
Pippa Passes
1909
NRHoward Norris, a wealthy young man from the city makes the acquaintance of a lovely young daughter of a farmer. By promising marriage, he entices her into accompanying him to the city. There is a fake wedding. She inadvertently learns the truth and in great anguish sets out for her home. The rich young man is holding a drinking party when his mother stops in and advises him to give up drinking and become an upstanding young man. He takes her advice, realizes the error of his ways, and begins searching for the girl he wronged.
A Change of Heart
1909
3.8All the young men in the mining camp flirt with Lucy. Bud, the youngest of them, doesn't stand a chance. At a dance, Bud dresses as a woman and all the men flirt with him and abandon Lucy. When his disguise is revealed, the other men are too embarrassed to approach Lucy, and Bud dances the rest of the night with her.
Getting Even
1909
2.5Tom and Ethel separately decide to go bathing in a river. Pranksters switch their clothes and they each have to dress up as the opposite sex.
Pranks
1909
4.3Mary Rollins is torn between selfish depravity and righteous living. After she's coerced into helping with the burglary of her minister's apartment, she comes face to face with her misdeeds.
A Strange Meeting
1909
