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{{short description|American actor}}

{{Infobox person {{Infobox person
| name = Lawson Harris | name = Lawson Harris
| image = File:Lawson Harris's grave.jpg | image = Lawson Harris in 1948.jpg
| imagesize = 230px | imagesize =
| caption = Harris's grave at ] | caption = Lawson Harris in 1948
| birth_name = William Lawson Harris | birth_name = William Lawson Harris
| birth_date = June 30, 1897 | birth_date = June 30, 1897
| birth_place = ], U.S. | birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1948|3|31|1897|6|30}} | death_date = {{death date and age|1948|3|31|1897|6|30}}
| death_place = ], U.S. | death_place = {{nowrap|], U.S.}}
| resting_place = ] | resting_place = ]
| nationality = American | occupation = Director, actor, producer, writer
| occupation = Director, Actor, Producer, Writer
| yearsactive = 1922–1926 | yearsactive = 1922–1926
| spouse = {{plainlist|
| spouse = ]<br>(m. 1924–1925; divorced)<br>Dolores Johnson<br>(m. 1925–1931; divorced)
* {{marriage|]|1924|1925|end=div}}
* {{marriage|Dolores Johnson|1925|1931|end=div}}
}}
| children = ] | children = ]
}} }}


'''William Lawson Harris'''<ref>https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3715234</ref> (June 30, 1897 – March 31, 1948) was an American director, actor, producer, and writer who made a number of films in ]. He came to Australia originally at the behest of ] to work as production manager on '']'' (1920) and stayed out there for a number of years.<ref>{{Citation '''William Lawson Harris'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3715234|title = William Lawson Harris (1897-1948) - Find a Grave}}</ref> (June 30, 1897 – March 31, 1948) was an American director, actor, producer, and writer who made a number of films in ]. He came to Australia originally at the behest of ] to work as production manager on '']'' (1920) and stayed out there for a number of years.<ref>{{Citation
⚫ |
| title=Everyones | title=Everyones
| publication-date=1920 | date=1920
| publisher=Everyones Ltd | publisher=Everyones Ltd
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-552028418 | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-552028418
| accessdate=4 June 2018 | access-date=4 June 2018
}}</ref> Harris was the father of actor and director ]. }}</ref> Harris was the father of actor and director ].<ref>{{Citation
⚫
| title=Everyones
| date=1920
| publisher=Everyones Ltd
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-552028395
| access-date=20 April 2019
⚫ }}</ref>


== Biography == == Biography ==
Harris was born on June 30, 1897 in ], ], the son of William James Harris (1874–1908) and Elizabeth Bettie Hawley (1877–?). Harris was born on June 30, 1897, in ], ], the son of William James Harris (1874–1908) and Elizabeth Bettie Hawley (1877–?).


He moved to Australia in 1920 with Arthur Shirley and set up an acting school.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234272909 |title="Wanted Picture Pupils" |newspaper=] |volume=III, |issue=10 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=30 April 1921 |accessdate=18 June 2018 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> He moved to Australia in 1920 with Arthur Shirley and set up an acting school.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234272909 |title=Wanted Picture Pupils |newspaper=] |volume=III |issue=10 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=30 April 1921 |access-date=18 June 2018 |page=2 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>


In 1921, he announced he would make a film about the return of the Jews to Jerusalem.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66649319 |title=MEN AND WOMEN |newspaper=] |location=Tasmania, Australia |date=1 June 1921 |accessdate=18 June 2018 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Instead he made '']'' (1922).<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223951643 |title=AT THE APOLLO THEATRE |newspaper=] |issue=1001 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=4 June 1922 |accessdate=18 June 2018 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}} In 1921, he announced he would make a film about the return of the Jews to Jerusalem.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66649319 |title=MEN AND WOMEN |newspaper=] |location=Tasmania, Australia |date=1 June 1921 |access-date=18 June 2018 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Instead he made '']'' (1922)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article223951643 |title=AT THE APOLLO THEATRE |newspaper=] |issue=1001 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=4 June 1922 |access-date=18 June 2018 |page=20 |via=National Library of Australia}}
</ref> He made it for Austral Super Films a company he had established with Cecil Hargraves.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245725860 |title=PICTURE THEATRES. |newspaper=] |issue=13,499 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=16 August 1922 |accessdate=18 June 2018 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Citation </ref> for Austral Super Films, a company he had established with Cecil Hargraves.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article245725860 |title=PICTURE THEATRES. |newspaper=] |issue=13,499 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=16 August 1922 |access-date=18 June 2018 |page=5 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Citation
|
| title=Everyones | title=Everyones
| publication-date=1920 | date=1920
| publisher=Everyones Ltd | publisher=Everyones Ltd
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-541944476 | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-541944476
| accessdate=18 June 2018 | access-date=18 June 2018
⚫ }}</ref> They launched a second film almost immediately.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128205239 |title=Presentation to Jack Munro. |newspaper=] |issue=1899 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=18 June 1922 |access-date=18 June 2018 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>
⚫ }}</ref>

⚫ They launched a second film almost immediately.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article128205239 |title=Presentation to Jack Munro. |newspaper=] |issue=1899 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=18 June 1922 |accessdate=18 June 2018 |page=11 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref>


In August 1922, Lawson was sued by Arthur Shirley who claimed Harris used threatening language against him. The cast was dismissed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118853209 |title=NATURE'S WEAPONS |newspaper=] |issue=17221 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=28 August 1922 |accessdate=18 June 2018 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221515811 |title='PERSONAL SATISFACTION' |newspaper=] |issue=3689 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=28 August 1922 |accessdate=18 June 2018 |page=3 (FINAL EXTRA) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198978040 |title=Menacing Missive. |newspaper=] |issue=1,175 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=10 September 1922 |accessdate=18 June 2018 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Citation In August 1922, Lawson was sued by Arthur Shirley who claimed Harris used threatening language against him. The case was dismissed.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article118853209 |title=NATURE'S WEAPONS |newspaper=] |issue=17221 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=28 August 1922 |access-date=18 June 2018 |page=6 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221515811 |title=PERSONAL SATISFACTION |newspaper=] |issue=3689 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=28 August 1922 |access-date=18 June 2018 |page=3 (FINAL EXTRA) |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article198978040 |title=Menacing Missive. |newspaper=] |issue=1,175 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=10 September 1922 |access-date=18 June 2018 |page=14 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref>{{Citation
|
| title=Everyones | title=Everyones
| publication-date=1920 | date=1920
| publisher=Everyones Ltd | publisher=Everyones Ltd
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-541945595 | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-541945595
| accessdate=18 June 2018 | access-date=18 June 2018
}}</ref> }}</ref>


In January 1923, he announced his next film would be ''Yellow''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234284183 |title=MUSICAL TREAT |newspaper=] |volume=IV, |issue=48 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=20 January 1923 |accessdate=18 June 2018 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> It was not made. Instead Lawson returned to the U.S.<ref>{{Citation In January 1923, he announced his next film would be ''Yellow''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234284183 |title=MUSICAL TREAT |newspaper=] |volume=IV |issue=48 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=20 January 1923 |access-date=18 June 2018 |page=12 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> It was not made. Instead Lawson returned to the U.S.<ref>{{Citation
|
| title=Everyones | title=Everyones
| publication-date=1920 | date=1920
| publisher=Everyones Ltd | publisher=Everyones Ltd
| url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-552028418 | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-552028418
| accessdate=18 June 2018 | access-date=18 June 2018
}}</ref> }}</ref>


In 1924, he married actress ], but divorced in 1925, and in the same year, he married actress Dolores Johnson (1903–1957), with whom he had a son, ], who was himself an actor and director. In 1924, he married actress ]. They divorced in 1925, and in the same year, he married actress Dolores Johnson (1903–1957), with whom he had a son, Derek Delevan Harris, who became an actor and director under the name ].


In 1931, he and Johnson were divorced, and abandoned his son as a five years old child, but returned to him sometime later.<ref>Sean and John Derek: He's no star as a father Lavin, Cheryl. Chicago Tribune 24 Oct 1982: i1.</ref> In 1931, he and Johnson divorced and he abandoned his son, but eventually reentered his life.<ref>Sean and John Derek: He's no star as a father Lavin, Cheryl. Chicago Tribune 24 Oct 1982: i1.</ref>


== Death == == Death ==
Harris died on March 31, 1948 in ], ] at the age of 51. He was buried at ]. Harris died on March 31, 1948, in ], ] at the age of 51. He was buried at ].


==Filmography== ==Filmography==
*'']'' (1920) (abandoned) - production manager *'']'' (1920) (abandoned) - production manager
*'']'' (1922) - director, actor, producer, and writer *'']'' (1922) - director, actor, producer, and writer
*'']'' (1922) - director, actor, and producer *'']'' (1922) - director, actor, and producer
*'']'' (1922) - director *'']'' (1922) - director
*'']'' (1926) - director and actor *'']'' (1926) - director and actor
*''My Neighbour's Wife'' (1924)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40595400 |title=Tropical Theatre, Tuesday. |newspaper=] |volume=72, |issue=8014 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=27 September 1927 |accessdate=18 June 2018 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}} *''My Neighbour's Wife'' (1924)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article40595400 |title=Tropical Theatre, Tuesday. |newspaper=] |volume=72 |issue=8014 |location=Queensland, Australia |date=27 September 1927 |access-date=18 June 2018 |page=3 |via=National Library of Australia}}
</ref> </ref>


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{{Lawson Harris}} {{Lawson Harris}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Lawson}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Lawson}}
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{{US-film-director-stub}} {{US-film-director-1890s-stub}}

Latest revision as of 22:33, 9 September 2024

American actor
Lawson Harris
Lawson Harris in 1948
BornWilliam Lawson Harris
June 30, 1897
Vanderburgh County, Indiana, U.S.
DiedMarch 31, 1948(1948-03-31) (aged 50)
Los Angeles County, California, U.S.
Resting placeLos Angeles National Cemetery
Occupation(s)Director, actor, producer, writer
Years active1922–1926
Spouses
Yvonne Pavis ​ ​(m. 1924; div. 1925)​
Dolores Johnson ​ ​(m. 1925; div. 1931)​
ChildrenJohn Derek

William Lawson Harris (June 30, 1897 – March 31, 1948) was an American director, actor, producer, and writer who made a number of films in Australia. He came to Australia originally at the behest of Arthur Shirley to work as production manager on The Throwback (1920) and stayed out there for a number of years. Harris was the father of actor and director John Derek.

Biography

Harris was born on June 30, 1897, in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, the son of William James Harris (1874–1908) and Elizabeth Bettie Hawley (1877–?).

He moved to Australia in 1920 with Arthur Shirley and set up an acting school.

In 1921, he announced he would make a film about the return of the Jews to Jerusalem. Instead he made Circumstance (1922) for Austral Super Films, a company he had established with Cecil Hargraves. They launched a second film almost immediately.

In August 1922, Lawson was sued by Arthur Shirley who claimed Harris used threatening language against him. The case was dismissed.

In January 1923, he announced his next film would be Yellow. It was not made. Instead Lawson returned to the U.S.

In 1924, he married actress Yvonne Pavis. They divorced in 1925, and in the same year, he married actress Dolores Johnson (1903–1957), with whom he had a son, Derek Delevan Harris, who became an actor and director under the name John Derek.

In 1931, he and Johnson divorced and he abandoned his son, but eventually reentered his life.

Death

Harris died on March 31, 1948, in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California at the age of 51. He was buried at Los Angeles National Cemetery.

Filmography

References

  1. "William Lawson Harris (1897-1948) - Find a Grave".
  2. Everyones, Everyones Ltd, 1920, retrieved 4 June 2018
  3. Everyones, Everyones Ltd, 1920, retrieved 20 April 2019
  4. "Wanted Picture Pupils". Smith's Weekly. Vol. III, no. 10. New South Wales, Australia. 30 April 1921. p. 2. Retrieved 18 June 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. "MEN AND WOMEN". The Advocate (Australia). Tasmania, Australia. 1 June 1921. p. 3. Retrieved 18 June 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. "AT THE APOLLO THEATRE". The Sun. No. 1001. New South Wales, Australia. 4 June 1922. p. 20. Retrieved 18 June 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  7. "PICTURE THEATRES". The Daily Telegraph. No. 13, 499. New South Wales, Australia. 16 August 1922. p. 5. Retrieved 18 June 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. Everyones, Everyones Ltd, 1920, retrieved 18 June 2018
  9. "Presentation to Jack Munro". The Sunday Times. No. 1899. New South Wales, Australia. 18 June 1922. p. 11. Retrieved 18 June 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "NATURE'S WEAPONS". Evening News. No. 17221. New South Wales, Australia. 28 August 1922. p. 6. Retrieved 18 June 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. "PERSONAL SATISFACTION". The Sun. No. 3689. New South Wales, Australia. 28 August 1922. p. 3 (FINAL EXTRA). Retrieved 18 June 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. "Menacing Missive". Truth. No. 1, 175. Queensland, Australia. 10 September 1922. p. 14. Retrieved 18 June 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. Everyones, Everyones Ltd, 1920, retrieved 18 June 2018
  14. "MUSICAL TREAT". Smith's Weekly. Vol. IV, no. 48. New South Wales, Australia. 20 January 1923. p. 12. Retrieved 18 June 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. Everyones, Everyones Ltd, 1920, retrieved 18 June 2018
  16. Sean and John Derek: He's no star as a father Lavin, Cheryl. Chicago Tribune 24 Oct 1982: i1.
  17. "Tropical Theatre, Tuesday". Cairns Post. Vol. 72, no. 8014. Queensland, Australia. 27 September 1927. p. 3. Retrieved 18 June 2018 – via National Library of Australia.

External links

Films directed by Lawson Harris


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