William J. Butler

William J. Butler

Born: December 30, 1859
Died: January 27, 1927
in Ireland

Movies for William J. Butler...

A Girl Like That
Title: A Girl Like That
Character: Clergyman
Released: January 18, 1917
Type: Movie
Nell Gordon's father was once a burglar, but he has turned over a new leaf. When he falls ill, however, the burglar's old cronies persuade Nell to help them in a bank robbery, supposedly to raise funds for their sick friend. Nell gets a job in the bank, and learns how to open the safe, but then she falls in love with Jim Brooks, another bank employee, and decides not to help with the robbery after all. The crooks try to force her father to insist, and when he refuses, they shoot him. Seeing their true colors, Nell forms a plan. She agrees to help with the robbery, but in the middle of the heist she calls the sheriff. Of course the story ends with the crooks in jail, and Nell and Jim in love.
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Susie Snowflake
Title: Susie Snowflake
Character: Amos
Released: June 25, 1916
Type: Movie
When a young girl who has grown up as a music hall entertainer is brought to live in a stodgy New England town, the quiet town life is changed forever.
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More Than Friends
Title: More Than Friends
Character: The Chief of the Secret Service
Released: July 30, 1915
Type: Movie
A Biograph short drama directed by George Reehm.
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Toys of Destiny
Title: Toys of Destiny
Character: Deacon White
Released: May 2, 1915
Type: Movie
A romantic film in which the good-hearted Charles falls in love with Mary, a girl whom he has employed because she cannot pay her rent. When she receives an inheritance, she moves in with her aunt and uncle, and the man falls ill.
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The Wife
Title: The Wife
Character: Major Homer Putnam - Mrs. Ives' Sweetheart
Released: May 28, 1914
Type: Movie
A 1914 film drama
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Brute Force
Title: Brute Force
Character: Priscilla's Father (Prologue)
Released: April 24, 1914
Type: Movie
A thin gent in formal wear, amid a club or party, reads a book about primitive man after he's ignored by a pretty lady. We see the book enacted: Weakhands loses his girlfriend to Bruteforce, but chances upon a design for a weapon to vanquish his rival and win her back. His tribe sees this and sets him up as their leader. With the club, he fends off various creatures (a winged lizard, a snake, a dinosaur) and a rival tribe led by Monkeywalk. The women even manage to repel an attack. But the rival tribe discovers the secret of the club themselves, and capture the women. Weakhands, sitting in despair, chances upon a new weapon: the bow and arrow.
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Strongheart
Title: Strongheart
Character: Manager of the Opposing Team
Released: March 8, 1914
Type: Movie
STRONGHEART (1914) is a Native American Indian drama. Based on a famous play of the time, the film features an all-star cast. Originally five reels, the film was reissued at three reels in 1916.
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The Law and His Son
Title: The Law and His Son
Character: The Outcast Son's Father
Released: September 22, 1913
Type: Movie
In this film one is shown the contrast of two fathers. One father refuses to believe his son guiltless, while the other, fully realizing the weakness of his son, struggles to save him from further disgrace. In this attempt he exonerates the innocent youth, but at the same time exposes the guilt of his own son.
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The Stolen Treaty
Title: The Stolen Treaty
Character: A Diplomat
Released: September 13, 1913
Type: Movie
On the day of the meeting which should settle the controversy regarding the Panama Canal, the Japanese Embassy commissioned Olga to obtain a copy of the agreement. The young Secretary to the Secretary of State became her dupe, but the detective succeeded in recovering the stolen treaty by a clever unwinding of threads taking thereby a desperate and thrilling chance.
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The Strong Man's Burden
Title: The Strong Man's Burden
Character: The Doctor
Released: September 5, 1913
Type: Movie
A crime drama in which a police officer does everything possible to help his criminal younger brother.
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The Crook and the Girl
Title: The Crook and the Girl
Character: The Lawyer
Released: August 25, 1913
Type: Movie
In the guise of a gardener he came to steal the paper telling the whereabouts of the second will. That was so the nephew might enjoy the inheritance alone. Then the girl learned his true mission, but in the end he restored her confidence and beat her enemies at their own game.
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In Diplomatic Circles
Title: In Diplomatic Circles
Character: The Father
Released: June 26, 1913
Type: Movie
The reporter assigned to obtain a copy of the message from the Japanese Government unraveled the mystery of its disappearance in a clever manner. Every foreign government naturally was eager for a copy ahead, while the meeting of the Japanese Ambassador and Secretary of State was surrounded with greater risk than they imagined.
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Almost a Wild Man
Title: Almost a Wild Man
Character: Policeman / In Audience
Released: June 19, 1913
Type: Movie
Rooly, Pooly and Dooly were "picture sandwiches," but hardly shining lights, even in that capacity. Consequently they were "canned" by the management. A brilliant idea; one would play the wild man in the village square, a real live show of their own. Rooly and Pooly then basked in the society of fair country belles, but Dooly at length was rescued by Miss Smart, looking for excitement. She was not disappointed.
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The Enemy's Baby
Title: The Enemy's Baby
Character: Sam Miller - the Grandfather
Released: June 10, 1913
Type: Movie
A feud began with a political argument. Then the justice declared if granddad did not pay up he would attach his household goods. Granddad was that mad all he left of the furniture was kindling. When he learned his act had made him liable to the law he fled with his family, but came back after a lost baby, now in the hands of the enemy.
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Red Hicks Defies the World
Title: Red Hicks Defies the World
Character: First Creditor
Released: June 9, 1913
Type: Movie
Hard as nails and as strong winded as a gale in March, Red Hicks may have been a bit "chesty," but he was in perfect trim. The town depended on the champion, O'Shea, the fighting Irishman, to make soft putty of the world famous pugilist, but on the day of the fight there was no O'Shea. The supposition was he did not have the price: and other domestic difficulties interfered. O'Shea's trainer, however, solved the problem and Bed Hicks found his Waterloo.
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A Timely Interception
Title: A Timely Interception
Character: The Oil Syndicate Officer
Released: June 7, 1913
Type: Movie
A farmer has saved all his life to pay for his daughter's wedding, but when his brother is fired from his job on the oil rig, the wedding must be postponed and the money put to the more pressing need. The farmer, now himself destitute, is forced to put his house up for sale to repay his creditors. Meanwhile, a man from the oil syndicate discovers oil on the farmer's land. Moving quickly, the syndicate tries to buy the farm before the farmer knows what he is selling. -Harpodeon
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Gold and Glitter
Title: Gold and Glitter
Character: The First Older Brother
Released: November 11, 1912
Type: Movie
As the husband leaves for the lumber regions, his wife gives him a memory message to be opened after his arrival. Attracted by a maid, cherished by the love of two old brothers, he forgets it until sometime later. The message serves its purpose, however, for through it, after a thrilling experience, the maid learns the true value of the man's love, while he in his turn, goes back to his waiting wife and finds there, along with his shame and regeneration, his heart's desire.
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In the Aisles of the Wild
Title: In the Aisles of the Wild
Character: The Widower
Released: October 14, 1912
Type: Movie
A widower and his two daughters live in the wilds of the north woods. They form the acquaintance of two trappers, Bob Cole and Jim Watson, who hunt in the neighborhood. As fate will have it, both trappers love the same girl, the elder sister, but she loves Bob, while the younger girl is attracted by Jim. The elder girl, however, through a woman's whim, pays marked attention to Jim simply to arouse jealousy in Bob. He, in temper, cannot reason her motive and leaves, so through pique she accepts and marries Jim. Later Bob revisits the place, feeling that the girl loves him best, and tries to induce her to go away with him. He finally succeeds and, as you may imagine, fate brings about justice.
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He Must Have a Wife
Title: He Must Have a Wife
Character: Uncle William
Released: September 5, 1912
Type: Movie
Harry expected to come in for a portion of his uncle's estate, but didn't figure that he would get his share before his worthy relative's demise. The uncle, however, being an eccentric individual, decides to divide his estate while he is alive so as to avoid misunderstandings. Harry's share is $25,000, but the condition is that he is happily married, otherwise he doesn't get a penny. He has only a couple of hours in which to comply with the condition. Well, he gets his share, but, oh, what a struggle.
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Getting Rid of Trouble
Title: Getting Rid of Trouble
Character: Dad
Released: September 5, 1912
Type: Movie
The Newlyweds move into their new flat and prepare to entertain their uncle.
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The Would-Be Shriner
Title: The Would-Be Shriner
Character: On Street
Released: July 25, 1912
Type: Movie
Hank Hopkins is a "rube" of the most extreme type, and on the morning of the great Shrine Parade in Los Angeles, he is met by a couple of friends, practical jokers, who make him believe that they can effect his participating in the grand pageant. He telephones his wife to be on the grandstand to see him march by. Mrs. Hopkins receives a great disappointment, but it is slight to what Hank receives when he attempts to get into line.
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The Speed Demon
Title: The Speed Demon
Character: In Crowd
Released: July 14, 1912
Type: Movie
An ambitious race driver who is not allowed to compete decides to outwit his competitors.
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When the Fire-Bells Rang
Title: When the Fire-Bells Rang
Character: An Actor
Released: May 8, 1912
Type: Movie
They are brothers; one is a member of the village fire department, the other the property man at the "Opry House." A traveling dramatic company arrives, and. in putting on a Roman tragedy, needs twenty "supers" to play "Roman soldiers." "Props" engages the members of the fire company, who are rehearsed and dressed in Roman costumes. Everything goes fine until the fire-bells ring out an alarm, then, well...
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A Voice from the Deep
Title: A Voice from the Deep
Character: A Fisherman
Released: March 21, 1912
Type: Movie
Percy and Harold are rivals and both take the object of their affections for an outing.
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Hot Stuff
Title: Hot Stuff
Character: Hank's Sweetheart's Father
Released: March 21, 1912
Type: Movie
Hank (Mack Sennett) loses his girl (Mabel Normand) to another guy (Dell Henderson) so he decides to get even with some hot sauce.
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The Engagement Ring
Title: The Engagement Ring
Character: The Benefactor
Released: March 10, 1912
Type: Movie
Alice has two persistent suitors, one rich, one poor. Each buys her an engagement ring; the rich man pays cash, but the poor man must pay on installments. He has trouble making the payments, but then he's injured in an auto accident and the settlement allows him to pay off the ring and propose to Alice.
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Saved from Himself
Title: Saved from Himself
Character: A Guest
Released: December 10, 1911
Type: Movie
Joseph Graybill, learning that his friends have been making a lot of money in the stock market, takes a flyer himself. However, when a drop in the shares he has bought wipes him out, he breaks into his employer's safe for money to pay for a margin call. Will the thought of his grey-haired mother and the importunities of his co-worker Mabel Normand stop him or will he descend to a life of crime?
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Why He Gave Up
Title: Why He Gave Up
Character: One of the Husband's Chums
Released: December 4, 1911
Type: Movie
Hubby is anxious to get away for a little time at the beach with the boys, and works up a quarrel with wifey over a new hat, the bill for which he is asked to pay. Making this excuse, he goes off with his chums. The wife is an expert swimmer and diver and is invited to attend a meet of the ladies' swimming club, of which she was formerly a member. Her husband's treatment induces her to accept the invitation. The affair takes place at the very beach to which the husband hied himself. One may imagine that hubby has not only plunged into the cooling waters of the surf, but into domestic hot water as well.
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The Miser's Heart
Title: The Miser's Heart
Character: Policeman
Released: November 20, 1911
Type: Movie
Thieves decide to steal the money an old miser has hidden away. He refuses to open the safe for them, so they threaten to kill a little girl who lives in his building.
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The Long Road
Title: The Long Road
Character: At Party
Released: October 26, 1911
Type: Movie
Edith enters a convent after losing her fiancé to someone else. Years later, Edith finds him again, now poverty-stricken, and secretly helps his family.
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The Making of a Man
Title: The Making of a Man
Character: Young Woman's Family
Released: October 4, 1911
Type: Movie
A young woman becomes infatuated with the leading man of a traveling theatrical troupe. She sneaks away to join him in the next town, but her father forces her to return home...
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The Squaw's Love
Title: The Squaw's Love
Character: Father
Released: September 13, 1911
Type: Movie
Wild Flower follows her banished lover, Gray Fox, into the wilderness. Her departure is witnessed by Silver Fawn, who mistakenly thinks Wild Flower is stealing her fiancé. Silver Fawn sets out in pursuit and jealously attacks Wild Flower. They fall into the river but are rescued by Gray Fox.
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Swords and Hearts
Title: Swords and Hearts
Character: Old Ben
Released: August 27, 1911
Type: Movie
A poor girl is secretly in love with a wealthy young planter.
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The Rose of Kentucky
Title: The Rose of Kentucky
Character: A servant
Released: August 24, 1911
Type: Movie
A farmer takes in a young orphan after her mother's death and sends her off to school. After she's grown, he encourages her to consider his younger brother as a husband. When the younger brother proves to be a coward, she chooses the older brother instead.
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The Diving Girl
Title: The Diving Girl
Character: The Uncle's Friend
Released: August 21, 1911
Type: Movie
With her uncle she visits the seashore and goes bathing with a party of her brother's friends. Uncle also takes a dip and is annoyed at the perilous performance of the girl. He orders her from the water and locks her in her room, but brother releases her. He finally concludes that home is the best place for her, for there she will run no chance of drowning.
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The Manicure Lady
Title: The Manicure Lady
Character: Maitre D'
Released: May 18, 1911
Type: Movie
The manicure lady spurns the barber and dates a rich cad instead.
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Teaching Dad to Like Her
Title: Teaching Dad to Like Her
Character: Outside Theatre
Released: March 20, 1911
Type: Movie
Harry wants to marry Dolly, a showgirl, but only on the condition that she can win over his disapproving father. The father is so charmed when he meets Dolly that he wants to win her for himself.
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Comrades
Title: Comrades
Character: Charles A. Franklin
Released: March 13, 1911
Type: Movie
Two creative bums invade a high society gathering by pretending to be rich.
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Fisher Folks
Title: Fisher Folks
Character: Fisherman
Released: February 16, 1911
Type: Movie
A crippled girl marries a fisherman, who also has eyes for the town flirt.
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What Shall We Do with Our Old?
Title: What Shall We Do with Our Old?
Character: Shop
Released: February 13, 1911
Type: Movie
An elderly carpenter is told by a doctor that his wife is seriously ill. Soon afterwards, an insensitive shop foreman lays him off from his job because of his age. Unable to find work, and with his wife's condition getting worse, he soon becomes desperate.
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A Plain Song
Title: A Plain Song
Character: Edith's Employer
Released: November 28, 1910
Type: Movie
Edith is a salesgirl in a department store who envys her store-mates, as she views them passing by with their sweethearts, lighthearted and happy. Therefore she feels highly flattered and pleased at the attentions of a traveling repertoire manager who enters the store advertising his show, and presents Edith with two complimentary tickets for that evening's performance. The next day the manager appears again and invites her to take a stroll with him. This is the first attention the poor girl has ever experienced, and when the manager tries to persuade her to go away with him it is a supreme struggle with inclination that prevents her leaving her old folks.
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Sunshine Sue
Title: Sunshine Sue
Character: The Piano Store Owner
Released: November 14, 1910
Type: Movie
A country girl follows a city suitor, but is left alone and must fend for herself.
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Muggsy Becomes a Hero
Title: Muggsy Becomes a Hero
Character: The Pastor
Released: September 1, 1910
Type: Movie
Two 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.
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Wilful Peggy
Title: Wilful Peggy
Released: August 24, 1910
Type: Movie
Peggy 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.
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The Usurer
Title: The Usurer
Character: The Doctor
Released: August 15, 1910
Type: Movie
A wealthy, callous moneylender finds a terrifying way to learn about money's limitations.
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The House with Closed Shutters
Title: The House with Closed Shutters
Character: The Colored Servant
Released: August 8, 1910
Type: Movie
During the Civil War a young soldier loses his nerve in battle and runs away to his home to hide; his sister puts on his uniform, takes her brother's place in the battle, and is killed. Their mother, not wanting the shameful truth to become known, closes all the shutters (hence the film's title) and keeps her son's presence a secret for many years, though two boyhood chums stumble upon the truth...
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A Flash of Light
Title: A Flash of Light
Character: A Doctor
Released: July 17, 1910
Type: Movie
An experiment goes wrong and blinds a newly married chemist. The chemist's wife does not want to take on the burden of caring for the blind chemist, and her younger sister take her place.
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Serious Sixteen
Title: Serious Sixteen
Released: June 8, 1910
Type: Movie
When young Tom and Adele learn they must wait four years before they can marry, they agree to kill themselves. They reconsider, and then decide to elope. The plan sours when Adele sees two friends flirting with Tom. Brokenhearted, she decides to give her life to the Salvation Army. Tom responds by choosing to join a monastery. When, however, Adele’s father buys her a new hat, Adele backslides and Tom follows suit.
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A Child of the Ghetto
Title: A Child of the Ghetto
Character: In Second Shop
Released: June 6, 1910
Type: Movie
After her mother's death, Ruth struggles to support herself as a seamstress. While Ruth delivers shirts to the factory owner, the owner's son steals some money and Ruth is accused of the crime. She flees the ghetto of New York's Lower East Side and hides in the country where she meets a young farmer.
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The Honor of His Family
Title: The Honor of His Family
Released: January 24, 1910
Type: Movie
An old colonel is proud as a peacock: his son leads a group of volunteers in the American Civil War. Untill one day his son returns home as a deserter.
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A Trap for Santa Claus
Title: A Trap for Santa Claus
Character: The Attorney / Man in Bar (uncredited)
Released: December 20, 1909
Type: Movie
The children of a household attempt to capture Santa, but they catch something else entirely.
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A Corner in Wheat
Title: A Corner in Wheat
Released: December 13, 1909
Type: Movie
On 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.
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They Would Elope
Title: They Would Elope
Released: August 9, 1909
Type: Movie
Two 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.
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The Slave
Title: The Slave
Character: A Patrician
Released: July 29, 1909
Type: Movie
A Greek woman marries a struggling sculptor. When he can't support her and their baby, she offers to sell herself as a slave to allow them to buy food.
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The Taming of the Shrew
Title: The Taming of the Shrew
Released: November 10, 1908
Type: Movie
Based on Shakespeare's play. Petruchio courts the bad-tempered Katharina, and tries to change her aggressive behavior.