ActorAmericanSilent Film20th Century

Augustus Phillips

Augustus Phillips was an American actor prolific in the silent film era, appearing in 134 films and notably playing Victor Frankenstein in 1910.

1. Life

Augustus Phillips's life saw him transition from a seasoned stage performer to a prominent figure in the burgeoning film industry, driven by a change in his physical capabilities.

1.1. Early Life and Background

Augustus Phillips was born on August 1, 1874, in Rensselaer, Indiana, a city located in the United States. Details of his family and childhood environment are not widely documented, but his early life set the stage for a career dedicated to performance.

1.2. Early Career and Transition to Film

Before venturing into the world of cinema, Phillips honed his acting skills over 11 years in stock theater. This extensive stage experience provided him with a strong foundation in performance. However, vision problems eventually led him to shift his focus from the stage to film acting. On January 1, 1911, he officially joined the Edison Company, a pioneering film studio, marking the beginning of his prolific screen career.

2. Film Career

Phillips's film career spanned over a decade, during which he became a recognizable face in early American cinema, appearing in a remarkable number of productions.

2.1. Career Overview

Augustus Phillips's film career began in 1910 and continued until 1921. During this period, he established himself as a highly active actor, appearing in a total of 134 films. His transition from live theater to film was a significant step, allowing him to adapt his acting style to the demands of the emerging silent film medium. His consistent presence in films made him a notable figure in the early days of Hollywood.

2.2. Key Roles and Films

Phillips's filmography includes numerous roles, but one of his most remembered performances was in J. Searle Dawley's 1910 production of Frankenstein. In this early adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic novel, Phillips portrayed Victor Frankenstein, depicted as a young medical student. This role is considered a significant part of his legacy in early horror cinema.

Augustus Phillips, an American actor and prominent figure in early silent films.
Augustus Phillips, an American actor and prominent figure in early silent films.

2.3. Filmography

The following is a selected list of films in which Augustus Phillips appeared:

  • Frankenstein (1910)
  • Pigs Is Pigs (1910)
  • A Soldier's Duty (1912)
  • The Shadow on the Blind (1912)
  • The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere (1914), directed by Charles Brabin
  • The Gates of Eden (1916)
  • The Innocence of Ruth (1916)
  • Aladdin's Other Lamp (1917)
  • The Mortal Sin (1917)
  • God's Law and Man's (1917)
  • Threads of Fate (1917)
  • Miss Robinson Crusoe (1917)
  • Lady Barnacle (1917)
  • Daybreak (1918)
  • The Brass Check (1918)
  • Peggy Does Her Darndest (1919)
  • The Grim Game (1919)
  • Toby's Bow (1919)
  • The Lion's Den (1919)
  • One Hour Before Dawn (1920)
  • The Butterfly Man (1920)
  • The Unknown Wife (1921)

3. Death

Augustus Phillips died on September 29, 1944, in London, England.

4. Legacy and Impact

Augustus Phillips's career as an actor, marked by his prolific output of 134 films within a little over a decade, highlights his significant presence in the early American film industry. His work contributed to the formative years of cinema, helping to shape the emerging art form of silent film. His portrayal of Victor Frankenstein in the 1910 film version of Frankenstein remains a notable part of his historical filmography, cementing his place in the annals of early cinema.