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Arthur V. Johnson
Arthur V. Johnson in a nice portrait
Silent Hall of Fame is looking for contributors to create an original biography for this star.
Arthur Vaughn Johnson was born in June 1876, in Cincinnati Ohio, to an Episcopal clergyman and his wife.
His decision to become an actor was not one that his father much approved of, but Johnson pursued his passion never the less, literally running away to join a traveling theatrical troupe at the age of eighteen. His first appearance on stage was as Tybalt in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. At six foot two and handsome, his polished and debonair manner made him a success on the stage, but never a major star. While working in New York in 1908, Johnson became one of the earliest serious actors to dare to appear in moving pictures. After making his first picture for the Edison Company in 1908, Johnson went to work for the Biograph Company in 1909. There he appeared in numerous films directed by D, W. Griffith, often co-starring with Mary Pickford and Florence Lawrence. However, when Johnson expressed his ambition to write and direct, Griffith’s reluctance to let him do either led to a parting of the ways.
In 1911, after a brief stay with the Reliance Film company, Johnson accepted a job offer from the Lubin company in Philadelphia. The offer contained two attractive inducements: his wife, actress, Florence Hackett, would be hired as well, and Johnson would be permitted to direct films as well as star in them. Upon his arrival at the Lubin studio, Johnson was immediately teamed up with Florence Lawrence, who had also come to Lubin and who was rapidly becoming the most popular movie star of the day. The high quality of the films that Johnson and Lawrence made for Lubin in 1911 and 1912 literally transformed the reputation of the Lubin film company. Sadly, very few of these films survive today. When Florence Lawrence left the studio in 1912, Johnson was cast opposite Lottie Briscoe. Their films were also quite successful and Johnson enjoyed widespread popularity as a matinee idol all over the world. Johnson made more than three hundred films in his career and the majority of them were made for Lubin in the four years he worked there.
Johnson worked at both the Lubin studio in Philadelphia and at the Betzwood studio. His wife, Florence Hackett, occasionally appeared in his films–usually in character roles–as did her two sons, Albert and Raymond–Johnson’s step-sons. Albert Hackett remembered Johnson giving him advice on how to stand: “Don’t stand like that. Grab the stage with your feet so that nobody can push you over.” Albert later passed on that advice to his friend Jimmy Cagney in Hollywood, who said in his autobiography that it was some of the best advice he ever got. Hackett also remembered that Johnson constantly read and re-read Shakespeare’s plays and took a volume of his plays with him any time he had to travel.
Johnson was a workaholic according to some accounts and so obsessed with his work that it affected his health and family life. Making matters worse, Johnson also suffered from alcoholism and that also took a heavy toll on his life and career. In June 1915 his wife left the Lubin studio and took her children back to New York. Later that summer, Johnson suffered a nervous breakdown and was sent to Atlantic City to recover. But his downward spiral continued. He had several accidents while driving and was badly injured in one of them. Exhausted and reportedly ill with tuberculosis, he died at his home on Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia on January 17th, 1916. He was thirty-nine years old.
(From Betzwood)
Click to enlarge:
Arthur V. Johnson
Arthur-Johnson-and-Joseph-Graybill-in-The-Lesson-1910.jpg
Arthur Johnson and Joseph Graybill in "The Lesson" (1910).
Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Marion-Leonard-in-The-Day-After-1909-03.jpg
Arthur Johnson and Marion Leonard in "The Day After" (1909).
Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Marion-Leonard-in-The-Day-After-1909-09.jpg
Arthur Johnson and Marion Leonard in "The Day After" (1909) #2.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-A-Romance-of-the-Western-Hills-1910-000.jpg
Arthur V. Johnson in "A Romance of the Western Hills (1910).
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-The-Unchanging-Sea-1910-02.jpg
Arthur V. Johnson in "The Unchanging Sea" (1910).
Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Mary-Pickford-in-The-Mountaineers-Honor-1909.jpg
Arthur V. Johnson and Mary Pickford in "The Mountaineer's Honor" (1909).
Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Mary-Pickford-in-Love-among-the-Roses-1909.jpg
Arthur V. Johnson and Mary Pickford in "Love among the Roses" (1909).
Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Mary-Pickford-in-The-Awakening-1909-01.jpg
Arthur V. Johnson and Mary Pickford in "The Awakening" (1909).
Mary-Pickford-and-Arthur-V-Johnson-in-The-Way-of-Man-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-003aj.jpg
Mary Pickford and Arthur Johnson in "The Way of Man" (1909), director D. W. Griffith.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Her-First-Biscuits-1909-director-DW-Griffith-12.jpg
Arthur Johnson in "Her First Biscuits" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Pippa-Passes-1909-director-DW-Griffith-14.jpg
Arthur Johnson talks to his cheating wife Marion Leonard in "Pippa Passes" (1909) director D.W. Griffith.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Where-Breakers-Roar-1908-director-DW-Griffith-03.jpg
Arthur V. Johnson is happy to meet his date in "Where Breakers Roar" (1908) directed by D. W. Griffith.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-A-Strange-Meeting-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-09.jpg
Arthur Johnson in "A Strange Meeting" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Marion-Leonard-in-Nursing-a-Viper-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-19.jpg
Arthur V. Johnson in "Nursing a Viper" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Robert-Harron-in-At-the-Altar-1909-director-DW-Griffith-12.jpg
Arthur V. Johnson gives directions to Robert Harron in "At the Altar" (1909) directed by D. W. Griffith.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Edgar-Allan-Poe-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-000.jpg
Arthur Johnson checks the poem in "Edgar Allan Poe" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Mary-Pickford-in-1776-or-The-Hessian-Renegades-1909-director-DW-Griffith-00.jpg
Arthur Johnson and Mary Pickford in "1776, or The Hessian Renegades" (1909) directed by D. W. Griffith.
Mack-Sennett-and-Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Lucky-Jim-director-DW-Griffith-6.jpg
Arthur V. Johnson is the only one offering sympathy to Mack Sennett in "Lucky Jim" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-The-Sealed-Room-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-13.jpg
Arthur Johnson decides what to do with the two secret lovers in "The Sealed Room" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-The-Little-Darling-1909-00.jpg
Arthur Johnson wears mustaches and smokes a cigar in "The Little Darling" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Mack-Sennett-and-Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Politicians-Love-Story-1909-director-DW-Griffith-13.jpg
Mack Sennett looks on as Arthur Johnson and a lady walk by in "Politician's Love Story" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith.
Florence-Lawrence-and-Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Confidence-1909-director-DW-Griffith-9.jpg
Florence Lawrence and Arthur Johnson are a happily married couple in "Confidence" (1909), director D. W. Griffith.
Florence-Lawrence-and-Arthur-Johnson-in-The-Mended-Lute-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-7.jpg
Florence Lawrence makes a move to escape from captivity as her guard Arthur Johnson takes a nap in "The Mended Lute" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Balked-at-the-Altar-1909-director-DW-Griffith-aj.jpg
Arthur Johnson in "Balked at the Altar" (1908), director D.W. Griffith.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-The-Cricket-on-the-Hearth-1909-director-DW-Griffith-00.jpg
Arthur Johnson plays the minister in "The Cricket on the Hearth" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith.
Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Marion-Leonard-in-The-Voice-of-the-Violin-1909-director-DW-Griffith-7.jpg
Arthur Johnson and Marion Leonard in "The Voice of the Violin" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith.
Arthur-Johnson-in-The-Song-of-the-Shirt-1908-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-12.jpg
Arthur Johnson is a waiter in "The Song of the Shirt" (1908), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-The-Red-Mans-View-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-00.jpg
Arthur Johnson in "The Red Man's View" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-A-Drunkards-Reformation-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-aj.jpg
Arthur Johnson has a few drinks with friends in "A Drunkard's Reformation" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Florence-Lawrence-and-Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Resurrection-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-7.jpg
Florence Lawrence does not recognize Arthur Johnson in "Resurrection" (1909), director D. W. Griffith.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Faithful-1910-director-DW-Griffith-aj.jpg
Arthur Johnson meets his love interest in "Faithful" (1910), director D. W. Griffith.
Arthur-V-Johnson-in-Corner-in-Wheat-1909-director-DW-Griffith-cinematographer-Billy-Bitzer-00.jpg
Arthur Johnson (in light suit) is a trader on the floor of the exchange in "Corner in Wheat" (1909), directed by D. W. Griffith, cinematographer Billy Bitzer.
Arthur-Johnson-in-The-Adventures-of-Dollie-1908-00.jpg
Arthur Johnson plays with his daughter in "The Adventures of Dollie" (1908), director D.W. Griffith.
Arthur-V-Johnson-portrait.jpg
Arthur V. Johnson.
http://silent-hall-of-fame.org/images/StarPictures/Arthur-V-Johnson/Arthur-V-Johnson-portrait.jpg
Arthur-V-Johnson-and-Florence-Lawrence-in-One-on-Reno.jpg
Arthur V. Johnson and Florence Lawrence in "One on Reno" (1911).
Arthur-V-Johnson.jpg
Arthur V. Johnson - Sincerely Yours.
http://silent-hall-of-fame.org/images/StarPictures/Arthur-V-Johnson/Arthur-V-Johnson.jpg
Selected Filmography
- The Adventures of Dollie (1908) - Free Movie
- Balked at the Alter (1908) - Free Movie
- Romance of a Jewess (1908) - Free Movie
- The Song of the Shirt (1908) - Free Movie
- Money Mad (1908) - Free Movie
- The Feud and the Turkey (1908)
- Where Breakers Roar (1908) - Hidden Gem
- The Hindoo Dagger (1909)
- The Girls and Daddy (1909) - Hidden Gem
- The Cord of Life (1909) - Free Movie
- The Curtain Pole (1909) - Free Movie
- Politician's Love Story (1909) - Free Movie
- The Golden Louis (1909) - Free Movie
- Edgar Allan Poe (1909) - Free Movie
- At The Altar (1909) - Free Movie
- The Day After (1909) - Hidden Gem
- The Lure of the Gown (1909) - Free Movie
- The Voice of the Violin (1909) - Free Movie
- A Drunkard's Reformation (1909) - Free Movie
- Confidence (1909) - Free Movie
- Lucky Jim (1909) - Free Movie
- Resurrection (1909) - Free Movie
- The Cricket on the Hearth (1909) - Free Movie
- What Drink Did (1909) - Free Movie
- The Violin Maker of Cremona (1909) - Free Movie
- Pippa Passes (1909) - Free Movie
- The Son's Return (1909) - Free Movie
- Her First Biscuits (1909) - Hidden Gem
- Nursing a Viper (1909) - Hidden Gem
- Lady Helen's Escapade (1909)
- The Peachbasket Hat (1909) - Hidden Gem
- The Way of Man (1909) - Free Movie
- A Strange Meeting (1909) - Free Movie
- Getting Even (1909) - Free Movie
- The Broken Locket (1909) - Free Movie
- The Little Darling (1909) - Free Movie
- The Mended Lute (1909) - Hidden Gem
- The Sealed Room (1909) - Free Movie
- 1776, or The Hessian Renegades (1909) - Free Movie
- The Awakening (1909) - Free Movie
- The Song of Conscience (1909)
- The Gibson Goddess (1909) - Free Movie
- The Light That Came (1909)
- The Mountaineer's Honor (1909) - Free Movie
- Those Awful Hats (1909) - Free Movie
- Lonely Villa (1909) - Free Movie
- Corner in Wheat (1909) - Free Movie
- The Red Man's View (1909) - Free Movie
- Faithful (1910) - Free Movie
- A Romance of the Western Hills (1910) - Hidden Gem
- The Unchanging Sea (1910) - Free Movie
- The Usurer (1910)
- The Lesson (1910) - Hidden Gem
- Love Among the Roses (1910) - Hidden Gem
- Rose O'Salem-Town (1910) - Free Movie
- The Oath and the Man (1910)
- The Lily of the Tenements (1911)
- O'er Grim Fields Scarred (1911)
- The Two Fathers (1911)
- The Spoiled Child (1912)
- The Samaritan of Coogan's Tenement (1912)
- The Preacher and the Gossip (1912)
- The Physician's Honor (1912)
- A Child's Devotion (1912)
- A Timely Rescue (1913)
- Friend John (1913)
- A Leader of Men (1913)
- The Beloved Adventurer (1914) - 15 Chapters
- Mazie Puts One Over (1915)
Arthur V. Johnson in "Faithful" (1910)
Our Newsletter
Recent Movie Reviews
- "Annie Laurie" (1927) - hidden gem
- "Battling Butler" (1926) - with film
- "Whistles And Windows" (1918) - hidden gem
- "The Scarlet Letter" (1926) - hidden gem
- "Seven Chances" (1925) - with film
- "So This is Paris" (1926) - hidden gem
- "Two Daughters of Eve" (1912) - hidden gem
- "Go West" (1925) - with film
- "Spies and Spills" (1918) - hidden gem
- "The Lesson" (1910) - hidden gem
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