Ralph Morgan
Encyclopedia
Ralph Morgan was a Hollywood film, stage and character actor, and the older brother of Frank Morgan
(who played the title role in The Wizard of Oz
, 1939).
as Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann, Ralph Morgan graduated from Columbia University
with a law degree. However, he abandoned the world of jurisprudence
for the vocation of journeyman actor
, having already appeared in Columbia's annual Varsity Show
. Morgan became so successful in stock and on Broadway
that his younger brother, Frank
, was encouraged to give acting a try. Frank's career would eventually overshadow that of his elder brother.
in 1932 and Rasputin and the Empress
also in 1932. He later settled into secondary character parts. His quiet, dignified demeanor on screen was often employed for murder mysteries in which, more often than not, he would be exposed in the last reel as the killer. One of his memorable roles was in the 1942 serial Gang Busters
, in which he played a brilliant surgeon turned master criminal. Morgan later worked in television, frequently in religious dramas filmed for Family Theater
.
Among off-camera activities, he was also a founder, charter member and onetime president of the Screen Actors Guild
.
(1911–1974), an actress best known for creating the role of Vera Claythorne on Broadway
in the original production of Ten Little Indians
, and for her portrayal of Nora Charles on the radio series The Thin Man
.
Frank Morgan
Frank Morgan was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of the title character in the film The Wizard of Oz.-Early life:...
(who played the title role in The Wizard of Oz
The Wizard of Oz (1939 film)
The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was directed primarily by Victor Fleming. Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allan Woolf received credit for the screenplay, but there were uncredited contributions by others. The lyrics for the songs...
, 1939).
Early life
Born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
as Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann, Ralph Morgan graduated from Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
with a law degree. However, he abandoned the world of jurisprudence
Jurisprudence
Jurisprudence is the theory and philosophy of law. Scholars of jurisprudence, or legal theorists , hope to obtain a deeper understanding of the nature of law, of legal reasoning, legal systems and of legal institutions...
for the vocation of journeyman actor
Journeyman
A journeyman is someone who completed an apprenticeship and was fully educated in a trade or craft, but not yet a master. To become a master, a journeyman had to submit a master work piece to a guild for evaluation and be admitted to the guild as a master....
, having already appeared in Columbia's annual Varsity Show
Varsity Show
The Varsity Show is one of the oldest traditions at Columbia University and certainly its oldest performing arts presentation. Founded in 1894 as a fundraiser for the university's fledgling athletic teams, the Varsity Show now draws together the entire Columbia undergraduate community for a series...
. Morgan became so successful in stock and on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
that his younger brother, Frank
Frank Morgan
Frank Morgan was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of the title character in the film The Wizard of Oz.-Early life:...
, was encouraged to give acting a try. Frank's career would eventually overshadow that of his elder brother.
Career
Ralph Morgan made his film debut in silent films in 1915 appearing in several production made on the East Coast. In the early talkie era he played such leading roles in such productions as Strange InterludeStrange Interlude
Strange Interlude is an experimental play by American playwright Eugene O'Neill. O'Neill finished the play in 1923, but it was not produced on Broadway until 1928, when it won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Lynn Fontanne originated the central role of Nina Leeds on Broadway...
in 1932 and Rasputin and the Empress
Rasputin and the Empress
Rasputin and the Empress is a 1932 film about Imperial Russia starring the Barrymore siblings—John , Ethel , and Lionel Barrymore . It is the only film in which all three appeared together...
also in 1932. He later settled into secondary character parts. His quiet, dignified demeanor on screen was often employed for murder mysteries in which, more often than not, he would be exposed in the last reel as the killer. One of his memorable roles was in the 1942 serial Gang Busters
Gang Busters
Gang Busters was an American dramatic radio program heralded as "the only national program that brings you authentic police case histories." It premiered as G-Men, sponsored by Chevrolet, on July 20, 1935.-History:...
, in which he played a brilliant surgeon turned master criminal. Morgan later worked in television, frequently in religious dramas filmed for Family Theater
Family Theater
Family Theater was a dramatic anthology radio show which aired on the Mutual Broadcasting System in the United States from February 13, 1947 to September 11, 1957.-Production background:...
.
Among off-camera activities, he was also a founder, charter member and onetime president of the Screen Actors Guild
Screen Actors Guild
The Screen Actors Guild is an American labor union representing over 200,000 film and television principal performers and background performers worldwide...
.
Children
Morgan was the father of Claudia MorganClaudia Morgan
Claudia Morgan was an American film, television and radio actress. She was best known for playing the role of Vera Claythorne in the first Broadway production of Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians and for her portrayal of Nora Charles on the 1940s radio series, The Adventures of the Thin...
(1911–1974), an actress best known for creating the role of Vera Claythorne on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in the original production of Ten Little Indians
Ten Little Indians
"Ten Little Indians" is a children's rhyme. The song is usually performed to the Irish folk tune "Michael Finnegan". It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 13512.-Lyrics:The modern lyrics are believed to be public domain and are as follows:...
, and for her portrayal of Nora Charles on the radio series The Thin Man
The Thin Man
The Thin Man is a detective novel by Dashiell Hammett, originally published in Redbook. Although he never wrote a sequel, the book became the basis for a successful six-part film series which also began in 1934 with The Thin Man and starred William Powell and Myrna Loy...
.
Selected filmography
- Charlie Chan's ChanceCharlie Chan's ChanceCharlie Chan's Chance is a 1932 murder mystery film, the third to star Warner Oland as detective Charlie Chan. It is based on the novel Behind That Curtain by Earl Derr Biggers, who also contributed to the film. The film is considered to be lost....
(1932) - Rasputin and the EmpressRasputin and the EmpressRasputin and the Empress is a 1932 film about Imperial Russia starring the Barrymore siblings—John , Ethel , and Lionel Barrymore . It is the only film in which all three appeared together...
(1932) - Strange InterludeStrange Interlude (1932 film)Strange Interlude is a 1932 American romantic drama film directed by Robert Z. Leonard. The film stars Norma Shearer and Clark Gable, and is based on the play Strange Interlude by Eugene O'Neill.-Plot:...
(1932) - The Power and the Glory (1933)
- Doctor BullDoctor BullDoctor Bull is a comedy film directed by John Ford, based on the James Gould Cozzens novel The Last Adam. Will Rogers portrays a small town doctor who must deal with a typhoid outbreak in the community....
(1933) - The Kennel Murder CaseThe Kennel Murder Case (film)The Kennel Murder Case is a 1933 American film directed by Michael Curtiz starring William Powell as Philo Vance, reprising the role for Warner Brothers after appearing as Vance in three films for Paramount.-Plot:...
(1933) - No Greater Glory (1934)
- Stand Up and Cheer!Stand Up and Cheer!Stand Up and Cheer! is a 1934 American musical film directed by Hamilton MacFadden. The screenplay by Lew Brown and Ralph Spence was based upon a story idea by Will Rogers and Philip Klein. The film is about efforts undertaken during the Great Depression to boost the morale of the country...
(1934) - Star of MidnightStar of MidnightStar of Midnight is an American mystery-comedy film released by RKO Pictures in 1935. William Powell was loaned out in this movie from MGM to star with Ginger Rogers.-Plot:...
(1935) - Condemned to LiveCondemned to LiveCondemned to Live is a 1935 American horror film starring Ralph Morgan and Maxine Doyle, and directed by Frank R. Strayer. The film is unusual for its time, as it approaches the topic of vampirism from a sympathetic standpoint.-Plot:...
(1935) - Magnificent ObsessionMagnificent Obsession (1935 film)Magnificent Obsession is a 1935 drama film based on a book of the same name by Lloyd C. Douglas. It was adapted by Sarah Y. Mason, Victor Heerman, and George O'Neil, and directed by John M. Stahl...
(1935) - SpeedSpeed (1936 film)Speed is a 1936 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer action film starring James Stewart in his first starring role, and Wendy Barrie. Although only a low-budget "B" movie, the film was notable for its realistic cinematography by Lester White, incorporating scenes from the Indianapolis 500 race and on-location...
(1936) - The Ex-Mrs. BradfordThe Ex-Mrs. BradfordThe Ex-Mrs. Bradford is a mystery film starring William Powell and Jean Arthur as a divorced couple who investigate a murder at a racetrack. This was the last film directed by Stephen Roberts before his untimely death from a heart attack.-Plot:...
(1936) - Anthony AdverseAnthony AdverseAnthony Adverse is a 1936 American drama film directed by Mervyn LeRoy. The screenplay by Sheridan Gibney is based on the sprawling 1,224-page novel of the same title by Hervey Allen.-Plot:...
(1936) - General SpankyGeneral SpankyGeneral Spanky is a 1936 American comedy film produced by Hal Roach. A spin-off of Roach's popular Our Gang short subjects, the film stars George "Spanky" McFarland, Phillips Holmes, Rosina Lawrence, Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas, and Carl "Alfalfa" Switzer...
(1936) - The Life of Emile ZolaThe Life of Emile ZolaThe Life of Emile Zola is a 1937 American biographical film about French author Émile Zola. Set in the mid through late 19th century, it depicts his friendship with noted painter Paul Cézanne, and his rise to fame through his prolific writing, with particular focus on his involvement in the Dreyfus...
(1937) - MannequinMannequin (1937 film)Mannequin is 1937 film directed by Frank Borzage, and starring Joan Crawford, Spencer Tracy and Alan Curtis. In the film, Crawford plays Jessie, a young working class woman who seeks to improve her life by marrying her boyfriend, only to find out that he is no better than what she left behind...
(1937) - Wells FargoWells Fargo (film)Wells Fargo is a 1937 American Western film directed by Frank Lloyd and starring Joel McCrea. It was nominated for an Academy Award in the category Best Sound Wells Fargo is a 1937 American Western film directed by Frank Lloyd and starring Joel McCrea. It was nominated for an Academy Award in the...
(1937) - Army GirlArmy GirlArmy Girl is a 1938 American comedy film directed by George Nichols Jr.-Cast:* Madge Evans as Julie Armstrong* Preston Foster as Capt. Dike Conger* James Gleason as Sgt. 'Three Star' Hennessy...
(1938) - Wives Under SuspicionWives Under SuspicionWives Under Suspicion is a film directed by James Whale, starring Warren William, Gail Patrick, Ralph Morgan, and Constance Moore, and released by Universal Pictures.-Plot:...
(1938) - Mother Carey's ChickensMother Carey's Chickens (film)Mother Carey's Chickens is a 1938 drama film starring Anne Shirley and Ruby Keeler. The film was directed by Rowland V. Lee and based upon a 1917 play by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Rachel Crothers, which in turn was adapted from Wiggins' novel of the same title.Originally Katharine Hepburn was...
(1938) - Out West With the Hardys (1938)
- The Lone Wolf Spy HuntThe Lone Wolf Spy HuntThe Lone Wolf Spy Hunt is a 1939 film starring Warren William, Ida Lupino, Rita Hayworth, and Virginia Weidler. The film was directed by Peter Godfrey....
(1939) - Man of ConquestMan of ConquestMan of Conquest is a 1939 Western film directed by George Nichols Jr.. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards for Best Score, Best Sound and Best Art Direction .-Cast:* Richard Dix - Sam Houston...
(1939) - Fast and LooseFast and Loose (1939 film)Fast and Loose is a 1939 American thriller film directed by Edwin L. Marin and starring Robert Montgomery, Rosalind Russell and Reginald Owen. It was a sequel to the 1938 film Fast Company...
(1939) - The Mad DoctorThe Mad Doctor (film)The Mad Doctor is a 1941 thriller film starring Basil Rathbone as a physician whose wealthy wives keep dying. Ellen Drew plays his latest bride.-Cast:*Basil Rathbone as Dr. George Sebastian / Dr. Frederick Langamann*Ellen Drew as Linda Boothe...
(1941) - Dick Tracy vs. Crime, Inc. (1941 serial)
- Gang BustersGang Busters (serial)Gang Busters is a Universal movie serial based on the radio series Gang Busters. The city is terrorized by a crime wave masterminded by the elusive, soft-spoken Professor Mortis...
(1942 serial) - Night MonsterNight MonsterNight Monster is a 1942 American black-and-white horror film featuring Bela Lugosi and produced and distributed by Universal Pictures Company. The movie uses an original story and screenplay by Clarence Upson Young and was produced and directed by Ford Beebe...
(1942) - Hitler's MadmanHitler's MadmanHitler's Madman is a 1943 World War II film about the assassination of Nazi Reinhard Heydrich and the revenge taken by the Germans. It was produced by Seymour Nebenzal for PRC and Angelus Pictures, Inc. The shooting of Hitler's Madman took place late in 1942 and early 1943...
(1943) - Jack London (1943)
- The Great Alaskan MysteryThe Great Alaskan MysteryThe Great Alaskan Mystery is a 1944 Universal film serial about government agents trying to stop Nazi spies from getting their hands on futuristic weapons.-Cast:* Milburn Stone as Jim Hudson* Marjorie Weaver as Ruth Miller...
(1944 serial) - Strange ConfessionStrange ConfessionStrange Confession was an Inner Sanctum mystery film, released by Universal Pictures and starring Lon Chaney, Jr., J. Carrol Naish and Brenda Joyce. The movie was directed by John Hoffman and was later rereleased under the title The Missing Head...
(1944) - Weird WomanWeird WomanWeird Woman is an Inner Sanctum mystery film directed by Reginald Le Borg, and starring Lon Chaney, Jr., Anne Gwynne, and Evelyn Ankers. The "Inner Sanctum" franchise originated with a popular radio series and all of the films star Lon Chaney, Jr....
(1944) - The Monster MakerThe Monster MakerThe Monster Maker is a 1944 Science Fiction/Horror Movie starring J. Carrol Naish and Ralph Morgan. This was the first movie where Albert Glasser was the composer, and he wrote the score for US$250.-Plot:...
(1944) - The Monster and the ApeThe Monster and the ApeThe Monster and the Ape was the 26th serial released by Columbia Pictures.-Synopsis:The Monster of the title is the "Metalogen Man", a robot created by Professor Franklin Arnold. After displaying his invention, the robot is stolen by Professor Ernst with the aid of his trained ape, Thor...
(1945 serial) - Hollywood and VineHollywood and Vine (1945 film)Hollywood and Vine is a 1945 American film directed by Alexis Thurn-Taxis.The film is also known as Daisy Goes Hollywood in the United Kingdom and as Happily Ever After in the USA.- Cast :*James Ellison as Larry Winters...
(1945) - Song of the Thin ManSong of the Thin ManSong of the Thin Man is a 1947 comedy-crime film directed by Edward Buzzell, the last of the six Thin Man films. Like the others, it stars William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, characters created by Dashiell Hammett. Nick Jr. is played by Dean Stockwell...
(1947) - Sleep, My LoveSleep, My LoveSleep, My Love is a feature film directed by Douglas Sirk, and starring Claudette Colbert, Robert Cummings and Don Ameche.-Plot:Alison Courtland, a wealthy New Yorker, hasn't a clue how she ended up on a train bound for Boston...
(1948)