The Ball of Fortune
Encyclopedia
The Ball of Fortune is a 1926 British
silent
sports film directed by Hugh Croise and starring Billy Meredith
, James Knight
and Mabel Poulton
. It was based on the 1925 novel The Ball of Fortune by Sydney Horler
. The film is set against the backdrop of professional football
and top player Billy Meredith
appears as himself.
Cinema of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom has had a major influence on modern cinema. The first moving pictures developed on celluloid film were made in Hyde Park, London in 1889 by William Friese Greene, a British inventor, who patented the process in 1890. It is generally regarded that the British film industry...
silent
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
sports film directed by Hugh Croise and starring Billy Meredith
Billy Meredith
William Henry "Billy" Meredith was a Welsh footballer. He was considered one of the early superstars of football due to his performances, notably for Manchester City and Manchester United. He won each domestic trophy in the English football league and also gained 48 caps for Wales, for whom he...
, James Knight
James Knight (actor)
-Selected filmography:* The Happy Warrior * The Knave of Hearts * The Lady Owner * Hornet's Nest * Claude Duval * When Giants Fought * The Ball of Fortune * Motherland...
and Mabel Poulton
Mabel Poulton
Mabel Poulton was an English film actress, popular in Britain during the era of silent films.Born in London, England, Poulton was working as a stenographer and entered films by chance. Her first role in George Pearson's Nothing Else Matters was opposite Betty Balfour, who was also making her...
. It was based on the 1925 novel The Ball of Fortune by Sydney Horler
Sydney Horler
Sydney Horler was a prolific British novelist specialising in thrillers. Born in Leytonstone, London and was educated at Redcliffe School and Colston School in Bristol....
. The film is set against the backdrop of professional football
Professional football
In the United States and Canada, the term professional football includes the professional forms of American and Canadian gridiron football. In common usage, it refers to former and existing major football leagues in either country...
and top player Billy Meredith
Billy Meredith
William Henry "Billy" Meredith was a Welsh footballer. He was considered one of the early superstars of football due to his performances, notably for Manchester City and Manchester United. He won each domestic trophy in the English football league and also gained 48 caps for Wales, for whom he...
appears as himself.
Cast
- Billy MeredithBilly MeredithWilliam Henry "Billy" Meredith was a Welsh footballer. He was considered one of the early superstars of football due to his performances, notably for Manchester City and Manchester United. He won each domestic trophy in the English football league and also gained 48 caps for Wales, for whom he...
- Himself - James KnightJames Knight (actor)-Selected filmography:* The Happy Warrior * The Knave of Hearts * The Lady Owner * Hornet's Nest * Claude Duval * When Giants Fought * The Ball of Fortune * Motherland...
- Dick Huish - Mabel PoultonMabel PoultonMabel Poulton was an English film actress, popular in Britain during the era of silent films.Born in London, England, Poulton was working as a stenographer and entered films by chance. Her first role in George Pearson's Nothing Else Matters was opposite Betty Balfour, who was also making her...
- Mary Wayne - Geoffrey B. Partridge - James Brighurst
- Dorothy BoydDorothy BoydDorothy Boyd was an English film actress. She appeared in 38 films between 1926 and 1940. She was born in Sanderstead, Surrey and died in England.-Career:...
- Connie - Mark Barker - Bent
- John LongdenJohn LongdenJohn Longden was a West Indian-born English film actor. He appeared in 84 films between 1926 and 1964, including five films directed by Alfred Hitchcock.-Biography:...
- Daltry - Charles Barratt - Daniel Brighurst
- Patrick AhernePatrick AhernePatrick Aherne was a British film actor. He was the brother of the actor Brian Aherne.-Selected filmography:* The Ball of Fortune * Thou Fool * Huntingtower...