John St. Polis

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John M. St. Polis (November 24, 1873 – October 8, 1946) was an American actor.

St. Polis was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Before starting his film career, he made a name for himself on the Broadway stage, most notably in the role of Frederik in the original production of The Return of Peter Grimm (1911–12) and the play's revival in 1921, both performed at the Belasco Theatre.

He appeared in 126 films between 1914 and 1943. In all of his early roles, the actor is billed as John Sainpolis. His best-known performances are as Etienne Laurier in The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921), and as Comte Phillipe de Chagny in The Phantom of the Opera (1925).

St. Polis successfully made the transition from silent cinema to "talkies" with one of his most praised performances as Dr. John M. Besant, the father of Norma Besant (played by Mary Pickford) in Coquette (1929).

Known For

The Phantom of the Opera

Mr. Wong, Detective

Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors

The Criminal Code

Shadows

Those Who Dance

A Woman's Way

The Three Sisters

Stake Uncle Sam to Play Your Hand

Filmography

1942 Crossroads

as Professor (uncredited)

1940 Haunted House

as Simkins

1940 On the Spot

as Doc Hunter

1940 Rocky Mountain Rangers

as Joseph Manners

1940 Abe Lincoln in Illinois

as Minor Role (uncredited)

1939 They Shall Have Music

as Davis

1939 Boys' Reformatory

as Superintendent Keene

1938 Mr. Wong, Detective

as Carl Roemer

1938 The Mysterious Rider

as Townsman

1938 Phantom Ranger

as Pat Doyle

1938 International Crime

as Roger Morton

1938 Saleslady

as Crane

1937 The Shadow Strikes

as Caleb Delthern

1937 Jungle Menace

as Chandler Elliott

1937 Paradise Isle

as Coxon

1937 Borderland

as Doctor

1936 Below the Deadline

as Mr. Abrams

1936 Three on the Trail

as Sheriff Sam Corwin

1936 Call of the Prairie

as Jim

1936 The Dark Hour

as Dr. Munro