Harry Adolphus Pollard (1879-1934) was a stage actor who made his film debut in 1910. A few years later, he became an early auteur, writing, directing and starring in many films with his wife, Margarita Fischer.
Pollard gave up acting in 1916, though he still managed to clock up over eighty credits. In 1920, he directed the much-praised science fiction serial The Invisible Ray, and in 1926 co-wrote and directed the first in the successful The Cohens and the Kellys series.
As an actor, Pollard had blacked-up to play Uncle Tom in 1913. Fourteen years later, he directed another version of Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1927), this time with Black stage actor James B Lowe in the role. He also directed the first, part-talkie version of Show Boat (1929).
Pollard’s sole MGM musical was The Prodigal, which was billed as a ‘Harry Pollard Production’.
Pollard directed his final film, a William Haines comedy, the following year.
Leave a Reply