William Collier Jr.
ActingAbout William Collier Jr.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia William Collier Jr. (born Charles F. Gall Jr., February 12, 1902 – February 5, 1987) was an American film and stage actor who appeared in 89 films. William Collier (nicknamed "Buster") was born in New York City. When his parents divorced, his mother, the actress Paula Marr, remarried the actor William Collier Sr. who adopted Charles (the two did share a resemblance) and gave the boy the new name William Collier Jr. Collier's acting experience in childhood, having first appeared on stage at age seven, helped him to get his first movie role at the age of 14 in The Bugle Call (1916). He went on to become a popular leading man in the 1920s and made the transition from silent into sound film, however he retired from acting in 1935, and in 1937 went to work as a movie producer in England. At the end of the 1940s he returned to America and went on to produce drama series for television. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of William Collier Jr. reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of William Collier Jr.'s filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 14% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), William Collier Jr. remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Lighthouse by the Sea, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best William Collier Jr. Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from William Collier Jr.'s career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of William Collier Jr..
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | The People's Enemy | Tony Falcone | Average | Similar → |
| 1934 | Public Stenographer | James 'Jimmy' Martin Jr. | Flop | Similar → |
| 1933 | Her Secret | Johnny Norton | Flop | Similar → |
| 1933 | The Story of Temple Drake | Toddy Gowan | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Forgotten | Joseph Meyers | Average | Similar → |
| 1932 | Speed Demon | Speed Morrow | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | The Phantom Express | Bruce Harrington | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | Dancers in the Dark | Floyd Stevens | Flop | Similar → |
| 1931 | The Secret Witness | Arthur Jones aka Casey | Flop | Similar → |
| 1931 | Soul of the Slums | Jerry Harris | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Sporting Chance | Terry Nolan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1931 | Street Scene | Sam Kaplan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | The Big Gamble | Johnnie Ames | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Broadminded | Jack Hackett | Flop | Similar → |
| 1931 | Cimarron | The Kid | Average | Similar → |
| 1931 | Little Caesar | Tony Passa | Hit | Similar → |
| 1931 | Reducing | Johnnie Beasley | Flop | Similar → |
| 1930 | Rain or Shine | Bud Conway | Average | Similar → |
| 1930 | Free and Easy | Master of Ceremonies | Average | Similar → |
| 1930 | The Melody Man | Al Tyler | Flop | Similar → |
| 1929 | The Show of Shows | Performer in 'Bicycle Built for Two' Number (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1929 | The Donovan Affair | Cornish | Average | Similar → |
| 1929 | Tide of Empire | Romauldo Guerrero | Average | Similar → |
| 1929 | One Stolen Night | Bob | Flop | Similar → |
| 1928 | Beware of Bachelors | Ed | Flop | Similar → |
| 1928 | A Night of Mystery | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 1928 | The Tragedy of Youth | Dick Wayne (as Buster Collier) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1928 | So This Is Love | Jerry McGuire | Average | Similar → |
| 1927 | The Desired Woman | Lieutenant Larry Trent | Flop | Similar → |
| 1927 | Stranded | Johnny Nash | Flop | Similar → |
| 1927 | The Sunset Derby | Jimmy Burke | Flop | Similar → |
| 1927 | Convoy | John Dodge | Flop | Similar → |
| 1926 | Just Another Blonde | Scotty | Average | Similar → |
| 1926 | God Gave Me Twenty Cents | Barney Tapman | Flop | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Lady of the Harem | Rafi | Flop | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Rainmaker | Bobby Robertson | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1926 | The Lucky Lady | Clarke | Average | Similar → |
| 1925 | The Wanderer | Jether | Flop | Similar → |
| 1925 | Playing with Souls | Matthew Dale Jr. | Flop | Similar → |
| 1925 | The Reckless Sex | Juan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1925 | The Devil's Cargo | John Joyce | Flop | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Lighthouse by the Sea | Albert Dorn | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Mine with the Iron Door | Chico | Flop | Similar → |
| 1924 | Wine of Youth | Max Cooper | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1924 | The Sea Hawk | Marsak | Hit | Similar → |
| 1923 | Pleasure Mad | Howard Benton | Flop | Similar → |
| 1923 | Enemies of Women | Gaston de Lille | Flop | Similar → |
| 1920 | Everybody's Sweetheart | John | Hit | Similar → |
| 1920 | The Soul of Youth | Dick Armstrong | Flop | Similar → |
| 1919 | Back Stage | Stagehand | Average | Similar → |
William Collier Jr. - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of William Collier Jr.?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring William Collier Jr. is "The Lighthouse by the Sea" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has William Collier Jr. acted in?
William Collier Jr. has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by William Collier Jr.?
Other notable films include "The Rainmaker", "Wine of Youth", and "Little Caesar".