Ralph Graves

For the American journalist and novelist, see Ralph Graves (writer).
Ralph Graves

Graves photo from Photoplay (September 1921)
Born Ralph Horsburgh
(1900-01-23)January 23, 1900
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Died February 18, 1977(1977-02-18) (aged 77)
Santa Barbara, California, U.S.
Occupation Screenwriter, film director, actor
Years active 1918-1949

Ralph Graves (January 23, 1900 – February 18, 1977) was an American screenwriter, film director and actor who appeared in 93 films between 1918 and 1949.

Born as Ralph Horsburgh in Cleveland, Ohio, Graves had been featured in 46 films, half of them produced by Mack Sennett, before writing, directing, and starring in Swell Hogan (1926), produced by Howard Hughes, whose father once had supported Graves by placing him on the payroll of the Hughes Tool Company between screen assignments, although the actor never worked there.

Graves and the younger Hughes met on the Wilshire Country Club golf course, and over lunch the actor pitched a film about a Bowery bum that adopts a baby. The plot intrigued Hughes, who had a strong interest in Hollywood, and he invested $40,000 in the project. During filming he sat on the sidelines in order to familiarize himself with the technical aspects of production. The budget eventually doubled, and after seeing the completed film numerous times, Hughes hired Dorothy Arzner to help him re-edit it, but there was little they could do to salvage it.

When asked his opinion of it, Hughes' uncle, novelist and film director Rupert Hughes, said, "It's nothing. No plot. No build up. No character development. The acting stinks. Destroy the film. If anbody sees it, you and that homo Graves will be the laughing stock of Hollywood." Hughes took his uncle's advice and ordered the screening room projectionist to burn the sole copy. Graves later claimed he and Hughes had engaged in a sexual relationship while collaborating on Swell Hogan.[1][2]

Despite this temporary setback, Graves directed four more films in 1927 and contributed the story or wrote the screenplay for twelve additional films, but most of his career was spent acting. While working for Sennett, Graves met Frank Capra, and the director later cast him in several films, including Flight, based on a story by Graves, and a series of adventure films in which he was cast opposite Jack Holt.

Graves retired from films in 1949. He died in Santa Barbara, California, aged 77.

Selected filmography

References

  1. ↑ Porter, Darwin, Howard Hughes: Hell's Angel. Blood Moon Productions, Ltd. 2005. ISBN 0-9748118-1-5, pp. 224-225
  2. ↑ Hack, Richard, Hughes: The Private Diaries, Memos and Letters. Phoenix Books, Inc. 2002. ISBN 1-59777-549-5, pp. 60-61
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