Cameron Carr — “The Villain of the Piece” (1919) 🇬🇧

Cameron Carr, the man producers won’t let be good.

Although he is essentially of the dramatic school, and can carry the heaviest character successfully through a piece with just sufficient light touches to relieve the drama, Cameron Carr has also played in comedy. But, as he himself admits, his temperament is far more suited to drama — the villain who lures the unfortunate person to destruction. For twenty years he played on the stage, and although he likes film work very much, has not entirely given up the idea of returning to the glare of the footlights.

He commenced playing for films about eight years ago, and has since that time played for nearly all the British companies. Recently he has appeared in the Broadwest films — A Fortune at Stake, A Turf Conspiracy, The Woman Wins, A Soul’s Crucifixion, In the Gloaming, and Under Suspicion.

In The Woman Wins, the Broadwest production in which Violet Hopson plays the part of the woman, Carr has an excellent role to fill — that of Vascour, a real villain, and he did justice to the part. No one could have so vividly portrayed the villainous instincts of Vascour as did Cameron Carr.

Cameron Carr also has a very fine part in the Broadwest production, Crucifixion, an adaptation of Newman Flower’s beautiful novel. It is quite a different character to the other parts which he has played for Broadwest, As Big Dog, he is the strong-willed and sympathetic friend of Guilda, the heroine of the story. Violet Hopson plays this part, and with Cameron Carr and Basil Gill supporting her, the film should prove a tremendous success.

An Awkward Mistake

Cameron Carr tells a fine story against himself. The incident occurred during the filming of The Woman Wins. The scenes acted called for the use of some banknotes — dummy ones were used, and Carr, absent-mindedly, pushed one or two into his pocket. That evening he took a lady friend to dinner, and when the bill was handed to Mr. Carr, he placed a note on the top of it, and the waiter took it to the cash desk. In a few seconds he returned — with the maitre d’hôtel, who threatened to send for the police. After a long argument, Carr managed to explain to the manager that by mistake he had given him one of the property notes — and even when he handed him a real Bank of England note, the proprietor was loath to let him go.

He spent his early days at Kingston-on-Thames, where he was born; and for the benefit of those who have not seen him in private life, I must tell you that he is nearly six feet tall, has black hair, very dark brown eyes, and a very pleasing smile.

He is fond of outdoor sports, and is an excellent oarsman; his beautiful little skiff was specially constructed for him. During the summer season, he spends most of his spare time sculling on the Thames. He excels at the piano, although he has never had a lesson in his life. He has a very sympathetic touch, and improvises with marvellous skill. So the next time you see Carr playing on the pictures you will know he is playing a real tune.

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A scene from The Woman Wins, showing Cameron Carr on the right.

Cameron Carr [Broadwest.)

Collection: Picture Show Magazine, May 1919