Johnnie Walker — Blue Book of the Screen (1923) 🇺🇸

Johnnie Walker was born and educated in New York. He made his stage debut in “Rags and Riches,” an old-time melodrama, when only twelve years old.

Ambitious for a college education, he managed to pay his expenses through the winter and fall terms at Fordham College, by playing summer stock engagements. After completing his college course, Walker began his film career with the old Biograph company, where D. W. Griffith was beginning to make a name for himself.

He later joined the Edison company, where he was leading man for Viola Dana, Gertrude McCoy, Mabel Trunnelle and other famous stars of the day. He later played opposite Mary Fuller in several Universal productions, after which he returned to the stage, appearing in The Pearl Maiden, with Jeff De Angelis, and The Doll Girl, with Richard Carlo and Hattie Williams.

When the United States entered the great World War, Walker enlisted as a gob. When the job was completed, he was an ensign.

As soon as he donned civilian clothes, Walker took over the Hallmark studios in New York and directed a series of pictures, including “The Devil,” “When Dawn Comes” and “The Bachelor Apartment,” for the Arrow Film Corporation.

When Fox [William Fox] began filming Over the Hill, Walker was selected for the leading role.

Mrs. Mary Carr and Walker easily carried off the honors of this production.

His success in Over the Hill earned him a contract with Fox. He was starred in a series of five Fox productions, including “What Love Will Do,” “The Jolt,” “Play Square,” “Extra! Extra!” and “Live Wires.”

He was then secured by Emory Johnson to play one of the featured roles in “In the Name of the Law.” While playing in this production Walker also acted as business manager for Emory Johnson. During a period in his career when Walker was not actively engaged in film work, he became a film salesman, handling the Bradshaw scenics and educationals of China.

Collection: The Blue Book of the Screen (1923)