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Warren William (born Warren William Krech; December 2, 1894 – September 24, 1948) was a Broadway and Hollywood actor, immensely popular during the early 1930s; he was later nicknamed the "King of Pre-Code". He was the first actor to play Perry Mason.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Warren William Krech's family originated in Bad Tennstedt, Thuringia, Germany. His grandfather, Ernst Wilhelm Krech (born 1819), fled Germany in 1848 during the Revolution, going first to France and later emigrating to the United States. He wed Mathilde Grow in 1851, and had six children. Freeman E. Krech, Warren's father, was born in 1856. Around the age of 25, Freeman moved to Aitkin, a small town in Minnesota, where he bought a newspaper, The Aitkin Age, in 1885. He married Frances Potter, daughter of a merchant, September 18, 1890. Their son Warren was born December 2, 1894.[1]

Warren William's interest in acting began in 1903, when an opera house was built in Aitkin. He was an avid and lifelong amateur inventor and was personally involved in working his farm, pursuits that may have contributed to his death by exposing him to a variety of dangerous contaminants, ranging from sawdust to DDT.[2] After high school, William auditioned for, and was enrolled in, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) in New York City in October 1915.[1]

As his senior year at AADA was coming to an end, the United States had entered the First World War, and William enlisted in the United States Army. He was assigned from base to base, in charge of training new men at various locations, and in 1918 was assigned to Fort Dix, New Jersey, near New York City. During this period, he met his future wife, Helen Barbara Nelson, who was 17 years older than he was.[2] In October 1918, William's unit was deployed to the war front in France, and the war ended one month later. William's military service ended 1919, after which he began working on his acting career. In 1923, he and Helen were married.[1]

Career

[edit]
Dave the Dude (William) and Apple Annie (May Robson) in Lady for a Day (1933)

William, who appeared in his first Broadway play in 1920, soon made a name for himself in New York, appearing in more than 20 plays on Broadway between 1920 and 1931. During this period he also appeared in two silent films, The Town That Forgot God (1922)[3] and Plunder (1923).[4]

He moved from New York City to Hollywood in 1931. Looking back at his career in 2011, The Village Voice christened him "The King of Pre-Code".[5] He began as a contract player at Warner Bros. and quickly became a star during what is now known as the 'Pre-Code' period. He developed a reputation for portraying ruthless, amoral businessmen (Under 18, Skyscraper Souls, The Match King, Employees' Entrance), crafty lawyers (The Mouthpiece, Perry Mason), and outright charlatans (The Mind Reader).[6] These roles were considered controversial, yet they were highly satisfying. This was the harshest period of the Great Depression, characterized by massive business failures and oppressive unemployment. Movie audiences jeered at the businessmen, who were often portrayed as predators.

William did play some sympathetic roles, including Dave the Dude in Frank Capra's Lady for a Day and a loving father and husband cuckolded by Ann Dvorak's character in Three on a Match (1932). He was a young songwriter's comically pompous older brother in Gold Diggers of 1933. William was Julius Caesar in Cecil B. DeMille's Cleopatra (1934; starring Claudette Colbert in the title role), and with Colbert again the same year as her character's love interest in Imitation of Life (1934). He played the swashbuckling musketeer d'Artagnan in The Man in the Iron Mask (1939), directed by James Whale.[7]

William as Perry Mason in The Case of the Lucky Legs (1935), with Genevieve Tobin and Patricia Ellis

The studios capitalized on William's popularity by placing him in multiple "series" films, particularly as detectives and crime solvers. William was the first to portray Erle Stanley Gardner's fictional defense attorney Perry Mason on the big screen, starring in four Perry Mason mysteries.[8] He played Raffles-like reformed jewel thief The Lone Wolf in nine films, beginning with The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt (1939), and appeared as Detective Philo Vance in two of the series films, The Dragon Murder Case (1934) and the comedic The Gracie Allen Murder Case (1939). He also starred as Sam Spade (renamed Ted Shane) in Satan Met a Lady (1936), the second screen version of The Maltese Falcon.[9]

Other roles included Mae West's manager in Go West, Young Man (1936); a jealous district attorney in another James Whale film, Wives Under Suspicion (1938); copper magnate Jesse Lewisohn in 1940's Lillian Russell; the evil Jefferson Carteret in Arizona (also 1940); and the sympathetic Dr. Lloyd in The Wolf Man (1941). In 1945, he played Brett Curtis in cult director Edgar G. Ulmer's 1945 modern-day version of Hamlet, called Strange Illusion.[10] In what would be his last film, he played Laroche-Mathieu in The Private Affairs of Bel Ami in 1947.

On radio, William starred in the transcribed series Strange Wills, which featured "stories behind strange wills that run the gamut of human emotion."[11]

Private life and death

[edit]

Although on-screen William was an actor audiences loved to hate, off-screen he was a private man, and he and his wife Helen kept out of the limelight. She and Warren remained a couple throughout his entire adult life. He was often described as having been shy in real life. Co-star Joan Blondell once said, "[He] ... was an old man – even when he was a young man."[8]

William died on September 24, 1948, from multiple myeloma, at age 53. His wife died a few months later.[12] He was recognized for his contribution to motion pictures with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in February 1960.[1]

Filmography

[edit]
Warren William filmography
Title Year Role Notes
Studio/Distributor 		Ref(s)
The Town That Forgot God 1923 Eben, the carpenter as Warren Krech (silent film)
Fox Film 		[3]
Plunder 1923 Mr. Jones as Warren Krech
(15-episode Pearl White silent serial)
George B. Seitz Productions 		[4]
Honor of the Family 1931 Captain Boris Barony First National Pictures [13]
Expensive Women 1931 Neil Hartley Warner Bros. Pictures [14]
Three on a Match 1932 Robert Kirkwood First National Pictures [15]
The Dark Horse 1932 Hal Samson Blake First National Pictures [16]
Skyscraper Souls 1932 David Dwight Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [17]
The Mouthpiece 1932 Vincent Day Warner Bros. Pictures [18]
The Match King 1932 Paul Kroll First National Pictures [19]
Beauty and the Boss 1932 Baron Josef von Ullrich Warner Bros. Pictures [20]
The Woman from Monte Carlo 1932 Lieutenant d'Ortelles First National Pictures [21]
Under Eighteen 1932 Raymond Harding Warner Bros. Pictures [22]
Goodbye Again 1933 Kenneth Bixby First National Pictures [23]
Lady for a Day 1933 Dave the Dude Columbia Pictures [24]
The Mind Reader 1933 Chandra Chandler First National Pictures [25]
Gold Diggers of 1933 1933 J. Lawrence Bradford Warner Bros. Pictures [26]
Employees' Entrance 1933 Kurt Anderson First National Pictures [27]
Just Around the Corner 1933 Mr. Sears General Electric promotional short [28]
The Secret Bride 1934 Robert Sheldon Warner Bros. Pictures [29]
Cleopatra 1934 Julius Caesar Paramount Pictures [30]
Dr. Monica 1934 John Braden Warner Bros. Pictures [31]
Smarty 1934 Tony Wallace Warner Bros. Pictures [32]
Imitation of Life 1934 Stephen Archer Universal Pictures [33]
The Case of the Howling Dog 1934 Perry Mason First film depiction of Perry Mason
Warner Bros. Pictures 		[34]
The Dragon Murder Case 1934 Philo Vance First National Pictures [35]
Bedside 1934 Bob Brown First National Pictures [36]
Upper World 1934 Alex Stream Warner Bros. Pictures [37]
Living on Velvet 1935 Walter "Gibraltar" Pritcham First National Pictures [38]
Don't Bet on Blondes 1935 Odds Owen Warner Bros. Pictures [39]
The Case of the Curious Bride 1935 Perry Mason First National Pictures [40]
The Case of the Lucky Legs 1935 Perry Mason Warner Bros. Pictures [41]
Satan Met a Lady 1936 Ted Shane Warner Bros. Pictures [42]
Go West, Young Man 1936 Morgan Major Pictures Corp. [43]
The Widow from Monte Carlo 1936 Major Allan Chepstow Warner Bros. Pictures [44]
The Case of the Velvet Claws 1936 Perry Mason First National Pictures [45]
Times Square Playboy 1936 Vic Arnold Warner Bros. Pictures [46]
Stage Struck 1936 Fred Harris First National Pictures [47]
Outcast 1937 Dr. Wendell Phillips Jones Major Pictures Corp. [48]
Midnight Madonna 1937 Blackie Denbo Major Pictures Corp. [49]
Madame X 1937 Bernard Fleuriot Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [50]
The Firefly 1937 Major de Rouchemont Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [51]
Wives Under Suspicion 1938 District Attorney Jim Stowell Universal Pictures [52]
The First Hundred Years 1938 Harry Borden Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [53]
Arsène Lupin Returns 1938 Steve Emerson Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer [54]
The Gracie Allen Murder Case 1939 Philo Vance Paramount Pictures [55]
The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt 1939 Michael Lanyard / "The Lone Wolf" Columbia Pictures [56]
Day-Time Wife 1939 Bernard Dexter 20th Century Fox [57]
The Man in the Iron Mask 1939 d'Artagnan Edward Small Productions [58]
Lillian Russell 1940 Jesse Lewisohn 20th Century Fox [59]
Trail of the Vigilantes 1940 Mark Dawson Universal Pictures [60]
The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady 1940 Michael Lanyard / "The Lone Wolf" Columbia Pictures [61]
The Lone Wolf Keeps a Date 1940 Michael Lanyard / "The Lone Wolf" Columbia Pictures [62]
The Lone Wolf Strikes 1940 Michael Lanyard / "The Lone Wolf" Columbia Pictures [63]
Arizona 1940 Jefferson Carteret Columbia Pictures [64]
The Wolf Man 1941 Dr. Lloyd Universal Pictures [65]
The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance 1941 Michael Lanyard / "The Lone Wolf" Columbia Pictures [66]
Secrets of the Lone Wolf 1941 Michael Lanyard / "The Lone Wolf" Columbia Pictures [67]
Wild Geese Calling 1941 Blackie Bedford 20th Century Fox [68]
Counter-Espionage 1942 Michael Lanyard / "The Lone Wolf" Columbia Pictures [69]
Wild Bill Hickok Rides 1942 Harry Farrel Warner Bros. Pictures [70]
One Dangerous Night 1943 Michael Lanyard / "The Lone Wolf" Columbia Pictures [71]
Passport to Suez 1943 Michael Lanyard / "The Lone Wolf" Columbia Pictures [72]
Strange Illusion 1945 Brett Curtis Producers Releasing Corporation [73]
Fear 1946 Police Capt. Burke Monogram Pictures [74]
The Private Affairs of Bel Ami 1947 Laroche-Mathieu Loew-Lewin, Inc./United Artists [75]

Stage

[edit]

Note: The list below is limited to New York/Broadway theatrical productions; listed as Warren William, except where noted

Broadway credits of Warren William
Title Production run Role Notes Ref(s)
Mrs. Jimmie Thompson Mar 29, 1920 - May 1920 Edgar Blodgett as Warren W. Krech [76]
John Hawthorne Jan 24, 1921 - Jan 1921 John Hawthorne as Warren W. Krech [77]
We Girls Nov 09, 1921 - Nov 1921 Doctor Tom Brown as Warren W. Krech [78]
The Wonderful Visit Feb 12, 1924 - Apr 1924 Sir John Gotch, K.B.E. [79]
Expressing Willie Apr 16, 1924 - Jun 1924 George Cadwalader [80]
Nocturne Feb 16, 1925 - Feb 1925 Keith Reddington [81]
The Blue Peter Mar 24, 1925 - Apr 1925 David Hunter [82]
Rosmersholm May 5, 1925 - May 1925 Johannes Rosmer [83]
Twelve Miles Out Nov 16, 1925 - Apr 1926 Gerald Fey [84]
Easter One More Day Mar 18, 1926 - Apr 1926 Elis [85]
Fanny Sep 21, 1926 - Nov 1926 Joe White Starring Fanny Brice [86]
Paradise Dec 26, 1927 - Jan 1928 Dr. Achilles Swain [87]
Veils Mar 13, 1928 - Mar 1928 Mr. Robert Sloan [88]
The Golden Age Apr 24, 1928 - Apr 1928 The Stranger [89]
Sign of the Leopard Dec 11, 1928 - Jan 1929 Captain Leslie [90]
Let Us Be Gay Feb 19, 1929 - Dec 1929 Bob Brown Replaced by Barry O'Neill for unknown number of performances [91]
Week-End Oct 22, 1929 - Oct 1929 Brett Laney [92]
Out of a Blue Sky Feb 08, 1930 - Feb 1930 Paul Rana [93]
The Vikings May 12, 1930 - May 1930 Sigurd [94]
Stepdaughters of War Oct 06, 1930 - Oct 1930 Geoffrey Hilder [95]
The Vinegar Tree Nov 19, 1930 - Jun 1931 Max Lawrence [96]

Bibliography

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Warren William

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Warren William (December 2, 1894 – September 24, 1948) was an American stage and film actor renowned for portraying suave, cynical, and often morally ambiguous leading men in pre-Code Hollywood productions of the early 1930s. Born Warren William Krech in Aitkin, Minnesota, he rose to prominence as a Warner Bros. contract player, embodying the era's sophisticated antiheroes before transitioning to series roles as detective Perry Mason and the gentleman thief Michael Lanyard in the Lone Wolf films. His career spanned Broadway, silent films, talkies, and radio, marking him as a versatile performer whose sharp wit and urbane charm defined a pivotal transition in American cinema. The son of Freeman E. Krech, a local newspaper owner, and Frances Potter, William grew up in the small town of Aitkin, where his father's publication, the Independent Age, shaped his early exposure to journalism and public life. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in in 1915, completing his training in 1917 amid the escalating tensions of . Enlisting in the U.S. Army shortly thereafter, he served in as an artillery instructor and performer with a theatrical troupe entertaining troops, experiences that honed his stage presence without direct combat involvement. Returning to the after the , he adopted the professional name Warren William and built a solid Broadway reputation in the 1920s, with standout successes including the comedy The Vinegar Tree (1930), which showcased his comedic timing and led to Hollywood offers. William's film career ignited in the late 1920s with minor roles, but he achieved stardom in the pre-Production Code era through a string of Warner Bros. vehicles that capitalized on his debonair persona and willingness to tackle risqué themes. Breakthrough performances included the ambitious district attorney in The Mouthpiece (1932) and the supportive suitor in Frank Capra's Lady for a Day (1933), followed by high-profile parts as Bea Pullman's producer in John M. Stahl's Imitation of Life (1934) and Julius Caesar opposite Claudette Colbert in Cecil B. DeMille's Cleopatra (1934). He became the first actor to portray Erle Stanley Gardner's famed lawyer Perry Mason on screen, starring in four adaptations from 1934 to 1936, including The Case of the Velvet Claws and The Case of the Lucky Legs. In the late 1930s and 1940s, as Hollywood shifted to stricter moral codes, William adeptly pivoted to B-movie series, notably as the reformed thief Michael Lanyard in nine Lone Wolf entries starting with The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt (1939) and extending to Passport to Suez (1943), as well as Philo Vance in three films and D'Artagnan in The Man in the Iron Mask (1939). He also ventured into radio, appearing in anthology shows and series like Strange Wills until health issues curtailed his work. Married to actress Helen Barbara Nelson from 1923 until his death, with no children, William maintained a low-profile focused on his craft. He succumbed to on September 24, 1948, at his home in Encino, , at the age of 53. Posthumously honored with a star on the at 1559 in 1960, William's legacy endures as a quintessential figure of pre-Code cinema, celebrated for bringing urbane sophistication and subtle subversion to the .

Early Life

Family Background and Childhood

Warren William was born Warren William Krech on December 2, 1894, in the small town of , to Freeman E. Krech, a prominent local businessman and publisher of the Aitkin Age newspaper, and Frances Potter Krech. Freeman Krech, born in 1856 in , relocated to Aitkin around 1880, where he built a successful enterprise in and local affairs. Raised in a well-to-do household that afforded a comfortable small-town existence, young Warren exhibited a keen . At the age of nine, in 1903, the construction and opening of the Aitkin Opera House ignited his lifelong interest in theater, as he avidly attended performances and immersed himself in the lively cultural scene it brought to the community.

Education and Early Influences

Warren William attended and graduated from Aitkin High School in in 1915, where he developed an early interest in performance amid his German-American upbringing. His heritage provided a cultural foundation that emphasized discipline and storytelling traditions, subtly shaping his affinity for dramatic arts. In the fall of 1915, shortly after high school, William enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in , a premier institution for theatrical training. There, he spent nearly two years honing his acting skills through rigorous classes in voice, movement, and , graduating in March 1917. The academy's structured curriculum equipped him with foundational techniques essential for professional theater, bridging his Midwestern roots to the competitive New York stage scene. William's education was interrupted by ; he enlisted in the U.S. Army shortly after the declared war on in 1917, training at , , before being shipped to in 1918. He served in as an instructor and performer with a entertaining troops during the war's final months and post-Armistice duties, experiences that honed his stage presence without direct combat involvement, though it delayed his full entry into professional acting. Upon returning to the United States in 1919, William began his initial professional exposure through stock theater and vaudeville circuits, starting with the Corey Singers troupe in France and a road company production of I Love You. These engagements provided practical experience in ensemble performance and audience interaction without yet committing to major Broadway productions, marking a gradual buildup to his theatrical career.

Career

Stage Career

Following his service in World War I, Warren William honed his acting skills in regional stock companies, including the Erie Stock Company in , where he gained practical experience in touring productions across the . He had received formal training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in , graduating in 1917. William made his Broadway debut in 1920 as Edgar Blodgett in the comedy Mrs. Jimmie Thompson, a three-act that ran at the Princess Theatre from March to May. Over the next decade, he appeared in 21 Broadway productions through 1931, demonstrating versatility across genres such as comedies, dramas, and melodramas, with notable roles including Sir John Gotch in the drama The Wonderful Visit (1924), Bob Brown in the long-running comedy Let Us Be Gay (1929), and Max Lawrence in The Vinegar Tree (1930–1931). Critics praised his suave and sophisticated characterizations; for instance, in a 1925 New York Times review of The Blue Peter, highlighted William's "Barrymore accent" and commanding presence, which elevated his profile in New York theater circles. The onset of the Great Depression severely impacted Broadway, with productions plummeting, audiences dwindling, and widespread closures forcing many actors to seek alternative opportunities. In 1931, amid these economic challenges, William signed a contract with Warner Bros. and transitioned to Hollywood, marking the end of his stage career.

Film Career

William entered the film industry after a successful screen test, signing a contract with Warner Bros. on March 6, 1931, at a salary of $750 per week. His sound film debut came that same year in Honor of the Family, a pre-Code drama directed by Lloyd Bacon, where he played a supporting role opposite Bebe Daniels. This marked the beginning of his transition from stage to screen, leveraging his Broadway-honed poise to quickly adapt to the demands of early talkies. During the pre-Code era from 1931 to 1934, William experienced a rapid ascent at Warner Bros., appearing in over 20 films and establishing himself as a known for suave, morally ambiguous characters. He often portrayed charming anti-heroes, such as the opportunistic lawyer in The Mouthpiece (1932), directed by Elliott Nugent and James , and the sophisticated gambler in Frank Capra's (1933). His prolific output, averaging six to eight pictures annually in this period, capitalized on the studio's fast-paced production of gritty urban dramas and comedies, solidifying his status as a key player in Hollywood's early sound era. By the late 1930s, William's contracts shifted away from Warner Bros. to freelance roles for studios including Columbia Pictures, reflecting a move toward lower-budget productions amid his declining prominence in A-features. Columbia cast him in the Lone Wolf series starting with The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt (1939), where he played the suave jewel thief Michael Lanyard in nine entries through 1943. This phase emphasized B-movies and serial roles, as the major studios prioritized newer talent and the industry grappled with post-Production Code constraints. William's career tapered off in the mid-1940s due to worsening health from and evolving studio dynamics favoring younger stars. His final screen appearance was in the supporting role of Cesar Birotteau in The Private Affairs of Bel Ami (1947), a adaptation of Guy de Maupassant's novel directed by Albert Lewin, underscoring his typecasting in character parts as leading opportunities diminished.

Notable Roles and Series

Warren William's portrayal of in the first four films of the series from 1934 to 1936 cemented his reputation as a charismatic defense attorney, predating the character's television fame and emphasizing a slick, resourceful persona in courtroom dramas adapted from Erle Stanley Gardner's novels. In The Case of the Howling Dog (1934), he debuted as the shrewd lawyer navigating a bizarre dispute involving feuding neighbors and a mysterious will, showcasing his ability to blend sharp wit with ethical ambiguity. Subsequent entries like The Case of the Lucky Legs (1935), The Case of the Curious Bride (1935), and The Case of the Velvet Claws (1936) further highlighted Mason's unorthodox methods, such as and romantic entanglements, which drew from the pre-Code era's relaxed to portray a more rogue-like hero. These films established as a cinematic staple, influencing later adaptations by prioritizing fast-paced mysteries over strict legal accuracy. During the pre-Code period, William excelled in roles depicting morally complex businessmen, capturing the era's fascination with corporate ambition and ethical lapses. In Skyscraper Souls (1932), he played David Dwight, a ruthless banker and skyscraper developer whose obsession with building a 100-story monument to his ego leads to personal betrayals and financial schemes, symbolizing the excesses of the . Similarly, in The Match King (1932), William portrayed Paul Kroll, a cunning entrepreneur inspired by real-life financier , who rises from poverty to dominate the global match industry through deceit, bribery, and romantic manipulation before his empire crumbles. These performances underscored William's knack for suave villains, blending charm with amorality to critique capitalist greed in films that pushed boundaries on sexuality and corruption before the Production Code's enforcement. William's most enduring series role came as Michael , the "Lone Wolf," a reformed jewel thief turned amateur sleuth, in nine films spanning 1939 to 1943, where he embodied a debonair rogue solving crimes with charm and cunning. Beginning with The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt (1939) and continuing through entries like The Lone Wolf Strikes (1940), The Lone Wolf Meets a Lady (1940), The Lone Wolf Keeps a Date (1940), The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance (1941), Secrets of the Lone Wolf (1941), Counter-Espionage (1942), One Dangerous Night (1943), and Passport to (1943), the series featured Lanyard thwarting spies, recovering stolen gems, and evading his criminal past, often with from his valet Jamison. This franchise highlighted William's versatility in the mystery-adventure , blending light-hearted with elements of and international intrigue during World War II-era releases. Beyond these series, William demonstrated range in historical and horror-adjacent roles that showcased his commanding presence, as well as Philo Vance in two films. As Julius Caesar in Cecil B. DeMille's lavish Cleopatra (1934), he depicted the Roman dictator as a magnetic conqueror entangled in a passionate affair with Claudette Colbert's titular queen, contributing to the film's opulent spectacle and political drama. In the Universal horror classic The Wolf Man (1941), William played Dr. Lloyd, a skeptical psychiatrist investigating werewolf attacks in a Welsh village, providing rational counterpoint to the supernatural events and underscoring themes of science versus folklore in early monster cinema. These performances illustrated his adaptability across genres, from epic biography to Gothic thriller, enhancing his legacy as a multifaceted leading man of the 1930s and 1940s.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Warren William married Helen Barbara Nelson on September 24, 1923, in New York, after first meeting her in 1918 through a friend of his sister while he was stationed nearby during his . Helen, a from a previous to Allen Frank Ferris, was 17 years older than William, though she listed her age as closer to his on their to downplay the difference. The couple's marriage was childless, with born or adopted during their 25 years together, and they prioritized William's burgeoning acting career over family expansion. Helen played a key supportive role as his partner, relocating with him to Hollywood in the early and maintaining their Encino home amid his demanding film schedules. Their union remained stable and low-profile throughout, with no other significant romantic relationships or divorces documented for either spouse, reflecting a devoted partnership away from the public eye.

Health Challenges and Interests

Warren William maintained a keen interest in and throughout his life, stemming from his early career as a for the Ames Motor Car in , around 1915. He pursued these passions as an amateur inventor and tinkerer, creating gadgets in his personal workshop as a creative outlet contrasting his on-screen personas as suave rogues and an escape from the demands of Hollywood. In the mid-1940s, William was diagnosed with , a form of blood cancer that progressively weakened him and curtailed his radio work in his final years. His outdoor pursuits further highlighted a fitness-oriented lifestyle that emphasized and nature. William enjoyed his own , , and , which he practiced regularly to stay in shape, alongside caring for his beloved wire-haired terriers—he and his wife owned several, often featured in family photographs. These hobbies not only promoted his physical well-being but also served as refreshing diversions from film work, with reports noting his hands-on approach to tasks like trimming trees on his property. Minor injuries occasionally arose from these active endeavors and the occasional stunt work in his films, such as during action sequences in pre-1940s productions, though none resulted in major diagnoses or career interruptions prior to his illness. Philanthropically, William contributed to causes supporting performers and wartime efforts, reflecting his commitment to community beyond acting. As a founding member and first treasurer of the in 1933, he helped establish protections and education resources for theater and film professionals, aiding countless actors in their careers. During , he participated in the Hollywood Victory Committee, promoting war relief initiatives through public appearances and fundraising to support Allied troops. His marriage to Helen Nelson provided steady encouragement for these personal and charitable pursuits, enabling him to balance his inventive and active lifestyle with quiet domesticity.

Death and Legacy

Final Years and Death

In late 1947, Warren William was diagnosed with , a rare form of blood cancer, at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Hollywood following months of declining health marked by severe , , and recurrent infections. The disease rapidly progressed, causing significant weakening that forced him to retire from acting after completing his final film role in The Private Affairs of earlier that year. Despite the severity of his condition, William made limited professional efforts in radio during 1947, including starring in the syndicated series Strange Wills, where he narrated 26 episodes of dramatic stories based on unusual real-life wills, and appearing in the detective program Johnny Modero: Pier 23. As his health deteriorated further in 1948, William's public appearances became rare, confined mostly to occasional social events among Hollywood friends at his home, where he received amid ongoing symptoms like headaches and limb numbness. He passed away on September 24, 1948, at the age of 53 in Hollywood, , succumbing to complications from . His wife, Helen Barbara Nelson Krech, whom he had married in 1923, died just over three months later on December 31, 1948, at age 71, after a long illness. William's funeral was a private affair attended by close family and industry associates, reflecting his preference for discretion in personal matters. He was cremated, and his ashes were scattered in Long Island Sound, New York. A cenotaph in his honor is located at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

Posthumous Recognition and Influence

William received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on February 8, 1960, located at 1559 Vine Street, honoring his contributions to motion pictures. In the 21st century, William's work has seen renewed appreciation through revivals of films, where he is often dubbed the "King of Pre-Code" for his charismatic portrayals of roguish anti-heroes. (TCM) has highlighted his legacy in retrospectives, including a dedicated day in their 2019 Summer Under the Stars series, which showcased films like (1933) and The Match King (1932) to emphasize his pivotal role in the era's bold storytelling. William's sophisticated and ethically flexible detective characters, notably his screen origination of in four 1930s films, helped shape mystery genre conventions, influencing subsequent portrayals of urbane sleuths in adaptations like later Perry Mason series by blending legal drama with witty, boundary-pushing intrigue. Scholarly analyses of 1930s cinema frequently cite William's anti-hero performances as emblematic of pre-Code moral ambiguity, as explored in John Stangeland's 2010 biography Warren William: Magnificent Scoundrel of Pre-Code Hollywood, which details his impact on the decade's cinematic rogues up through reevaluations in the early 21st century. However, despite this academic interest, no major biopics or documentaries have yet been produced to comprehensively document his career and influence.

Works

Silent Shorts and Early Films (1920s–1930)

Warren William's early screen appearances were primarily in silent shorts and uncredited roles during the 1920s, marking his transition from stage work to film.
  • The Town That Forgot God (1922, short, uncredited) – Director: Harry F. Millarde; Studio: Fox Film Corporation. A lost film.
  • Plunder (1923, serial, uncredited as Mr. Jones) – Director: George B. Seitz; Studio: George B. Seitz Productions. 15-episode Pearl White serial, alternate title "The Redheads."
  • How I Play Golf, by Bobby Jones No. 7: 'the Spoon' (1930, short) – Director: Tommy Atkins; Studio: Warner Bros. Uncredited appearance in educational golf series.

Pre-Code Features (1931–1934)

During the pre-Code era, William starred in numerous Warner Bros. productions, often portraying suave, morally ambiguous characters in dramas and comedies. This period represents his rise to leading man status with 25 films.
YearTitleRoleDirectorStudio
1931Honor of the FamilyWarner Bros.
1931Expensive WomenArthur RaymondHobart HenleyWarner Bros.
1931Under EighteenBillWarner Bros.
1931The Woman from Monte CarloLieutenant Anton KretonWarner Bros.
1932Beauty and the BossBaron Paul von UCCRoy del RuthWarner Bros.
1932The MouthpieceJ.B. Wynant (The Finger Man)Elliott Nugent, James FloodWarner Bros.
1932The Dark HorseHal S. SamsonWarner Bros.
1932Skyscraper SoulsDwight JessopEdgar Selwyn
1932Three on a MatchRobert KirkwoodWarner Bros.
1932The Match KingViktor StrombergHoward Bretherton, Warner Bros.
1933The Mind ReaderChandra the GreatRoy del RuthWarner Bros.
1933Brad RobertsWarner Bros.
1933Dave the DudeColumbia
1933Goodbye AgainArthur WestlakeWarner Bros.
1933Kurt AndersonRoy del RuthWarner Bros.
1933Ex-LadyVanRobert FloreyWarner Bros.
1933Lilly TurnerDavid TildenWarner Bros.
1933The Narrow CornerFred MauryWarner Bros.
1934Imitation of LifeStephen ArcherJohn M. StahlUniversal
1934Chesty O'ConnorLloyd BaconWarner Bros.
1934UpperworldRoy del RuthWarner Bros.
1934CleopatraJulius CaesarParamount
1934The Secret BrideSchuyler ThorntonWarner Bros.
1934The Case of the Howling DogWarner Bros.
1934The Dragon Murder CaseH. Bruce HumberstoneWarner Bros.
1934BedsideDr. J. Herbert BauerRobert FloreyWarner Bros.
1934The Man with Two FacesJames NolanWarner Bros.
Note: "The Case of the Howling Dog" is considered the first film, though not part of the official series. Some pre-Code films like "Skyscraper Souls" and "" are noted for their bold themes.

Series Films and Later Career (1935–1947)

From 1935 onward, William appeared in several for Columbia and other studios, including (1934–1936, 4 films), Lone Wolf (1939–1943, 7 films), and (2 films), alongside standalone roles. This era includes 35 films, many B-pictures, with his last credit in 1947.
YearTitleRoleDirectorStudio
1935The Case of the Lucky LegsPerry MasonArchie MayoWarner Bros.
1935The Case of the Curious BridePerry MasonMichael CurtizWarner Bros.
1935Frisco KidSteve CroninLloyd BaconWarner Bros.
1935Living on VelvetGibbs JohnsonFrank BorzageWarner Bros.
1935Satan Met a LadyTed Shane (version of Maltese Falcon)William DieterleWarner Bros.
1936The Case of the Black CatPerry MasonWilliam McGannWarner Bros.
1936The Case of the Velvet ClawsPerry MasonWilliam ClemensWarner Bros.
1936Stage StruckDavidBusby BerkeleyWarner Bros.
1936Go West Young ManMorganHenry HathawayParamount
1937Outcast LadyReganJohn AuerRepublic
1937The FireflyGeneral BonaparteRobert Z. LeonardMGM
1937When Love Is YoungAnthonyHal MohrUniversal
1937Love on ToastGordon MillerRaymond McCareyRKO
1938The Missing JurorPaul HensonOtto PremingerRKO (uncredited)
1938Mr. Moto's GambleBill BarrettJames Tinling20th Century Fox
1939The Lone Wolf Spy HuntMichael LanyardPeter GodfreyColumbia
1939The Gracie Allen Murder CasePhilo VanceAlfred E. GreenParamount
1939Day-Time WifeKeithGregory Ratoff20th Century Fox
1940The Lone Wolf StrikesMichael LanyardSidney SalkowColumbia
1940Trail of the VigilantesJohn TredwillAllan DwanRKO
1940One Exciting AdventureCharles BurtonWilliam McGannRepublic
1940The Lone Wolf Meets a LadyMichael LanyardSidney SalkowColumbia
1941The Wolf ManSir John TalbotGeorge WaggnerUniversal
1941The Great ProfileSir Kenneth RockwellHenry King20th Century Fox
1941The Lone Wolf Keeps a DateMichael LanyardSidney SalkowColumbia
1941Secrets of the Lone WolfMichael LanyardEdward DmytrykColumbia
1941The Lone Wolf Takes a ChanceMichael LanyardSidney SalkowColumbia
1942Counter-EspionageMichael LanyardEdward DmytrykColumbia
1942Wild Bill Hickok RidesThomas QuantrillRay EnrightWarner Bros.
1942The Smiling GhostBayardLewis SeilerWarner Bros.
1943The Lone Wolf in PanamaMichael LanyardSidney SalkowColumbia
1944Strange Affair"Doc" BayleyRoy William NeillRKO
1945FearLawyer (uncredited)Alfred ZeislerMonogram
1945She Wrote the BookBert MorganCharles LamontUniversal
1945Strange IllusionBrettEdgar G. UlmerPRC
1946The Unauthorized Biography of a Man Called Perry Mason (short, documentary)Perry Mason (archive)N/AWarner Bros.
1947The Private Affairs of Bel AmiLarregleAlbert LewinUnited Artists
Note: Some Perry Mason films are lost or partially preserved. The Lone Wolf series with William consists of 7 films from 1939 to 1943. Total credits: 60, including shorts and uncredited.

Stage Productions

Warren William's Broadway career spanned from 1920 to 1931, during which he appeared in 21 productions, showcasing his versatility in comedies, dramas, and melodramas.
TitleRoleOpening DateClosing DateGenre
Mrs. Jimmie ThompsonEdgar BlodgettMarch 29, 1920May 1920Comedy
John HawthorneJohn HawthorneJanuary 24, 1921January 1921Tragedy
We GirlsDoctor Tom BrownNovember 9, 1921November 1921Comedy
The Wonderful VisitSir John Gotch, K.B.E.February 12, 1924April 1924Drama
Expressing WillieGeorge CadwaladerApril 16, 1924June 1924Comedy
NocturneKeith ReddingtonFebruary 16, 1925February 1925Drama
The Blue PeterDavid HunterMarch 24, 1925April 1925Drama
RosmersholmJohannes RosmerMay 5, 1925May 1925Revival Drama
Twelve Miles OutGerald FayNovember 16, 1925April 1926Melodrama Romance
Easter One Day MoreElisMarch 18, 1926April 1926Drama
FannyJoe WhiteSeptember 21, 1926November 1926Comedy Melodrama
ParadiseDr. Achilles SwainDecember 26, 1927January 1928Drama
VeilsMr. Robert SloanMarch 13, 1928March 1928Musical
The Golden AgeThe StrangerApril 24, 1928April 1928Drama
Sign of the LeopardCaptain LeslieDecember 11, 1928January 1929Drama
Let Us Be GayBob BrownFebruary 19, 1929December 1929Comedy
Week-EndBrett LaneyOctober 22, 1929October 1929Comedy
Out of a Blue SkyPaul RanaFebruary 8, 1930February 1930Comedy
The VikingsSigurdMay 12, 1930May 1930Drama
Stepdaughters of WarGeoffrey HilderOctober 6, 1930October 1930Drama
The Vinegar TreeMax LawrenceNovember 19, 1930June 1931Comedy

References

  1. https://walkoffame.com/warren-william/
  2. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/206446%7C154129/Warren-William
  3. https://projects.latimes.com/hollywood/star-walk/warren-william/
  4. https://www.messagemedia.co/aitkin/community/features/featuring-aitkin-s-own-hollywood-star/article_5fd450a2-8a4d-11e1-b992-0019bb30f31a.html
  5. https://www.nytimes.com/1948/09/26/archives/obituary.html
  6. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0929925/bio/
  7. https://www.geni.com/people/Freeman-Krech/6000000029735810958
  8. https://warrenwilliam.com/biography/
  9. https://glitterbest52.wordpress.com/2014/12/12/warren-william-who/
  10. https://www.nndb.com/people/321/000130928/
  11. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/warren-william-65000
  12. https://dp.la/exhibitions/the-show
  13. http://pre-code.com/famous-pre-code-actors/warren-william/
  14. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/70417/the-case-of-the-howling-dog
  15. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/70414/the-case-of-the-curious-bride
  16. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/70422/the-case-of-the-velvet-claws
  17. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/2837/skyscraper-souls
  18. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/83087/the-match-king
  19. https://www.nytimes.com/1932/12/08/archives/warren-william-in-a-colorful-conception-of-the-career-of-ivar.html
  20. https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/moviedetails/5138
  21. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/81718/the-lone-wolf-strikes
  22. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/81717/the-lone-wolf-spy-hunt
  23. https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/71068/cleopatra
  24. https://www.nytimes.com/1934/08/17/archives/claudette-colbert-warren-william-and-henry-wilcoxon-in-cb-de-milles.html
  25. https://warrenwilliam.com/gone-and-forgotten-warren-william-info-tough-to-find-now-here-is-some-more/
  26. https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-from-left-warren-william-with-wife-helen-barbara-nelson-at-their-encino-128523850.html
  27. https://warrenwilliam.com/mr-and-mrs-warren-william-with-5-of-their-wire-haired-terriers/
  28. https://vintag.es/2024/01/warren-william.html
  29. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0929925/trivia/
  30. https://gregbrozeit.substack.com/p/celebrity-and-cancer
  31. https://entertainment.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=997062&lotNo=1049&ic16=ViewItem-Auction-Open-ActionBar-NextLot-090315
  32. https://digitalcollections.oscars.org/digital/collection/p15759coll29/id/136/
  33. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0929925/
  34. https://warrenwilliam.com/strange-wills/
  35. https://www.nytimes.com/1948/09/25/archives/arren-wllliammoestkr-dead-detective-in-lone-wolf-series-appeared-in.html
  36. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6917251/warren-william
  37. https://warrenwilliam.com/warren-william-first-perry-mason-case-of-the-howling-dog-1934/
  38. https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2020/06/the-case-of-the-return-of-perry-mason/
  39. https://pre-code.com/book-review-warren-william-magnificent-scoundrel-of-pre-code-hollywood-by-john-stangeland/
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