Hal Skelly
Acting
Biography
Dancer Hal Skelly was born in Pennsylvania in 1891. He left home at 15 to join a circus, at 17 went into comedy, toured with light opera in China and Japan, joined after that Dockstader's Minstrels, made his Broadway debut in 1918 in "Fiddlers Three." His biggest success was the Broadway play, "Burlesque," in which he played opposite future movie star Barbara Stanwyck. He also starred in the film version of it, "The Dance of Life." He died in 1934, when his friend's car, in which he was traveling, was hit by a train on a crossing.
Known For
The younger brother of a police captain is a wanted fugitive, so when the captain railroads his brother's former criminal partner, the partner's sister devises a plan to get back at the captain where it will hurt the most.
Woman Trap
A young couple's marriage is jeopardized by the husband's descent into alcoholism.
The Struggle
A vaudeville comic and a pretty young dancer aren't having much luck in their separate careers, so they decide to combine their acts. In order to save money on the road, they get married. Soon their act begins to catch on, and they find themselves booked onto Broadway. They also realize that they actually are in love with each other, but just when things are starting to look up, the comic starts to let success go to his head.
The Dance of Life
The police investigate a bank robbery, and when they don't seem to be making much headway, a newspaper reporter decides to investigate it on his own.
The Shadow Laughs
Gardoni, a down-on-his-luck vaudeville performer, is taken in by a fellow performer, a clown who has a bicycle riding act. Gardoni shows his appreciation by stealing the clown's act and his girlfriend, whom he marries.
Behind the Make-Up
Young kids face off in a dance competition.
The Dancing Town
A loud-mouthed lout alienates everyone except his patient wife.
Men Are Like That
A New York City boarding house for vaudeville performers, none of whom have any steady work....