Vernon McCalla (1905-1968) was a Jamaican American actor and activist who worked in Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s.[1][2][3] He appeared in many of the films made by Million Dollar Productions.[4]
Vernon McCalla | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1905 Kingston, Jamaica |
| Died | 1968 (aged 63) |
| Occupation | Actor |
Biography
editVernon was born in Kingston, Jamaica, to James McCalla and Florence Mossman. The family relocated to Oakland, California, when Vernon was young, and eventually he made his way to Hollywood where he began appearing on-screen. McCalla served as a representative for Black Hollywood professionals looking for more opportunities in filmmaking in the late 1930s and headed up the city's Young Voters' Club.[1][5] Around that time, be began acting in a number of films made by Million Dollar Productions, a Los Angeles–based company owned and operated by Black filmmakers. He later returned to Oakland, where he became a businessman and was active in local politics.[6][7]
Selected filmography
edit- Lady Luck (1942)
- Mr. Washington Goes to Town (1941)
- Four Shall Die (1940)
- Am I Guilty? (1940)
- One Dark Night (1939)
- Reform School (1939)
- Double Deal (1939)
- Gang Smashers (1938)
- The Duke Is Tops (1938)
References
edit- ^ a b "Theatrical Mass Meeting Draws Public Approval". Newspapers.com. 28 Apr 1938. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- ^ "Candid Shots of Hollywoodland". California Eagle. 12 Aug 1937. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- ^ "To Play Lead". California Eagle. 4 Oct 1935. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- ^ ""Androcles" Moves to the Belasco". The California Eagle. 20 Jan 1938. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- ^ "Show Rally for Young Voters' Club Is Held". The California Eagle. 2 Apr 1937. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- ^ "Dewey-Bricker Negro Voters' Rally Held". The Oakland Tribune. 15 Oct 1944. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
- ^ "Swank AKA Fashion Show Presented in Oakland". The Pittsburgh Courier. 28 Dec 1946. Retrieved 2021-04-02.
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