Bert Lytell Collection

Bert Lytell
(1885 – 1954)

Most of the silent film stars who had a presence in Old Time Radio successfully made the transition from silent films to talkies. The actor's speaking voice was critical in both media, after all, and the advent of talkies doomed dozens of players who were appealing to watch on the screen but who could not speak for whatever reason. Perhaps they had a thick foreign accent or simply an unappealing squeaky speaking voice.

However, with these factors in mind, it is somewhat of a mystery why silent film and stage star Bert Lytell did not enjoy greater success in talkies. There may be something to the fact that with the advent of sound pictures, the epicenter of the film industry moved from New York to Hollywood. The west-coast fantasy factory of Hollywood was alright for people who were simply interested in making money, but "real acting" was done in the New York stage community.

Bert Lytell, born in New York City, 1885, and unwittingly made his stage debut at the age of three when he wandered on stage from his unattended cradle located backstage during one of his parent's performances. Growing up in a theater family (Bert's little brother Wilfred Lytell worked with Fox Pictures during the Twenties) it may have been inevitable that Bert went into acting. He enjoyed success in vaudeville and on Broadway, appearing with Marie Dressler in A Mix Up (1914). He made his film debut by introducing the role of Michael Lanyard in The Lone Wolf (1917). He reprised the role several times in the silent Lone Wolf series, concluding with The Last of the Lone Wolf (1930, sound film). He also enjoyed "gentleman thief" roles as Boston Blackie in Boston Blackie's Little Pal (1918) and Blackie's Redemption (1919), as well as Alias Jimmy Valentine (1920).

Although his film career collapsed with the sound era, Lytell continued to be a major force on the stage, appearing in A Church Mouse (1931-32), The First Legion (1934-35), Margin For Error (1939-40), and Lady In the Dark (1941), among others. He was selected as President (or "Shepard") of the Lambs, an exclusive actor's club, and lead the Actor's Equity Association. During the Second World War, Lytell was part of a civilian committee of the USO which presented Macbeth at Ft Meade, Maryland. Although it was considered a risky venture, the soldiers clamored for "more of that Shakespeare stuff".

Bert Lytell's most important contribution to Old Time Radio was as host of the Stage Door Canteen program. The Canteen was an effort of The American Theater Wing, which had originated as The Stage Women's War Relief during WWI. The Wing (which also hosts and presents the annual Tony Awards) is dedicated to expressing the theater community's appreciation for those serving the nation in uniform. With the American entry into the Second World War, the Wing created The Stage Door Canteen, whose purpose was to provide free entertainment to servicemen stationed near or passing through New York City. The physical Canteen was located in the basement of the 44th Street Theater, in what is believed to be a former speakeasy nightclub.

A popular film was created based on The Stage Door Canteen (1943), but the actual canteen was recreated on sound stages in New Jersey and Hollywood. Although the Wing was willing to loan the name to the producers (in exchange for funding their allied charities), they were not willing to shut down the Canteen's services for filming. Lytell appears in the film as master of ceremonies.

Although Bert Lytell had limited success in talking film, he did become a television star near the end of his life. He starred as Father Henry Barbour on the TV version of One Man's Family (1949) and made guest appearances on a number of anthology programs.

Bert Lytell passed away on September 28, 1954. He was 69. A Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6439 Hollywood Blvd honors contributions to Motion Pictures by Bert Lytell.