William Orlamond Movies

Wizened character actor William Orlamond delivered at least two standout performances in the latter part of the silent era, that of Uncle Kutowski, who strenuously attempts to organize a welcome home parade for John Gilbert and Lars Hanson in The Flesh and the Devil (1925), and as Sourdough, comically fighting with Hanson over Lillian Gish in The Wind (1928). He was also in the riotous comedies Up in Mabel's Room (1926) and Getting Gertie's Garter (1927) and along with countryman Karl Dane and Louise Fazenda constituted a rather unconventional love triangle in Marion Davies' The Red Mill (1927). Hailing from a well-known Danish family of touring actors, Orlamond (born William Andersen Orlamundt) came to America in the latter part of the 19th century and by 1912 was playing comedy roles onscreen for the Lubin Mfg. Company in Philadelphia. He became associated with Metro in the late 1910s and remained with the company when it became MGM, his reputation as a reliable scene-stealer steadily growing. Sound proved no hindrance to Orlamond's screen activity and he earned good roles in such films as The Way of All Men (1930), Are These Our Children? (1931), and Roar of the Dragon (1932). By then, however, Orlamond had become quite elderly and he retired from the screen in 1937. A brother, Fritz Orlamond, and a sister, Ruth Orlamond, also appeared in American silent films, as did Mrs. Orlamond, the former Madge Bertrand (1861-1947) of St. Charles, MN. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide