by Hal Erickson
biography
Stage actor Robert Ellis joined the Kalem Film Company in 1915 and directed his first film, Apaches of Paris, the same year. He remained much in demand as a leading man into the '20s, occasionally taking time to direct films for such producers as Lewis J. Selznick. After making a satisfactory talkie debut in the 1929 super musical Broadway, Ellis settled into character parts, usually playing big-city detectives. His wives included actresses May Allison and Vera Reynolds.
