Biography
Canadian-born Willard Mack was a theatrical quadruple-threat man: actor, director, playwright, manager. Mack grew wealthy from royalties accrued by such plays as
The Dove,
Tiger Rose,
A Free Soul and
Kick In, most of which were eventually filmed, sometimes more than once. He began his own movie career in 1916, once more wearing several creative hats. He made his talkie debut as star, director and co-writer of 1929's
Voice of the City, a blatant imitation of Universal's blockbuster
Broadway (1929). His subsequent directorial efforts included one of the better yarns of the 1930s, What Price Innocence? (1933). Willard Mack was married twice, to actresses
Pauline Frederick and
Marjorie Rambeau. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide