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The 'brains' and 'action' heavies who had meaty roles and lots of dialog ... and the players who were fathers, ranch owners, lawman, mayors, judges, lawyers, storekeepers, newspaper editors, wardens, etc.



(From Old Corral collection)


(Courtesy of Jack Tillmany)
 
(From Old Corral collection)




(From Old Corral collection)


Tom London
Real name: Leonard Thomas Clapham
1888 or 1889 - 1963
Nickname: "Ol' Tom"


Tall, thin Tom London is one of the most familiar faces to fans of the B western and serial. His forty-five year movie and television career began in silent films.

He was born Leonard Thomas Clapham in 1888 or 1889 in Louisville, Kentucky to Henry R. Clapham and Mary J. Huesman. According to the 1910 census and 1908 Louisville, Kentucky City Directory, he was a Fireman on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.

Some biographies mention that his connection with the movie business began with Chicago's Selig Polyscope company. Circa 1909, Selig established their Edendale Studio location in Los Angeles. London also journeyed west to Hollywood ... on his own ... or with the Selig move. That Selig relationship is questionable.

When Clapham registered for the World War I draft in June, 1917, he was in Los Angeles, employed by the Universal Film Company ... and deaf in one ear. And he did military service with the 17th California Coast Artillery from September, 1916 to August, 1917, and records indicate he was discharged due to medical issues.

His earliest film work was 1916 at Universal. Trade publications reported that Clapham and others were returning to Universal City after filming wrapped in San Francisco on ONDA OF THE ORIENT (Universal, 1916). And May - June, 1917 trades had coverage of Clapham in a couple of Eileen Sedgwick two-reel westerns, LONE LARRY (Bison/Universal, 1917) and DROPPED FROM THE CLOUDS (Bison/Universal, 1917).

In 1920 - 1921, Universal starred Clapham as a Northwest Mounted Policeman in two-reel adventures advertised as their "Red Rider" series. He also had the lead in a couple features. His co-star was Virginia Faire (Virginia Brown Faire). Checked the UCLA Film and Television Archive and they have no elements from Clapham's starring films.

He also wore a Northwest Mounted Police uniform as the male lead in NAN OF THE NORTH (Ben Wilson/Arrow, 1922), a fifteen chapter serial starring Ann Little. That cliffhanger is also lost / missing.

After his brief hero period, he became a busy freelancer, picking up large and small acting jobs at Universal, Paramount/Lasky, First National, Pathe, Davis, other companies. His silent credits include westerns and cliffhangers with Richard Dix, Fred Church, Eddie Polo, Hoot Gibson, Leo Maloney, Jack Perrin, Ken Maynard, William Desmond, many others.

In 1925, he did a name change to "Tom London" - and the June 13, 1925 Motion Picture World mentioned London in the cast of WINDS OF CHANCE (First National, 1925) which starred Ben Lyon, Victor McLaglen, and Anna Q. Nilson.

He had a deep, slightly nasal voice, and easily transitioned to talking pictures. And he did many lawman or henchman roles In B westerns and serials. In non-westerns, he often wore a Police uniform ... or a suit and detective's badge.

Tom London is one of the most prolific character/supporting players, and Les Adams has him identified in about 500 talkin' pictures - that number includes at least 52 serials and 320 westerns. Included are about 160 films films for Republic Pictures during 1935 - 1951. Much of London's work at Republic occurred July, 1943 through July, 1947 when he was under term player contracts. Those contracts gave him security and a regular paycheck, but allowed Republic to utilize him in lots of films. During that period, he did some sidekick / helper duties with Republic's Sunset Carson. Further down this webpage are stats and graphs showing Tom's year-by-year film quantities as well as whom he worked with ... and the sagebrush heroes whom he didn't work with.

He was typical of western and serial performers who migrated to television when the B western and serial faded in the post World War II years. Frequently employed by Gene Autry's Flying A production company, you can spot him in episodes of Gene's TV program, as well as THE RANGE RIDER and ANNIE OAKLEY series. He also appeared on the ROY ROGERS show, RIN TIN TIN, KIT CARSON, LONE RANGER, WYATT EARP, BAT MASTERSON, many others.

In the late 1940s - mid 1950s, Tom toured with his "Hollywood Deputies show", and ads touted him as "The Sheriff of the Silver Screen" and a veteran of 1600 movies. He also did personal appearances with Hoot Gibson, Sunset Carson, Monte Hale, others.

I have a couple favorite Tom London roles. In Gene Autry's RIDERS IN THE SKY (Columbia, 1949), he's (nice) "old man Roberts" who dies at the end ... and becomes one of the mystic riders on white horses while Gene sings "Ghost Riders In The Sky". Another good one is Jimmy Wakely's BRAND OF FEAR (Monogram, 1949), with Tom as an old lawman with a secret past. Decades earlier, he was an outlaw ... and also the father of schoolmarm Gail Davis (who thinks her father died long ago). In the opening titles and credits, Tom is billed third, behind Wakely and sidekick Dub 'Cannonball' Taylor and ahead of Gail Davis who's fourth billed.

From a 1952 newspaper article and interview: "London attributes much of his success in movies to his friend, the late Harry Carey, and J. Warren Corrigan [sic]. 'They broke me into films', London smiled." (should be J. Warren Kerrigan). In other interviews, He was thankful to Gene Autry for good roles in many films and TV shows ... and Tom was proud of his RIDERS IN THE SKY performance.

He was married three times. His first was to silent screen actress Edith Stayart / Edythe Stayart in the 1920s. In 1934, he tied the knot with a Frances McClellan in Los Angeles, but they were divorced at the time of the 1940 census. Tom married Louvie Munal of Memphis, Tennessee on July 5, 1952 in Del Rio, Texas. There were no children from these marriages.

Respected by his peers, he was known as "Ol' Tom", and personal interests were golf and dancing. Further down this webpage is a link to a 1955 article and interview with "The Sheriff of the Silver Screen" which highlights his love of golf. Mentions that his best round was a 68 at the San Fernando Country Club. A fantastic round of golf.

His last movie and television appearances were early 1960s.

Tom London passed away on December 5, 1963 at his North Hollywood home which he shared with his sister, Anita Pearcy. He was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California. The December 11, 1963 issue of Variety had a death announcement:

"Tom London (real name Leonard Clapham), 81, pioneer film actor who began his screen career in 'The Great Train Robbery', died in Hollywood Dec. 5. After appearances in the celluloid classic he went on to play sheriff roles in a multitude of motion pix and tv films. In silents, London was seen in such features as 'King of Kings' and 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'. Among his later credits are 'Hell Divers'. Sister survives."

And Yes! Tom London / Leonard Clapham is a Guinness World Record Holder - from The Guinness Book of Movie Facts and Feats by Patrick Robertson (Guinness Publishing Ltd., 1993):

"The performer who played in the most movies made for general release was Tom London (1883 - 1963), who was born in Louisville, Ky., and made the first of his over 2000 appearances on screen in The Great Train Robbery (US 03)."

Comments on The Great Train Robbery and 2000 film appearances. At one time, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) listed Tom as an uncredited "Locomotive Engineer" in THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY (Edison, 1903). That was a Gilbert M. 'Broncho Billy' Anderson western which was filmed at Edison's New York studio, Essex County Park in New Jersey, and along the Lackawanna railroad. Tom was born in 1888 or 1889, and he would have been about 15 years old if he worked in that film ... and he had to be in New York or New Jersey for that role. He did have a railroad background - in the 1910 census, 22 year old Tom was a "Fireman - Steam Railroad" and his father was a railroad foreman. But Tom and family lived for decades in Louisville, Kentucky which is about 700 miles from New York City. As to 2000 appearances, London did hundreds of films and TV programs ... but 2000 is overstated.

Where did that film quantity and THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY credit come from? Came from Tom - further down this webpage are links to newspaper articles and interviews - and Tom boasting about working in TRAIN ROBBERY and doing 1600 - 1700 films.



Tom London biography from the 1930 Motion Picture News Bluebook which is available at the Internet Archive. His film career began around 1917 ... and no mention of THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY (Edison, 1903) nor working for the Selig Polyscope company. At the time, his wife was actress Edythe Stayart. And according to the 1910 census, Tom did work for a railroad. And he's become about five years younger - note the 1893 birth year.



In the late 1940s and early 1950s, London did personal appearances with many western movie heroes. He also had his own show. Above is a 1953 newspaper ad for London and his Hollywood Deputies. And he's billed as "THE SHERIFF of the SILVER SCREEN" and "STAR OF OVER 1600 ACTION PICTURES".

In newspaper articles on London and his Hollywood Deputies, there's mention that actor Jack Sparks was his tour manager and booker. Speculation - there was a Jack Sparks who did mostly uncredited roles in about twenty B westerns circa 1945 - 1956. And that same Jack Sparks toured in the 1940s with his Hollywood Hotshots musical group.




(Courtesy of Minard Coons)

Above are Tom London and pretty Republic Pictures heroine Peggy Stewart. People who knew London mentioned that he was a good person, great actor, well dressed ... and an avid golfer.



(Courtesy of Donn and Nancy Moyer)

Tom London at his home at Christmas ...
and lots of Christmas cards in the background.




(Courtesy of Bill Sasser)



Movie stats for Leonard Clapham / Tom London as of
November, 2023. Total film count in the chart below = 607
Tom London was a very busy guy in westerns, serials, shorts, and other films, and his Hollywood career spanned about 45 years. His TV roles are NOT included in this chart. I've used the RELEASE dates (not filming dates) from the Internet Movie Database so the results may be a little skewed.
Total film count in the chart = 607.
He was under term player contracts at Republic Pictures from July, 1943 through July, 1947, and I've highlighted those years in RED.
His busiest years were 1930 - 1947 and amounted to about 448 films and those years are highlighted in BLUE.

16
15
3
7
11
11
12
10
7
10
10
16
20
20
27
27
33
20
23
27
1915-
1919
1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938

24
34
28
26
28
29
25
24
17
5
7
4
3
6
3
0
2
3
4
10
1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958-
1962

 With whom did he work:

25 westerns and serials with Bill Elliott at Columbia and Republic.
23 westerns with Gene Autry at Republic and Columbia.
18 silents with Leo Maloney.
17 westerns with Roy Rogers at Republic.
16 westerns and serials with Allan 'Rocky' Lane at Republic.
11 westerns with Sunset Carson and 8 with Monte Hale at Republic Pictures.
11 silent and sound westerns and serials with Ken Maynard for various production companies.
10 silent and sound westerns and serials with Jack Perrin.
10 westerns with Don Barry at Republic and Lippert.
10 westerns and non-westerns with John Wayne during 1933 - 1945.
10 westerns with Tim Holt at RKO.
8 serials and westerns with Tom Tyler.
8 westerns with Charles Starrett at Columbia.
Trios: he appeared in 8 Three Mesquiteers at Republic and 5 of Monogram's Rough Riders. But only a few of Monogram's Trail Blazers and Range Busters and PRC's Texas Rangers series.
With many others: George O'Brien (7); Tom Keene (7); Tex Ritter (6); Tim McCoy (6); William Boyd / Hopalong Cassidy (5); Hoot Gibson (5); Buck Jones (5); Johnny Mack Brown (5); Randolph Scott (5); Bob Allen (4); Buster Crabbe (3); Harry Carey (3); Jack Randall (3); Bob Baker (3); Buffalo Bill Jr. (3); 2 each with George Montgomery, Jack Hoxie, Bob Custer and Buddy Roosevelt.

Ol' Tom did only one with Jimmy Wakely, Lash LaRue, Dick Foran, Rex Bell, George Houston, Cesar Romero (Cisco Kid), and Warner Baxter (Cisco Kid).
And only one with Tom Mix (THE MIRACLE RIDER serial in 1935).

 He didn't do films with some western movie heroes:

None with Rex Allen, Eddie Dean, Reb Russell, Fred Scott, and Whip Wilson.
And none of the Gilbert Roland / Duncan Renaldo Cisco Kid films at Monogram and United Artists.
He appeared with Bob Steele in four of the Three Mesquiteers films. But London never worked in any of Steele's solo starring oaters.



Leonard Clapham in silents ... and some hero roles.

(Courtesy of Sam Lawson)

Leonard Clapham circa 1919 at Universal. Salutation reads: "My sincere good wishes to you, Paul, from your friend Leonard Clapham 1920"



Jack Perrin was the hero in the serial, THE LION MAN (Universal, 1919) and Leonard Clapham had a featured role. Face shot of Clapham is a match to the above full size photo of him. Ad from Motion Picture News available at the Internet Archive.


Clapham and Virginia Faire (Virginia Brown Faire) starred in Universal's "Red Rider" series of two-reelers. Above ad from the October 16, 1920 Moving Picture Weekly, available at the Internet Archive.

A SON OF THE NORTH (Universal, 1920)
SCARLET RIDER (Universal, 1920)
THE GIRL AND THE LAW (Universal, 1920)
BIG STAKES (Universal, 1920)
WHEN THE DEVIL LAUGHED (Universal, 1920)
THE FOREST RUNNERS (Universal, 1920)
THE DEATH TRAP (Universal, 1920)
THE TIMBER WOLF (Universal, 1920)

Another film is mentioned in trade publications. But the plot appears to be more western than mounted police and Jack Perrin is in the cast:

THE PONY EXPRESS RIDER (Universal, 1921)

He was about 32 years old when he starred in these two-reelers.

Checked the UCLA Film and Television Archive. None of Clapham's silent starring films survive.



Virginia Faire (Virginia Brown Faire), Leonard Clapham, and William Buckley starred in UNDER NORTHERN LIGHTS (Universal, 1920). This was feature length, not a two-reeler. Photo from Motion Picture News available at the Internet Archive.


Tom London did hundreds of B westerns,
generally portraying a lawman or henchman.

(From Old Corral collection)

L-to-R are Buddy Roosevelt (with moustache), Benny Corbett, Tom London (on horseback), Jay Wilsey (Buffalo Bill Jr.), and Bob Roper in WESTWARD BOUND (Webb-Douglas Prod/Syndicate, 1931). Buffalo Bill Jr. was the star of this early sound film which was directed by Harry S. Webb, the later owner (with B. B. Ray) of Reliable Pictures.



(Courtesy of Les Adams)

L-to-R are Frank Hall Crane, Louise Gabo, a smiling Jack Perrin (billed as "Jack Gable"), Tom Tyler, Roberta Gale, George Chesebro, and Tom London in Tyler's MYSTERY RANCH (Reliable, 1934).



(Courtesy of Dorothy Hack)

L-to-R are Stanley Blystone, Tom London, Herman Hack, old codger Jack Duffy, and Gaylord (Steve) Pendleton in a scene from TRAIL'S END (Beaumont, 1935), which starred Conway Tearle.



(From Old Corral collection)

L-to-R are Joe De La Cruz, Jayne Regan, Jack Perrin, Slim Whitaker, and Tom London in a lobby card from CACTUS KID (Reliable, 1935).



(Courtesy of Les Adams)

Above - Harry Carey versus Tom London in a lobby card from THE LAST OF THE CLINTONS (Ajax, 1935).



(Courtesy of Les Adams)

L-to-R are Jack Perrin, Tom London, Roger Williams, and Oscar Gahan in a lobby card from WILDCAT SAUNDERS (Atlantic, 1936).



(Courtesy of 'Slim' Whitaker's daughter, Leota Whitaker Gandrau)

L-to-R are unidentified guy, Jack Rockwell, Tom London, Charles 'Slim' Whitaker, and locomotive 522 in SILENT BARRIERS (Gaumont British Prod, 1937). Filmed in Canada, Richard Arlen was the star and the story is about building the Canadian Pacific railroad.



(Courtesy of Minard Coons)

L-to-R are Tom London, Max Terhune, John Wayne, and Ray 'Crash' Corrigan in SANTA FE STAMPEDE (Republic, 1938), one of the Three Mesquiteers series.

Dress for success! Note that Tom is wearing that same shirt, vest, and gunbelt in the photo below from GHOST VALLEY RAIDERS (Republic, 1940).




(Courtesy of Les Adams)

L-to-R are Tommy Coats, Bob Clark, Tom London, Herman Willingham, Herman Nowlin/Nolan, and Clyde Kinney in GHOST VALLEY RAIDERS (Republic, 1940), which starred Don Barry.



(From Old Corral collection)

L-to-R are are Tom London, Frank LaRue, and Tex Ritter in a lobby card from ROLL, WAGONS, ROLL (Monogram, 1940).



(From Old Corral collection)

Above is an interesting lobby card from RIDING THE SUNSET TRAIL (Monogram, 1941), and from L-to-R are: Betty Miles, Tom Keene, Kenne Duncan, Sherry Tansey (James Sheridan Tansey), Earl Douglas, and Tom London. Earl Douglas' real name was Lou Yaconelli and he was the brother of western movie sidekick Frank Yaconelli. If you look close, you might make out the moustached Arkansas Slim Andrews to the right of Keene's face. Can you spot the error in this lobby card - look at all the gunbelts and the holsters as they are on the left side. Apparently, the photo used in preparation of this card was reversed.



(Courtesy of Les Adams)

L-to-R are Tom London, 'Arkansas Slim' Andrews, and Sugar Dawn in the Tom Keene oater DYNAMITE CANYON (Monogram, 1941).



(Courtesy of Carol Murray and her "Jack Hendricks Photo Album")

Lawmen Jack Hendricks (on the left) and Tom London (right) have the drop on Ray 'Crash' Corrigan in a scene from Range Busters #8, FUGITIVE VALLEY (Monogram, 1941).



(Courtesy of Minard Coons)

L-to-R are are Ray 'Crash' Corrigan, Edward Peil, and Tom London in the Range Busters' FUGITIVE VALLEY (Monogram, 1941). London played a marshal and Peil was a jailer.



(Courtesy of Bruce Hickey)

Lobby card from LONE STAR RANGER (20th Century Fox, 1942) which starred football great John Kimbrough. Left to right are Fred Kohler Jr., Tom London, George E. Stone, John Kimbrough, and Harry Hayden.



(From Old Corral collection)

L-to-R are Robert 'Bobby' Blake as Little Beaver, Roy Barcroft, Jack Kirk, Tom London, and Bill Elliott in a lobby card from CHEYENNE WILDCAT (Republic, 1944), one of the Red Ryder adventures. London wore a suit and played a crooked and well dressed bank employee in cahoots with Roy Barcroft.



(Courtesy of Les Adams)

L-to-R are Herman Hack, Henry Wills, Cliff Parkinson, and Tom London in THE SAN ANTONIO KID (Republic, 1944), one of the Red Ryder series starring Bill Elliott.



(From Old Corral collection)

Above is Tom London - without his false teeth - as the sidekick to Republic's Sunset Carson in the mid 1940s.



(From Old Corral collection)

Lobby card from DAYS OF BUFFALO BILL (Republic, 1946) with Tom London (sans teeth) as Sunset Carson's sidekick 'Banty McCabe'. The body on the floor is Rex Lease who was one of the crooks out to steal the ranch belonging to heroine Peggy Stewart.



(Courtesy of Ted Osborn)

Above is the gang facing Sunset Carson in a lobby card from ALIAS BILLY THE KID (Republic, 1946). Left to right are Tom London, Peggy Stewart, Russ Whiteman, and bearded Tex Terry.



(From Old Corral collection)

L-to-R are Tom London, Allan Lane (with Peggy Stewart in his arms), whiskered Emmett Lynn, Pierce Lyden, and in front is Bobby Blake as Little Beaver. Lobby card from RUSTLERS OF DEVIL'S CANYON (Republic, 1947), one of the Red Ryder adventures.



(From Old Corral collection)

London has a great role In Gene Autry's RIDERS IN THE SKY (Columbia, 1949). He's the whiskered (and nice) 'Old Man Roberts' who dies at the end. Gene sings the title song ... and London passes away and becomes the newest member of the band of ghost riders gallopin' on white horses ... in the sky.


On the trail of Leonard Clapham / Tom London
  Although some of the data is incomplete or inaccurate, the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has information on Tom London: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0163417/

YouTube has a one and a half minute clip of Tom London (as Leonard Clapham) in Leo Maloney's RIDING DOUBLE (William Steiner, 1924): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLJKaNAmHK4

Daniel Neyer's "The Files of Jerry Blake" serial website has a webpage on Tom London and his many cliffhanger roles: https://filesofjerryblake.com/serial-character-actors-2/tom-london/

ThreeStooges.net website has Tom in two 1934 shorts with the zany trio: https://www.threestooges.net/cast/actor/1387

Photo of actress Edythe Stayart, Tom London's first wife, in the January 27, 1910 Sheboygan Press: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sheboygan-press-photo-of-edythe-stay/134256825/

Article and interview with Tom London in the July 20, 1952 Kingsport, Tennessee Times-News - includes a photo of Tom and his third wife, Mrs. Louvie Munal of Memphis, Tennessee. They tied the knot on July 5, 1952 in Del Rio, Texas: https://www.newspapers.com/article/36082199/

April 13, 1955 Los Angeles Mirror has a article and photo highlighting Tom London's love of golf ... and he had appeared in 1704 films. Headline reads: "73-Year-Old Movie 'Sheriff' Shoots His Age on Links": https://www.newspapers.com/article/los-angeles-mirror-73-year-old-western-m/130734859/

In the late 1940s - mid 1950s, Tom did some personal appearances:

September, 1948 at an Amarillo, Texas theater with a Monte Hale film. The article headline reads: "Veteran of 1600 Movies Appears at Leon Theater": https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-amarillo-globe-times-1948-personal-a/131133977/

Tom and his 'Hollywood Deputies' show in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1949. Headline reads: "Started With 'Great Train Robbery'" and "Movie-Making Champ Is Visitor Here". Includes a quote on his films and film quantity: "He was in the first motion picture 'The Great Train Robbery' and has been in about 1,650 since." Also mentions Jack Sparks as the tour manager:
   1st page: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-news-western-movie-actor-t/131069328/
   2nd page: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-charlotte-news-western-movie-actor-t/131069413/

1950 ad for personal appearance of Monte Hale and Tom London in Texas: https://www.newspapers.com/article/austin-american-statesman-western-movie/131931174/

1950 theater appearance ad for Tom London and his Hollywood Deputies show in Oklahoma: https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-carnegie-herald-theater-appearance-b/131930792/

With Hoot Gibson in Sioux City, Iowa in 1953: https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-city-journal-1953-personal-appeara/130969667/

With Sunset Carson in Pennsylvania in 1954 and the ad reads "with Tom London, The 'Sheriff' In 1600 Movies": https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun-movie-cowboy-tom-london/130969801/

Tom London and his Hollywood Deputies show in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1954: https://www.newspapers.com/article/intelligencer-journal-tom-london-and-his/133923267/

The official Gene Autry Channel on YouTube has the GHOST RIDERS IN THE SKY song and movie finale with Tom London as "old man Roberts": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRV6JszMXoo

Cast and crew photos of Leonard Clapham and others from the lost / missing serial NAN OF THE NORTH (Ben Wilson/Arrow, 1922; 15 chapters). Filmed at Yellowstone, the leading lady was Ann Little. Also in the cast was Edythe Stayart / Edith Stayart, Tom's first wife:

https://www.alamy.com/edith-stayart-ann-little-and-leonard-clapham-later-tom-london-on-set-location-candid-during-filming-in-yellowstone-national-park-of-the-lost-15-chapter-silent-serial-nan-of-the-north-1922-director-duke-worne-writer-karl-r-coolidge-arrow-film-corporation-image499961731.html

https://www.alamy.com/leonard-clapham-later-tom-london-on-set-location-candid-during-filming-in-yellowstone-national-park-of-the-lost-15-chapter-silent-serial-nan-of-the-north-1922-director-duke-worne-writer-karl-r-coolidge-arrow-film-corporation-image499961728.html

https://www.alamy.com/leonard-clapham-later-tom-london-on-set-location-candid-during-filming-in-yellowstone-national-park-of-the-lost-15-chapter-silent-serial-nan-of-the-north-1922-director-duke-worne-writer-karl-r-coolidge-arrow-film-corporation-image499961790.html

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nan_of_the_North_%281922%29_-_3.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nan_of_the_North#/media/File:Nan_of_the_North_(1922)_-_1.jpg



The Family Search website (free), Ancestry.com, California Death Index, Social Security Death Index (SSDI), newspapers, and death certificate provide more on Tom London. He was married three times. There is a question on his birth date - he reports 1888 on his World War I draft registration and 1889 on his World War II draft registration:

  • 1880 census prior to the birth of Leonard Clapham / Tom London - living in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky were 32 year old Henry Clapham (born Kentucky about 1848; occupation "Painter"), his 19 year old wife Mary (born Kentucky) and one year old daughter Ella (born Kentucky): https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCZM-NSB
  • 1890 census is unavailable - it was lost in a 1921 fire (and water damage) at the Commerce Building in Washington, D.C.
  • 1900 census summary and census takers worksheet - living in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky were 47 year old Henry R. Claphan [sic] (born Kentucky; occupation "Painter"), his 37 year old wife May (born Kentucky), 11 year old son Leonard (born Kentucky), son Hall and daughters Natalia, Armeta (should be Anita), and Ella: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M94R-SKG
  • Ancestry.com had the 1908 Louisville, Kentucky City Directory - Harry R. Clapham (occupation "Painter") and son Leonard T. Clapham (occupation "Fireman - L&N") were living at 2315 West Chestnut. (L&N is the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.)
  • 1910 census summary and census takers worksheet - renting in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky were 58 year old Henry R. Clapham (born Kentucky; occupation "Foreman - Steam Railroad"), his 48 year old wife Mary J. (born Kentucky), 22 year old son Leonard (born Kentucky; occupation "Fireman - Steam Railroad"), 18 year old daughter Natalia M. (born Kentucky) and 15 year old daughter Anita J. (born Kentucky): https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M2DY-ZD1
  • June 5, 1917 World War I draft registration - 28 year old Leonard Thomas Clapham was born August 24, 1888 in Louisville, Kentucky. Home address was 217 N. Beaudry, Los Angeles, California; he was married; prior military service of 8 months with California Coast Artillery; reports he was "Deaf in one ear"; occupation/employer was "Film Actor - Universal Film Co.": https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-26181-27974-28?cc=1968530
  • 1920 census summary and census takers worksheet - 32 year old Leonard T. Clapham (born Kentucky; occupation "Actor - Moving Picture") was living in Los Angeles with his parents, 67 year old Henry R. Clapham (born Kentucky; occupation "Painter - Buildings") and 57 year old Mary J. Clapham (born Kentucky): https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MHQF-3K9
  • 1930 census summary and census takers worksheet - 38 year old Leonard Clapham (born Kentucky; occupation "Actor - Motion Pictures") and 36 year old wife Edith S. (born California) owned their home at 2568 North Beechwood Drive, Los Angeles: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XCV9-H41
  • Sawtelle Veterans Home and Hospital record from 1931 - Clapham was hospitalized for 50 days for lumbago. Wife Edith was listed on the record. His military service was 17th California Coast Artillery from September 22, 1916 to his discharge on August 29, 1917: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V8MS-S5B
  • April 22, 1934 Los Angeles County marriage license of 42 year old Leonard Thomas Clapham (born Kentucky) to 34 year old Frances McClellan (born Minnesota). His occupation was "Actor - Motion Picture" and parents were Harry [sic] R. Clapham and Mary Josephine Hulsman (both born Kentucky). He was divorced and this was his second marriage. It was Frances' first marriage, and her occupation was "U.S. Govt. Clerk":
    https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-29943-21797-98?cc=1804002
    https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-29943-24523-1?cc=1804002
  • 1940 census summary and census takers worksheet - 52 year old Leonard Clapham (born Kentucky) owned his home at 4368 Camellia in Los Angeles. He was divorced; occupation was "Actor - Motion Pictures", and in 1939, he worked 36 weeks and earned $3182.00. Living with him were his sister Anita Pearcy and her husband Edmond T. Pearcy: https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/K9H2-Z2F
  • 1940 census summary and census takers worksheet for Tom's ex-wife Frances - 40 year old Frances Clapham (born Minneapolis; divorced) lived in Burbank, Los Angeles County, California. Her occupation was "U. S. Gov't Clerk - Federal Bldg L. A.": https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K97N-T9S
  • Ancestry.com had his World War II draft registration dated April 26, 1942. Leonard Thomas Clapham was born August 24, 1889 in Louisville, Kentucky; he was 6 feet, 1 1/2 inches tall and weighed 175 pounds; and he listed his occupation as "frequently unemployed". Sister Anita Pearcy was his contact, and they still lived at 4368 Camellia, Los Angeles.
  • 1950 census summary and census takers worksheet - living at 4368 Camellia, Los Angeles, were 61 year old Leonard Clapham (born Kentucky; divorced; occupation was "Free Lance Actor Film Studios") and his widowed sister, 55 year old Anita Pearcy: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XGW-4F51
  • Article and interview with Tom London in the July 20, 1952 Kingsport, Tennessee Times-News - includes a photo of Tom and his third wife, Mrs. Louvie Munal of Memphis, Tennessee. They tied the knot on July 5, 1952 in Del Rio, Texas: https://www.newspapers.com/article/36082199/
    (Unsure of their marriage or divorce status. But newspapers have a death notice for Louvie May Munal passing from cancer on September 2, 1955 in Kingsport, Tennessee. No mention of Tom London / Leonard Clapham in her death notice).
  • Death certificate: Leonard T. Clapham, AKA Tom London, passed away December 5, 1963 at his home at 4368 Camellia Avenue, North Hollywood, Los Angeles County, California. He was born August 24, 1889 in Kentucky; parents were Harry [sic] R. Clapham (born Kentucky) and Mary J. Huesman (born Kentucky). Occupation was "Actor - Free Lance - Movies and Television"; he was a World War I veteran; was widowed; was cremated at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Crematory; death certificate informant was Anita J. Pearcy (his sister). For some reason, the cause of death and some other medical sections on the death certificate are blank; the signature of the doctor includes a title that looks like Deputy Coroner.
  • California Death Index has dual records for Leonard Clapham and Tom London. He was born 8/24/1889 in Kentucky, Mother's maiden name of Huesman, and he passed away on 12/5/1963. There is a corresponding record in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI), but his name is Leonard Clapham, not Tom London:
    https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VP4H-53Q
    https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPKK-RFY
    https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VM9K-436
  • Find A Grave confirms that London was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9930845/tom-london
  • Newspaper clippings on Tom London's death include mentions of THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY and his 1600 film career:
    https://www.newspapers.com/article/los-angeles-evening-citizen-news-death-n/131134353/
    https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83797272/death-notice-for-movie-veteran-tom/
    https://www.newspapers.com/clip/83797187/death-notice-for-movie-veteran-tom/


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