Vernon McCalla explained

Vernon McCalla
Birth Date:1905
Birth Place:Kingston, Jamaica
Death Date:1968 (aged 63)
Occupation:Actor

Vernon McCalla (1905-1968) was a Jamaican American actor and activist who worked in Hollywood in the 1930s and 1940s.[1] [2] [3] He appeared in many of the films made by Million Dollar Productions.[4]

Biography

Vernon was born in Kingston, Jamaica, to James McCalla and Florence Mossman. The family relocated to Oakland, California, when Vernon was young, and eventually he made his way to Hollywood where he began appearing on-screen. McCalla served as a representative for Black Hollywood professionals looking for more opportunities in filmmaking in the late 1930s and headed up the city's Young Voters' Club.[5] Around that time, be began acting in a number of films made by Million Dollar Productions, a Los Angeles–based company owned and operated by Black filmmakers. He later returned to Oakland, where he became a businessman and was active in local politics.[6] [7]

Selected filmography

References

  1. Web site: 28 Apr 1938. Theatrical Mass Meeting Draws Public Approval. 2021-04-02. Newspapers.com. en.
  2. Web site: 12 Aug 1937. Candid Shots of Hollywoodland. 2021-04-02. California Eagle. en.
  3. Web site: 4 Oct 1935. To Play Lead. 2021-04-02. California Eagle. en.
  4. Web site: 20 Jan 1938. "Androcles" Moves to the Belasco. 2021-04-02. The California Eagle. en.
  5. Web site: 2 Apr 1937. Show Rally for Young Voters' Club Is Held. 2021-04-02. The California Eagle. en.
  6. Web site: 15 Oct 1944. Dewey-Bricker Negro Voters' Rally Held. 2021-04-02. The Oakland Tribune. en.
  7. Web site: 28 Dec 1946. Swank AKA Fashion Show Presented in Oakland. 2021-04-02. The Pittsburgh Courier. en.