Thomas Percival Hayes, a trailblazing individual, made significant contributions to the burgeoning New Zealand film industry, leaving an indelible mark on the country's cinematic landscape.
Born on January 25, 1879, in the picturesque coastal town of Whangaroa, New Zealand, Hayes was the offspring of John Daly Hayes and Eliza Harriet Hayes, a couple whose legacy would forever be intertwined with the evolution of New Zealand's film industry.
As the son of John Daly Hayes and Eliza Harriet Hayes, Thomas Percival Hayes' life was destined to be shaped by the creative and innovative spirit of his parents, who had already made a lasting impact on the country's cultural and artistic scene.
New Zealand film industry pioneer, Thomas Percival Hayes, later known as Rupert Julian, would go on to make a name for himself in the world of cinema, his name becoming synonymous with innovation, creativity, and artistic excellence.
Rupert Julian's professional journey commenced on the theatrical stage and in the film industry, with a dual presence in his native country and Australia, prior to making the pivotal decision to relocate to the United States in the year 1911.
He initially pursued a career as an actor, featuring prominently in Universal silent movies, before ultimately deciding to shift his focus towards directing in 1915, marking a significant turning point in his professional trajectory.
Rupert Julian's professional trajectory was marked by a notable collaboration with his wife, Elsie Jane Wilson, with whom he shared the screen on multiple occasions.
Rupert Julian, a pioneering film director, seized the chance to helm the initial cut of the iconic 1924 production, The Phantom of the Opera, alongside the incomparable Lon Chaney. Although the final version underwent significant revisions at the behest of the production team, Julian's contribution to the film's early development remains an important footnote in cinematic history.
As the advent of sound in film began to revolutionize the industry, Julian's career unfortunately began to stagnate. Despite his early promise, he only managed to direct a handful of films in the subsequent years, with The Cat Creeps and Love Comes Along being two notable releases in 1930.
Rupert Julian, a renowned figure in the world of cinema, breathed his last on December 27, 1943, at the ripe age of 64, leaving behind a legacy that would continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.
His mortal remains were laid to rest in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, a serene and majestic final resting place, nestled in the heart of Glendale, California, where the memories of his remarkable life would be forever preserved.
