Olin Howland embarked on a cinematic journey that spanned nearly three decades, from the 1920s to his passing in the late 1950s. Initially, he experimented with film appearances during the silent era, but it wasn't until the 1930s that he became a regular fixture in sound pictures.
Throughout his career, Olin's roles tended to gravitate towards the genres of mystery and drama, earning him a reputation as a dependable character actor. However, it was his work in the western genre, specifically the "horse operas" produced by Republic Pictures in the 1940s, that truly showcased his range.
One of Olin's most iconic roles was also one of his final performances, in the 1955 film "First Stop". In this memorable outing, he portrayed the proprietor of a dilapidated motel situated in the middle of nowhere, where the Ricardo's and Mertz's found themselves stranded for the night.
