[2] After graduating from Freemont High School in Oakland in 1923, Allan worked in San Francisco for the Cunard Line.

After that job, he had his first employment with the film industry, working as secretary to the producer of Hollywood Photoplay Productions.

[citation needed] An article in Theatre Management magazine in 1927 called Allan "a splended actor, finely built and exceptionally good looking".

[3] A reviewer describing The Fire Detective wrote that he makes a personable hero.

[4] His role in Wild Beauty was described as being carried out ably but not with a lot of charisma.