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1-50 of 208
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Holmes Herbert was a tall, intense English actor who made his first films after coming to America. He began in silent movies as a leading man but eventually was relegated to less important roles as a character actor when sound came in. He played in several of the Universal "Sherlock Holmes" movies, the title character of which was the initial inspiration for his stage name. His career spanned a total of 37 years, and he retired in 1952.- Actor
- Writer
Gordon Harker born in 1885 in London into a well-known family of theatrical artists, he first appeared on stage in 1903. Lugubrious, shifty cockney character who starred and supported in over 60 films his first film role as Major Kent in Harold M. Shaw 'General John Regan' starring Milton Rosmer for the Stoll Film Company in 1921 he was often cast as a comical cockney crook or cop in many comedy and thrillers, he appeared in three silent films directed by Alfred Hitchcock 'The Ring' in 1927 'The Farmer's Wife' in 1928 and Champagne' in 1929 busy throughout the 1930's with some of his best, including 'Rome Express' in 1932, Boys Will Be Boys' in 1935 with Will Hay, and Michael Powell's 'The Phantom Light' in 1935, and also the 'The Frog' in 1937, he was noted for his performances as 'Inspector Hornleigh' in a trilogy of films made between 1938-40, his last appearance as Hardy in 'Left Right and Centre' in 1959 starring Ian Carmichael and Alastair Sim, also popular on radio and t.v. he died in 1967 in London age 82.- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Soundtrack
Charles Judels or Charles Judel was born in Amsterdam in 1882. Starred on vaudeville in the early 1900s, and made his Broadway stage debut in 'The Ziegfeld Follies of 1912'. Highly talented chubby man who appeared in more than 130 American comedy and drama movies, his expertise with dialects served him well throughout his career. His first film was the comedy Old Dutch (1915) directed by Frank Hall Crane and starring Lew Fields for the Shubert Film Co. He is perhaps best remembered as the cheese-store proprietor in the Laurel & Hardy film Swiss Miss (1938). He also did extensive work as a voice actor in animated films, most notably as the voice of Stromboli in Disney's Pinocchio (1940). His last appearance on screen was as a Danite Merchant in Samson and Delilah (1949).- Blanche Mehaffey was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1907. She began as a dancer with the Ziegfeld Follies before coming to Hollywood. She starred in many comedies, westerns and drama films starting in 1923, initially for the Hal Roach Film Company often playing opposite Charley Chase and later Glenn Tryon, though occasionally appeared in drama and cowboy features. In 1929 she dropped out of filming to study voice and languages for more than a year in New York City, returned to films in 'Sunrise Trail' a western starring Bob Steele in 1931. She was last seen on screen in 1938's 'The Wages of Sin' made at the Willis Kent studios.
- Actor
- Producer
Handsome stage and screen actor Robin Irvine born in London in 1901. Educated at Aldenham School and Mill Hill School. His first appearance on stage as Captain D'Arcy in 'My Lady Frayle' in Ipswich on Boxing Day in 1918 made his London stage debut in 1923, most notable stage role was in 'Beau Geste' at His Majesty's Theatre. In 1925 he appeared in his first film role in Sinclair Hill's 'The Secret Kingdom' starring Matheson Lang at the Stoll Film Co, Robin his perhaps best remembered as Tm Wakely in 'Downhill' starring Ivor Novello in 1927 and as John Whittaker in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Easy Virtue' in 1928 and also as George Breese in 'The Rising Generation' with Alice Joyce in 1928. starred in talkies made in Germany and England, including 'Fraulen Lausbub' in 1930 and 'Keeping of Youth' with Ann Todd in 1931. His last screen appearance as Philip in 'Above Rubies' with Zoe Palmer in 1932. Since 1931 he had been general manager of St. George Film Productions and had devoted himself to productions before his death. Robin had been in Bermuda for a holiday after visiting America with his wife actress Ursula Jeans, there he developed a chill which turned to pleurisy which killed him, he was only 32. He his distantly related to Robert Louis Stevenson.- Alice Hollister born in Massachusetts in 1886. Convent educated. Became a popular figure in more than 90 silent melodrama and crime films, a dark-haired beauty, perhaps the screen's first 'vamp', joined the Kalem Film Company along with her husband pioneering cinematographer George K. Hollister, she made her film debut in 'By a Woman's Wit' under the direction of Sidney Olcott in 1911, perhaps her most important role as Mary Madeleine in 'From the Manger to the Cross' in 1912 Filmed on location in Isreal, the following year starred in 'The Vampire's Trail' directed by Robert G. Vignola, her last screen appearance as Mrs. Mayne in 'The Dancers' directed by Emmett J. Flynn and starring George O'Brien at the Fox Film Co in 1925.
- Irish comic actor Paddy McGuire born in 1884, became a star in American musical comedy theatre and burlesque from the mid 1900's. A Great comic character who was best remembered in many of Charlie Chaplin's short movies in 1915-16, such as 'The Champion' 'The Tramp' and 'Shanghaied' and many more, followed by a chance to star in his own comedies the 'Bungling Bill' series for the Vogue Film Company in 1916. from 1917 he was often supporting in many comedies for Ben Turpin, Chester Conklin and Ford Sterling est. His last appearance on screen was 'A Broadway Cowboy' a western/comedy directed by Joseph Franz and starring William Desmond for the Jesse D. Hampton studios in 1920. Sadly in 1923 age 38 he died in Norwalk, California
- Actress
- Writer
- Producer
British born Olga Petrova was born Muriel Harding on 10th May 1884 in England. She first made her film debut in Russia playing the role of Sofja Andreevna in Yakov Protazanov's 'Departure of a Grand Old Man' in 1912, she arrived in America around 1913 to appear on vaudeville and in the dramatic Broadway theatres. She starred in her first US film as Stella in Alice Guy's drama 'The Tigress' in 1914. Olga became a highly popular diva through the 1910s starring in move than two dozen movies until her last starring role as Patience Sparhawk in Ralph Ince's 'The Panther Woman' co-starring Rockliffe Fellows in 1918, she also wrote several scripts. After Petrova left the movie business in 1918 she continued to star on Broadway during the 1920s. She wrote three plays and toured the country with a theatre troupe. She published her autobiograph in 1942 and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She died in 1977 age 93. She had no children.- Actor
- Writer
Major English silent movie star Stewart Rome born Wernham Ryott Gifford in Berkshire in 1886. He studied civil engineering, but instead went on the stage in 1907. After appearing on stage in Australia, Stewart returned to England in 1912 and joined Hepworth Film Company. Handsome, slightly aloof aristocratic star of more than 150 drama films, making his debut with 'Thou Shalt Not Steal' directed by Warwick Buckland in 1913, after WW1 service he joined the Broadwest Film Company and through the 1920's at the height of his career he acted in both British and German films such as 'Im schatten der Moschee' (1923) 'Vater Voss' (1925) est. His most memorable films was George Pearson's 'Reville' (1924) and 'The Desert Sheik' (1924). Following the advent of talkies, he was relegated to fine kindly gentlemanly characters, later he starred as Dr. Goodfellow in a series of shorts for the Rank studios in 1942, retired from the screen after 1950's 'Lets Have a Murder'. Died in 1965 age 79.- Sammy Brooks a very short comic performers born Samuel Rockenberg in New York in 1891, began his career in the vaudeville in the early 1910's, appeared as a character or bit parts in many comedy films, first working for Hal Roach in the Lonesome Luke comedies starring Harold Lloyd in 1916-17, also appeared in many westerns. minor roles in talkies last seen working as a film extra in Laurel and Hardy comedies until 1938. Died in Los Angeles in 1951 age 60.
- Writer
- Actor
Handsome American actor, playwright and stage director/producer William Gillette was born in Hartford, CT, in 1853. His father Francis was a former United States Senator and crusader for women's suffrage and the abolition of slavery; his mother Elisabeth Daggett Hooker is a descendant of Rev. Thomas Hooker, who either wrote or inspired the first written constitution in history to form a government.
In 1873 William left Hartford to begin his apprenticeship as an actor, briefly working for a stock theatre company in New Orleans and then returning to New England. He made his debut at the Globe Theatre in Boston with Mark Twain's play "The Guilded Age" in 1875. His first major Civil War drama, "Hold by the Enemy", was a major step forward to modern theatre in that it abandoned many crude devices of Victorian melodrama and introduced realism into the sets, props, costumes, sound effects and performances; it was a critical and commercial success in America and Britain.
Gillette is probably best remembered, however, as the first actor to be universally acclaimed for portraying Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famed detective Sherlock Holmes, playing the role first on stage in 1899 and continuing for more than 35 years. He also wrote many stage versions from Doyle's Sherlock Holmes novels and even starred in the film version, Sherlock Holmes (1916), directed by Arthur Berthelet for the Essanay Film Co. He had previously appeared in two other films, his debut being in J.P. McGowan's The Battle at Fort Laramie (1913) and the following year he played support as Jack Lane in The Delayed Special (1914), both of which starred Helen Holmes and were made for the Kalem Film Co. Gillette also became popular on radio, performing the first radio serial version of Sherlock Holmes in 1930 and in 1935. His last stage appearance was in Austin Strong's "Three Wise Fools" in 1936. He wrote 13 original plays, seven adaptations and some collaborations, encompassing farce, melodrama and novel adaptation. He also wrote two pieces based on the US Civil War, "Held by the Ememy" and "Secret Service", which were highly acclaimed. In 1882 he married Helen Nichols, who died in 1888 from peritonitis; he never remarried.
Gillette died from pulmonary hemorrhage in Connecticut in 1937 at age 83.- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Director
Leslie Henson, comedian born in London in 1891. Famous for his bulging eyes, malleable face and raspy voice. He studied with 'the Cairns James School of Musical and Dramatic Art as a child, he was writing and producing theatrical pieces while still at school. Became popular in Music Hall from 1910, his first West End role in 1912 was 'Nicely, Thanks!' and became a over-night star, also in 'Tonight's the Night' which became a smash-hit in 1915 followed by starring in several hit West End musical comedies including 'Yes, Uncle! in 1917. Served in the Royal Flying Corps during World War I, after the war he returned to the West End playing in 'Kissing Time in 1919 and a series of musical comedies and farces throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Leslie starred in at least 15 movies, the first of which was 'The Lifeguardsman' for the British Actors Film Company in 1916, most notable was 'Alf's Button' co-starring Alma Taylor in 1920 and 'Tons of Money' in 1924, also starred in a number of talkies, best known 'A Warm Corner' in 1930 and It's a Boy' in 1934, last seen on T.V. in the late 1950s. Co-founder of ENSA. Died in London in 1957 age 66.- Clarine Seymour born to Albert and Florence Seymour in Brooklyn, New York in 1898. Her father ran a ribbon manufacturing business, in 1917 her father became so ill that he had no choice but to close his successful business and so Clarine secured work through the Thanhouser Film Company, which was located in New Rochelle, as a result of her work through that company , she obtained work through Pathe in a Pearl White serial and also in 1917 she appeared opposite Mollie King in 'Mystery of the Double Cross', followed in Toto the Clown comedies for the Robin Film Co and also appeared in many Al Christie comedies, she excepted an offer from D.W. Griffith who directed her in 'The Girl Who Stayed at Home' (1919) and 'True Heart Susie' (1919) opposite Lillian Gish and in Scarlet Days (1919). In 1920 Clarine became famous after starring in 'The Idol Dancer' the public loved her, shortly after that film's release she signed a four year contract, her next role was 'Way Down East' However, half way through production Clarine suddenly died unexpectedly from an intestinal ailment following an operation at Misericordia Hospital in New York at the age of 21. Mary Hay took over her role and the film was a box office success.
- Actor
- Director
Swedish born classical stage star Arthur Donaldson born in Norsholm, Sweden in 1869. A well-known stage actor and a light opera baritone singer. Moved to the United States in 1883 and began his stage career in the 1890's, he originated the role of 'The Prince of Pilsen' in 1903. Handsome performer who often played high class gentlemen in more than 80 movies, making his film debut in 'A Lad from Old Ireland' for the Kalem Film Co in 1910. During the early 1910's he returned to Sweden, appearing in operettas at Oscarsteatern and also made two Swedish films (one as director) before going back to America. He became one of the best regarded character actors of the World War I era including as a German General in 'For France' at Vitagraph Film Co in 1917, one of his most memorable roles was that of George III in D.W. Griffith's 'America' in 1920. In 1925 he produced and directed 'Retribution' an experimental sound film intended for a Swedish-speaking audience, ironically, sound ultimately put an end to his screen career, he returned to the stage permanently in 1927, making his Broadway directorial debut in 1934 with 'The Green Stick'. He died in Long Island, New York in 1955 age 86.- Judson Melford born Judson Calkins Le Roy in New York in 1900, handsome young lad who appeared in westerns and dramas for the Kalem Film Company with his step-father George Melford in several films between 1910 and 1913, his first of which was 'The Touch of a Child' in 1910 and perhaps his best known 'On the Warpath' in 1911, his finale film appearance was 'The Mountain Witch' with well-known silent star Carlyle Blackwell in 1913. Judson mother Louise Marsland filed for divorced from George Melford in 1924 and so Judson dropped the name Melford back to his birth name of Judson Le Roy. later worked for thirty years as an electrician for Paramount studios using his real name of Le Roy. Judson died childless in Santa Paula, California in 1978.
- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Handsome smart tall blonde Danish performer Johannes Meyer born in 1884. After graduating grom Gymnasium, Mayer applied twice to the Royal Theatre School and was twice rejected. He made his stage debut at the Dagmarteatret in Copenhagen in 1905 and went on to perform at nearly every theatre in Copenhagen. He appeared in more than 100 movies, making his first film playing the role of Erneste des Tressailles in Viggo Larsen's 'Revolutionsbryllup' at the Nordist Film Co in 1909, His most memorable role as Viktor Frandsen in Carl Theodor Dreyer's 'Master of the House' at the Palladium Film Co in 1925. He was mostly seen in character or supporting roles in many talkies from 1933 until his last film appearance playing the role of Bilvis in Gabriel Axel's 'Hagbard and Signe' in 1967. He was also active on radio and in T.V. dramas and was stage director of the Fonixteatret and Norrebros Theatre before he was hired by the Royal Theatre in 1941. Died in Denmark in 1972 age 88.- Evaristo Marquez born August 23, 1939 in San Basilis de Palenque, Colombia of African descent. He his best remembered in his debut film playing the role of Jose Dolores in 1969's 'Burn!' directed by Gillo Pontecorvo and starring Marlon Brando. Before his involvement with Gillo Pontecorvo he was a herdsman and illiterate. Evaristo appeared in four more movies during the early 1970's with the decline of his movie career he returned to work as a herdsman. In 2008 he reappeared in a short film 'Chimbumbe' shown at the Cartagena Film Festival and also appeared in 'El Tambor Magico' a short film made in 2010.
- Margaret McWade was born Margaret May Fish in Chicago, Illinois in 1872. In vaudeville, during the 1890s, she met Margaret Seddon. The two teamed up in a double act billed as the "Pixilated Sisters". She later appeared most often as spinsters or mothers in many films, first under contract to the Edison Film Company under the direction of Ashley Miller in The Drama of Heyville (1914), starring Marc McDermott, followed by the Vitagraph Film Company.
She may have been best-remembered for playing the role of Mrs. Challenger with Wallace Beery as Professor Challenger in 1925's The Lost World (1925), made with the First-National Film Company. She was mostly seen in minor roles in many talkies until her last film before retiring, George Cukor's It Should Happen to You (1954), starring Jack Lemmon and Judy Holliday. - Jolly, bald, over-weight comedian John E. Brennan born in Massachusetts in 1865. Became popular on vaudeville in the 1890's. One of the most well-known silent comedy stars of the early 1910's, began his film career with the Kalem Film Company in 1912 when he starred in 'The Pasadena Peach' he was often teamed with actress Ruth Roland until 1915. moved briefly to Fine Arts Film Co in 1916 then retired from the screen, made at least two movie comebacks in 1920 his last being the lead role as Robert Holmes in 'The Hidden Light' with Dolores Cassinelli, afterwards he was not seen on film again, John died from a heart attack in Los Angeles in 1940 age 75.
- Actor
- Writer
- Director
Gangly and rugged stage and screen character star Otto Hoffman was born in New York in 1879. Began as a stage performer in the 1890's. Made his movie debut under the direction of Stuart Paton in The White Terror (1915) starring Hobart Henley for the IMP Film Company. Otto directed only one film, The Secret of Black Mountain (1917) made in 1917 starring Vola Vale, afterwards he just concentrated on acting he was much better at it. He most often played cadaverous, crafty, menacing characters in more than 200 movies, such as The Kaiser's Shadow (1918), The Eagle (1925), The Valley of the Giants (1927), The Terror (1928), and Noah's Ark (1928). His ethnic range in many talkies include The Desert Song (1929), Abraham Lincoln (1930), Cimarron (1931), Eddie Cantor's Kid Millions (1934), Girl Loves Boy (1937), W.C. Fields' My Little Chickadee (1940), and his last film just before he died was as Oscar in This Is the Life (1944). Married Laura King and has a daughter Eugenie Hoffman.- Kitty Bradbury born in Illinois in 1875, became a character performers in drama and comedy movies, she was often cast as white-haired middle aged mothers in films from the mid 1910's, first appeared in D.W. Griffith dramas, including 'Intolerance' in 1916, best remembered playing the role of Edna Purviance's mother in at least three Charlie Chaplin comedies including 'The Immigrant' in 1917 'The Kid' in 1921 and 'The Pilgrim' in 1923, she's also known to have played in Harold Lloyd comedies, last seen in dramas at Universal in the mid 1920's, she died at the age of 7o in Los Angeles.
- Beautiful Goldie Colwell born in Kansas in 1889. began on stage in the late 1900's. Goldie appeared in few leading roles but many character and supporting roles in more than 80 westerns and comedies making her film debut in Tom Mix's 'Why the Sheriff is a Bachelor' for the Selig Film Co in 1911, later Goldie appeared in many 'Jerry' comedies directed by Milton J. Fahrney and starring George Ovey for the Cub Film Co between 1915-17, she was last on screen playing the role of Enid Montmorency in Colin Campbell's 'The Railroader' starring George Fawcett at the Triangle Film Co in 1919.
- Clifford Bruce born in Toronto, Canada in 1885, a well-built touch performer who supported in many American silent drama, westerns and action-serial's, first with the Selig Film Company in 1913, followed by Fox studios and later the Metro Film Company in the late 1910's, he's perhaps best remembered as the Gypsy Leader in Pearl White's action-adventure serial 'The Perils of Pauline' for the Pathe Film Company in 1914 and as Tom the Friend in Theda Bara's 'A Fool There Was' directed by Porter Emerson Browne at the Fox Film Company in 1915, he was last seen as Baron Demetrius Strakosch in 'Black Is White' in 1920 released a year after his death, he dead in New York aged only 34 in 1919.
- Classical stage and movie actress Marie Doro was a direct descendant of American political leader Patrick Henry. She was born Marie Katherine Steward in Pennsylvania in 1882. She began as a chorus girl in musical comedy under the management of impresario Charles Frohman, who took her to Broadway. There she worked for actor/stage director William Gillette, appearing in many melodrama, thrillers and comedies including "The Admirable Crichton" in 1903, "Sherlock Holmes" in 1905-06, "Electricity" in 1910 and "Diplomacy" in 1914 est. On tour of England in the mid-1900s, she starred with the unknown teenage Charles Chaplin. She starred in at least 18 movie, first under contract to Adolph Zukor in 1915, making her film debut in the starring role as Carlotta in Edwin S. Porter's comedy/drama The Morals of Marcus (1915) for the Famous Players Film Co. She is perhaps best remembered in the title role in Oliver Twist (1916), directed by James Young for the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Co. in 1916.
Although still a well-known movie star by the early 1920s, she became increasingly disillusioned with Hollywood and her acting career. She returned to the Broadway stage for one last time in "Lillies of the Field" in 1921. She moved to Europe for a time and starred in a few films in Italy and England, the last being Maurice Elvey's )Sally Bishop (1924)_ in 1924,' co-starring with Henry Ainley in the Stoll Film Co. production. In later life she became increasingly drawn to a more spiritual life, and ended as a recluse, actively avoiding friends and acquaintances. She was briefly married to actor Elliott Dexter, the marriage soon ending in divorce. She had no children and never remarried. - Paulette Duval was born in Buenos Aires. She appeared in many drama and comedy films, first working in French films making her debut with 'Marthe' in 1919; she arrived in Hollywood in 1922 first working for the Fox Film Company, then Paramount in 1924, later with MGM and then, finally with Columbia,; she died in 1933.
- Violet Hopson born Elma Kate Victoria Karkeek in Port August, Australia in 1891, her earliest performances were with the Pollard Opera Company in Australia and New Zealand from 1898 to 1900. Arrived in the US in the early 1900's with her older sister Zoe and became popular in drama theatre, a few years later Violet worked in the British theatre's appearing in drama and comedy. Although Australian by birth she would become a star of English films and would in fact epitomize the typically demure English heroine, her first movie was with the Cricks and Martin Film Company in 'Mr. Tubby's Triumph' a comedy directed by David Aylott and co-starring Johnny Butt in 1910. Became highly well-known as Hepworth's 'Dear Delightful Villianess' a brunette beauty in melodramas and comedies as 'The Vicar of Wakefield' in 1913, 'Barnaby Rudge' in 1915 and 'A Daughter of Eve' in 1919. Her career suffered slightly following the end of her marriage to actor Alec Worcester also known by his stage name Alexander Worster whom she married in Luton in 1909 the divorce in 1919 was on the ground's of his adultery and desertion, they had two children Nicholas born in 1910 and Jessica born in 1913. She became the first actress in England to be head her own production film company with producer/director Walter West after her divorce and in the early 1920's she occasionally played cockney waif in such films as 'Vi of Smith's Alley' (1921) and also excelled in portraying high class ladies as in 'Beautiful Kitty' (1923) and 'The Great Turf Mystery' (1924). With the rise of the talkies her career came to an end only appearing in minor roles until her last 'One Precious Year' in 1933. She died on the 21th July 1973 in Princess Louise Hospital, Kensington, London, the records naming her as Elma Kate Worster, she was cremated in Kensal Green Crematorium
- Francelia Billington was born in Dallas, Texas, where she was raised on a ranch and became an expert horsewoman. The pretty young Texan was also on stage from a young age and soon journeyed to Hollywood and became a star of westerns and melodramas, first working with the Kalem Film Co. in 1912, then moving on to Reliance-Majestic and Thanhouser the following year. She starred in many films for legendary director D.W. Griffith and later joined Universal Pictures, where she worked with such directors as Rupert Julian and Rex Ingram, She didn't confine herself to just horse operas, though. One of her best roles was in Erich von Stroheim's epic Blind Husbands (1919)). She also starred alongside her husband Lester Cuneo in many westerns in the 1920s. He committed suicide after their marriage broke up in 1925, and she died of tuberculosis at the tragically-young age of 39.
- Sam Dalton, English comedian, began in the music halls from the 1890s. Performer of many pioneering short comedy, drama and trick films under the direction of James Williamson at the Williamson Film Company in 1901-02, he will be best remembered in 1901's trick/comedy film 'The Big Swallow' its perhaps one of the most important early films in that it was one of the first to deliberately exploit the contrast between the eye of the camera and of the audience watching the film, it featured a man played by Sam Dalton irritated by the presence of a photographer, who solves his dilemma by swallowing him and his camera whole, the film lasted for only 1 minute and 8 seconds, and also he will be remembered for 'Stop Thief!' a 1901 drama/chase short, showing a tramp getting his come-uppance after stealing some meat from a butcher and his dogs, this film is one of the first true chase film made in the world, Sam's last film 'Sambo' a short 1902 comedy, showing a blackface comedian smoking a cigar, Sam was never seen on screen again.
- James Carew was born in Goshen, Indiana in 1876. He began as a clerk in a publishing firm. Made his stage debut at the age of 21 in 'Damon and Pythias' in Chicago, became a highly successful in the theatre and moved to England in 1905, where he continued his classical stage career starting with the Lyric Theatre in London, starred on stage with the legendary classical stage performer Ellen Terry in two productions, despite the great difference of their ages they got married, he was 29 years her junior, they divorced in 1910. Handsome hero or villain in nearly 80 movies, making his film debut under the direction of George Pearson in 'The Fool' starring Godfrey Tearle for the Big Ben Film Company in 1913, perhaps his most memorable role as Dicky Bransome in 'Profit and the Lost' for the Ideal Film Co in 1917, he appeared in many popular movies through the 1920's such as 'Helen of Four Gates' (1920) 'Dollars in Surrey' (1921) 'Mist in the Valley' (1923) 'The Drum'(1924) 'High Seas' (1929). As a well-known stage actor with a appropriate training the transition to the talkies wasn't a problem for him, he was still very successful on the screen until his last movie role in 'Glamour Girl' starring Gene Gerrard and Lesley Brook in 1938. died in London age 62 in 1938.
- Charlotte Merriam born in Illinois in 1903. Her father was a Colonel in the Army. She began her film career in 1919 when she was 16 in The Flip of a Coin (1919). While visiting the Universal studios she was offered a part in a comedy series starring Eddie Lyons and Lee Moran, which she accepted. Afterwards, she starred in many short and feature comedies, also with the Vitagraph Film Company in 1924, and starred in adventure and drama films, including the role of Mary Trail in Captain Blood (1924). Later she worked for the Warner Brothers studios from 1929; she also appeared in many talkies until her last, Dancing Man (1934). She was also a accomplished singer. Married to actor Rex Lease in 1925; divorced in 1929. Died in Los Angeles in 1972, age of 69.
- Lawrence D'Orsay born in Peterborough, England. Well-known in drama and comedy theatre from the 1880's, perhaps more notable for his starring role in 'The Earl of Pawtucket' at the Manhattan Theatre in 1903. A brilliant star in at least 8 Hollywood comedy and drama movies, he played the typical English monocled upper-class character often seen as Lords or Colonels, making his film debut in 'The Border Detective' a short western made at the American Film Co in 1912, perhaps best remembered as Hon. George Vane-Basingwell in Lawrence C. Windom's 'Ruggles of Red Gap' a western/comedy co-starring Taylor Holmes in 1918, his last screen appearance he played the role of Lord Elton in D.W. Griffith's 'The Sorrows of Satan' starring Adolphe Menjou and Carol Dempster at the Paramount studios in 1926. Died in London in 1931 age 78.
- The beautiful Lillian Drew was born in Chicago in 1886. Lillian became a highly popular musical comedy theatre star from the mid 1900's, often appearing with her husband actor E.H. Calvert. Later Lillian a gorgeous brunette starred in more than 90 drama and comedy films and became known as Lily of the Essanay, she made her first film playing the role of Edith Towne in 'The Broken Heart' with Ruth Stonehouse in 1913, she perhaps best remembered as Elvira in 'The Fable of Elvira and Farina and the Meal Ticket' co-starring Gloria Swanson in 1915. In 1920 she suffered a nervous breakdown and appeared in only one more movie 'Children of Jazz' directed by Jerome Storm and starring Ricardo Cortez at Famous Players Film Co in 1923. At the time of her death in February 1924 she was recovering from both a car crash and a difficult breakup with her husband. Lily dead in Chicago age 38 from veronal poisoning, the death was eventually ruled an accident
- Actress
- Director
- Producer
The beautiful English brunette star of the silent screen Peggy Hyland born in Birmingham in 1884. Educated in England and in convents in Europe. Began working on stage in 1910. Peggy starred in more than 45 movies in both Britain and Hollywood, making her film debut in Percy Nash's 'In the Rank' starring Gregory Scott for the Neptune Film Co in 1914, between 1916 and 1920 she was based in America working for Fox, Vitagraph and Famous Players, perhaps her best known film was 'The Merry-Go-Round' with Jack Mulhall for the Fox Film Co in 1919. Peggy returned to England where she acted in Mr. Pim Passes By for the Samuelson Film Co in 1921. In 1922 she wrote, produced, directed and starred in 'With Father's Help' and in 1923 starred in the US Production, 'Shifting Sands' directed by her husband Fred Leroy Granville whom she later divorced, the following year she directed and starred in 'The Haunted Pearls', she was last seen on screen in 'Forbidden Cargoes' in 1925. Beside from acting Peggy also directed some short comedies in England in the early 1920's. She died in 1973 age 88.- Sam Lucas was an African-American actor, comedian, singer and songwriter born to free black parents in 1848. A former barber, he was once described as the "Grand Old Man of the Negro Stage". As a youngster he showed talent for guitar and singing. He started as a black-face minstrelsy on riverboats around 1858, later became a more serious drama actor with roles in 'The Creole Show' and 'A Trip to Coontown', his best known performances was in 'Out of Bondage' in 1875 and became the first actor to portray the role of Uncle Tom on stage and later starred in the movie version of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' for the Peerless Film Company in 1914, during the filming he became sick and died two years later on January 5, 1916.
- Hugh C. Buckler, born in Southampton in 1882. Highly well-known classical stage actor, often performed with Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree at the 'His Majesty's Theatre in London from 1890, such plays as 'A Lady of Lyons', 'Antony and Cleopatra' and 'The Tempest'. Smart handsome gentleman often seen as Doctor's or Lord's in a handful of British silent films often with the Stoll Film Company, first appeared in 'The Garden of Resurrection' directed by Arthur Rooke, starring Guy Newall and Ivy Duke in 1919. He will perhaps be best remembered as Catesby in Maurice Elvey's 'Guy Fawkes'. His last film, Columbia Pictures' Lost Horizon (1937), starred Ronald Colman. He died in a car crash along with his son actor John Buckler in Lake Malibu.
- Florence Deshon born to Samuel and Florence C. Danks of Austrian and English descent. She began as a stage actress and appeared opposite Mary Boland in 'My Lady's Dress and in the comedy 'Seven Chances' prior to making her screen debut in 1915's 'The Beloved Vagabond' directed by Edward Jose for Pathe, Florence starred in 24 silent melodrama and crime movies but perhaps her best known was 'The Desired Woman' directed by Paul Scardon and co-starring Harry T. Morey for the Vitagraph Film Company in 1918 and her final film as Sally McTurk in John Francis Dillon's 'The Roof Tree' with William Russell for the Fox Film Co in 1921. She moved to Greenwich Village, New York in hope to resume her film career but on the 4th February she was found unconscious on the third floor of her apartment building, a window was open in her bedroom but illuminating gas flowed from a opened jet, a newspaperwoman, Minnie Morris, found Deshon, an Ambulance took her to Hospital, but attempts to revive her were unsuccessful, she died the following afternoon, adding that the only mystery was why 'with the apartment especially wired for electricity, Miss Deshon should have used the single gas jet in the room and forgotten to turn it off, some say she had no reason to kill herself and that her death was accidental, the New York Medical Examiner concluded her death was accidental but rumors persisted that she might have committed suicide because of grief.
- Floyd 'Silver Tip' Baker born Floyd Michael Baker in Texas in 1886. Well-known trick rider in rodeos and wild west shows from the late 1900's. He was among the talented few that could handle a team of horses and stagecoach at full speed, became a white-haired old codger character in many westerns, first playing the role, General Grenville M. Dodge in 'In the Days of Buffalo Bill' directed by Edward Laemmle and starring Art Acord as Art Taylor and Duke R. Lee as Buffalo Bill at the Universal, seen in over 100 minor roles in talkies many of them B-Westerns. married to wild show trick rider Mabel Baker.
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Popular stage and film comedian Claude Noel Hulbert was born in Fulham, London in 1901, younger brother of the highly well-known comedian, singer and comic dancer Jack Hulbert. Like his brother, he was educated at Cambridge and was a member of the Footlights comedy club as an undergraduate. He began his professional acting career in supporting roles in many of the Aldwych farces with Tom Walls and Ralph Lynn. He appeared in films from 1928 before making his first starring role in Their Night Out (1933) with Binnie Barnes. Perhaps one of his most memorable roles at that time was the silly ass brother to Ralph Lynn in A Cup of Kindness (1934), the starring role in Hello, Sweetheart (1935), and starring as a dithering diplomat in Wolf's Clothing (1936). He played opposite Will Hay in two popular comedies The Ghost of St. Michael's (1941) and My Learned Friend (1943), which were the most successful of his later vehicles. He died in a hospital in Sydney, Australia while ashore from a world cruise with his family.- Mace Greenleaf began as a stage actor starring and supporting in many popular plays, perhaps his best known roles was as Herbert, the King's Forrester in 'The Prisoner of Zenda' in the 1890's and in 1898 played Mr. Hunston in Sir Arthur Wing Pinero's play 'Trelawny of the Wells' at the Lyceum Theatre in New York, other Broadway performances was in 'The Pride of Jennico' with James K. Hackett at the Citerion Theatre in 1900 and played Myrtle May's lover in 'The Parish Priest'. Over the first decade of the new century played starring roles in stock companies all over America, he returned to Broadway in 1905 to play the Prince of Wales in the romantic musical 'Edmond Burke'. In 1911 he joined the film industry where he would star in at least 20 drama movies, making his debut in The Golden Rule (1911) co-starring James Kirkwood at the Reliance Film Co. He is perhaps best known as Dr. Earl Headley in Alice Guy Blache's Falling Leaves (1912) for the Solax Film Co in 1912. His last film before his sudden death from pneumonia age 38 was in The Girl in the Arm-Chair (1912) with Blanche Cornwall. In 1906 Mace married Lucy Banning in Santa Ana, California, Lucy came from a very wealthy family they owned Catalina Island, she left Mace in 1910 for the son of prominent judge, Mace divorced his beautiful wife on the ground of desertion, Lucy was known as something of a free spirit and often scandalized 'polite society' with the number of men in her life.
- The Beautiful actress Bonnie Hill was born in Indiana in 1891. Began working as a model in the early 1910's. Bonnie arrived in Hollywood in 1919 appearing in small roles, making her film debut in Henry Otto's comedy 'The Amateur Adventuress' starring Emmy Wehlen at Metro Film Co in 1919, afterwards she was offered mostly character roles and the occasional support roles. She perhaps best remembered as Mazie Colben in Ray C. Smallwood's 'Billions' starring Alla Nazimova in 1920 and as the pretty neighbor in Buster Keaton's 'The Frozen North' in 1922, Bonnie was last seen on screen as Mrs. Wyman in 'The Love Gamble' starring Lillian Rich for the Banner Film Co in 1925.
- Beautiful slim brunette comedienne Vivian Edwards was born in Los Angeles in 1896. Entered the movies as an extra then made her mark as one of the Goo Goo Sisters in The Property Man (1914) starring Charles Chaplin in 1914. Vivian, also known as Viva Edwards, starred and supported in at least 50 Keystone comedies between 1914-16, often appeared with Chaplin, including The Masquerader (1914), Dough and Dynamite (1914), and Those Love Pangs (1914), and also play Mack Swain's wife Pansy Ambrose in the 'Willful Ambrose (1915)' comedies in 1915-16. She left Keystone at the end of 1916 and moved to the Triangle Film Co in early 1917 often starring opposite Harry McCoy in many short comedies. Married film director Bryan Foy in 1926 until her death in 1949 age 53.
- Charles Belcher born in San Francisco in 1872. A graduate of San Francisco's Lincoln Grammar School. Became popular in drama and comedy theatre from 1907. White-haired gentleman who appeared in many action adventure and drama films, first starring with Ruth Roland in a adventure serial 'The Adventures of Ruth made at the Pathe Film Co in 1919, he's perhaps most notable for his roles in many of Douglas Fairbanks action films including 'The Mark of Zorro' in 1920, 'The Three Musketeers' in 1921 and 'The Black Pirate' in 1926, he' perhaps best remembered as Balthazar in 'Ben Hur' in 1925,Charles made his last screen appearance, playing the Duke in Albert Ray's 'Thief in the Dark' in 1928.
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Handsome classical stage and screen actor James K. Hackett born James Keteltas Hackett in Ontario, Canada in 1869. Son of the celebrated Shakespearian actor James Henry Hackett. Like his father he studied law at the College of the City of New York, his outstanding acting talent soon became evident in college theatricals and after leaving he embarked on a stage career after graduation in 1891. He made his professional stage debut in 'The Broken Seal' in Philadelphia in 1892, he became a highly well-known matinee idol through the 1890's, playing such roles as Romeo with Olga Nethersole as Juliet in 'Romeo and Juliet' and as Captain Basil Jennico in the 1900 production of 'The Pride of Jennico' with Bertha Galland in her New York stage debut. He eventually formed his own theatre Company. In 1913 Adolph Zukor asked him to star in a movie version of 'The Prisoner of Zenda' playing the duel roles Rudolf Rassendyll and King Rudolf of Ruritania a role which he played in the theatre numberous times, the film was directed by Edwin S. Porter and co-starred his wife Beatrice Beckley as Princess Flavia for the Famous Players Film Co. Later starred in only two more films, as Arthur Woodridge in Ivan Abramson's 'Ashes of Love' co-starring Effie Shannon in 1918 and his last screen appearance in A.J. Bloome's 'The Greater Sinner' starring opposite Ormi Hawley for Rivoli Film Co in 1919. Late in his stage career he attempted a number of Shakespearian revivals, which met with only modest success , and his last Broadway appearance was in 1924 as Macbeth. Married actress Mary Mannering in 1897 and in 1911 married Beatrice Beckley. Hackett died from cirrhosis of the liver in Paris, France at 57, leaving a $1 million bequest to the Actors' Home in Staten Island, New York.- Actress
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Maude George a character performer and few starring roles was often seen as a aristocratic lady in many silent drama films most often with the Universal Film Company from 1915 later she occasionally was seen working for the Vitagraph Film Company and also Goldwyn she never appeared in talkies. married actor Arthur Forde. died in California.- Nevil Maskelyne born in Cheltenham in 1839. Famous magician and illusionist who teamed up with George Alfred Cooke' together they presented a unique entertainment of magic, billed as 'Maskelyne and Cooke' they became highly popular at the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly, London from 1873, here they completely transformed the art of conjuring into a dramatic performance, they remained there until 1904. In 1896 the pioneering film maker Robert W. Paul approach him to perform in front of the film camera, spinning plates and basins the film lasted for only 20 seconds long. He died in 1917 in London age 78.
- Beautiful dark haired star Jessalyn Van Trump born in Ohio in 1887. began in drama theatre from the early 1900's. Starred and supported in more than 110 silent drama and westerns, making her film debut as Alice in 'Alice's Sacrifice' for the Lubin Film Co in 1911, then Jessalyn starred opposite the legendary cowboy star J. Warren Kerrigan in many short westerns produced by the American Film Company. She left with J. Warren Kerrigan when they moved to the more prosperous film companies including Rex Motion Picture Co, Bison Film Co and the better known Universal and in 1914 she appeared in many dramas with Wallace Reid and Pauline Bush until 1916 when her career seem to be over, only appearing in minor roles and even as an extra, including a Chaplin short 'A Day's Pleasure' in 1919, then in 1920 she was offered the supporting role playing Vera in Rollin S. Sturgeon's 'The Girl in the Rain' starring Anne Cornwall and Lloyd Bacon at Universal, but she still struggle to find work her last film role was a bit part in 'The Bargain Hunt' in 1928. Jessalyn or Toodles to her friends died in Hollywood in 1939 age 52.
- American actress Anita Hendrie was born in Philadelphia in 1864 to physician William Scott Hendrie and M. Louise Morton. She began working in the theatre from the 1880's. Anita was a wonderful dark haired lady who appeared in at least 70 silent drama films often playing maids, mothers or wives under the direction of D.W. Griffith at the Biograph Film Co in 1908-09, making her film debut as Jessie Marshall in 'The Helping Hand' with Flora Finch in 1908. Her most notable role was as the Mother in 'The Golden Louis' starring Owen Moore in 1909.
She left the Biograph in 1909, moved to the IMP studios briefly in 1911 and won the starring role as the Mother of Don Alvarez in 'The Secret of the Palm' directed by Joseph W. Smiley and starring King Baggot. Her last screen appearance as Mrs. Bennet Allan in 'The Better Influence' with Herbert Prior at the Majestic Film Co in 1912.
Anita was married to actor/director David Miles from 1902 until his death in 1915. Anita died in Brooklyn, New York in 1940 age 76. - Writer
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Real life Hero in World War I, Arthur Guy Empey was born in Utah in 1883. Actor/writer who starred in his first film role as a soldier in 'over the Top' which he also directed from his best-selling book, about his own experiences as an American soldier in the British Army during World War 1. made at Vitagraph Film Company. From 1919 he appeared in few drama films until his last screen appearance in 1921's 'Millionaire For a Day'. Died in 1963 age 80 in an army veterans hospital in Kansas leaving his medals to the men in the ward.- Lillian Hall was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1896. The gorgeous brunette began on the theatre stage from the early 1910s and starred and supported in drama and comedy films, first under the direction of Sidney Franklin at the Select Film Company in 1918, followed by the Fox studios. She is probably best remembered for playing the role of Alice Munro in Clarence Brown's 1924 film 'The Last of the Mohicans' starring Wallace Beery. She was last seen in a character role in 'Leatherstocking,' directed by George B. Seitz in 1924. She married actor Glenn Tryon, but is not the stepmother of actor Tom Tryon; Glenn Tryon never had a son by that name, and Tom Tryon's father was Arthur Lane Tryon.
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Billy Merson born William Henry Thompson in Nottingham in 1881, he began his career while working in a lace-making factory and performing shows as an acrobat and comedian in the evening at the Nottingham Theatre Royal. It took some time until he could make a good living from his stage work; he also wrote many songs including 'The Photo of the Girl I Left Behind', 'Desdemona' and possibly his best known song 'The Spaniard That Blighted My Life'. He was chairman of the music hall at the Players Theatre in London. Starred in a handful of silent film comedies under the direction of W.P. Kellino for the Homeland (Globe) Film Company in 1915-17 often taken from his own sketches. Later he was often seen in character roles in many talkies through the 1930's. According to an article in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 19/8/2011 Billy Merson whose real name is William Henry Thompson may have been related to the famous 19th Century bare knuckle prize fighter William 'Bendigo' Thompson born in Nottingham in the early 1800's, and his descendants are Hayden Thompson born 2011 son of stage actress Emma Rothwell born 1985.