Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
Search filters
Enter full date
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
Only includes names with the selected topics
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
1-50 of 208
- 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.
- One of the greatest theatrical performers of the time Benoit Constant Coquelin born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, France in 1841. Made his professional stage debut at 19 as the comic valet in Moliere's 'Le Depit amoureux' at the Comedie-Francaise in 1860, his first great success was as Figaro in 'The Barber of Saville'. Four years after joining the comedie-Francaise, Coquelin became one of the elite societaires and during the next 22 years he starred in 44 new plays, including 'Gringoire' (1867), 'Tabarin' (1871), 'Forestier' (1871), 'L'Etrangere' (1876), Jean Dacier' (1877) 'Les Rantzau' (1884), he toured Europe and America with 'Les Precieuses ridicules', wrote several books including 'Art and the Actor'. In 1895 he joined the Renaissance Theatre in Paris where he had successes in Edmond Rostand's play 'Cyrano de Bergerac' in 1897 and in 1898 at the Lyceum Theatre in London. In 1900 he toured America with the lengendary theatre star Sarah Bernhardt appearing at the Broadway's Garden Theatre in a production of 'Cyrano de Bergerac' his most famous role, he starred in his only film which was the duel scene from 'Cyrano de Bergerac' with sound recording on phonograph cylinder directed by Clement Maurice at the Phono-Cinema- Theatre studio in 1900, the film is thought to be the first ever made with both colour and sound. On their return to France he appeared in 'L'Aiglon' at the Theatre Sarah Bernhardt. He was rehearsing for the starring role in Rostand's 'Chantecler' when he died suddenly in Paris age 68 in 1909.
- Born in Lambeth, London. Hughly Popular comedian in Music Hall theatre and Pantomime theatre from 1868 became known as the greatest Pantomime 'Dame' artist of all time, often teamed as the over-weight stooge on stage and screen to the legendary Music Hall star Dan Leno. made his debut film in Herbert Campbell as Little Bobby in 1899 followed by a number of films with Dan Leno in The Rat in 1900 and Dan Leno and Herbert Campbell Edit 'The Sun' in 1902.
- Verner Clarges, born in Bath, Somerset in 1846, began on stage in England then America from the 1870's. fine British bald gentleman who starred and supported in many American drama films under the direction of D.W. Griffith at the Biograph Film Company from 1909, the first was 'Was Justice Served? starring James Kirkwood and Gladys Egan, he died before the release of his last film 'The Punishment' starring Blanche Sweet
- 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.
- Jamie Darling born Thomas Dawson Walker in 1850. Became popular as Whimsical Walker in the music halls and pantomimes from the 1870's. In 1913 he changing his name to Jamie Darling and became one of Cecil Hepworth stock company players, starring and supporting in drama and comedy films from 1913 until 1915, making his film debut as the cobbler in 'A Helping Hand' directed by Warwick Buckland and co-starring Alec Worcester. Jamie his now perhaps best remembered for portraying Daniel Peggotty in 'David Copperfield' co-starring Alma Taylor in 1913 and as the farmer in Hay Plumb's 'Cock o' the Walk' playing opposite Chrissie White in 1915 afterwards he moved to the Transatlantic Film Co and change his name back to Whimsical Walker and starred as Kennel in the comedy 'The Knut and the Kennel' in 1915, his next movie in 1919 was 'The Starting Point' at the British Lion studios and the following year he made his last appearence on screen as Snagsby in 'The Fordington Twins' directed by W.P. Kellino in 1920. Jamie Darling or Whimsical Walker died in 1934 age 84.
- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Tom Green born in 1852. a popular stage comic and stage manager from the late 1870's. became a well-known pioneering film actor and director of many early short comedies for the George Albert Smith Film Company from 1897, also directed many short dramas and trick films for other film studios from 1902 until 1906. married stage and screen actress Nellie Green- 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.- 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.
- Brilliant stage and screen actor Charles Eldridge was born in New York in 1854. Starred on the drama and comedy theatre from the 1870's. Occasionally known as Mr. Eldridge became a white haired gentleman who starred and supported in more than 160 melodrama, comedy and crime movies, with the Vitagraph Film Company from 1910, making his film debut as the old farmer in 'The Legacy' co-starring Mary Maurice. His most notable role was as Jabee Smith in many of the 'Mr. Jarr' comedies starring Harry Davenport in 1915. Mr. Eldridge left Vitagraph in 1916 to worked for several other film companies including IMP, Victor, Rolfe, Columbia, Stubert and last with Goldwyn and Fox until his death from cancer in 1922 age 68.
- Actor
- Writer
Ernest Hendrie born in London in 1859. Highly successful stage performer, his most notable stage role was in 'The Bride of Love to Sweet Nancy' in 1890 and as Tylo in 'The Blue Bird' which he later appeared in the film version in 1910. He also co-authored 'The Elder Miss Blossom' a comedy which was also made into a movie in 1919. He will perhaps be best remembered in the screen version as The Professor in Thomas Bentley's 'The Divione Gift' co-starring opposite Joyce Dearsley for the Phillips Film Co in 1918, his last screen appearance was the lead role as Foxey Green in 'A Will and a Way' a comedy co-starring Polly Emery made at the Artistic Picture studio in 1922.- Gwynne Herbert born around the mid 1860s in London. Became a popular theatre performer from the 1880s, perhaps best known show was in 'Curtain Raiser' in 1897. Wonderful lady who appeared in over sixty British silent movies, often seen playing mothers, landladies and often seen as sophisticated ladies in drama and comedies, making her film debut in 'Lil O'London' for the London Film Company in 1914 then followed by the Hepworth Film Company. She retired from the movie business after 'The World of Wonderful Reality' in 1924 to run her own florist in London.
- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Louis Calvert his the son of actor Charles Calvert and actress better known as Mrs. Charles Calvert. Handsome English gentleman who was one of the greatest Shakespearian performer of the Victorian era, later became a star of Broadway theatre between 1909-23. He appeared in only two movies, the first 'King John' a very short drama made by the pioneering film maker William Dickson and starred Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree for the British Mutoscope & Biograph Film Company in 1899, and in 1913 he played the role of Simon Ingot in 'David Garrick' directed by Hay Plumb, starring Charles Wyndham and Mary Moore for the Hepworth Film Company. Father of actress Patricia Calvert.- Charles Abbe born in Connecticut, USA in 1860, became a highly regarded stage performer on the Broadway comedy and drama theatre's from 1895, often appeared as socialite fathers, first starred in a couple of well-known drama films at the Famous Players Film Company and the World Film Company in 1915, later became a well-known supporting player at the Paramount Film Company through the 1920s until his last film 'The Bishop's Candlesticks in 1929.
- Actor
- Writer
John M. East born John Marlborough East in London in 1860. John began on comedy and drama theatre from the 1880's. Popular gentleman character and support actor, appeared in more than 30 British silent drama and adventure movies, making his film debut as Tom Cribb in Harold M. Shaw's 'The House of Temperley' starring Ben Webster for the London Film Co in 1913. Perhaps his best known roles was as Little John in 'In the Days of Robin Hood' starring H. Agar Lyons in the title role made at the Natural Colour Kinematograph studios in 1913 and as Old Kipps in 'Kipps' starring George K. Arthur at the Stoll Film Co in 1921. He made his final movie as the Shepherd in 'Owd Bob' directed by Henry Edwards for Atlantic Union Film Co in 1924 John died that same year in London age 64. In the mid 1910's he became so well-known in the movies he received over 3000 votes in Picturegoer magazine's 1916 contest to establish the 'Greatest British Film Player. John was also a screenwriter and one of the co-founders of the Neptune Film Company in Borehamwood which is today the site of Elstree studios.- Bald-headed with thick rimmed round glasses Jeff Barlow born in Lancashire in 1871. Began in the theatre appearing in drama and comedy from the 1890's. He won the leading role in his first film, as the famous murderer and thief Charles Peace under the direction of Ernest G. Batley in 'Charles Peace, King of Criminals' at the British & Colonial Film Company in 1914, afterwards he seemed to be cast in character or occasionally supporting roles in many comedy and drama films, mostly for London (Jury) and for Minerva in the 1910s. His most memorable roles as Lt Waters in 'Tom Jones' starring Langhorne Burton at the Ideal Film Co in 1917 and also as Mr. Reece in 'The Further Exploits of Sexton Blake: The Mystery of the S.S. Olympic' starring Douglas Payne as Blake at Atlantic Films in 1920. A regular character star in adventures and crime thrillers through the 1920's, including the first full length British colour movie 'The Glorious Adventure' in 1922, his last screen appearance as Dorcas in Leslie S. Hiscott's comedy 'Ringing the Changes' starring Henry Edwards.
- Charles Brandt born in Philadelphia in 1862. well-known stage performer from the 1880s. cheerful, white-haired gentleman who starred and supported in more than 60 movies for the Lubin Film Company from 1911, often seen as professionals or fathers in dramas and comedies, first appeared in 'His Chorus Girl Wife' directed by Harry Solter and starring Florence Lawrence in 1911, perhaps he will be best remembered in the role of Sam Graham in 'The Fortune Hunter' directed by Barry O'Neil, starring William Elliott and Ethel Clayton in 1914. in 1917 he moved to the World Film Company followed by the Betzwood Film Co in 1918 last seen in 'The Master Mind' directed by Kenneth S. Webb and starring Lionel Barrymore for the First National Film Company in 1920. died in Philadelphia in 1924 age 62
- Actor
- Producer
Burr McIntosh born William Burr McIntosh in Ohio in 1862. Son of the President of public utility and Cleveland Gas Coal Company William Ambrose. Burr was educated at Lafayette College in Princeton where he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity in 1884. became a star on Broadway stage, perhaps his best-known stage role was in 'Trilby' in 1905. Hefty, bald, intelligent man who starred and supported in many drama and comedy films, his first was the starring role Jo Vernon in Lawrence B. McGill's In Mizzoura (1914) for the All Star Feature Film Co in 1914. While perhaps best remembered as Squire Bartlett in D.W. Griffith's Way Down East (1920) starring Lillian Gish in 1920, he also appeared in many early talkies, including his last The Richest Girl in the World (1934) starring Miriam Hopkins for the RKO Film Co in 1934. During the 1930s he devoted himself to charitable causes, particularly collecting toys for poor families. He his also known for publishing a well-known magazine (Burr McIntosh Monthly) and a lecturer characterizing himself as 'The Cheerful Philosopher' also a film production owner, author, reporter and pioneering radio actor. He died from a heart attack in Hollywood in 1942 age 80- Frank Adair born around the early 1870's, a British actor who became well-known on drama and comedy stage from the 1890's, later appeared as support in upper-class roles in movies between 1918-20, his first film, a war drama 'The Better 'Ole' directed by George Pearson for the Welsh-Pearson studios in 1918, his best known role as Edward Faversham in 'The Artistic Temperament' directed by Fred Goodwins and written by Eliot Stannard for the British Lion Film Company in 1919, he was last seen working for the Barker Film Company in 1920.
- Mary Brough was born Mary Bessie Brough in London in 1863 from a long theatrical family, eldest daughter of well-known stage actor Lionel Brough. Mary made her first professional stage appearance in 1881, her roles varied from the classics to light comedies and popular melodramas at the Drury Lane Theatre, which include 'Henry IV', 'David Copperfield', 'Oliver Twist', 'The Brass Bottle', 'Mr. Wu', 'Lord and Lady Algy', and many more, Mary became better known at the age of 60 when she appeared in many farces at the Aldwych Theatre for actor/manager Tom Walls from 1922 such as 'Tons of Money' alongside Ralph Lynn and Robertson Hare, she made a great success in the part and became a key member of the team that ran nearly continuously from 1922 to 1934. Brough appeared in more than 66 movies, where she was best known for her comic characters often seen as fearsome cockney women and sometimes aristocratic occasionally sympathetic and sometimes monstrous, making her film debut in Sidney Morgan's 'The Brass Bottle' in 1914, her most notable film roles as Mrs. Cratchit in 'A Christmas Carol' with Charles Rock for the London Film Co in 1914, as Mrs. Lee in George Pearson's 'Squibs' with Betty Balfour in 1921, as Mrs. Mullet in 'Ton of Money' with Leslie Henson in 1926 and as Mrs. Spoker in 'A Cuckoo in the Nest' with Ralph Lynn in 1933. In 1934 Mary played in a new farce, 'Indoor Fireworks' at the Aldwych when she was taken ill in her dressing room, she was nursed at her home in Southwell, South London, where she died at the age of 71.
- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Warwick Buckland, English stage performer from the 1880's, often appeared as elderly gentleman in starring and supporting roles in many drama films for the Hepworth Film Company, he first played the Inspector in 'Exceeding His Duty' directed by Lewin Fitahamon and played opposite Ruby Belasco in 1912, best remembered as Grandfather Trent in 'The Old Curiosity Shop' directed by Thomas Bentley in 1913, he was last seen as Rolf De Belfort in 'The Grip of Iron' starring George Foley and Malvina Longfellow in 1920. he also directed many short drama films between 1912-15. also a writer. Died in 1945 aged 82.- 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. - Clarence Blakiston born in Biggleswick in 1864, highly well-known classical, melodrama and comedy theatre star from the 1880's. later appeared as a aristocratic gentleman in few silent film roles first in a short drama from the 'Tense Moment from Great Plays' film series starring Sybil Thorndike for the Master (BEF) Film Company in 1922, later worked for the British Gaumont Film Company and then the B&C Film Company. minor roles in few talkies in the mid 1930's. Dead in 1943 age 79.
- Actor
- Director
Highly distinguished Broadway stage and film performer Robert Cummings born in Massachusetts in 1865. Began in stock company theatres from the 1880's. Intelligent, strong personality character and supporting star who appeared in at least 34 drama, crime and comedy movies, making his film debut as Connor in George Irving's 'The Jungle' starring George Nash for the All Star Feature Co in 1914. Perhaps best remembered as Monsieur Duval in Albert Capellani's 'Camille' starring Clara Kimbell Young for Shubert Film Co in 1915 and as Joel Radley in 'Betsy Ross' starring Alice Brady for the World Film Co in 1917. Robert retired from the screen in 1920 to return again in minor roles in 1930's talkies such as 'I'd Give My Life' in 1936 and his last screen appearance as the judge in the crime drama 'The Outer Gate' starring Ralph Morgan in 1937. Robert died in Los Angeles in 1949 age 84.- 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.
- A great classical and modern drama stage Performer from 1890, best remembered for playing the role of 'Don Quixote' on stage and screen, first appearing on film in 'The Girl Who Didn't Care' for the Barker Film Company in 1916 from then on often seen in supporting roles and few starring roles through the 1920s and many talkies in the 1930s until his last role in a short crime drama 'The Great Conway' in 1940.
- Helen Marlborough born Helen Viola Gleason in 1867 in California, became well-known in American comedy and drama theatre from the 1880s, short plump lady in few film roles, first playing her debut role in a brilliant performance as Mrs. Wright in 'The Wild Goose Chase' directed by Cecil B. De Mille at the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Film Co in 1915 followed by two last well-known films in 1916, she died in 1955 in Pasadena.
- Bruce McRae born in India in 1867 of Scot and English Parents. Stage performer of British and American Theatre. He went to New Zealand at the age of 16 where he worked in cattle ranching, moved to Australia for five years and became a surveyor. In 1890, he moved to the United States where he became manager of a cattle ranch in Laramie, Wyoming and a year later made his first appearance on stage supporting Forbes Robertson in 'Thermidor' at Proctor's 23nd Street Theatre, became highly well-known on Broadway and the English Theatres, perhaps his best known stage role as Dr. Watson with William Gillette as Sherlock Holmes in the early 1910's. handsome gentleman in a handful of drama and action movies, first the starring role in 'The Ring and the Man' directed by Francis Powers at the Famous Players Film Company in 1914, perhaps best remembered as the Bookie in the action-adventure serial 'Beatrice Fairfax' directed by Leopold and Theodore Wharton and starring Harry Fox and Grace Darling for International Film Service in 1916, he was last seen on screen under the direction of Colin Campbell in the lead role as John Brand in 'The World's a Stage'co-starring opposite Dorothy Phillips in 1922. He died of heart disease in 1927 age 60.
- The great English character star A. Bromley Davenport born Arthur Henry Bromley-Davenport in Baginton, Warwickshire in 1867, his father was a well-known conservative politician William Bromley Davenport. Arthur was educated at Eton College, Berkshire. He began his acting career on the London stage at the age of 25 years old in 1892 appearing in many popular theatre productions. From 1920 he became a regular character film performer often playing sophisticated elderly gentleman in more than 70 drama, comedy and crime movies, making his film debut as Sir Crispin Vickrey in 'The Great Gay Road' starring Stewart Rome for the Broadwest Film Co. His best known films include 'Fox Farm' (1922) Eileen of the Trees' (1928) 'The Scarlet Pimpernel' (1934) ' Jamaica Inn' (1939) and 'Love on the Dole' (1941) est. He was last seen in Carol Reed's 'The Way Ahead' starring David Niven in 1944. Married twice, Elizabeth Light in 1886 and Madame Adele Burdillat of Nice, France in 1921.
- Rolf Leslie born in Dumfries, Scotland in the 1870's. began in music hall and drama theatre from the 1890's. Talented comedian and dramatic actor who starred in many short comedies for the Barker Film Company, often playing opposite Blanche Forsythe from 1913, making debut in 'Suspicious Mrs. Brown' directed by Bert Haldane. Perhaps most notable performance was when he played 27 different characters in 'Sixty Years a Queen' starring Blanche Forsythe as Queen Victoria in 1913. He moved to the Lotus Film Company in 1915 appearing in many drama and comedies. In 1924 he starred as the Old Man in a series of crime mysteries directed by Hugh Croise, the first of these films 'The York Mystery' made at the Stoll Film Co and in 1926 he played Evelyn in Herbert Wilcox's 'Nell Gwyn' starring Dorothy Gish at the British National Film Co. His last screen appearance was as Stefan in 'The Last Post' starring John Longden at the Britannia Films in 1929.
- Dora De Winton born Dora Wilson in London in 1874. Highly well-known drama and comedy theatre performer from the 1880s. Beautiful brunette star and supporting actress in many melodrama and crime films, first working with the British & Colonial Film Company in 1912, most often with the Barker Film Company from 1913, she is perhaps best remember for playing the role of Miss Western in Edwin J. Collins 'Tom Jones' starring Langhorn Burton at the Ideal Film Co in 1917, her last screen appearance as Lady Barmouth in 'The Presumption of Stanley Hay, MP' at the Stoll Film Company in 1925. Sister of actress Alice De Winton
- 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.- Director
- Writer
- Actor
Lewin Fitzhamon born in Aldingham, Cumbria in 1869, began as a steeplechase rider and a music hall performer and also producer/writer of sketches in 1889. He first made films with Robert W. Paul,s Film Company in 1900, in 1904, he joined Cecil Hepworth as an writer, film director and actor specializing in children and animals probably directing around 600 films, his best known film was 'Rescued By Rover' in 1905 he showed himself to be accomplished in a wide range of narrative forms such as fantasies, comedies, westerns, dramas and chase films, he made a number of comic film series, including the 'Poorlucks' and the anarchic 'Tilly' series, Fitzhamon left Hepworth in 1912 and formed his own company 'Fitz Films'. He was also the author of two novels 'The Rival Millionaires' (1904) and 'The Vixen' (1915) and wrote comic pieces for magazines. Married actress Constance Somers-Clarke, died in London in 1961 age 92.- Harry Cashman born in America in 1870, became well-known in the theatre from the 1890's. tall, stocky wavy haired performer who starred and supported in many comedy and drama films for the Chicago based Essanay Film Company in 1911-12, often played Father's or Chief of Police often teamed with Francis X. Bushman until his death in 1912 from pneumonia.
- Actor
- Director
Randle Ayrton born in Chester in 1869. Educated at Geneva University. became a highly well-known performer in classical theatre, making his acting debut at the Old Avenue Theatre in London in 1890, and has been successful in London's West End and in America until the late 1930's. sophisticated gentleman in English silent and sound films. first starred under the direction of A.V. Bramble as Jenkins in 'Profit and the Loss' for the London Film Company in 1917, perhaps he will be best remembered as Charles II in 'Nell Gwynne' co-starring Dorothy Gish in 1926 and as Caesar Cregeen in Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Manxman' in 1929 and also later as King Louis XIV in 'Me and Marlborough' starring Cicely Courtneidge in 1935. Founder of the College of drama in Stratford-on-Avon in 1937.- Actor
- Director
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.- Sebastian Smith from Southwell, Nottinghamshire, became a well-known star of many comedy and drama shows all over Britain in the late Victorian years before meeting pioneering film-maker Cecil Hepworth. Hepworth cast the handsome tall dark Smith in many of his films, often as a smart gentleman hero, in such titles as 'Rescued by Rover'. In his later years, Smith became quite fat and bald, allowing him to take on comedy roles in films such as 'Oh Mr. Porter' with Will Hay. He died in 1948 at the age of 78.
- Actress
- Costume and Wardrobe Department
Edith Craig born in Hertfordshire in 1869 from a famous theatre family, daughter of the legendary stage star Ellen Terry and architect-designer Edward William Godwin. Edith became a well-known stage director, producer, costume designer and actress making her stage debut at the Royal Court Theatre in 1878, sophisticated upper-class lady in a handful of film roles first appearing as the 'Dresser' in 'Her Greatest Performance' starring her mother Ellen Terry and Dennis Neilson-Terry and directed by Fred Paul for the Ideal Film Company in 1916, followed by a few other film roles at Master (Butcher) Film Company and the British Gaumont Film Co until 1923. later she was seen in a few talkies until 'Smashing the Rackets' in 1938. she was also a early pioneer of the women's suffrage movement in England and a classical pianist, she died in Kent in 1947 aged 78.- W. Graham Brown born William Graham Browne in Ireland in 1870, highly well-known West End and Broadway theatre star from the 1890's, plays include 'Penelope' at the Lyceum Theatre in 1909 and as 'David Bliss' in Noel Coward's 'Hay Fever' at the Ambassador's Theatre in 1925. handsome dapper who starred in only one silent film role as 'Lord Burlington' in a USA movie 'Mrs. Plum's Pudding' directed by Al Christie and starring his then wife Marie Tempest for the Nestor Film Company in 1915, played mostly supporting roles in few English films, his first played 'Pignolet' in 'The Lady Is Willing' in 1934 directed by Gilbert Miller and starring Leslie Howard, perhaps his best known film and his last as 'Dr. Kurt Broman' in 'Moonlight Sonata' a musical drama in 1937 starring American actor Charles Farrell and the famous pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski.
- Actress
- Writer
Alice De Winton born Alice Wilson in Dorchester in 1864, highly well-known on stage, perhaps her best known 'The Man from Blankley's at the Criterion Theatre in 1903. she also worked on Broadway. Beautiful sophisticated lady who starred and supported in many drama films, first with the Cecil Hepworth Film Company with 'The Fairy Doll' in 1912, she perhaps best remembered as Duchess of Berwick in 'Lady Windermere's Fan' directed by Fred Paul and starring Milton Rosmer for the Ideal Film Company in 1916, her finale film she played Dowager in A.V. Bramble's 'The Bachelor's Club' again at Idael Film Co in 1921. she was also a writer. Sister of actress Dora De Winton.- H. Marsh Allen born in Lancashire in 1871, a handsome dark-haired distinguished performer in drama and comedy theatre from the 1890's, probably his best known stage performance was in 'The Exciters' with Tallulah Bankhead at the Time Square Theatre in 1922. often played upper-class roles in few movies , first under the direction of F.C.S. Tudor in 'Island Jess' with Alesia Leon for the G.T.G Film Company in 1914, followed by the Butcher Film Company and I.B. Davidson Film Company in the late 1910's, he was last seen on screen starring alongside his daughter Mary Marsh Allen in 'Forgive Us Our Trespasses' directed by L.C. MacBean for the Walturdaw Film Company in 1919.
- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Handsome smart gentleman William Worthington born in Troy, New York in 1872. Well-known Broadway star of opera theatre, drama theatre and vaudeville from the late 1890's. He arrived in Hollywood in 1913 as a leading film performer making his movie debut in The Restless Spirit (1913) co-starring J. Warren Kerrigan and Jessalyn Van Trump at the Victor Film Co. His most memorable roles as Damon in Damon and Pythias (1914), as General George Washington in The Spy (1914), and as Eleanor's father in the comedy Kid Boots (1926) starring Eddie Cantor for the Famous Players-Lasky Film Co in 1926. Between 1917-1925 he concentrated on film directing and was head of a short-lived film production company called Multicolor which was bought by Cinecolor in 1932. He essayed scores of minor roles in many talkies often playing professional men, active in films up until his death in 1941.- Actor
- Writer
Harry Tate born Ronald Hutchison in Scotland in 1872. Tate worked for Harry Tate & Sons, Sugar Refiners before going on the theatre, and took his stage name from them. British comedian, made his stage debut at the Oxford Music Hall in 1895, becoming a highly well-known impressionist of popular music hall stars such as Dan Leno, Eugene Stratton, George Robey and R.G. Knowles and also was highly successful with his comedy sketches, most notably 'Motoring' which he later starred in the movie version made by the Inter-Cine Film Co in 1927, his other comedy sketches include 'Running an Office' and 'Billiards and Fishing'. He first starred in films impersonating music hall stars for the Warwick Trading Film Co in 1899. Appeared mostly in character and support in talkies from 1932 until his last screen appearance in Sam Small Leaves Town (1937) starring Stanley Holloway. He used his bristling moustache to express all kinds of emotions by twitching it. Died shortly after suffering a stroke in 1940 age 67. Father of actor Harry Tate Jr..- 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.
- 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. - 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.
- Blanche Forsythe born in the mid 1880's. She starred in many early melodrama and historical drama with the Barker Films Company from 1912, she's perhaps best remembered in 'East Lynne' in 1913, 'Jack Tar' in 1915, the title role in 'Jane Shore' in 1915 and also the title role in 'She' in 1916, played a dramatic role in her last movie as Mary Turner in 'A Just Deception' directed by A.E. Coleby and co-starring Augustus Yorke for the I.B. Davidson Film Company in 1917.
- American born classical stage and film actress Fay Davis was born in Boston in 1872. She attended the Winthrop school in Boston and a school of oratory, she studied under the monologist Leland Powers and became well-known as a reciter in the New England era and began acting as an amateur in her hometown. Fay arrived in England in 1895 to join Sir Charles Wyndham's classical theatre company and she quickly achieved success starring as Zoe Nuggetson in 'A Squire of Dames'. In 1896 she went to the St. James's Theatre where she remained for five years and starred for the first time in many Shakespearian roles. In 1902 she returned to the America and starred as Wilhelmina in 'Imprudence' at the Empire Theatre under the management of Charles Frohman. She returned to England in 1906 and starred in many London stage plays, which include 'Rupert of Hentzau', 'The Wisdom of the Wise', 'Iris', 'Henry V', 'Romeo and Juliet', 'Ceasar's Wife', 'Twelfth Night' and many more. Fay starred in three movies for the Neptune Film Co in 1914-15, the first 'Her Only Son' directed by her husband actor/director Gerald Lawrence and co-starred Gregory Scott, followed by 'Enoch Arden' directed by Percy Nash and her last screen appearance was in 'The Little Minister' in 1915. Fay was still highly popular on stage through the 1920's and early 1930's with 'The Heart of a Child' in 1921, 'The Second Mrs. Tanqueray in 1922, 'Hamlet' in 1930 and her final stage appearance 'The Shadow Princess' and 'On the Rocks' at the Winter Garden Theatre in London in 1933. Fay died in Exmouth, England in 1945 age 73.
- Actor
- Writer
Clifton Boyne born in 1874, well-known English drama and comedy stage performer from the 1890's including Porter Emerson Brown's play 'The Bad Man' with Matheson Lang in 1923. often appeared well-dress in few crime thrillers and melodrama film roles, first played the role of 'Brunton' in a mystery 'The Musgrave Ritual' directed by George Ridgwell and starring Eille Norwood as Sherlock Holmes at the Stoll Film Company in 1922, also with the British Gaumont Film Company in the mid 1920's, he's was also a well-known playwright with such plays as 'Women and Diamonds' which also played on stage and screen. later he was last seen in character roles in few talkies until 'Hard Steel' in 1942. Died in 1945 age 71.- Once a highly popular English comedian Reggie Switz, born around the mid 1880's in Yorkshire?. not much is known about this comic performer. Personality mime comic from the music halls who starred in more than 50 short comedy films in 1914-15, his most popular films was the knock-about comedies 'Winky' series directed by Cecil Birch and he was most often teamed up with husband and wife comics Lily Ward and Alf 'Scottie' Scott at the Bamforth Cine Company Ltd of Holmfirth which is based in Bradford, Yorkshire, Reggie made his film debut with 'Winky Learns a Lesson in Honesty' which became very popular with the British public and so many more where made at least one a fortnight. The First World War caused Bamforth & Co Ltd to cease film production in late 1915, it was never to return to the field of entertainment with all resources now being concentrated on postcard production.