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- 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
- 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.- 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
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
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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.- 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.- 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).- 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.
- 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. - 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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- 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.- Actor
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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.- 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.
- 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.- 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
- 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.
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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.- Actress
- Writer
Bliss Milford born in South Dakota in the late 1880's, spent her youth in Chicago, beautiful and delightful curly brunette who starred and supported in many dramas, crime, comedy and cowboy films, first with the Edison Film Company from 1911, followed with briefly Thanhouser Film Company, she perhaps best remembered as Daisy in 'What Happened To Mary?' starring Mary Fuller in 1912 and as Mrs. Bertha Randall in 'The Adventure of the Wrong Santa Claus' in 1914, her final appearance on screen was a character role as Ruby in 'Sylvia on a Spree' starring Emmy Wehlen for the Metro Film Company in 1918. For a time she lived on a ranch near Las Vegas, New Mexico an early centre for the production of Westerns.- 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.
- Jim Tarver born James Grover Tarver in Franklin, Texas in 1885. Circus giant entered show business in 1914 and was billed variously as The Texas Giant or The World's Largest Man, at eight and one half feet tall Texas Jim often dressed as a cowboy traveled with various circuses, including The Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus for 26 years and spent his time off on his Arkansas Farm. Starred in one film role as 'you guess it' the Giant in Chester M. Franklin's 'Jack and the Beanstalk' starring Francis Carpenter and Virginia Lee Corbin for the Fox Film Company in 1917. He suffered from diabetes. Died on his farm in 1958 age 72.
- 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.- 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.- 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.
- 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.
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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.- Actor
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A former salesman and vaudeville and stage actor, Harold Lockwood was one of the earliest romantic stars of American films. He was paired with Mary Pickford, Kathlyn Williams and Dorothy Davenport, among others, but his most popular films had him as the lover of May Allison, and they became one of the earliest screen romantic teams. Unfortunately, Lockwood contracted influenza during the worldwide flu epidemic of 1918, and was one of the millions who died from it.- 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.
- Master Breezy Reeves Jr, born Reeves Barnes Eason, also billed as "Breezy" Eason Jr, was born in California in 1914, son of actor/film director B. (William) Reeves Eason and actress Jimsy Mayo. Handsome, cute blonde boy who starred in mostly westerns from the age of two. He was known as 'Universal's Littlest Cowboy' until he was hit by a truck at the age of six while riding his bike to a music lesson near his home at 6200 Fountain Avenue in Los Angeles. He never regained consciousness and died of his injuries after surgery at California Hospital.
- Mabel Poulton was born in London in 1901. She began working as a Stenographer and entered film as an actress by chance, her first role was in George Pearson's Nothing Else Matters (1920) starring Betty Balfour at Welsh-Pearson studios. Thereafter she starred in many silent film dramas, often playing mischievous or feisty roles, and perhaps best remembered in Adrian Brunel's The Constant Nymph (1928). Mabel was considered to be one of Britain's leading film actresses along with Betty Balfour until the advent of sound film which brought a premature end to Mabel's film career. She appeared in few talkies, her final film was a character role in a short drama Strange to Relate (1943). She died in London age 93.
- 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.
- 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. - 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.
- Andre Heuze born in 1913 in France. Fresh-face, rustic youngster who starred in his first film role as Carrots in 'Poil de Carrotte' directed by Duvivier from the novel by Jules Renard in 1925. Andre was offered only smaller roles in movies afterwards such as in 'Devil in the Heart' (1926), 'The Big Test' (1927), 'Seed in the Wind' (1928) and his last screen appearance was in 'Shifting Sands' (1929). He is the son of screenwriter, film director and journalist Andre Heuze sr.
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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.- Gregory Scott born Gregory Scott Frances in Sandy, Bedfordshire in 1879. Popular stage actor from 1898. Good-looking, smart, well mannered matinee idol who starred in around 50 drama films, first under the direction of Harold M. Shaw in 'Lawyer Quince' co-starring Charles Rock at the London Film Company in 1914, perhaps best remembered as Lord Hilhoxton in 'Kissing Cup Race' directed by Walter West and playing opposite the beautiful Violet Hopson in 1920 and also as Philip Trent in the crime thriller 'Trent's Last Case' directed by Richard Garrick and co-starring Pauline Peters at Broadwest Film Company in 1920. He semi-retired from the screen after 1922's 'A Rogue in Love' a romantic/drama co-starring Ann Trevor, four years later he made a comeback appearing in character roles in a series of short comedies starring George Bellamy, he was never seen on screen again.
- Charles Edward Bull born in Texas in 1881, tall, handsome man was a real life Judge working for the Justice of the Peace in Reno, Nevada, became better known for his impersonation of Abraham Lincoln in two films, first a western starring O'Brien and Madge Bellamy in 'The Iron Horse' at the Fox Film Company in 1924 later followed by a melodrama 'The Heart of Maryland' directed by Lloyd Bacon, starring Dolores Costello and Jason Robards snr at Warner Brothers in 1927. He died in Lynwood, California in 1971 aged 90.
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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.- 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.
- Early Gorman better known as 'Baby Early' was born in New Jersey in 1906. Pretty blonde child star who made her film debut at the age of 5 appearing in nearly 50 short silent comedy and drama films, first under the direction of Harry C. Mathews in 'When First We Met' at the Powers Picture Plays studios in 1911, she also had her own 'Baby Early' comedy series including 'Early Awakening' with Matty Roubert in 1912, she was last seen on screen in 'The Gift of the Fairies' at the Rex Motion Picture studios in 1918 retiring at the age of 11. Died in New Jersey in 1982 age 76. Married name is Earle E. Gehrig.
- Elsie McLeod born in 1890, star in many comedy and drama films, first in 'Two White Roses' directed by Bannister Merwin at the Edison Film Company in 1911, she perhaps best remembered in the 'Bungles' comedy series starring and directed by Marcel Perez and also supported by Oliver Hardy for the Vim Film Company in 1916, she was last seen in a character role 'The Right Way' a drama directed by Sidney Olcott in 1921, in all she appeared in nearly 100 films between 1911-21.
- Irene Boyle born around the early 1890's. She starred in many early silent drama, comedy and crime films for the Kalem Film Company from 1913, making her debut in 'The Game Warden' co-starring Stuart Holmes, she appeared in more than 42 movies, perhaps she's best remembered for playing the role of Marcella (the storekeeper's daughter)in 'The Pursuit of the Smugglers' in 1913 and also playing Mollie Powell in Dell Henderson's 'The Dead Line' co-starring George Walsh for the Fox studios in 1920. also worked for the Imp Film Co and the Rex Film Co, she was last seen on screen playing the character role of Miss Ferris in Ralph Ince's 'Counterfeit Love' starring Joe King for the Murray W. Garsson Production Company in 1923.
- Actor
- Soundtrack
A one time rubber-faced star of comedy theatre from the mid 1910s, starred in a series of four short 'Will O' Wisp' comedy films directed by Cecil Mannering for the British Gaumont Film Company in 1920 the first of which was 'Horatio's Deception'. later appeared in mostly support roles in talkies through the 1930s until his last film in 'Kipps' in 1941.- Jane Gail was born Ethel Magee in Salem, New York in 1890. She first appeared on stage in 1905, then went on to silent drama and comedy films after beginning her film career as an extra in 1912 and becoming a leading lady the following year. She is best remembered for her role in 1913's 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'; she gained worldwide fame as Dr. Jekyll's imperiled fiancee. In 1914 she traveled to England, where she starred in many drama films for the London Film Company, often under the direction of George Loan Tucker. She returned to America in 1916 to star on the Broadway stage. She was only 30 years old when she made her last film, 1920's 'Bitter Fruit.' She was married to writer Edwin C. Hill. She died in St. Petersburg, Florida in 1963 at 72.
- Beautiful brunette star of the early American cinema Lily Branscombe born Lillian Rodman in Cartertown, New Zealand in 1876. Lily began on the Australian theatre in the 1890's. Arrived in the US in the mid 1900's. Lily starred and supported in at least 50 drama and comedy movies for the Essanay Film Company between 1911-13. Lily starred opposite a number of early male stars including Harry Cashman and John Steppling, but her most successful leading star was Francis X. Bushman whom she appeared with several times in romantic dramas and comedies.
- Born Lionel Tracy in the mid 1890s first worked as a secretary for the Clarendon Film Company in the early 1910s. in 1914 film director Wilfred Noy approach him for the lead role as Leonard Holt in Old St. Paul's an historical drama during the Great fire and plague of 1665 from a novel by Harrison Ainsworth afterwards he became the handsome hero or villain in many crime and drama films most often with the Clarendon Film Company and Hepworth Film Company, his final film 'The Flying Fifty-Five' in 1924.
- Benoit Duval probably the first child film performer who was a apprentice from the Lumiere factory in Lyon, France, was asked by the pioneering film director Louis Lumiere to star in 'Table Turned on the Gardener' Benoit played the gardener's son who slyly puts his foot on the hosepipe, the flow of water stops, the gardener peers into the nozzle then the boy withdraws his foot then gardener is drenched, boy laughs, gardener played by Francois Clerc who was a genuine gardener, another Lumiere employee.
- Mary McIvor (born Mary Ellsworth MacKeever) was born in Barnesville, Ohio. A vaudeville performer, and a beautiful, lovely young brunette star who appeared mainly in Westerns from 1917 at the age of 20. Her first starring role as Lady Maryska in 'Paddy O'Hara', directed by Walter Edwards, and starred her future husband action cowboy hero, William Desmond whom she married on March 22nd, 1919 when she was only 24, and he was 41 years old. She starred in another four films with her husband until 1925's 'The Burning Trail' for the Universal Film Co after which she retired. She appeared in at least nine movies, one of her best-known was 'The Square Deal Man' starring opposite cowboy legend William S. Hart in 1917. She died from a heart attack in Hollywood in 1941, age 36.
- Eleanor Blanchard born in Pennsylvania in 1886 began acting in the theatre from the 1900's, starred and support an many drama and comedy films with the Georges Meliers Film Production Company with 'Winning an Heiress' directed by William F. Haddock in 1911' followed with the Essanay Film Company and Lubin Film Company, probably her best known role as Maria Cappa in Barry O'Neil's 1916 version of 'McTeague' starring Holbrook Blinn as McTeague made at the World Film Company. she was not seen on screen soon after.
- 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- 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.