Charles Olden (actor)
Charles Olden (May 5, 1892 – September 29, 1943) was an actor on stage and screen in the United States. He had a leading role in a pair of films made with African American casts. He was also in theatrical performances with other prominent African American actors of stage and screen including Evelyn Preer.
Olden portrayed Florian Slappey in two films. The films and character were adapted in Al Christie productions of Octavus Roy Cohen's "Darktown Birmingham" comedy series published in the Saturday Evening Post.[1]
He was part of the Ethiopian Art Theatre group in New York City.[2] Olden won plaudits for his role in an adaptation of William Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors[3] and as George in an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's Salome.[4]
Theater
[edit]- Comedy of Errors (1923), an adaptation of William Shakespeare's play[5]
- Salome (1923), by Oscar Wilde, as "A Cappadocian/First Jew".[6] Performed at the Frazee Theatre. Lionel Monagas and Evelyn Preer were also in the show. It was his Broadway debut.
- Runnin' Wild (1923), a musical comedy with music by James Johnson, lyrics by Cecil Mack, choreographed by Lyda Webb, and book by F. E. Miller and Aubrey L. Lyles. Performed at the New Colonial Theatre. As head waiter. Cast also included Ralph Cooper and Monte Hawley.
Filmography
[edit]- The Framing of the Shrew (1929) as Florian Slappey[7]
- The Melancholy Dame (1929) as Florian Slappey
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Crafton, Donald (November 22, 1999). The Talkies: American Cinema's Transition to Sound, 1926-1931. University of California Press. ISBN 9780520221284 – via Google Books.
- ^ Molesworth, Charles (June 11, 2012). The Works of Alain Locke. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199795093 – via Google Books.
- ^ Thorold, W. J.; Hornblow (Jr.), Arthur; Maxwell, Perriton; Beach, Stewart (December 2, 1923). "Theatre Magazine". Theatre Magazine Company – via Google Books.
- ^ Johnson, Charles Spurgeon (December 2, 1969). "Opportunity". National Urban League – via Google Books.
- ^ McAllister, Marvin (December 5, 2011). Whiting Up: Whiteface Minstrels and Stage Europeans in African American Performance. Univ of North Carolina Press. ISBN 9780807869062 – via Google Books.
- ^ Lawren, Joseph (December 2, 1924). "The Drama Year Book". J. Lawren – via Google Books.
- ^ "Film Archive Framing of the Shrew". 20's Jazz.