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Lois Wilson (actress)

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Lois Wilson
Wilson in 1920
Born(1894-06-28)June 28, 1894
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 3, 1988(1988-03-03) (aged 93)
Reno, Nevada, U.S.
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
OccupationActress
Years active1915–1952

Lois Wilson (June 28, 1894 – March 3, 1988) was an American actress who worked during the silent film era. She also directed two short films and was a scenario writer.[1]

Early life

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Born to Andrew Kenley Wilson and Constance (née Coolidge) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,[2] Wilson's family moved to Alabama when she was still very young. She earned a degree from Alabama Normal College (now the University of West Alabama), and became a school teacher for young children, soon leaving to pursue a film career.[citation needed]

In 1915, Wilson moved to California after winning a beauty contest put on by Universal Studios and the Birmingham News.[3] This pageant was the predecessor to the Miss Alabama/Miss America pageant system, and Wilson is considered the first Miss Alabama. Upon arriving in Hollywood, she auditioned and was hired by the Victor Film Company for several small film roles.[citation needed]

In 1916, she visited Chicago, where she met pioneer female film director Lois Weber, who gave her a small part in her film The Dumb Girl of Portici,[4] which starred famed ballerina Anna Pavlova. Weber then took her to Los Angeles, where she was groomed for stardom and began playing leads opposite actors such as J. Warren Kerrigan and Frank Keenan.[5][6]

Career

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Noah Beery, Raymond Hatton, Lois Wilson and Jack Holt in The Thundering Herd (1925)

After appearing in several films at various studios, Wilson settled in at Paramount Pictures in 1919, where she remained until 1927.[7] She was a WAMPAS Baby Star of 1922, and appeared in 150 movies. Her most recognized screen portrayals are Molly Wingate in The Covered Wagon (1923), in which she was well reviewed,[8] and Daisy Buchanan in the silent film version of The Great Gatsby (1926).[9] She acted opposite male stars such as Rudolph Valentino and John Gilbert.[10]

Wilson, Picture-Play Magazine, 1923

Wilson played both romantic leads and character parts. Despite making a successful transition to sound, Wilson was dissatisfied with the roles she received in the 1930s, and she soon retired in 1941, making only three films after 1939. Lois ventured to Broadway and television following her final role in The Girl from Jones Beach (1949) with Ronald Reagan. Wilson played in the network soap operas The Guiding Light in 1951, The Secret Storm and The Edge of Night. She portrayed featured character roles.[11] She made a guest appearance with her old friend Gloria Swanson on the WPIX TV show The Gloria Swanson Hour in 1948.[12]

Wilson was also the model of the official poster for "America Welcomes the World", the Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Celebration, in 1926.[13]

In 1934, her performance in No Greater Glory inspired a Birmingham, Alabama sculptor to create a monument for the city's celebration of World Peace Day.[14]

Personal life

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Wilson, 1922

She was once described as having a screen image of "the soft, marrying kind of woman"; in real life, however, she never married. She was chosen by Paramount Pictures to represent the motion picture industry at the British Empire Exposition of 1924.[15] She was described as "a typical example of the American girl in character, culture and beauty". In 1919, Wilson met Gloria Swanson on the set of Cecil B. DeMille's drama, Male and Female. In her 1981 autobiography, Swanson says "Lois had real star quality. Everyone who met her knew it was just a question of time until the right part came along. She never stopped working."[12] They remained close friends.

Death

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Lois Wilson died of pneumonia at the Riverside Hospital for Skilled Care in Reno, Nevada at age 93. Her funeral service was conducted at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, California. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in nearby Glendale.[1]

Filmography

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The following is a list of films that Lois Wilson either directed, acted in, wrote or produced:

Silent films

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Year Title Role Studio(s) / Distributor(s) Notes
1915 The Palace of Dust Beatrix Short
The New Adventures of Terence O'Rourke Beatrix Short
When a Queen Loved O'Rourke Beatrix Short
The Road to Paradise Beatrix Short
The Hypocrite Extant
1916 Langdon's Legacy Pepita Universal Film Manufacturing Company Lost
The Dumb Girl of Portici Universal Film Manufacturing Company Extant
Married on the Wing Grace Darling Universal Film Manufacturing Company Lost
The Pool of Flame Princess Beatrix Universal Film Manufacturing Company Lost
The Gay Lord Waring Helen Von Gerold Bluebird Photoplays Lost
Hulda the Silent Hulda Anderson New York Motion Picture Company Lost
Short
A Son of the Immortals Joan Cameron Bluebird Photoplays Lost
The Decoy Mutual Film Corporation Lost
The Silent Battle Jane Loring Universal Film Manufacturing Company Lost
He Wrote a Book Jennie Universal Film Manufacturing Company Short
The Beckoning Trail Mary Helton Universal Film Manufacturing Company Lost
Arthur's Desperate Resolve Sibly Grey Universal Film Manufacturing Company Short
The White Man's Law Universal Film Manufacturing Company
A Soul at Stake Clementina Fairwood Universal Film Manufacturing Company Short
The Decoy Felese Universal Film Manufacturing Company Short
Her Chance Frances Martin Universal Film Manufacturing Company Lost
Short
The Morals of Hilda Marion Universal Film Manufacturing Company Lost
Green Eyes Julia Universal Film Manufacturing Company Short
1917 Alone in the World Lost
Short
Also wrote and directed
The Whispered Name Madeline Evers Universal Film Manufacturing Company Lost
Short
Black Evidence Mary Universal Film Manufacturing Company Lost
Short
Won by Grit Teresa Universal Film Manufacturing Company Short
Flames of Treachery Ruth Chalmers Universal Film Manufacturing Company Lost
Short
Treason Floria Natarre Universal Film Manufacturing Company Lost
Parentage Mrs. Melton Universal Film Manufacturing Company
Alimony Marjorie Lansing First National Pictures Lost
1918 His Robe of Honor Laura Nelson W. W. Hodkinson Corporation Lost
The Turn of a Card Cynthia Burdette W. W. Hodkinson Corporation Lost
One Dollar Bid Virginia Dare W. W. Hodkinson Corporation Lost
Maid o' the Storm Elaine Shackleford W. W. Hodkinson Corporation Lost
A Burglar for a Night Janet Leslie W. W. Hodkinson Corporation Lost
The Bells Annette Pathé Exchange Lost
Prisoners of the Pines Rosalie Dufresne W. W. Hodkinson Corporation Lost
Three X Gordon Dorrie Webster W. W. Hodkinson Corporation Lost
A Man's Man Dolores Ruey W. W. Hodkinson Corporation Lost
1919 The Drifters The Girl Pathé Exchange
W. W. Hodkinson Corporation		 Lost
Come Again Smith Lucy Stevens Pathé Exchange
W. W. Hodkinson Corporation		 Lost
The End of the Game Mary Miller Pathé Exchange
W. W. Hodkinson Corporation		 Extant. Preserved at the EYE Film Institute Netherlands
Gates of Brass Margaret Blake Pathé Exchange Lost
The Best Man Celia Hathaway Pathé Exchange
W. W. Hodkinson Corporation		 Lost
A Man's Fight Mary Tompkins United Picture Theaters of America Lost
Love Insurance Cynthia Meyrick Famous Players-Lasky Lost
Why Smith Left Home Marian Famous Players-Lasky An incomplete copy is held at the Library of Congress
The Price Woman Pays Louise J. Frank Hatch Enterprises Lost
It Pays to Advertise Mary Grayson Famous Players-Lasky Lost
Too Much Johnson Mrs. Billings Famous Players-Lasky Lost
1920 Who's Your Servant? Madeline Bancroft Robertson-Cole Lost
Thou Art the Man Joan Farrant Famous Players-Lasky Lost
The City of Masks Miss Emsdale Famous Players-Lasky Lost
What's Your Hurry? Virginia MacMurran Famous Players-Lasky Extant. A copy is held at the Gosfilmofond
A Full House Ottilie Howell Famous Players-Lasky Lost
Burglar Proof Laura Lowell Famous Players-Lasky Lost
Midsummer Madness Margaret Meredith Famous Players-Lasky Extant. A copy is held at the Library of Congress
1921 What Every Woman Knows Maggie Wylie Famous Players-Lasky Lost
The City of Silent Men Molly Bryant Famous Players-Lasky Lost
The Lost Romance Sylvia Hayes Famous Players-Lasky Extant. A copy is held at the Library of Congress
The Hell Diggers Dora Wade Famous Players-Lasky Lost
Miss Lulu Bett Lulu Bett Famous Players-Lasky Extant.
1922 The World's Champion Lady Elizabeth Famous Players-Lasky An incomplete copy is held at the Library of Congress
Is Matrimony a Failure? Mabel Hoyt Famous Players-Lasky Lost
Our Leading Citizen Katherine Fendle, his fiancée Famous Players-Lasky Lost
Manslaughter Evans - Lydia's Maid Famous Players-Lasky Extant. A copy is held at the George Eastman Museum and the Paul Killiam Collection
Without Compromise Jean Ainsworth Fox Film Corporation Lost
Broad Daylight Nora Fay Universal Film Manufacturing Company Lost
1923 The Covered Wagon Molly Wingate Famous Players-Lasky Extant
Bella Donna Patricia Famous Players-Lasky Extant. A copy is held at the Gosfilmofond archive
Only 38 Mrs. Stanley Famous Players-Lasky Lost
A Man's Man Lois Wilson W. W. Hodkinson Corporation Lost
To the Last Man Ellen Jorth Famous Players-Lasky Extant. A copy is held at the Gosfilmofond archive
Ruggles of Red Gap Kate Kenner Famous Players-Lasky Lost
The Call of the Canyon Carley Burch Famous Players-Lasky Extant. A copy is held at the Library of Congress
1924 Pied Piper Malone Patty Thomas Famous Players-Lasky Extant. A print is held at the Gosfilmofond archive
Icebound Jane Crosby Famous Players-Lasky Lost
Another Scandal Beatrice Vanderdyke W. W. Hodkinson Corporation
Producers Distributing Corporation		 Lost
The Man Who Fights Alone Marion Famous Players-Lasky Lost
Monsieur Beaucaire Queen Marie of France Famous Players-Lasky Extant
North of 36 Taisie Lockheart Famous Players-Lasky Extant
1925 Contraband Carmel Lee Famous Players-Lasky Lost
The Thundering Herd Milly Fayre Famous Players-Lasky Lost
Welcome Home Nettie Prouty Famous Players-Lasky Extant. Preserved at the Library of Congress
Marry Me Famous Players-Lasky Lost
Uncredited
Rugged Water Norma Bartlett Famous Players-Lasky Lost
The Vanishing American Marion Warner Famous Players-Lasky Extant
The King on Main Street Hotel guest in lobby (cameo appearance) ( uncredited) Famous Players-Lasky Extant
Irish Luck Lady Gwendolyn Famous Players-Lasky Extant. A copy is held at the George Eastman Museum
Bluebeard's Seven Wives Mary Kelly First National Pictures Lost
1926 Let's Get Married Mary Corbin Famous Players-Lasky Extant. A copy is held at the Library of Congress
Fascinating Youth Lois Wilson Famous Players-Lasky Lost
The Show-Off Amy Fisher Famous Players-Lasky Extant
The Great Gatsby Daisy Buchanan Famous Players-Lasky Lost
1927 New York Marjorie Church Famous Players-Lasky Lost
Broadway Nights Fanny Franchette First National Pictures Lost
The Gingham Girl Mary Thompson Film Booking Offices of America Extant. A copy is held at the Cinematheque Royale de Belgique
Alias the Lone Wolf Eve de Montalais Columbia Pictures Lost
French Dressing Cynthia Grey First National Pictures Lost
1928 Coney Island Joan Wellman Film Booking Offices of America Lost
Miss Information The Public Stenographer Lost
Ransom Lois Brewster Columbia Pictures Lost
Sally's Shoulders Sally Film Booking Offices of America Lost

Sound films

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Release date Title Role Studio(s) / Distributor(s) Notes
1928 On Trial May Strickland Warner Bros. Lost. Trailer and soundtrack survives.
Object: Alimony Ruth Rutledge Columbia Pictures Lost
Conquest Diane Holden Lost
1929 A Bird in the Hand The Wife Incomplete
Kid Gloves Ruth Lost
The Gamblers Catherine Darwin Warner Bros. Lost
Her Husband's Women The Painter's Jealous Wife Short
The Show of Shows Performer in 'Bicycle Built for Two' Number Warner Bros. Extant
Wedding Rings Cornelia Quinn Warner Bros. Lost
1930 For Love or Money Extant
Short
The Furies Fifi Sands First National Pictures Lost
Lovin' the Ladies Joan Bently RKO Radio Pictures Extant
Temptation Julie Extant
Once a Gentleman Mrs. Mallin Sono Art-World Wide Pictures Lost
1931 Seed Peggy Carter Universal Pictures Extant
The Age for Love Sylvia Pearson United Artists Lost
1932 The Expert Nettie Minick Warner Bros. Extant
The Rider of Death Valley Helen Joyce Universal Pictures Extant
Drifting Souls Linda Lawrence Capitol Film Exchange Extant
Divorce in the Family Mrs. Shumaker Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
The Crash Marcia Peterson Warner Bros.
The Devil Is Driving Nancy Evans Paramount Pictures
The Secrets of Wu Sin Nona Gould Chesterfield Pictures
Law and Order Universal Pictures
1933 Obey the Law Grace Chester Columbia Pictures
Laughing at Life Mrs. McHale Mascot Pictures
Deluge Helen Webster RKO Radio Pictures
In the Money Mary 'Lambie' Higginbottom Chesterfield Pictures
Female Harriet Warner Bros.
1934 The Show-Off Clara Harling Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
No Greater Glory Nemeecsek's Mother Columbia Pictures
School for Girls Miss Cartwright Liberty Pictures
There's Always Tomorrow Sophie White Universal Pictures
Ticket to a Crime Elaine Purdy Beacon Productions
Bright Eyes Mary Blake Fox Film
1935 Life Returns Dr. Louise Stone Universal Pictures
Public Opinion Mona Trevor / Anne Trevor Chesterfield Pictures
Society Fever Portia Prouty Chesterfield Pictures
Born to Gamble Paula Mathews Republic Pictures
Cappy Ricks Returns Florry Peasley Republic Pictures
Your Uncle Dudley Christine Saunders 20th Century Fox
1936 The Return of Jimmy Valentine Mary Davis Republic Pictures
Wedding Present Laura Dodacker Paramount Pictures
Laughing at Trouble Alice Mathews 20th Century Fox
1939 Bad Little Angel Mrs. Ellen Creighton Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
1940 Nobody's Children Miss Jamieson Columbia Pictures
1941 For Beauty's Sake Mrs. Lloyd Kennar 20th Century Fox
1949 The Girl from Jones Beach Mrs. Wilson Warner Bros.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Lois Wilson, Actress of Stage, Television and Silent-Film Era". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 10, 1988. Retrieved August 31, 2012. Lois Wilson, an actress who appeared in more than 100 early films including the 1923 Western epic The Covered Wagon, died of pneumonia on March 3 at Riverside Hospital for Skilled Care. She was 93 years old.
  2. ^ Katchmer, George A. (May 20, 2015). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-0905-8.
  3. ^ "Lois Wilson". The Moving Picture World. Vol. 27, no. 8. February 26, 1916. p. 1303. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  4. ^ Fox, Charles Donald; Silver, Milton L., eds. (1920). Who's Who on the Screen. New York: Ross Publishing. p. 316.
  5. ^ "Lois Wilson". GoldenSilents.com. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  6. ^ "Several Bluebirds to Make a Summer". The Moving Picture World. July 1, 1916. p. 75."The Silent Battle (Bluebird)". Moving Picture World and View Photographer. July 18, 2016. p. 271."The Silent Battle". Moving Picture World and View Photographer. July 22, 1916.
  7. ^ "Screen Beauties of "Paramount" Importance". Theatre Magazine. August 1926. p. 36. Retrieved December 27, 2021.
  8. ^ Hall, Mordaunt (December 8, 1924). "THE SCREEN; Texas Cattlemen". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  9. ^ Hall, Mordaunt (November 22, 1926). "Gold and Cocktails". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  10. ^ Slide, Anthony (September 27, 2002). Silent Players: A Biographical and Autobiographical Study of 100 Silent Film Actors and Actresses. University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 978-0-8131-2249-6.
  11. ^ Irvin, Richard (February 23, 2018). The Early Shows: A Reference Guide to Network and Syndicated PrimeTime Television Series from 1944 to 1949. BearManor Media. ISBN 978-1-6293-3241-3.
  12. ^ a b Swanson, Gloria (1981). Swanson on Swanson. New York City: Pocket Books. ISBN 9780671433543.
  13. ^ Ristine, James D. (2009). Philadelphia's 1926 Sesqui-Centennial International Exhibition. Charleston SC: Arcadia Press. p. 2. ISBN 978-0-7385-6544-6.
  14. ^ "Lois Wilson sculpture 1934". The Birmingham News. May 4, 1934. p. 28. Retrieved March 11, 2020.
  15. ^ "Questions and Answers". Photoplay. Vol. 26, no. 1. June 1924. pp. 93–100.
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