Silent Movie actress

When we think of silent movie stars we inevitably think of Garbo, Charlie Chaplin, Rudolph Valentino as well as perhaps Lillian Gish (not forgetting the quintessential flappers Clara Bow and Louise Brooks).  But for every movie icon there were hundreds of actresses who appeared in silent movies whose names haven’t stood the test of time in the same way, either because of tragic early death, as in the case of Florence La Badie, or because they were eclipsed by brighter stars.

Here are some beautiful publicity photos of the silent movie stars of the 1910s and 20s who aren’t so well-known. Aren’t the photos gorgeous? I particularly love the photo of La Badie, whose life was tragically cut short aged just 29. It sounds like she could have been a true movie icon had she survived.

Above: Viola Dana started her career as a child actress and continued making silent movies throughout the 1920s.

Silent Movie actress Maude Fealy

Maude Fealy was a well-known movie-actress between 1911 and 1917 and appeared in nearly all Cecili B. DeMille’s films.

Silent Movie actress Betty Ross Clarke Motio

Silent Movie actress Betty Ross Clarke who made 33 movies between 1920 and 1940

Silent Movie actress Dorothy Janis

Dorothy Janis was scouted in 1927 and appeared in 4 silent movies and 1 talkie.

Silent Movie actress Eleanor Boardman

Eleanor Boardman started as a stage actress but moved into silent movies after losing her voice. She made around 40 movies in the 1920s but failed to make the transition into talkies.

Silent Movie actress Florence LaBadie

Florence La Badie was a major movie star between 1911 and 1917, but her career was tragically cut short when she died in a car accident aged just 29. She was thrown from the car and died after being hospitalized for 6 weeks.

Silent Movie actress Florence Lee

Silent Movie actress Florence Lee who appeared in 99 films between 1911 and 1931

Silent Movie actress Grace Larue, 1913

Grace Larue, a stage and screen actress, photographed in 1913

Silent Movie actress Malvina Longfellow

Silent Movie actress Malvina Longfellow

Silent Movie actress Mildred Davis

Mildred Davis who appeared in many of Harold Lloyd’s movies photographed in 1918

Silent Movie actress Norma Talmadge

Norma Talmadge was one of the most popular movie stars of the early 1920s

Silent Movie actress Roberta Arnold

Silent Movie actress Roberta Arnold

Silent Movie actress Sigrid Holmquist

Silent Movie actress Sigrid Holmquist, a Swedish actress who appeared in silent movies in Sweden and Hollywood.

Silent Movie actress Vivian Martin

Vivian Martin played similar roles to Lillian Gish and made over 40 movies throughout the 1920s.

Silent Movie actress Nona Thomas

Nona Thomas starred in 3 silent movies in 1915 and 1916.

Which is your favourite from the photos above, and have you seen any movies starring any of these actresses?

Source 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13 and copyright:This media file is in the public domain in the United States. 3, 12, There are no known restrictions on the use of these items. 6, 15, This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. 7, This work is in the public domain in that it was published in the United States between 1923 and 1977 and without a copyright notice. 14, This image (or other media file) is in the public domain because its copyright has expired.