Rosemary Theby

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Rosemary Theby

Born 8 April 1892
St. Louis, Missouri Flag of the United States United States
Died 10 November 1973
Los Angeles, California Flag of the United States United States
Years active 1911-1940

Rosemary Theby (8 April 1892 – 10 November 1973), was an American film actor. She appeared in some 250 films between 1911 and 1940.

She was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and died in Los Angeles, California. She was married to fellow actor and director Harry Myers. Theby studied at Sargent's School in New York.[1] A contemporary newspaper account described her as being of medium-height, well proportioned, with regular features and dark hair.[1]

Her first film experience came in the Vitagraph production of The Wager.[1] By 1915 she was a star for the Universal film company.[2] During World War I Theby took care of a refugee from Lithuania. After being educated and cared for by Theby, the young woman became her maid during an acute shortage of maids in Hollywood, in 1920.[3]

As Miss Corintee in The Great Love (1918), Theby played the part of a German spy with great skill. The motion picture was written and directed by D.W. Griffith.[4] This was a vamp role which she began to play frequently after depicting characters in slapstick comedies.[1] Theby played a Chinese vampire in Clung, a Fox Film production directed by Emmett Flynn.[5] Later she began to portray more serious women.[1]

Theby was solely a film actress. She declined an offer to accompany Chauncey Olcott to appear on stage for $85 per week. At the time she was earning $125 weekly in movies. She later regretted her decision because of the experience she would have gained.[1]

In January 1920 Theby and Ruth Roland were guests of heavyweight champion boxer Jack Dempsey. He gave them a tour of the gardens adjacent to his Los Angeles, California home.[6]

She supported Calvin Coolidge in the 1924 presidential election. Theby enjoyed playing golf, wearing her hair in a Bob cut, and possessed a preoccupation with personal cleanliness.[7] On screen she appeared tall and willowy, entering a scene with a sensuous glide.[8]

Myers died in December 1938. He and Theby made their way in Hollywood acting for companies like Lubin and Universal Pictures.[9]

[edit] Selected filmography

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Rosemary And Reminiscences, Los Angeles Times, May 2, 1920, pg. III18.
  2. ^ The Screen. Reno Evening Gazette, July 24, 1920, pg. 11.
  3. ^ To Complete Regalia, Los Angeles Times, February 1, 1920, pg. III1.
  4. ^ In The Great Love, Los Angeles Times, August 26, 1918, pg. II6.
  5. ^ Pleasure Trip For Stars, February 13, 1921, pg. III16.
  6. ^ Shades Of Old Heavyweights Lamp Dempsey's Latest Photo, Bridgeport, Connecticut Telegram, January 27, 1920, pg. 18.
  7. ^ Vampire Is Normal Off Screen, Los Angeles Times, July 13, 1924, pg. B13.
  8. ^ What A Nice Vampire!, Los Angeles Times, September 21, 1924, pg. B9.
  9. ^ Harry Myers, Actor Of Silent Film Fame, New York Times, December 27, 1938, pg. 17.

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME Theby, Rosemary
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION Actor
DATE OF BIRTH 8 April 1892
PLACE OF BIRTH St. Louis, Missouri Flag of the United States United States
DATE OF DEATH 10 November 1973
PLACE OF DEATH Los Angeles, California Flag of the United States United States