Asides - Seen, But Not Heard

In 1924, Photoplay magazine came out with their second edition of the "Stars of the Photoplay" hard cover book, filled with 250 images and bios of the leading stars of the day. Actresses accounted for 121 of these. There are many that will be familiar to anyone with an interest in classic film. These include major stars who were well established by 1924 and continued their careers into the sound era - Clara Bow, Mary Astor, Evelyn Brent, the Gish sisters, and Marion Davies, are examples.

However, there are many actresses who made a substantial number of films, but never crossed over to talkies. Five years after this book was published, these actresses were gone from the silver screen forever, never having uttered a word to their fans. Some left because of "fear" of the talkies, others settled into family life, and others left for reasons we will probably never know.

Here are their images and bios, still mute to this day, but pioneers in the early days of film.

Double-click on the images for a larger view.

There were, as far as I can tell, three editions of Star of the Photoplay, 1916, 1924, and 1930. I have not be able to find of copy of the 1916 (which I've seen listed as 1918) edition, but the other two are available if you hunt around a bit.

Sylvia Breamer appeared in 48 films, her last in 1926. She did have one uncredited role in 1936 in a small non-speaking part. Dipping her toe in the water after a 10 year absence didn't turn the tide.

Winifred Bryson was in 19 films, the last in 1928. She was married to Warner Baxter for over thirty years.

May Allison was in 59 films from 1915 to 1927. She became editor for Photoplay magazine after her editor/husband James Quirk died in 1932.

Marjorie Daw was in 71 films, the last in 1928. She was the bride's attendant at the marriage ceremony of Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks.

June Elvidge appeared silently 71 times, the last in 1924.

Elaine Hammerstein was the granddaughter of Oscar Hammerstein. She made 44 films before retiring in 1926.

Dorothy Dalton made 56 films and left the screen in 1924. She was related to Elaine Hammerstein through her 1924 marriage to Arthur Hammerstein.

Constance Binney made only 16 films and retired in 1923, a year before being featured in Stars of the Photoplay - guess they thought she would continue to act. She died at age 94 in 1989.

Carol Dempster made 19 films through 1926, all for D.W. Griffith, with whom she had a romantic relationship while he was estranged from his wife.

Ann Forrest hailed from Denmark. She appeared in 34 films from 1915 to 1925.

Alice Calhoun retired at age 29 in 1929 after making 47 films. Like Sylvia Breamer, she had a small uncredited role, in this case after five years (1934), that also didn't turn the tide.

Mabel Ballin was in 28 films through 1925, including the title role in the 1921 version of Jane Eyre.