Arthur Donaldson (5 April 186928 September 1955), was a Swedish-American actor and opera singer. He appeared in 71 films between 1910 and 1934.

Biography

Donaldson was born in Norsholm,

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic country located on ...

. His father was a sea captain, and his mother was an actress. He was educated at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in Stockholm. He moved to the United States at the age of fourteen and quickly became a prolific actor on stage. He made his film debut in 1910. Donaldson debuted on stage when he was 7 years old, performing in ''Uncle Brown's Leather Couch'' at the Stora Theatre in Norr Koping, Swededn. He first performed on stage in the United States in 1890 as part of a Swedish company. Donaldson moved from theatrical productions to singing, first with the Duff Opera Company and then performing in a concert tour with Emma Cecilia Thursby. He returned to acting in 1893, organizing a Swedish stock company in Brooklyn, New York. The troupe moved to Chicago in 1894. In 1903, Donaldson created the title role in ''The Prince of Pilsen'' with the Tivoli Opera Company in San Francisco. Donaldson sang the role for four consecutive seasons, a total of 1,345 performances. He worked for

Kalem Company The Kalem Company was an early American film studio founded in New York City in 1907. It was one of the first companies to make films abroad and to set up winter production facilities, first in Florida and then in California. Kalem was sold to V ...

under the direction of

Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. Biography Born John Sidney Allcott in Toronto, he became one of the first great direc ...

. During the summer of 1911, he went to Ireland with the O'Kalems, a stage company, to shoot films. They settled in Beaufort, Co Kerry, where they made 13 films, directed by Olcott. Among them: ''

Rory O'More Rory O'More, also known as Rory Oge O'More ( ga, Ruairí Óg Ó Mórdha) (died 1578), was the Irish lord of what became Laois. Family background Rory O'More was the second son of Ruairí Ó Mórdha, Captain of Leix, and Margaret, daughter of ...

'', ''

The Colleen Bawn ''The Colleen Bawn, or The Brides of Garryowen'' is a melodramatic play written by Irish playwright Dion Boucicault. It was first performed at Laura Keene's Theatre, New York, on 27 March 1860 with Laura Keene playing Anne Chute and Boucicau ...

'' in which he played a priest, ''

The Fishermaid of Ballydavid ''The Fishermaid of Ballydavid'' is a 1911 American silent film produced by Kalem Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself and Gene Gauntier in the leading roles. Cast Production notes The film was shot in Ireland, in Ballydavid, ...

'', and ''

Arrah-na-Pogue ''Arrah-na-Pogue'', also known as ''Arrah-na-Pogue; or the Wicked Wedding'', is a play in 3 acts by Dion Boucicault. Along with ''The Colleen Bawn'' (1860) and ''The Shaughraun'' (1874), it is considered one of the three major Irish plays penned ...

''. After Ireland, he returned briefly to Sweden, appearing in

operetta Operetta is a form of theatre and a genre of light opera. It includes spoken dialogue, songs, and dances. It is lighter than opera in terms of its music, orchestral size, length of the work, and at face value, subject matter. Apart from its s ...

s at

Oscarsteatern Oscarsteatern (English: Oscar Theatre), also known simply as Oscars, is one of Stockholm's private theatres and is the best-known musical theatre in Sweden. It is located at Kungsgatan 63 in central Stockholm. History The theater was designed ...

and making two Swedish films (one as director) before going back to America. He also directed ''Domen'' (1924), a Swedish-language

short film A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

, a version of ''Retribution'', in the DeForest

Phonofilm Phonofilm is an optical sound-on-film system developed by inventors Lee de Forest and Theodore Case in the early 1920s. Introduction In 1919 and 1920, Lee De Forest, inventor of the audion tube, filed his first patents on a sound-on-film process, ...

process. Upon his return to the U.S., he worked again with

in films such as ''

A Mother of Men ''A Mother of Men'' is a 1914 American silent film produced by Sid Films and distributed by Warner's Features. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Valentine Grant and Arthur Donaldson in the leading roles. Cast *Valentine Grant - * Arthur Don ...

'' (1914), '' The Irish in America'' (1915), shot in 1914 in Ireland, '' The Moth and the Flame'' (1915), and ''

The Ghost of Twisted Oaks ''The Ghost of Twisted Oaks'' is the American silent film produced by Sid Films and distributed by Lubin Manufacturing Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Valentine Grant and Florence Walcott in leading roles. Cast * Valentine Grant ...

'' (1915). In the 1920s,

Robert G. Vignola Robert G. Vignola (born Rocco Giuseppe Vignola, August 7, 1882 – October 25, 1953) was an Italian-American actor, screenwriter, and film director. A former stage actor, he appeared in many motion pictures produced by Kalem Company and later mov ...

, became director for

Cosmopolitan Productions Cosmopolitan Productions, also often referred to as Cosmopolitan Pictures, was an American film company based in New York City from 1918 to 1923 and Hollywood until 1938. History Newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst formed Cosmopolitan in co ...

. Donaldson played in '' When Knighthood Was in Flower'' (1922) and ''

Yolanda Yolanda may refer to: * Yolanda (name), a given name derived from the Greek ''Iolanthe'' Places * Yolanda, California * Yolanda Shrine, monument located at Barangay Anibong, Tacloban, Leyte Film * ''Yolanda'' (film), a 1924 film starring ...

'', both with

Marion Davies Marion Davies (born Marion Cecilia Douras; January 3, 1897 – September 22, 1961) was an American actress, producer, screenwriter, and philanthropist. Educated in a religious convent, Davies fled the school to pursue a career as a chorus girl ...

. He also acted in ''

America The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

'', directed by

D.W. Griffith David Wark Griffith (January 22, 1875 – July 23, 1948) was an American film director. Considered one of the most influential figures in the history of the motion picture, he pioneered many aspects of film editing and expanded the art of the na ...

. Donaldson was married to Florence Walcott, a prima donna with the Metropolitan Opera and with the Aborn Grand Opera Company. He died in a hospital in

Long Island, New York Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United States and the 18th ...

on 28 September 1955. He is buried at

Kensico Cemetery Kensico Cemetery, located in Valhalla, Westchester County, New York was founded in 1889, when many New York City cemeteries were becoming full, and rural cemeteries were being created near the railroads that served the city. Initially , it was ...

Partial filmography

*'' The Conspiracy of Pontiac'' – The Indian Chief *''

A Lad from Old Ireland ''The Lad from Old Ireland'', also called ''A Lad from Old Ireland'', is a one-reel 1910 American motion picture directed by and starring Sidney Olcott and written by and co-starring Gene Gauntier. It was the first film appearance of prolific ac ...

'' (1910) – The Priest *''

'' (1911) – Father O'Brien *''

'' (1911) – Father Tom *''

'' (1911) – Kathleen's father *''

'' (1911) – O'Grady *'' The Atheist'' (1913) – A Clergyman *''

The Day of Days Day of Days may refer to: Film and television * ''The Day of Days'' (film), a lost 1914 American adaptation of Louis Joseph Vance's novel (see below) * ''Day of Days'' (film), a 2016 American film starring Tom Skerritt * ''The Day of Days'' ...

'' (1914) *''

'' (1914) *'' The Idle Rich'' (1914) *''

Tricking the Government ''Tricking the Government'' is a 1914 American silent film produced by Sid Films and distributed by Warner's Features. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Valentine Grant and Arthur Donaldson in the leading roles. Cast * Valentine Grant - * A ...

'' (1914) *'' The Moth and the Flame'' (1915) – Mr Walton *'' The Irish in America'' (1915) – Kerry Bay *''

'' (1915) – The Snake charmer *'' Enlighten Thy Daughter'' (1917) * ''

The Danger Trail ''The Danger Trail'' is a 1917 American silent adventure film directed by Frederick A. Thomson and starring H.B. Warner, Violet Heming and Lawson Butt. It is based on the 1910 novel of the same title by James Oliver Curwood. It is a Northern ...

'' (1917) *'' His Own People'' (1917) – Shamus Reilly * '' The Green God'' (1918) * ''

Over the Top Over the top may refer to: Music * "Over the Top", a 2017 song by Hey! Say! JUMP * ''Over the Top'' (Cozy Powell album), 1979 album by British drummer Cozy Powell * ''Over the Top'' (Infinite album), 2011 album by South Korean band Infinite * ...

'' (1918) *'' The Golden Goal'' (1918) * ''

The A.B.C. of Love ''The A.B.C. of Love'' is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by Léonce Perret and starring Mae Murray, Holmes Herbert, and Dorothy Green.Ankerich p.91 The film tells the love story between playwright Harry Bryant and an orphaned girl, K ...

'' (1919) * ''

Atonement Atonement (also atoning, to atone) is the concept of a person taking action to correct previous wrongdoing on their part, either through direct action to undo the consequences of that act, equivalent action to do good for others, or some other ex ...

'' (1919) *'' The Undercurrent'' (1919) *''

A Modern Salome ''A Modern Salome'' is a lost film, lost 1920 American Silent film, silent Drama (film and television), drama film directed by Leonce Perret and starring Hope Hampton. It was produced and distributed by Metro Pictures. The film is based on the 1 ...

'' (1920) * ''

Is Life Worth Living? ''Is Life Worth Living?'' is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by Alan Crosland and starring Eugene O'Brien, Winifred Westover and Arthur Housman.Monaco p.139 Cast * Eugene O'Brien as Melville Marley * Winifred Westover as Lois Mas ...

'' (1921) * ''

Gilded Lies ''Gilded Lies'' is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by William P.S. Earle and starring Eugene O'Brien, Martha Mansfield and Frank Whitson.Munden p.289 Cast * Eugene O'Brien as Keene McComb * Martha Mansfield as Hester Thorpe * Frank ...

'' (1921) * ''

The Rider of the King Log ''The Rider of the King Log'' is a lost 1921 American silent action film directed by Harry O. Hoyt and starring Frank Sheridan, Irene Boyle, and Richard Travers. Cast * Frank Sheridan as John Xavier Kavanagh * Irene Boyle as Clare Kavanag ...

'' (1921) *'' The Silver Lining'' (1921) *''

The Passionate Pilgrim ''The Passionate Pilgrim'' (1599) is an anthology of 20 poems collected and published by William Jaggard that were attributed to " W. Shakespeare" on the title page, only five of which are considered authentically Shakespearean. These are two ...

'' (1921) *''

Find the Woman ''Find the Woman'' is a 1922 American silent mystery film directed by Tom Terriss and starring Alma Rubens. It was produced by Cosmopolitan Productions, owned by William Randolph Hearst, and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film is based on ...

'' (1922) *'' When Knighthood Was in Flower'' (1922) *''

'' (1924) *''

For Woman's Favor ''For Woman's Favor'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by O. A. C. Lund and starring Seena Owen and Henry Hull. Plot As described in a film magazine review, Howard Fiske finds himself penniless and disillusioned and deserted by J ...

'' (1924) *'' The Bandolero'' (1924) *''

The Swan A swan is a bird of the genus ''Cygnus'' (true swans) or ''Coscoroba'' (coscoroba swans). Swan, swans, or The Swan may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Film and television * ''The Swan'' (1925 film), a 1925 silent film * ''The Swa ...

'' (1925) *'' Fifty-Fifty'' (1925) * ''

Down Upon the Suwanee River ''Down Upon the Suwanee River'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Lem F. Kennedy and starring Charles Emmett Mack, Mary Thurman and Arthur Donaldson.Hunter p.252 The spelling of the film's titled varied with uses of both ''Swanee'' ...

'' (1925) *'' Love 'Em and Leave 'Em'' (1926) * ''

Wives at Auction ''Wives at Auction'' is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by Elmer Clifton and starring Edna Murphy, Gaston Glass and Arthur Donaldson.Munden p.913 It was shot at the Tec-Art Studio. Synopsis Violet Kingston is rescued from an attac ...

'' (1926) * ''

The Winning Oar ''The Winning Oar'' is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Bernard McEveety and starring George Walsh, Dorothy Hall and Arthur Donaldson.Munden p.909 Cast * George Walsh as Ted Scott * Dorothy Hall as Gloria Brooks * William Cain a ...

'' (1927) * ''

The Broadway Drifter ''The Broadway Drifter'' is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Bernard McEveety and starring George Walsh, Dorothy Hall and Arthur Donaldson.Munden p.89 Synopsis A drifter who hangs around Broadway is disowned by his father. He tries ...

'' (1927)

References

Sources

* ''Hvar 8 dag'' (Swedish illustrated weekly magazine) no. 52 1911 * Svensk filmdatabas (Swedish film database) at the website of the

Swedish Film Institute The Swedish Film Institute ( sv, Svenska Filminstitutet) was founded in 1963 to support and develop the Swedish film industry. The institute is housed in the ''Filmhuset'' building located in Gärdet, Östermalm in Stockholm. The building, comp ...

External links

* 1869 births 1955 deaths Swedish emigrants to the United States American male film actors American male silent film actors 20th-century American male actors People from Norrköping Municipality Burials at Kensico Cemetery {{US-film-actor-1860s-stub