Alfred Allen (April 8, 1866 – June 18, 1947) was an American

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when ...

actor An actor or actress is a person who portrays a character in a performance. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. The analogous Greek term is (), li ...

and

author An author is the writer of a book, article, play, mostly written work. A broader definition of the word "author" states: "''An author is "the person who originated or gave existence to anything" and whose authorship determines responsibility f ...

Early life

Allen was born in

Alfred, New York Alfred is a town in Allegany County, New York, United States. The population was 4,896 at the 2020 census. The Town of Alfred has a village named Alfred in the center of the town. Alfred University and Alfred State College are located in th ...

. His parents were Jonathan Macomber Allen (1823-1892), president of

Alfred University Alfred University is a private university in Alfred (village), New York, Alfred, New York. It has a total undergraduate population of approximately 1,600 students. The university hosts the New York State College of Ceramics, which includes The ...

, and Abigail Ann (Maxson) Allen (1824-1894). Alfred's siblings were William (b. 1853),

Eva Eva or EVA may refer to: * Eva (name), a feminine given name Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional characters * Eva (Dynamite Entertainment), a comic book character by Dynamite Entertainment * Eva (''Devil May Cry''), Dante's mother in t ...

(b. 1856), and May (b. 1860). He attended

Harvard University Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...

Johns Hopkins University Johns Hopkins University (Johns Hopkins, Hopkins, or JHU) is a private university, private research university in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1876, Johns Hopkins is the oldest research university in the United States and in the western hem ...

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...

, the

American Academy of Dramatic Arts The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) is a private performing arts conservatory with two locations, one in Manhattan and one in Los Angeles. The academy offers an associate degree in occupational studies and teaches drama and related art ...

and the

New England Conservatory of Music The New England Conservatory of Music (NEC) is a Private college, private music school in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the oldest independent music Music school, conservatory in the United States and among the most prestigious in the world. The ...

and earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at

Film

Allen was signed in 1915 and starred in 106 films before his retirement in 1935. (The reference book ''A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses'' says, "He entered pictures at Universal City in 1913" and adds that he "appeared in 69 features from 1916 through 1929.")

Other professional activities

After his retirement from film, Allen became a writer and published several books.

Partial filmography

* '' Heartaches'' (1916) * ''

A Yoke of Gold A Yoke of Gold is a 1916 American silent black and white melodrama directed by Lloyd B. Carleton and starring Dorothy Davenport and Emory Johnson. Based on an original story by Rob Wagner, it is a period piece set in the early days of the Cali ...

'' (1916) * '' The Unattainable'' (1916) * ''

The Human Gamble The Human Gamble was a 1916 American silent Short film directed by Lloyd B. Carleton. The film is based on the story and screen adaptation by Calder Johnstone. The drama stars Dorothy Davenport, Emory Johnson, and a cast of Universal contract ...

'' (1916) * '' Barriers of Society'' (1916) * ''

Hell Morgan's Girl ''Hell Morgan's Girl'' is a 1917 American silent film, silent drama film directed by Joseph De Grasse, and starring William Stowell, Dorothy Phillips and Lon Chaney. The screenplay was written by Ida May Park, based on the Harvey Gates story ent ...

'' (1917) * ''

The Flashlight ''The Flashlight'' is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Ida May Park and starring Lon Chaney, Dorothy Phillips and William Stowell. The screenplay was written by Ida May Park, based on the short story by Albert M. Treynore. This wa ...

'' (1917) * ''

The Reed Case ''The Reed Case'' is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Allen Holubar and starring Holubar, Louise Lovely and Fred MontagueConnelly p.401 Cast * Allen Holubar as Jerry Brennon * Louise Lovely as Helen Reed * Alfred Allen as Bull Renf ...

'' (1917) * '' The Gates of Doom'' (1917) * '' The Flame of Youth'' (1917) * '' Fighting Mad'' (1917) * ''

The Price of a Good Time ''The Price of a Good Time'' is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Lois Weber and Phillips Smalley and starring teen Mildred Harris. It is currently considered a lost film. Cast *Mildred Harris as Linnie * Anne Schaefer as Her Mother *H ...

'' (1917) * '' The Grand Passion'' (1918) * '' Nobody's Wife'' (1918) * ''

The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'' (1918) * ''

The Lion's Claws ''The Lion's Claws'' is a 1918 American adventure film serial directed by Harry Harvey and Jacques Jaccard and starring Marie Walcamp and Ray Hanford. The serial, which had 18 chapters, is considered to be a lost film. Cast Reception Like man ...

'' (1918) * ''

Painted Lips ''Painted Lips'' is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by Edward LeSaint and starring Louise Lovely, Alfred Allen and Lew Cody.Connelly p.393 Cast * Louise Lovely as Lou McTavish * Alfred Allen as Capt. McTavish * Lew Cody as Jim Dougl ...

'' (1918) * '' Kiss or Kill'' (1918) * ''

The Guilt of Silence ''The Guilt of Silence'' is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by Elmer Clifton and starring Monroe Salisbury, Ruth Clifford and Alfred Allen.Parish & Pitts p.71 Cast * Monroe Salisbury as Mathew 'Silent' Smith * Ruth Clifford as Mary * ...

'' (1918) * ''

The Eagle The eagle is a large bird of prey. Eagle or The Eagle may also refer to: Places England * Eagle, Lincolnshire, a village United States * Eagle, Alaska, a city * Eagle Village, Alaska, a census-designated place * Eagle, Colorado, a statut ...

'' (1918) * ''

The Sea Flower ''The Sea Flower'' is a 1918 American silent adventure film directed by Colin Campbell and starring Juanita Hansen, Gayne Whitman and Fred Huntley.Guide to the Silent Years of American Cinema p.66 Cast * Juanita Hansen as Lurline * Gayne W ...

'' (1918) * ''

Brace Up ''Brace Up'' is a 1918 American silent thriller film directed by Elmer Clifton and starring Herbert Rawlinson, Claire Du Brey and Alfred Allen.Parish & Pitts p.71 Cast * Herbert Rawlinson as Henry Court * Claire Du Brey as Ellen Miles * Alfred ...

'' (1918) * '' Winner Takes All'' (1918) * '' Danger, Go Slow'' (1918) * ''

The Red Glove ''The Red Glove'' is a 1919 American film serial directed by J. P. McGowan for Universal. The film is considered to be lost. Plot Walcamp played a "fearless cowgirl" engaged in "perilous adventures" in the cliffhanger style. One episode featur ...

'' (1919) * ''

Riders of Vengeance ''Riders of Vengeance'' is a 1919 American Western film directed by John Ford and featuring Harry Carey. The film is considered to be lost. Plot Harry's bride is murdered at their wedding along with Harry's mother and father, and the good-heart ...

'' (1919) * ''

The Sleeping Lion ''The Sleeping Lion'' is a 1919 American silent Western film directed by Rupert Julian and starring Monroe Salisbury, Pat Moore and Rhea Mitchell.Langman, p. 291 Synopsis An Italian American from New York heads West to start a new life, but ...

'' (1919) * ''

The Man in the Moonlight ''The Man in the Moonlight'' is a 1919 American silent drama film a set in the great north, starring Colleen Moore and Monroe Salisbury. Plot Two strangers arrive at the wedding of Sergeant O'Farrell of the Royal Mounted Police and Rosine Delorme ...

'' (1919) * '' The Other Half'' (1919) * ''

Burning Daylight ''Burning Daylight'' is a novel by Jack London, published in 1910, one of the best-selling books of that year and London's best-selling book in his lifetime. The novel has been adapted for film. Plot The first part of the novel takes place in ...

'' (1920) * ''

An Old Fashioned Boy ''An Old Fashioned Boy'' is a surviving 1920 American silent comedy romance film directed by Jerome Storm and starring Charles Ray. Famous Players-Lasky produced along with producer Thomas Ince. It was released by Paramount Pictures. Plot As ...

'' (1920) * '' The Broken Gate'' (1920) * ''

Blackmail Blackmail is an act of coercion using the threat of revealing or publicizing either substantially true or false information about a person or people unless certain demands are met. It is often damaging information, and it may be revealed to fa ...

'' (1920) * ''

The New Disciple ''The New Disciple'' is a 1921 American silent film directed by Ollie Sellers and produced by labor organization the Federal Film Corporation in Seattle, Washington. It was the most widely viewed labor film of this period, with over one million vi ...

'' (1921) * ''

The Sage Hen ''The Sage Hen'' is a 1921 American silent Western film directed by Edgar Lewis and starring Gladys Brockwell, Wallace MacDonald, and Richard Headrick.Katchmer p. 526 Cast * Gladys Brockwell as The Sage Hen * Wallace MacDonald as Her Son, as ...

'' (1921) * ''

Shattered Idols ''Shattered Idols'' is a 1922 American drama film directed by Edward Sloman and written by William V. Mong. It is based on the 1912 novel ''The Daughter of Brahma'' by I. A. R. Wylie. The film stars Marguerite De La Motte, William V. Mong, ...

'' (1922) * ''

The Pride of Palomar ''The Pride of Palomar'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Frank Borzage and written by Grant Carpenter, Peter B. Kyne, and John Lynch. The film stars Forrest Stanley, Marjorie Daw, Tote Du Crow, James O. Barrows, Joseph J. ...

'' (1922) * '' Colleen of the Pines'' (1922) * ''

The Grub-Stake ''The Grub-Stake'' is a 1923 American silent Western film produced by and starring Nell Shipman. It was directed by Shipman's partner Bert Van Tuyle. It is considered an independent film. Cast * Nell Shipman as Faith Diggs * Alfred Allen as M ...

'' (1923) * ''

Dead Game ''Dead Game'' is a 1923 American silent film, silent Western (genre), Western film directed by Edward Sedgwick and featuring Hoot Gibson. Cast * Hoot Gibson as "Katy" Didd (credited as Ed "Hoot" Gibson) * Robert McKim (actor), Robert McKim as P ...

'' (1923) * ''

Shootin' for Love ''Shootin' for Love'' is a 1923 American silent Western film directed by Edward Sedgwick and featuring Hoot Gibson.A Noise in Newboro ''A Noise in Newboro'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by Harry Beaumont and starring Viola Dana, David Butler and Eva Novak.MacKinnon p.188 Cast * Viola Dana as Martha Mason * David Butler as Ben Colwell * Eva Novak as Anne ...

'' (1923) * ''

Desert Driven ''Desert Driven'' is a 1923 American silent Western film starring Harry Carey. Cast * Harry Carey as Bob * Marguerite Clayton as Mary * George Waggner as Craydon * Charles Le Moyne as Leary (as Charles J. Le Moyne) * Alfred Allen as Yorke ...

'' (1923) * '' A Gentleman of Leisure'' (1923) * ''

The Miracle Baby ''The Miracle Baby'' is a 1923 American silent Western film directed by Val Paul and starring Harry Carey. With no prints of ''The Miracle Baby'' located in any film archives, it is a lost film. Cast * Harry Carey as Neil Allison * Margaret La ...

'' (1923) * ''

The Ghost City ''The Ghost City'' is a 1923 American silent Western film serial directed by Jay Marchant. It is considered to be a lost film. Plot As described in a film magazine, in Sunshine Valley, California, there is trouble aplenty brewing. Laughing La ...

'' (1923) * ''

White Tiger The white tiger or bleached tiger is a leucistic pigmentation variant of the Mainland tiger. It is reported in the wild from time to time in the Indian states of Madhya Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, in the Sunderbans region and ...

'' (1923) * ''

The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln ''The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln'' is a 1924 American feature film directed by Phil Rosen and written by Frances Marion. By the date of release, the film's title was shortened to ''Abraham Lincoln'', since the previous title was regarded ...

'' (1924) * '' Stolen Secrets'' (1924) * '' Dangerous Innocence'' (1925) * ''

Perils of the Wild ''Perils of the Wild'' is a 1925 American silent adventure film serial directed by Francis Ford. The film is considered to be lost. This serial was based on the 1812 novel ''The Swiss Family Robinson'' by Johann David Wyss. Cast Productio ...

'' (1925) * ''

Bustin' Thru ''Bustin' Thru'' (also written as ''Bustin' Through'') is a 1925 American silent Western film directed by Clifford Smith and starring Jack Hoxie, Helen Lynch and William Bailey.Munden, p. 100. Synopsis Jack Savage refuses to sell his ranch t ...

'' (1925) * ''

Speed In everyday use and in kinematics, the speed (commonly referred to as ''v'') of an object is the magnitude of the change of its position over time or the magnitude of the change of its position per unit of time; it is thus a scalar quanti ...

'' (1925) * ''

The Mystery Club ''The Mystery Club'' is a 1926 American silent mystery film directed by Herbert Blaché and starring Matt Moore, Edith Roberts and Mildred Harris.Munden p.535 It was based on a story from Arthur Somers Roche's ''Crimes of the Armchair Club'' ...

'' (1926) * '' Rolling Home'' (1926) * '' Singed'' (1927) * ''

The Magic Garden ''The Magic Garden'' is the second album by American pop group the 5th Dimension, released in 1967 (see 1967 in music). A concept album, it tells the story of a couple's love and the end of their relationship. In more recent discussions of the ...

'' (1927) * ''

Underworld The underworld, also known as the netherworld or hell, is the supernatural world of the dead in various religious traditions and myths, located below the world of the living. Chthonic is the technical adjective for things of the underworld. ...

'' (1927) * '' Out All Night'' (1927) * '' Under the Tonto Rim'' (1928) * ''

The Fifty-Fifty Girl ''The Fifty-Fifty Girl'' is a lost 1928 American silent comedy film directed by Clarence Badger and starring Bebe Daniels and James Hall as co-owners of a gold mine.Hot News ''Hot News'' is a 1928 American silent comedy film produced and distributed by Paramount Famous Lasky Corporation, an amalgamation of Famous Players-Lasky and Paramount Pictures. Clarence Badger directed and Bebe Daniels starred. Cast * Bebe ...

'' (1928) * '' Anybody Here Seen Kelly?'' (1928) * ''

The Flying Fleet ''The Flying Fleet'' is a 1929 romantic drama film directed by George W. Hill and starring Ramon Novarro, Ralph Graves, and Anita Page. Two United States Navy officers are rivals for the love of the same woman. The film is silent, and in black a ...

'' (1929) (uncredited) * '' Sunset Pass'' (1929) * ''

New Adventures of Get Rich Quick Wallingford ''New Adventures of Get Rich Quick Wallingford'' is a 1931 American pre-Code crime / romantic comedy film directed by Sam Wood and starring William Haines as a con artist and Jimmy Durante as his pickpocket buddy. The film is based on a series ...

'' (1931)

References

External links

*
allmovie;bio
1860s births 1947 deaths American male silent film actors Male actors from New York (state) Male actors from Los Angeles People from Alfred, New York 20th-century American male actors Harvard University alumni Johns Hopkins University alumni Columbia University alumni American Academy of Dramatic Arts alumni New England Conservatory alumni Alfred University alumni 20th-century American male writers {{US-film-actor-1880s-stub