Claire McDowell ( MacDowell; November 2, 1877 – October 23, 1966) was an American actress of the silent era. She appeared in 350 films between 1908 and 1945.

Early years

Claire MacDowell was born in New York City on November 2, 1877, the daughter of Eugene A. MacDowell and Fanny Reeves. Her aunt, actress Fanny Davenport, gave her early training in acting. Fanny Davenport's second husband was Eugene's brother

Melbourne MacDowell Willet Melbourne MacDowell (November 22, 1856 – February 18, 1941) was an American stage and screen actor. He began on the legitimate stage in the 1870s and first appeared on the silent screen in 1917. He used the stage name Virginia Drew Pres ...

Career

When she was 17, she was an understudy in a theatrical company headed by

Charles Frohman Charles Frohman (July 15, 1856 – May 7, 1915) was an American theater manager and producer, who discovered and promoted many stars of the American stage. Notably, he produced ''Peter Pan'', both in London and the US, the latter production ...

. Still something of a youthful beauty, McDowell appeared in numerous short, early feature films. She graduated to playing character and mother types. She appeared in Douglas Fairbanks' '' The Mark of Zorro'' (1920). McDowell costarred in two of the biggest films of the silent era, ''

The Big Parade ''The Big Parade'' is a 1925 American silent war drama film directed by King Vidor, starring John Gilbert, Renée Adorée, Hobart Bosworth, Tom O'Brien, and Karl Dane. Written by World War I veteran, Laurence Stallings, the film is about ...

'' and '' Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ'', in which she played mothers both times. McDowell's Broadway credits included ''Herod'' (1909), ''To Have and to Hold'' (1901), and ''Hearts Are Trumps'' (1900). When she was 38, McDowell retired, but later she returned to acting, particularly portraying mothers.

Personal life and death

She was married to silent screen character actor

Charles Hill Mailes Charles Hill Mailes (25 May 1870 – 17 February 1937) was a Canadian actor of the silent era. Biography Born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1870, Mailes appeared in 290 films between 1909 and 1935. He married the actress Claire McDowell ...

from 1906 until his death in 1937. The couple appeared in numerous silent films together, including ''The Mark of Zorro''. They had two sons, Robert and Eugene. She died in Hollywood, California, on October 23, 1966, ten days before her 89th birthday.

Selected filmography

* ''

The Devil Satan,, ; grc, ὁ σατανᾶς or , ; ar, شيطانالخَنَّاس , also known as the Devil, and sometimes also called Lucifer in Christianity, is an entity in the Abrahamic religions that seduces humans into sin or falsehood ...

'' (1908, Short) – Mrs. Harold Thornton * '' The Planter's Wife'' (1908, Short) – Mrs. John Holland * '' A Flash of Light'' (1910, Short) – At First Party * ''

The Lucky Toothache ''The Lucky Toothache'' is a 1910 silent film short directed by Frank Powell and starring Mary Pickford and Mack Sennett. It was produced and distributed by the Biograph Company. The film survives because it was transferred by the Library of Con ...

'' (1910, Short) – A Cousin * ''

A Mohawk's Way ''A Mohawk's Way'', also known as ''The Mohawk's Treasure'', is a 1910 short silent black and white drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, written by Stanner E.V. Taylor and based on James Fenimore Cooper novel, and photography by G.W. Bitz ...

'' (1910) as Indian mother * '' His Trust'' (1911, Short) – Colonel Frazier's Wife * ''

His Trust Fulfilled ''His Trust Fulfilled'' is a 1911 American drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Prints of this film survive in the film archives of the Library of Congress and the Museum of Modern Art. Cast * Wilfred Lucas – George * Claire McDowell – ...

'' (1911, Short) – Mrs. Frazier * '' What Shall We Do with Our Old?'' (1911, Short) – The Old Carpenter's Wife * '' Fisher Folks'' (1911) * '' A Decree of Destiny'' (1911, Short) – A Nun * ''

The Spanish Gypsy ''The Spanish Gypsy'' is an English Jacobean tragicomedy, dating from around 1623. The play was likely a collaboration between several dramatists, including Thomas Middleton, William Rowley, Thomas Dekker, and John Ford. Like Shakespeare's los ...

'' (1911, Short) – Paula * '' The Broken Cross'' (1911, Short) – Kate's Mother * '' The Crooked Road'' (1911, Short) – A Neighbor * ''

The Primal Call ''The Primal Call'' is a 1911 American short silent romance film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Wilfred Lucas and featuring Blanche Sweet. Cast * Wilfred Lucas as The Fisherman * Claire McDowell as The Woman * Grace Henderson as The Wom ...

'' (1911, Short) – The Woman * ''

A Country Cupid ''A Country Cupid'' is a 1911 American short film, short silent film, silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. A print of the film survives. Cast * Blanche Sweet as Edith * Edwin August as Jack * Edna Foster as B ...

'' (1911, Short) – The Half-Wit's Mother * ''

The Making of a Man ''The Making of a Man'' is a 1911 American short silent drama film produced by the Biograph Company of New York, directed by D. W. Griffith, and starring Dell Henderson and Blanche Sweet. Cast * Dell Henderson as Leading Man * Blanche Sweet as ...

'' (1911, Short) – Actress * ''

The Long Road ''The Long Road'' is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Nickelback, released on September 23, 2003. Recorded at the famed Greenhouse Studios in Vancouver, British Columbia, it is the band's last album with Ryan Vikedal as drummer, a ...

'' (1911, Short) – Ned's Wife * '' A Woman Scorned'' (1911, Short) – The Doctor's Wife * ''As in a Looking Glass'' (1911) – The Wife * '' Under Burning Skies'' (1912, Short) – A Friend * '' A Temporary Truce'' (1912, Short) – Mexican Jim's Wife * '' The Sands of Dee'' (1912, Short) – The Artist's Fiancée * ''

Two Daughters of Eve ''Two Daughters of Eve'' is a 1912 American silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Cast * Claire McDowell - The Mother * Henry B. Walthall - The Father * Florence Geneva - The Actress * Gertrude Bambrick - Backstage * Elmer Booth - Ba ...

'' (1912, Short) – The Mother * '' So Near, yet So Far'' (1912, Short) – Rich Woman in Other Town * '' In the Aisles of the Wild'' (1912, Short) – The Elder Daughter * '' A Sailor's Heart'' (1912, Short) – The Sailor's Third Sweetheart * ''

The New York Hat ''The New York Hat'' is a silent short film which was released in 1912, directed by D. W. Griffith from a screenplay by Anita Loos, and starring Mary Pickford, Lionel Barrymore, and Lillian Gish. Production ''The New York Hat'' is one of the mo ...

'' (1912, Short) – First Gossip * '' A Cry for Help'' (1912, Short) – The Thief's Wife – the Charity Patient * ''

The God Within ''The God Within'' is a 1912 American short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. A print of the film survives. Cast * Henry B. Walthall as The Woodsman * Claire McDowell as The Woodsman's Wife * Blanche Sweet as ...

'' (1912, Short) – The Woodsman's Wife * ''

The Telephone Girl and the Lady ''The Telephone Girl and the Lady'' is a 1913 American silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Plot A telephone operator is walking out with a handsome police sergeant; her father insists that the husband for her is a plump, comfortabl ...

'' (1913, Short) – The Lady * '' A Misappropriated Turkey'' (1913, Short) – Mrs. Fallon * '' The Wrong Bottle'' (1913, Short) – The Blind Sister * ''

The Unwelcome Guest ''The Unwelcome Guest'' is a 1913 American silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Plot Just before she dies, an elderly married woman stashes the horde of money she's secretly accumulated beneath the false bottom of an old shipping tru ...

'' (1913, Short) – The Wife * ''

A Welcome Intruder ''A Welcome Intruder'' is a 1913 silent film short directed by D. W. Griffith and produced by the Biograph Company. Cast *Charles Hill Mailes - The Father * Kate Toncray - The Neighbor * Charles West - The Workman *W. Chrystie Miller - The Shopk ...

'' (1913, Short) – A Widow * '' The Stolen Bride'' (1913, Short) – The Wife * '' The Wanderer'' (1913, Short) – The Female Lover * '' The Tenderfoot's Money'' (1913, Short) – The Prospector's Wife * '' The Stolen Loaf'' (1913, Short) – The Rich Woman * '' The House of Darkness'' (1913, Short) – The Doctor's Wife * '' Olaf—An Atom'' (1913, Short) – A Parent * ''

The Ranchero's Revenge ''The Ranchero's Revenge'' is a 1913 American short silent Western film directed by D. W. Griffith. Cast * Lionel Barrymore as The Ranchero * Harry Carey as The Schemer * Claire McDowell as The Schemer's Associate * Clarence Barr as The C ...

'' (1913, Short) – The Schemer's Associate * ''

The Well The Whole Earth 'Lectronic Link, normally shortened to The WELL, was launched in 1985. It is one of the oldest continuously operating virtual communities. By 1993 it had 7,000 members, a staff of 12, and gross annual income of $2 million. ...

'' (1913, Short) – The Farmer's Wife * '' The Switch Tower'' (1913, Short) – The Switchman's Wife * ''

A Gamble with Death ''A Gamble with Death'' is a 1913 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Walter Miller as Reed * Claire McDowell as Kate * Charles West as The Gambler (as Charles H. West) * Lionel Barrymore as Jim Benton, the Bartender * Harry ...

'' (1913, Short) – Kate * ''

The Enemy's Baby ''The Enemy's Baby'' is a 1913 American drama film, possibly directed by D. W. Griffith. Cast * Lionel Barrymore as Ben Brown * William J. Butler as Sam Miller, the Grandfather * Kate Bruce as Sam Miller's Wife * Harry Carey as Miller * Clai ...

'' (1913, Short) – Miller's Wife * '' A Gambler's Honor'' (1913, Short) – Beth * '' The Mirror'' (1913, Short) – Daisy * ''

The Vengeance of Galora ''The Vengeance of Galora'' is a 1913 American silent film, silent drama film featuring Harry Carey (actor born 1878), Harry Carey. Cast * Claire McDowell - Galora * Charles West (actor), Charles West - The Express Agent * Nan Christy - The Exp ...

'' (1913, Short) – Galora * '' Under the Shadow of the Law'' (1913, Short) – John Haywood's Sister * ''

I Was Meant for You ''I Was Meant for You'' is a 1913 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Charles West as Theron * Claire McDowell as Lavina * Harry Carey Harry Carey may refer to: *Harry Carey (actor) (1878–1947), American actor * Harry Carey Jr ...

'' (1913, Short) – Lavina * '' The Crook and the Girl'' (1913, Short) – The Uncle's Adopted Daughter * ''

The Strong Man's Burden ''The Strong Man's Burden'' is a 1913 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. It was produced by the Biograph Company and distributed through the General Film Company. Cast * Kate Bruce as Bob & John's Mother * Harry Carey as Bob * Lionel ...

'' (1913, Short) – Ida Glynn, The Nurse * '' The Stolen Treaty'' (1913, Short) – Olga * ''

The Law and His Son ''The Law and His Son'' is a 1913 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Harry Carey as Manning * Claire McDowell as Marguerite, Manning's Sister * Reggie Morris as The Outcast Son * William J. Butler as The Outcast Son's Father * F ...

'' (1913, Short) – Marguerite, Manning's Sister * ''

A Tender-Hearted Crook ''A Tender-Hearted Crook'' is a 1913 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Charles West as James (as Charles H. West) * Claire McDowell as Edith * Harry Carey as The Thief * Hector Dion as The Minister * Marion Leonard * Wilfred ...

'' (1913, Short) – Edith * ''

The Van Nostrand Tiara ''The Van Nostrand Tiara'' is a 1913 American silent film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Reggie Morris as A. J. Raffles * Claire McDowell as Kate * Harry Carey as Society Detective * Hattie Delaro Hattie Delaro (1861 – April 18, 1941) wa ...

'' (1913, Short) – Kate * ''

The Stopped Clock ''The Stopped Clock'' is a 1913 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Claire McDowell as The Antique Dealer's Daughter * Charles West as The Senior Clerk (as Charles H. West) * Reggie Morris as The Junior Clerk * Kate Bruce as Th ...

'' (1913, Short) – The Antique Dealer's Daughter * '' The Detective's Stratagem'' (1913, Short) – Kate, the Bank Clerk's Sweetheart * ''

All for Science ''All for Science'' is a 1913 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Reggie Morris as The Chemist * Harry Carey as The Young Man * Joseph McDermott as The Detective * Lionel Barrymore as In Detective Agency * Claire McDowell as In ...

'' (1913, Short) – Detective * ''

A Nest Unfeathered ''A Nest Unfeathered'' is a 1914 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Kate Bruce * Harry Carey * Claire McDowell See also * Harry Carey filmography This is a list of films featuring Harry Carey. 1910 * '' Bill Sharkey's La ...

'' (1914, Short) – Kate * ''

Her Father's Silent Partner ''Her Father's Silent Partner'' is a 1914 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Harry Carey * Claire McDowell * Dorothy Gish Dorothy Elizabeth Gish (March 11, 1898June 4, 1968) was an American actress of the screen and stage, ...

'' (1914, Short) * ''

The Cracksman's Gratitude ''The Cracksman's Gratitude'' is a 1914 American drama silent black and white film directed by Anthony O'Sullivan and starring Lionel Barrymore and Claire McDowell Claire McDowell ( MacDowell; November 2, 1877 – October 23, 1966) wa ...

'' (1914, Short) * ''

The Heart of a Bandit ''The Heart of a Bandit'' is a 1915 American short silent Western film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Harry Carey * Claire McDowell Claire McDowell ( MacDowell; November 2, 1877 – October 23, 1966) was an American actress of the sil ...

'' (1915, Short) * '' The Sheriff's Dilemma'' (1915, Short) – Molly * '' The Miser's Legacy'' (1915, Short) – The Crook's Wife * '' The Gambler's I.O.U.'' (1915, Short) – Nell – Daddy Wilson's Daughter * ''

A Day's Adventure ''A Day's Adventure'' is a 1915 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Harry Carey * Barney Furey (as J. Barney Furey) * Claire McDowell * Charles West (as Charles H. West) See also * List of American films of 1915 * Harry Carey ...

'' (1915, Short) – Hogan's Moll * '' The Canceled Mortgage'' (1915, Short) – The Widowed Mother * ''

Truth Stranger Than Fiction ''Truth Stranger Than Fiction'' is a 1915 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Helen Bray * Harry Carey * Barney Furey * Claire McDowell * Charles West (as Charles H. West) See also * Harry Carey filmography This is a list o ...

'' (1915, Short) – Crook * ''

Her Dormant Love ''Her Dormant Love'' is a 1915 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Harry Carey * Claire McDowell Claire McDowell ( MacDowell; November 2, 1877 – October 23, 1966) was an American actress of the silent era. She appeared ...

'' (1915, Short) – The Discontented Wife * '' The Way Out'' (1915, Short) – The Young School Teacher * ''

Her Convert ''Her Convert'' is a 1915 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Harry Carey * Claire McDowell Claire McDowell ( MacDowell; November 2, 1877 – October 23, 1966) was an American actress of the silent era. She appeared in 3 ...

'' (1915, Short) – The Old Inventor's Daughter * ''

Old Offenders ''Old Offenders'' is a 1915 American drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Harry Carey * Claire McDowell Claire McDowell ( MacDowell; November 2, 1877 – October 23, 1966) was an American actress of the silent era. She appeared in ...

'' (1915, Short) – Joe's Wife * ''

As It Happened ''As It Happened'' is a 1915 American silent drama film featuring Harry Carey. Cast * Harry Carey * Claire McDowell * L. M. Wells (as Louis Wells) See also * List of American films of 1915 This List of American films of 1915 is a compilati ...

'' (1915, Short) – The Ranchman's Daughter * ''A Stranger from Somewhere'' (1916) – Olga * '' Mixed Blood'' (1916) – Nita Valyez * '' The Right to Be Happy'' (1916) – Mrs. Cratchit * '' The White Raven'' (1917) – Daisy * '' The Gates of Doom'' (1917) – Indore / Agatha * ''

The Bronze Bride ''The Bronze Bride'' is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Henry MacRae and starring Claire McDowell, Frank Mayo, and Edward Clark.Ingraham p. 248 Cast * Claire McDowell as A-Che-Chee * Frank Mayo as Harvey Ogden * Edward Clark as Wi ...

'' (1917) – A-Che-Chee * '' The Clean-Up'' (1917) – Vera Vincent * ''

The Empty Gun ''The Empty Gun'' is a 1917 American silent Western film directed by Joe De Grasse and featuring Lon Chaney and Claire McDowell. It was distributed by Universal Pictures. The film was reissued theatrically on April 29, 1921. This was the last s ...

'' (1917, Short) – Mary * '' Fighting Back'' (1917) – The Fury * ''The Ship of Doom'' (1917) – Clara Gove * ''The Man Above the Law'' (1918) – Natchah * '' Captain of His Soul'' (1918) – Annette De Searcy * '' You Can't Believe Everything'' (1918) – Grace Dardley * ''Closin' In'' (1918) * ''

The Return of Mary ''The Return of Mary'' is a 1918 American silent drama film, directed by Wilfred Lucas. It stars May Allison, Clarence Burton, and Claire McDowell, and was released on September 23, 1918. Cast list * May Allison as Mary * Clarence Burton as John ...

'' (1918) – Mrs. John Denby Sr. * ''The Follies Girl'' (1919) – Nina * '' Prudence on Broadway'' (1919) – Miss Grayson * ''Chasing Rainbows'' (1919) – Mrs. Walters * ''

Heart o' the Hills ''Heart o' the Hills'' is a 1919 American silent drama film directed by Joseph De Grasse and Sidney Franklin, written by Bernard McConville based on John Fox, Jr.'s novel of the same name. Plot Jason Honeycutt ( Harold Goodwin) is a young boy ...

'' (1919) – Martha Hawn * '' The Feud'' (1919) – Mary Lynch * ''

The Woman in the Suitcase ''The Woman in the Suitcase'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Fred Niblo. A print of the film is held by the Library of Congress. Plot Mary's (Bennett) father James Moreland (Conklin) returns from a business trip to Philadelp ...

'' (1920) – Mrs. James B. Moreland * ''

The Gift Supreme ''The Gift Supreme'' is a 1920 American silent drama film starring Bernard Durning, Seena Owen, Lon Chaney (in a villainous bit role) and Tully Marshall. The film was directed by Ollie Sellers and based on the 1916 novel of the same name by ...

'' (1920) – Lalia Graun * ''The Devil's Riddle'' (1920) – Mrs. Potts * ''

Blind Youth ''Blind Youth'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Edward Sloman and starring Walter McGrail, Leatrice Joy, and Claire McDowell. It was based upon the play of the same name by Lou Tellegen and Willard Mack.Through Eyes of Men'' (1920) – Mrs. Virginia All * ''

The Jack-Knife Man ''The Jack-Knife Man'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by King Vidor and his debut film with First National. A story of Christian charity and the virtues of self-help, the work reflects his "Creed and Pledge", a declaration of his ...

'' (1920) – Lize Merdin * ''

Something to Think About ''Something to Think About'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Cecil B. DeMille. The film stars Elliott Dexter and Gloria Swanson. Prints of the film exist at the George Eastman Museum in Rochester, New York, and at the Filmmuse ...

'' (1920) – Housekeeper * '' The Mark of Zorro'' (1920) – Doña Catalina Pulido * '' Midsummer Madness'' (1920) – Mrs. Osborne * '' Prisoners of Love'' (1921) – Her Mother * '' Chickens'' (1921) – Aunt Rebecca * '' What Every Woman Knows'' (1921) – Comtesse de la Brière * '' Mother o' Mine'' (1921) – Mrs. Sheldon * ''

Wealth Wealth is the abundance of valuable financial assets or physical possessions which can be converted into a form that can be used for transactions. This includes the core meaning as held in the originating Old English word , which is from an I ...

'' (1921) – Mrs. Dominick * '' Love Never Dies'' (1921) – Liz Trott * '' Rent Free'' (1922) – Countess de Mourney * ''

The Gray Dawn ''The Gray Dawn'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Jean Hersholt and starring by Carl Gantvoort, Claire Adams and Robert McKim.Munden p.404 Some scenes were also likely directed by others, including producer Benjamin B. Hampton. ...

'' (1922) – Mrs. Bennett * ''Penrod'' (1922) – Mrs. Schofield * ''

The Ragged Heiress ''The Ragged Heiress'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Harry Beaumont and starring Shirley Mason, John Harron and Edwin Stevens.Parish & Pitts p.22 Cast * Shirley Mason as Lucia Moreton * John Harron as Glen Wharton * Edwin ...

'' (1922) – Sylvia Moreton * ''

The Lying Truth ''The Lying Truth'' is a 1922 American silent drama film written and directed by Marion Fairfax and starring Noah Beery, Marjorie Daw and Tully Marshall.Munden p.470 Cast * Noah Beery as Lawrence De Muidde * Marjorie Daw as Sue De Muidde * Tul ...

'' (1922) – Mrs. Sam Clairborne * '' Nice People'' (1922) – Margaret Rainsford * '' In the Name of the Law'' (1922) – Mrs. O'Hara * ''

Heart's Haven ''Heart's Haven'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Benjamin B. Hampton and starring Robert McKim, Claire Adams and Carl Gantvoort.Munden p.64 Cast * Robert McKim as Adam Breed * Claire Adams as Vivian Breed * Carl Gantvoort ...

'' (1922) – May Caroline * ''

Quincy Adams Sawyer ''Quincy Adams Sawyer'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Clarence G. Badger. Distributed by Metro Pictures, the film is written by Bernard McConville, based on the 1900 novel ''Quincy Adams Sawyer and Mason's Corner Folks'', wr ...

'' (1922) – Mrs. Putnam * ''

The West~Bound Limited The West~Bound Limited is a 1923 American silent melodrama film directed by Emory Johnson. Emilie Johnson, Emory's mother, wrote both the story and screenplay. The film's cast features Ralph Lewis, Claire McDowell, Johnny Harron, and Ella ...

'' (1923) – Mrs. Bill Buckley * '' Michael O'Halloran'' (1923) – Nancy Harding * ''

Human Wreckage ''Human Wreckage'' is a 1923 American independent silent drama propaganda film that starred Dorothy Davenport and featured James Kirkwood, Sr., Bessie Love, and Lucille Ricksen. The film was co-produced by Davenport and Thomas H. Ince and di ...

'' (1923) – Mrs. Brown * '' Circus Days'' (1923) – Martha * ''

Ashes of Vengeance ''Ashes of Vengeance'' is a 1923 American drama film directed by Frank Lloyd and starring Norma Talmadge and Wallace Beery. Plot At the ball celebrating the wedding of Henry of Navarre on August 23, 1572, the evil Queen Mother Catherine de' Me ...

'' (1923) – Margot's Aunt * ''

Ponjola ''Ponjola'' is a 1923 American silent drama film based on the 1923 novel of the same name by Cynthia Stockley and directed by Donald Crisp Donald William Crisp (27 July 188225 May 1974) was an English film actor as well as an early produce ...

'' (1923) – Mrs. Hope * ''Enemies of Children'' (1923) * '' Black Oxen'' (1923) – Agnes Trevor *''

Judgment of the Storm ''Judgment of the Storm'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Del Andrews and starring Lloyd Hughes, Lucille Ricksen, and George Hackathorne George Hackathorne (February 13, 1896 – June 25, 1940) was an American actor of ...

'' (1924) – Mrs. Heath * '' Leave It to Gerry'' (1924) – Mrs. Brent * '' Thy Name Is Woman'' (1924) – Juan's Mother * ''

Secrets Secrecy is the practice of hiding information from certain individuals or groups who do not have the "need to know", perhaps while sharing it with other individuals. That which is kept hidden is known as the secret. Secrecy is often controvers ...

'' (1924) – Elizabeth Channing * ''

A Fight for Honor ''A Fight for Honor'' is a lost film, lost 1924 American silent film, silent action film directed by Henry MacRae and starring William Fairbanks, Eva Novak and Claire McDowell.Connelly p.346 Cast * William Fairbanks as Jack Adams * Eva Novak as Ma ...

'' (1924) – Mrs. Hill * '' Those Who Dare'' (1924) – Mrs. Rollins * ''

The Reckless Sex ''The Reckless Sex'' is a 1925 American melodrama film directed by Alan James from a screenplay by Travers Wells. The film stars Madge Bellamy, William Collier Jr., and Wyndham Standing. Plot Robert Lanning Jr. is sent by his father in Bo ...

'' (1925) – Concha * ''

Waking Up the Town ''Waking Up the Town'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by James Cruze and written by Frank Condon and James Cruze. The film stars Jack Pickford, Claire McDowell, Alec B. Francis, Norma Shearer, and Herbert Prior. The film was re ...

'' (1925) – Mrs. Joyce * '' Dollar Down'' (1925) – Mrs. Meadows – Ruth's Sister * ''

The Tower of Lies ''The Tower of Lies'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Victor Sjöström. It was written by Agnes Christine Johnston and Max Marcin, based upon Selma Lagerlöf's 1914 novel '' The Emperor of Portugallia'' (MGM actually purchased ...

'' (1925) – Katrina * ''

One of the Bravest ''One of the Bravest'' is a 1925 American silent action drama film directed by Frank O'Connor and starring Ralph Lewis, Edward Hearn, and Pat Somerset. Plot A father of Irish heritage rejects his firefighter son when he marries and Jewish ...

'' (1925) – Mrs. Kelly * ''

'' (1925) – Mrs. Apperson * ''The Midnight Flyer'' (1925) – Liza Slater * '' Ben-Hur'' (1925) – Princess of Hur * ''

The Devil's Circus ''The Devil's Circus'' is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by Danish director Benjamin Christensen, based upon his screenplay. The film stars Norma Shearer and Charles Emmett Mack. It was the first of seven films directed by Christens ...

'' (1926) – Mrs. Peterson * ''

The Dixie Merchant ''The Dixie Merchant'' is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Jack Mulhall, Madge Bellamy, and J. Farrell MacDonald John Farrell MacDonald (June 6, 1875 – August 2, 1952) was an American character acto ...

'' (1926) – Josephine Fippany * ''

The Shamrock Handicap ''The Shamrock Handicap'' is a 1926 American romance film directed by John Ford. Prints of the film still exists in the Museum of Modern Art film archive and Cinematheque Royale de Belgique. Cast * Janet Gaynor as Lady Sheila O'Hara * Leslie ...

'' (1926) – Molly O'Shea * '' The Unknown Soldier'' (1926) – John Phillips' sister * '' The Show Off'' (1926) – Mom Fisher * ''

The Flaming Forest ''The Flaming Forest'' is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by Reginald Barker and starring Antonio Moreno and Renée Adorée. The film is based on the novel of the same name by James Oliver Curwood, and was produced by Cosmopolitan P ...

'' (1926) – Mrs. McTavish * ''

A Little Journey ''A Little Journey'' is a 1927 American silent comedy film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and featuring Claire Windsor, William Haines and Harry Carey. It is based on a play by Rachel Crothers. No prints are thought to survive of this film. It ...

'' (1927) – Aunt Louise * '' The Auctioneer'' (1927) – Mrs. Tim Eagan * ''Cheaters'' (1927) – Mrs. Robin Carter * ''

The Taxi Dancer ''The Taxi Dancer'' is a 1927 American Silent film, silent comedy film directed by Harry F. Millarde and starring Owen Moore and, in her first film with top billing, Joan Crawford. Plot Joselyn Poe is a southern girl who tries her luck as dance ...

'' (1927) – Aunt Mary * ''

The Black Diamond Express ''The Black Diamond Express'' is a 1927 silent railroad feature film drama directed by Howard Bretherton and starring Monte Blue. It was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. It is not to be confused with several early short actuality style ...

'' (1927) – Martha Foster * ''

Tillie the Toiler ''Tillie the Toiler'' is a newspaper comic strip created by cartoonist Russ Westover who initially worked on his concept of a flapper character in a strip he titled ''Rose of the Office''. With a title change, it sold to King Features Syndicate ...

'' (1927) – Ma Jones * '' Winds of the Pampas'' (1927) – Doña Maria Casandos * ''

The Shield of Honor The Shield of Honor is a 1927 American silent film, silent crime drama film directed by Emory Johnson based on the original story by Emilie Johnson. It starred Neil Hamilton (actor), Neil Hamilton, Dorothy Gulliver, and Ralph Lewis (actor), Ral ...

'' (1927) – Mrs. MacDowell * '' Almost Human'' (1927) – Mrs. Livingston * ''

The Tragedy of Youth ''The Tragedy of Youth'' is a 1928 American silent drama film directed by George Archainbaud and starring Patsy Ruth Miller, Warner Baxter and William Collier Jr.Munden p.825 It was produced and released by Tiffany Pictures, one of the largest ...

'' (1928) – Mother * ''

Don't Marry ''Don't Marry'' is a 1928 American silent comedy film directed by James Tinling and starring Lois Moran, Neil Hamilton, and Henry Kolker.Solomon p.309 Plot A flapper masquerades as her strait-laced cousin to try and impress a potential suitor. ...

'' (1928) – Aunt Abigail Bowen * ''

4 Devils ''4 Devils'' (also known as ''Four Devils'') is a 1928 American silent drama film directed by German director F. W. Murnau and starring Janet Gaynor. It is considered to be lost. Premise The plot concerns four orphans (Janet Gaynor, Nancy Dr ...

'' (1928) – Woman * '' The Viking'' (1928) – Lady Editha * ''

Marriage by Contract ''Marriage by Contract'' is a 1928 American drama film directed by James Flood and starring Patsy Ruth Miller, Lawrence Gray and Robert Edeson. It was one of the first sound films produced by Tiffany Pictures, one of the largest independent stu ...

'' (1928) – Mother * '' When Dreams Come True'' (1929) – Martha Shelby * '' The Flying Fleet'' (1929) – Mrs. Hastings – Anita's Mother (uncredited) * ''Silks and Saddles'' (1929) – Mrs. Calhoun * '' The Quitter'' (1929) – Mrs. Abbott * '' Whispering Winds'' (1929) – Mrs. Benton * '' Redemption'' (1930) – Anna Pavlovna * '' The Second Floor Mystery'' (1930) – Aunt Hattie * '' Young Desire'' (1930) – Mrs. Spencer * '' The Big House'' (1930) – Mrs. Marlowe * ''

Wild Company ''Wild Company'' is a 1930 American pre-Code drama film directed by Leo McCarey and written by Bradley King. The film stars Frank Albertson, Joyce Compton, Sharon Lynn, H. B. Warner, Richard Keene and Frances McCoy. The film was released on J ...

'' (1930) – Mrs. Laura Grayson * ''

Brothers A brother is a man or boy who shares one or more parents with another; a male sibling. The female counterpart is a sister. Although the term typically refers to a familial relationship, it is sometimes used endearingly to refer to non-familia ...

'' (1930) – Mrs. Bess Naughton * ''

Mothers Cry ''Mothers Cry'' is a 1930 American pre-Code drama film released by First National Pictures, a subsidiary of Warner Bros., and directed by Hobart Henley. The movie stars Dorothy Peterson, Helen Chandler, David Manners, Evalyn Knapp and Sidney ...

'' (1930) – Mary's Mother (uncredited) * ''

An American Tragedy ''An American Tragedy'' is a 1925 novel by American writer Theodore Dreiser. He began the manuscript in the summer of 1920, but a year later abandoned most of that text. It was based on the notorious murder of Grace Brown in 1906 and the trial of ...

'' (1931) – Mrs. Samuel Griffiths * ''

Under Eighteen ''Under Eighteen'' is a 1931 American pre-Code romantic drama film directed by Archie Mayo and starring Marian Marsh, Anita Page, Regis Toomey, and Warren William. It is based on the short story "Sky Life" by Frank Mitchell Dazey and Agnes Chr ...

'' (1931) – Seamstress (uncredited) * ''

Manhattan Parade ''Manhattan Parade '' is a 1931 American pre-Code musical comedy film photographed entirely in Technicolor. It was originally intended to be released, in the United States, early in 1931, but was shelved due to public apathy towards musicals. De ...

'' (1931) – Nancy – the Maid (uncredited) * '' Union Depot'' (1932) – Little Boy's Mother (uncredited) * ''

The Famous Ferguson Case ''The Famous Ferguson Case'' is a 1932 American pre-Code crime film directed by Lloyd Bacon and starring Joan Blondell, Grant Mitchell and Vivienne Osborne.Louis Pizzitola. ''Hearst Over Hollywood: Power, Passion, and Propaganda in the Movies' ...

'' (1932) – The Brookses' Landlady (uncredited) * ''

Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm ''Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm'' is a classic American 1903 children's novel by Kate Douglas Wiggin that tells the story of Rebecca Rowena Randall and her aunts, one stern and one kind, in the fictional village of Riverboro, Maine. Rebecca's joy ...

'' (1932) – Mrs. Randall (uncredited) * '' Cornered'' (1932) – Jane's Aunt * '' The Phantom Express'' (1932) – Ma Nolan * ''

A Successful Calamity ''A Successful Calamity'' is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy film directed by John G. Adolfi and starring George Arliss, supported by Mary Astor and Evelyn Knapp. Based on the 1917 play ''A Successful Calamity'' by Clare Kummer, the film is ab ...

'' (1932) – Struthers' Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Lawyer Man ''Lawyer Man'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by William Dieterle, based on the novel by Max Trell. The film stars William Powell and Joan Blondell. It was produced by Warner Bros. By the time of the release, several actors w ...

'' (1932) – Gilmurry's Secretary (uncredited) * '' Central Airport'' (1933) – Mrs. Blaine * ''

The Working Man ''The Working Man'' is a 1933 pre-Code American comedy film directed by John G. Adolfi and starring George Arliss and Bette Davis. The screenplay by Charles Kenyon and Maude T. Howell is based on the story ''The Adopted Father'' by Edgar Fra ...

'' (1933) – Benjamin's Secretary * '' By Appointment Only'' (1933) – Mrs. Mary Carroll * '' Paddy the Next Best Thing'' (1933) – Miss Breen (uncredited) * ''

Wild Boys of the Road ''Wild Boys of the Road'' is a 1933 pre-Code Depression-era American drama film directed by William Wellman and starring Frankie Darro, Rochelle Hudson, and Grant Mitchell. It tells the story of several teens forced into becoming hobos. The s ...

'' (1933) – Mrs. Smith * ''

Bedside ''Bedside'' is a 1934 American pre-Code drama film starring Warren William, Jean Muir and Allen Jenkins. Plot A man passes himself off as a doctor. Cast * Warren William as Bob Brown * Jean Muir as Caroline Grant * Allen Jenkins as Sam Sparks ...

'' (1934) – Nurse (uncredited) * ''

It Happened One Night ''It Happened One Night'' is a 1934 pre-Code American romantic comedy film with elements of screwball comedy directed and co-produced by Frank Capra, in collaboration with Harry Cohn, in which a pampered socialite ( Claudette Colbert) tr ...

'' (1934) – Mother on Bus (uncredited) * ''

Journal of a Crime ''Journal of a Crime'' is a 1934 American pre-Code crime drama film produced by First National Pictures. It was directed by William Keighley and stars Ruth Chatterton, Adolphe Menjou and Claire Dodd. The film is a remake of the 1933 French film ...

'' (1934) – Sister at Hospital (uncredited) * ''

Dr. Monica ''Dr. Monica'' is a 1934 American pre-Code melodrama film produced by Warner Bros. starring Kay Francis, Warren William, and Jean Muir. An obstetrician, who is unable to have children, discovers that the baby she is about to deliver was fathe ...

'' (1934) – Miss Bryerly (uncredited) * ''

British Agent ''British Agent'' is a 1934 American romantic espionage film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Leslie Howard and Kay Francis. It is based on ''Memoirs of a British Agent'', the 1932 autobiography of R. H. Bruce Lockhart, who worked for ...

'' (1934) – Woman Saying 'Lenin will Live' (uncredited) * '' Two Heads on a Pillow'' (1934) – Mrs. Helen Gorman * '' Imitation of Life'' (1934) – Teacher Outside Classroom (uncredited) * '' Black Fury'' (1935) – Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Murder by Television ''Murder by Television'' (1935) is an American mystery film starring Bela Lugosi, June Collyer, and Huntley Gordon. The film is also known as ''The Houghland Murder Case''. The cast also includes Hattie McDaniel. Plot James Houghland, inventor o ...

'' (1935) – Mrs. Houghland * '' August Week End'' (1936) – Alma Washburne * '' Small Town Girl'' (1936) – Woman in Bed (uncredited) * ''

Criminal Lawyer A criminal defense lawyer is a lawyer (mostly barristers) specializing in the defense of individuals and companies charged with criminal activity. Some criminal defense lawyers are privately retained, while others are employed by the various ...

'' (1937) – Night Court Judge (uncredited) * ''

Two-Fisted Sheriff ''Two-Fisted Sheriff'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Leon Barsha, starring Charles Starrett and Barbara Weeks. Cast * Charles Starrett as Sheriff Dick Houston * Barbara Weeks as Molly Herrick * Bruce Lane as Bob Pearson * Edw ...

'' (1937) – Miss Herrick – Molly's Aunt * ''

High, Wide, and Handsome ''High, Wide and Handsome'' is a 1937 American musical Western film starring Irene Dunne, Randolph Scott, Alan Hale, Sr., Charles Bickford and Dorothy Lamour. The film was directed by Rouben Mamoulian and written by Oscar Hammerstein II and G ...

'' (1937) – Seamstress (uncredited) * ''

Test Pilot A test pilot is an aircraft pilot with additional training to fly and evaluate experimental, newly produced and modified aircraft with specific maneuvers, known as flight test techniques.Stinton, Darrol. ''Flying Qualities and Flight Testin ...

'' (1938) – Funeral Home Associate (uncredited) * '' Three Comrades'' (1938) – Landlady Frau Zalewski (uncredited) * '' Boys Town'' (1938) – Catholic Nun (uncredited) * '' Stand Up and Fight'' (1939) – Woman (uncredited) * '' Idiot's Delight'' (1939) – Crying Mother (uncredited) * ''

Miracles for Sale ''Miracles for Sale'' is a 1939 American mystery film directed by Tod Browning, and starring Robert Young and Florence Rice. It was Browning's final film as a director. The film is based on a locked-room mystery novel by well-known mystery wr ...

'' (1939) – Jack of Diamonds Woman (uncredited) * ''

Thunder Afloat ''Thunder Afloat'' is a 1939 World War I naval film starring Wallace Beery and Chester Morris. The movie was directed by George B. Seitz. The submarine sequences were shot with the cooperation of the U. S. Navy at Annapolis, Maryland and aro ...

'' (1939) – Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Those High Grey Walls ''Those High Grey Walls'' is a 1939 American crime film directed by Charles Vidor and starring Walter Connolly and Onslow Stevens. It is also known as ''The Gates of Alcatraz''. Plot Dr. MacAuley, a kindly beloved country doctor, is sent to Fil ...

'' (1939) – Mother (uncredited) * '' Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President'' (1939) – Gossiper (uncredited) * ''

Young Tom Edison ''Young Tom Edison'' is a 1940 biographical film about the early life of inventor Thomas Edison directed by Norman Taurog and starring Mickey Rooney. The film was the first of a complementary pair of Edison biopics that Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer releas ...

'' (1940) – Woman at Station (uncredited) * '' The Captain Is a Lady'' (1940) – Old Lady (uncredited) * '' The Golden Fleecing'' (1940) – Pedestrian (uncredited) * '' Dr. Kildare Goes Home'' (1940) – Nurse for Mr. Winslow (uncredited) * '' Third Finger, Left Hand'' (1940) – Witness at wedding (uncredited) * ''

Lady Scarface ''Lady Scarface'' is a 1941 American crime drama film that was directed by Frank Woodruff and starred Dennis O'Keefe, Judith Anderson, and Frances Neal. Plot The scar-faced gangster Slade is on the loose. Lieutenant Bill Mason travels to a ho ...

'' (1941) – Mrs. Tuckerman (uncredited) * ''

Reap the Wild Wind ''Reap the Wild Wind'' is a 1942 American adventure film produced and directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Ray Milland, John Wayne, and Paulette Goddard, with a supporting cast featuring Raymond Massey, Robert Preston, Lynne Overman, Sus ...

'' (1942) – Ettie (uncredited) * '' Keeper of the Flame'' (1942) – Mourner (uncredited) * ''

The Youngest Profession ''The Youngest Profession'' is a 1943 film directed by Edward Buzzell, and starring Virginia Weidler, Edward Arnold, John Carroll, Scotty Beckett, and Agnes Moorehead. Based on a short story series and book written by Lillian Day, it contai ...

'' (1943) – Woman (uncredited) * '' The Human Comedy'' (1943) – Woman on Street (uncredited) * ''

Hangmen Also Die! ''Hangmen Also Die!'' is a 1943 noir war film directed by the Austrian director Fritz Lang and written by John Wexley from a story by Bertolt Brecht (credited as Bert Brecht) and Lang. The film stars Hans Heinrich von Twardowski, Brian Donlevy, W ...

'' (1943) – Counterwoman (uncredited) * ''

Presenting Lily Mars ''Presenting Lily Mars'' is a 1943 American musical comedy film directed by Norman Taurog, produced by Joe Pasternak, starring Judy Garland and Van Heflin, and based on the novel by Booth Tarkington. The film is often cited as Garland's first film ...

'' (1943) – Dowager (uncredited) * '' This Land Is Mine'' (1943) – Woman in Bathroom (uncredited) * ''

Du Barry Was a Lady ''Du Barry Was a Lady'' is a Broadway musical, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, and the book by Herbert Fields and Buddy DeSylva.

'' (1943) – Subway Passenger (uncredited) * ''Black Market Rustlers'' (1943) – Mrs. Prescott (uncredited) * ''Teen Age'' (1943) – Mrs. Mary Abbott * '' Men on Her Mind'' (1944) – Mother Goodwin * '' Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble'' (1944) – Dr. Standish's Servant (uncredited) * ''

Are These Our Parents ''Are These Our Parents?'' is a 1944 American romantic drama film directed by William Nigh. It stars Helen Vinson, Lyle Talbot, Ivan Lebedeff. Plot A mother's preference for partying, boozing, and running around with an assortment of sleazy char ...

'' (1944) – Miss Winfield * ''

The Thin Man Goes Home ''The Thin Man Goes Home'' is a 1945 comedy- mystery film directed by Richard Thorpe. It is the fifth of the six '' Thin Man'' films starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Dashiell Hammett's dapper ex-private detective Nick Charles and his ...

'' (1944) – Train Passenger in Passageway (uncredited) * ''

Having Wonderful Crime ''Having Wonderful Crime'' is a 1945 American screwball comedy and mystery film directed by Eddie Sutherland from a screenplay by Howard J. Green, Stewart Sterling, and Parke Levy, based on the novel of the same name by Craig Rice. In her s ...

'' (1945) – Guest (uncredited) * ''

Adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme ...

'' (1945) – Woman in Library (uncredited)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:McDowell, Claire 1877 births 1966 deaths American film actresses American silent film actresses Actresses from New York City 20th-century American actresses American stage actresses