Cristina Montt (May 10, 1895 – April 22, 1969), was a Chilean film star of silent and early sound films.

Early life

She was born in Chile in 1895 into the well-known, political

Montt family The Montt family of Chile, descended from Catalan immigrants to the country, includes a number of people who achieved political office and prominence in other fields: * José Anacleto Montt Goyenechea (1802–1867): lawyer and politician *Manuel ...

. Her granduncle, Manuel Montt, was twice president of Chile. Two other uncles also served as presidents of the South American nation. She moved to Los Angeles and became friendly with the big names in the film industry of the time. She first appeared in motion pictures in the United States in 1924. She performed in about 10 films between 1924 and 1938. For the most part her roles were very small. On July 5, 1927, she announced her engagement to Mario Morano. He was also from an aristocratic South American family and worked in the film industry. Their romance began in Hollywood. Morano's real name was Mario Albuquerque De Maranhoa. He was the son of a Brazilian jurist. Morano came to the US in early 1927 after serving in the Brazilian diplomatic service. The planned wedding was cancelled only a few months later, in August. Cristina said that their Latin temperaments would make their marriage inadvisable.

Career

She worked for

First National Pictures First National Pictures was an American motion picture production and distribution company. It was founded in 1917 as First National Exhibitors' Circuit, Inc., an association of independent theatre owners in the United States, and became the count ...

. Her film career lasted until the late 1930s. She played the Infanta of Spain in ''

The Sea Hawk ''The Sea Hawk'' is a 1915 novel by Rafael Sabatini. The story is set over the years 1588–1593 and concerns a retired Cornish seafaring gentleman, Sir Oliver Tressilian, who is villainously betrayed by a jealous half-brother. After being ...

'' (1924) of Frank Lloyd, and portrayed "Señorita González" in ''

Rose of the Golden West ''Rose of the Golden West'' is a surviving 1927 American silent romantic drama film produced by Richard A. Rowland and released by First National Pictures. It was directed by George Fitzmaurice and starred Mary Astor and Gilbert Roland. Cast ...

'', with Mary Astor. Her final roles were "Suzie" in Sam Wood's '' Madam X'' (1937), and uncredited ones in ''I'll Give A Million'' (1938) and '' Suez'' (1938).

Later life

On August 27, 1927, the engagement of Cristina Montt and Mario Marano, both of the films and each representing families high in South American political circles, was broken, after existing only for a few months. Miss Montt said that she and Marano had decided their temperaments would make their marriage inadvisable. In July 1928 Cristina Montt joined actors Al Jolson,

Carmel Myers Carmel Myers (April 9, 1899 – November 9, 1980) was an American actress who achieved her greatest successes in silent film. Early life Myers was born in San Francisco, the daughter of Isidore Myers, a Russian-Jewish rabbi who was born in ...

, and other motion picture persons for an event to benefit the United Jewish Appeal. It was held at the Breaker's Club in Santa Monica, California. In 1935 she appeared in municipal court in Los Angeles, California on a drunken driving charge. The judge gave her a thirty-day suspended sentence after she proved that she had recently suffered a nervous breakdown. It was reported that Cristina was 34 years of age and was the widow of a former Chilean ambassador to Japan. Cristina Montt died of coronary failure in Hollywood on April 22, 1969.

Filmography

*''

'' (1924) - The Infanta of Spain *''

Circe, the Enchantress ''Circe, the Enchantress'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Robert Z. Leonard. The film starred Leonard's then-wife Mae Murray. This was their last collaboration, and they divorced soon after. Considered to be a lost film for de ...

'' (1924) - uncredited (aka Circe) *'' The Fast Set'' (1924) (uncredited) *''

Love's Wilderness ''Love's Wilderness'' is a 1924 American drama film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and written by Helen Klumph and Eve Unsell. The film stars Corinne Griffith, Holmes Herbert, Ian Keith, Maurice de Canonge, Emily Fitzroy Emily Fitzroy (24 May ...

'' (1924) (uncredited) *'' The Dressmaker from Paris'' (1925) - uncredited *''

'' (1927) - Señorita González *''El Último de los Vargas'' (1930) *''Alma de Gaucho'' (1930) - Dona Cristina *'' Fifty Fathoms Deep'' (1931) - Conchita *'' Three on a Honeymoon'' (1934) - uncredited (Fortune Teller in Algerian Cafe) *''

Madame X ''Madame X'' (original title ''La Femme X'') is a 1908 play by French playwright Alexandre Bisson (1848–1912). It was novelized in English and adapted for the American stage; it was also adapted for the screen twelve times over sixty-five ...

'' (1937) - uncredited (Suzie) *'' I'll Give a Million'' (1938) - uncredited (Streetwalker) *'' Suez'' (1938) - uncredited (Maid)

References

*'' Los Angeles Times'', "Chilean Girl In Film Romance", July 6, 1927, Page A1. *''Los Angeles Times'', "Actors Aid Appeal", July 26, 1928, Page A8. *''Los Angeles Times'', April 5, 1935, Page A1. *'' Oakland Tribune'', "Movie Actors End Betrothal", August 26, 1927, Page 4.

External links

*
''The New York Times'': "Montt-Marano Engagement Broken" (August 27, 1927)Genealogical chart of Montt family
{{DEFAULTSORT:Montt, Cristina 1895 births 1969 deaths People from Talcahuano Chilean people of Catalan descent

Cristina Montt Cristina Montt (May 10, 1895 – April 22, 1969), was a Chilean film star of silent and early sound films. Early life She was born in Chile in 1895 into the well-known, political Montt family. Her granduncle, Manuel Montt, was twice president o ...

Chilean silent film actresses Chilean film actresses Chilean emigrants to the United States