Edith Storey (March 18, 1892 – October 9, 1967) was an American actress during the

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 ...

era.

Early life

Storey was born on March 18, 1892, in New York City to William Chase Storey and Minnie Storey (née Thorn). Her younger brother, Richard, also had a brief acting career. Storey began acting when she was a child. Her film career began with the film ''Francesca di Rimini'' (1908), also called ''The Two Brothers''. She would have two film roles in 1908, and a total of seventy-five by 1913. Many of these films were

Westerns The Western is a genre set in the American frontier and commonly associated with folk tales of the Western United States, particularly the Southwestern United States, as well as Northern Mexico and Western Canada. It is commonly referred ...

, as Storey was reportedly an excellent horseback rider and could perform her own stunts. Nicknamed Billy at the Star Film Ranch in Texas, she earned the good will of the seasoned cowboys in the Méliès film company for her ability to "ride anything with hair on it".

Career

Storey worked for New York-based

Vitagraph Studios Vitagraph Studios, also known as the Vitagraph Company of America, was a United States motion picture studio. It was founded by J. Stuart Blackton and Albert E. Smith in 1897 in Brooklyn, New York, as the American Vitagraph Company. By 1907, ...

for most of her career except from 1910 to 1911, when she was under contract with Star Film Company in

San Antonio, Texas ("Cradle of Freedom") , image_map = , mapsize = 220px , map_caption = Interactive map of San Antonio , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = United States , subdivision_type1= State , subdivision_name1 = Texas , subdivision_t ...

.Thompson, Frank. ''The Star Film Ranch: Texas' First Picture Show''. Republic of Texas Press, 1996. She appeared in nearly 150 films between 1908 and 1921, including ''

The Immortal Alamo ''The Immortal Alamo'' is an American silent film released on May 25, 1911. ''The Immortal Alamo'' is the earliest film version of the events surrounding the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. The film was directed by William F. Haddock, and produced by ...

'' (1911), ''

A Florida Enchantment ''A Florida Enchantment'' (1914) is a silent film directed by Sidney Drew and released by the Vitagraph studio. The feature-length comedy/fantasy was shot in and around St. Augustine, Florida, where its story is set. It is notable for its cross-dre ...

'' (1914), and '' The Christian'' (1914), the latter film based on the

Hall Caine Sir Thomas Henry Hall Caine (14 May 1853 – 31 August 1931), usually known as Hall Caine, was a British novelist, dramatist, short story writer, poet and critic of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Caine's popularity during ...

novel of the same name, first made in '' 1911'' and later remade in '' 1915'' and '' 1923''. In 1918, Storey signed with Metro; ''The Eyes of Mystery'' (1918) was her debut film for that studio. She was noted for taking on male impersonation roles, such as Lillian/Lawrence in ''

'' (1924), and was compared to

Vesta Tilley Matilda Alice Powles, Lady de Frece (13May 186416September 1952) was an English music hall performer. She adopted the stage name Vesta Tilley and became one of the best-known male impersonators of her era. Her career lasted from 1869 until 19 ...

. She also referred to herself as 'Billy'.

Later life

She would appear in another seventy-one films from 1913 to 1921, almost all of which were what are considered

film short A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

s. In 1921, aged 29, she retired. She has a star on the

Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Californ ...

for her work in the film industry at 1523 Vine Street. She was residing in Northport, Long Island, New York at the time of her death on October 9, 1967, aged 75. She was cremated at Fresh Pond Crematory D.B.A. U.S. Columbarium co. on October 13, 1967.

Selected filmography

* '' Oliver Twist'' (1909) * ''

The Life of Moses ''The Life of Moses'' is a 1909 American silent epic film directed by J. Stuart Blackton and starring Pat Hartigan, Julia Arthur and William J. Humphrey. A portrayal of the biblical story of Moses, it was one of a number of prestige film base ...

'' (1909) * ''

'' (1911) * ''

A Tale of Two Cities ''A Tale of Two Cities'' is a historical novel published in 1859 by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. The novel tells the story of the French Doctor Manette, his 18-year-long imprisonment in ...

'' (1911) * ''

The Military Air-Scout ''The Military Air-Scout'' (1911) is considered by some aviation film historians as one of the first aviation films recorded worldwide. William J. Humphrey directed the two-reeler in 1911, with the cooperation of the U.S. Army authorities who a ...

'' (1911) * ''An Aeroplane Elopement'' (1911) * ''Billy and His Pal'' (AKA: ''Bobby and His Pal)'' (1911) * ''

Billy the Kid Billy the Kid (born Henry McCarty; September 17 or November 23, 1859July 14, 1881), also known by the pseudonym William H. Bonney, was an outlaw and gunfighter of the American Old West, who killed eight men before he was shot and killed at t ...

'' (1911) * ''

The Child Crusoes ''The Child Crusoes'' is a 1911 American silent black and white adventure film directed by Van Dyke Brooke, written by Marison Ziegfeld and starring Norma Talmadge, and Helene and Dolores Costello. Cast * Tefft Johnson as Captain Rhines * ...

'' (1911) * ''Never Again'' (1912) * '' Red and White Roses'' (1913) * '' Hearts of the First Empire'' (1913) *''

The Forgotten Latchkey ''The Forgotten Latchkey'' is an American silent comedy film. Plot Mr. and Mrs. Burton are staying at the residence of their friends the Moores. The Moores leave to visit Mrs. Moore's mother, and leave a key for the Burtons, who are going out to ...

'' (1913) *'' The Christian'' (1914) * ''

'' (1914) * ''

Captain Alvarez ''Captain Alvarez'' is a 1914 Vitagraph's five-reel#Motion picture terminology, reel film, based on a stage play. Written by Marguerite Bertsch, and directed by Rollin S. Sturgeon. Plot A melodrama about an American who becomes a revolutionar ...

'' (1914) * ''

The Tarantula ''The Tarantula'' is a 1916 American silent drama film written and directed by George D. Baker and starring Edith Storey and Antonio Moreno.The Two Edged Sword ''The Two Edged Sword'' is a 1916 silent Vitagraph drama directed by George D. Baker. The film was written by Eugene V. Brewster and Lillian Case Russell, and it starred Edith Storey and Evart Overton. Plot A bored married woman (Josephine E ...

'' (1916) * ''

Money Magic ''Money Magic'' is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by William Wolbert and starring Antonio Moreno, Laura Winston and Edith Storey.Goble p.872 Cast * Antonio Moreno as Ben Fordyce * Laura Winston as Mrs. Gilman * Edith Storey Edi ...

'' (1917) * '' Aladdin from Broadway'' (1917) * '' Captain of the Gray Horse Troop'' (1917) * ''

Revenge Revenge is committing a harmful action against a person or group in response to a grievance, be it real or perceived. Francis Bacon described revenge as a kind of "wild justice" that "does... offend the law ndputteth the law out of office." Pr ...

'' (1918) * ''

The Eyes of Mystery ''The Eyes of Mystery'' is a lost 1918 American silent mystery film directed by Tod Browning starring Edith Storey. Plot As described in a film magazine, Carma Carmichael (Storey), who lives with her uncle Quincy Carmichael (Andrews), is kid ...

'' (1918) * ''

The Legion of Death ''The Legion of Death'' is a 1918 American drama film directed by Tod Browning, and released by Metro Pictures Corporation. Plot As described in a film magazine, determined to lay down her life if necessary for her country, Princess Marya (St ...

'' (1918) * '' The Claim'' (1918) * ''

Treasure of the Sea ''Treasure of the Sea'' is a 1918 American silent drama film directed by Frank Reicher and starring Edith Storey, Lew Cody, and Lewis Willoughby. It was released on April 22, 1918. Cast list * Edith Storey as Margaret Elkins * Lew Cody as Jim ...

'' (1918) * '' The Demon'' (1918) * '' The Silent Woman'' (1918) * ''

As the Sun Went Down ''As the Sun Went Down'' is a 1919 American silent Western film directed by E. Mason Hopper and starring Edith Storey, Lew Cody, and Harry S. Northrup. It was released on February 10, 1919. Plot Colonel Billy is an ex-dance hall girl who has ...

'' (1919) * '' Moon Madness'' (1920) * ''

Beach of Dreams ''Beach of Dreams'' is a 1921 American silent adventure film directed by William Parke and starring Edith Storey, Noah Beery and Jack Curtis.St. Romain p.110 It is based on the 1919 novel '' The Beach of Dreams'' by Henry De Vere Stacpoole. ...

'' (1921) * ''

The Greater Profit The Greater Profit is a 1921 American lost silent crime film directed by William Worthington and starring Edith Storey. Cast *Edith Storey as Maury Brady *Pell Trenton as Captain Ward Ransom *Willis Marks as 'Nunc' Brady *Lloyd Bacon as Jim Cr ...

'' (1921)

Early life

Career

Later life

Selected filmography

References

External links