Eva Barbara Novak (February 14, 1898 – April 17, 1988) was an American film actress, who was quite popular 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.

Biography

On February 14, 1898, Eva Barbara Novak was born in

St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi River, Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the Greater St. Louis, ...

, to Joseph Jerome Novak, an immigrant from

Bohemia Bohemia ( ; cs, Čechy ; ; hsb, Čěska; szl, Czechy) is the westernmost and largest historical region of the Czech Republic. Bohemia can also refer to a wider area consisting of the historical Lands of the Bohemian Crown ruled by the Bohem ...

, and Barbara Medek. Her older sister, Johana, also became an actress. Joseph Novak died when Eva was still a child and Barbara was left to raise five children.The Independent, London, February 1990 Novak began her acting career in 1917 in L-KO's ''Roped into Scandal'', followed by another seven films that same year. She appeared in 17 films in 1918, and another eight in 1919. In 1920, she starred opposite

Tom Mix Thomas Edwin Mix (born Thomas Hezikiah Mix; January 6, 1880 – October 12, 1940) was an American film actor and the star of many early Western films between 1909 and 1935. He appeared in 291 films, all but nine of which were silent films. He w ...

in ''The Daredevil'', one of six film roles she would have that year, and one of ten films in which she starred opposite Mix. In 1921, she married

stuntman A stunt performer, often called a stuntman or stuntwoman and occasionally stuntperson or stunt-person, is a trained professional who performs daring acts, often as a career. Stunt performers usually appear in films or on television, as opposed ...

William Reed, whom she met while on location for a film. They had two daughters Vivian Barbara and Pamela Eve. Novak was interested in stunt performing herself, having been taught by Mix to perform many of her own stunts. From 1921 to 1928, she appeared in and starred in 48 films, including an early version of ''

Boston Blackie Boston Blackie is a fictional character created by author Jack Boyle (1881–1928). Blackie, a jewel thief and safecracker in Boyle's stories, became a detective in adaptations for films, radio and television—an "enemy to those who make him an ...

.'' She also co-starred with

Betty Bronson Elizabeth Ada Bronson (November 17, 1906 – October 19, 1971) was an American film and television actress who began her career during the silent film era. Early years Bronson was born in Trenton, New Jersey, to Frank and Nellie Smith Bronso ...

and

Jack Benny Jack Benny (born Benjamin Kubelsky, February 14, 1894 – December 26, 1974) was an American entertainer who evolved from a modest success playing violin on the vaudeville circuit to one of the leading entertainers of the twentieth century with ...

in '' The Medicine Man'' (1930) and appeared in the 1922 film ''Chasing the Moon'', which was an early forerunner of the 1950s film ''

D.O.A. DOA may refer to: * Dead on arrival * Dead or Alive (disambiguation) Film * ''D.O.A.'' (1949 film), a ''film noir'' * ''D.O.A.'' (1988 film), a remake of the 1949 film * '' D.O.A.: A Rite of Passage'' (1980 film), a documentary on the gene ...

'' In the late 1920s, she and her husband moved to Australia, where she made numerous films, including ''

The Romance of Runnibede ''The Romance of Runnibede'' is a 1928 Australian silent film based on an incident in a book by Steele Rudd. Unlike many Australian silent movies, a copy of it exists today. Synopsis Dorothy Winchester finishes four years of school and returns ...

''. However, with the advent of "talking films", her popularity faded. She would continue to act, but mostly in obscure roles. Eva Novak and a horse (1927)

She appeared in 123 films between 1917 and 1965, when she retired. She was residing in

Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Woodland Hills is a neighborhood bordering the Santa Monica Mountains in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California. Geography Woodland Hills is in the southwestern region of the San Fernando Valley, which is locate ...

at the time of her death from

pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severity ...

at the age of 90, on April 17, 1988. In May 1923, the ''

Altoona Tribune The ''Altoona Tribune'' was a daily newspaper in Blair County, Pennsylvania. It was in operation from 1856 to 1957. History It was launched on January 1, 1856, by Ephraim B. McCrum and William M. Allison, with equipment purchased from the defun ...

'' held a contest to find the girl who most closely resembled Novak. An announcement in the newspaper said that the winner would receive $250 worth of clothes from a store.

Selected filmography

* ''

The King of the Kitchen ''The King of the Kitchen'' is a 1918 American silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy. Cast * Harry Gribbon as The chef * Rosa Gore as Owner of the house (as Rose Gore) * Eva Novak as Gore's niece * May Emory as A crooked lady (as Mae Emo ...

'' (1918, short) * ''

The Freckled Fish ''The Freckled Fish'' is a 1919 American silent comedy film featuring Oliver Hardy. Cast * Chai Hong as Chai Chow * Oliver Hardy as Solomon Soopmeat (as Babe Hardy) * Eva Novak See also * List of American films of 1919 * Oliver Hardy filmog ...

'' (1919, short) * ''

The Speed Maniac ''The Speed Maniac'' is a lost 1919 silent action drama film directed by Edward LeSaint and starring Tom Mix and Eva Novak. It was produced and distributed by Fox Film Corporation.The Feud'' (1919) * '' Wanted at Headquarters'' (1920) * ''

The Daredevil ''The Daredevil'' (german: Der Draufgänger) is a 1931 German crime film directed by Richard Eichberg and starring Hans Albers, Gerda Maurus and Mártha Eggerth.Bock & Bergfelder p. 105 The film's sets were designed by the art directors Ha ...

'' (1920) * '' The Testing Block'' (1920) * ''

Desert Love A desert is a barren area of landscape where little precipitation occurs and, consequently, living conditions are hostile for plant and animal life. The lack of vegetation exposes the unprotected surface of the ground to denudation. About on ...

'' (1920) * '' Up in Mary's Attic'' (1920) * ''

Silk Husbands and Calico Wives ''Silk Husbands and Calico Wives'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Alfred E. Green and starring House Peters. The film was produced by Harry Garson and based on an original by Monte Katterjohn. The film is preserved at the Lib ...

'' (1920) * '' O'Malley of the Mounted'' (1921) * ''

Trailin' ''Trailin is a 1921 American silent Western mystery film directed by Lynn Reynolds and starring Tom Mix, Eva Novak and Bert Sprotte.Solomon, p. 275. Cast * Tom Mix as Anthony Woodbury * Eva Novak as Sally Fortune * Bert Sprotte as John Woodbu ...

'' (1921) * ''

The Rough Diamond ''The Rough Diamond'' is a 1921 American silent Western comedy film directed by Edward Sedgwick and starring Tom Mix, Eva Novak and Hector V. Sarno.Solomon, p. 273. Cast * Tom Mix Thomas Edwin Mix (born Thomas Hezikiah Mix; January 6, ...

'' (1921) * ''

Society Secrets ''Society Secrets'' is a 1921 American silent satire film, directed by Leo McCarey. It stars Eva Novak, Gertrude Claire, and George Verrell, and was released in February 1921. It marked McCarey's directorial debut. He didn't make a further featu ...

'' (1921) * ''

The Smart Sex ''The Smart Sex'' is a 1921 American silent comedy film directed by Fred LeRoy Granville and starring Eva Novak, Frank Braidwood and Margaret Mann.Munden p.734 Cast * Eva Novak as Rose * Frank Braidwood as Guy * Geoffrey Webb as Fred * Mayre ...

'' (1921) * ''

The Torrent Torrent or torrents may refer to: * A fast flowing stream Animals * Torrent duck, a species of the family Anatidae * Torrent fish * Torrent frog, various unrelated frogs * Torrent robin, a bird species * Torrent salamander, a family of sala ...

'' (1921) * '' The Last Trail'' (1921) * ''

Wolves of the North ''Wolves of the North'' is a 1924 American Northern drama film serial directed by and starring William Duncan. This serial is considered to be a lost film. The working title was ''The Free Traders'' and the film featured a polar bear cub nam ...

'' (1921) * ''

The Man from Hell's River ''The Man from Hell's River'', also known as simply ''Hell's River'', is a 1922 American silent Western film starring Irving Cummings, Eva Novak, and Wallace Beery. The screenplay was written by Cummings based upon the story "God of Her People" ...

'' (1922) * '' Sky High'' (1922) * '' Chasing the Moon'' (1922) * ''

The Man Who Saw Tomorrow ''The Man Who Saw Tomorrow'' is a 1981 documentary-style movie about the predictions of French astrologer and physician Michel de Notredame (Nostradamus). ''The Man Who Saw Tomorrow'' is presented (one might say "hosted") and narrated by Ors ...

'' (1922) * ''

Making a Man ''Making a Man'' is a 1922 American silent drama film produced by Adolph Zukor and Jesse L. Lasky, distributed by Paramount Pictures, and directed by Joseph Henabery.''The American Film Institute Catalog Feature Films: 1921-30'' by The Americ ...

'' (1922) * ''

Barriers of Folly ''Barriers of Folly'' is a 1922 American silent Western film directed by Edward A. Kull and starring George Larkin, Eva Novak and Wilfred Lucas.Munden, p. 40. Cast * George Larkin as Jim Buckley * Eva Novak as May Gordon * Wilfred Lucas as Wa ...

'' (1922) * ''

Up and Going ''Up and Going'' is a 1922 American silent adventure film directed by Lynn Reynolds and starring Tom Mix, Eva Novak and William Conklin.Solomon p.276 Cast * Tom Mix as David Brandon (in play) * Eva Novak as Jackie McNabb (in play) * William Con ...

'' (1922) * ''

The Great Night Great Night may refer to: * Great Night of Shiva, festival *"Great Night", song by William Beckett *"Great Night", song by Needtobreathe '' Hard Love'' * ''The Great Night'' (novel), a 2011 novel by American author Chris Adrian * ''The Great Night ...

'' (1922) * ''

The Tiger's Claw ''The Tiger's Claw'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by Joseph Henabery and written by Jack Cunningham. The film stars Jack Holt, Eva Novak, George Periolat, Bertram Grassby, Aileen Pringle, and Carl Stockdale. It was released on ...

'' (1923) * ''

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) * ''

The Man Life Passed By ''The Man Life Passed By'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by Victor Schertzinger and starring Percy Marmont, Jane Novak, and Eva Novak. The Novak sisters portray two sisters in the film. Plot As described in a film magazine revie ...

'' (1923) * ''

Dollar Devils ''Dollar Devils'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by Victor Schertzinger and starring Joseph J. Dowling, Miles McCarthy, and May Wallace. Oil is discovered outside a small New England town. Plot As described in a film magazine, ...

'' (1923) * ''

Temptation Temptation is a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment that threatens long-term goals.Webb, J.R. (Sep 2014). Incorporating Spirituality into Psychology of temptation: Conceptualization, measurement, and clinical implications. Sp ...

'' (1923) * '' Missing Daughters'' (1924) * '' Listen Lester'' (1924) * ''

The Beautiful Sinner ''The Beautiful Sinner'' is a lost 1924 American silent Western film directed by W. S. Van Dyke and starring William Fairbanks, Eva Novak and George Nichols. Cast * William Fairbanks as Henry Avery * Eva Novak as Alice Carter * George Nic ...

'' (1924) * ''

The Fatal Mistake ''The Fatal Mistake'' is a 1924 American silent crime film directed by Scott R. Dunlap and starring William Fairbanks, Eva Novak and Wilfred Lucas. Synopsis A sacked newspaper reporter and a policewoman join forces to battle a gang of criminals ...

'' (1924) * ''

Racing for Life ''Racing for Life'' is a 1924 American silent action film directed by Henry MacRae and starring Eva Novak, William Fairbanks and Philo McCullough.Munden p.627 Cast * Eva Novak as Grace Danton * William Fairbanks as Jack Grant * Philo McCullo ...

'' (1924) *''

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) * ''

Lure of the Yukon ''Lure of the Yukon'' is a 1924 American silent Western film, also classified as a Northern film. It is directed by Norman Dawn and stars Eva Novak, Spottiswoode Aitken, and Buddy Roosevelt. It is set in Alaska during the Klondike Gold Rush o ...

'' (1924) * ''

Tainted Money ''Tainted Money'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Henry MacRae and starring William Fairbanks, Eva Novak and Bruce Gordon. Cast * William Fairbanks as Chester Carlton * Eva Novak as Adams' Daughter * Bruce Gordon as Marston * E ...

'' (1924) * ''

Women First ''Women First'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by B. Reeves Eason and starring William Fairbanks, Eva Novak and Lydia Knott.Dick p.232 Cast * William Fairbanks as Billy * Eva Novak as Jennie * Lydia Knott as Mrs. Abigail Doon ...

'' (1924) * '' Laughing at Danger'' (1924) * '' The Triflers'' (1924) * '' Safeguarded'' (1924) * ''

Battling Mason ''Battling Mason'' is a 1924 American silent comedy drama film directed by William James Craft and Jack Nelson and starring Frank Merrill, Eva Novak and Joseph W. Girard.Munden p.42 Synopsis Mason a young New Yorker, who loves a fight, runs fo ...

'' (1924) *''

The Fearless Lover ''The Fearless Lover'' is a lost 1925 American silent drama film directed by Scott R. Dunlap and Henry MacRae and starring William Fairbanks, Eva Novak, and Tom Kennedy. Plot As described in a film magazine reviews, Patrick Michael Casey, son o ...

'' (1925) * ''

Northern Code ''Northern Code'' (also written as ''The Northern Code'') is a 1925 American silent Northern romantic drama film directed by Leon De La Mothe and starring Robert Ellis, Eva Novak, and Josef Swickard Josef Swickard (26 June 1866 – 1 March ...

'' (1925) * ''

Sally Sally may refer to: People *Sally (name), a list of notable people with the name Military *Sortie (siege warfare), Sally (military), an attack by the defenders of a town or fortress under siege against a besieging force; see sally port *Sally, ...

'' (1925) * ''

Irene Irene is a name derived from εἰρήνη (eirēnē), the Greek for "peace". Irene, and related names, may refer to: * Irene (given name) Places * Irene, Gauteng, South Africa * Irene, South Dakota, United States * Irene, Texas, United Stat ...

'' (1926) * ''

Say It with Babies ''Say It with Babies'' is a 1926 American silent comedy film starring Glenn Tryon and featuring Oliver Hardy. Cast * Glenn Tryon - Casper Crum * Vivien Oakland - Mrs. Crum * Oliver Hardy - Hector, the floorwalker (as Babe Hardy) * Martha Sl ...

'' (1926, short) * ''

The Millionaire Policeman ''The Millionaire Policeman'' is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by Edward LeSaint and starring Herbert Rawlinson, Eva Novak and Eugenie Besserer.Munden p.514 The son of a millionaire is ashamed when he fails to come to the assistance ...

'' (1926) * ''

The Dixie Flyer ''The Dixie Flyer'' is a 1926 American silent action film directed by Charles J. Hunt and starring Cullen Landis, Eva Novak and Ferdinand Munier.Monaco p.559 Cast * Cullen Landis as 'Sunrise' Smith * Eva Novak as Rose Rapley / Rose Jones ...

'' (1926) * ''

No Man's Gold ''No Man's Gold'' is a 1926 American silent Western film directed by Lewis Seiler and written by John Stone. The film stars Tom Mix, Eva Novak, Frank Campeau, Mickey Moore, Malcolm Waite, and Forrest Taylor. The film was released on August 29, ...

'' (1926) * '' 30 Below Zero'' (1926) * ''

'' (1927) * '' Red Signals'' (1927) * ''

Duty's Reward ''Duty's Reward'' is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Bertram Bracken and starring Alan Roscoe, Eva Novak and Lou Archer.Connelly p.343 Cast * Alan Roscoe as Richard Webster * Eva Novak as Dorothy Thompson * Lou Archer as 'Peek' ...

'' (1927) * ''

For the Term of His Natural Life ''For the Term of His Natural Life'' is a story written by Marcus Clarke and published in '' The Australian Journal'' between 1870 and 1872 (as ''His Natural Life''). It was published as a novel in 1874 and is the best known novelisation of life ...

'' (1927) * ''

'' (1928) * '' The Medicine Man'' (1930) * ''

The Phantom of the Desert ''The Phantom of the Desert'' is a 1930 American western film directed by Harry S. Webb and starring Jack Perrin, Eva Novak and Josef Swickard.Pitts p.248 Cast * Jack Perrin as Jack Saunders * Eva Novak as Mary Van Horn * Josef Swickard as Co ...

'' (1930) * ''

Dangerous Intrigue ''Dangerous Intrigue'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by David Selman and starring Ralph Bellamy, Gloria Shea and Joan Perry.Monaco p.49 Main cast * Ralph Bellamy as Tony Halliday * Gloria Shea as Gerta Kosovic * Joan Perry as Carol A ...

'' (1936) * '' Ride a Crooked Mile '' (1938) * ''

The Topeka Terror ''The Topeka Terror'' is a 1945 American Western film directed by Howard Bretherton, written by Patricia Harper and Norman S. Hall, and starring Allan Lane, Linda Stirling, Earle Hodgins, Twinkle Watts, Roy Barcroft and Bud Geary. It was relea ...

'' (1945) * ''

Apology for Murder ''Apology for Murder'' is a 1945 American film noir directed by Sam Newfield and starring Ann Savage, Hugh Beaumont, Russell Hicks and Charles D. Brown. The plot of ''Apology for Murder'' is a blatant rip-off of the seminal film noir '' Double ...

'' (1945) * ''

Corpus Christi Bandits ''Corpus Christi Bandits'' is a 1945 American Western film directed by Wallace Grissell and written by Norman S. Hall. The film stars Allan Lane, Helen Talbot, Jack Kirk, Twinkle Watts, Francis McDonald and Roy Barcroft. The film was released ...

'' (1945) * ''

Three's a Crowd ''Three's a Crowd'' (also known as ''Three's Company, Too'' in the ''Three's Company'' syndication package) is an American sitcom television series produced as a spin-off continuation of ''Three's Company'' that aired on ABC from September 25 ...

'' (1945) * '' Claudia and David'' (1946) * ''

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 ...

'' (1947) * ''

Four Faces West ''Four Faces West'' is a 1948 American Western film starring Joel McCrea, his real-life wife Frances Dee, and Charles Bickford. It is based on the novel ''Pasó por aquí'' by Eugene Manlove Rhodes. Its plot concerns a down-on-his-luck cow ...

'' (1948) * ''

3 Godfathers ''3 Godfathers'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by John Ford and filmed (although not set) primarily in Death Valley, California. The screenplay, written by Frank S. Nugent and Laurence Stallings, is based on the 1913 novelette '' Th ...

'' (1948) * ''

Havana Rose ''Havana Rose'' is a 1951 American musical comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring Estelita Rodriguez, Bill Williams and Hugh Herbert. It was one of a number of American films set in Havana during the era.Pérez Firmat p.54 Plot T ...

'' (1951) * ''

Sergeant Rutledge ''Sergeant Rutledge'' is a 1960 American Technicolor Western film directed by John Ford and starring Jeffrey Hunter, Constance Towers, Woody Strode and Billie Burke. Six decades later, the film continues to attract attention because it was one ...

'' (1960) * ''

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance ''The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance'' () is a 1962 American Western film directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and James Stewart. The screenplay by James Warner Bellah and Willis Goldbeck was adapted from a 1953 short story written by ...

'' (1962) * '' Wild Seed'' (1965)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Novak, Eva 1898 births 1988 deaths American film actresses American silent film actresses Actresses from St. Louis 20th-century American actresses Deaths from pneumonia in California American people of Bohemian descent American people of Czech descent