![Roi Cooper Megrue](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/24/Roi_Cooper_Megrue.jpg)
Roi Cooper Megrue (June 12, 1882 – February 27, 1927) was an American playwright, producer, and director active on Broadway from 1914 to 1921.
Biography
Roi Cooper Megrue was born on June 12, 1882, in New York City, the son of the son of Frank Newton Megrue, a stockbroker, and Stella Georgiana Cooper.
He attended
Trinity School (New York City)
Trinity School (also known as Trinity) is a highly selective independent, preparatory, co-educational day school for grades K–12 located in the Upper West Side neighborhood in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, United States, ...
and graduated (A.B.) in 1903 from
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 ...
, where he engaged in college theatricals.
He wrote the libretto for ''The Isle of Illusia'', an all-male operetta that included a caricature of
Clyde Fitch
Clyde Fitch (May 2, 1865 – September 4, 1909) was an American dramatist, the most popular writer for the Broadway stage of his time (c. 1890–1909).
Biography
Born in Elmira, New York, and educated at Holderness School and Amherst College (c ...
, of whom Megrue became a close friend.
At Columbia he met, and became a friend, of future Broadway actor
Ralph Morgan
Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann (July 6, 1883 – June 11, 1956), known professionally as Ralph Morgan, was a Hollywood stage and film character actor, and the older brother of Frank Morgan.
Early life
Morgan was born in New York City, the eig ...
.
Cooper worked with
Elisabeth Marbury
Elisabeth "Bessie" Marbury (June 19, 1856 – January 22, 1933) was a pioneering American theatrical and literary agent and producer who helped shape business methods of the modern commercial theater, and encouraged women to enter that industry. ...
as a play broker
before starting his career as playwright.
He had a key role in the
Dramatists Guild
The Dramatists Guild of America is a professional organization for playwrights, composers, and lyricists working in the U.S. theatre market.
Membership as an Associate Member is open to any person having written at least one stage play. Active Mem ...
.
In 1917 he co-produced the first Pulitzer Prize-winner, ''
Why Marry?''. The 1921 play ''Honors Are Even'' is Megrue's final Broadway credit; the play was not well received by
Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker (née Rothschild; August 22, 1893 – June 7, 1967) was an American poet, writer, critic, and satirist based in New York; she was known for her wit, wisecracks, and eye for 20th-century urban foibles.
From a conflicted and unhap ...
, who said it was sweet, clean, wholesome and... dull.
His last work was the 1925 adaptation of ''Venice for Two'' from the French play by
Sacha Guitry.
He never married and died on February 27, 1927, in New York City. According to the obituary on ''Variety'', his "affectionate relationship with his mother was epic" and they shared an artistically furnished apartment.
He is buried at
Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx, New York)
Woodlawn Cemetery is one of the largest cemeteries in New York City and a designated National Historic Landmark. Located south of Woodlawn Heights, Bronx, New York City, it has the character of a rural cemetery. Woodlawn Cemetery opened during t ...
with his mother.
The Roi Cooper Megrue Scholarship is awarded annually to a self-supporting student in Columbia College who, in the opinion of the Trustees, merits the award because of qualities of industry, ambition and intelligence.
Career
The 1912 play ''White Magic'' was written by Roi Cooper Megrue and
David Graham Phillips
David Graham Phillips (October 31, 1867 – January 24, 1911) was an American novelist and journalist of the muckraker tradition.
Early life
Phillips was born in Madison, Indiana. After graduating from high school, Phillips entered Asbury ...
and produced Liebler & Co. It opened at the
Criterion Theatre
The Criterion Theatre is a West End theatre at Piccadilly Circus in the City of Westminster, and is a Grade II* listed building. It has a seating capacity of 588.
Building the theatre
In 1870, the caterers Spiers and Pond began developmen ...
on 24 January 1912. It closed in February 1912 after 21 performances. It starred Florence Brian, Ruth Chester, Charles Dowd,
Gertrude Elliott
Gertrude Elliott (December 14, 1874 — December 24, 1950), later Lady Forbes-Robertson, was an American stage actress, part of an extended family of theatre professionals including her husband, Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson, and her elder siste ...
, Ben Johnson,
George Le Guere,
Julian L'Estrange
Julian L'Estrange (born Julian Boyle; 6 August 1880 – 22 October 1918) was an English-born stage actor who later made a handful of silent films for Paramount Pictures. He married fellow performer Constance Collier at All Saints Church in Londo ...
, Suzanne Perry, Alexander Scott-Gatty, Suzanne Sheldon.
File:David Graham Phillips.jpg, David Graham Phillips
David Graham Phillips (October 31, 1867 – January 24, 1911) was an American novelist and journalist of the muckraker tradition.
Early life
Phillips was born in Madison, Indiana. After graduating from high school, Phillips entered Asbury ...
File:GertrudeElliott.tif, Gertrude Elliott
Gertrude Elliott (December 14, 1874 — December 24, 1950), later Lady Forbes-Robertson, was an American stage actress, part of an extended family of theatre professionals including her husband, Sir Johnston Forbes-Robertson, and her elder siste ...
File:George LeGuere - May 1919 MPW.jpg, George Le Guere
File:Julian L'Estrange.jpg, Julian L'Estrange
Julian L'Estrange (born Julian Boyle; 6 August 1880 – 22 October 1918) was an English-born stage actor who later made a handful of silent films for Paramount Pictures. He married fellow performer Constance Collier at All Saints Church in Londo ...
The 1912 play ''An Unlucky Star'' (1-act) was written by Roi Cooper Megrue.
The 1913 play ''The Neglected Lady'' was written by Roi Cooper Megrue and produced on Broadway.
The 1914 farce ''
It Pays to Advertise'' was written by Roi Cooper Megrue and
Walter Hackett. It opened at the Cohan Theatre on 8 September 1914
[Megrue and Hackett (1917), p. 3] and ran for nearly a year. It opened at the
Bronx Opera House on 20 September 1915 produced by Cohan & Harris. The playwrights substantially rewrote the play for a new production in London by the actor-manager
Tom Walls
Thomas Kirby Walls (18 February 1883 – 27 November 1949) was an English stage and film actor, producer and director, best known for presenting and co-starring in the Aldwych farces in the 1920s and for starring in and directing the film adapt ...
, at the
Aldwych Theatre
The Aldwych Theatre is a West End theatre, located in Aldwych in the City of Westminster, central London. It was listed Grade II on 20 July 1971. Its seating capacity is 1,200 on three levels.
History
Origins
The theatre was constructed in th ...
. It opened on 2 February 1924 and closed on 10 July 1925, a total of 598 performances. The 1919 (now lost) silent drama movie ''
It Pays to Advertise'' was directed by
Donald Crisp
Donald William Crisp (27 July 188225 May 1974) was an English film actor as well as an early producer, director and screenwriter. His career lasted from the early silent film era into the 1960s. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor ...
and written by
Elmer Blaney Harris
Elmer Blaney Harris (January 11, 1878 – September 6, 1966) was an American author, dramatist, and playwright.
Biography
Harris was born in Chicago, Illinois as the youngest of eight children. He moved with his family to Oakland, Californ ...
. The film stars
Bryant Washburn,
Lois Wilson,
Frank Currier
Frank Currier (September 4, 1857 – April 22, 1928) was an American film and stage actor and director of the silent era.
Career
Similar to Theodore Roberts, Kate Lester, Ida Waterman, and William H. Crane, Currier had a long and succe ...
,
Walter Hiers
Walter Hiers (July 18, 1893 – February 27, 1933) was an American silent film actor.
Biography
Born in 1893, during his two decade-long acting career spanning from 1912 to 1932, Hiers acted in 101 films. He was a particularly prolific actor w ...
,
Clarence Geldart
Clarence Geldart (June 9, 1867 – May 13, 1935) was an American film actor. He appeared in 127 films between 1915 and 1936. He was sometimes credited as C.H. Geldart or Charles H. Geldart.
He was born in New Brunswick, Canada, and died i ...
, and
Julia Faye
Julia Faye Maloney (September 24, 1892 – April 6, 1966), known professionally as Julia Faye, was an American actress of silent and sound films. She was known for her appearances in more than 30 Cecil B. DeMille productions. Her various roles ...
. The film was released on November 23, 1919, by
Paramount Pictures. It was
remade in 1931 starring
Norman Foster
Norman or Normans may refer to:
Ethnic and cultural identity
* The Normans, a people partly descended from Norse Vikings who settled in the territory of Normandy in France in the 10th and 11th centuries
** People or things connected with the Nor ...
and
Carole Lombard, and directed by
Frank Tuttle.
File:Donald Crisp as Grant 1915.jpg, Donald Crisp
Donald William Crisp (27 July 188225 May 1974) was an English film actor as well as an early producer, director and screenwriter. His career lasted from the early silent film era into the 1960s. He won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor ...
File:Bryant Washburn.lowrey.jpg, Bryant Washburn
File:LoisWilson.jpg, Lois Wilson
File:Frank Currier 1921.jpg, Frank Currier
Frank Currier (September 4, 1857 – April 22, 1928) was an American film and stage actor and director of the silent era.
Career
Similar to Theodore Roberts, Kate Lester, Ida Waterman, and William H. Crane, Currier had a long and succe ...
File:Walter_Hiers.jpg, Walter Hiers
Walter Hiers (July 18, 1893 – February 27, 1933) was an American silent film actor.
Biography
Born in 1893, during his two decade-long acting career spanning from 1912 to 1932, Hiers acted in 101 films. He was a particularly prolific actor w ...
The 1915 play ''Under Cover'' was written by Roi Cooper Megrue and produced by Selwyn & Co. It opened at the
Cort Theatre
The James Earl Jones Theatre, originally the Cort Theatre, is a Broadway theater at 138 West 48th Street, between Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue, in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States. It was built in ...
on 26 August 1914 directed by Roi Cooper Megrue and closed in June 1915 after 349 performances. It starred
Lily Cahill
Lily Cahill (July 17, 1888 – July 20, 1955) was an American stage and screen actress.
Early life
Lily Cahill was born July 17, 1888 in San Antonio, Texas. She was the granddaughter of Confederate Army Colonel John Jacob Myers.
Career
She bega ...
,
William Courtenay
William Courtenay ( 134231 July 1396) was Archbishop of Canterbury (1381–1396), having previously been Bishop of Hereford and Bishop of London.
Early life and education
Courtenay was a younger son of Hugh de Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon ( ...
, Harry Crosby, Wilfred Draycott, Lola Fisher,
Phoebe Foster
Phoebe Foster (born Angeline Egar; July 9, 1896 – June 1975) was an American theater and film actress.
Career
Foster studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She began appearing on Broadway in 1914, starting with a production of Roi ...
,
DeWitt Jennings
DeWitt Clarke Jennings (June 21, 1871 – March 1, 1937) was an American film and stage actor. He appeared in 17 Broadway plays between 1906 and 1920, and in more than 150 films between 1915 and 1937.
Biography
He was born in Cameron, Misso ...
, John May,
Ralph Morgan
Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann (July 6, 1883 – June 11, 1956), known professionally as Ralph Morgan, was a Hollywood stage and film character actor, and the older brother of Frank Morgan.
Early life
Morgan was born in New York City, the eig ...
, Rae Selwyn, George Stevens,
Lucile Watson
Lucile Watson (May 27, 1879 – June 24, 1962) was a Canadian actress, long based in the United States. She was "famous for her roles of formidable dowagers."
Early years
Watson was born in Quebec and raised in Ottawa, the daughter of an off ...
, Jay Wilson. It opened at the
Bronx Opera House on 27 September 1915. The 1916 (now lost) silent drama movie ''
Under Cover'' was directed by
Robert G. Vignola
Robert G. Vignola (born Rocco Giuseppe Vignola, August 7, 1882 – October 25, 1953) was an Italian-American actor, screenwriter, and film director. A former stage actor, he appeared in many motion pictures produced by Kalem Company and later mov ...
and written by Doty Hobart and Roi Cooper Megrue. The film stars
Hazel Dawn
Hazel Dawn (born Henrietta Hazel Tout; March 23, 1890 – August 28, 1988) was an American stage, film and television actress, and violinist. She was born to a Mormon family in Utah, and studied music in Europe where her father was a missionary. ...
,
Owen Moore
Owen Moore (12 December 1886 – 9 June 1939) was an Irish-born American actor, appearing in more than 279 movies spanning from 1908 to 1937.
Early life and career
Moore was born in Fordstown Crossroads, County Meath, Ireland. Along with his ...
,
William Courtleigh Jr., Ethel Fleming,
Frank Losee, and
Ida Darling
Ida Darling (February 23, 1880 – June 5, 1936) was an American actress of the stage and in silent motion pictures.
Biography
Darling was born in New York City. She performed on the New York stage for 40 years. During the 10 years she re ...
. The film was released on July 20, 1916, by
Paramount Pictures.
File:Lily Cahill 1.jpg, Lily Cahill
Lily Cahill (July 17, 1888 – July 20, 1955) was an American stage and screen actress.
Early life
Lily Cahill was born July 17, 1888 in San Antonio, Texas. She was the granddaughter of Confederate Army Colonel John Jacob Myers.
Career
She bega ...
File:The Hunting of the Hawk.jpg, William Courtenay
William Courtenay ( 134231 July 1396) was Archbishop of Canterbury (1381–1396), having previously been Bishop of Hereford and Bishop of London.
Early life and education
Courtenay was a younger son of Hugh de Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon ( ...
File:Phoebe Foster in Vanity Fair March 1916.jpg, Phoebe Foster
Phoebe Foster (born Angeline Egar; July 9, 1896 – June 1975) was an American theater and film actress.
Career
Foster studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She began appearing on Broadway in 1914, starting with a production of Roi ...
File:DeWitt Jennings.jpg, DeWitt Jennings
DeWitt Clarke Jennings (June 21, 1871 – March 1, 1937) was an American film and stage actor. He appeared in 17 Broadway plays between 1906 and 1920, and in more than 150 films between 1915 and 1937.
Biography
He was born in Cameron, Misso ...
File:Ralph Morgan, 1920s.jpg, Ralph Morgan
Raphael Kuhner Wuppermann (July 6, 1883 – June 11, 1956), known professionally as Ralph Morgan, was a Hollywood stage and film character actor, and the older brother of Frank Morgan.
Early life
Morgan was born in New York City, the eig ...
File:Lucile Watson.jpg, Lucile Watson
Lucile Watson (May 27, 1879 – June 24, 1962) was a Canadian actress, long based in the United States. She was "famous for her roles of formidable dowagers."
Early years
Watson was born in Quebec and raised in Ottawa, the daughter of an off ...
File:Robert G. Vignola.lowrey.jpg, Robert G. Vignola
Robert G. Vignola (born Rocco Giuseppe Vignola, August 7, 1882 – October 25, 1953) was an Italian-American actor, screenwriter, and film director. A former stage actor, he appeared in many motion pictures produced by Kalem Company and later mov ...
File:Hazel Dawn on The Theatre cover, August 1914 (crop).jpg, Hazel Dawn
Hazel Dawn (born Henrietta Hazel Tout; March 23, 1890 – August 28, 1988) was an American stage, film and television actress, and violinist. She was born to a Mormon family in Utah, and studied music in Europe where her father was a missionary. ...
File:Owen Moore 1914.jpg, Owen Moore
Owen Moore (12 December 1886 – 9 June 1939) was an Irish-born American actor, appearing in more than 279 movies spanning from 1908 to 1937.
Early life and career
Moore was born in Fordstown Crossroads, County Meath, Ireland. Along with his ...
File:William Courtleigh, Jr..JPG, William Courtleigh Jr.
File:Frank Losee 001.jpg, Frank Losee
File:Ida Darling in Irene (1926) 2.jpg, Ida Darling
Ida Darling (February 23, 1880 – June 5, 1936) was an American actress of the stage and in silent motion pictures.
Biography
Darling was born in New York City. She performed on the New York stage for 40 years. During the 10 years she re ...
The 1915 play ''Abe and Mawruss'' (or ''Potash and Perlmutter in Society'') was written by Roi Cooper Megrue and
Montague Glass and produced by
Albert H. Woods. It opened at the
Lyric Theatre on 21 October 1915 and closed in April 1916.
[Kaufman, Julian M. (2003). "A. H. Woods, Producer: A Thrill a Minute, A Laugh a Second!". In Gewirtz, Arthur & Kolb, James J. (eds.). Art, Glitter, and Glitz: Mainstream Playwrights and Popular Theatre in 1920s America. Westport, Connecticut: Praeger. p. 209–210. . OCLC 834126701]
The 1915 play ''Under Fire'' was written by Roi Cooper Megrue and produced by Selwyn & Co. It opened at the
Hudson Theatre
The Hudson Theatre is a Broadway theater at 139–141 West 44th Street, between Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue, in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. One of the oldest surviving Broadway venues, the Hudson was built ...
on 11 September 1915 co-directed by
William Courtenay
William Courtenay ( 134231 July 1396) was Archbishop of Canterbury (1381–1396), having previously been Bishop of Hereford and Bishop of London.
Early life and education
Courtenay was a younger son of Hugh de Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon ( ...
and Roi Cooper Megrue and closed in January 1916 after 129 performances. It starred Dorothy Abbott, Sydney Chon,
William Courtenay
William Courtenay ( 134231 July 1396) was Archbishop of Canterbury (1381–1396), having previously been Bishop of Hereford and Bishop of London.
Early life and education
Courtenay was a younger son of Hugh de Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon ( ...
,
Frank Craven
Frank Craven (August 24, 1875September 1, 1945) was an American stage and film actor, playwright, and screenwriter, best known for originating the role of the Stage Manager in Thornton Wilder's ''Our Town''.
Early years
Craven's parents, John T ...
, Robert Fischer,
Phoebe Foster
Phoebe Foster (born Angeline Egar; July 9, 1896 – June 1975) was an American theater and film actress.
Career
Foster studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She began appearing on Broadway in 1914, starting with a production of Roi ...
,
Violet Heming
Violet Heming (27 January 1895 – 4 July 1981) was an English stage and screen actress. Her name sometimes appeared as Violet Hemming in newspapers.
Biography
Born Violet Hemming in Leeds, Yorkshire, she was the daughter of Alfred Hemming w ...
, Edward Hicks, Felix Krembs,
Frank Morgan
Francis Phillip Wuppermann (June 1, 1890 – September 18, 1949), known professionally as Frank Morgan, was an American character actor. He was best known for his appearances in films starting in the silent era in 1916, and then numerous sound ...
, McKay Morris,
Edward G. Robinson, Malise Sheridan,
Henry Stephenson
Henry Stephenson (born Harry Stephenson Garraway; 16 April 1871 – 24 April 1956) was a British actor. He portrayed friendly and wise gentlemen in many films of the 1930s and 1940s. Among his roles were Sir Joseph Banks in ''Mutiny on the Bou ...
, Norman Tharp, Harland Tucker, Jack Wessel.
File:William Courtleigh, Jr..JPG, William Courtleigh Jr.
File:Frank Craven.jpg, Frank Craven
Frank Craven (August 24, 1875September 1, 1945) was an American stage and film actor, playwright, and screenwriter, best known for originating the role of the Stage Manager in Thornton Wilder's ''Our Town''.
Early years
Craven's parents, John T ...
File:Phoebe Foster in Vanity Fair March 1916.jpg, Phoebe Foster
Phoebe Foster (born Angeline Egar; July 9, 1896 – June 1975) was an American theater and film actress.
Career
Foster studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She began appearing on Broadway in 1914, starting with a production of Roi ...
File:Violet Heming.jpg, Violet Heming
Violet Heming (27 January 1895 – 4 July 1981) was an English stage and screen actress. Her name sometimes appeared as Violet Hemming in newspapers.
Biography
Born Violet Hemming in Leeds, Yorkshire, she was the daughter of Alfred Hemming w ...
File:Frank Morgan-publicity.JPG, Frank Morgan
Francis Phillip Wuppermann (June 1, 1890 – September 18, 1949), known professionally as Frank Morgan, was an American character actor. He was best known for his appearances in films starting in the silent era in 1916, and then numerous sound ...
File:Edward G. Robinson - still.jpg, Edward G. Robinson
File:Henry Stephenson.jpg, Henry Stephenson
Henry Stephenson (born Harry Stephenson Garraway; 16 April 1871 – 24 April 1956) was a British actor. He portrayed friendly and wise gentlemen in many films of the 1930s and 1940s. Among his roles were Sir Joseph Banks in ''Mutiny on the Bou ...
The 1916 play ''
Seven Chances
''Seven Chances'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by and starring Buster Keaton, based on the play of the same name by Roi Cooper Megrue, produced in 1916 by David Belasco. Additional cast members include T. Roy Barnes, Snitz Ed ...
'' was written by Roi Cooper Megrue and produced by
David Belasco
David Belasco (July 25, 1853 – May 14, 1931) was an American theatrical producer, impresario, director, and playwright. He was the first writer to adapt the short story ''Madame Butterfly'' for the stage. He launched the theatrical career of ...
. It opened at the George M. Cohan's Theatre on 8 August 1916. It moved to the
Belasco Theatre
The Belasco Theatre is a Broadway theater at 111 West 44th Street, between Seventh Avenue and Sixth Avenue, in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City. Originally known as the Stuyvesant Theatre, it was built in 1907 an ...
on 23 October 1916 and closed in December 1916 after 151 performances. It starred Marion Abbott, Charles Brokate, Emily Callaway, Alice Carroll,
Frank Craven
Frank Craven (August 24, 1875September 1, 1945) was an American stage and film actor, playwright, and screenwriter, best known for originating the role of the Stage Manager in Thornton Wilder's ''Our Town''.
Early years
Craven's parents, John T ...
,
Florence Deshon
Florence Deshon (born Florence Danks; July 19, 1893February 4, 1922) was an American motion picture actress in silent films. Born in Tacoma, Washington, Deshon began her film career in 1915, appearing in '' The Beloved Vagabond'', and would la ...
, Hayward Ginn,
Otto Kruger,
Rowland V. Lee, Harry Leighton, Helen MacKellar,
Carroll McComas, Anne Meredith, Lillian Spencer, Allen Thomas, Beverly West. It was adapted for the screen in 1925 as ''
Seven Chances
''Seven Chances'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by and starring Buster Keaton, based on the play of the same name by Roi Cooper Megrue, produced in 1916 by David Belasco. Additional cast members include T. Roy Barnes, Snitz Ed ...
'' and in 1999 as ''
The Bachelor''. The 1925 silent comedy movie ''
Seven Chances
''Seven Chances'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by and starring Buster Keaton, based on the play of the same name by Roi Cooper Megrue, produced in 1916 by David Belasco. Additional cast members include T. Roy Barnes, Snitz Ed ...
'' was directed by and starring
Buster Keaton. Additional cast members include
T. Roy Barnes,
Snitz Edwards
Snitz Edwards (born Edward Neumann, 1 January 1868 – 1 May 1937) was a stage and character actor of the early years of the silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialog ...
and
Ruth Dwyer.
Jean Arthur
Jean Arthur (born Gladys Georgianna Greene; October 17, 1900 – June 19, 1991) was an American Broadway and film actress whose career began in silent films in the early 1920s and lasted until the early 1950s.
Arthur had feature roles in three F ...
, a future star, has an uncredited supporting role. The 1999 romantic comedy movie ''
The Bachelor'' was directed by
Gary Sinyor
Gary Sinyor (born Manchester, England, 1962) is an English film director, producer, and writer.
Sinyor was raised in a Sephardic Jewish upbringing, before going on to the National Film and Television School. As the co-writer, co-producer, and ...
and written by Steve Cohen. It stars
Chris O'Donnell
Christopher Eugene O'Donnell (born June 26, 1970) is an American actor and former model. He played Charlie Sims in '' Scent of a Woman'', Chris Reece in ''School Ties'', D'Artagnan in ''The Three Musketeers'', Jack Foley in the drama film '' ...
and
Renée Zellweger
Renée Kathleen Zellweger (; born April 25, 1969) is an American actress. The recipient of various accolades, including two Academy Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards, she was one of the world's highest-paid ...
. The film was also the debut of
Mariah Carey as an actress.
File:David Belasco circa 1915 oval portrait.jpg, David Belasco
David Belasco (July 25, 1853 – May 14, 1931) was an American theatrical producer, impresario, director, and playwright. He was the first writer to adapt the short story ''Madame Butterfly'' for the stage. He launched the theatrical career of ...
File:Frank Craven.jpg, Frank Craven
Frank Craven (August 24, 1875September 1, 1945) was an American stage and film actor, playwright, and screenwriter, best known for originating the role of the Stage Manager in Thornton Wilder's ''Our Town''.
Early years
Craven's parents, John T ...
File:Duds (1920) - 3.jpg, Florence Deshon
Florence Deshon (born Florence Danks; July 19, 1893February 4, 1922) was an American motion picture actress in silent films. Born in Tacoma, Washington, Deshon began her film career in 1915, appearing in '' The Beloved Vagabond'', and would la ...
File:Otto Kruger 1955.JPG, Otto Kruger
File:Rowland-Lee-1928.jpg, Rowland V. Lee
File:Carroll McComas - Feb 1920 Motion Picture Magazine.jpg, Carroll McComas
File:Busterkeaton edit.jpg, Buster Keaton
File:T. Roy Barnes. Cover of Sphinx (Feb. 1910).jpg, T. Roy Barnes
File:Snitz Edwards.jpg, Snitz Edwards
Snitz Edwards (born Edward Neumann, 1 January 1868 – 1 May 1937) was a stage and character actor of the early years of the silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialog ...
File:Jean Arthur - signed.jpg, Jean Arthur
Jean Arthur (born Gladys Georgianna Greene; October 17, 1900 – June 19, 1991) was an American Broadway and film actress whose career began in silent films in the early 1920s and lasted until the early 1950s.
Arthur had feature roles in three F ...
The 1916 play ''Under Sentence'' was written by Roi Cooper Megrue and
Irvin S. Cobb and produced by Selwyn & Co. It opened at the
Harris Theatre on 3 October 1916 directed by Roi Cooper Megrue and closed in November 1916 after 55 performances. It starred
Janet Beecher
Janet Beecher (born Janet Meysenberg; October 21, 1884 – August 6, 1955) was an American stage and screen actress.
Early years
The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Von Meysenburg, Beecher was born in Jefferson City, Missouri. Her sister was ...
, John A. Boone, Harry Crosby, Stephen Denbeigh, E.H. Dresser, Laurence Eddinger, Thomas P. Gunn, Felix Krembs,
George MacQuarrie
George MacQuarrie (born as George Donald MacQuarrie; June 2, 1873 – April 1951), was an American actor of the silent era.
Biography
MacQuarrie was born in San Francisco, California in 1873 as George Donald MacQuarrie. He appeared in more ...
,
Thomas Mitchell,
Frank Morgan
Francis Phillip Wuppermann (June 1, 1890 – September 18, 1949), known professionally as Frank Morgan, was an American character actor. He was best known for his appearances in films starting in the silent era in 1916, and then numerous sound ...
, George Nash,
Edward G. Robinson, Joseph Slaytor,
Gerald Oliver Smith
Gerald Wilson Oliver Smith (June 26, 1892 – May 28, 1974) was an English-born actor who spent most of his career in the United States, both in New York City as a stage actor and in the Hollywood film industry.
Born in Sidcup, Kent, England, S ...
, George Wright Jr. The 1917 silent drama movie ''
Fighting Odds
''Fighting Odds'' is a 1917 American silent drama film produced and distributed by Goldwyn Pictures and starring stage beauty Maxine Elliott. The film is based on the play ''Under Sentence'' by Irvin S. Cobb and Roi Cooper Megrue. The picture wa ...
'' was based upon ''Under Sentence'' and was produced and distributed by
Goldwyn Pictures
Goldwyn Pictures Corporation was an American motion picture production company that operated from 1916 to 1924 when it was merged with two other production companies to form the major studio, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. It was founded on November 19, 1 ...
and starring
Maxine Elliott
Maxine Elliott (February 5, 1868 – March 5, 1940) was an American actress and businesswoman.
Early life
Born Jessie Dermott on February 5, 1868, to Thomas Dermott, a sea captain and Adelaide Hill Dermott, she had a younger sister, actress G ...
. The picture was amongst Goldwyn's first productions as an independent producer. It was directed by veteran
Allan Dwan and is a surviving film at the
Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is an art museum located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, on 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues.
It plays a major role in developing and collecting modern art, and is often identified as one of ...
, New York, and Gosfilmofond in Russia.
File:Irvin S. Cobb cph.3a42965.jpg, Irvin S. Cobb
File:Janet Beecher in 1916.jpg, Janet Beecher
Janet Beecher (born Janet Meysenberg; October 21, 1884 – August 6, 1955) was an American stage and screen actress.
Early years
The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Von Meysenburg, Beecher was born in Jefferson City, Missouri. Her sister was ...
File:George MacQuarrie.png, George MacQuarrie
George MacQuarrie (born as George Donald MacQuarrie; June 2, 1873 – April 1951), was an American actor of the silent era.
Biography
MacQuarrie was born in San Francisco, California in 1873 as George Donald MacQuarrie. He appeared in more ...
File:Thomas Mitchell (actor).jpg, Thomas Mitchell (actor)
Thomas John Mitchell (July 11, 1892 – December 17, 1962) was an American actor and writer. Among his most famous roles in a long career are those of Gerald O'Hara in '' Gone with the Wind'', Doc Boone in ''Stagecoach'', Uncle Billy in '' It's a ...
File:Frank Morgan-publicity.JPG, Frank Morgan
Francis Phillip Wuppermann (June 1, 1890 – September 18, 1949), known professionally as Frank Morgan, was an American character actor. He was best known for his appearances in films starting in the silent era in 1916, and then numerous sound ...
File:Edward G. Robinson - still.jpg, Edward G. Robinson
File:Maxine Elliott, 1905.jpg, Maxine Elliott
Maxine Elliott (February 5, 1868 – March 5, 1940) was an American actress and businesswoman.
Early life
Born Jessie Dermott on February 5, 1868, to Thomas Dermott, a sea captain and Adelaide Hill Dermott, she had a younger sister, actress G ...
File:Allan Dwan 1920.jpg, Allan Dwan
The 1917 play ''
Why Marry?'' was written by
Jesse Lynch Williams
Jesse Lynch Williams (August 17, 1871 – September 14, 1929) was an American author and dramatist. He won the first Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play '' Why Marry?'' (1917). He was a journalist for three New York publications and co-founded ...
. It won the first
Pulitzer Prize for Drama
The Pulitzer Prize for Drama is one of the seven American Pulitzer Prizes that are annually awarded for Letters, Drama, and Music. It is one of the original Pulitzers, for the program was inaugurated in 1917 with seven prizes, four of which were a ...
, in 1918. It opened at the
Astor Theatre on 25 December 1917 directed by Roi Cooper Megrue and produced by Selwyn & Co. in arrangement with Roi Cooper Megrue. It closed in April 1918 after 120 performances. It starred Beatrice Beckley,
Edmund Breese
Edmund Breese (June 18, 1871 – April 6, 1936) was an American stage and film actor of the silent era.
Biography
Breese was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Renshaw Breese and Josephine Busby.
The Opera House in Eureka Spring ...
, Walter Goodson,
Nat C. Goodwin,
Shelly Hull
Shelley Vaughan Hull (June 17, 1884 – January 14, 1919) was an American stage actor who also appeared in two silent motion pictures. His Broadway popularity as a suave handsome leading man was continually on the rise until his early death a ...
, Ernest Lawford, Richard Pitman, Lotus Robb, Harold West,
Estelle Winwood
Estelle Winwood (born Estelle Ruth Goodwin, 24 January 1883 – 20 June 1984) was an English actress who moved to the United States in mid-career and became celebrated for her wit and longevity.
Early life and early career
Born Estelle Ruth Go ...
.
File:Edmund Breese.jpeg, Edmund Breese
Edmund Breese (June 18, 1871 – April 6, 1936) was an American stage and film actor of the silent era.
Biography
Breese was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Renshaw Breese and Josephine Busby.
The Opera House in Eureka Spring ...
File:Nathaniel Carl Goodwin.jpg, Nat C. Goodwin
File:Shelley Hull.jpg, Shelly Hull
Shelley Vaughan Hull (June 17, 1884 – January 14, 1919) was an American stage actor who also appeared in two silent motion pictures. His Broadway popularity as a suave handsome leading man was continually on the rise until his early death a ...
File:Estelle-Winwood-1920-1.jpg, Estelle Winwood
Estelle Winwood (born Estelle Ruth Goodwin, 24 January 1883 – 20 June 1984) was an English actress who moved to the United States in mid-career and became celebrated for her wit and longevity.
Early life and early career
Born Estelle Ruth Go ...
The 1918 play ''Where Poppies Bloom'' was adapted from
Henry Kistemaeckers' ''Un Soir, au Front'' by Roi Cooper Megrue and produced by
Albert H. Woods. It opened at the
Theatre Republic
The New Victory Theater is a theater at 209 West 42nd Street in the Theater District of Midtown Manhattan in New York City, near Times Square. Built in 1900 as the Republic Theatre (also Theatre Republic), it was designed by Albert Westover a ...
on 26 August 1918 directed by Roi Cooper Megrue and closed in November 1918 after 104 performances. It starred
Pedro de Cordoba, Will Deming, Paul Doucet, Laurence Eddinger, Jean Gautier, Alfred Hesse, Percival Knight, Frank Nelson,
Marjorie Rambeau
Marjorie Burnet Rambeau (July 15, 1889 – July 6, 1970) was an American film and stage actress. She began her stage career at age 12, and appeared in several silent films before debuting in her first sound film, '' Her Man'' (1930). She was t ...
, Marcel Rousseau,
Lewis Stone
Lewis Shepard Stone (November 15, 1879 – September 12, 1953) was an American film actor. He spent 29 years as a contract player at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and was best known for his portrayal of Judge James Hardy in the studio's popular ''Andy H ...
, Roy Walling.
File:Pedro de Cordoba 04.JPG, Pedro de Cordoba
File:Marjorie Rambeau 1915.jpg, Marjorie Rambeau
Marjorie Burnet Rambeau (July 15, 1889 – July 6, 1970) was an American film and stage actress. She began her stage career at age 12, and appeared in several silent films before debuting in her first sound film, '' Her Man'' (1930). She was t ...
File:Lewis Stone.jpg, Lewis Stone
Lewis Shepard Stone (November 15, 1879 – September 12, 1953) was an American film actor. He spent 29 years as a contract player at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and was best known for his portrayal of Judge James Hardy in the studio's popular ''Andy H ...
The 1918 play ''Tea for Three'' was directed by Roi Cooper Megrue. The 1927 (now lost) silent comedy movie ''
Tea for Three'' was directed by
Robert Z. Leonard
Robert Zigler Leonard (October 7, 1889 – August 27, 1968) was an American film director, actor, producer, and screenwriter.
Biography
He was born in Chicago, Illinois. At one time, he was married to silent star Mae Murray with the two formin ...
and written by Garrett Graham,
F. Hugh Herbert, Roi Cooper Megrue and Lucille Newmark. The film stars
Lew Cody
Lew Cody (born Louis Joseph Côté; February 22, 1884 – May 31, 1934) was an American stage and film actor whose career spanned the silent film and early sound film age. He gained notoriety in the late 1910s for playing "male vamps" in films ...
,
Aileen Pringle,
Owen Moore
Owen Moore (12 December 1886 – 9 June 1939) was an Irish-born American actor, appearing in more than 279 movies spanning from 1908 to 1937.
Early life and career
Moore was born in Fordstown Crossroads, County Meath, Ireland. Along with his ...
,
Phillips Smalley
Wendell Phillips Smalley (August 7, 1865 – May 2, 1939) was an American silent film director and actor.
Biography
Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was the grandson of Wendell Phillips; he was the son of George Washburn Smalley, a war corres ...
,
Dorothy Sebastian
Dorothy Sebastian (born Stella Dorothy Sabiston; April 26, 1903The book ''Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory'' gives Sebastian's date of birth as April 26, 1907. – April 8, 1957) was an American film and stage actress.
Ear ...
and Edward Thomas. The film was released on October 29, 1927, by
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded on April 17, 1924 ...
.
File:Robert Z Leonard 1915.jpg, Robert Z. Leonard
Robert Zigler Leonard (October 7, 1889 – August 27, 1968) was an American film director, actor, producer, and screenwriter.
Biography
He was born in Chicago, Illinois. At one time, he was married to silent star Mae Murray with the two formin ...
File:Lew Cody.jpg, Lew Cody
Lew Cody (born Louis Joseph Côté; February 22, 1884 – May 31, 1934) was an American stage and film actor whose career spanned the silent film and early sound film age. He gained notoriety in the late 1910s for playing "male vamps" in films ...
File:Aileenpringle.jpg, Aileen Pringle
File:Owen Moore in High Voltage.jpg, Owen Moore
Owen Moore (12 December 1886 – 9 June 1939) was an Irish-born American actor, appearing in more than 279 movies spanning from 1908 to 1937.
Early life and career
Moore was born in Fordstown Crossroads, County Meath, Ireland. Along with his ...
File:Phillips-Smalley.jpg, Phillips Smalley
Wendell Phillips Smalley (August 7, 1865 – May 2, 1939) was an American silent film director and actor.
Biography
Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was the grandson of Wendell Phillips; he was the son of George Washburn Smalley, a war corres ...
File:Dorothysebastian.jpg, Dorothy Sebastian
Dorothy Sebastian (born Stella Dorothy Sabiston; April 26, 1903The book ''Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory'' gives Sebastian's date of birth as April 26, 1907. – April 8, 1957) was an American film and stage actress.
Ear ...
The 1921 comedy ''Honors Are Even'' was written by Roi Cooper Megrue and produced by Selwyn & Co. It opened at the
Times Square Theatre on 10 August 1921 directed by Roi Cooper Megrue and closed in October 1921 after 70 performances. It starred
William Courtenay
William Courtenay ( 134231 July 1396) was Archbishop of Canterbury (1381–1396), having previously been Bishop of Hereford and Bishop of London.
Early life and education
Courtenay was a younger son of Hugh de Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon ( ...
, Clifford Dempsey, Lola Fisher,
Paul Kelly, Ambrose Martin, Henry Mowray, Horace Pollock, Laurence Redmond, Ralph Simone, Horace Sinclair, Mabel Stanton, Eleanor Woodruff, Boots Wooster.
File:The Hunting of the Hawk.jpg, William Courtenay
William Courtenay ( 134231 July 1396) was Archbishop of Canterbury (1381–1396), having previously been Bishop of Hereford and Bishop of London.
Early life and education
Courtenay was a younger son of Hugh de Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon ( ...
File:Mary Miles Minter Paul Kelly 1919.jpg, Paul Kelly
The 1925 play ''Venice for Two'' (from the French of
Sacha Guitry) was written by Roi Cooper Megrue.
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Megrue, Roi Cooper
1882 births
1927 deaths
20th-century American dramatists and playwrights
American male dramatists and playwrights
Burials at Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx, New York)
Writers from New York City
Trinity School (New York City) alumni
Columbia University alumni
20th-century American male writers