Rosa Rosanova (June 23, 1869 – May 29, 1944) was a Russian-born stage and film actress. She appeared in numerous American films as a starring or supporting actress in the 1920s and 1930s

Biography

Born in Russia, Rosanova completed her schooling at age 16 in Moscow. As an actress, she toured with the Svatloff repertory company in Russia, and in 1906 travelled to the United States touring with the Orlanoff company. She immigrated to the United States some time before the

Russian Revolution The Russian Revolution was a period of Political revolution (Trotskyism), political and social revolution that took place in the former Russian Empire which began during the First World War. This period saw Russia abolish its monarchy and ad ...

. Like

Vera Gordon Vera Pogorelsky Gordon (June 11, 1886 – May 8, 1948) was a Russian-born American stage and screen actress. Early life Vera Pogorelsky was born in Ekaterinoslav, Russia, on June 11, 1886, the daughter of Boris Pogorelsky and Teigan Nemirovsky ...

, Rosanova frequently portrayed Jewish mothers in early American silent films. Rosanova starred as such a character in '' Hungry Hearts'' (1922), ''

His People ''His People'' (also known as Proud Heart) is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Edward Sloman about a young, Jewish boxer growing up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

'' (1925) and '' Lucky Boy'' (1929). In a 1929 profile, the ''Santa Ana Register'' described Rosanova's performance in ''Hungry Hearts'' as "a powerful characterization that was the outstanding performance of filmdom." In her book ''You Never Call! You Never Write!: A History of the Jewish Mother'', Joyce Antler described Rosanova as a "a

Yiddish Yiddish (, or , ''yidish'' or ''idish'', , ; , ''Yidish-Taytsh'', ) is a West Germanic language historically spoken by Ashkenazi Jews. It originated during the 9th century in Central Europe, providing the nascent Ashkenazi community with a ver ...

star.

Select filmography

*'' Just Around the Corner'' (1921) as Mrs. Finshreiber *'' Hungry Hearts'' (1922) *'' Blood and Sand'' (1922) as Señora Angustias *''

The Wandering Jew The Wandering Jew is a mythical immortal man whose legend began to spread in Europe in the 13th century. In the original legend, a Jew who taunted Jesus on the way to the Crucifixion was then cursed to walk the Earth until the Second Coming. ...

'' (1923) *''

Fashion Row ''Fashion Row'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and starring Mae Murray in a dual role, Earle Foxe, and Freeman Wood. The film involves two Russian sisters emigrate to America. One tries to hide her peasant ori ...

'' (1923) as Mama Levitzky *''

The Gentleman from America ''The Gentleman from America'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by Edward Sedgwick and featuring Hoot Gibson and Louise Lorraine. It also featured a young Boris Karloff in an uncredited bit part. The screenplay was written by Geor ...

'' (1923) as Old Inez *''

The Lover of Camille ''The Lover of Camille'' is a 1924 American silent romantic drama film directed by Harry Beaumont, and starring Monte Blue. The film was based on the French play '' Deburau'' by Sacha Guitry, which was also adapted into a Broadway play by Ha ...

'' (1924) as Madame Rabouir *'' The Virgin'' (1924) as The Widow * '' When a Girl Loves'' (1924) as Ferdova *'' A Woman's Faith'' (1925) as Delima Turcott *''

His People ''His People'' (also known as Proud Heart) is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Edward Sloman about a young, Jewish boxer growing up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.

'' (1925) *'' God Gave Me Twenty Cents'' (1926) * ''

Jake the Plumber ''Jake the Plumber'' is a 1927 American silent comedy film directed by Edward Ludwig and starring Jesse De Vorska, Sharon Lynn and Rosa Rosanova.Munden p.391 Synopsis The film follows the adventures of Jake, a Jewish apprentice to the Irish plu ...

'' (1927) as Mrs. Levine *''

Pleasure Before Business ''Pleasure Before Business'' is a 1927 silent film comedy directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Max Davidson and Virginia Brown Faire. The film was produced and distributed by then upstart studio Columbia Pictures. Preserved at the Library ...

'' (1927) as Sarah Weinberg *'' The Shamrock and the Rose'' (1927) as Mrs. Cohen *''

Abie's Irish Rose ''Abie's Irish Rose'' is a popular comedy by Anne Nichols, which premiered in 1922. Initially a Broadway play, it has become familiar through repeated stage productions, films and radio programs. The basic premise involves an Irish Catholic girl ...

'' (1928) as Sarah *''

The Younger Generation ''The Younger Generation'' is a 1929 American part-talkie drama film directed by Frank Capra and starring Ricardo Cortez. It was produced by Jack Cohn for Columbia Pictures. It was Capra's first sound film. While mostly silent, the film has t ...

'' (1929) as Tilda (Ma) Goldfish *'' Lucky Boy'' (1929) as Mamma Jessel *''

After Tomorrow ''After Tomorrow'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Charles Farrell, Marian Nixon, Minna Gombell, Josephine Hull and William Collier, Sr. Plot Peter Piper (Charles Farrell) and his girlfriend Sidne ...

'' (1932) *''

Pilgrimage A pilgrimage is a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about their self, others, nature, or a higher good, through the experience. It can lead to a personal transformation, aft ...

'' (1933) *'' Fighting Hero'' (1934) as Aunt J

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Rosanova, Rosa American silent film actresses 20th-century American actresses Emigrants from the Russian Empire to the United States