Eugenie Besserer ( – May 29, 1934) was an American actress who starred in silent films and features of the early sound motion-picture era, beginning in 1910. Her most prominent role is that of the title character's mother in the first

talkie A sound film is a motion picture 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, percep ...

film, ''

The Jazz Singer ''The Jazz Singer'' is a 1927 American musical drama film directed by Alan Crosland. It is the first feature-length motion picture with both synchronized recorded music score as well as lip-synchronous singing and speech (in several isolated ...

''.

Early life

Born in Marseilles, France, Besserer attended the Convent of Notre Dame in

Ottawa Ottawa (, ; Canadian French: ) is the capital city of Canada. It is located at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River in the southern portion of the province of Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core ...

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

. She was taken by her parents to Ottawa as a girl, and spent her childhood there. She was left an orphan and escaped from her guardians at the age of 12. She came to New York City and arrived at

Grand Central Station Grand Central Terminal (GCT; also referred to as Grand Central Station or simply as Grand Central) is a commuter rail terminal located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Grand Central is the southern terminus ...

with only 25 cents (Canadian currency, equivalent to US$0.34 at the time) in her pocket. She managed to locate a former governess, with the assistance of a street car conductor, who helped Eugenie locate an uncle, with whom she lived. She continued her education there.

Career

Besserer's initial theatrical experience came with McKee Rankin when the producer had

Nance O'Neill Gertrude Lamson (October 8, 1874 – February 7, 1965), known professionally as Nance O'Neil or Nancy O'Neil, was an American stage and film actress who performed in plays in various theaters around the world but worked predominantly in the Unite ...

as a star. Soon, she appeared with notable stage actors including

Frank Keenan Frank Keenan (born James Francis Keenan; April 8, 1858 – February 24, 1929) was an American stage and film actor and stage director and manager during the silent-film era. He was among the first stage actors to star in Hollywood, and he pur ...

and

Wilton Lackaye Wilton Lackaye (September 30, 1862 – August 22, 1932) was an American stage and film actor, who originated the role of Svengali (from the 1895 novel ''Trilby'') in both stage and film. Early life William Andrew Lackey was born in Loudoun Count ...

. As a youth, she played a juvenile part with

Maurice Barrymore Herbert Arthur Chamberlayne Blythe (21 September 1849 – 25 March 1905), known professionally by his stage name Maurice Barrymore, was an Indian-born British stage actor. He is the patriarch of the Barrymore acting family, father of John, Li ...

. She performed a season at Pike's Opera House in Portland, Oregon. Another season, Besserer acted in a drama opposite

Henry Kolker Joseph Henry Kolker (November 13, 1874 ome sources 1870– July 15, 1947) was an American stage and film actor and director. Early years Kolker was born in Quincy, Illinois. Career Kolker, like fellow actors Richard Bennett and Robert Wa ...

. The illness of her sister brought her to the West Coast, and she came to Hollywood in 1910 when films were just starting to be made. In motion pictures, Eugenie was usually cast in mother roles, most famously as the mother of Al Jolson's character in ''The Jazz Singer''. Eugenie became associated with the Selig Polyscope Company. A significant part for the actress was her role as Aunt Ray Innis in ''The Circular Staircase'' (1915), based on the novel by

Mary Roberts Rinehart Mary Roberts Rinehart (August 12, 1876September 22, 1958) was an American writer, often called the American Agatha Christie.Keating, H.R.F., ''The Bedside Companion to Crime''. New York: Mysterious Press, 1989, p. 170. Rinehart published her fir ...

Personal life

When Besserer was 15, she married art dealer Albert W. Hegger. They had one daughter.

Death

On May 29, 1934, Besserer died at her Hollywood home, aged 64. A funeral mass was held at St. Theresa's Church, with a rosary service at Edwards Brothers Colonial Mortuary, Venice Boulevard, in Los Angeles. She is buried in

Calvary Cemetery, East Los Angeles Calvary Cemetery is a Roman Catholic cemetery that the Archdiocese of Los Angeles runs in the community of East Los Angeles. It is also called "New Calvary Cemetery" because it succeeded the original Calvary Cemetery (on north Broadway), over whi ...

Selected filmography

1910s

* ''

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' is a children's novel written by author L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. It is the first novel in the Oz series of books. A Kansas farm girl named Dorothy ends up in the magical Land of Oz after s ...

'' (1910, Short) as Aunt Em * ''The Mother'' (1911, Short) as The Governor's Daughter * ''The Still Alarm'' (1911, Short) as Elinor Fordham * ''Stability vs. Nobility'' (1911, Short) as Bradley's 1st Daughter * ''One of Nature's Noblemen'' (1911, Short) as Minnie Brown * ''A Sacrifice to Civilization'' (1911, Short) * ''The Craven Heart'' (1911, Short) as Madame Dantes * ''It Happened in the West'' (1911, Short) as Prologue * ''The Profligate'' (1911, Short) as Pauline Revere - the Wronged Wife * ''Slick's Romance'' (1911, Short) * ''Their Only Son'' (1911, Short) * ''The Regeneration of Apache Kid'' (1911, Short) as Mrs. Dudley * ''The Blacksmith's Love'' (1911, Short) as Mary Brewer Saunders * ''Old Billy'' (1911, Short) as Mrs. Marming - the Widow * ''The Bootlegger'' (1911, Short) as Mrs. Fancher * ''An Evil Power'' (1911, Short) as Madame Celeste * ''George Warrington's Escape'' (1911, Short) as Madame Esmond Warrington * ''The Cowboy's Adopted Child'' (1912, Short) as Sarah Fowler * ''The Other Fellow'' (1911, Short) as Mrs. Brown * ''Bunkie'' (1912, Short) as Miss Ford - Brooks' Bethrothed * ''Disillusioned'' (1912, Short) as Miss Gary * ''The Danites'' (1912, Short) as The Widowed Schoolteacher * ''As Told by Princess Bess'' (1912, Short) as Princess Bess (old) * ''The Junior Officer'' (1912, Short) as Ethel Temple - the Count's Wife * ''Me an' Bill'' (1912, Short) as Kitty Somners * ''The End of the Romance'' (1912, Short) as Alice Gray * ''The Hand of Fate'' (1912, Short) as Mrs. VanDuzen * ''A Child of the Wilderness'' (1912, Short) as Tonoma - Joe's Protector * ''In Exile'' (1912, Short) as Countess Romanoff * ''The Lake of Dreams'' (1912, Short) as Madge Andrews * ''His Masterpiece'' (1912, Short) as The Prima Donna * ''The Little Indian Martyr'' (1912, Short) as Chiquito's Mother * ''Sergeant Byrne of the Northwest Mounted Police'' (1912, Short) as Jessie Long * ''The Indelible Stain'' (1912, Short) as Marla * ''The Substitute Model'' (1912, Short) as Millicent Carr - the Substitute Model * '' Monte Cristo'' (1912, Short) as Mercedes * ''His Wedding Eve'' (1912, Short) as Mrs. Ellis - Tom's Mother * ''Old Songs and Memories'' (1912, Short) as Nellie Laurence - the Old Lady * ''The Vintage of Fate'' (1912, Short) as Minor Role (uncredited) * ''Opitsah: Apache for Sweetheart'' (1912, Short) as Mrs. McGuire - Jim's Mother * ''The Millionaire Vagabonds'' (1912, Short) as Mrs. Knobhill * ''Sammy Orpheus; or, The Pied Piper of the Jungle'' (1912, Short) as Kate * ''The Last of Her Tribe'' (1912, Short) as Neepah - Moquin's Squaw * ''The Governor's Daughter'' (1913, Short) as Mrs. Carey - Jim's Mother * ''The Spanish Parrot Girl'' (1913, Short) as Mrs. Avery * ''Diverging Paths'' (1913, Short) as Lily and Rose's Mother * ''Love Before Ten'' (1913, Short) as Mrs. Walters * ''Dollar Down, Dollar a Week'' (1913, Short) as Mrs. Sanger - the Aunt * ''In the Days of Witchcraft'' (1913, Short) as Lady Beresford * ''Lieutenant Jones'' (1913, Short) as Mrs. Cartright * ''Indian Summer'' (1913, Short) as Virginia * ''

Wamba A Child of the Jungle ''Wamba A Child of the Jungle'' is a 1913 silent short 2 reel film directed by Colin Campbell and released by the Selig Polyscope Company. Cast *Tom Santschi as Portuguese Pete * Bessie Eyton as Wamba * Frank Clark as Dr. Rice *Eugenie Besserer ...

'' (1913, Short) as Mrs. Rice * ''The Girl and the Judge'' (1913, Short) as Mrs. Goff - the Judge's Wife * ''A Flag of Two Wars'' (1913, Short) as Mrs. John Reed * ''Woman: Past and Present'' (1913, Short) as Grandmother America * ''The Fighting Lieutenant'' (1913, Short) as The Countess * ''In God We Trust'' (1913, Short) as Bill's Wife * ''The Ne'er to Return Road'' (1913, Short) as Mrs. Hansen - Chris' Mother * ''The Unseen Defense'' (1913, Short) as Minerva Wingood * ''The Acid Test'' (1913, Short) as Mrs. Argonet * ''Fate Fashions a Letter'' (1913, Short) as Mrs. Rand * ''The Probationer'' (1913, Short) as Granny * ''Phantoms'' (1913, Short) as Natalie Storm * ''The Master of the Garden'' (1913, Short) as Mrs. Harrington - Bessie's Mother * ''Memories'' (1914) as Mary, Professor Scott's sweetheart * ''Elizabeth's Prayer'' (1914, Short) as Hilda Crosby, an unscrupulous actress * ''The Salvation of Nance O'Shaughnessy'' (1914, Short) as Mame Ryan * ''The Fire Jugglers'' (1914, Short) as Mrs. Leavitt * ''Me an' Bill'' (1914, Short) as Kitty * ''His Fight'' (1914, Short) as Mrs. Brant * ''The Man in Black'' (1914, Short) * ''Ye Vengeful Vagabonds'' (1914, Short) as Betsy Spratt - Peggy's Mother * ''Hearts and Masks'' (1914, Short) as Mrs. Hyphen-Bonds * ''The Tragedy That Lived'' (1914, Short) as Mary's Grandmother * ''The Story of the Blood Red Rose'' (1914, Short) as Queen of Urania * ''The Vision of the Shepherd'' (1915, Short) as Maggie Hunt * ''Poetic Justice of Omar Khan'' (1915, Short) as Neva Hyde * ''

The Carpet from Bagdad ''The Carpet from Bagdad'' is a 1915 American silent adventure film directed by Colin Campbell and based on Harold MacGrath's 1911 eponymous novel. In the story, Horace Wadsworth (played by Guy Oliver), one of a gang of criminals also planni ...

'' (1915) as Mrs. Chedsoye * ''Ingratitude of Liz Taylor'' (1915, Short) * ''The Rosary'' (1915) as Widow Kelly * ''The Circular Staircase'' (1915) as Aunt Ray * ''The Bridge of Time'' (1915, Short) * ''Just as I Am'' (1915, Short) * ''I'm Glad My Boy Grew Up to Be a Soldier'' (1915) as Mrs. Warrington * ''The Devil-in-Chief'' (1916, Short) as Johann's Mistress * ''

Thou Shalt Not Covet ''Thou Shalt Not Covet'' is a 1916 American silent drama film directed by Colin Campbell and starring Tyrone Power Sr., Kathlyn Williams, and Guy Oliver.''Guide to the Silent Years of American Cinema'', p. 66 Cast * Tyrone Power Sr. as I, or th ...

'' (1916) as my wife * ''The Grinning Skull'' (1916, Short) as Mme. Ward Howe * ''A Social Deception'' (1916, Short) as Grace Elliott * ''The Woman Who Did Not Care'' (1916, Short) as Mrs. Boyd * ''The Temptation of Adam'' (1916, Short) as Dorothy Blaine * ''

The Crisis ''The Crisis'' is the official magazine of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). It was founded in 1910 by W. E. B. Du Bois (editor), Oswald Garrison Villard, J. Max Barber, Charles Edward Russell, Kelly Mi ...

'' (1916) as Mrs. Brice * ''Twisted Trails'' (1916, Short) as Martha, the housekeeper * '' The Garden of Allah'' (1916) as Lady Rens * ''

Beware of Strangers ''Beware of Strangers'' is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Colin Campbell and starring Fritzi Brunette, Tom Santschi Tom or TOM may refer to: * Tom (given name), a diminutive of Thomas or Tomás or an independent Aramaic given name ...

'' (1917) as Mary DeLacy * ''Little Lost Sister'' (1917) as Mrs. Welcome * ''Her Salvation'' (1917, Short) as Mame Ryan * ''The Witness for the State'' (1917, Short) * ''

The Curse of Eve ''The Curse of Eve'' is a lost 1917 silent film drama directed by Frank Beal and starring Enid Markey and Edward Coxen. It is also known under its alternate title ''Mother, I Need You''. Production As with its proclamation in press material, the ...

'' (1917) as the Mother * ''

Who Shall Take My Life? ''Who Shall Take My Life?'' is a 1917 American silent drama film directed by Colin Campbell and starring Tom Santschi, Fritzi Brunette, and Edward Coxen.''Guide to the Silent Years of American Cinema'', p. 66 Cast * Tom Santschi as Big Bill O'Sh ...

'' (1917) as Mrs. Munroe * ''In After Years'' (1917, Short) * '' The City of Purple Dreams'' (1918) * '' The Still Alarm'' (1918) as Minor Role * ''

A Hoosier Romance ''A Hoosier Romance'' is a 1918 Selig Polyscope silent film, featuring actress Colleen Moore. Plot Pretty Patience Thompson, a "girl with a singing soul," lives with her cold-hearted and avaricious father, Jeff Thompson, on their Indiana farm. H ...

'' (1918) as the squire's wife * ''

The Eyes of Julia Deep ''The Eyes of Julia Deep'' is a 1918 American silent comedy-drama film starring Mary Miles Minter and directed by Lloyd Ingraham. The film is based on the short story by the same name, written by Kate L. McLaurin. It is one of the few films starr ...

'' (1918) as Mrs. Lowe * ''

The Road Through the Dark ''The Road Through the Dark'' is a 1918 American silent war drama film directed by Edmund Mortimer and starring Clara Kimball Young, Jack Holt and Elinor Fair.Langman p.268 It was made as an anti-German propaganda piece during World War I. Cas ...

'' (1918) as Aunt Julie * ''

The Sea Flower ''The Sea Flower'' is a 1918 American silent adventure film directed by Colin Campbell and starring Juanita Hansen, Gayne Whitman and Fred Huntley.Guide to the Silent Years of American Cinema p.66 Cast * Juanita Hansen as Lurline * Gayne W ...

'' (1918) as Kealani * ''

Little Orphant Annie "Little Orphant Annie" is an 1885 poem written by James Whitcomb Riley and published by the Bowen-Merrill Company. First titled "The Elf Child", the name was changed by Riley to "Little Orphant Allie" at its third printing; however, a typesetti ...

'' (1918) as Mrs. Goode * ''

Ravished Armenia ''Ravished Armenia'' (full title: ''Ravished Armenia: The Story of Aurora Mardiganian, the Christian Girl, Who Survived the Great Massacres'') is a book written in 1918 by Arshaluys (Aurora) Mardiganian about her experiences in the Armenian gen ...

'' (1919) * '' Turning the Tables'' (1919) as Mrs. Feverill * ''

Scarlet Days ''Scarlet Days'' is a 1919 American silent Western film produced and directed by D. W. Griffith and released through Paramount/Artcraft Pictures, Artcraft being an affiliate of Paramount. Richard Barthelmess stars in a role for which Griffit ...

'' (1919) as Rosie Nell * ''

The Greatest Question ''The Greatest Question'' is a 1919 American drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Based upon a novel by William Hale, the film has a plot involving spiritualism. Plot As described in a film magazine, Nellie Jarvis (Gish), daughter of a wande ...

'' (1919) as Mrs. Hilton

1920s

* ''

The Fighting Shepherdess ''The Fighting Shepherdess'' is a 1920 American western-romance film directed by Edward José and Millard Webb and written by Frank Mitchell Dazey. It is based on the 1919 novel ''The Fighting Shepherdess'' by Caroline Lockhart. The film stars ...

'' (1920) as Jezebel * ''

The Gift Supreme ''The Gift Supreme'' is a 1920 American silent drama film starring Bernard Durning, Seena Owen, Lon Chaney (in a villainous bit role) and Tully Marshall. The film was directed by Ollie Sellers and based on the 1916 novel of the same name by ...

'' (1920) as Martha Vinton * ''

For the Soul of Rafael ''For the Soul of Rafael'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Harry Garson and starring Clara Kimball Young, Bertram Grassby and Eugenie Besserer.Connelly p.350 Cast * Clara Kimball Young as Marta Raquel Estevan * Bertram Grassby a ...

'' (1920) as Dona Luisa * ''

The Brand of Lopez ''The Brand of Lopez'' is a 1920 American film directed by Joseph De Grasse and produced by Sessue Hayakawa's Haworth Pictures Corporation. Although the main characters are a matador and an actress, there are no bull fighting or theater scenes po ...

'' (1920) as Señora Castillo * ''Fickle Women'' (1920) as Mrs. Price * ''Seeds of Vengeance'' (1920) as Judith Cree * '' 45 Minutes from Broadway'' (1920) as Mrs. David Dean * ''

The Scoffer ''The Scoffer'' is a surviving 1920 American silent drama film produced and directed by Allan Dwan and starring Mary Thurman. It was released through Associated First National Pictures. Plot As described in a film magazine, Dr. Stannard Wayne ...

'' (1920) as Boorman's wife * ''

What Happened to Rosa ''What Happened to Rosa'' is a 1920 American silent comedy film directed by Victor Schertzinger and featuring Mabel Normand and Doris Pawn.

'' (1920) as Madame O'Donnelly * '' The Breaking Point'' (1921) as Mrs. Janeway * ''

Good Women ''Good Women'' is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by Louis J. Gasnier and starring Rosemary Theby, Hamilton Revelle and Earl Schenck.Munden p.307 Cast * Rosemary Theby as Katherine Brinkley * Hamilton Revelle as Nicolai Brouevitch * ...

'' (1921) as Mrs. Emmeline Shelby * '' The Sin of Martha Queed'' (1921) as Alicia Queed * ''

The Light in the Clearing ''The Light in the Clearing'' is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by T. Hayes Hunter and starring Eugenie Besserer Eugenie Besserer ( – May 29, 1934) was an American actress who starred in silent films and features of the early ...

'' (1921) as Roving Kate * '' Molly O''' (1921) as Antonia Bacigalupi * '' The Rosary'' (1922) as Widow Kathleen Wilson * ''Penrod'' (1922) * ''

Kindred of the Dust ''Kindred of the Dust'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Raoul Walsh, and starring his wife Miriam Cooper. It was based upon the novel of the same name by Peter B. Kyne. The film was the last independent picture for Walsh's prod ...

'' (1922) as Mrs. McKaye * ''

The Hands of Nara ''The Hands of Nara'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Harry Garson and starring Clara Kimball Young, Elliott Dexter and Vernon Steele.Munden p.323 It is based on the novel of the same title by Richard Washburn Child. Cast * Cl ...

'' (1922) as Mrs. Claveloux * ''

June Madness ''June Madness'' is a 1922 American silent comedy film directed by Harry Beaumont and starring Viola Dana, Bryant Washburn, and Gerald Pring.Munden p. 398. Cast * Viola Dana as Clytie Whitmore * Bryant Washburn as Ken Pauling * Gerald Pr ...

'' (1922) as Mrs. Whitmore * ''

The Strangers' Banquet ''The Strangers' Banquet'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by Marshall Neilan and starring Hobart Bosworth, Claire Windsor, and Rockliffe Fellowes.Connelly p. 272 It is based on the 1919 novel of the same title by Brian Oswald Donn- ...

'' (1922) as Mrs. McPherson * '' The Lonely Road'' (1923) as Martha True * '' Her Reputation'' (1923) as Madame Cervanez * '' The Rendezvous'' (1923) as Nini * ''

Anna Christie ''Anna Christie'' is a play in four acts by Eugene O'Neill. It made its Broadway debut at the Vanderbilt Theatre on November 2, 1921. O'Neill received the 1922 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for this work. According to historian Paul Avrich, the ...

'' (1923) as Marthy * ''

Enemies of Children ''Enemies of Children'' is a 1923 American silent drama film directed by Lillian Ducey anJohn M. Voshellthat was based upon the novel ''Youth Triumphant'' by George Gibbs. It is the only screen director credit for Ducey and one of two for Voshe ...

'' (1923) as Mrs. Slavin * ''

Bread Bread is a staple food prepared from a dough of flour (usually wheat) and water, usually by baking. Throughout recorded history and around the world, it has been an important part of many cultures' diet. It is one of the oldest human-made f ...

'' (1924) as Mrs. Sturgis * '' The Price She Paid'' (1924) as Mrs. Elton Gower * '' A Fool and His Money'' (1925) as Mother * '' Friendly Enemies'' (1925) as Marie * '' Confessions of a Queen'' (1925) as Elanora * ''

The Coast of Folly ''The Coast of Folly'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Allan Dwan and starring Gloria Swanson in a dual role as mother and daughter. Richard Arlen had a small part in the film but his scenes were cut before its release. The fil ...

'' (1925) as nanny * '' The Circle'' (1925) as Lady Catherine "Kitty" Cheney * '' Wandering Footsteps'' (1925) as Elizabeth Stuyvesant Whitney * '' Bright Lights'' (1925) as Patsy's mother * '' The Skyrocket'' (1926) as wardrobe mistress * '' Kiki'' (1926) as landlady (uncredited) * '' Winning the Futurity'' (1926) as Mary Allen * ''

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) as Mrs. Gray * ''

The Fire Brigade ''The Fire Brigade'' (also known as ''Fire!'') is 1926 American silent drama film directed by William Nigh. The film stars May McAvoy and Charles Ray. ''The Fire Brigade'' originally contained sequences shot in two-color Technicolor. A print ...

'' (1926) as Mrs. O'Neil * ''

Flesh and the Devil ''Flesh and the Devil'' is an American silent romantic drama film released in 1927 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and stars Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Lars Hanson, and Barbara Kent, directed by Clarence Brown, and based on the novel ''The Undying ...

'' (1926) as Leo's mother * ''

Wandering Girls ''Wandering Girls'' is a 1927 American silent film directed by Ralph Ince and starring Dorothy Revier, Eugenie Besserer and Frances Raymond.Quinlan p.127 Cast * Dorothy Revier as Peggy Marston * Eugenie Besserer as Peggy's Mother * Frances ...

'' (1927) as Peggy's mother * ''

The Night of Love ''The Night of Love'' is a 1927 drama film, produced by Samuel Goldwyn, released by United Artists, and stars Ronald Colman, Vilma Bánky, and Montagu Love. The screenplay by Lenore J. Coffee is based on the play by Pedro Calderón de la Barc ...

'' (1927) as gypsy (uncredited) * ''

When a Man Loves ''When a Man Loves'' is a 1927 American silent historical drama film directed by Alan Crosland and produced and distributed by Warner Bros. The picture stars John Barrymore and features Dolores Costello in the frequently filmed story of Abbe P ...

'' (1927) as the landlady (uncredited) * '' Captain Salvation'' (1927) as Mrs. Buxom * ''Slightly Used'' (1927) as Aunt Lydia * ''

'' (1927) as Sara Rabinowitz * ''

Drums of Love ''Drums of Love'' (1928) is a silent romance film directed by D. W. Griffith. Plot After finding out her father and his estate is in danger, Princess Emanuella saves his life by marrying Duke Cathos de Alvia, a grotesque hunchback. She actually ...

'' (1928) as Duchess de Alvia * '' Two Lovers'' (1928) as Madame Van Rycke * '' Yellow Lily'' (1928) as Archduchess * '' Lilac Time'' (1928) as Madame Berthelot * '' A Lady of Chance'' (1928) as Mrs. 'Ma' Crandall * ''

The Bridge of San Luis Rey ''The Bridge of San Luis Rey'' is American author Thornton Wilder's second novel. It was first published in 1927 to worldwide acclaim. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1928, and was the best-selling work of fiction that year. Premise ''The Bri ...

'' (1929) as a nun * ''

Thunderbolt A thunderbolt or lightning bolt is a symbolic representation of lightning when accompanied by a loud thunderclap. In Indo-European mythology, the thunderbolt was identified with the 'Sky Father'; this association is also found in later Hell ...

'' (1929) as Mrs. Morgan * ''

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 ...

'' (1929) as Rose, Floriot's servant * '' Whispering Winds'' (1929) as Jim's mother * ''

Speedway Speedway may refer to: Racing Race tracks *Edmonton International Speedway, also known as Speedway Park, a former motor raceway in Edmonton, Alberta *Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a motor raceway in Speedway, Indiana Types of races and race cours ...

'' (1929) as Mrs. MacDonald * ''

Fast Company ''Fast Company'' is a monthly American business magazine published in print and online that focuses on technology, business, and design. It publishes six print issues per year. History ''Fast Company'' was launched in November 1995 by Alan Web ...

'' (1929) as Mrs. Kane * ''

Illusion An illusion is a distortion of the senses, which can reveal how the mind normally organizes and interprets sensory stimulation. Although illusions distort the human perception of reality, they are generally shared by most people. Illusions may o ...

'' (1929) as Mrs. Jacob Schmittlap * ''

Mister Antonio ''Mister Antonio'' is a 1929 love story based on a 1916 Booth Tarkington Broadway play of the same name. Leo Carrillo stars in the title role of Antonio Camaradino, originated on Broadway by Otis Skinner, as a hurdy-gurdy street artist who falls ...

'' (1929) as Mrs. Jorny * ''

Seven Faces ''Seven Faces'' is a 1929 American pre-Code drama film with fantasy elements that was released by Fox Film Corporation in the Fox Movietone sound-on-film system on December 1, 1929. Based upon the piece of short fiction "A Friend of Napoleon" wh ...

'' (1929) as Madame Vallon

1930s

* '' A Royal Romance'' (1930) as Mother * ''

In Gay Madrid ''In Gay Madrid'' (1930) is an American pre-Code musical comedy, directed by Robert Z. Leonard, starring Ramón Novarro and Dorothy Jordan, and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Cast * Ramon Navarro as Ricardo * Dorothy Jordan as Carmina Rivas * ...

'' (1930) as Doña Generosa (as Eugenia Besserer) * ''

Du Barry, Woman of Passion ''Du Barry, Woman of Passion'' is a 1930 American pre-Code dramatic film starring Norma Talmadge, produced by her husband Joseph Schenck, released through United Artists, and based on a 1901 stage play ''Du Barry'' written and produced by David ...

'' (1930) as Rosalie / prison matron (uncredited) * '' Scarface'' (1932) as citizens committee member (uncredited) * ''

Six Hours to Live ''Six Hours to Live'' is a 1932 American pre-Code science fiction drama film directed by William Dieterle and starring Warner Baxter, Miriam Jordan and John Boles.Solomon p.336 Cast * Warner Baxter as Capt. Paul Onslow * Miriam Jordan as Ba ...

'' (1932) as The Marquisa (uncredited) * '' To the Last Man'' (1933) as Granny Spelvin (final film role)

References

*''The

Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' (abbreviated as ''LA Times'') is a daily newspaper that started publishing in Los Angeles in 1881. Based in the LA-adjacent suburb of El Segundo since 2018, it is the sixth-largest newspaper by circulation in the Un ...

'', "Eugenie Besserer Dead", May 31, 1934, p. A2 *''The

Monessen, Pennsylvania Monessen is a city in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 6,876 at the 2020 census. In 1940, 20,257 people lived there. In 1990 the population was 13,026. Monessen is the southwestern-most municipality of Westmore ...

Daily Independent'', "Miss Eugenie Besserer Arrived In New York City With Just 25 Cents-Now A Star In Pictures", September 16, 1915, p. 3

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Besserer, Eugenie 19th-century births 1934 deaths Year of birth uncertain American film actresses American people of French descent American people of Canadian descent American silent film actresses American stage actresses 20th-century American actresses Burials at Calvary Cemetery (Los Angeles) Actresses from New York (state)