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, w ...

era.

Biography

On February 14, 1898, Eva Barbara Novak was born in St. Louis, Missouri, 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 ...

.'' 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 Brons ...

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 wit ...

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.'' In the late 1920s, she and her husband moved to Australia, where she made numerous films, including '' The Romance of Runnibede''. 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, California. Geography Woodland Hills is in the southwestern region of the San Fernando Valley, which is located east of Ca ...

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 severit ...

at the age of 90, on April 17, 1988. In May 1923, the '' Altoona Tribune'' 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'' (1918, short) * '' The Freckled Fish'' (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 ''Wanted at Headquarters'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Stuart Paton and written by Wallace C. Clifton. The film stars Eva Novak, Agnes Emerson, Lee Shumway, William Marlon, Lloyd Sedgwick, and Howard Davies. The film was re ...

'' (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 Hans ...

'' (1920) * ''

The Testing Block ''The Testing Block'' is a 1920 American silent Western film directed by Lambert Hillyer and starring William S. Hart, Eva Novak, J. Gordon Russell, Florence Carpenter, Richard Headrick, and Ira McFadden. It was written by Lambert Hillyer and W ...

'' (1920) * '' Desert Love'' (1920) * '' Up in Mary's Attic'' (1920) * '' Silk Husbands and Calico Wives'' (1920) * '' O'Malley of the Mounted'' (1921) * '' Trailin''' (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'' (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'' (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 name ...

'' (1921) * '' The Man from Hell's River'' (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 O ...

'' (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 American ...

'' (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 Conk ...

'' (1922) * '' The Great Night'' (1922) * '' The Tiger's Claw'' (1923) * '' A Noise in Newboro'' (1923) * '' The Man Life Passed By'' (1923) * ''

'' (1923) * '' Dollar Devils'' (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'' (1924) * '' The Fatal Mistake'' (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 McCull ...

'' (1924) *'' A Fight for Honor'' (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'' (1924) * '' Women First'' (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 f ...

'' (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 ...

'' (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'' (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 State ...

'' (1926) * '' Say It with Babies'' (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'' (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 2 ...

'' (1926) * '' 30 Below Zero'' (1926) * '' The Romance of Runnibede'' (1927) * '' Red Signals'' (1927) * '' Duty's Reward'' (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) * '' The Romance of Runnibede'' (1928) * '' The Medicine Man'' (1930) * '' The Phantom of the Desert'' (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 Ca ...

'' (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 rele ...

'' (1945) * '' Apology for Murder'' (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'' (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'' (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 '' T ...

'' (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 o ...

'' (1960) * '' The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance'' (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