Bess Meredyth
Encyclopedia
Bess Meredyth was a film writer and silent film
actress. The wife of the Casablanca
director Michael Curtiz
, Meredyth wrote The Affairs of Cellini
(1934) and adapted The Unsuspected
(1947). She was one of the 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
. Her son, John Meredyth Lucas
, wrote for television.
. They made three films starring Australian sportsman Snowy Baker, The Man from Kangaroo
(1920), The Jackeroo of Coolabong
(1920) and The Shadow of Lightning Ridge
(1921). She was arguably the first professional screenwriter to work in Australia.
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
actress. The wife of the Casablanca
Casablanca (film)
Casablanca is a 1942 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman and Paul Henreid, and featuring Claude Rains, Conrad Veidt, Sydney Greenstreet, Peter Lorre and Dooley Wilson. Set during World War II, it focuses on a man torn between, in...
director Michael Curtiz
Michael Curtiz
Michael Curtiz was an Academy award winning Hungarian-American film director. He had early creditsas Mihály Kertész and Michael Kertész...
, Meredyth wrote The Affairs of Cellini
The Affairs of Cellini
The Affairs of Cellini is a comedy film set in Florence over 400 years ago. This 1934 movie was adapted by Bess Meredyth from the play The Firebrand of Florence by Edwin Justus Mayer. It was directed by Gregory La Cava.-Plot:...
(1934) and adapted The Unsuspected
The Unsuspected
The Unsuspected is a film noir starring Claude Rains, Audrey Totter, and Joan Caulfield. The black-and-white film was directed by Michael Curtiz, based on the novel written by Charlotte Armstrong, and released by Warner Brothers.- Plot :...
(1947). She was one of the 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is a professional honorary organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of motion pictures...
. Her son, John Meredyth Lucas
John Meredyth Lucas
John Meredyth Lucas was an American writer, primarily for television.He was the son of screenwriter Bess Meredyth and writer/director Wilfred Lucas, and the adopted son of director Michael Curtiz.-Career:...
, wrote for television.
Snowy Baker
Early in her career Meredyth travelled to Australia with her director husband Wilfred LucasWilfred Lucas
Wilfred Lucas was a Canadian stage and film actor, film director, and screenwriter.-Career:A native of Ontario, Canada, Lucas headed to New York City to work in the theater, making his Broadway acting debut in 1904 at the Savoy Theater in the production of The Superstition of Sue...
. They made three films starring Australian sportsman Snowy Baker, The Man from Kangaroo
The Man from Kangaroo
The Man from Kangaroo is a 1920 Australian silent film starring renowned Australian sportsman Snowy Baker. It was the first of several films he made with the husband and wife team of director Wilfred Lucas and writer Bess Meredyth, both of whom had been imported from Hollywood.-External links:* at...
(1920), The Jackeroo of Coolabong
The Jackeroo of Coolabong
The Jackeroo of Coolabong is a 1920 Australian silent film starring renowned Australian sportsman Snowy Baker. It was made with the husband and wife team of director Wilfred Lucas and writer Bess Meredyth, both of whom had been imported from Hollywood. The film was re-edited and released in the USA...
(1920) and The Shadow of Lightning Ridge
The Shadow of Lightning Ridge
The Shadow of Lightning Ridge is a 1921 Australian silent film starring renowned Australian sportsman Snowy Baker. Inspired by Zorro, he plays an Australian studying who returns home to avenge his mother against a powerful squatter...
(1921). She was arguably the first professional screenwriter to work in Australia.
Selected filmography
- A Sailor's HeartA Sailor's HeartA Sailor's Heart is a 1912 short silent comedy film directed by Wilfred Lucas and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Wilfred Lucas - The False Husband* Blanche Sweet - The Wife* Charles Gorman - The Suitor* Claire McDowell - The Second Wife...
(19121912 in filmThe year 1912 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Mack Sennett, who had previously worked as an actor and comedy director with D. W. Griffith, formed a new company with New York City entrepreneur Adam Kessel called Keystone Studios...
) - The Forbidden RoomThe Forbidden RoomThe Forbidden Room is a 1914 silent drama film directed by Allan Dwan and featuring Lon Chaney, Sr. The film is now considered to be lost.-Cast:* Murdock MacQuarrie - Dr. James Gibson* Pauline Bush - Gibson's sister / niece...
(1914) - The Trey o' HeartsThe Trey o' HeartsThe Trey o' Hearts is a 1914 action film serial directed by Wilfred Lucas and Henry MacRae. It was based on the novel of the same name by Louis Joseph Vance...
(19141914 in filmThe year 1914 in film involved some significant events, including the debut of Cecil B. DeMille as a director.-Events:*The 3,300-seat Mark Strand Theatre opens in New York City....
) - The Fascination of the Fleur de LisThe Fascination of the Fleur de LisThe Fascination of the Fleur de Lis is a 1915 silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and featuring Lon Chaney, Sr. A print of the film survives in a private collection in the United Kingdom.-Cast:* Cleo Madison - Lisette...
(1915) - Stronger Than DeathStronger Than Death (1915 film)Stronger Than Death is a 1915 silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and featuring Lon Chaney, Sr. The film is now considered to be lost.-Cast:* Louise Lovely - June Lathrop * Lon Chaney, Sr. - Attorney...
(19151915 in filmThe year 1915 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 8 : D.W Griffith's The Birth of a Nation premieres at Clune's Auditorium Los Angeles and breaks box office and film length records, running at a total length of 3 hrs 10 minutes.* June 18 : The Motion Picture Directors...
) - The Wedding GuestThe Wedding GuestThe Wedding Guest is a 1916 silent drama film featuring Harry Carey.-Cast:* Harry Carey* William Canfield* Hoot Gibson* Olive Carey - * Joe Rickson* Peggy Coudray...
(19161916 in filmThe year 1916 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* October 17 - release of A Daughter of the Gods, the first US production with a million dollar budget, with the first nude scene by a major star....
) - Pay Me!Pay Me!Pay Me! is a 1917 silent drama film directed by Joe De Grasse and starring Lon Chaney, Sr.-Cast:* Lon Chaney, Sr. - Joe Lawson* J. Edwin Brown - Martin * William Clifford - Hal Curtis* Evelyn Selbie - Hilda Hendricks...
(19171917 in filmThe year 1917 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Foundation of Universum Film AG , as a propaganda film company, in Berlin.*Technicolor System 1, a two-color process, is introduced...
) - That Devil, BateeseThat Devil, BateeseThat Devil, Bateese is a silent drama film directed by William Wolbert, starring Lon Chaney, Sr., and was Chaney's final film in his first stint at Universal Studios. The film is now considered to be a lost film.-Cast:...
(19181918 in filmThe year 1918 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*Following litigation for anti-trust activities, the US Supreme Court orders the Motion Picture Patents Company to disband....
) - The Man from KangarooThe Man from KangarooThe Man from Kangaroo is a 1920 Australian silent film starring renowned Australian sportsman Snowy Baker. It was the first of several films he made with the husband and wife team of director Wilfred Lucas and writer Bess Meredyth, both of whom had been imported from Hollywood.-External links:* at...
(1920) - The Jackeroo of CoolabongThe Jackeroo of CoolabongThe Jackeroo of Coolabong is a 1920 Australian silent film starring renowned Australian sportsman Snowy Baker. It was made with the husband and wife team of director Wilfred Lucas and writer Bess Meredyth, both of whom had been imported from Hollywood. The film was re-edited and released in the USA...
(1920) - The Shadow of Lightning RidgeThe Shadow of Lightning RidgeThe Shadow of Lightning Ridge is a 1921 Australian silent film starring renowned Australian sportsman Snowy Baker. Inspired by Zorro, he plays an Australian studying who returns home to avenge his mother against a powerful squatter...
(1921) - The Woman He MarriedThe Woman He MarriedThe Woman He Married is a 1922 silent drama film directed by Fred Niblo.-Cast:* Anita Stewart - Natalie Lane* Darrell Foss - Roderick Warren* Donald MacDonald - Byrne Travers* William Conklin - Andrew Warren* Shannon Day - Mimi...
(1922) - Rose o' the SeaRose o' the SeaRose o' the Sea is a 1922 silent drama film directed by Fred Niblo.-Cast:* Anita Stewart - Rose Elton* Rudolph Cameron - Elliot Schuyler* Thomas Holding - Peter Schuyler* Margaret Landis - Vivienne Raymond* Kate Lester - Lady Maggie...
(19221922 in film-Events:* June 11 - United States première of Robert J. Flaherty's Nanook of the North, the first commercially successful feature length documentary film....
) - Thy Name Is WomanThy Name Is WomanThy Name Is Woman is a 1924 silent comedy film directed by Fred Niblo.-Cast:* Ramon Novarro - Juan Ricardo* Barbara La Marr - Guerita* William V. Mong - Pedro the Fox * Wallace MacDonald - Capt. Rodrigo de Castelar...
(1924) - The Red LilyThe Red LilyThe Red Lily is a 1924 silent drama film directed by Fred Niblo, starring Ramon Novarro, Enid Bennett and Wallace Beery.-Plot:Jean Leonnec and Marise La Noue are pennyless lovers who eloped to Paris, she to become a prostitute known as 'the red lily', he to learn the ways of the underworld from...
(19241924 in film-Events:* Entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer Pictures to create Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer...
) - A Slave of FashionA Slave of FashionA Slave of Fashion was a 1925 American silent romantic comedy film directed by Hobart Henley. The film stars Norma Shearer. Joan Crawford had an early uncredited role as a mannequin. The film is considered lost. -Plot:...
(19251925 in film-Events:*November 5: The Big Parade holds its Grand Premier*December 30: premier of Ben-Hur the most expensive silent film ever made costing 4-6 million dollars -Top grossing films :...
) - Don JuanDon Juan (1926 film)Don Juan is a Warner Brothers film, directed by Alan Crosland. It was the first feature-length film with synchronized Vitaphone sound effects and musical soundtrack, though it has no spoken dialogue...
(19261926 in film-Events:*August - Warner Brothers debuts the first Vitaphone film, Don Juan. The Vitaphone system used multiple 33⅓ rpm disc records developed by Bell Telephone Laboratories and Western Electric to play back audio synchronized with film....
) - The Magic FlameThe Magic FlameThe Magic Flame is a feature film directed by Henry King. It was based on the play Konig Harlekin by Rudolph Lothar. George Barnes was nominated at the 1st Academy Awards for Best Cinematography. The film promoted itself as the "Romeo and Juliet" of the circus upon its release...
(19271927 in film-Events:*January 10 - Fritz Lang's science-fiction fantasy Metropolis premieres in Germany.*April 7 - Abel Gance's Napoleon often considered his best known and greatest masterpiece, premiers at the Paris Opéra and would demonstrate techniques and equipment that would not be used for years to...
) - The Scarlet LadyThe Scarlet LadyThe Scarlet Lady is a 1928 American silent drama film, written by Bess Meredyth and directed by Alan Crosland.-Cast:*Lya De Putti*Don Alvarado*Warner Oland*Otto Matieson *Hans Joby*Valentina Zimina...
(1928) - A Woman of AffairsA Woman of AffairsA Woman of Affairs is a 1928 drama film directed by Clarence Brown and starring Greta Garbo, John Gilbert, Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Lewis Stone...
(19281928 in film-Events:Although some movies released in 1928 had sound, most were still silent.* July 28 - Lights of New York is released by Warner Brothers. It is the first "100% Talkie" feature film, in that dialog is spoken throughout the film...
) - nominated for Academy Award - RomanceRomance (1930 film)Romance is a 1930 film which tells the story of a bishop sharing a cautionary tale with a young man, who is going against the wishes of his family, of the dangers of falling in love with "fallen women", by using a story of naivete from his past...
(1930) - The Sea BatThe Sea BatThe Sea Bat is a 1930 thriller film directed by Lionel Barrymore and Wesley Ruggles, starring Raquel Torres and featuring Boris Karloff. Part of the movie was filmed on location in Mazatlán, Mexico....
(19301930 in film-Events:* November 1: The Big Trail featuring a young John Wayne in his first starring role is released in both 35mm, and a very early form of 70mm film and was the first large scale big-budget film of the sound era costing over $2 million. The film was praised for its aesthetic quality and realism...
) - Laughing SinnersLaughing SinnersLaughing Sinners Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer feature film starring Joan Crawford and Clark Gable in a story about a cafe entertainer who experiences spiritual redemption. The dialogue by Martin Flavin was based upon the play, Torch Song by Kenyon Nicholson. The film was directed by Harry Beaumont...
(19311931 in film-Top grossing films:-Academy Awards:*Best Picture: Cimarron - MGM*Best Actor: Lionel Barrymore - A Free Soul*Best Actor: Wallace Beery - The Champ*Best Actor: Fredric March - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde...
) - The Affairs of CelliniThe Affairs of CelliniThe Affairs of Cellini is a comedy film set in Florence over 400 years ago. This 1934 movie was adapted by Bess Meredyth from the play The Firebrand of Florence by Edwin Justus Mayer. It was directed by Gregory La Cava.-Plot:...
(1934) - The Mighty BarnumThe Mighty BarnumThe Mighty Barnum is a 1934 film starring Wallace Beery as P.T. Barnum. The movie was written by Gene Fowler and Bess Meredyth, and directed by Walter Lang. Beery had played Barnum four years earlier in A Lady's Morals, a highly fictionalized biography of singer Jenny Lind.-Cast:*Wallace Beery as...
(19341934 in film-Events:*January 26 - Samuel Goldwyn purchases the film rights to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from the L. Frank Baum estate for $40,000.*February 19 - Bob Hope marries Dolores Reade...
) - Charlie Chan at the OperaCharlie Chan at the OperaCharlie Chan at the Opera is considered by many to be the best Warner Oland Charlie Chan film, probably due to the co-acting of Boris Karloff. This is the 13th film starring Oland as Chan and produced by Fox in 1936.- Plot :...
(19361936 in filmThe year 1936 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 29 - Fritz Lang's first Hollywood film Fury, starring Spencer Tracy and Bruce Cabot, is released.*November 6 - first Porky Pig animated cartoon...
) - The Mark of ZorroThe Mark of Zorro (1940 film)The Mark of Zorro is a 1940 American adventure film directed by Rouben Mamoulian and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck for 20th Century Fox. The action movie stars Tyrone Power as Don Diego Vega , Linda Darnell as his love interest, and Basil Rathbone as the villain...
(19401940 in filmThe year 1940 in film involved some significant events, including the premieres of the Walt Disney classics Pinocchio and Fantasia.-Events:*February 7 - Walt Disney's animated film Pinocchio is released....
) - The UnsuspectedThe UnsuspectedThe Unsuspected is a film noir starring Claude Rains, Audrey Totter, and Joan Caulfield. The black-and-white film was directed by Michael Curtiz, based on the novel written by Charlotte Armstrong, and released by Warner Brothers.- Plot :...
(19471947 in filmThe year 1947 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York.*November 24 : The United States House of Representatives of the 80th Congress voted 346 to 17 to approve citations for contempt of Congress against the "Hollywood Ten".*November 25...
)