Corinne Griffith
Encyclopedia
Corinne Mae Griffith was an American
actress. Dubbed "The Orchid Lady of the Screen", she was one of the most popular film actresses of the 1920s and widely considered the most beautiful actress of the silent screen. Shortly after the advent of sound film
, Griffith retired from acting and became a successful author.
to John Lewis Griffin and Ambolina (Ambolyn) Ghio. She attended Sacred Heart Convent school in New Orleans and worked as a dancer before she began her acting career.
Griffith began her screen career at the Vitagraph Studios
in 1916. She later moved to First National
, where she became one of their most popular stars. In 1928, she had the starring role in The Garden of Eden
. The next year, in 1929, Griffith received an Academy Award
nomination for her role in The Divine Lady
.
Griffith's first sound film, Lilies of the Field, was released in 1930. Griffith's voice did not record well (The New York Times
stated that she "talked through her nose"), and the film was a box office flop. After appearing in one more motion picture, the British film Lily Christine in 1932, she retired from acting. She returned to the screen in 1962 in the low-budget melodrama Paradise Alley, which received scant release.
who published eleven books including two best sellers, My Life with The Redskins and the memoir Papa's Delicate Condition, which was made into a 1963 film
starring Jackie Gleason
about the Ghio and Griffin family. Her actual family names were used in the film.
Her ventures into real estate
were particularly successful (at one point she owned four different major office buildings in Los Angeles
, each of them named after her).
from 1924 to 1934, and the owner of the Washington Redskins
football team George Preston Marshall
from 1936 to 1958. During her marriage to Marshall, she composed the lyrics to the Redskins fight song "Hail to the Redskins
" which became one of the most famous football anthems.
In 1966, within a few days, she married and divorced her fourth husband, Broadway actor Danny Scholl (Call Me Mister
). Scholl was 45, more than 25 years Griffith's junior. In court she testified that she was not Corinne Griffith. She claimed that she was the actresses' younger (by twenty years) sister who had taken her place upon the famous sister's death. Contradicting testimony by actresses Betty Blythe
and Claire Windsor
, who had both known her since the 1920s, did not shake her story. In 1974, Adele Whitely Fletcher, editor of Photoplay
, said Griffith was still claiming that she was her own younger sister.
Griffith was a member of the Christian Science
religion.
, aged 84. At the time of her death, her personal estate was worth over $150,000,000.
For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Corrine Griffith has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
at 1560 Vine Street
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress. Dubbed "The Orchid Lady of the Screen", she was one of the most popular film actresses of the 1920s and widely considered the most beautiful actress of the silent screen. Shortly after the advent of sound film
Sound film
A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image, as opposed to a silent film. The first known public exhibition of projected sound films took place in Paris in 1900, but decades would pass before sound motion pictures were made commercially...
, Griffith retired from acting and became a successful author.
Early life and career
Griffith was born in Texarkana, TexasTexarkana, Texas
Texarkana is a city in Bowie County, Texas, United States. It effectively functions as one half of a city which crosses a state line — the other half, the city of Texarkana, Arkansas, lies on the other side of State Line Avenue...
to John Lewis Griffin and Ambolina (Ambolyn) Ghio. She attended Sacred Heart Convent school in New Orleans and worked as a dancer before she began her acting career.
Griffith began her screen career at the Vitagraph Studios
Vitagraph Studios
American Vitagraph was a United States movie studio, founded by J. Stuart Blackton and Albert E. Smith in 1897 in Brooklyn, New York. By 1907 it was the most prolific American film production company, producing many famous silent films. It was bought by Warner Bros...
in 1916. She later moved to First National
First National
First National was an association of independent theater owners in the United States that expanded from exhibiting movies to distributing them, and eventually to producing them as a movie studio, called First National Pictures, Inc. It later merged with Warner Bros.-Early history:The First National...
, where she became one of their most popular stars. In 1928, she had the starring role in The Garden of Eden
The Garden of Eden (1928 film)
The Garden of Eden is a 1928 silent movie starring Corinne Griffith. It was adapated from Avery Hopwood's short-lived stage production.-Cast:*Corinne Griffith - Toni LeBrun*Louise Dresser - Rosa*Lowell Sherman - Henri D'Avril...
. The next year, in 1929, Griffith received an Academy Award
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
nomination for her role in The Divine Lady
The Divine Lady
The Divine Lady is a 1929 Vitaphone sound film with a synchronized musical score and sound effects. The film, however, featured no spoken dialogue. The film tells the story of the love affair between Horatio Nelson and Emma Hamilton. It stars Corinne Griffith, Victor Varconi, H.B. Warner, Ian...
.
Griffith's first sound film, Lilies of the Field, was released in 1930. Griffith's voice did not record well (The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
stated that she "talked through her nose"), and the film was a box office flop. After appearing in one more motion picture, the British film Lily Christine in 1932, she retired from acting. She returned to the screen in 1962 in the low-budget melodrama Paradise Alley, which received scant release.
Later career
Griffith was one of the few film stars to move successfully into new careers once her stardom had ended. She was an accomplished writerWriter
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
who published eleven books including two best sellers, My Life with The Redskins and the memoir Papa's Delicate Condition, which was made into a 1963 film
Papa's Delicate Condition
Papa's Delicate Condition is a 1963 comedy film starring Jackie Gleason and Glynis Johns. It was an adaptation of the Corinne Griffith memoir of the same name, about her father and growing up in Texarkana, Texas. Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn won an Academy Award for Best Song for "Call Me...
starring Jackie Gleason
Jackie Gleason
Jackie Gleason was an American comedian, actor and musician. He was known for his brash visual and verbal comedy style, especially by his character Ralph Kramden on The Honeymooners, a situation-comedy television series. His most noted film roles were as Minnesota Fats in the drama film The...
about the Ghio and Griffin family. Her actual family names were used in the film.
Her ventures into real estate
Real estate
In general use, esp. North American, 'real estate' is taken to mean "Property consisting of land and the buildings on it, along with its natural resources such as crops, minerals, or water; immovable property of this nature; an interest vested in this; an item of real property; buildings or...
were particularly successful (at one point she owned four different major office buildings in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, each of them named after her).
Personal life
Griffith was married four times. She married actor and frequent co-star Webster Campbell from 1920 to 1923, producer Walter MoroscoWalter Morosco
Walter Morosco was an American film producer, writer, and director.Morosco was born in San Francisco, California, the son of theater impresario Oliver Morosco...
from 1924 to 1934, and the owner of the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
football team George Preston Marshall
George Preston Marshall
George Preston Marshall was the owner and president of the Washington Redskins of the National Football League from 1932 until his death in 1969.-Contributions:...
from 1936 to 1958. During her marriage to Marshall, she composed the lyrics to the Redskins fight song "Hail to the Redskins
Hail to the Redskins
Hail to the Redskins is the fight song for the Washington Redskins. It was written sometime between 1937 and 1938 and was performed for the first time as the Official Redskins Fight Song on August 17, 1938...
" which became one of the most famous football anthems.
In 1966, within a few days, she married and divorced her fourth husband, Broadway actor Danny Scholl (Call Me Mister
Call Me Mister
Call Me Mister is a revue with sketches by Arnold Auerbach and words and music by Harold Rome. The title refers to returning soldiers who expected to be addressed as civilians instead of by their military rank....
). Scholl was 45, more than 25 years Griffith's junior. In court she testified that she was not Corinne Griffith. She claimed that she was the actresses' younger (by twenty years) sister who had taken her place upon the famous sister's death. Contradicting testimony by actresses Betty Blythe
Betty Blythe
Betty Blythe was an American actress best known for her dramatic roles in exotic silent films such as The Queen of Sheba .-Career:...
and Claire Windsor
Claire Windsor
Claire Windsor was a notable American film actress of the silent screen era.-Early life:Windsor was born Clara Viola Cronk in 1892 to George Edwin and Rosella R. Fearing Cronk in Marvin, Phillips County, Kansas of Scandinavian heritage. Her parents later moved to Cawker City, Kansas when she was...
, who had both known her since the 1920s, did not shake her story. In 1974, Adele Whitely Fletcher, editor of Photoplay
Photoplay
Photoplay was one of the first American film fan magazines. It was founded in 1911 in Chicago, the same year that J. Stuart Blackton founded a similar magazine entitled Motion Picture Story...
, said Griffith was still claiming that she was her own younger sister.
Griffith was a member of the Christian Science
Christian Science
Christian Science is a system of thought and practice derived from the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and the Bible. It is practiced by members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist as well as some others who are nonmembers. Its central texts are the Bible and the Christian Science textbook,...
religion.
Death
On July 13, 1979, Griffith died of heart failure in Santa Monica, CaliforniaSanta Monica, California
Santa Monica is a beachfront city in western Los Angeles County, California, US. Situated on Santa Monica Bay, it is surrounded on three sides by the city of Los Angeles — Pacific Palisades on the northwest, Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles on the northeast, Mar Vista on the east, and...
, aged 84. At the time of her death, her personal estate was worth over $150,000,000.
For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Corrine Griffith has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
at 1560 Vine Street
Vine Street
Vine is a street in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California that runs north-south from Melrose Avenue up past Hollywood Boulevard. The intersection of Hollywood and Vine was once a symbol of Hollywood itself...
.
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1916 | La Paloma | Stella | |
| 1916 | The Waters of Lethe | Joyce Denton | |
| 1916 | The Yellow Girl | Corinne | |
| 1916 | Through the Wall | Pussy Wimott | |
| 1916 | The Last Man | Lorna | |
| 1917 | The Stolen Treaty | Irene Mitchell | |
| 1917 | Transgression | Marion Hayward | |
| 1917 | The Love Doctor | Blanche Hildreth | |
| 1917 | I Will Repay | Virginia Rodney | |
| 1917 | Who Goes There? | Karen Girard | |
| 1918 | Love Watches | Jacqueline Cartaret | |
| 1918 | The Clutch of Circumstance | Ruth Lawson | |
| 1918 | The Girl of Today | Leslie Selden | |
| 1918 | Miss Ambition | Marta | |
| 1919 | The Adventure Shop | Phyllis Blake | |
| 1919 | The Girl Problem | Erminie Foster | |
| 1919 | The Unknown Quantity | Mary Boyne | |
| 1919 | Thin Ice | Alice Winton | |
| 1919 | A Girl at Bay | Mary Allen | |
| 1919 | The Bramble Bush | Kaly Dial | |
| 1919 | The Climbers | Blanche Sterling | |
| 1920 | The Tower of Jewels | Emily Cottrell | |
| 1920 | Human Collateral | Patricia Langdon | |
| 1920 | Deadline at Eleven | Helen Stevens | |
| 1920 | The Garter Girl | Rosalie Ray | |
| 1920 | The Whisper Market | Erminie North | |
| 1920 | The Broadway Bubble | Adrienne Landreth/Drina Lynn | |
| 1921 | It Isn't Being Done This Season | Marcia Ventnor | |
| 1921 | What's Your Reputation Worth? | Cara Deene | |
| 1921 | Moral Fibre | Marion Wolcott | |
| 1921 | The Single Track | Janette Gildersleeve | |
| 1922 | Island Wives | Elsa Melton | |
| 1922 | Divorce Coupons | Linda Catherton | |
| 1922 | The Common Law | Valerie West | |
| 1923 | Black Oxen Black Oxen Black Oxen is an American silent film released in December 1923, starring Corinne Griffith, Conway Tearle and Clara Bow and based on the novel by Gertrude Atherton... |
Madame Zatianny/Mary Ogden | Extant |
| 1923 | Six Days | Laline Kingston | |
| 1924 | Single Wives Single Wives Single Wives is a 1924 silent film drama produced by and starring Corinne Griffith and distributed by First National. Based on an original story for the screen this film is now considered to be one of Griffith's lost films.-Cast:... |
Betty Jordan | Executive producer |
| 1924 | Love's Wilderness | Linda Lou Heath | Executive producer |
| 1925 | Declassee Declassee Declassée is a 1925 silent film drama of manners produced and released by First National Pictures in association with Corinne Griffith as executive producer. Griffith also stars in the production directed by Robert G. Vignola which is based on the 1919 play by Zoe Akins that starred Ethel Barrymore... |
Lady Heelen Haden | Producer; Extant(British Film Institute) |
| 1925 | Classified | Babs Comet | Producer; Incomplete(Library of Congress) |
| 1925 | Infatuation | Violet Bancroft | Executive producer |
| 1926 | Into Her Kingdom | Grand Duchess Tatiana (at 12 and 20) | Executive producer |
| 1926 | Syncopating Sue | Susan Adams | Executive producer |
| 1927 | The Lady in Ermine The Lady in Ermine (1927 film) The Lady in Ermine is a silent film romance/drama directed by James Flood and produced by Corinne Griffith, and distributed by First National Pictures... |
Mariana Beltrami | Executive producer; Lost film |
| 1927 | Three Hours Three Hours Three Hours is a 1927 American drama film based on the 1926 story Purple and Fine Linen by May Edginton. It was directed by James Flood and stars Corinne Griffith, who also served as executive producer.... |
Madeline Durkin | Executive producer |
| 1928 | The Garden of Eden The Garden of Eden (1928 film) The Garden of Eden is a 1928 silent movie starring Corinne Griffith. It was adapated from Avery Hopwood's short-lived stage production.-Cast:*Corinne Griffith - Toni LeBrun*Louise Dresser - Rosa*Lowell Sherman - Henri D'Avril... |
Toni LeBrun | Extant/Incomplete(Library of Congress) |
| 1928 | Outcast | Miriam | |
| 1929 | Saturday's Children | Bobby Halevy | |
| 1929 | Prisoners | Riza Riga | |
| 1929 | The Divine Lady The Divine Lady The Divine Lady is a 1929 Vitaphone sound film with a synchronized musical score and sound effects. The film, however, featured no spoken dialogue. The film tells the story of the love affair between Horatio Nelson and Emma Hamilton. It stars Corinne Griffith, Victor Varconi, H.B. Warner, Ian... |
Lady Emma Hart Hamilton | Extant |
| 1930 | Back Pay | Hester Bevins | Extant(Library of Congress) |
| 1932 | Lily Christine | Lily Christine Summerset | |
| 1962 | Paradise Alley | Mrs. Wilson | Alternative title: Stars in the Backyard |
Books by Corinne Griffith
- 1947 My Life with the Redskins - history of the Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
football team, owned by her husband, George Marshall - 1952 Papa's Delicate Condition - memoir of her childhood
- 1955 Eggs I Have Known - collection of recipes
- 1961 Antiques I Have Known - book about her interest in antiquesAntiquesAn antique is an old collectible item. It is collected or desirable because of its age , beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and/or other unique features...
- 1962 Taxation Without Representation - Griffith's argument against taxes.
- 1963 I Can't Boil Water - collection of recipes she obtained from famous restaurants
- 1963 Hollywood Stories - collection of short fiction written by Griffith
- 1965 Truth is Stranger - collection of articles collected by Griffith that struck her as unusual with their information
- 1969 Not For Men Only - But Almost - a book on sports and its lack of appeal for most women
- 1972 This You Won't Believe - another collection similar to "Truth is Stranger"
- 1974 I'm Lucky at Cards - a book of various essays by Griffith