Dorothy Bernard
Encyclopedia
Dorothy Bernard was an American actress of the silent era
. She appeared in 87 films between 1908 and 1956.
She was born Nora Dorothy Bernard in Port Elizabeth, South Africa to William H Bernard and Roy Elizabeth Ayrd. Her father was from Auckland, New Zealand, and her mother was born in Sligo, Ireland. Although her birth date is listed as July 25, 1890 in many biographies, her death certificate and U.S. passport both state her birth date as June 25, 1890. An only child, she spent her formative years in Portland, Oregon where her father, William H. Bernard (1864–1915), worked as a stock company manager and was a well-respected actor. As a child actress, Bernard appeared in several plays in Portland under "Dot Bernard" in the Baker Theater Company. Her stepmother, actress Nan Ramsey, also appeared in several productions. In 1905, her family moved to Los Angeles, California, and her father accepted a position to manage the Balasco theater. She was married to fellow actor, A.H. Van Buren (1879–1965), on July 5, 1909 in Washington D.C., and they had a daughter named Marjorie "Midge" Van Buren born on June 30, 1910 in Jamaica, New York.
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...
. She appeared in 87 films between 1908 and 1956.
She was born Nora Dorothy Bernard in Port Elizabeth, South Africa to William H Bernard and Roy Elizabeth Ayrd. Her father was from Auckland, New Zealand, and her mother was born in Sligo, Ireland. Although her birth date is listed as July 25, 1890 in many biographies, her death certificate and U.S. passport both state her birth date as June 25, 1890. An only child, she spent her formative years in Portland, Oregon where her father, William H. Bernard (1864–1915), worked as a stock company manager and was a well-respected actor. As a child actress, Bernard appeared in several plays in Portland under "Dot Bernard" in the Baker Theater Company. Her stepmother, actress Nan Ramsey, also appeared in several productions. In 1905, her family moved to Los Angeles, California, and her father accepted a position to manage the Balasco theater. She was married to fellow actor, A.H. Van Buren (1879–1965), on July 5, 1909 in Washington D.C., and they had a daughter named Marjorie "Midge" Van Buren born on June 30, 1910 in Jamaica, New York.
Selected filmography
- A Flash of LightA Flash of LightA Flash of Light is a 1910 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Charles West and featuring Mary Pickford and Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Charles West - John Rogers* Vivian Prescott - Belle* Stephanie Longfellow - The Older Sister...
(1910) - RamonaRamona (1910 film)Ramona is a 1910 short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith based on Helen Hunt Jackson's 1884 novel Ramona. A copy of the print survives in the Library of Congress film archive.-Cast:* Mary Pickford - Ramona* Henry B. Walthall - Alessandro...
(1910) - The Two PathsThe Two PathsThe Two Paths is a 1911 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith, starring Dorothy Bernard and featuring Blanche Sweet. A print of the film survives in the film archive of the Museum of Modern Art.-Cast:* Dorothy Bernard - Florence...
(1911) - His Trust FulfilledHis Trust FulfilledHis Trust Fulfilled is a 1911 drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. Prints of this film survive in the film archives of the Library of Congress and the Museum of Modern Art.-Cast:* Wilfred Lucas - George* Claire McDowell - Mrs...
(1911) - His TrustHis TrustHis Trust is a 1911 drama film directed by D. W. Griffith. It concerns "The faithful devotion and self- sacrifice of an old negro servant," who is played in blackface. The film's sequel is His Trust Fulfilled. Prints of the film survive in the film archives of the Museum of Modern Art and the...
(1911) - For His SonFor His SonFor His Son is a 1912 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. The film was shot in Fort Lee, New Jersey when Biograph Studios and other early film studios in America's first motion picture industry were based there at the beginning of the 20th century...
(1912) - A Sister's LoveA Sister's LoveA Sister's Love is a 1912 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet....
(1912) - A String of PearlsA String of Pearls (film)A String of Pearls is a 1912 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Dorothy Bernard - The Poor Woman* Charles West - The Poor Woman's Brother * Kate Bruce - The Poor Woman's Mother...
(1912) - The Girl and Her TrustThe Girl and Her Trust- Cast :*Dorothy Bernard as Grace, the Telegraph Operator*Wilfred Lucas as Jack, Railroad Express Agent...
(1912) - The Goddess of Sagebrush GulchThe Goddess of Sagebrush GulchThe Goddess of Sagebrush Gulch is a 1912 short silent Western film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Blanche Sweet - The Goddess* Charles West - Blue Grass Pete* Dorothy Bernard - The Goddess's Sister...
(1912) - One Is Business, the Other CrimeOne Is Business, the Other CrimeOne Is Business, the Other Crime is a 1912 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet. Prints of the film survive in the film archives of the Library of Congress and the Museum of Modern Art.-Cast:...
(1912) - An Outcast Among OutcastsAn Outcast Among OutcastsAn Outcast Among Outcasts is a 1912 short silent drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and Wilfred Lucas. It was Lucas' debut film as a director. The film starred Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Frank Opperman - The Blanket Tramp* Blanche Sweet - The Young Woman...
(1912) - The House of DarknessThe House of DarknessThe House of Darkness is a 1913 short drama film directed by D. W. Griffith.-Plot:In the introduction a woman is shown descending into insanity after having lost her baby. As she mourns, she takes a blanket from the baby's cradle and starts rocking it as if it were her deceased child. This serves...
(1913) - The Sheriff's BabyThe Sheriff's BabyThe Sheriff's Baby is a 1913 silent Western film directed by D. W. Griffith.-Cast:* Alfred Paget - The Sheriff* Henry B. Walthall - First Bandit* Harry Carey - Second Bandit* Lionel Barrymore - Third Bandit...
(1913) - Near to EarthNear to Earth-Cast:* Lionel Barrymore - Gato* Robert Harron - Gato's Brother* Gertrude Bambrick - Gato's Sweetheart* Mae Marsh - One of Gato's Sweetheart's Friends* Kathleen Butler - One of Gato's Sweetheart's Friends* Walter Miller - The Stranger* Dorothy Bernard...
(1913) - A Chance DeceptionA Chance DeceptionA Chance Deception is a 1913 drama film directed by D. W. Griffith and starring Blanche Sweet.-Cast:* Blanche Sweet - The Wife* Charles Hill Mailes - The Jealous Husband* Harry Carey - Raffles* Mildred Manning - Raffles' Woman* John T...
(1913)