Dorothy Janis
Encyclopedia
Dorothy Janis was an American
silent film
actress.
, her short film career began when she was visiting a cousin, who was working on a film for Fox Film Corporation in 1927. Her beauty was noticed at once and she was asked to make a screen test
. Janis went on to make five films: four silents and one talkie.
novel. This film, released by United Artists
, only exists as a single nitrate print at the British Film Institute
. Janis was best known for playing opposite Ramon Novarro
in the MGM film The Pagan
(1929), for which MGM publicity portrayed her as half-Cherokee
. The Pagan, directed by W. S. Van Dyke
, was a part-sound film, with music and sound effects only, and featured "Pagan Love Song" on the soundtrack.
in 1932. The vice president of the Music Corporation of America
, W. H. Stein, was best man. Janis and King were married for 53 years, until King's death in 1985. She lived in Paradise Valley, Arizona
from 2004 up until her death on March 10, 2010 at the age of 98. She was laid to rest in the All Saints Episcopal Church Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
silent film
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.
Early life
Born as Dorothy Penelope Jones in Dallas, TexasDallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
, her short film career began when she was visiting a cousin, who was working on a film for Fox Film Corporation in 1927. Her beauty was noticed at once and she was asked to make a screen test
Screen test
A screen test is a method of determining the suitability of an actor or actress for performing on film and/or in a particular role. The performer is generally given a scene, or selected lines and actions, and instructed to perform in front of a camera to see if they are suitable...
. Janis went on to make five films: four silents and one talkie.
Film career
The one talkie was Lummox (1930) based on the Fannie HurstFannie Hurst
Fannie Hurst was an American novelist. Although her books are not well remembered today, during her lifetime some of her more famous novels were Stardust , Lummox , A President is Born , Back Street , and Imitation of Life...
novel. This film, released by United Artists
United Artists
United Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
, only exists as a single nitrate print at the British Film Institute
British Film Institute
The British Film Institute is a charitable organisation established by Royal Charter to:-Cinemas:The BFI runs the BFI Southbank and IMAX theatre, both located on the south bank of the River Thames in London...
. Janis was best known for playing opposite Ramon Novarro
Ramón Novarro
Ramón Novarro was a Mexican leading man actor in Hollywood in the early 20th century. He was the next male "Sex Symbol" after the death of Rudolph Valentino...
in the MGM film The Pagan
The Pagan (1929 film)
The Pagan is a 1929 silent/part talking film romance filmed in Tahiti and produced and distributed by Metro Goldwyn Mayer. The director of the picture was W. S. Van Dyke, and the cinematographer was Clyde De Vinna, both who had previously visited Tahiti in 1928 to film White Shadows in the South...
(1929), for which MGM publicity portrayed her as half-Cherokee
Cherokee
The Cherokee are a Native American people historically settled in the Southeastern United States . Linguistically, they are part of the Iroquoian language family...
. The Pagan, directed by W. S. Van Dyke
W. S. Van Dyke
Woodbridge Strong "Woody" Van Dyke, Jr. was an American motion picture director.-Early life and career:...
, was a part-sound film, with music and sound effects only, and featured "Pagan Love Song" on the soundtrack.
Retirement, marriage, and later life
Janis retired in 1930 and married bandleader Wayne KingWayne King
Wayne King was an American musician, songwriter, singer and orchestral leader. He was sometimes referred to as "the Waltz King" because much of his most popular music involved waltzes; "The Waltz You Saved For Me" was his standard set closing song in live performance and on numerous radio...
in 1932. The vice president of the Music Corporation of America
Music Corporation of America
MCA, Inc. was an American talent agency. Initially starting in the music business, they would next become a dominant force in the film business, and later expanded into the television business...
, W. H. Stein, was best man. Janis and King were married for 53 years, until King's death in 1985. She lived in Paradise Valley, Arizona
Paradise Valley, Arizona
Paradise Valley is a small, affluent town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2005 Census Bureau, the population of the town was 14,558. Despite the town's relatively small area and population compared to other municipalities in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Paradise...
from 2004 up until her death on March 10, 2010 at the age of 98. She was laid to rest in the All Saints Episcopal Church Cemetery in Phoenix, Arizona.
Filmography
- Kit Carson (Paramount PicturesParamount PicturesParamount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
, 1928) - Fleetwing (Fox Film Corporation, 1928)
- The Overland Telegraph (Metro-Goldwyn-MayerMetro-Goldwyn-MayerMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
. 1929) - The Pagan (MGM, 1929)
- Lummox (United ArtistsUnited ArtistsUnited Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
, 1930)