Malvina Longfellow
Encyclopedia
Malvina Longfellow was a stage and silent movie
actress of the early 20th century.
, Malvina's mother was Julia Langfelder and her sister was Lilyan Cohen. Longfellow attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
in New York City
. She was a member of the senior class of 1908 – 1909.
, Thurlow Bergen, and John Emerson. It was enacted at the Auditorium Theater, produced by the Shubert brothers. The plot is carried out in four acts and has to do with an impoverished New York family, the Kents. Their mother influences their lives after dying early in the play. In January 1910 the theatrical drama of spiritism played the Shubert Theater on 41st Street between Broadway (Manhattan) and 6th Avenue.
Longfellow was part of a program of entertainment at the Century Theatre
for British-American War Relief, in January 1916. Kitty Gordon, Eleanor Painter, Eugene Ormonde, and Paul Draper were also a part of the event. By 1916 Longfellow was married to a British officer who had served in the Dardanelles
for six months in 1915.
The Indian Love Lyrics (1923), and The Celestial City (1929). German producer, Ernst Lubitsch
, wanted her to make
a movie about Lord Nelson in 1921. She was to star as Lady Hamilton opposite Reinhold Scheunzel.
, with cocaine. Carleton was discovered dead in her London hotel in December 1918. Longfellow testified that she knew of Carleton's
addiction to drugs and had tried unsuccessfully to counsel her to stop using them. Longfellow told the court that she asked De Veulle
to quit providing Carleton with drugs. She told him on the night of
Armistice Day
that there would be trouble if he continued to do so.
, an international beauty expert and photographer, selected Longfellow as one of the world's most beautiful women, in November 1922. An Englishman, Hoppe was quoted as saying, Of all the women in the world the English and American women are the most beautiful. The superiority of the American eyes with their jol de vivre balances the English superiority of ankles and coiffure. Others picked by him were Marion Davies
, Mrs. Lydig Hoyt, Lady Lavery, and Viscountess Maidstone.
Malvina died in London, England in 1962 at the age of 73.
Silent Movie
Silent Movie is a 1976 satirical comedy film co-written, directed by, and starring Mel Brooks, and released by 20th Century Fox on June 17, 1976...
actress of the early 20th century.
Family, education
Born in the city of New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Malvina's mother was Julia Langfelder and her sister was Lilyan Cohen. Longfellow attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts
American Academy of Dramatic Arts
The American Academy of Dramatic Arts is a fully accredited two-year conservatory with facilities located in Manhattan, New York City – at 120 Madison Avenue, in a landmark building designed by noted architect Stanford White as the original Colony Club – and in Hollywood, California...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. She was a member of the senior class of 1908 – 1909.
Stage actress
In December 1909 Longfellow was in The Watcher, a play with a psychic theme, staged in Baltimore, Maryland. Written by Cora Maynard, the presentation featured the actors Cathrine Countiss, Percy HaswellPercy Haswell
Percy Haswell , frequently billed as Miss Percy Haswell or Mrs. George Fawcett to clarify her gender, was an American stage and film actress....
, Thurlow Bergen, and John Emerson. It was enacted at the Auditorium Theater, produced by the Shubert brothers. The plot is carried out in four acts and has to do with an impoverished New York family, the Kents. Their mother influences their lives after dying early in the play. In January 1910 the theatrical drama of spiritism played the Shubert Theater on 41st Street between Broadway (Manhattan) and 6th Avenue.
Longfellow was part of a program of entertainment at the Century Theatre
Century Theatre
The Century Theatre, originally the New Theatre, was a theater located at 62nd Street and Central Park West in New York City. Opened on November 6, 1909, it was noted for its fine architecture but due to poor acoustics and an inconvenient location it was financially unsuccessful...
for British-American War Relief, in January 1916. Kitty Gordon, Eleanor Painter, Eugene Ormonde, and Paul Draper were also a part of the event. By 1916 Longfellow was married to a British officer who had served in the Dardanelles
Dardanelles
The Dardanelles , formerly known as the Hellespont, is a narrow strait in northwestern Turkey connecting the Aegean Sea to the Sea of Marmara. It is one of the Turkish Straits, along with its counterpart the Bosphorus. It is located at approximately...
for six months in 1915.
Film career
She was in motion pictures beginning in 1917 with a role in The Will of the People. Her many film appearances include parts in Adam Bede (1918), The Romance of Lady Hamilton (1919), Calvary (1920), Moth and Rust (1921), Phroso (1922), The Wandering Jew (1923),The Indian Love Lyrics (1923), and The Celestial City (1929). German producer, Ernst Lubitsch
Ernst Lubitsch
Ernst Lubitsch was a German-born film director. His urbane comedies of manners gave him the reputation of being Hollywood's most elegant and sophisticated director; as his prestige grew, his films were promoted as having "the Lubitsch touch."In 1947 he received an Honorary Academy Award for his...
, wanted her to make
a movie about Lord Nelson in 1921. She was to star as Lady Hamilton opposite Reinhold Scheunzel.
Court witness
Longfellow gave testimony to a coroner's inquest in London, England, in January 1919. The coroner's jury found Reggie De Veulle guilty of supplying British actress, Billie CarletonBillie Carleton
Billie Carleton was an English musical comedy actress. She began her professional stage career at age 15 and was playing roles in the West End by age 18. She appeared in the hit musical The Boy , which led to a starring role in The Freedom of the Seas in 1918...
, with cocaine. Carleton was discovered dead in her London hotel in December 1918. Longfellow testified that she knew of Carleton's
addiction to drugs and had tried unsuccessfully to counsel her to stop using them. Longfellow told the court that she asked De Veulle
to quit providing Carleton with drugs. She told him on the night of
Armistice Day
Armistice Day
Armistice Day is on 11 November and commemorates the armistice signed between the Allies of World War I and Germany at Compiègne, France, for the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front of World War I, which took effect at eleven o'clock in the morning—the "eleventh hour of the eleventh day...
that there would be trouble if he continued to do so.
Renowned beauty
E.O. HoppéE.O. Hoppé
Emil Otto Hoppé was a German-born British portrait, travel, and topographic photographer active between 1907 and 1945...
, an international beauty expert and photographer, selected Longfellow as one of the world's most beautiful women, in November 1922. An Englishman, Hoppe was quoted as saying, Of all the women in the world the English and American women are the most beautiful. The superiority of the American eyes with their jol de vivre balances the English superiority of ankles and coiffure. Others picked by him were Marion Davies
Marion Davies
Marion Davies was an American film actress. Davies is best remembered for her relationship with newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, as her high-profile social life often obscured her professional career....
, Mrs. Lydig Hoyt, Lady Lavery, and Viscountess Maidstone.
Mother's death
Julia Langfelder died in 1938. Her funeral was conducted at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 76th Street, and Amsterdam Avenue, New York City, on April 19. She was survived by her daughters, Longfellow and Cohen.Malvina died in London, England in 1962 at the age of 73.
Selected filmography
- Adam BedeAdam Bede (film)Adam Bede is a 1918 British silent drama film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Bransby Williams, Ivy Close and Malvina Longfellow. It is an adaptation of the novel Adam Bede by George Eliot.-Cast:* Bransby Williams - Adam Bede...
(1918) - NelsonNelson (1918 film)Nelson is a 1918 British historical film directed by Maurice Elvey and starring Donald Calthrop, Malvina Longfellow and Ivy Close. It was based on the biography of Admiral Horatio Nelson by Robert Southey.-Cast:* Donald Calthrop - Horatio Nelson...
(1918) - ThelmaThelma (1918 film)Thelma is a 1918 British silent drama film directed by A.E. Coleby, Arthur Rooke and starring Malvina Longfellow, Arthur Rooke and Maud Yates...
(1918) - UnmarriedUnmarried (1920 film)Unmarried is a 1920 British silent drama film directed by Rex Wilson and starring Gerald du Maurier, Malvina Longfellow and Edmund Gwenn. The film portrays an unmarried mother and the social workers who support her.-Partial cast:...
(1920)
External links
- Malvina Longfellow National Portrait Gallery photo
- Malvina Longfellow Eagle-Design photo