Ruth Clifford
Encyclopedia
Ruth Clifford was an American actress of leading roles in silent films, whose career lasted from silent days into the television era.
, she attended St. Mary's Seminary in Narragansett, Rhode Island
, then, following her mother's death in 1911, came to Los Angeles as a teenager to live with her actress aunt. She got work as an extra and began her career at 15 at Universal, in fairly substantial roles. By her mid-twenties, she was playing leads and second leads, including the role of Abraham Lincoln
's lost love, Ann Rutledge
, in Abraham Lincoln (1924). But sound pictures found her roles diminishing, and throughout the next three decades she played smaller and smaller parts.
She was a favorite of director John Ford
(they played bridge together), who used her in eight films, but rarely in substantial roles. She was also, for a time, the voice of Walt Disney
's Minnie Mouse
. She lived long enough to find herself in demand for documentary interviews on the subject of early Hollywood.
She was married to Beverly Hills real-estate developer James Cornelius. They had one child and divorced in 1938.
She died in 1998 at the age of 98.
Biography
A native of Pawtucket, Rhode IslandPawtucket, Rhode Island
Pawtucket is a city in Providence County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 71,148 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth largest city in the state.-History:...
, she attended St. Mary's Seminary in Narragansett, Rhode Island
Narragansett, Rhode Island
Narragansett is a town in Washington County, Rhode Island, United States. The population was 15,868 at the 2010 census, but there is a greater population in the summer. The nickname for the town is "Gansett". The town of Narragansett occupies a narrow strip of land running along the eastern bank...
, then, following her mother's death in 1911, came to Los Angeles as a teenager to live with her actress aunt. She got work as an extra and began her career at 15 at Universal, in fairly substantial roles. By her mid-twenties, she was playing leads and second leads, including the role of Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
's lost love, Ann Rutledge
Ann Rutledge
Ann Rutledge was allegedly Abraham Lincoln's first love.-Relationship:Born near Henderson, Kentucky Ann Mayes Rutledge was the third of ten children born to Mary and James Rutledge. In 1829, her father, along with John M. Cameron, founded New Salem, Illinois...
, in Abraham Lincoln (1924). But sound pictures found her roles diminishing, and throughout the next three decades she played smaller and smaller parts.
She was a favorite of director John Ford
John Ford
John Ford was an American film director. He was famous for both his westerns such as Stagecoach, The Searchers, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, and adaptations of such classic 20th-century American novels as The Grapes of Wrath...
(they played bridge together), who used her in eight films, but rarely in substantial roles. She was also, for a time, the voice of Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
's Minnie Mouse
Minnie Mouse
Minerva "Minnie" Mouse is an animated character created by Ub Iwerks and Walt Disney. The comic strip story "The Gleam" by Merrill De Maris and Floyd Gottfredson first gave her full name as Minerva Mouse. Minnie has since been a recurring alias for her. Minnie is currently voiced by actress Russi...
. She lived long enough to find herself in demand for documentary interviews on the subject of early Hollywood.
She was married to Beverly Hills real-estate developer James Cornelius. They had one child and divorced in 1938.
She died in 1998 at the age of 98.
Selected filmography
- Behind the LinesBehind the Lines (film)Behind the Lines is a 1916 silent drama film featuring Harry Carey.-Cast:* Edith Johnson - Nina Garcia* Harry Carey - Dr. Ralph Hamlin* Ruth Clifford - Camilla* Mark Fenton - Señor Garcia * Miriam Shelby - Señnora Cano...
(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....
) - The Invisible RayThe Invisible Ray (1920 serial)The Invisible Ray is a 1920 science fiction film serial directed by Harry A. Pollard. The film is considered to be lost. After a mineralologist discovers the ray with extraordinary powers, a group of scientists seek to use it for a criminal scheme.-Cast:...
(19201920 in filmThe year 1920 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* November 27 - The Mark of Zorro, starring Douglas Fairbanks opens.-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1920:U.S.A. unless stated*The $1,000,000 Reward...
) - The Face on the Bar-Room FloorThe Face on the Bar-Room Floor (1923 film)The Face on the Bar-Room Floor is a 1923 drama film directed by John Ford. The film is considered to be lost. It was adapted from the poem of the same name by Hugh Antoine d'Arcy.-Cast:* Henry B...
(19231923 in film-Events:*April 15 - Lee De Forest demonstrates the Phonofilm sound-on-film system at the Rivoli Theater in New York with a series of short musical films featuring vaudeville performers.-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1923:U.S.A...
) - The Show of ShowsThe Show of Shows (film)The Show of Shows is a lavish all talking Vitaphone musical revue film which cost $850,000 to make. The Show of Shows was Warner Bros. fifth color movie, the first four were The Desert Song , On With the Show , Gold Diggers of Broadway and Paris . This movie featured most of the contemporary...
(19291929 in film-Events:The days of the silent film are numbered. A mad scramble to provide synchronized sound is on.*January 20 - The movie In Old Arizona is released. The film is the first full-length talking film to be filmed outdoors....
)