Marion Aye (April 5, 1903 – July 21, 1951) was an American actress of screen and stage who starred in several films during the 1920s, mostly comedies. She was sometimes credited as Maryon Aye.

Marion Aye
Aye in 1924
Born(1903-04-05)April 5, 1903
DiedJuly 21, 1951(1951-07-21) (aged 48)
Other namesMaryon Aye
Occupation(s)Actress, model, vaudeville performer
Years active1919–1926
Spouse
Harry Wilson
(m. 1920; div. 1924)

Early life

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Born in Chicago, Illinois, Aye was the daughter of attorney James H. Aye.[1]

Career

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Aye in 1922

Aye was selected as one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars in 1922. She was a capable dancer, a talent she exhibited in several films. Aye was Larry Semon's leading lady in The Hick and worked with Stan Laurel in The Weak-End Party. She appeared in eighteen western shorts opposite Bob Reeves. When she signed a long-term film contract she became the first Hollywood star to agree to a morality clause.[2] Her last film role was in the 1926 comedy Irene, starring Colleen Moore, although she continued to work in vaudeville.

In November 1927, Aye was one of six people arrested for their participation in presenting the play The Married Virgin at The Green Street Theatre in San Francisco; the charge was that the play was immoral. The other five had been arrested on the charge once before, but it was Aye's first time.[3]

Personal life

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Aye's second husband was publicist Harry Wilson; they were married from 1920 until 1924.[4]

Later years and death

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Following retirement, she suffered depression from her isolation from the film industry. In 1935, she attempted suicide by swallowing poison. She continued to suffer from depression and on July 10, 1951, Aye was found in a "semi-conscious condition" after swallowing a handful of bi-chloride of mercury tablets in a motel room in Culver City, California.[5] Her last words to her husband were: "I dropped one of the tablets on the floor and I'm afraid the dog will get it."[6] She died eleven days later in a Los Angeles County hospital. Her father reported that she was despondent after failing to get a part in a television play.[1]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1919 A Yankee Doodle in Berlin Bathing Beauty Uncredited
1921 The Hick The Farmer's Daughter
Montana Bill
The Vengeance Trail Grace Winwood Credited as Maryon Aye
1922 Streak of Yellow
Double Reward
No Man's Gold
Phantom of the Hills
West Meets East
His Brother's Blood
The Claim Jumpers
The Weak-End Party Lily, the birthday girl
The Punctured Prince
1923 The Eternal Three Maid Credited as Maryon Aye
The Meanest Man in the World Nellie Clarke Credited as Maryon Aye
1924 The Last Man on Earth Red Sal
The Roughneck Marrat's Girl Credited as Maryon Aye
1926 Irene Helen Cheston Credited as Maryon Aye

References

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  1. ^ a b "Marion Aye, Former Screen Star, Dies". Rome News-Tribune. Rome, Georgia. INS. July 22, 1951. p. 5. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  2. ^ "Maryon Aye Signs with Sol Lesser". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. February 5, 1923. p. 32. Retrieved June 24, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "S.F. theater cast again arrested". The San Francisco Examiner. California, San Francisco. November 21, 1927. p. 15. Retrieved June 24, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "VAUDEVILLE" (PDF). Fultonhistory.com. Retrieved November 12, 2017.
  5. ^ "Actress Marion Aye's Death Seems Suicide". The Gazette. Iowa, Cedar Rapids. International News Service. July 22, 1951. p. 3. Retrieved June 23, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Marion Aye, Tragic Film Player" (PDF). bizarrela.com. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
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