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Rosemary Theby

Rosemary Theresa Theby (born Rose Masing,[1] April 8, 1892 – November 10, 1973) was an American film actress. She appeared in some 250 films between 1911 and 1940.

Rosemary Theby
Theby in 1916
Born
Rose Masing

(1892-04-08)April 8, 1892
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedNovember 10, 1973(1973-11-10) (aged 81)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1911–1940
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1915; died 1938)​
Truitt Hughes
​
​
(m. 1938)​

Early life and career

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The Lemon in Their Garden of Love (1916)
 
The Connecting Bath (1916)

The daughter of George and Katherine Masing, Theby was born in St. Louis, Missouri.[2] She studied at the Convent of St. Alphonsus in St. Louis[3] and at Sargent's School in New York City.[4] A contemporary newspaper account described her as being of "medium-height, well proportioned, with regular features and dark hair".[4]

Theby began working with Vitagraph studios in 1910.[1] Her first film experience came in that company's production of The Wager.[4] By 1915, she was a star for the Universal film company.[5] During World War I Theby took care of a refugee from Lithuania. After being educated and cared for by Theby, the young woman became her maid during a time of an acute shortage of maids in Hollywood, in 1920.[6]

As Miss Corintee in The Great Love (1918), Theby played the part of a German spy with great skill. The film was written and directed by D.W. Griffith.[7] This was a femme fatale, or "vampire," role, which she began to play frequently after depicting characters in slapstick comedies.[4] Theby played a Chinese "vamp" in Clung, a Fox Film production directed by Emmett J. Flynn.[8] Later she began to portray more serious women.[4]

Theby was solely a film actress. She declined an offer to accompany Chauncey Olcott to appear on stage for $85 per week. At the time she was earning $125 weekly in movies. She later regretted her decision because of the experience she would have gained.[4]

Thelby's career included Westerns and serials.[2]

Personal life

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Theby was married to fellow actor and director Harry Myers.[9] After Myers' death in 1938,[2] she married Truitt Hughes to whom she remained married until her death. She lived for years at 1907 Wilcox Avenue in Los Angeles.[10]

Theby supported Calvin Coolidge in the 1924 presidential election. Theby enjoyed playing golf, wore her hair in a bob cut, and possessed a preoccupation with personal cleanliness.[11] On screen she appeared tall and willowy, entering a scene, according to one review in the Los Angeles Times, with a "sensuous glide".[12]

Theby died of circulatory shock on November 10, 1973, at the age of 81.[citation needed]

Selected filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed. McFarland. p. 741. ISBN 978-0-7864-7992-4. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Katchmer, George A. (2015). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-0905-8. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
  3. ^ "Harry Myers equally brilliant as actor and as director". The Morning Post. New Jersey, Camden. August 4, 1916. p. 11. Retrieved May 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Rosemary And Reminiscences, Los Angeles Times, May 2, 1920, pg. III18.
  5. ^ The Screen. Reno Evening Gazette, July 24, 1920, pg. 11.
  6. ^ To Complete Regalia, Los Angeles Times, February 1, 1920, pg. III1.
  7. ^ In The Great Love, Los Angeles Times, August 26, 1918, pg. II6.
  8. ^ Pleasure Trip For Stars, February 13, 1921, pg. III16.
  9. ^ Harry Myers, Actor Of Silent Film Fame, New York Times, December 27, 1938, pg. 17.
  10. ^ "Secrets of the Movies Revealed". The Evening News. October 6, 1920. p. 10. Retrieved August 29, 2014 – via Newspapers.com.  
  11. ^ Vampire Is Normal Off Screen, Los Angeles Times, July 13, 1924, pg. B13.
  12. ^ What A Nice Vampire!, Los Angeles Times, September 21, 1924, pg. B9.
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