Helen Dunbar (1914) 🇺🇸
To have been for seven years a member of Weber & Fields’ famous company in the heydey of its brilliant success is a distinction of which any player may be proud. “For a real test of speed,” says George Ade, “one should have a pace maker.” Helen Dunbar, now with Essanay, had as pace makers during her service with Weber & Fields such shining lights as Warfield [David Warfield], Sam Bernard, Pete Dailey, Fay Templeton, Lillian Russell, De Wolfe Hopper, William Collier [William Collier Sr.], Charles Ross, Mabel Fenton and all the rest of that remarkable cast. That she was able to make good for seven years in such smart company is sufficient proof that she is possessed of more than ordinary ability.
But this is only a part of her eighteen years upon the stage. She has always been in the best of company and has no barnstorming experiences to relate. At the age of 15 she made her stage debut while attending school in Philadelphia, singing in the opera of King Cole, sponsored by Wilson and Morse. In her fifteenth year she was married to the late Charles McCIellan, a widely known theatrical manager; so, altogether, her fifteenth year was a decisive one in her life’s history.
At the age of seventeen Helen Dunbar joined Pauline Hall’s company and sang many comic opera roles for six seasons. Then she went with Heinrich Conried’s Comic Opera Company for two seasons in The Black Huzzar and The Gypsy Bawn. After that came her seven-year engagement with Weber & Fields, following which she organized her own company, known as the English Players, and toured for two seasons in a repertoire of copyrighted plays. For the next three years she was absent from the stage. In 1911 she joined the Essanay Company at Chicago, where she has been ever since.
As a motion picture actress her renditions are superb. There is something queen-like about Helen Dunbar and the goodness of her face is like a benediction to a picture. As a society matron she has only to be herself, as much of her life has been spent in a social atmosphere. She is equally lovable in or out of a picture and those who have been her guests at home are quite sure that there is no more charming hostess in the world than Helen Dunbar.
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Warning to Exhibitors.
A notorious swindler has been forging the signature of Adolph Zukor, president of the Famous Players Film Co., and passing bogus checks upon exhibitors throughout the country. Warrant for this forger is held by the Akron, Ohio, police. He has defrauded hotels in New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. His description is as follows: name, Chas. P. Saunders, aliases C. H. Baker, Chas. H. Sanders, B. W. Somers, Robt. O. Manning, A. P. Stiver; nativity, American; age, 35 years; height, 5 ft. 10 ins.; weight, 140 to 150 lbs.; build, medium; complexion, light, sallow; hair, dark brown; eyes, blue; face, clean shaven. If this swindler defrauds or attempts to defraud you, notify your police and cause his arrest.
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Cyrus Townsend Brady’s Works Secured.
Harry Leighton has secured both dramatic and moving picture rights to all novels and short stories by Cyrus Townsend Brady. Mr. Leighton is now busy dramatizing Dr. Brady’s latest book for a prominent producer. This is probably Dr. Brady’s most dramatic effort and will not be published until fall. It is expected that book and play will both appear at the same time. Mr. Leighton has already adapted Hearts Adrift and The Southerners from Mr. Brady’s books.
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Editor Building Theater.
A $10,000 theater is being built in Arkansas City., Kan., by Richard C. Howard, the editor of the Arkansas City Daily Traveler, published in that city. When completed the house will be leased for five years by H. Hill, who will install moving pictures.
Collection: Moving Picture World, April 1914