Lew Cody — Blue Book of the Screen (1923) 🇺🇸

There seems to be nothing more fatal, during college days, than a dose of editorial work or a role in student theatricals. As a result of these two lures, many a present day publisher, writer and actor were seized upon right in the midst of preparation for other professions, and diverted into new channels with feverish rapidity.

The ministry lost a large number of prospects in this manner, while it is to be wondered how the medical profession ever kept stride with business, so rapidly has the pen and acting profession stripped its ranks of physicians in the bud.

One of those who prepared to rid the world of the ills which afflict mankind, was Lew Cody.

Born in Waterville, Maine, he went through common school, then graduated from high school in Berlin, N. H., and attended McGill University in Montreal, Canada, entering the Medical College. Shortly after he entered the Stanhope Wheatcroft School of Acting in New York to prepare himself for his life’s work. Long before his course was completed he left to join a “one night stand” troupe that was leaving for a southern tour. With the funds advanced by his father he purchased a wardrobe and the usual tin “make-up” box with sufficient “make-up” to last a life time. From that day his real work started.

While touring the west coast with the New York Winter Garden Show he became interested in pictures. That was in the spring of 1915. Thomas Ince [Thomas H. Ince] gave him his first screen contract, in which he played opposite Bessie Barriscale in “The Mating.” The following two years found him playing leads for several of the producing units, Balboa, Ince, Sennett, etc. He arrived with “For Husbands Only,” closely followed by such successes as “Don’t Change Your Husband,” “Micky,” “The Life Line.”

Then came his own company and with Gasnier [Louis J. Gasnier] as his associate, he produced and starred in “The Beloved Cheater,” “The Butterfly Man,” “Occasionally Yours,” “Dangerous Pastime.”

Shortly afterwards he played with Norma Talmadge in “The Sign on the Door.” He returned to the screen in “The Valley of Silent Men.” This was in the spring of 1922. “Secrets of Paris” and “Jacqueline” rounded out the year’s work. Starting with the new year he played Rupert in “Rupert of Hentzau.” Then came “Souls for Sale” and “Within the Law.”

Mr. Cody is six feet tall and has black hair.

After a series of the above-mentioned “one-nighters,” in which he played everything from “Hamlet” to “East Lynn,” he entered vaudeville. Following a few seasons in stock with his own company, he sold his interests.

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Lew Cody used to be known as the He Vamp of the screen.

Here he is shown with”his gang” of carpenters and prop men on the “Rupert of Hentzau” set.

Portrait by Alfred Cheney Johnston

Collection: The Blue Book of the Screen (1923)