Virginia Hammond (1916) 🇺🇸

An example of how a distinct prejudice against motion pictures could be turned into a genuine enthusiasm for them is given by the instance of Virginia Hammond, former Frohman leading woman. Miss Hammond makes her first appearance as a screen star in The Discard, Essanay’s latest five-reel feature.

“It was not until I had seen The Birth of a Nation with Henry B. Walthall’s great acting that I realized the possibilities of the motion picture work. From a real dislike of pictures I became highly interested in them. When I received an offer from Essanay, I was delighted, and accepted it without hesitation, even though I had scorned like inducements before.”

Miss Hammond was born in Stanton, Virginia, and was educated in a Chicago school for girls. Her father was a Confederate major in the Civil War.

Her stage career has included four years with Frohman [Charles Frohman | Daniel Frohman] as leading woman for E. H. Sothern, and three years with the Shuberts. She was Ophelia to Sothern’s Hamlet, and also appeared with him in If I Were King, Don Quixote, Richelieu and other plays. She was for a time leading woman for William Courtney [William Courtenay].

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Collection: Moving Picture World, February 1916

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see also

• Arthur Hoops (1916)
• Webster Campbell Now With Vitagraph (1916)