Anna Lehr (November 17, 1890 – January 22, 1974) was an American silent film and stage actress.[1]
Anna Lehr | |
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![]() Lehr in The Truth About Husbands (1920) | |
Born | New York City, U.S. | November 17, 1890
Died | January 22, 1974 Santa Monica, California. U.S. | (aged 83)
Occupation | Actress |
Spouse | Edwin McKim (divorced) |
Children | Ann Dvorak |
Biography
editBorn in New York City to Austrian immigrant parents, Frank Lehr and Emilie Freisinger, Anna Lehr filmed Civilization's Child (1916) for Thomas Ince, a Triangle-Kay Bee feature.[1] The screenplay was written by C. Gardner Sullivan.[2] There is a scene in which Russian cavalry charge over her as she lies prostrate on the ground. Lehr's fear was abated somewhat by her belief that horses will not step on people except by accident.[1] She played "Doris Ames" in the silent film Grafters (1917), which was directed by Allan Dwan.[3]
In 1919 Lehr was chosen by David Powell to play in Teeth of the Tiger. She was forced to withdraw due to ptomaine poisoning. The movie was being filmed by Famous Players–Lasky in New York City. Lehr's continued absence necessitated the retaking of scenes which she had completed.[4]
She was sued by Chappell, Inc., in 1921 for nonpayment of $916.85 worth of hats, gowns, and cloaks. Lehr testified that she had intended to pay for the merchandise but delayed after a sheriff and collectors began bothering her. Chappell contended that when she did not return to their store to make arrangements for payment, they had a right to send out to collect the amount owed them. Her attorney sought dismissal of the case on the grounds that Edwin McKim was made a party to the suit, but had not been served; McKim was in New York City at the time. The case was carried out in the Los Angeles, California court of Judge J.P. Wood.[5]
Family
editShe was married to Edwin McKim;[6] their daughter was actress Ann Dvorak.[5][7] The couple divorced when Dvorak was nine or ten years old, and she and her father had no contact with each other for nearly 14 years. She finally reconnected with him "through a newspaper appeal" in 1934.[8]
Death
editLehr died in Santa Monica, California, aged 83, in 1974, predeceasing her daughter, Ann Dvorak, by only five years.
Partial filmography
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1912 | A Simple Life | Marie Smith | |
1914 | Should a Woman Divorce? | ||
1915 | The White Scar[9] | Wehnonah | |
1916 | Civilization's Child | Berna | |
1917 | Grafters | Doris Ames | |
Parentage | Mrs. Brown | ||
1918 | The Other Woman [10] | Mrs. Harrington | |
My Own United States | Agnes Churchill | ||
Men | Laura Burton | Lost film | |
The Yellow Ticket | Mary Varenka | Lost film | |
Laughing Bill Hyde | Ponotah | ||
The Birth of a Race | |||
1919 | Thunderbolts of Fate | Eleanor Brewster | |
1920 | A Child for Sale | Catherine Bell | |
The Truth About Husbands | Janet Preece | ||
The Valley of Doubt | Annice | ||
1921 | Cheated Hearts | Naomi | Lost film |
Mr. Barnes of New York | Marina Paoli | ||
1923 | Ruggles of Red Gap | Mrs. Belknap-Jackson |
References
edit- ^ a b c At The Majestic, Sheboygan Press, May 24, 1916, p. 2
- ^ "Smashing Photoplay", Ogden Standard, June 3, 1916, p. 9
- ^ "Palace Theater", Grand Rapids, Wisconsin Daily Leader, October 20, 1917, p. 2
- ^ News Notes From Movieland, Madison Capital Times, July 31, 1919, p. 4
- ^ a b "Wants Husband Protected", Los Angeles Times, July 23, 1921
- ^ "Biography | Ann Dvorak: Hollywood's Forgotten Rebel". November 11, 2007.
- ^ "Theatrical News; Regis Veiled Marriage", Trenton Evening Times, February 13, 1920, p. 15
- ^ "Ann Dvorak Finds Father After 14 Years' Silence". The New York Times. February 5, 1934. p. 19. ProQuest 101070794. Retrieved November 4, 2020 – via ProQuest.
- ^ Cozad, W. Lee. Those Magnificent Mountain Movies: (The Golden Years) 1911–1939, p. 17-18 (2002)
- ^ "The Other Woman". February 3, 1918 – via IMDb.
External links
edit- Anna Lehr at IMDb
- Anna Lehr Gallery at Ann Dvorak.com
- Later photo of Ann Lehr with Nat Sherman and Hedda Hopper