Gene Gauntier
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Gene Gauntier (born Genevieve Gauntier Liggett, August 26, 1885 – December 18, 1966) was an American screenwriter and actress who was one of the pioneers of the motion picture industry. A writer, director, and actress in films from mid 1906 to 1920, she wrote screenplays for 42 films. She performed in 87 films and is credited as the director of ''The Grandmother'' (1909).


Biography

Born as Genevieve Gauntier Liggett in Kansas City, Missouri, to James Wesley and Ada J. Gauntier Liggett, she was the middle child of three children. Her older brother was Richard Green Liggett and her sister was Marguerite Gauntier Liggett, who married Swedish billionaire
Axel Wenner-Gren Axel Lennart Wenner-Gren (5 June 1881 – 24 November 1961) was a Swedish entrepreneur and one of the wealthiest men in the world during the 1930s. Early life He was born on 5 June 1881 in Uddevalla, a town on the west coast of Sweden. He w ...
. Gauntier attended the Kansas City School of Oratory while in Kansas City. In 1904, she began her stage career. Gauntier made her way to New York City where she began her career in live theater using the stage name "Gene Gauntier," and first appeared in films between acting jobs with stock company tours. She remembered in her 1928 autobiography ''Blazing the Trail'':
“My funds were running low, and in a vague way I thought of the new opening for actors – moving pictures, but, like the rest of the legitimate profession, I looked on them with contempt and felt sure that my prestige would be lowered if I worked in them."
In June 1906, Gauntier was literally thrown into her first screen assignment when she was hired for a daredevil stunt, being filmed as a damsel thrown into a river for Biograph's ''The Paymaster''. It was a one-reeler, where she first met her long-time friend
Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. Biography Born John Sidney Allcott in Toronto, he became one of the first great direc ...
and Frank Marion. Gauntier then returned to stage acting as the lead female role in George Ade's The County Chairman at Kansas City's Grand Opera House.


The Kalem Company

In 1907, Gauntier became more involved in the fledgling
silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized Sound recording and reproduction, recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) ...
industry, working for Kalem Studios. She became Kalem's star actress, dubbed by the studio as the "Kalem Girl," and also became their most productive screenwriter in collaboration with director
Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. Biography Born John Sidney Allcott in Toronto, he became one of the first great direc ...
on numerous film projects. In 1924, after her departure from the film industry, Gauntier reminisced about her time at Kalem as an intensely fruitful period of creative freedom, when her authorial control and influence extended well beyond acting: :In addition to playing the principal parts, I also wrote, with the exception of a bare half-dozen, every one of the five hundred or so pictures in which I appeared. I picked locations, supervised sets, passed on tests, co-directed with Sidney Olcott, cut and edited and wrote captions (when in the United States), got up a large part of the advertising matter, and, with it all, averaged a reel a week. It was work in those days—but ''creative'' work, blazing the trail. We were always discovering new possibilities and each little success or surprise fed our enthusiasm. Mr. Olcott and I had no one over us. I scarcely ever submitted a scenario and never while abroad. The Kalem never knew what our picture was to be until they saw the first run in the projection room. We would have risked our lives (and did many times) out of sheer love for, and loyalty to the Kalem. For four years the same friends were together and we were known as the O'Kalems, and later, during the oriental tour, as the El Kalems. Gauntier's astonishing range of creative decision-making at Kalem reflects the "creative chaos in the early years f the industry thatfavored women’s relatively full participation while a new order in the industry mandated against it." By 1912, Gauntier had become disillusioned with the new conditions at Kalem, and left to start her own company, Gene Gauntier Feature Players.


Writing and copyright

''
Tom Sawyer Thomas Sawyer () is the titular character of the Mark Twain novel ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' (1876). He appears in three other novels by Twain: '' Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' (1884), '' Tom Sawyer Abroad'' (1894), and '' Tom Sawyer, ...
'' was the first of over three hundred screenplays Gauntier either wrote and produced or sold. In 1907, she wrote the script for ''The Days of '61'', the first film ever made about the
American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states ...
. That same year she wrote the screenplay and acted in the first '' Ben Hur'' film. The film was adapted in two days:
"I was not familiar with ''Ben Hur'' and the mere reading of the book would take two days. But this time my self-confidence n writingwas unlimited and I promised. What is more by dint of working nearly two nights I turned in the script on schedule...and we turned out the greatest spectacle and money-maker up to that time."
At the time, there was no
copyright A copyright is a type of intellectual property that gives its owner the exclusive right to copy, distribute, adapt, display, and perform a creative work, usually for a limited time. The creative work may be in a literary, artistic, educatio ...
law to protect authors, and she wrote in her autobiography about how the film industry infringed upon everything. As a result of the production of ''Ben Hur'', Harper and Brothers and the author's estate ( General Lew Wallace) brought suit against the Kalem Company, the Motion Picture Patents Company, and Gauntier for
copyright infringement Copyright infringement (at times referred to as piracy) is the use of works protected by copyright without permission for a usage where such permission is required, thereby infringing certain exclusive rights granted to the copyright holder, s ...
. The suit, which eventually settled the question of American copyright law for all time, took years to make its way through the court system but the
United States Supreme Court The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) is the highest court in the federal judiciary of the United States. It has ultimate appellate jurisdiction over all U.S. federal court cases, and over state court cases that involve a point o ...
finally ruled in favor of Harpers and Wallace, and against the film company. Most notably, Gauntier wrote and acted in 1912's '' From the Manger to the Cross''; a film that
Turner Classic Movies Turner Classic Movies (TCM) is an American movie-oriented pay-TV network owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. Launched in 1994, Turner Classic Movies is headquartered at Turner's Techwood broadcasting campus in the Midtown business district of At ...
considers the most important silent film to deal with the life of
Jesus Christ Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label=Hebrew/Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religious ...
, and which has been selected for preservation in the United States
National Film Registry The National Film Registry (NFR) is the United States National Film Preservation Board's (NFPB) collection of films selected for preservation, each selected for its historical, cultural and aesthetic contributions since the NFPB’s inception ...
.


Independent company

In December 1912, Gauntier left the Kalem Company and started the independent Gene Gauntier Feature Players Company, along with her long time collaborator Sidney Olcott and her actor husband Jack Clark. She was among a number of women silent film stars to start their own independent companies during this period. Others included Florence Lawrence with the Victor Company, Helen Holmes with the Signal Film Company, Flora Finch with the Flora Finch Company (1916-1917) and Film Frolic Picture Corporation (1920), and Marion Leonard with the Gem Motion Picture Company. In early 1914, Sidney Olcott resigned as producer at Gauntier's company to start his own Sid Olcott International Features. The cause of his falling out with Gauntier remains unclear. The Gene Gauntier Feature Players Company continued until 1915. Notable works include, ''The Civil War-era'' (1912), ''A Daughter of the Confederacy'' (1913) (adapted from Wallace Reid's stage play), ''Mystery of Pine Camp'' (1913), ''When Men Hate'' (1913), ''For Ireland's Sake'' (1914), ''A Daughter of Old Ireland'' (1914), and ''The Eye of the Government'' (1914). Gauntier wrote and starred in many of the films her company produced, while Olcott is credited as the main director during this time. Gaunter Feature Players became competitors of Kalem and eventually faded into oblivion once Gauntier signed on with Universal Pictures and moved to Hollywood.


Exit from the film industry

In 1920 at age thirty-five, and after writing forty-two screenplays and performing in eighty-seven films, Gauntier walked away from the business. In a 1924 interview with Photoplay, Gauntier explained her reasons for leaving: "I was worn out and had lost enthusiasm, without which we cannot, of course, progress. My work in pictures had been too difficult, my strength was sapped and it had become drudgery, especially the new way in which they were produced ..After being mastered of all I surveyed, I could not work under the new conditions. Domestic tragedy was the finishing touch and I was glad to get out while I could still retain some pleasant memories of the good old days."


Personal life and later years

In 1912, Gauntier married actor
Jack J. Clark Jack J. Clark (September 23, 1879 – April 12, 1947) was an American director and actor of the early motion picture industry. Biography Clark was born on September 23, 1879, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was persuaded to enter motion pictur ...
. They were divorced in 1918. Gauntier had sailed to Europe frequently where her sister Marguerite was an
opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a libr ...
singer who had trained and worked in Germany, and found herself stranded there when
World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...
broke out. After leaving filmmaking, she worked as the film and drama critic for the ''Kansas City Post'' in 1919, before returning to live in Europe where she remained for a number of years while writing her autobiography, ''Blazing the Trail''. The work was serialized in 1928–29 in the American magazine, ''
Woman's Home Companion ''Woman's Home Companion'' was an American monthly magazine, published from 1873 to 1957. It was highly successful, climbing to a circulation peak of more than four million during the 1930s and 1940s. The magazine, headquartered in Springfield, O ...
'', and the manuscript is on display in the Film Library of the
Museum of Modern Art The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is an art museum located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, on 53rd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It plays a major role in developing and collecting modern art, and is often identified as one of ...
in New York City. Gauntier also penned two novels, ''Cabbages and Harlequins'' in 1929 and ''Sporting Lady'' in 1933. Gene Gauntier died in 1966 in
Cuernavaca Cuernavaca (; nci-IPA, Cuauhnāhuac, kʷawˈnaːwak "near the woods", ) is the capital and largest city of the state of Morelos in Mexico. The city is located around a 90-minute drive south of Mexico City using the Federal Highway 95D. The na ...
,
Mexico Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
, aged 81. She is buried in Sweden at Häringe Slott close to Marguerite, her sister and Axel Wenner-Gren, her brother-in-Law. In 1914, June 11 was declared as "Gauntier Day" at the International Exposition of Motion Pictures.


Partial filmography

:''As actress, unless otherwise noted.'' *''Why Girls Leave Home (1904) (stageplay)'' *''The Skyscrapers of New York (1906)'' *''The Thaw-White Tragedy (1906)'' *''The Paymaster (1906)'' *'' Ben Hur'' (1907) (screenwriter only; possible cast member in short) *''Evangeline'' (1908) *''Way Down East'' (1908) *'' The Scarlet Letter'' (1908) *''Hulda's Lovers'' (1908) *''Dolly, the Circus Queen'' (1908) *''The Romance of an Egg'' (1908) *''The Man in the Box'' (1908) *''Thompson's Night Out'' (1908) *''The Stage Rustler'' (1908) (unconfirmed) *''As You Like It'' (1908) *'' Betrayed by a Handprint'' (1908) *''
The Girl and the Outlaw ''The Girl and the Outlaw'' is a 1908 American silent short Western film directed by D. W. Griffith for American Mutoscope & Biograph Company. It starred Charles Inslee as the outlaw but other members of the cast are largely unconfirmed. Flor ...
'' (1908) (unconfirmed) *''
The Taming of the Shrew ''The Taming of the Shrew'' is a comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592. The play begins with a framing device, often referred to as the induction, in which a mischievous nobleman tricks a drunken ...
'' (1908) *''The Cracker's Bride''( 1909) *'' The Girl Spy: An Incident of the Civil War'' (1909) *''The Law in the Mountain'' (1909) *''The Wayward Daughter'' (1909) *''
A Slave to Drink ''A Slave to Drink'' is a 1909 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott. Production notes The film was shot in Jacksonville Jacksonville is a city located on the Atlantic coast of northeast Florida, the mo ...
'' (1910) *''
The Romance of a Trained Nurse ''The Romance of a Trained Nurse'' is a 1910 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott. Production notes The film was shot in Jacksonville Jacksonville is a city located on the Atlantic coast of northeast ...
'' (1910) *''
The Man Who Lost ''The Man Who Lost'' is a 1910 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Thomas Santley, Gene Gauntier, George Melford in the leading roles. Cast * Thomas Santley * Gene Gauntier * George Melford * Jane ...
'' (1910) *''The Stepmother'' (1910) *''
The Confederate Spy ''The Confederate Spy'' is a 1910 American silent drama film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott. A story about the Civil War. Production notes The production was filmed in Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville is a city lo ...
'' (1910) *'' The Further Adventures of the Girl Spy'' (1910) *'' A Lad from Old Ireland'' (1910) (also screenwriter) *''
The Girl Spy Before Vicksburg ''The Girl Spy Before Vicksburg'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Robert Vignola and JP McGowan. A copy of this film is held at the EYE Filmmuseum in Amsterdam. Cast * Gene ...
'' (1910) *''The Forager'' (1910) *''
The Bravest Girl of the South ''The Bravest Girl of the South'' is a 1910 American silent film produced by Kalem Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier in the leading role. It is a story of Civil War. Production notes The film was shot in Jacksonville, Fl ...
'' (1910) *''
The Love Romance of the Girl Spy ''The Love Romance of the Girl Spy'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott. It is a story about the Civil War. Production notes The film was shot in Jacksonville Jacksonville is a city located on t ...
'' (1910) *''
The Egret Hunter ''The Egret Hunter'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and James Vincent in the leading roles. Production notes The film was shot in Jacksonville Jacksonville is a city lo ...
'' (1910) *''
The Navajo's Bride ''The Navajo's Bride'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Robert Vignola in the leading roles. A copy is kept in the Desmet collection at EYE Film Institute Netherlands, Eye F ...
'' (1910) *''
The Castaways The Castaways are an American rock band from the Twin Cities in Minnesota, United States. The band's only hit single was " Liar, Liar". Written by band leader James Donna and drummer (and band co-founder) Dennis Craswell, the song was produc ...
'' (1910) *''A Child's Faith'' (1910) *''
A Daughter of Dixie ''A Daughter of Dixie'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier in the leading role. It is a story about the American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861  ...
'' (1910) *''
A Colonial Belle ''A Colonial Belle'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Robert Vignola and George Melford in the leading roles. An episode of the revolutionary war. Cast * Gene Gauntier - * Ro ...
'' (1910) *''
The Perversity of Fate ''The Perversity of Fate'' is an American silent film, produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and James Vincent in the leading role. Cast * Gene Gauntier - * James Vincent * Jack J. Clark Production note Th ...
'' (1910) *''The Evil Artist or a Girl Wronged'' (1910) *''
The Heart of Edna Leslie ''The Heart of Edna Leslie'' is an American silent film produced by the Kalem Company and could be directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Alice Joyce in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier * Alice Joyce Alice Joyce Brown ...
'' (1910) *'' A Lad from Old Ireland'' (1910) *''Seth's Temptation'' (1910) *''
The Little Spreewald Maiden ''The Little Spreewald Maiden'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with him and Gene Gauntier in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier - Frieda, the Spreewald maiden * Sidney Olcott Sidney ...
'' (1910) *'' The Stranger'' (1910) *''
For the Love of an Enemy ''For Love of an Enemy'' is a one-reel 1911 American motion picture produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott. A war story detailing the adventures and the love affair of a Union spy in the Confederate lines. Cast * Jack J. Clark - ...
'' (1911) *''
Her Chum's Brother ''Her Chum's Brother'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Jack J. Clark and Robert Vignola in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier - * Jack J. Clark - * Robert Vignola - P ...
'' (1911) *''Robbie and the Redskins'' (1911) *'' Little Sister'' (1911) *'' The Open Road'' (1911) *'' The Irish Honeymoon'' (1911) *''
The Little Soldier of '64 ''The Little Soldier of '64'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier - * Jack J. Clark - Production notes The film was ...
'' (1911) *''
A War Time Escape ''A War Time Escape'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Jack J. Clark and Robert Vignola in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier * Jack J. Clark * Robert Vignola Product ...
'' (1911) *''
A Sawmill Hero ''A Sawmill Hero'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading role. Cast * Gene Gauntier - Jennie * Jack J. Clark Jack J. Clark (September 23, 1879 ...
'' (1911) *'' The Lass Who Couldn't Forget'' (1911) *''
In Old Florida ''In Old Florida'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier in the leading role. Cast * Gene Gauntier – Production notes The film was shot in Jacksonville Jacksonville is a ci ...
'' (1911) *''
The Fiddle's Requiem ''The Fiddle's Requiem'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Jack J. Clark, Robert Vignola and JP McGowan in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier - Dolores * Jack J. Clark - ...
'' (1911) *''
When the Dead Return ''When the Dead Return'' is a one-reel 1911 American motion picture produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Jack J. Clark and JP McGowan in the leading roles, and with Cinematography by George K. Hollister. C ...
'' (1911) *''The Carnival'' (1911) *''
In Blossom Time ''In Blossom Time'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier - Angelica * Jack J. Clark - Victorian, son of Don Pedro Pro ...
'' (1911) *''
To the Aid of Stonewall Jackson ''To the Aid of Stonewall Jackson'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier in the leading role. The action takes place during the Civil War. Cast * Gene Gauntier - Nan, the Girl Spy ...
'' (1911) *''
The Romance of a Dixie Belle ''The Romance of a Dixie Belle'' is a 1911 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier - Shirley Production not ...
'' (1911) *''
Special Messenger ''Special Messenger'' is a 1911 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and JP McGowan in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier * Sidney Olco ...
'' (1911) *'' Rory O'More'' (1911) *'' The Colleen Bawn'' (1911) *''
The Fishermaid of Ballydavid ''The Fishermaid of Ballydavid'' is a 1911 American silent film produced by Kalem Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself and Gene Gauntier in the leading roles. Cast Production notes The film was shot in Ireland, in Ballydavid, ...
'' (1911) *''
Arrah-na-Pogue ''Arrah-na-Pogue'', also known as ''Arrah-na-Pogue; or the Wicked Wedding'', is a play in 3 acts by Dion Boucicault. Along with ''The Colleen Bawn'' (1860) and ''The Shaughraun'' (1874), it is considered one of the three major Irish plays penned ...
'' (1911) *'' Tangled Lives'' (1911) *''A Hitherto Unrelated Incident of the Girl Spy'' (1911) *'' To the Aid of Stonewall Jackson: An Exploit of the Girl Spy'' (1911) *'' The Colleen Bawn'' (1911) (also screenwriter) *''
The O'Neill ''The O'Neill'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Films. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier * Jack J. Clar ...
'' (1912) *''
His Mother ''His Mother'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. It was one of more than a dozen films produced by the Kalem Company filmed in Ir ...
'' (1912) *'' The Vagabonds'' (1912) *''
Far From Erin's Isle ''Far from Erin's Isle'' is a 1912 American silent film directed by Sidney Olcott. It was one of more than a dozen films produced by the Kalem Company filmed in Ireland for American audiences. The film tells the story of a young girl who leaves Ire ...
'' (1912) *''
You Remember Ellen ''You Remember Ellen'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Films. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. It was one of more than a dozen films pr ...
'' (1912) *''Captain Rivera's Reward'' (1912) *''Victim of Circumstances'' (1912) *''The Belle of New Orleans'' (1912) *''
The Fighting Dervishes of the Desert ''The Fighting Dervishes of the Desert'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Ca ...
'' (1912) *''
Missionaries in Darkest Africa ''Missionaries in Darkest Africa'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Jack J. Clark and Robert Vignola in the leading roles. Cas ...
'' (1912) *''Dust of the Desert'' (1912) *''
Captured by Bedouins ''Captured by Bedouins'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier - Do ...
'' (1912) *''
Tragedy of the Desert ''Tragedy of the Desert'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier * J ...
'' (1912) *''
An Arabian Tragedy ''An Arabian Tragedy'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Robert Vignola and Alice Hollister in the leading roles. Plot Ayub ...
'' (1912) *''
Winning a Widow ''Winning a Widow'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier - The Widow ...
'' (1912) *''
A Prisoner of the Harem ''A Prisoner of the Harem'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gaunt ...
'' (1912) *''
Down Through the Ages ''Down Through the Ages'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier * J ...
'' (1912) *'' From the Manger to the Cross; or, Jesus of Nazareth'' (1912) (also screenwriter) *''
The Mayor From Ireland ''The Mayor From Ireland'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Films. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Jack J. Clark and J.P. McGowan in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gaunt ...
'' (1912) *''
The Shaughraun ''The Shaughraun'' () is a melodramatic play written by Irish playwright Dion Boucicault. It was first performed at Wallack's Theatre, New York, on 14 November 1874. Dion Boucicault played Conn in the original production. The play was a huge ...
'' (1912) *''
The Wives of Jamestown ''The Wives of Jamestown'' is a 1913 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Films Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier, Helen Lindroth and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. C ...
'' (1913) *''
The Lady Peggy's Escape ''Lady Peggy's Escape'' is a 1913 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Films Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier, Helen Lindroth and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cas ...
'' (1913) *''
A Daughter of the Confederacy ''A Daughter of the Confederacy'' is a 1913 American silent film produced by Gene Gauntier Feature Players and distributed by Warner's Features. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * ...
'' (1913) *''
The Mystery of Pine Creek Camp ''The Mystery of Pine Creek Camp'' is a 1913 American silent film produced by Gene Gauntier Feature Players and distributed by Warner's Features. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier, Jack J. Clark and Arthur Donaldson in ...
'' (1913) *''
When Men Hate ''When Men Hate'' is a 1913 American silent film produced by Gene Gauntier Feature Players and distributed by Warner's Features. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier - ...
'' (1913) *''
In the Power of the Hypnotist ''In the Power of the Hypnotist'' is a 1913 American silent film produced by Gene Gauntier Feature Players and distributed by Warner's Features. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. ...
'' (1913) *''
In the Clutches of the Ku Klux Klan ''In the Clutches of the Ku Klux Klan'' is a 1913 American silent film produced by Gene Gauntier Feature Players and distributed by Warner's Features. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading ...
'' (1913) *''
For Ireland's Sake ''For Ireland's Sake'' is a 1914 American silent film produced by Gene Gauntier Feature Players and distributed by Warner's Features. it was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Ge ...
'' (1914) *''
The Eye of the Government ''The Eye of the Government'' is a 1914 American silent film produced by Gene Gauntier Feature Players and distributed by Warner's Features. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and Jack J Clark in the leading roles. C ...
'' (1914) *'' Come Back to Erin'' (1914) *''A Fight for a Birthright'' (1914) *''False Evidence'' (1914) *''Twilight'' (1914) *''His Brother's Wife'' (1914) *''
The Little Rebel ''The Little Rebel'' is a 1914 American silent film produced by Gene Gauntier Feature Players and distributed by United Film Services (Warner's Features). It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. ...
'' (1914) *''Through the Fires of Temptation'' (1914) *''The Woman Hater's Baby'' (1915) *''The Ulster Lass'' (1915) *''The Maid of the Forest'' (1915) *''Gene of the Northland'' (1915) *''The Smugglers Lass'' (1915) *''Witch's Gold (1920)''


Script

*''Why Girls Leave Home'' (1907) *''
Tom Sawyer Thomas Sawyer () is the titular character of the Mark Twain novel ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' (1876). He appears in three other novels by Twain: '' Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' (1884), '' Tom Sawyer Abroad'' (1894), and '' Tom Sawyer, ...
'' (1907) *''The Days of '61'' (1907) *'' Ben Hur'' (1907) (Regie:
Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. Biography Born John Sidney Allcott in Toronto, he became one of the first great direc ...
and others) *''The Japanese Invasion'' (1908) *''Hiawatha'' (1908) *''As You Like It'' (1908) (Regie:
Kenean Buel Kenean J. Buel (c.1873 – November 5, 1948) was an American film director. Biography Born in Kentucky, Buel became involved in theater and eventually made his way to New York City where he was hired by the Kalem Company in 1908 as a film direct ...
) *''Evangeline'' (1908) *''Way Down East'' (1908) (Regie:
Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. Biography Born John Sidney Allcott in Toronto, he became one of the first great direc ...
) *''Washington at Valley Forge'' (1908) *'' The Scarlet Letter'' (1908) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''Hulda's Lovers'' (1908) (Regie: Wallace McCutcheon) *''Dolly, the Circus Queen'' (1908) *''The Romance of an Egg''(1908) (Regie: Wallace McCutcheon) *''The Wayward Daughter'' (1909) *'' The Girl Spy: An Incident of the Civil War'' (1909) *''
A Slave to Drink ''A Slave to Drink'' is a 1909 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott. Production notes The film was shot in Jacksonville Jacksonville is a city located on the Atlantic coast of northeast Florida, the mo ...
'' (1909) *''
The Man Who Lost ''The Man Who Lost'' is a 1910 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Thomas Santley, Gene Gauntier, George Melford in the leading roles. Cast * Thomas Santley * Gene Gauntier * George Melford * Jane ...
'' (1910) *''
The Romance of a Trained Nurse ''The Romance of a Trained Nurse'' is a 1910 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott. Production notes The film was shot in Jacksonville Jacksonville is a city located on the Atlantic coast of northeast ...
'' (1910) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''The Stepmother'' (1910) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
The Confederate Spy ''The Confederate Spy'' is a 1910 American silent drama film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott. A story about the Civil War. Production notes The production was filmed in Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville is a city lo ...
'' (1910) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''The Forager'' (1910) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
The Castaways The Castaways are an American rock band from the Twin Cities in Minnesota, United States. The band's only hit single was " Liar, Liar". Written by band leader James Donna and drummer (and band co-founder) Dennis Craswell, the song was produc ...
'' (1910) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *'' A Lad from Old Ireland'' (1910) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
The Little Spreewald Maiden ''The Little Spreewald Maiden'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with him and Gene Gauntier in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier - Frieda, the Spreewald maiden * Sidney Olcott Sidney ...
'' (1910) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
The Girl Spy Before Vicksburg ''The Girl Spy Before Vicksburg'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Robert Vignola and JP McGowan. A copy of this film is held at the EYE Filmmuseum in Amsterdam. Cast * Gene ...
'' (1910) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *'' Tangled Lives'' (1911) (Regie: Sidnegiey Olcott) *''Last Day of School'' (1911) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''A Hitherto Unrelated Incident of the Girl Spy'' (1911) *'' The Irish Honeymoon'' (1911) (Regie:
Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. Biography Born John Sidney Allcott in Toronto, he became one of the first great direc ...
) *''
A Sawmill Hero ''A Sawmill Hero'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading role. Cast * Gene Gauntier - Jennie * Jack J. Clark Jack J. Clark (September 23, 1879 ...
'' (1911) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
The Fiddle's Requiem ''The Fiddle's Requiem'' is an American silent film produced by Kalem Company and directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Jack J. Clark, Robert Vignola and JP McGowan in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier - Dolores * Jack J. Clark - ...
'' (1911) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''The Love of Summer Morn'' (1911) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
Special Messenger ''Special Messenger'' is a 1911 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and JP McGowan in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier * Sidney Olco ...
'' (1911) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *'' Rory O'More'' (1911) (Regie: Sidney Olcott e Robert G. Vignola - short Film) *'' The Colleen Bawn'' (1911) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
The Franciscan Friars of Killarney ''The Franciscan Friars of Killarney'' is a 1911 American silent documentary produced by Kalem Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-bo ...
'' (1911) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
Arrah-na-Pogue ''Arrah-na-Pogue'', also known as ''Arrah-na-Pogue; or the Wicked Wedding'', is a play in 3 acts by Dion Boucicault. Along with ''The Colleen Bawn'' (1860) and ''The Shaughraun'' (1874), it is considered one of the three major Irish plays penned ...
'' (1911) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''The Vengeance Mark'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''Shaun Rhue'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''My Hielan' Lassie'' (1912) (Regie:
Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. Biography Born John Sidney Allcott in Toronto, he became one of the first great direc ...
) *''
The O'Kalems Visit Killarney ''The O'Kalems Visit Killarney'' is a 1912 American silent documentary produced by Kalem Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott. Production notes The film was shot in Killarney Killarney ( ; ga, Cill Airne , meaning 'church of sloes') ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
The O'Neill ''The O'Neill'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Films. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier * Jack J. Clar ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
His Mother ''His Mother'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. It was one of more than a dozen films produced by the Kalem Company filmed in Ir ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
Far From Erin's Isle ''Far from Erin's Isle'' is a 1912 American silent film directed by Sidney Olcott. It was one of more than a dozen films produced by the Kalem Company filmed in Ireland for American audiences. The film tells the story of a young girl who leaves Ire ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
You Remember Ellen ''You Remember Ellen'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Films. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. It was one of more than a dozen films pr ...
'' (1912) (Regie:
Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. Biography Born John Sidney Allcott in Toronto, he became one of the first great direc ...
) *''
The Fighting Dervishes of the Desert ''The Fighting Dervishes of the Desert'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Ca ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''Luxor, Egypt'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
Missionaries in Darkest Africa ''Missionaries in Darkest Africa'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Jack J. Clark and Robert Vignola in the leading roles. Cas ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''Making Photoplays in Egypt'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
An Arabian Tragedy ''An Arabian Tragedy'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Robert Vignola and Alice Hollister in the leading roles. Plot Ayub ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
Captured by Bedouins ''Captured by Bedouins'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier - Do ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
Winning a Widow ''Winning a Widow'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier - The Widow ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
Down Through the Ages ''Down Through the Ages'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gauntier * J ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''Along the River Nile'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
The Poacher's Pardon ''The Poacher's Pardon'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Alice Hollister, Jack J. Clark and J.P. McGowan in the leading roles. Cast * Jac ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''Ancient Temples of Egypt'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *'' From the Manger to the Cross'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
The Kerry Gow ''The Kerry Gow'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Films. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Alice Hollister and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles.Magill's Survey of Silent films, Vol2. FLE-P ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
The Mayor From Ireland ''The Mayor From Ireland'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Films. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with Gene Gauntier, Jack J. Clark and J.P. McGowan in the leading roles. Cast * Gene Gaunt ...
'' (1912) (Regie:
Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-born film producer, director, actor and screenwriter. Biography Born John Sidney Allcott in Toronto, he became one of the first great direc ...
) *''
Conway, the Kerry Dancer ''Conway, the Kerry Dancer'' is a 1912 American silent documentary produced by Kalem Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott Sidney Olcott (born John Sidney Allcott, September 20, 1872 – December 16, 1949) was a Canadian-born film pr ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
Ireland, the Oppressed ''Ireland, the Oppressed'' is a 1912 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Film Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Jack J. Clark and Alice Hollister. Cast * Jack J. Clark - * Alice Hollist ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
The Shaughraun ''The Shaughraun'' () is a melodramatic play written by Irish playwright Dion Boucicault. It was first performed at Wallack's Theatre, New York, on 14 November 1874. Dion Boucicault played Conn in the original production. The play was a huge ...
'' (1912) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
The Wives of Jamestown ''The Wives of Jamestown'' is a 1913 American silent film produced by Kalem Company and distributed by General Films Company. It was directed by Sidney Olcott with himself, Gene Gauntier, Helen Lindroth and Jack J. Clark in the leading roles. C ...
'' (1913) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''The Lady Peggy's Escape'' (1913) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *'' The Octoroon'' (1913) (Regie: Sidney Olcott) *''
A Celebrated Case ''A Celebrated Case'' is a 1914 American silent drama film starring Alice Joyce, Guy Coombs and Marguerite Courtot. It is based on the 1877 play ''Une cause célèbre'' by Adolphe Philippe Dennery and Eugene Cormon. A French soldier is wrongfu ...
'' (1914) (Regie:
George Melford George H. Melford (born George Henry Knauff, February 19, 1877 – April 25, 1961) was an American stage and film actor and director. Often taken for granted as a director today, the stalwart Melford's name by the 1920s was, like Cecil B. DeMil ...
) *''Gene of the Northland'' (1915) (Regie:
Jack J. Clark Jack J. Clark (September 23, 1879 – April 12, 1947) was an American director and actor of the early motion picture industry. Biography Clark was born on September 23, 1879, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was persuaded to enter motion pictur ...
)


References

* "Sidney Olcott and the Making of From the Manger to the Cross". By Charles Foster in ''In Stardust and Shadows: Canadians in Early Hollywood''. Toronto, Canada: Dundurn Press, 2000. * "Blazing the Trail". By Gene Gauntier in ''Woman's Home Companion'', Volume 55, Number 11, November 1928, 15-16, 132, 134. * Tony Tracy, "Outside the System: Gene Gauntier and the Consolidation of Early American Cinema", ''Film History'', Vol. 28, No. 1 (2016), pp. 71–106 * Michel Derrien, ''Aux origines du cinéma irlandais: Sidney Olcott, le premier oeil'', TIR 2013.


External links

*
Gene Gauntier
at Women Film Pioneers Project
Gauntier filming in Ireland


website dedicated to Sidney Olcott {{DEFAULTSORT:Gauntier, Gene 1885 births 1966 deaths Actresses from Kansas City, Missouri American film actresses American stage actresses American silent film actresses American women novelists 20th-century American actresses 20th-century American novelists American women screenwriters Novelists from Missouri 20th-century American women writers Women film pioneers Screenwriters from Missouri 20th-century American screenwriters