Eva Barbara Novak (February 14, 1898 – April 17, 1988) was an American film actress, who was quite popular during the

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) ...

era.

Biography

On February 14, 1898, Eva Barbara Novak was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Joseph Jerome Novak, an immigrant from Bohemia, and Barbara Medek. Her older sister, Johana, also became an actress. Joseph Novak died when Eva was still a child and Barbara was left to raise five children.The Independent, London, February 1990 Novak began her acting career in 1917 in L-KO's ''Roped into Scandal'', followed by another seven films that same year. She appeared in 17 films in 1918, and another eight in 1919. In 1920, she starred opposite

Tom Mix Thomas Edwin Mix (born Thomas Hezikiah Mix; January 6, 1880 – October 12, 1940) was an American film actor and the star of many early Western films between 1909 and 1935. He appeared in 291 films, all but nine of which were silent films. He ...

in ''The Daredevil'', one of six film roles she would have that year, and one of ten films in which she starred opposite Mix. In 1921, she married

stuntman A stunt performer, often called a stuntman or stuntwoman and occasionally stuntperson or stunt-person, is a trained professional who performs daring acts, often as a career. Stunt performers usually appear in films or on television, as opposed ...

William Reed, whom she met while on location for a film. They had two daughters Vivian Barbara and Pamela Eve. Novak was interested in stunt performing herself, having been taught by Mix to perform many of her own stunts. From 1921 to 1928, she appeared in and starred in 48 films, including an early version of ''

Boston Blackie Boston Blackie is a fictional character created by author Jack Boyle (1881–1928). Blackie, a jewel thief and safecracker in Boyle's stories, became a detective in adaptations for films, radio and television—an "enemy to those who make him ...

.'' She also co-starred with

Betty Bronson Elizabeth Ada Bronson (November 17, 1906 – October 19, 1971) was an American film and television actress who began her career during the silent film era. Early years Bronson was born in Trenton, New Jersey, to Frank and Nellie Smith Brons ...

and

Jack Benny Jack Benny (born Benjamin Kubelsky, February 14, 1894 – December 26, 1974) was an American entertainer who evolved from a modest success playing violin on the vaudeville circuit to one of the leading entertainers of the twentieth century with ...

in '' The Medicine Man'' (1930) and appeared in the 1922 film ''Chasing the Moon'', which was an early forerunner of the 1950s film '' D.O.A.'' In the late 1920s, she and her husband moved to Australia, where she made numerous films, including ''

The Romance of Runnibede ''The Romance of Runnibede'' is a 1928 Australian silent film based on an incident in a book by Steele Rudd. Unlike many Australian silent movies, a copy of it exists today. Synopsis Dorothy Winchester finishes four years of school and returns ...

''. However, with the advent of "talking films", her popularity faded. She would continue to act, but mostly in obscure roles. Eva Novak and a horse (1927)

She appeared in 123 films between 1917 and 1965, when she retired. She was residing in

Woodland Hills, Los Angeles Woodland Hills is a neighborhood bordering the Santa Monica Mountains in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. Geography Woodland Hills is in the southwestern region of the San Fernando Valley, which is located east of C ...

at the time of her death from

pneumonia Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung primarily affecting the small air sacs known as alveoli. Symptoms typically include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing. The severi ...

at the age of 90, on April 17, 1988. In May 1923, the '' Altoona Tribune'' held a contest to find the girl who most closely resembled Novak. An announcement in the newspaper said that the winner would receive $250 worth of clothes from a store.

Selected filmography

* '' The King of the Kitchen'' (1918, short) * '' The Freckled Fish'' (1919, short) * '' The Speed Maniac'' (1919) * '' The Feud'' (1919) * ''

Wanted at Headquarters ''Wanted at Headquarters'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Stuart Paton and written by Wallace C. Clifton. The film stars Eva Novak, Agnes Emerson, Lee Shumway, William Marlon, Lloyd Sedgwick, and Howard Davies. The film was re ...

'' (1920) * '' The Daredevil'' (1920) * ''

The Testing Block ''The Testing Block'' is a 1920 American silent Western film directed by Lambert Hillyer and starring William S. Hart, Eva Novak, J. Gordon Russell, Florence Carpenter, Richard Headrick, and Ira McFadden. It was written by Lambert Hillyer an ...

'' (1920) * '' Desert Love'' (1920) * '' Up in Mary's Attic'' (1920) * '' Silk Husbands and Calico Wives'' (1920) * '' O'Malley of the Mounted'' (1921) * '' Trailin''' (1921) * '' The Rough Diamond'' (1921) * '' Society Secrets'' (1921) * '' The Smart Sex'' (1921) * '' The Torrent'' (1921) * '' The Last Trail'' (1921) * '' Wolves of the North'' (1921) * '' The Man from Hell's River'' (1922) * ''

Sky High Sky High or Skyhigh may refer to: Business * Sky High Aviation Services, an airline based in the Dominican Republic Film and television * ''Sky High'' (1922 film), an American silent film * ''Sky High'' (1951 film), a US Air Force comedy wit ...

'' (1922) * '' Chasing the Moon'' (1922) * '' The Man Who Saw Tomorrow'' (1922) * '' Making a Man'' (1922) * ''

Barriers of Folly ''Barriers of Folly'' is a 1922 American silent Western film directed by Edward A. Kull and starring George Larkin, Eva Novak and Wilfred Lucas.Munden, p. 40. Cast * George Larkin as Jim Buckley * Eva Novak as May Gordon * Wilfred Lucas ...

'' (1922) * ''

Up and Going ''Up and Going'' is a 1922 American silent adventure film directed by Lynn Reynolds and starring Tom Mix, Eva Novak and William Conklin.Solomon p.276 Cast * Tom Mix as David Brandon (in play) * Eva Novak as Jackie McNabb (in play) * William Co ...

'' (1922) * '' The Great Night'' (1922) * '' The Tiger's Claw'' (1923) * ''

A Noise in Newboro ''A Noise in Newboro'' is a 1923 American silent comedy film directed by Harry Beaumont and starring Viola Dana, David Butler and Eva Novak.MacKinnon p.188 Cast * Viola Dana as Martha Mason * David Butler as Ben Colwell * Eva Novak as Ann ...

'' (1923) * '' The Man Life Passed By'' (1923) * ''

'' (1923) * ''

Dollar Devils ''Dollar Devils'' is a 1923 American silent film, silent drama film directed by Victor Schertzinger and starring Joseph J. Dowling, Miles McCarthy (actor), Miles McCarthy, and May Wallace. Oil is discovered outside a small New England town. Plot ...

'' (1923) * ''

Temptation Temptation is a desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment that threatens long-term goals.Webb, J.R. (Sep 2014). Incorporating Spirituality into Psychology of temptation: Conceptualization, measurement, and clinical implications. Sp ...

'' (1923) * '' Missing Daughters'' (1924) * '' Listen Lester'' (1924) * '' The Beautiful Sinner'' (1924) * '' The Fatal Mistake'' (1924) * '' Racing for Life'' (1924) *'' A Fight for Honor'' (1924) * '' Lure of the Yukon'' (1924) * ''

Tainted Money ''Tainted Money'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Henry MacRae and starring William Fairbanks, Eva Novak and Bruce Gordon. Cast * William Fairbanks as Chester Carlton * Eva Novak as Adams' Daughter * Bruce Gordon as Marston ...

'' (1924) * ''

Women First ''Women First'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by B. Reeves Eason and starring William Fairbanks, Eva Novak and Lydia Knott.Dick p.232 Cast * William Fairbanks as Billy * Eva Novak as Jennie * Lydia Knott as Mrs. Abigail ...

'' (1924) * '' Laughing at Danger'' (1924) * '' The Triflers'' (1924) * '' Safeguarded'' (1924) * '' Battling Mason'' (1924) *''

The Fearless Lover ''The Fearless Lover'' is a lost 1925 American silent drama film directed by Scott R. Dunlap and Henry MacRae and starring William Fairbanks, Eva Novak, and Tom Kennedy. Plot As described in a film magazine reviews, Patrick Michael Casey, s ...

'' (1925) * '' Northern Code'' (1925) * '' Sally'' (1925) * ''

Irene Irene is a name derived from εἰρήνη (eirēnē), the Greek for "peace". Irene, and related names, may refer to: * Irene (given name) Places * Irene, Gauteng, South Africa * Irene, South Dakota, United States * Irene, Texas, United States ...

'' (1926) * ''

Say It with Babies ''Say It with Babies'' is a 1926 American silent comedy film starring Glenn Tryon and featuring Oliver Hardy. Cast * Glenn Tryon - Casper Crum * Vivien Oakland - Mrs. Crum * Oliver Hardy - Hector, the floorwalker (as Babe Hardy) * Martha S ...

'' (1926, short) * '' The Millionaire Policeman'' (1926) * '' The Dixie Flyer'' (1926) * '' No Man's Gold'' (1926) * ''

30 Below Zero ''30 Below Zero'' is a 1926 American drama film directed by Robert P. Kerr and Lambert Hillyer and written by John Stone. The film stars Buck Jones, Eva Novak, Paul Panzer, E. J. Ratcliffe, Frank Butler and Harry Woods. The film was released ...

'' (1926) * ''

'' (1927) * ''

Red Signals Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–740 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a seconda ...

'' (1927) * ''

Duty's Reward ''Duty's Reward'' is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Bertram Bracken and starring Alan Roscoe, Eva Novak and Lou Archer.Connelly p.343 Cast * Alan Roscoe as Richard Webster * Eva Novak as Dorothy Thompson * Lou Archer as 'Peek' ...

'' (1927) * '' For the Term of His Natural Life'' (1927) * ''

'' (1928) * '' The Medicine Man'' (1930) * ''

The Phantom of the Desert ''The Phantom of the Desert'' is a 1930 American western film directed by Harry S. Webb and starring Jack Perrin, Eva Novak and Josef Swickard.Pitts p.248 Cast * Jack Perrin as Jack Saunders * Eva Novak as Mary Van Horn * Josef Swickard as C ...

'' (1930) * '' Dangerous Intrigue'' (1936) * ''

Ride a Crooked Mile ''Ride a Crooked Mile'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by Alfred E. Green and written by Jack Moffitt and Ferdinand Reyher. The film stars Akim Tamiroff, Leif Erickson, Frances Farmer, Lynne Overman, John Miljan and J. M. Kerrig ...

'' (1938) * ''

The Topeka Terror ''The Topeka Terror'' is a 1945 American Western film directed by Howard Bretherton, written by Patricia Harper and Norman S. Hall, and starring Allan Lane, Linda Stirling, Earle Hodgins, Twinkle Watts, Roy Barcroft and Bud Geary. It was rel ...

'' (1945) * '' Apology for Murder'' (1945) * '' Corpus Christi Bandits'' (1945) * '' Three's a Crowd'' (1945) * '' Claudia and David'' (1946) * ''

Blackmail Blackmail is an act of coercion using the threat of revealing or publicizing either substantially true or false information about a person or people unless certain demands are met. It is often damaging information, and it may be revealed to f ...

'' (1947) * '' Four Faces West'' (1948) * ''

3 Godfathers ''3 Godfathers'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by John Ford and filmed (although not set) primarily in Death Valley, California. The screenplay, written by Frank S. Nugent and Laurence Stallings, is based on the 1913 novelette '' T ...

'' (1948) * '' Havana Rose'' (1951) * '' Sergeant Rutledge'' (1960) * '' The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance'' (1962) * '' Wild Seed'' (1965)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Novak, Eva 1898 births 1988 deaths American film actresses American silent film actresses Actresses from St. Louis 20th-century American actresses Deaths from pneumonia in California American people of Bohemian descent American people of Czech descent