Araminta Estelle "Minta" Durfee (October 1, 1889 – September 9, 1975) was an American

silent film A silent film is a film without synchronized 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) or key lines of dialogue may, w ...

actress from

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

, California, possibly best known for her role in '' Mickey'' (1918).

Biography

She met

Roscoe Arbuckle Roscoe Conkling "Fatty" Arbuckle (; March 24, 1887 – June 29, 1933) was an American silent film actor, director, and screenwriter. He started at the Selig Polyscope Company and eventually moved to Keystone Studios, where he worked with Mabel ...

when he was attempting to get started in theater, and the two married in August 1908. Durfee entered show business in local companies as a chorus girl at the age of 17. She was the first leading lady of

Charlie Chaplin Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin (16 April 188925 December 1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is considered o ...

. Durfee and Arbuckle separated in 1921, just prior to a scandal involving the death of starlet

Virginia Rappe Zelliene Virginia Rappe (; July 7, 1891 – September 9, 1921) was an American model and silent film actress. Working mostly in bit parts, Rappe died after attending a party with actor Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, who was accused of manslaughter and ...

. There were three trials and, finally, Arbuckle was acquitted, but his career was destroyed and he received few job offers. Durfee and Arbuckle divorced in 1925. Durfee in her later years said Arbuckle was "the most generous human being I've ever met", and "if I had to do it all over again, I'd still marry the same man." Durfee was an avid defender of her close friend

Mabel Normand Amabel Ethelreid Normand (November 9, 1893 – February 23, 1930), better known as Mabel Normand, was an American silent film actress, comedienne, director and screenwriter. She was a popular star and collaborator of Mack Sennett in their K ...

throughout Normand's many public scandals. A regular performer on television, Durfee appeared on such shows as '' Noah's Ark'' (1956). She had minor roles in motion pictures including ''

How Green Was My Valley ''How Green Was My Valley'' is a 1939 novel by Richard Llewellyn, narrated by Huw Morgan, the main character, about his Welsh family and the mining community in which they live. The author had claimed that he based the book on his own experi ...

'' (1941), '' Naughty Marietta'' (1935), ''

Rose-Marie ''Rose-Marie'' is an operetta-style musical with music by Rudolf Friml and Herbert Stothart, and book and lyrics by Otto Harbach and Oscar Hammerstein II. The story is set in the Canadian Rocky Mountains and concerns Rose-Marie La Flemme, a F ...

'' (1936), ''

It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World ''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'' is a 1963 American Technicolor epic comedy film in Ultra Panavision 70 produced and directed by Stanley Kramer, from a screenplay by William and Tania Rose. The film, starring Spencer Tracy with an all ...

'' (1963), '' The Unsinkable Molly Brown'' (1964), and '' Savage Intruder'' (1970). In later life, Durfee gave lectures on silent film and held retrospectives on her and her former husband's pictures. She was surprised and excited by the renewed interest in silent film. Durfee died in

Woodland Hills, California Woodland Hills is a neighborhood bordering the Santa Monica Mountains in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, United States. History The area was inhabited for around 8,000 years by Native Americans in the United States, ...

, at the Motion Picture Country Home in 1975. She suffered from a heart ailment.

Filmography

*'' His Sister's Kids'' (1913, Short) (uncredited) *'' Fatty's Day Off'' (1913, Short) *''

A Quiet Little Wedding ''A Quiet Little Wedding'' is a 1913 American short comedy film featuring Fatty Arbuckle. It features the earliest known film appearance of Arbuckle's wife, Minta Durfee. Plot Fatty's wedding is interrupted by a rival, who instigates a lemon ...

'' (1913, Short) as Fatty's fiancée *''

Fatty at San Diego ''Fatty at San Diego'' is a 1913 American short comedy film featuring Fatty Arbuckle and Mabel Normand. Plot Fatty sneaks off to the Carnival Cabrillo parade in San Diego. He tells his wife that he saved an endangered child, but his alibi is ...

'' (1913, Short) as Girl at the carnival *''

Wine Wine is an alcoholic drink made from Fermentation in winemaking, fermented fruit. Yeast in winemaking, Yeast consumes the sugar in the fruit and converts it to ethanol and carbon dioxide, releasing heat in the process. Wine is most often made f ...

'' (1913, Short) as Diner's sweetheart *'' Fatty Joins the Force'' (1913, Short) (uncredited) *'' Fatty's Flirtation'' (1913, Short) as Minta *'' Ambrose's First Falsehood'' (1914, Short) (uncredited) *'' A Misplaced Foot'' (1914, Short) *'' The Under-Sheriff'' (1914, Short) as The Sheriff's Wife *'' A Flirt's Mistake'' (1914, Short) (uncredited) *''

Rebecca's Wedding Day ''Rebecca's Wedding Day'' is a 1914 American short comedy film starring Fatty Arbuckle. Cast * Phyllis Allen * Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle * Minta Durfee * Billy Gilbert (as Little Billy Gilbert) See also * List of American films of 1914 * F ...

'' (1914, Short) as Wedding guest (uncredited) *''

Making a Living ''Making a Living'' (also known as ''Doing His Best'', ''A Busted Johnny'', ''Troubles'', and ''Take My Picture'') is the first film starring Charlie Chaplin. A one-reel comedy short, it was completed in three days at Keystone Studios in Los ...

'' (1914, Short) as Girl (uncredited) *'' Tango Tangles'' (1914, Short) as Guest *'' Cruel, Cruel Love'' (1914, Short) as The Lady *'' The Star Boarder'' (1914, Short) as Landlady *''

Twenty Minutes of Love ''Twenty Minutes of Love'' is a 1914 American silent comedy film made by Keystone Studios. The film is widely reported as Charlie Chaplin's directorial debut; some sources name Joseph Maddern as the director, but generally credit Chaplin as t ...

'' (1914, Short) as Edgar's girl *'' Where Hazel Met the Villain'' (1914, Short) *''

Caught in a Cabaret ''Caught in a Cabaret'' is a 1914 short comedy film written and directed by Mabel Normand and starring Normand and Charlie Chaplin. Plot Chaplin plays a waiter who fakes being the Prime Minister of Greenland to impress a girl. He then is invi ...

'' (1914, Short) as Cabaret patron / Girl in park (uncredited) *'' A Suspended Ordeal'' (1914, Short) *'' The Water Dog'' (1914, Short) as Nursemaid *''

The Alarm The Alarm are a Welsh rock band that formed in Rhyl, Wales in 1981. Initially formed as a punk band, the Toilets, in 1977 under lead vocalist Mike Peters, the group soon embraced arena rock and included marked influences from Welsh language ...

'' (1914, Short) *'' The Knockout'' (1914, Short) as Pug's sweetheart (uncredited) *'' Fatty and the Heiress'' (1914, Short) *''

Fatty's Finish ''Fatty's Finish'' is a 1914 American short comedy film directed by and starring Fatty Arbuckle. Cast * Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle * Minta Durfee * Hank Mann * Al St. John See also * List of American films of 1914 * Fatty Arbuckle filmogra ...

'' (1914, Short) *'' The Sky Pirate'' (1914, Short) *'' Those Happy Days'' (1914, Short) *'' Fatty's Gift'' (1914, Short) as Fatty's Wife *'' The Masquerader'' (1914, Short) as leading lady *'' His New Profession'' (1914, Short) *'' The Rounders'' (1914, Short) as Fatty's wife *''

Lover's Luck ''Lover's Luck'' is a 1914 American short comedy film directed by and starring Fatty Arbuckle. Cast * Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle as Fatty * Minta Durfee as The Girl * Al St. John as Fatty's Rival * Josef Swickard as The Girl's Father * Phy ...

'' (1914, Short) as The Girl *'' Fatty's Debut'' (1914, Short) *'' Fatty Again'' (1914, Short) as Proprietor's daughter *'' Lovers' Post Office'' (1914, Short) as Fatty's sweetheart *'' An Incompetent Hero'' (1914, Short) as Neighbor's maid *'' Tillie's Punctured Romance'' (1914) as Maid (uncredited) *'' Fatty's Wine Party'' (1914, Short) as in a minor role (uncredited) *'' Leading Lizzie Astray'' (1914, Short) as Lizzie, the farm boy's fiancée *'' Fatty's Magic Pants'' (1914, Short) as Fatty's sweetheart *'' Fatty and Minnie He-Haw'' (1914, Short) as Minta *'' Dirty Work in a Laundry'' (1915, Short) (uncredited) *'' A Bird's a Bird'' (1915, Short) (uncredited) *''

Fatty and Mabel at the San Diego Exposition ''Fatty and Mabel at the San Diego Exposition'' is a 1915 American silent black-and-white short comedy film, directed by Fatty Arbuckle and starring Arbuckle and Mabel Normand. It was produced by Keystone Studios. Plot Fatty (Roscoe Arbu ...

'' (1915, Short) as Jealous husband's wife (uncredited) *'' Mabel, Fatty and the Law'' (1915, Short) as Flirty wife *'' Fatty's Reckless Fling'' (1915, Short) as Neighbor's wife *'' Fatty's Faithful Fido'' (1915, Short) (uncredited) *''

Fatty's Chance Acquaintance ''Fatty's Chance Acquaintance'' is a 1915 American short comedy film directed by and starring Fatty Arbuckle. Plot summary Cast * Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle as Fatty * Billie Bennett as Fatty's wife * Harry McCoy Harry McCoy (Decembe ...

'' (1915, Short) as Pickpocket's girlfriend *'' That Little Band of Gold'' (1915, short) *'' Fatty's Faithful Fido'' (1915, Short) as Fatty's sweetheart *'' When Love Took Wings'' (1915, Short) *'' Court House Crooks'' (1915, Short) as Judge's wife *''Dirty Work in a Laundry'' (1915) *'' Fickle Fatty's Fall'' (1915, Short) as Fatty's wife *'' Fatty and the Broadway Stars'' (1915, Short) as Sam Bernard's leading lady *''

'' (1915, Short) (uncredited) *'' Bright Lights'' (1916, Short) in a minor role (uncredited) *'' His Wife's Mistakes'' (1916, Short) *'' The Other Man'' (1916, Short) *''The Cabaret'' (1918) *'' Mickey'' (1918) as Elsie Drake *'' Skinner's Dress Suit'' (1926) as Party guest (uncredited) *'' Naughty Marietta'' (1935) in minor role (uncredited) *'' The Man with Nine Lives'' (1940) (uncredited) *'' Glamour for Sale'' (1940) as Matron (uncredited) *'' Rollin' Home to Texas'' (1940) (uncredited) *'' The Devil and Miss Jones'' (1941) as Customer (uncredited) *''

'' (1941) in a minor role (uncredited) *'' The Miracle Kid'' (1941) as Pheney *'' The Man Who Returned to Life'' (1942) as Mrs. Tuller (uncredited) *'' Blondie for Victory'' (1942) as Housewife (uncredited) *'' The Chance of a Lifetime'' (1943) (uncredited) *'' Eve Knew Her Apples'' (1945) as Landlady (uncredited) *''

The Son of Rusty ''The Son of Rusty'' is a 1947 American drama film directed by Lew Landers and starring Ted Donaldson, Stephen Dunne and Ann Doran. It was part of Columbia Pictures' eight-film Rusty series about a boy and his valiant German Shepherd. Plot Dann ...

'' (1947) as Townswoman (uncredited) *''

My Dog Rusty ''My Dog Rusty'' is a 1948 American drama film directed by Lew Landers and starring Ted Donaldson, John Litel and Ann Doran. It was part of the eight-film Rusty series of films produced by Columbia Pictures, about a boy and his valiant German ...

'' (1948) as Mrs. Laura Foley (uncredited) *'' How to Be Very, Very Popular'' (1955) as Older woman (uncredited) *''

Artists and Models ''Artists and Models'' is a 1955 American musical romantic comedy film in VistaVision directed by Frank Tashlin, marking Martin and Lewis's 14th feature together as a team. The film co-stars Shirley MacLaine and Dorothy Malone, with Eva Gabor ...

'' (1955) as Dancer (uncredited) *'' Around the World in 80 Days'' (1956) as an extra (uncredited) *'' Hollywood or Bust'' (1956) as Miss Pettywood (uncredited) *'' The Buster Keaton Story'' (1957) as Boarder (uncredited) *'' An Affair to Remember'' (1957) as Ship passenger (uncredited) *''

Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? ''Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?'' is a 1957 American satire (film and television), satirical comedy film starring Jayne Mansfield and Tony Randall, with Betsy Drake, Joan Blondell, John Williams (actor), John Williams, Henry Jones (actor), Hen ...

'' (1957) as Scrubwoman (uncredited) *''

The Big Fisherman ''The Big Fisherman'' is a 1959 American historical drama film directed by Frank Borzage about the life of Simon Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus. Starring Howard Keel, Susan Kohner and John Saxon, the production is adapted from the 194 ...

'' (1959) in a minor role (uncredited) *'' Beloved Infidel'' (1959) (uncredited) *'' My Six Loves'' (1963) as Woman at auction (uncredited) *''

It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World ''It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World'' is a 1963 American Technicolor epic comedy film in Ultra Panavision 70 produced and directed by Stanley Kramer, from a screenplay by William and Tania Rose. The film, starring Spencer Tracy with an all ...

'' (1963) as Woman in crowd (uncredited) *'' The Unsinkable Molly Brown'' (1964) as Denver party guest (uncredited) *'' Caprice'' (1967) as Agent (uncredited) *'' Savage Intruder'' (1970) as Guest *'' Willard'' (1971) (uncredited) *''

What's the Matter with Helen? ''What's the Matter With Helen?'' is a 1971 American horror film directed by Curtis Harrington and starring Debbie Reynolds and Shelley Winters. Plot In mid- 1930s Iowa,A then-current newsreel clip reporting on First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt' ...

'' (1971) as Old lady (uncredited) *'' The Steagle'' (1971) as Old lady (uncredited) *'' Portnoy's Complaint'' (1972) as Elevator lady

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Durfee, Minta 1889 births 1975 deaths American film actresses American silent film actresses Actresses from Los Angeles 20th-century American actresses