Florence Roberts - Revision history

Fogterop at 17:02, 7 February 2017

2017-02-07T17:02:22Z

Fogterop at 17:00, 7 February 2017

2017-02-07T17:00:35Z

Fogterop at 16:59, 7 February 2017

2017-02-07T16:59:15Z

Fogterop at 13:15, 7 November 2015

2015-11-07T13:15:51Z

Fogterop at 13:23, 30 May 2015

2015-05-30T13:23:08Z

Fogterop at 13:21, 30 May 2015

2015-05-30T13:21:06Z

Fogterop at 13:19, 30 May 2015

2015-05-30T13:19:10Z

Fogterop at 08:06, 6 April 2013

2013-04-06T08:06:25Z

Fogterop at 20:48, 24 March 2013

2013-03-24T20:48:16Z

Fogterop: Created page with " b. Frederick, Maryland, 16/03/1861 – d. Hollywood, 06/06/1940). Florence Roberts was a stage actress for many years before her film career was launched in earnest. She ap..."

2013-03-24T20:46:51Z

Created page with " b. Frederick, Maryland, 16/03/1861 – d. Hollywood, 06/06/1940). Florence Roberts was a stage actress for many years before her film career was launched in earnest. She ap..."

New page

b. Frederick, Maryland, 16/03/1861 – d. Hollywood, 06/06/1940). Florence Roberts was a stage actress for many years before her film career was launched in earnest. She appeared in many plays and for some fifteen years headed a stock company based in Philadelphia. In March 1917 she was part of [[J.C. Williamson]]’s [[American Dramatic Company]] that sailed for a tour of South Africa and was subsequently placed under an indefinite contract with the [[African Theatres Trust]], which also owned [[African Film Productions]]. For AFP she acted in [[Allan Quatermain]] ([[H. Lisle Lucoque]]/1919), [[The Man Who Was Afraid]] ([[Joseph Albrecht]]/1920) and [[The Vulture’s Prey]] ([[Dick Cruikshanks]] & [[William Bowden]]/1922). She also toured Australia and after her return to the United States she resumed her theatrical career. She made a belated entry into American films from 1930 onwards, subsequently appearing in numerous supporting roles. She was married to the stage actor Walter Gale. (FO)

== Sources ==

The New York Clipper, 21 March 1917

The Dramatic Mirror, 6 April 1918

Le Roux, André I. & Fourie, Lilla – Filmverlede: geskiedenis van die Suid-Afrikaanse speelfilm

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6962513

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0731095/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Roberts

== Return to ==

Return to [[ESAT Personalities R]]

Return to [[South_African Theatre/Personalities|South African Personalities]]

Return to [[The ESAT Entries]]

Return to [[Main Page]]

@@ Line 14: / Line 14: @@
 == Stage appearances ==
-Stage appearances in South Africa include: ''[[Kick in]]'', ''[[The Heart of Wetano]]'', ''[[Help Wanted]]'', ''[[The Easiest Way]]'', ''[[The House of Glass]]'', ''[[The Dummy]]'', ''[[General Post]]'', ''[[Daddy Long-Legs]]'', ''[[Turn to the Right]]'', ''[[The Cinderella Man]]'', ''[[Nothing But the Truth]]'', ''[[Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch]]'', ''[[The Thirteenth Chair]]'', [[The Silent Witness]], ''[[Sunday]]'', ''[[Romance]]'', ''[[Seven Days’ Leave]]'', ''[[The Little Brother]]'', ''[[Twin Beds]]'', ''[[Palace, Bedroom and Bath]]'', ''[[The Burglar and the Lady]]'', ''[[Tom Moore]]'', ''[[Barry of Ballymore]]'', ''[[Molly Bawn]]'', ''[[Old Donegal]]'', ''[[The Bold Sojer Boy]]''.
+Stage appearances in South Africa include: ''[[Kick in]]'', ''[[The Heart of Wetano]]'', ''[[Help Wanted]]'', ''[[The Easiest Way]]'', ''[[The House of Glass]]'', ''[[The Dummy]]'', ''[[General Post]]'', ''[[Daddy Long-Legs]]'', ''[[Turn to the Right]]'', ''[[The Cinderella Man]]'', ''[[Nothing But the Truth]]'', ''[[Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch]]'', ''[[The Thirteenth Chair]]'', ''[[The Silent Witness]]'', ''[[Sunday]]'', ''[[Romance]]'', ''[[Seven Days’ Leave]]'', ''[[The Little Brother]]'', ''[[Twin Beds]]'', ''[[Palace, Bedroom and Bath]]'', ''[[The Burglar and the Lady]]'', ''[[Tom Moore]]'', ''[[Barry of Ballymore]]'', ''[[Molly Bawn]]'', ''[[Old Donegal]]'', ''[[The Bold Sojer Boy]]''.
 == Sources ==

@@ Line 6: / Line 6: @@
 According to the American Census, in 1880 16-year-old Florence Margaret Adelaide Roberts was still living with her parents in New York, but she was already an actress.  She left school to begin her stage career with the Denman Thompson Company when she acted first in the rural drama ''Joshua Whitcomb'' and then in its sequel, the hugely popular ''The Old Homestead''.   This is where she met her husband-to-be, English-born Walter Gale, who was also a member of the company. Subsequently she joined M.B. Curtis for two seasons. Most of her early working life was spent in stock companies and at one stage she headed the Forepaugh Stock Company operating out of Philadelphia.
-In March 1917 she was one of the members of the [[American Dramatic Company]] that sailed for a tour of South Africa, arriving in Cape Town on Easter Sunday.  For the [[African Theatres Trust]] she acted in ''[[Kick In]]'', ''[[The Heart of Wetano]]'', ''[[Help Wanted]]'' and ''[[The Easiest Way]]'', all at [[His Majesty's Theatre]], appearing with the likes of [[Richard Scott]] and [[Edward Donnelly]], who had come over with her.  The company subsequently went on tour and this was followed by appearances in productions like ''[[The Cinderella Man]]'', ''[[Nothing But the Truth]]'' and ''[[Palace, Bedroom and Bath]]'', the latter with [[Edith Cartwright]], [[Cecil Kellaway]], [[Elise Hamilton]], [[Hilda Attenboro]] and [[Harcourt Collett]].  Thereafter she joined the [[Allen Doone]] Company and appeared in plays like ''[[The Burglar and the Lady]]'' and ''[[Tom Moore]]'', acting with Richard Scott, [[J.B. Rowe]], [[Yvon Saxby]] and [[Edna Keeley]] at the [[Standard Theatre]].  While in South Africa, she took small roles in three films produced by [[African Film Productions]]:  ''[[Allan Quatermain]]'' ([[H. Lisle Lucoque]]/1919), ''[[The Man Who Was Afraid]]'' ([[Joseph Albrecht]]/1920) and ''[[The Vulture’s Prey]]'' ([[Dick Cruikshanks]] & [[William Bowden]]/1922).  In March 1918 it was announced that she would be returning to the United States via the Far East and Australia, but soon afterwards she was placed under an indefinite contract with the [[African Theatres Trust]], which induced her to postpone her departure.  When, in October 1920, she finally decided to return home, the [[S.A. Pictorial]] commented: “She has, with her clever acting and lovable personality, endeared herself to playgoers all over the country”.
+In March 1917 she was one of the members of the [[American Dramatic Company]] that sailed for a tour of South Africa, arriving in Cape Town on Easter Sunday.  For the [[African Theatres Trust]] she acted in ''[[Kick In]]'', ''[[The Heart of Wetano]]'', ''[[Help Wanted]]'' and ''[[The Easiest Way]]'', all at [[His Majesty's Theatre]], appearing with the likes of [[Richard Scott]] and [[Edward Donnelly]], who had come over with her.  The company subsequently went on tour and this was followed by appearances in productions like ''[[The Cinderella Man]]'', ''[[Nothing But the Truth]]'' and ''[[Palace, Bedroom and Bath]]'', the latter with [[Edith Cartwright]], [[Cecil Kellaway]], [[Elise Hamilton]], [[Hilda Attenboro]] and [[Harcourt Collett]].  Thereafter she joined the [[Allen Doone]] Company and appeared in plays like ''[[The Burglar and the Lady]]'' and ''[[Tom Moore]]'', acting with [[Richard Scott]], [[J.B. Rowe]], [[Yvon Saxby]] and [[Edna Keeley]] at the [[Standard Theatre]].  While in South Africa, she took small roles in three films produced by [[African Film Productions]]:  ''[[Allan Quatermain]]'' ([[H. Lisle Lucoque]]/1919), ''[[The Man Who Was Afraid]]'' ([[Joseph Albrecht]]/1920) and ''[[The Vulture’s Prey]]'' ([[Dick Cruikshanks]] & [[William Bowden]]/1922).  In March 1918 it was announced that she would be returning to the United States via the Far East and Australia, but soon afterwards she was placed under an indefinite contract with the [[African Theatres Trust]], which induced her to postpone her departure.  When, in October 1920, she finally decided to return home, the [[S.A. Pictorial]] commented: “She has, with her clever acting and lovable personality, endeared herself to playgoers all over the country”.
 She only arrived back in New York via England in December 1920.  Her film career started in earnest in 1930, when she appeared in ''The Eyes of the World'' for Henry King.  Though usually in small roles and frequently uncredited, she was gainfully employed until her death in 1940, appearing in such prestigious productions as ''The Life of Emile Zola'' (1937) and ''Abe Lincoln in Illinois'' (1940).  She became particularly well known for her role as Grandma in the multiple-part low-budget comedy series featuring the Jones family for 20th Century Fox.  (FO)

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-(b. New York, 16/03/1864 - d. Hollywood, 06/06/1940).  American stage and film actress.  According to the 1880 Census, at the time 16-year-old Florence Margaret Adelaide Roberts was living with her parents in New York, but she was already an actress.  She began her stage career with the Denman Thompson Company when she acted first in the rural drama ''Joshua Whitcomb''  and then in its sequel, the hugely popular ''The Old Homestead''.   This is where she met her husband-to-be Walter Gale, who was a also a member of the company. Subsequently she joined M.B. Curtis for two seasons , acting in ''Sam'l of Posen'' by George H. Jessop.  Most of her early working life was spent in stock companies and at one stage she headed her own theatrical group, operating out of Philadelphia.
+(b. New York, 16/03/1864 - d. Hollywood, 06/06/1940).  American stage and film actress.
-In March 1917 she was one of the members of the [[American Dramatic Company]] that sailed for a tour of South Africa, arriving in Cape Town on Easter Sunday.  For the [[African Theatres Trust]] she acted in ''[[Kick In]]'', ''[[The Heart of Wetano]]'', ''[[Help Wanted]]'' and ''[[The Easiest Way]]'', all at [[His Majesty's Theatre]], appearing with the likes of [[Richard Scott]] and [[Edward Donnelly]], who had come over with her.  The company subsequently went on tour and this was followed by appearances in ''[[The Cinderella Man]]'', ''[[Nothing But the Truth]]'' and ''[[Parlour, Bedroom and Bath]]'', the latter with  [[Edith Cartwright]], [[Cecil Kellaway]], [[Elise Hamilton]], [[Hilda Attenboro]] and [[Harcourt Collett]].  Thereafter she joined the [[Allen Doone]] Company and appeared in ''[[The Burglar and the Lady]]'' and ''[[Tom Moore]]'', acting with [[Richard Scott]], [[J.B. Rowe]], [[Yvon Saxby]] and [[Edna Keeley]] at the [[Standard Theatre]].  While in South Africa,  she took small roles in three films produced by [[African Film Productions]]:  ''[[Allan Quatermain]]'' ([[H. Lisle Lucoque]]/1919), ''[[The Man Who Was Afraid]]'' ([[Joseph Albrecht]]/1920) and ''[[The Vulture’s Prey]]'' ([[Dick Cruikshanks]] & [[William Bowden]]/1922).
+== Biography ==
-In March 1918 she was planning to return to the United States via the Far East and Australia, but soon afterwards she was placed under an indefinite contract with the [[African Theatres Trust]], which induced her to postpone her departure.  In the event, she only arrived back in New York in December 1920.  Her film career started in earnest in 1930, when she appeared in ''The Eyes of the World'' for Henry King.  Though usually in small roles and frequently uncredited, she was gainfully employed until her death in 1940, appearing in such prestigious productions as ''The Life of Emile Zola'' (1937) and ''Abe Lincoln in Illinois'' (1940).  She became particularly well known for her role as Grandma in the multiple-part low-budget comedy series featuring the Jones family for 20th Century Fox.  (FO)
+According to the American Census, in 1880 16-year-old Florence Margaret Adelaide Roberts was still living with her parents in New York, but she was already an actress.  She left school to begin her stage career with the Denman Thompson Company when she acted first in the rural drama ''Joshua Whitcomb'' and then in its sequel, the hugely popular ''The Old Homestead''.   This is where she met her husband-to-be, English-born Walter Gale, who was also a member of the company. Subsequently she joined M.B. Curtis for two seasons. Most of her early working life was spent in stock companies and at one stage she headed the Forepaugh Stock Company operating out of Philadelphia.
-(Note: Though practically every source gives her birthdate as 16 March 1861 - taken from Wikipedia - according to the 1880 U.S. Census she was born in 1864 and this is the date she provided for her passport application to the American Consulate in Johannesburg.  It is difficult to establish an accurate overview of her early stage appearances as her career coincides with that of a contemporary namesake who lived from 1871 to 1927.)
+In March 1917 she was one of the members of the [[American Dramatic Company]] that sailed for a tour of South Africa, arriving in Cape Town on Easter Sunday.  For the [[African Theatres Trust]] she acted in ''[[Kick In]]'', ''[[The Heart of Wetano]]'', ''[[Help Wanted]]'' and ''[[The Easiest Way]]'', all at [[His Majesty's Theatre]], appearing with the likes of [[Richard Scott]] and [[Edward Donnelly]], who had come over with her.  The company subsequently went on tour and this was followed by appearances in productions like ''[[The Cinderella Man]]'', ''[[Nothing But the Truth]]'' and ''[[Palace, Bedroom and Bath]]'', the latter with [[Edith Cartwright]], [[Cecil Kellaway]], [[Elise Hamilton]], [[Hilda Attenboro]] and [[Harcourt Collett]].  Thereafter she joined the [[Allen Doone]] Company and appeared in plays like ''[[The Burglar and the Lady]]'' and ''[[Tom Moore]]'', acting with Richard Scott, [[J.B. Rowe]], [[Yvon Saxby]] and [[Edna Keeley]] at the [[Standard Theatre]].  While in South Africa, she took small roles in three films produced by [[African Film Productions]]:  ''[[Allan Quatermain]]'' ([[H. Lisle Lucoque]]/1919), ''[[The Man Who Was Afraid]]'' ([[Joseph Albrecht]]/1920) and ''[[The Vulture’s Prey]]'' ([[Dick Cruikshanks]] & [[William Bowden]]/1922).  In March 1918 it was announced that she would be returning to the United States via the Far East and Australia, but soon afterwards she was placed under an indefinite contract with the [[African Theatres Trust]], which induced her to postpone her departure.  When, in October 1920, she finally decided to return home, the [[S.A. Pictorial]] commented: “She has, with her clever acting and lovable personality, endeared herself to playgoers all over the country”.
 == Sources ==

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 (b. New York, 16/03/1864 - d. Hollywood, 06/06/1940).  American stage and film actress.  According to the 1880 Census, at the time 16-year-old Florence Margaret Adelaide Roberts was living with her parents in New York, but she was already an actress.  She began her stage career with the Denman Thompson Company when she acted first in the rural drama ''Joshua Whitcomb''  and then in its sequel, the hugely popular ''The Old Homestead''.   This is where she met her husband-to-be Walter Gale, who was a also a member of the company. Subsequently she joined M.B. Curtis for two seasons , acting in ''Sam'l of Posen'' by George H. Jessop.  Most of her early working life was spent in stock companies and at one stage she headed her own theatrical group, operating out of Philadelphia.
-In March 1917 she was one of the members of the [[American Dramatic Company]] that sailed for a tour of South Africa, arriving in Cape Town on Easter Sunday.  For the [[African Theatres Trust]] she acted in ''[[Kick In]]'', ''[[The Heart of Wetano]]'', ''[[Help Wanted]]'' and ''[[The Easiest Way]]'', all at [[His Majesty's Theatre]], appearing with the likes of [[Richard Scott]] and [[Edward Donnelly]], who had come over with her.  The company subsequently went on tour and this was followed by appearances in ''[[The Cinderella Man]]'', ''[[Nothing But the Truth]]'' and ''[[Palace, Bedroom and Bath]]'', the latter with  [[Edith Cartwright]], [[Cecil Kellaway]], [[Elise Hamilton]], [[Hilda Attenboro]] and [[Harcourt Collett]].  Thereafter she joined the [[Allen Doone]] Company and appeared in ''[[The Burglar and the Lady]]'' and ''[[Tom Moore]]'', acting with [[Richard Scott]], [[J.B. Rowe]], [[Yvon Saxby]] and [[Edna Keeley]] at the [[Standard Theatre]].  While in South Africa,  she took small roles in three films produced by [[African Film Productions]]:  ''[[Allan Quatermain]]'' ([[H. Lisle Lucoque]]/1919), ''[[The Man Who Was Afraid]]'' ([[Joseph Albrecht]]/1920) and ''[[The Vulture’s Prey]]'' ([[Dick Cruikshanks]] & [[William Bowden]]/1922).
+In March 1917 she was one of the members of the [[American Dramatic Company]] that sailed for a tour of South Africa, arriving in Cape Town on Easter Sunday.  For the [[African Theatres Trust]] she acted in ''[[Kick In]]'', ''[[The Heart of Wetano]]'', ''[[Help Wanted]]'' and ''[[The Easiest Way]]'', all at [[His Majesty's Theatre]], appearing with the likes of [[Richard Scott]] and [[Edward Donnelly]], who had come over with her.  The company subsequently went on tour and this was followed by appearances in ''[[The Cinderella Man]]'', ''[[Nothing But the Truth]]'' and ''[[Parlour, Bedroom and Bath]]'', the latter with  [[Edith Cartwright]], [[Cecil Kellaway]], [[Elise Hamilton]], [[Hilda Attenboro]] and [[Harcourt Collett]].  Thereafter she joined the [[Allen Doone]] Company and appeared in ''[[The Burglar and the Lady]]'' and ''[[Tom Moore]]'', acting with [[Richard Scott]], [[J.B. Rowe]], [[Yvon Saxby]] and [[Edna Keeley]] at the [[Standard Theatre]].  While in South Africa,  she took small roles in three films produced by [[African Film Productions]]:  ''[[Allan Quatermain]]'' ([[H. Lisle Lucoque]]/1919), ''[[The Man Who Was Afraid]]'' ([[Joseph Albrecht]]/1920) and ''[[The Vulture’s Prey]]'' ([[Dick Cruikshanks]] & [[William Bowden]]/1922).
 In March 1918 she was planning to return to the United States via the Far East and Australia, but soon afterwards she was placed under an indefinite contract with the [[African Theatres Trust]], which induced her to postpone her departure.  In the event, she only arrived back in New York in December 1920.  Her film career started in earnest in 1930, when she appeared in ''The Eyes of the World'' for Henry King.  Though usually in small roles and frequently uncredited, she was gainfully employed until her death in 1940, appearing in such prestigious productions as ''The Life of Emile Zola'' (1937) and ''Abe Lincoln in Illinois'' (1940).  She became particularly well known for her role as Grandma in the multiple-part low-budget comedy series featuring the Jones family for 20th Century Fox.  (FO)

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 In March 1917 she was one of the members of the [[American Dramatic Company]] that sailed for a tour of South Africa, arriving in Cape Town on Easter Sunday.  For the [[African Theatres Trust]] she acted in ''[[Kick In]]'', ''[[The Heart of Wetano]]'', ''[[Help Wanted]]'' and ''[[The Easiest Way]]'', all at [[His Majesty's Theatre]], appearing with the likes of [[Richard Scott]] and [[Edward Donnelly]], who had come over with her.  The company subsequently went on tour and this was followed by appearances in ''[[The Cinderella Man]]'', ''[[Nothing But the Truth]]'' and ''[[Palace, Bedroom and Bath]]'', the latter with  [[Edith Cartwright]], [[Cecil Kellaway]], [[Elise Hamilton]], [[Hilda Attenboro]] and [[Harcourt Collett]].  Thereafter she joined the [[Allen Doone]] Company and appeared in ''[[The Burglar and the Lady]]'' and ''[[Tom Moore]]'', acting with [[Richard Scott]], [[J.B. Rowe]], [[Yvon Saxby]] and [[Edna Keeley]] at the [[Standard Theatre]].  While in South Africa,  she took small roles in three films produced by [[African Film Productions]]:  ''[[Allan Quatermain]]'' ([[H. Lisle Lucoque]]/1919), ''[[The Man Who Was Afraid]]'' ([[Joseph Albrecht]]/1920) and ''[[The Vulture’s Prey]]'' ([[Dick Cruikshanks]] & [[William Bowden]]/1922).
-In March 1918 she was planning to return to the United States via the Far East and Australia, but soon afterwards she was placed under an indefinite contract with the [[African Theatres Trust]], which induced her to postpone her departure.  In the event, she only arrived back in New York on board the Saxonia on in December 1920.  Her film career started in earnest in 1930, when she appeared in ''The Eyes of the World'' for Henry King.  Though usually in small roles and frequently uncredited, she was gainfully employed until her death in 1940, appearing in such prestigious productions as ''The Life of Emile Zola'' (1937) and ''Abe Lincoln in Illinois'' (1940).  She became particularly well known for her role as Grandma in the multiple-part low-budget comedy series featuring the Jones family for 20th Century Fox.  (FO)
+In March 1918 she was planning to return to the United States via the Far East and Australia, but soon afterwards she was placed under an indefinite contract with the [[African Theatres Trust]], which induced her to postpone her departure.  In the event, she only arrived back in New York in December 1920.  Her film career started in earnest in 1930, when she appeared in ''The Eyes of the World'' for Henry King.  Though usually in small roles and frequently uncredited, she was gainfully employed until her death in 1940, appearing in such prestigious productions as ''The Life of Emile Zola'' (1937) and ''Abe Lincoln in Illinois'' (1940).  She became particularly well known for her role as Grandma in the multiple-part low-budget comedy series featuring the Jones family for 20th Century Fox.  (FO)
 (Note: Though practically every source gives her birthdate as 16 March 1861 - taken from Wikipedia - according to the 1880 U.S. Census she was born in 1864 and this is the date she provided for her passport application to the American Consulate in Johannesburg.  It is difficult to establish an accurate overview of her early stage appearances as her career coincides with that of a contemporary namesake who lived from 1871 to 1927.)

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 The New York Clipper, 21 March 1917
 The Dramatic Mirror, 6 April 1918
 Le Roux, André I. & Fourie, Lilla – Filmverlede: geskiedenis van die Suid-Afrikaanse speelfilm
 http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6962513

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:19, 30 May 2015
Line 1:		Line 1:

−	b. ~~Frederick, Maryland~~, 16/03/~~1861 –~~ d. Hollywood, 06/06/1940). American actress. Florence Roberts was ~~a stage~~ actress ~~for many years before~~ her ~~film~~ career was ~~launched~~ in ~~earnest~~. ~~She appeared~~ in ~~many plays~~ and ~~for some fifteen years~~ headed ~~a stock company based in~~ Philadelphia. In March 1917 she was ~~part~~ of ~~[[J.C. Williamson]]’s~~ [[American Dramatic Company]] that sailed for a tour of South Africa and was ~~subsequently placed under an indefinite contract~~ with the [[~~African Theatres Trust~~]], ~~which also owned~~ [[African Film Productions]]. ~~For AFP she acted in~~ [[Allan Quatermain]] ([[H. Lisle Lucoque]]/1919), [[The Man Who Was Afraid]] ([[Joseph Albrecht]]/1920) and [[The Vulture’s Prey]] ([[Dick Cruikshanks]] & [[William Bowden]]/1922). ~~She also toured Australia and after her~~ return to the United States she ~~resumed~~ her ~~theatrical~~ career. ~~She made a belated entry into American films from 1930 onwards~~, ~~subsequently~~ appearing in ~~numerous supporting roles~~. She was ~~married~~ to the stage ~~actor Walter Gale~~. ~~(FO~~)	+	(b. New York, 16/03/1864 - d. Hollywood, 06/06/1940). American stage and film actress. According to the 1880 Census, at the time 16-year-old Florence Margaret Adelaide Roberts was living with her parents in New York, but she was already an actress. She began her stage career with the Denman Thompson Company when she acted first in the rural drama ''Joshua Whitcomb'' and then in its sequel, the hugely popular ''The Old Homestead''. This is where she met her husband-to-be Walter Gale, who was a also a member of the company. Subsequently she joined M.B. Curtis for two seasons , acting in ''Sam'l of Posen'' by George H. Jessop. Most of her early working life was spent in stock companies and at one stage she headed her own theatrical group, operating out of Philadelphia.
		+
		+	In March 1917 she was one of the members of the [[American Dramatic Company]] that sailed for a tour of South Africa, arriving in Cape Town on Easter Sunday. For the [[African Theatres Trust]] she acted in ''[[Kick In]]'', ''[[The Heart of Wetano]]'', ''[[Help Wanted]]'' and ''[[The Easiest Way]]'', all at [[His Majesty's Theatre]], appearing with the likes of [[Richard Scott]] and [[Edward Donnelly]], who had come over with her. The company subsequently went on tour and this was followed by appearances in ''[[The Cinderella Man]]'', ''[[Nothing But the Truth]]'' and ''[[Palace, Bedroom and Bath]]'', the latter with [[Edith Cartwright]], [[Cecil Kellaway]], [[Elise Hamilton]], [[Hilda Attenboro]] and [[Harcourt Collett]]. Thereafter she joined the [[Allen Doone]] Company and appeared in ''[[The Burglar and the Lady]]'' and ''[[Tom Moore]]'', acting with [[Richard Scott]], [[J.B. Rowe]], [[Yvon Saxby]] and [[Edna Keeley]] at the [[Standard Theatre]]. While in South Africa, she took small roles in three films produced by [[African Film Productions]]: ''[[Allan Quatermain]]'' ([[H. Lisle Lucoque]]/1919), ''[[The Man Who Was Afraid]]'' ([[Joseph Albrecht]]/1920) and ''[[The Vulture’s Prey]]'' ([[Dick Cruikshanks]] & [[William Bowden]]/1922).
		+
		+	In March 1918 she was planning to return to the United States via the Far East and Australia, but soon afterwards she was placed under an indefinite contract with the [[African Theatres Trust]], which induced her to postpone her departure. In the event, she only arrived back in New York on board the Saxonia on in December 1920. Her film career started in earnest in 1930, when she appeared in ''The Eyes of the World'' for Henry King. Though usually in small roles and frequently uncredited, she was gainfully employed until her death in 1940, appearing in such prestigious productions as ''The Life of Emile Zola'' (1937) and ''Abe Lincoln in Illinois'' (1940). She became particularly well known for her role as Grandma in the multiple-part low-budget comedy series featuring the Jones family for 20th Century Fox. (FO)
		+
		+	(Note: Though practically every source gives her birthdate as 16 March 1861 - taken from Wikipedia - according to the 1880 U.S. Census she was born in 1864 and this is the date she provided for her passport application to the American Consulate in Johannesburg. It is difficult to establish an accurate overview of her early stage appearances as her career coincides with that of a contemporary namesake who lived from 1871 to 1927.)
		+

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:06, 6 April 2013
Line 1:		Line 1:

−	b. Frederick, Maryland, 16/03/1861 – d. Hollywood, 06/06/1940). Florence Roberts was a stage actress for many years before her film career was launched in earnest. She appeared in many plays and for some fifteen years headed a stock company based in Philadelphia. In March 1917 she was part of [[J.C. Williamson]]’s [[American Dramatic Company]] that sailed for a tour of South Africa and was subsequently placed under an indefinite contract with the [[African Theatres Trust]], which also owned [[African Film Productions]]. For AFP she acted in [[Allan Quatermain]] ([[H. Lisle Lucoque]]/1919), [[The Man Who Was Afraid]] ([[Joseph Albrecht]]/1920) and [[The Vulture’s Prey]] ([[Dick Cruikshanks]] & [[William Bowden]]/1922). She also toured Australia and after her return to the United States she resumed her theatrical career. She made a belated entry into American films from 1930 onwards, subsequently appearing in numerous supporting roles. She was married to the stage actor Walter Gale. (FO)	+	b. Frederick, Maryland, 16/03/1861 – d. Hollywood, 06/06/1940). American actress. Florence Roberts was a stage actress for many years before her film career was launched in earnest. She appeared in many plays and for some fifteen years headed a stock company based in Philadelphia. In March 1917 she was part of [[J.C. Williamson]]’s [[American Dramatic Company]] that sailed for a tour of South Africa and was subsequently placed under an indefinite contract with the [[African Theatres Trust]], which also owned [[African Film Productions]]. For AFP she acted in [[Allan Quatermain]] ([[H. Lisle Lucoque]]/1919), [[The Man Who Was Afraid]] ([[Joseph Albrecht]]/1920) and [[The Vulture’s Prey]] ([[Dick Cruikshanks]] & [[William Bowden]]/1922). She also toured Australia and after her return to the United States she resumed her theatrical career. She made a belated entry into American films from 1930 onwards, subsequently appearing in numerous supporting roles. She was married to the stage actor Walter Gale. (FO)

	== Sources ==		== Sources ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:48, 24 March 2013
Line 15:		Line 15:

	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Roberts		http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Roberts
−

	== Return to ==		== Return to ==