Betty Schade Movies
The blonde wife of Keystone regular Fritz Schade, Betty Schade was a member of Mack Sennett's original stock company, heading up her own unit. Carl Laemmle of Universal lured her away from Sennett in 1913, but she spent the remainder of her screen career in supporting roles, often cast as femme fatales. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide- 1952
It's always a pleasure to see ace western director Leslie Selander in action, and Riders of Vengeance is no exception. Originally released as The Raiders, this Universal programmer stars Richard Conte as a miner who leads an expedition of his compatriots to the California Gold Rush. Crooked Morris Ankrum sets about to cheat Conte and his friends out of their claims. The good guys stage a counteroffensive with the help of Mexican miner Richard Martin. Viveca Lindfors once more brings intelligence and charm to a two-dimensional role. Watch for future Gunsmoke star Dennis Weaver as "Logan". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Conte, Viveca Lindfors, (more)
- 1921
Pert -- and very Caucasian -- Shirley Mason does not make a terribly convincing Chinese girl in this drama, but in the end it doesn't really matter because it turns out her character wasn't Asian to begin with. As in many films of the era, all the Chinese roles are taken by white actors. Wing Toy (Mason) has been raised by Wong, an old Chinese laundryman (Edward McWade). When she is 16, he reveals that as an infant she was left in his care by a convict called the Mole (Scott McKee), who claimed her father was Chinese and her mother was white. Because he believes she will have a better home, Wong has promised Wing Toy's hand in marriage to Yen Low (Harry S. Northrup). Yen Low already has a white woman as a wife, White Lily (Betty Schade), but he plans to divorce her so he can wed Wing Toy. Reporter Ben Harris (Raymond McKee) gets wind of the story and his investigation leads to Wing Toy's release. White Lily kills Yen Low and the Mole, released from prison, reveals that Wing Toy is actually the daughter of the district attorney. With no problematic racial barriers to stop them (and racial barriers were very much an issue in 1921), Bob and Wing Toy become engaged. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1921
Although Erich von Stroheim's Foolish Wives had been released only a few short months earlier, the title to this drama actually came from the Donn Byrne novel on which it was based. Doris May plays Georgia Wayne, a young woman from the South who is stagestruck and convinces her husband Lafayette (Charles Meredith) to move to New York. She gets wrapped up in the heady theatrical life, and when her husband discovers she has been unfaithful, he throws her out. Mildred Manning plays Sheila Hopkins, who marries poet Anthony Sheridan (Wallace MacDonald) because he will allow her to pursue her literary career. The marriage drives Sheridan to drink and he dies in the arms of his mother (Margaret McWade). The only non-foolish matron is actress Annis Grand (Kathleen Kirkham), who marries Dr. Ian Fraser (Hobart Bosworth) and convinces him to leave the city and move to the country. This wasn't one of Maurice Tourneur's better pictures, but it is worthwhile to note that it was co-directed by his protégé, Clarence Badger), who would have a long and illustrious career at MGM. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hobart Bosworth, Doris May, (more)
- 1921
Before he was known as "the man of a thousand faces," Lon Chaney had already become famous for portraying underworld characters. If he does not come off well in this Goldwyn picture, in which he plays a gang leader, it has nothing to do with his acting and everything to do with the editing. The film was based on a controversial tale of the underworld, The Night Rose, by Leroy Scott. The Censorship Commission refused to give it their stamp of approval, so it was recut, which eliminated much of Chaney's part. Leatrice Joy co-stars -- this was one of the last pictures she made before signing with Paramount and Cecil B. DeMille. Duke McGee (Chaney) takes a liking to Georgia Rodman (Joy), with little regard to the fact that she is the sweetheart of his bookkeeper, Jimmy (Cullen Landis). He decides to frame Jimmy, thus getting him out of the way, but Sally, McGee's former mistress (Betty Schade), foils his plan. Jimmy, however, is shot before he can get away. Georgia believes Jimmy is dead and goes to a ball thrown by McGee to exact revenge. But Sally grabs the gun from her hands and completes the job for her. Jimmy recovers from his wounds, and the picture ends happily. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leatrice Joy, Lon Chaney, (more)
- 1920
Beebe, a Belgian flower girl (Shirley Mason), falls in love with Victor Fleming (not the director -- although he was known as a ladies' man -- but Philo McCullough), a charismatic artist visiting from Paris. He finds her innocence appealing, but eventually he returns to Paris, promising to send for her. When she hears that he is heartsick, she believes he is really ill and heads to Paris. But when she arrives at his studio, she walks into a wild revelry with Victor at the center of it all, surrounded by a crowd of Latin Quarter lovelies. Beebe is horrified, but Victor gently explains that they are too different to be together. So she goes back to Belgium to wed Jeanot (Raymond McKee), a humble wood chopper who has loved her all along. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shirley Mason, Raymond McKee, (more)
- 1920
Olive Thomas, the star of this innocent and sentimental picture, would tragically die of poisoning in Paris within a couple of weeks of its release. The story line is not unlike Peg O' My Heart: a sweet Irish colleen lightens up the lives of those around her. When her Aunt Agnes (Margaret McWade) writes her a desperate note, Kitty McCarthy (Thomas) decides to leave her home in Ireland for the U.S. When she lands on American soil, she meets playwright Gordon Davis (J. Barney Sherry), who gives her enough money to get to her aunt. It turns out that Agnes has become a dope fiend, but Kitty's sunny influence helps her reform almost immediately. Davis, meanwhile, has written a musical comedy, and he gives Kitty a role. The leading lady, Vera Maxwell (Betty Schade), is having problems with her jealous suitor, the wealthy Savoy (Richard Tucker). Kitty helps bring them back together, which temporarily endangers her own romance with Davis' nephew, Roger (Walter McGrail). Gordon lends his aid in keeping the young couple together. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1920
After directing him as the title character in Huckleberry Finn, William Desmond Taylor again used boy actor Lewis Sargent in this picture. His character, known merely as "the boy," has been raised in an orphanage where he has caused as much trouble as possible. He finally can't stand living there anymore and runs away. On the streets he finds a friend in Mike (Ernest Butterworth), a newsboy. Mike teaches him how to survive but inevitably the boy gets hauled into court. However, the judge sees potential in him and hands him over to be adopted by a young politician. The judge, incidentally, is played by Judge Ben Lindsey, who was famous in his day for his efforts to give delinquent boys a decent chance in life. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1919
Mrs. Sanguinetti has picked out a barber (Burton Law) as the future husband of her daughter, Rosie (Carmel Myers). Rosie, however, is not at all happy with the choice, and runs off to a settlement house. She begs the superintendent there (Kingsley Benedict) to help her find anyone else to marry. Just then the wealthy Jerry Van Oesten (Thurston Hall) happens along. He has been dumped by a chorus girl, Sylvia (Betty Schade) and has been drinking ever since. He offers to help out Rosie and they are wed. When he awakens sober the next morning, however, he realizes he has made a mistake. His haughty aunt (Adelaide Elliott) comes along and she, too, is horrified by Jerry's new wife. Rosie realizes she is out of her league with this family and returns to her mother, even though she has grown to love Jerry. Sylvia, now married, comes to see Jerry because she is unhappy with her mean husband (William Dyer). The husband comes by, looking for his wife, and he attacks Jerry. To save him, Sylvia pulls out a gun and kills her husband, but Jerry takes the rap to save her from jail. Rosie hears of all this and comes to testify that she welcomed advances from Sylvia's husband. Her lie rings so true that Jerry is freed. Rosie's willingness to compromise herself for his sake makes Jerry realize her value to him. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1919
Legendary director John Ford began his long, eventful screen career helming Harry Carey westerns for Universal. He got that job courtesy of big brother Francis Ford, but the youngster quickly established himself as the Ford to watch. He was not quite there yet, but Riders of Vengeance was a harbinger of things to come. Carey witnesses his family murdered by a gang of outlaws and tracks down each of every one of the gun men. Along the way, he finds time to save Seena Owen from an Indian attack, much to the chagrin of the girl's fiancee, the local sheriff Joseph Harris. Leading lady Seena Owen (née Signe Auen) had previously played the Princess Beloved in D.W. Griffith's masterpiece, Intolerance.The Danish-American actress was the sister of screenwriter Lilie Hayward (Aloma of the South Seas, etc.) ~ Hans J. Wollstein, All Movie Guide
- 1919
After the father of Cheyenne Harry (Harry Carey) is shot dead, His mother makes him promise to put down his guns. He agrees, though this is easier said than done in the Old West. A pair of rustlers, Boone Travis (Joe Harris) and Lopez (Vester Pegg), hear about Harry's pledge and believe his cattle are easy prey. Not so, as it turns out -- Harry catches up with them and lets them have it with his bare fists. Their hatred for Harry is now even greater, and their malice spreads to Conchita (Betty Schade), Harry's Spanish sweetheart. The villains frame Harry as a murderer and the charge nearly sticks. Harry is about to be hung when he finds out his brother Bud (Howard Ensteadt) has been branded by Travis and Lopez. He grabs the sheriff's gun, escapes and shoots his persecutors dead. Later, he is acquitted of the previous charge when Conchita provides an eyewitness account of the deed. While loaded with suspense, this wasn't the best of the collaborations between Carey and director John Ford, who in those days was known as Jack Ford. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1919
Lighthearted Constance Talmadge stars in this frothy comedy-drama, which, entertaining as it was, had barely enough substance to carry it through five reels. Easygoing Barbara Townsend (Talmadge) is never jealous and allows her husband, Richard (Harrison Ford), to come and go as he pleases. Townsend, however, takes her considerate nature as neglect and he believes that Barbara has ceased to love him. Vampy Dorothy Mitchell (Betty Schade) convinces Townsend that he should seek a divorce, which he does, and Barbara is too proud to object. The divorce is granted, but they have three months until the final decree. Townsend becomes engaged to Dorothy, but he and Barbara keep on seeing each other on the side. With Barbara now in the role of "the other woman," the couple's passion is renewed once again. It isn't long before Townsend decides to dump Dorothy in favor of his wife. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1918
The lovely Louise Lovely played the lovely heroine in the not-so-lovely five-reeler Painted Lips. The daughter of a sea captain, the heroine falls in with a bad crowd and is soon working as a "hostess" (wink! wink!) in a cheap waterfront dive. Rescued from these tawdry surroundings by a wealthy but dissolute young man, the girl is transformed into "a lady" thanks to five months' diligence by a team of cosmeticians, tutors and charm experts. Falling in love with her benefactor, she is disillusioned to discover that his generosity was motivated by his desire to place his hated brother in a compromising situation with the now-ladylike Lovely. Out of revenge, the girl warns the brother of the scheme then disappears into the night, presumably to resume her previous unsavory lifestyle. The girl's ill treatment at the hands of the wealthy man is avenged by her seafaring father, who appears out of nowhere to mete out retribution. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1918
The "wife" of the title is Hope Ross, played by Louise Lovely, but never mind her. The real star of the proceedings is former rodeo champ Jack Hoxie, here billed as "Hart Hoxie" in emulation of the actor's idol, William S. Hart. Hoxie plays Jack Darling, a Canadian Mountie who rides into a Tundra village in search of an escaped criminal (Allen Carew). Jack finds out that the fugitive has changed his name and has landed the job of village sheriff. Hoping to expose the villain, Jack pretends to be a crook and joins the duplicitous sheriff in a robbery scheme. As for Hope Ross, she must overcome the stigma of being an unwed mother -- which, as it turns out, she really isn't. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1918
The Scarlet Drop was one of John Ford's seven directorial efforts for the year 1918 -- none of which, alas, seem to have survived. Ford also wrote the screenplay, while his friend and mentor Harry Carey essayed the leading role. Briefly dropping his standard "Cheyenne Harry" characterization, Carey is cast as "Kaintuck" Ridge, a veteran of the War Between the States. Disdained as "poor white trash," Ridge distinguishes himself with conspicuous acts of courage when he joins a Southern guerilla band, comprised of social outcasts like himself. With a price on his head, Ridge is forced to escape to the West, where he is reunited with Marley Calvert (Vester Pegg), an aristocratic Southern belle whose life he saved during the war. Though he is deeply in love with Marley, he has sworn vengeance against her family due to past humiliations, and it takes plenty of hard ridin', fancy shootin' and heavy drinkin' before the plot is resolved. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1918
After striking it rich in Alaska, Smith (Monroe Salisbury) is robbed of his gold by Amy (Betty Schade) and her partner (Sam deGrasse). He unsuccessfully pursues them through a snow storm and when he is finally saved by Harkness (Alfred Allen), he has been rendered mute from an injury. But Amy and Sam haven't gone very far and they decide to make Harkness their next victim -- easy enough since Smith can't talk and spill the beans (no one ever explains, however, why he doesn't write Harkness a note). Amy entices Harkness into marrying her, and after they are wed, he takes off for his claim. While he is away, his daughter Mary (Ruth Clifford) arrives and she believes that Smith and Amy are involved. Amy has a child and Mary believes Smith to be the father -- so does Harkness when he gets back, and he shoots Smith. But an Indian rounds up Amy and Sam and makes them 'fess up -- they're actually married to each other. Harkness lets them go for the sake of their child. Smith recovers from the gunshot wound and his voice is restored. But he doesn't have to say much, since his innocence has already been explained. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1918
"The Wolf" is the name bestowed upon a rugged woodsman whose ruthlessness in dealing with others is the stuff from which legends are made. When he stakes his claim on a valuable piece of mountain property, The Wolf meets his match in Nolan, who in addition to being a merciless negotiator is also a crook. Nolan manages to hold on to his property, but the Wolf threatens to take it away from him when he returns. In the meantime, Nolan dies, and his property becomes the site of a restaurant managed by his beautiful niece (Louise Lovely). The Wolf reappears and confronts the girl, who stubbornly refuses to leave. Refusing to strike a woman, the Wolf backs down and becomes the laughing stock of the territory. Angrily, he forces the girl to marry him, thereby coming into legal possession of the property. The Wolf contemptuously tells his new bride that she's welcome to leave whenever she likes, but the heroine stands her ground -- and, as expected, she and the Wolf eventually fall in love. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1918
Based on a novel, Lin McLean, by Western writer Owen Wister, this Harry Carey feature was one of John Ford's early directoral efforts. Carey's pictures often added touches of comedy to a Western atmosphere, and in spite of a tragic end, this picture is no exception. Lin McLean (Carey) is a cowboy who falls for Katy, a waitress (Betty Schade). He takes her back to his ranch and everything seems to be going along just fine until her husband shows up. Katy runs off with him, and later on McLean discovers Billy (Roy Clark), the couple's little boy, who has been deserted. McLean adopts the child and then meets Jessie, a decent girl (Molly Malone). They marry but then Katy reappears and causes much domestic turmoil. McLean, however, doesn't want to have anything to do with her, so she finds work at a nearby dance hall, and, despondent over the end of her romance, swallows poison. Little Billy, meanwhile, helps McLean and Jessie see the error of their ways. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1918
The Girl in the Dark is Carmel Myers, who has no idea why a gang of Chinese villains are chasing her. Carmel and her beau Ashton Dearholt undergo several thrilling adventures and deadly close calls before the object of the bad guys' obsession is revealed. It turns out that Carmel is in possession of a seal ring, which contains valuable clues to a hidden treasure. In fine old Hollywood tradition, the main Chinese are played by a Japanese (Frank Tokanaga) and an occidental (Frank Deschon). This was based on The Green Seal, a blood-and-thunder novel by Charles Edmund Walk. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1918
A group of homesteaders, led by Alan MacDonald (Monroe Salisbury), are being persecuted by cattle baron Saul Chadron (Alfred Allen). Chadron hires a hitman, Thorne (Sam DeGrasse), to kill the bothersome MacDonald, but he botches the job and kills someone else. MacDonald, meanwhile, has fallen in love with Frances (Helen Eddy), the pretty guest of Chadron's daughter (Betty Schade). A fight breaks out between the cattlemen and the homesteaders, but MacDonald saves Chadron from being lynched. Both Chadron and Thorne wind up dead anyhow, and Frances unites with MacDonald. This picture was based on the novel The Rustler of Wind River by G.W. Ogden. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1917
Lambert (William Stowell), a doctor and a minister, comes to live in a Western town with his wife (Helen Gibson). But she is enticed away by a gambler named West (Hector Dion). She returns, but dies in childbirth and Lambert loses his faith and any desire to help anyone. He places the baby on a doorstep and leaves town to wander aimlessly. Many years pass and he returns to the town and meets Lily Sawyer (Mildred Davis), who works at a hotel belonging to Smith (Alfred Allen). Because of the young girl's sweet personality, Lambert starts thinking about becoming a member of the human race again. Then West comes to town and lusts after Lily. West's partner, Fanny (Betty Schade), tells Lambert that Lily is his daughter. Lambert kills West before he can lay a hand on Lily, and soon after, his faith in God is restored. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1917
This drama was adapted from a story that Maud Pettus wrote for All Story magazine. Nancy Glenn (Ruth Stonehouse), better known as "the Spider," dresses up in boy's clothes and steals women's purses for Pop Hoagland (M. W. Testa), a fence. She only escapes arrest by detective Spike O'Neill (Harry Dunkinson) because wealthy Ralph Harding (Lloyd Whitlock) and his friend Stella Farnsworth (Betty Schade) beg him to let her go. Not long after that, Nancy, while dressed in girl's clothes, is hit by a car and carried into the Harding home. She recognizes Ralph but doesn't reveal her identity. His mother (Lydia Yeamans Titus) becomes fond of the girl and accepts her as family. But things get complicated when Pliny Drew (J. Webster Dill), one of Nancy's old associates, swindles Ralph in a mining scheme and Nancy tries to intervene. O'Neill, meanwhile, is investigating the theft of some jewelry stolen from the Harding home and suspects Nancy. The butler turns out to be the thief, and Ralph gives Drew a sound thrashing. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1917
A young society man (Herbert Rawlinson) decides to marry a nice country girl (Betty Schade) instead of his Follies girlfriend (Dorothy Davenport). But he can't seem to stay away from his old pals and their wild ways, which apparently include such "shocking" vices as smoking cigarettes and drinking cocktails. Finally he falls asleep one night and dreams that he ruins a young girl and then destroys his own life. When he wakes up to reality, he decides to behave himself from now on and asks his wife to forgive his wicked ways. The clumsy editing of this picture hints that at one point the dream sequence was probably supposed to be part of the plot. ~ Janiss Garza, All Movie Guide
- 1916
Nineteen-year-old Ella Hall played the adolescent heroine of The Love Girl. Upon the death of her parents, Ambrosia (Hall) is transplanted from the country to the city, where she is put under the care of her unfeeling Aunt (Adele Farrington). What follows is a standard "Cinderella" situation, with the aunt lavishing all her affection on her own daughter (Betty Schade), while treating Ambrosia like a drudge. The Status Quo changes radically when our heroine rescues her snotty cousin from a kidnapping, masterminded by a phony Swami (Wadsworth Harris). Harry Depp, an actor best known for his female impersonations, played a straight role (so to speak) as the cousin's boyfriend. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1916
Dumb Girl of Portici is famous today as the film in which Boris Karloff made his movie debut. This "fact" is open to debate: Karloff himself had no memories of the film's star, flamboyant dancing diva Anna Pavlova, and that bow-legged extra in the crowd scenes, photographed from behind, may or may not be "our Boris." Whatever the case, it cannot be denied that the film's storyline is based upon Daniel Francois Esprit's opera Masaniello. Anna Pavlova plays Fenella, the surprisingly non-dancing heroine, in this epic romantic tragedy. Fenella rises from rags to riches, but at a great personal price. The central role of Masaniello is played by future director Rupert Julian. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
