Nell Franzen

Nell Franzen

On set at Flying "A" Studios, 1916
Born (1889-11-17)November 17, 1889
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Died August 21, 1973(1973-08-21) (aged 83)
Orange, California, U.S.
Occupation Actress
Years active 1913 - 1924

Nell Franzen (November 17, 1889 – August 21, 1973) was an American actress of the silent era. A native of Portland, Oregon, Franzen initially worked in local theatre and performed in various stage productions throughout the Northwest. She later moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in films, signing a contract with the America Film Company.

Her most well-known film credits are 1916's Lord Loveland Discovers America, and Embers.

Biography

Franzen was born on November 17, 1889 in Portland, Oregon[1] to John O'Flarrity Franzen (1860-1941) and Mary Ellen Coshow (1861-1938).

She began her career as an actress working in stock theater. She performed onstage with the Baker Stock Company at their Baker Theatre location in Portland, under stage director Marshall Farnum, the brother of William Farnum.[2] She appeared in the stage production of The Toyshop in 1908,[3] and also performed with the Sanford Stock Company in Vancouver, British Columbia.[4]

After moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in silent films, Franzen toured the world performing for veterans in soldier's camps during World War I alongside fellow silent film star Neva Gerber.[5]

She starred in several silent films, most of them with the American Film Company of Santa Barbara, in which she often acted opposite Constance Crawley and Arthur Maude. She also continued to work in theatre, performing in a touring one act play titled "Room 13," written by Sherwood MacDonald, opposite Helen Emma Reaume, wife of Tyrone Power. The one-act toured throughout southern California in 1919.[6]

She died on August 21, 1973 in Orange, California, at the age of 83.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1913 Ashes of Three
1915Ima Simp, Detective
1915 The Ladder of Love John's Sister
1915 Diamond from the Sky
1915 The Trail of the Serpent Carlotta
1915 Film Tempo Charlotte Briggs
1915 In the Sunset Country Madge aka The Lost Soul
1915 Yes or No
1916 Time and Tide Ruth Walters
1916 Lord Loveland Discovers America Izzy
1916 Life's Blind Alley Rose McKee
1916 Embers Maysie Stafford
1916 Revelations Marie
1916 The Courtesan Bettie Howard
1916 Purity Maiden
1916 The Strength of Donald McKenzie
1924 Sagebrush Gospel Mrs. Harper

Stage credits

Year Title Role Location
1908 The Toyshop Doll Baker Theatre, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
1909 Merely Mary Ann Sister Trippitt Baker Theater, Portland, Oregon, U.S.[7]
1910 Under Southern Skies Anner Lizer The Spokane in Spokane, Washington, U.S.[8]
1910 The Prince Chap Phoebe Puckers Baker Theater, Portland, Oregon, U.S.[4]
1910 The Man from Mexico Baker Theater, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
1910 All the Comforts of Home Emily Pettibone Baker Theater, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
1910 Sapho Soubrise Baker Theater, Portland, Oregon, U.S.[9]
1911 Brown's in Town Freda Von Hollenbeck Bungalow Theater, Portland, Oregon, U.S.[10]
1919 Room 13 San Diego, California; Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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References

  1. ↑ "May 27, 1911". The Eugene Guard. Eugene, Oregon: 5. May 27, 1911. Retrieved December 29, 2015.
  2. ↑ "The Baker Chain of High Class Stock Organizations" (PDF). The New York Dramatic Mirror. New York City, New York: 17. December 21, 1910.
  3. ↑ "Cast of Characters to Take Part in "The Toyshop"". The Sunday Oregonian: 4. June 22, 1908. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Charming Portland Actress Pleases Patrons at the Baker Theatre". The Morning Oregonian: 14. April 13, 1910. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Portland Girl Here on Vacation From Film Work". The Sunday Oregonian: 4. April 10, 1921. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Director Claims Fast System of Longhand". The Los Angeles Herald: 26. May 20, 1919.
  7. ↑ Greene, Arthur A. (May 10, 1909). "At the Theaters". The Morning Oregonian: 7. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Baker Company Draws Big House". The Spokane Daily Chronicle: 2. December 5, 1910.
  9. ↑ "At the Theaters: "Sapho" at the Baker". The Morning Oregonian: 15. June 13, 1910. Retrieved January 2, 2016.
  10. ↑ "New Bills at Theaters". The Morning Oregonian. March 6, 1911. p. 7. Retrieved December 30, 2015.


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