We are taking a bit of a sad detour and discuss the life and career of Marie Walcamp. I used to get her and Florence Lawrence mixed up because they were both early silent film stars who looked quite a lot alike, and both ended their own lives. For me, looking at pictures of these stars and seeing them on film, they seem like perfect and beautiful people from another era. It seems almost unbelievable to think of them has having real problems and such terrible inner demons that would drive them to suicide. But, alas. I have said it once before, and I am saying it again, I am here to make sure these amazing people are never forgotten even though they left the screen years and years ago.
Marie Walcamp was born on July 27, 1894 in Dennison, Ohio to Arnold and Mary Walcamp. She joined brother, Harry, who was 13 years older.
Marie started getting the itch to perform while still in school, so she left school to head out to New York to pursue an acting career. She made her first film appearance in 1913 in the film The Werewolf.
She stayed off the screen for two years and reappeared again in 1915. The following year she appeared in four more films and as the years progressed, she kept appearing in more and more until she had over 100 films on her resume.
One of her most famous films was in the 1916 anti-abortion film, Where Are My Children? The film also stared Tyrone Power Sr. This is one of the few of Marie's films that is not considered lost.
In 1918, Marie stared in the film The Lion's Claws. In the film, she had to battle a lion, and apparently not enough safety precautions were taken because the lion suddenly lashed out at Marie. She wore the scars from the incident for the rest of her life.
Her last film appearance was in 1927. From what I can gather, her declining career was not her fault but rather the studios who just didn't put her into any roles.
On November 17, 1936, Marie Walcamp decided to end her own life by taking an overdose of medication. She was only 42 years old. She was cremated and her ashes were given to her family.
Marie was married once, to actor Harland Tucker in 1920. They remained married until her death. They never had children.
It is so nice that you take the time to write about these great stars from long ago. She is stunning and the 2nd pic of her is quite beautiful...beautiful lady
ReplyDeleteThank you, Birgit. I think it is important to pay homage to those who were there at the beginning of the movies. There wouldn't be the stars of today if these amazing silent stars didn't start things off!
ReplyDeleteShe really did have that classic beauty, didn't she?
Thank you for writing about Marie. So little is known about her today. I live close to her birthplace in OH. Would love to know where her ashes are now. I am hoping to see at least one of her films in the near future.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by, Lisa! I too would like to know what became of her ashes. I will do some digging around (pun not intended, but it works) and see if I can find out.
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