A Brief Bio of Alice Calhoun, Silent Screen Actress

Alice Calhoun (1900 ~ 1966)
A Brief Biography

Born in Cleveland, Ohio at the dawn of the twentieth century, Alice Beatrice Calhoun (nicknamed “ABC” for her unique initials) was the daughter of Florence F. Payne and Joseph Chester Calhoun. She had one brother, Joseph Jr., who was not only a successful attorney, but also a Danish and Norwegian consul.
In the 1920's, movies were basically an unchallenged mass entertainment form - radio was not yet a part of the culture, and television was years away. Most of Alice's movies were based on literary works, such as Booth Tarkington's Pulitzer-prize winning novel, "The Magnificent Ambersons" (filmed as Pampered Youth), or short stories, such as O. Henry’s final, unfinished The Dream. While she played roles in various genre including slapstick and westerns, most of her movies were script–based dramas.
Alice was a hard-working actress, and regarded as highly professional by her peers. While modern audiences may view the melodramatic acting method of silents as over-the-top or "quaint", it clearly reflected the technique necessary for interpretation. Silent film is an interactive art form. Without sound, an audience must be able to clearly understand the actor's thoughts and emotions. Alice's mastery of that technique was widely admired and considered skillful and believable. Most of her films were successful because of her charm, and that quality made her popular and durable for the period of time she worked in. There was a darling naiveté to her work that was vivid, gutsy, human, and sentimental. She had an active fan club, and always answered all the letters that she received.
This being pre-code Hollywood, many of Alice's films had themes that were considered sophisticated and risqué. In One Stolen Night (which admittedly rode in on the coattails of Valentino's The Sheik), her leading role as Diantha oozes erotica and sexual angst. Sir James M. Barrie called her “the perfect Lady Babbie” when she starred in The Little Minister, which was later remade and became Katherine Hepburn’s break-out role.
While Alice did play her share of the day’s helpless waifs and hopeless romantics, she also starred in mysteries and adventures, playing strong, action-motivated roles. One of her legacies is her modern-themed starring roles, portraying successful, educated women. Feminine assertiveness was a popular theme in films of the mid-1920's, and she was often cast as a headstrong, career woman. She was also a very skilled comedienne. One of my favorite films of hers is the slapstick comedy Hidden Aces (with renowned stuntman Charles Hutchison), in which she is adorable and hilarious.
For her contribution to motion pictures, Alice was awarded a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame in the early 1960's. She was also renowned for her patriotic contributions, community service and work on behalf of other aspiring female artists. She was an officer in the American Pen Women Society, and active in the Beverly Hills chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a regular visitor and volunteer at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital, the final resting home for many stars. The women’s diagnostic center at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles has a plaque that bears her name for her contributions to that facility. Likewise, at the City of Hope Hospital, the Alice Calhoun Chotiner Wing is a serene, comfortable waiting area for cancer patient’s families. She was diagnosed with cancer in the early 1960's, eventually succumbing to the ravages of mesothelioma. She passed on June 3, 1966, and eternally rests beside her beloved husband, Max Chotiner, at the Little Garden of Faithfulness, near the statue of Leah at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

© 2009-2010 Susann Disbro Gilbert
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The Calhoun Connection

Alice Calhoun’s father, Joseph Chester Calhoun, was born in 1866 in Vienna, Austria, and immigrated to the United States in 1872. His parents were Joseph Calhoun and Mary Neibauer. In many published interviews, Alice described her Calhoun lineage as being the great-grand niece of the statesman and vice president, John Calhoun. However, this has yet to be verified. Any further information regarding this is welcome!