May Vokes
Actor
About May Vokes
May Vokes was a distinguished American stage and film actress, primarily celebrated for her comedic prowess during the early 20th century. Born near Columbus, Ohio, around 1882, she discovered her passion for performance while attending a convent school, where she participated in student productions. Her professional journey began in Chicago before she transitioned to the Broadway stage, making her debut in 'My Friend from India' in 1896. Vokes became a fixture of the New York theater scene, specializing in 'frightened maid' archetypes and eccentric comedic characters that endeared her to audiences for decades. Though her primary medium was the stage, she made a notable transition to the silver screen in the 1924 historical epic 'Janice Meredith' alongside Marion Davies and W.C. Fields. Her career spanned over forty years, concluding with a final Broadway revival in 1937 before her retirement to Connecticut.
The Craft
On Screen
Vokes was renowned for her physical comedy and her ability to portray high-strung, nervous, or 'frightened' characters with impeccable timing. She was often cast as the comic relief, particularly in the role of a domestic servant or maid, where her expressive facial reactions and vocal delivery became her professional trademark.
Milestones
- Broadway debut in 'My Friend from India' (1896)
- Created the iconic role of Lizzie the maid in the original Broadway production of 'The Bat' (1920)
- Starred in the high-budget silent epic 'Janice Meredith' (1924)
- Appeared in the independent feature 'Get That Venus' (1933)
- Final Broadway appearance in the revival of 'The Bat' (1937)
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Recognized as one of the premier character comediennes of the Broadway stage during the 1910s and 1920s
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
May Vokes represented a specific era of character acting where stage stars were brought into early cinema to provide reliable comedic beats. Her performance in 'The Bat' was so influential that the 'frightened maid' character became a staple of the 'old dark house' mystery genre, influencing how such roles were written and performed for years to come. She bridged the gap between late 19th-century vaudeville-style humor and the more structured narrative comedy of the silent film era.
Lasting Legacy
Her legacy is primarily preserved through her association with the original production of 'The Bat,' a play that defined the mystery-thriller genre on Broadway. In film history, she is remembered for her contribution to 'Janice Meredith,' one of the most expensive and ambitious silent films ever produced by William Randolph Hearst. She remains a notable figure for historians of the American theater and early character acting.
Who They Inspired
Her nervous, high-energy comedic style influenced a generation of character actresses who specialized in 'plain' or 'eccentric' roles, moving away from the traditional leading lady mold to find success through personality and timing.
Off Screen
May Vokes was married to Ballard Preston Lester (sometimes referred to in contemporary press as Robert Lester). She spent her later years living in Stamford, Connecticut, where she remained until her death at Stamford Hospital in 1957.
Education
Attended a convent school where she first began acting in student theatricals.
Family
- Ballard Preston Lester
Did You Know?
- She was famously known for never taking sugar, a fact she once detailed in a 1909 Chicago Tribune interview.
- Despite her fame as Lizzie in 'The Bat,' she was never cast in any of the numerous film versions of the play.
- She was often mistaken for being related to the famous 'Vokes Family' of English entertainers, but she was actually from Ohio and unrelated.
- Her Broadway career included over a dozen major productions between 1900 and 1937.
- She started her acting career after a former classmate helped her secure a job in Chicago.
In Their Own Words
I have played maids so often that I sometimes find myself answering the door in my own home as if I'm expecting a cue. (Paraphrased from contemporary theater interviews regarding her typecasting)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was May Vokes?
May Vokes was a prominent American comedic actress of the early 20th century, best known for her extensive career on Broadway and her roles in silent films like 'Janice Meredith'.
What films is May Vokes best known for?
She is most famous for her role as Susie in the 1924 silent epic 'Janice Meredith' and her appearance in the 1933 film 'Get That Venus'.
When was May Vokes born and when did she die?
She was born around 1882 in Columbus, Ohio, and passed away on September 13, 1957, in Stamford, Connecticut.
What was May Vokes's most famous stage role?
She is most celebrated for creating the role of Lizzie, the terrified maid, in the original 1920 Broadway production of the mystery play 'The Bat'.
What was May Vokes's acting style?
Vokes specialized in character comedy, often playing eccentric, nervous, or frightened domestic workers with great physical expression and timing.
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Films
1 film
