Mrs. Lewis McCord
Actor
About Mrs. Lewis McCord
Mrs. Lewis McCord, born Bertha St. Clair (also known as Bertha Clear), was a seasoned character actress of the early silent film era, primarily active between 1914 and 1917. Before her transition to the screen, she spent years on the vaudeville circuit and the theatrical stage alongside her third husband, Landis M. Wanbaugh, who performed under the stage name Lewis McCord. Following Wanbaugh's death in 1911, Bertha adopted his stage name as her professional billing, becoming a staple in the productions of the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company. She was a frequent collaborator of legendary director Cecil B. DeMille, often cast in maternal or authoritative character roles such as landladies, housekeepers, and mothers. Her most significant contribution to cinema was her recurring role as the mother of the title character in DeMille's 'Chimmie Fadden' series. Despite her brief film career, she appeared in over a dozen features, providing grounded, realistic performances that supported the era's biggest stars like Blanche Sweet and Marie Doro.
The Craft
On Screen
Mrs. Lewis McCord was known for her 'Character Woman' roles, specializing in realistic portrayals of working-class or maternal figures. Her style was grounded and less melodramatic than many of her contemporaries, fitting the 'romantic realism' that Cecil B. DeMille was cultivating at the Lasky studio. She often provided the emotional anchor or the social context for the lead protagonists, playing roles like the protective mother, the stern landlady, or the loyal housekeeper.
Milestones
- Cast by Cecil B. DeMille as the mother in the popular 'Chimmie Fadden' (1915) and its sequel 'Chimmie Fadden Out West' (1915).
- Appeared as the Landlady in the extant silent film 'Young Romance' (1915) starring Edith Taliaferro.
- Played the role of Sapho in the DeMille-directed Civil War drama 'The Warrens of Virginia' (1915).
- Portrayed the stewardess in the 1915 Valeska Suratt feature 'The Immigrant'.
- Featured as Convict Mattie Rowe in the 1916 drama 'Unprotected' starring Blanche Sweet.
- Regularly employed by the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company during the formative years of the Hollywood studio system.
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Recognized in the American Film Institute (AFI) Catalog for her contributions to early Paramount/Lasky productions.
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Mrs. Lewis McCord represented the transition of seasoned stage performers into the new medium of motion pictures. As a reliable character actress for the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company, she helped establish the 'stock company' feel of early Hollywood studios, where a reliable group of actors supported rotating stars. Her role in the 'Chimmie Fadden' films contributed to the early cinematic depiction of urban immigrant life and the 'Bowery' archetypes that were popular in early 20th-century American culture.
Lasting Legacy
While many of her films are now lost, her presence in extant works like 'Young Romance' and 'Chimmie Fadden' provides film historians with a glimpse into the supporting performances that gave early silent features their depth. She is remembered as one of the early 'DeMille regulars,' part of the director's inner circle of trusted talent during his rise to power in Hollywood. Her life story, from a scandalous trial to a respected career as a 'Character Woman,' reflects the resilient and often reinvention-filled lives of early film pioneers.
Who They Inspired
She influenced the development of the 'mother' archetype in silent drama, moving away from pure Victorian sentimentality toward a more nuanced, sometimes gritty, urban realism.
Off Screen
Bertha St. Clair had a tumultuous personal life before her film career. Her second marriage to George Diggle ended in 1888; she was famously implicated in his death but was ultimately acquitted after a high-profile trial. She later found stability with her third husband, actor Landis M. Wanbaugh (Lewis McCord), with whom she toured the country in vaudeville. After his death in 1911, she moved to Los Angeles to join the burgeoning film industry, using his name as a tribute and professional identity.
Education
Trained through years of practical experience on the vaudeville circuit and the American theatrical stage.
Family
- George Diggle (died 1888)
- Landis M. Wanbaugh (Lewis McCord) (married until 1911)
Did You Know?
- She adopted her husband's stage name, Lewis McCord, as her own professional name after his death.
- She was once involved in a high-profile murder trial in Philadelphia following the death of her second husband, George Diggle.
- She appeared in at least seven films directed or produced by Cecil B. DeMille in 1915 alone.
- Her film 'Young Romance' (1915) is one of the few surviving examples of her work and is preserved in the George Eastman Museum.
- She often played characters significantly older than her actual age due to her 'Character Woman' designation.
- In 'The Warrens of Virginia', she worked alongside a young Mildred Harris, who would later become Charlie Chaplin's first wife.
In Their Own Words
Context: While silent film actors did not have spoken lines, her performance in 'Chimmie Fadden' was described by critics as 'providing a touching and realistic portrayal of maternal devotion that anchored the film's comedy.'
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Mrs. Lewis McCord?
Mrs. Lewis McCord was a prominent character actress in early silent films, known for her work with Cecil B. DeMille and the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company between 1914 and 1917.
What was Mrs. Lewis McCord's real name?
Her birth name was Bertha St. Clair. She adopted 'Mrs. Lewis McCord' as her stage name following the death of her husband, actor Landis M. Wanbaugh, who used Lewis McCord as his professional name.
What films is Mrs. Lewis McCord best known for?
She is best known for playing the mother in 'Chimmie Fadden' (1915) and its sequel, as well as roles in 'Young Romance' (1915) and 'The Warrens of Virginia' (1915).
When was Mrs. Lewis McCord active in Hollywood?
She was primarily active during the early silent era, with her most prolific years being 1915 and 1916, appearing in numerous Paramount/Lasky productions.
What was Mrs. Lewis McCord's acting style?
She was a 'Character Woman' who specialized in grounded, realistic portrayals of maternal figures, landladies, and housekeepers, often serving as a foil to the more glamorous leads.
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Films
1 film
