Alma Hanlon
Actor
About Alma Hanlon
Alma Hanlon was a silent film actress who had a notably brief career during the transitional period of American cinema in 1917. She appeared in her only known film credit, 'The Whip,' which was an adaptation of a popular stage play that had been a theatrical success. The film was directed by the renowned French director Maurice Tourneur, who was known for his artistic approach to filmmaking during the silent era. Hanlon's role in this production, while not leading, demonstrated the typical studio system approach of the time where actors were often cast for specific character types. Like many actors of the silent era whose careers spanned only a few years, detailed records of her life and career are scarce, reflecting the challenges of film preservation and historical documentation from this period. Her brief appearance in cinema history represents the thousands of performers who contributed to early Hollywood but whose stories remain largely untold.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in 'The Whip' (1917), a notable silent film adaptation of a popular stage play
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Alma Hanlon's contribution to cinema, while brief, is representative of the countless actors who formed the backbone of early Hollywood productions. Her appearance in 'The Whip' (1917) places her within the important transitional period of American cinema when feature films were becoming the industry standard. The film itself was part of the trend of adapting successful stage plays for the screen, a practice that helped bridge theatrical and cinematic traditions during the silent era.
Lasting Legacy
As a performer from the silent era with only one known film credit, Alma Hanlon's legacy is primarily historical rather than artistic. She represents the thousands of anonymous actors who contributed to early cinema but whose names and stories have been largely lost to time. Her brief career serves as a reminder of the vast number of performers who participated in Hollywood's formative years but did not achieve lasting fame.
Who They Inspired
Given her brief career and limited filmography, Alma Hanlon's direct influence on subsequent generations of actors or filmmakers is not documented. However, like all performers from this era, she contributed to the development of film acting techniques and the establishment of cinema as a legitimate art form in America.
Off Screen
Very little is documented about Alma Hanlon's personal life, which is typical for many supporting actors from the silent era who had brief careers. Like many performers of her time, detailed biographical information was not systematically preserved, especially for those who did not achieve lasting fame.
Did You Know?
- Alma Hanlon's entire known film career consists of just one film in 1917
- 'The Whip' was based on a popular stage play by Cecil Raleigh and Henry Hamilton
- The film she appeared in was directed by Maurice Tourneur, a respected French director who worked in America
- 1917 was a significant year in American cinema, occurring during World War I and before the establishment of major studio dominance
- Many actors from this period with brief careers are difficult to research due to incomplete studio records and lost films
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Alma Hanlon?
Alma Hanlon was a silent film actress who appeared in only one known film, 'The Whip' (1917), making her a representative figure of the many anonymous actors who contributed to early Hollywood but had brief careers.
What films is Alma Hanlon best known for?
Alma Hanlon is known exclusively for her appearance in 'The Whip' (1917), a silent film adaptation of a popular stage play directed by Maurice Tourneur.
When was Alma Hanlon born and when did she die?
Unfortunately, Alma Hanlon's birth and death dates are not documented in available historical records, which is common for many supporting actors from the silent era who had brief careers.
What awards did Alma Hanlon win?
There are no recorded awards or honors for Alma Hanlon, as was typical for most supporting actors during the silent era, especially those with very brief careers.
What was Alma Hanlon's acting style?
Specific details about Alma Hanlon's acting style are not documented, but like most actors of 1917, she would have used the exaggerated gestures and facial expressions characteristic of silent film performance.
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Films
1 film
