Fred Montague

Fred Montague

Actor

Active: 1914

About Fred Montague

Fred Montague was an American actor who appeared during the earliest days of Hollywood's silent film era. His career was exceptionally brief, spanning only the year 1914, when he appeared in Cecil B. DeMille's early directorial effort 'The Call of the North.' Like many actors from this pioneering period of cinema, Montague was likely a stage actor who transitioned to the new medium of motion pictures during its infancy. His work came at a time when the film industry was still establishing itself in California and actors often appeared in films without receiving significant billing or recognition. The lack of extensive documentation about Montague's career was typical for supporting actors of this era, whose contributions were often overshadowed by the growing star system that would soon dominate Hollywood. His brief appearance in film history represents the countless early performers who helped establish the foundations of cinema but whose names have largely faded from public memory.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in 'The Call of the North' (1914), one of Cecil B. DeMille's earliest directorial works

Best Known For

Must-See Films

  • The Call of the North (1914)

Working Relationships

Worked Often With

  • Cecil B. DeMille
  • Oscar Apfel

Studios

  • Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Fred Montague's significance lies primarily in his participation in one of Cecil B. DeMille's earliest films, representing the pioneering actors who helped establish Hollywood during its formative years. His work, though brief, contributes to our understanding of the early film industry's workforce and the many performers who laid the groundwork for what would become the Hollywood studio system.

Lasting Legacy

As an actor from the very early silent era, Fred Montague represents the countless performers who participated in cinema's infancy but whose names have largely been lost to history. His appearance in 'The Call of the North' places him among the actors who worked with pioneering directors like Cecil B. DeMille during the establishment of Hollywood as the film capital of the world.

Who They Inspired

Given his extremely brief career and limited filmography, there is no documented evidence of Fred Montague's influence on other actors or filmmakers, which was common for supporting performers of this era who did not achieve lasting recognition.

Off Screen

Very little information is available about Fred Montague's personal life, which was typical for many supporting actors from the earliest days of silent cinema who did not achieve star status.

Did You Know?

  • Fred Montague's entire known film career spanned only one year, 1914
  • He appeared in 'The Call of the North,' which was one of Cecil B. DeMille's first films as a director
  • The film was produced by the Jesse L. Lasky Feature Play Company, which later became Paramount Pictures
  • Like many early film actors, Montague likely came from a stage background
  • Actors from this era often appeared in films without receiving screen credit
  • The Call of the North was based on a novel by Stewart Edward White
  • The film was shot on location in California, taking advantage of the state's diverse landscapes

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Fred Montague?

Fred Montague was an American actor who worked briefly during the silent film era in 1914. He is known primarily for his appearance in Cecil B. DeMille's early film 'The Call of the North' and represents the many pioneering actors who helped establish Hollywood during its formative years.

What films is Fred Montague best known for?

Fred Montague is known for appearing in 'The Call of the North' (1914), which was one of Cecil B. DeMille's earliest directorial efforts. This appears to be his only documented film credit, as his career lasted only one year.

When was Fred Montague born and when did he die?

Unfortunately, specific birth and death dates for Fred Montague are not available in historical records, which is common for many supporting actors from the earliest silent film era who did not achieve lasting fame.

What awards did Fred Montague win?

Fred Montague did not receive any documented awards or nominations during his brief career in 1914. The major film awards, including the Academy Awards, were not established until many years after his active period in cinema.

What was Fred Montague's acting style?

There is no detailed documentation of Fred Montague's specific acting style, which is typical for supporting actors from this very early period of cinema. Actors in 1914 were generally transitioning from stage techniques to the new requirements of film performance.

Why is Fred Montague's career so brief?

Fred Montague's career lasted only one year, which was not uncommon for many early film actors. Some performers only briefly tried the new medium of motion pictures before returning to stage work or pursuing other careers, while others may have struggled to find continued success in the rapidly evolving film industry.

Did Fred Montague work with any famous directors?

Yes, Fred Montague worked with Cecil B. DeMille on 'The Call of the North' in 1914. DeMille would go on to become one of Hollywood's most legendary directors, making Montague one of the actors who worked with him during his earliest years in filmmaking.

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Films

1 film