Ellen Burford
Actor
About Ellen Burford
Ellen Burford was a silent film actress who had an extremely brief but notable career during the transitional period of American cinema in 1917. She appeared in at least two films that year, 'The Candy Kid' and 'The Chief Cook,' both of which were produced during the height of the silent era's artistic experimentation. Her career, though limited to a single year, coincided with the golden age of silent comedy and dramatic shorts that dominated American theaters. Like many actors of her era, Burford likely worked for one of the numerous independent production companies that flourished before the studio system's consolidation. Her filmography, though sparse, represents the typical output of character actors and supporting players who contributed to the rich tapestry of early American cinema. The brevity of her career suggests she may have been one of the many performers who tried their hand at the burgeoning film industry but either chose other paths or failed to secure more substantial roles. Despite her limited screen time, Burford remains part of the historical record of early 20th century American cinema, representing the countless performers who helped shape the medium's development.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in 'The Candy Kid' (1917)
- Appeared in 'The Chief Cook' (1917)
- Worked during the silent film era
- Contributed to early American cinema
- Part of the transitional period of film history
Best Known For
Must-See Films
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Ellen Burford's cultural impact, while minimal in the broader scope of film history, represents the important contribution of countless supporting actors who formed the backbone of early American cinema. Her work in 1917 places her squarely in the pivotal period when silent film was reaching artistic maturity and establishing many of the storytelling techniques that would define cinema for decades. Like many actors of her generation, she helped populate the rich cinematic world that audiences of the 1910s experienced, contributing to the development of film as both art and entertainment. Her brief career exemplifies the transient nature of early film work, where many performers passed through the industry during its formative years, each adding their small but meaningful part to cinema's evolution.
Lasting Legacy
Ellen Burford's legacy is primarily historical, serving as a representative example of the thousands of actors who participated in early American cinema but did not achieve lasting fame. Her documented appearances in two 1917 films ensure her place in film archives and cinema history databases, preserving the memory of early film performers for future generations of film historians and enthusiasts. While she may not be remembered as a major star, her contribution to the films of 1917 helps illustrate the collaborative nature of early filmmaking, where every actor, no matter how briefly on screen, played a role in creating the complete cinematic experience. Her story also highlights the challenges of film preservation and historical documentation, where many careers from the silent era remain partially or completely undocumented.
Who They Inspired
As a brief career actor from the silent era, Ellen Burford's direct influence on subsequent generations of performers is difficult to trace, which is typical for supporting actors of her period. However, like all actors who worked during cinema's formative years, she contributed to the development of screen acting techniques and storytelling conventions that would influence future performers. Her work, however minor, was part of the collective effort that established the foundation of American film acting that later generations would build upon and refine.
Off Screen
Very little is known about Ellen Burford's personal life, which is common for many supporting actors from the silent era who did not achieve major stardom. Like many performers of her time, detailed biographical information was not systematically preserved unless the actor achieved lasting fame. Her brief film career suggests she may have pursued other professional interests or returned to private life after her 1917 appearances.
Did You Know?
- Ellen Burford's entire known film career spanned only one year - 1917
- She appeared in at least two films during her brief career
- Both of her known films were released during World War I
- Her career coincided with the height of the silent film era
- Like many actors from this period, detailed biographical information is scarce
- Her filmography represents the typical output of supporting actors in early cinema
- The preservation status of her films is unknown, which is common for works from this era
- She worked during a period when the American film industry was rapidly consolidating
- Her brief career exemplifies the transient nature of early film acting
- She represents the countless anonymous performers who contributed to early cinema
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ellen Burford?
Ellen Burford was a silent film actress who had a brief career in 1917, appearing in at least two films including 'The Candy Kid' and 'The Chief Cook.' She represents the many supporting actors from the silent era whose careers were short but contributed to early American cinema.
What films is Ellen Burford best known for?
Ellen Burford is known for her appearances in 'The Candy Kid' (1917) and 'The Chief Cook' (1917). These are the only documented films from her brief career in the silent era.
When was Ellen Burford born and when did she die?
Specific birth and death dates for Ellen Burford are not documented in available historical records, which is common for many supporting actors from the silent film era who did not achieve major stardom.
What awards did Ellen Burford win?
There are no documented awards or nominations for Ellen Burford, which is typical for supporting actors from the silent era who had brief careers and worked before major film awards were established.
What was Ellen Burford's acting style?
Specific details about Ellen Burford's acting style are not documented in available sources. As a silent era actress, she would have used the exaggerated physical expressions and gestures characteristic of the period.
Why was Ellen Burford's career so short?
The exact reasons for Ellen Burford's brief career are unknown, but this was common for many actors in the early film industry who either chose other paths, failed to secure more substantial roles, or were part of the transient workforce that characterized early cinema.
Films
2 films
