Layton Meisle
Actor
About Layton Meisle
Layton Meisle was a child actor of the silent era, primarily known for his contribution to early disaster cinema during the formative years of the Lubin Manufacturing Company. His most significant screen credit came in 1913 with the production of 'When the Earth Trembled', a landmark three-reel feature that was one of the first fictional films to depict the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. In this production, Meisle portrayed the son of the protagonist Dora, played by the prominent silent star Ethel Clayton. His performance was part of a narrative that combined family melodrama with high-budget spectacle, a hallmark of Siegmund Lubin's production philosophy. Despite the film's historical importance as a pioneering 'mega-production' of its time, Meisle's career appears to have been brief, centered around the Philadelphia-based Lubin studio. Like many child performers of the 1910s, his transition into adult roles or further film work was not documented, leaving him as a distinct figure of the early silent feature period.
The Craft
On Screen
Naturalistic child acting typical of the early 1910s, focusing on emotional vulnerability within family melodramas.
Milestones
- Cast in the pioneering disaster epic 'When the Earth Trembled' (1913)
- Worked under the direction of Barry O'Neil at the Lubin Manufacturing Company
- Appeared alongside silent film icons Ethel Clayton and Harry Myers
- Participated in one of the first 'three-reel' feature films in American cinema history
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
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Working Relationships
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Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Layton Meisle's presence in 'When the Earth Trembled' connects him to the birth of the disaster film genre. The film was culturally significant for its attempt to recreate the 1906 San Francisco earthquake using a mix of practical sets and actual newsreel footage, setting a precedent for the 'spectacle' films that would later dominate Hollywood.
Lasting Legacy
His legacy is preserved through the restoration efforts of the San Francisco Film Preserve and the British Film Institute, which have kept 'When the Earth Trembled' available for film historians. He represents the early use of child actors to heighten the emotional stakes in high-concept silent features.
Who They Inspired
As an early child performer in a multi-reel feature, he was part of the movement that shifted cinema from short 'flickers' to complex, character-driven narratives.
Off Screen
Information regarding Layton Meisle's personal life is extremely scarce due to the era of his activity. He was likely a resident of the Philadelphia area where the Lubin Manufacturing Company was based.
Education
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Did You Know?
- He played the son of Ethel Clayton, who was one of the most popular leading ladies of the silent era.
- The film he appeared in, 'When the Earth Trembled', was also known by the alternative title 'The Strength of Love'.
- He worked at the 'Lubinville' studio in Philadelphia, which was considered the most modern film plant in the world at the time.
- His co-star Mary Powers played his sister in his most famous film.
- The production he was in was noted for its realism; a chandelier actually fell on his screen mother, Ethel Clayton, during filming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Layton Meisle?
Layton Meisle was an American child actor active during the silent film era, specifically known for his role in the 1913 film 'When the Earth Trembled'.
What films is Layton Meisle best known for?
He is best known for the early disaster epic 'When the Earth Trembled' (1913), produced by the Lubin Manufacturing Company.
When was Layton Meisle active in Hollywood?
Meisle was active during the early silent era, with his primary recorded work occurring in 1913 at the Philadelphia-based Lubin studios.
What was the significance of Layton Meisle's most famous film?
'When the Earth Trembled' was one of the first films to depict the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and was a pioneer in the use of special effects and multi-reel storytelling.
Who did Layton Meisle work with?
He worked with director Barry O'Neil and shared the screen with notable silent stars Ethel Clayton and Harry Myers.
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Films
1 film
