Miss Fielding
Actor
About Miss Fielding
Miss Fielding was an actress from the earliest days of cinema who appeared in the 1912 silent film production of Cleopatra. Her career appears to have been extremely brief, with film records showing only activity during the year 1912. Like many actors from the pioneering era of filmmaking, she was likely credited simply as 'Miss Fielding' rather than using her full name, which was a common practice for women in early cinema. The 1912 Cleopatra would have been one of the earliest cinematic adaptations of the famous Egyptian queen's story, produced during a time when films were typically short and often shot quickly with minimal resources. Her participation in this production suggests she was part of the emerging film industry during its transitional period from novelty to art form. Unfortunately, like many performers from this era, detailed biographical information has been lost to time, with only fragmentary records surviving in film archives.
The Craft
Milestones
- Appeared in Cleopatra (1912) during the pioneering era of silent cinema
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Miss Fielding represents the countless anonymous performers who contributed to cinema's birth during its formative years. While she may not have achieved lasting fame, actors like her were essential to the development of the film industry as it evolved from simple novelty to sophisticated storytelling medium. Her participation in a Cleopatra production in 1912 places her among the early interpreters of classic literary and historical figures on screen, helping establish the precedent for the numerous Cleopatra adaptations that would follow throughout cinema history.
Lasting Legacy
The legacy of Miss Fielding lies primarily in her representation of the pioneering generation of film actors who worked during cinema's infancy. While her individual contribution may be lost to history, she embodies the spirit of early filmmakers who took risks in an unproven medium. Her story illustrates the challenges of film preservation and historical documentation from the silent era, where countless performers' contributions remain unrecorded or fragmented in archives.
Who They Inspired
As an actress from such an early period, Miss Fielding's direct influence on subsequent performers is difficult to trace. However, she and her contemporaries collectively established the foundation for screen acting techniques that would evolve throughout the silent era and beyond. Their work in early productions like Cleopatra helped demonstrate cinema's potential for bringing historical and literary stories to life, influencing the direction of the film industry for decades to come.
Off Screen
Very little is known about Miss Fielding's personal life, which is typical of many actors from the earliest days of cinema. During the 1910s, film actors were often treated as transient workers rather than celebrated artists, and detailed biographical records were rarely maintained.
Did You Know?
- The 1912 Cleopatra film would have been produced during the early years of feature-length filmmaking, when many productions were still short
- Actresses in the 1910s were often credited only by their last names or as 'Miss' followed by their surname
- Many films from 1912 have been lost to time due to the unstable nature of early film stock and poor preservation practices
- The character of Cleopatra was one of the most frequently adapted historical figures in early cinema
- 1912 was the same year that major film studios like Paramount Pictures and Universal Studios were being established
- Silent film actors from this period often came from theater backgrounds or were discovered in local talent searches
- Film acting in 1912 required exaggerated gestures and expressions to compensate for the lack of synchronized sound
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Miss Fielding?
Miss Fielding was an actress from the silent film era who appeared in the 1912 production of Cleopatra. Her career appears to have been extremely brief, with records showing activity only during 1912, which was typical of many early cinema performers.
What films is Miss Fielding best known for?
Miss Fielding is primarily known for her role in Cleopatra (1912), which appears to be her only credited film role. This places her among the pioneering actors who worked during cinema's formative years.
When was Miss Fielding born and when did she die?
Unfortunately, specific birth and death dates for Miss Fielding are not available in historical records, which is common for many actors from the earliest days of cinema. Detailed biographical information was rarely maintained for film performers during this period.
What awards did Miss Fielding win?
Miss Fielding did not receive any known awards or honors, which is not surprising given that she worked in 1912, years before major film awards like the Academy Awards were established (the first Oscars were presented in 1929).
What was Miss Fielding's acting style?
While specific details about Miss Fielding's acting style are not documented, actors in 1912 typically used the theatrical, exaggerated gestures common in silent film performance. This style was necessary to convey emotion and story without synchronized dialogue.
Why is so little known about Miss Fielding?
The scarcity of information about Miss Fielding is typical of actors from cinema's earliest years. During the 1910s, film was still considered a lowbrow entertainment, detailed records were not maintained, and many films and their performers have been lost to history due to poor preservation practices.
Films
1 film
