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{{Short description|English stage and silent film actress}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
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| caption = Gordon, early 1900s
| caption = Gordon, early 1900s
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1878|4|22|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1878|4|22|df=yes}}
⚫
| birth_name = Constance Minnie Blades
| birth_place = [[Folkestone, Kent]], U.K.
| birth_place = [[Folkestone, Kent]], U.K.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1974|5|26|1878|4|22|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1974|5|26|1878|4|22|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Brentwood, New York]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Brentwood, New York]], U.S.
⚫
| othername = Constance Minnie Blades
| occupation = Actor
| occupation = Actor
| spouse = Maxwell James<br>Michael Levenston (Dec 10, 1903–Mar 29, 1904) (his death)<br>Captain Henry Beresford (Oct. 1904 – 1924. his death)<br>Ralph Ranlet (1932 – ?)
| spouse = Maxwell James<br>Michael Levenston (Dec 10, 1903–Mar 29, 1904) (his death)<br>Captain Henry Beresford (Oct. 1904 – 1924. his death)<br>Ralph Ranlet (1932 – ?)
}}
}}
[[File:Kitty Gordon and her daughter, Vera Beresford.png|thumb|Kitty Gordon with her daughter, the actress [[Vera Beresford]].]]

'''Kitty Gordon''' (22 April 1878 – 26 May 1974) was an English stage and [[silent film]] actress.
'''Kitty Gordon''' (born '''Constance Minnie Blades'''; 22 April 1878 – 26 May 1974) was an English stage and [[silent film]] actress.


==Career==
==Career==
Her first professional stage appearance was at the [[Princes Theatre]] in [[Bristol]] in 1901 in the touring production of [[San Toy]].<ref>"Don Gillan (www.stagebeauty.net)"</ref> She appeared in ''[[The Duchess of Dantzic]]'' in 1903, the operetta ''[[Véronique (operetta)|Véronique]]'' in 1904 and ''[[The Three Kisses]]'' in 1907. In 1909 she moved to [[New York City]], where she became a regular on the [[New York City|New York]] stage.
Constance Minnie Blades was born in [[Folkestone, Kent]], to Col. Blades of the [[Royal Artillery]].<ref name=Metcalfe-1913>{{cite book|last=Metcalfe|first= Cranstoun|title=Peeresses of the Stage|location=London|publisher= A. Melrose|year= 1913|page=227|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015063548427&view=1up&seq=277}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Gänzl |first1=Kurt |title=The Encyclopedia of the Musical Theatre |date=2001 |publisher=Schirmer Books |location=New York |isbn=9780028649702 |page=792 |edition=2nd}}</ref> Her first professional stage appearance was at the [[Princes Theatre]] in [[Bristol]] in 1901 in the touring production of [[San Toy]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gillan |first1=Don |title=Kitty Gordon (1878-1974) |url=http://www.stagebeauty.net/th-frames.html?http&&&www.stagebeauty.net/gordon/gordon-k2.html |website=www.stagebeauty.net}}</ref> She appeared in ''[[The Duchess of Dantzic]]'' in 1903, the operetta ''[[Véronique (operetta)|Véronique]]'' in 1904 and ''[[The Three Kisses]]'' in 1907. In 1909 she moved to [[New York City]], where she became a regular on the New York stage.

She made her first film appearance in 1916 in ''As in a Looking Glass''. During the next three years she made twenty-one films. On 19 October 1911, she starred in the debut of composer [[Victor Herbert]]'s musical ''The Enchantress'' at the New York Theatre.<ref>[https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1911/10/20/104879632.pdf Music that charms by Victor Herbert]. New York Times, 20 October 1911</ref> She continued her stage work from 1919 onwards. She also made television appearances.


On 25 June 1920, during a vaudeville performance in Chicago with her husband, Jack Wilson, and her daughter, Vera Beresford, Gordon's stage gun discharged a live round and shot Joseph A. Hack, an offstage acrobat.<ref>[https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1920/06/26/97759648.pdf Actor is shot by Kitty Gordon]. New York Times, 26 June 1920</ref>
She made her first film appearance in 1916 in ''As in a Looking Glass''. During the next three years she made twenty-one films. On 19 October 1911, she starred in the debut of composer [[Victor Herbert]]'s musical ''The Enchantress'' at the New York Theatre.<ref>[https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1911/10/20/104879632.pdf Music that charms by Victor Herbert]. New York Times, 20 October 1911</ref> She continued her stage work from 1919 onwards. She also made television appearances.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Her first husband was Maxwell James with whom she had a child, Vera.<ref>[https://www.amazon.com/Kitty-Gordon-1878-1974-Michael-Levenston-ebook/dp/B017PL3472/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1448898509&sr=1-1 Kitty Gordon: Actress 1878-1974. By Michael Levenston. Ebook. 2015.]</ref> After his death, she married theatre manager Michael Levenston on 10 December 1903. He died on 29 March 1904 , and in October 1904, Kitty married Captain Henry "Harry" Horsley-Beresford (1876– 1924), a son of the [[Baron Decies|3rd Baron Decies]].<ref>''The Times'' 29 January 1924.</ref> Kitty's child became Cynthia Vera Beresford, who became an actress. In 1932 Kitty married Ralph Ranlet.<ref>[http://www.cityfarmer.org/KittyGordonmarries1932.jpg Mrs. Beresford wed to Ralph Ranlet]. New York Times, 16 September 1932</ref> Kitty's daughter Vera died in 1945.<ref>“Deaths.” The New York Times, 8 Oct. 1945, p. 15. </ref>
Her first husband was Maxwell James with whom she had a child, Vera. She later also had a career as an actress known on the stage and in film as Vera Beresforf.<ref name="Vera"/> After his death, she married theatre manager Michael Levenston on 10 December 1903. He died on 29 March 1904 , and in October 1904, Kitty married Captain Henry "Harry" Horsley-Beresford (1876– 1924), a son of the [[William Beresford, 3rd Baron Decies|3rd Baron Decies]].<ref>''The Times'' 29 January 1924.</ref> Kitty's child became Cynthia Vera Beresford, who became an actress. In 1932 Kitty married Ralph Ranlet.<ref>[http://www.cityfarmer.org/KittyGordonmarries1932.jpg Mrs. Beresford wed to Ralph Ranlet]. New York Times, 16 September 1932</ref> Kitty's daughter Vera died in 1945.<ref name="Vera">“Deaths.” The New York Times, 8 Oct. 1945, p. 15. </ref>


Kitty Gordon died in a nursing home in [[Brentwood, New York]] in 1974.<ref>“Kitty Gordon, Star of 1911 'Enchantress,' Is Dead.” The New York Times, 29 May 1974, p. 44. </ref>
Kitty Gordon died in a nursing home in [[Brentwood, New York]] in 1974.<ref>“Kitty Gordon, Star of 1911 'Enchantress,' Is Dead.” The New York Times, 29 May 1974, p. 44. </ref>
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! Notes
! Notes
|-
|-
|1916|| ''[[As in a Looking Glass]]'' || Lila Despard ||
|1916|| ''[[As in a Looking Glass]]'' || Lila Despard || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1916|| ''[[Her Maternal Right]]'' || Nina Seabury ||
|1916|| ''[[Her Maternal Right]]'' || Nina Seabury || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1916|| ''[[The Crucial Test]]'' || Thanya ||
|1916|| ''[[The Crucial Test]]'' || Thanya || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1917|| ''[[Vera, the Medium]]'' || Vera ||
|1917|| ''[[Vera, the Medium]]'' || Vera || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1917|| ''[[Forget Me Not (1917 film)|Forget Me Not]]'' || Stefanie Paoli ||
|1917|| ''[[Forget Me Not (1917 film)|Forget Me Not]]'' || Stefanie Paoli || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1917|| ''[[The Beloved Adventuress]]'' || Juliette La Monde ||
|1917|| ''[[The Beloved Adventuress]]'' || Juliette La Monde || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1917|| ''[[Her Hour]]'' || Rita Castle ||
|1917|| ''[[Her Hour]]'' || Rita Castle || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1917|| ''[[National Red Cross Pageant]]'' || Bruges || Flemish episode
|1917|| ''[[National Red Cross Pageant]]'' || Bruges || Flemish episode <br /> '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1917|| ''[[Diamonds and Pearls (film)|Diamonds and Pearls]]'' || Violetta D'Arcy ||
|1917|| ''[[Diamonds and Pearls (film)|Diamonds and Pearls]]'' || Violetta D'Arcy || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1917|| ''[[The Volunteer (1917 film)|The Volunteer]]'' || Herself, Cameo Appearance ||
|1917|| ''[[The Volunteer (1917 film)|The Volunteer]]'' || Herself, Cameo Appearance || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1918|| ''[[The Divine Sacrifice]]'' || Madeline Spencer ||
|1918|| ''[[The Divine Sacrifice]]'' || Madeline Spencer || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1918|| ''[[The Wasp (1918 film)|The Wasp]]'' || Grace Culver ||
|1918|| ''[[The Wasp (1918 film)|The Wasp]]'' || Grace Culver || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1918|| ''[[The Purple Lily]]'' || Marie Burguet ||
|1918|| ''[[The Purple Lily]]'' || Marie Burguet || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1918|| ''[[Stolen Orders]]'' || Felicia Gaveston ||
|1918|| ''[[Stolen Orders]]'' || Felicia Gaveston || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1918|| ''[[The Interloper]]'' || Jane Cameron ||
|1918|| ''[[The Interloper]]'' || Jane Cameron || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1918|| ''[[Tinsel (film)|Tinsel]]'' || Princess Sylvia Carzoni || *her only surviving film
|1918|| ''[[Tinsel (film)|Tinsel]]'' || Princess Sylvia Carzoni ||
|-
|-
|1918|| ''[[Merely Players (1918 film)|Merely Players]]'' || Nadine Trent ||
|1918|| ''[[Merely Players (1918 film)|Merely Players]]'' || Nadine Trent || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1919|| ''[[Adele (1919 film)|Adele]]'' || Adele Bleneau ||
|1919|| ''[[Adele (1919 film)|Adele]]'' || Adele Bleneau || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1919|| ''[[Mandarin's Gold]]'' || Betty Cardon ||
|1919|| ''[[Mandarin's Gold]]'' || Betty Cardon || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1919|| ''[[The Unveiling Hand]]'' || Margaret Ellis ||
|1919|| ''[[The Unveiling Hand]]'' || Margaret Ellis || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1919|| ''[[The Scar (1919 film)|The Scar]]'' || Cora ||
|1919|| ''[[The Scar (1919 film)|The Scar]]'' || Cora || '''Lost''' film
|-
|-
|1919|| ''[[Playthings of Passion]]'' || Helen Rowland || (final film role)
|1919|| ''[[Playthings of Passion]]'' || Helen Rowland || '''Lost''' film
|}
|}
<gallery mode=packed>
<gallery mode=packed>
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[[Category:English stage actresses]]
[[Category:English stage actresses]]
[[Category:English silent film actresses]]
[[Category:English silent film actresses]]
[[Category:People from Folkestone]]
[[Category:Actors from Folkestone]]
[[Category:English film actresses]]
[[Category:English film actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century English actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century English actresses]]
[[Category:Actresses from Kent]]
[[Category:Actresses from Kent]]
[[Category:British expatriate actresses in the United States]]
[[Category:English expatriate actresses in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 20:11, 30 June 2024

Kitty Gordon
Gordon, early 1900s
Born
Constance Minnie Blades

(1878-04-22)22 April 1878
Folkestone, Kent, U.K.
Died26 May 1974(1974-05-26) (aged 96)
Brentwood, New York, U.S.
OccupationActor
Spouse(s)Maxwell James
Michael Levenston (Dec 10, 1903–Mar 29, 1904) (his death)
Captain Henry Beresford (Oct. 1904 – 1924. his death)
Ralph Ranlet (1932 – ?)
Kitty Gordon with her daughter, the actress Vera Beresford.

Kitty Gordon (born Constance Minnie Blades; 22 April 1878 – 26 May 1974) was an English stage and silent film actress.

Career

[edit]

Constance Minnie Blades was born in Folkestone, Kent, to Col. Blades of the Royal Artillery.[1][2] Her first professional stage appearance was at the Princes Theatre in Bristol in 1901 in the touring production of San Toy.[3] She appeared in The Duchess of Dantzic in 1903, the operetta Véronique in 1904 and The Three Kisses in 1907. In 1909 she moved to New York City, where she became a regular on the New York stage.

She made her first film appearance in 1916 in As in a Looking Glass. During the next three years she made twenty-one films. On 19 October 1911, she starred in the debut of composer Victor Herbert's musical The Enchantress at the New York Theatre.[4] She continued her stage work from 1919 onwards. She also made television appearances.

Personal life

[edit]

Her first husband was Maxwell James with whom she had a child, Vera. She later also had a career as an actress known on the stage and in film as Vera Beresforf.[5] After his death, she married theatre manager Michael Levenston on 10 December 1903. He died on 29 March 1904 , and in October 1904, Kitty married Captain Henry "Harry" Horsley-Beresford (1876– 1924), a son of the 3rd Baron Decies.[6] Kitty's child became Cynthia Vera Beresford, who became an actress. In 1932 Kitty married Ralph Ranlet.[7] Kitty's daughter Vera died in 1945.[5]

Kitty Gordon died in a nursing home in Brentwood, New York in 1974.[8]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1916 As in a Looking Glass Lila Despard Lost film
1916 Her Maternal Right Nina Seabury Lost film
1916 The Crucial Test Thanya Lost film
1917 Vera, the Medium Vera Lost film
1917 Forget Me Not Stefanie Paoli Lost film
1917 The Beloved Adventuress Juliette La Monde Lost film
1917 Her Hour Rita Castle Lost film
1917 National Red Cross Pageant Bruges Flemish episode
Lost film
1917 Diamonds and Pearls Violetta D'Arcy Lost film
1917 The Volunteer Herself, Cameo Appearance Lost film
1918 The Divine Sacrifice Madeline Spencer Lost film
1918 The Wasp Grace Culver Lost film
1918 The Purple Lily Marie Burguet Lost film
1918 Stolen Orders Felicia Gaveston Lost film
1918 The Interloper Jane Cameron Lost film
1918 Tinsel Princess Sylvia Carzoni
1918 Merely Players Nadine Trent Lost film
1919 Adele Adele Bleneau Lost film
1919 Mandarin's Gold Betty Cardon Lost film
1919 The Unveiling Hand Margaret Ellis Lost film
1919 The Scar Cora Lost film
1919 Playthings of Passion Helen Rowland Lost film
  • The Crucial Test (1916)
    The Crucial Test (1916)
  • Vera the Medium (1916)
    Vera the Medium (1916)
  • Advertisement (1916)
    Advertisement (1916)
  • Mandarin's Gold (1919)
    Mandarin's Gold (1919)

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Metcalfe, Cranstoun (1913). Peeresses of the Stage. London: A. Melrose. p. 227.
  2. ^ Gänzl, Kurt (2001). The Encyclopedia of the Musical Theatre (2nd ed.). New York: Schirmer Books. p. 792. ISBN 9780028649702.
  3. ^ Gillan, Don. "Kitty Gordon (1878-1974)". www.stagebeauty.net.
  4. ^ Music that charms by Victor Herbert. New York Times, 20 October 1911
  5. ^ a b “Deaths.” The New York Times, 8 Oct. 1945, p. 15.
  6. ^ The Times 29 January 1924.
  7. ^ Mrs. Beresford wed to Ralph Ranlet. New York Times, 16 September 1932
  8. ^ “Kitty Gordon, Star of 1911 'Enchantress,' Is Dead.” The New York Times, 29 May 1974, p. 44.
[edit]
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