Edwin Thanhouser
Encyclopedia
Edwin Thanhouser was an actor, businessman, and film producer, most notable as a founder of the Thanhouser Company
, along with his wife Gertrude Thanhouser
and brother-in-law Lloyd Lonergan
.
and eastern Canada
with various other companies.
On February 8, 1900, Thanhouser married actress Gertrude Homan.
In 1909, Thanhouser and his family moved to New Rochelle, New York
, where he leased space in an old wooden skating rink
to start the Thanhouser Company. This pioneering movie studio released its first commercial film on March 15, 1910.
Thanhouser brought actress Florence La Badie
to the company in 1911. From 1911 to 1917, she was the company's most prominent star. In 1912, he sold the film company to group headed by Charles J. Hite
. Early in 1915, after Hite's death in an accident, Thanhouser took charge of the company again, but was not as successful as he had been before. The Thanhouser Film Corporation
was liquidated in 1918.
Edwin Thanhouser engaged in securities investments and collected art in his later years. He died March 21, 1956.
Thanhouser Company
The Thanhouser Company was one of the first motion picture studios, founded in 1909 by Edwin Thanhouser.-See also:...
, along with his wife Gertrude Thanhouser
Gertrude Thanhouser
Gertrude Homan Thanhouser, spouse of co-founder Edwin Thanhouser, worked at the Thanhouser Company film studio as actress, scenario writer, film editor, and studio executive...
and brother-in-law Lloyd Lonergan
Lloyd Lonergan
Lloyd Lonergan was one of the most prolific scenario and screenwriters in American silent film....
.
Biography
Thanhouser was born in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1893, he joined the traveling company of Alessandro Salvini. After Salvini's death, Thanhouser traveled around the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and eastern Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
with various other companies.
On February 8, 1900, Thanhouser married actress Gertrude Homan.
In 1909, Thanhouser and his family moved to New Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle, New York
New Rochelle is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state.The town was settled by refugee Huguenots in 1688 who were fleeing persecution in France...
, where he leased space in an old wooden skating rink
Ice rink
An ice rink is a frozen body of water and/or hardened chemicals where people can skate or play winter sports. Besides recreational ice skating, some of its uses include ice hockey, figure skating and curling as well as exhibitions, contests and ice shows...
to start the Thanhouser Company. This pioneering movie studio released its first commercial film on March 15, 1910.
Thanhouser brought actress Florence La Badie
Florence La Badie
Florence La Badie was an American actress in the early days of the silent film era. Though little known today, she was a major star between 1911 and 1917, her career was at its height and climbing when she died unexpectedly due to injuries sustained during an automobile accident.-Early life:While...
to the company in 1911. From 1911 to 1917, she was the company's most prominent star. In 1912, he sold the film company to group headed by Charles J. Hite
Charles J. Hite
Charles Jackson Hite was an American businessman and film producer of the early 20th century, most importantly the president and chief executive officer of the Thanhouser Film Corporation from 1912 to 1914....
. Early in 1915, after Hite's death in an accident, Thanhouser took charge of the company again, but was not as successful as he had been before. The Thanhouser Film Corporation
Thanhouser Company
The Thanhouser Company was one of the first motion picture studios, founded in 1909 by Edwin Thanhouser.-See also:...
was liquidated in 1918.
Edwin Thanhouser engaged in securities investments and collected art in his later years. He died March 21, 1956.