Last week we talked about Troy-bred politicians who made an impact on local, state, and national politics. Let's look at how Troy contributed to another make believe world - Hollywood.
We know that Maureen Stapleton, star of stage, screen and theater was born on First Street. We also know Troy is currently a popular backdrop for Hollywood productions. Did you know Troy has been involved in Hollywood for more than 100 years?
Some two dozen actors, actresses, directors, producers, or writers have been born here. Let's start from the beginning.
The 19th Century
Marie L. Day
Mike Ready
Ready was another early actor appearing in but two films: Rough Ridin' (1924) and Warming Up (1928), in which he played himself.
Born Frank Ernest Edwards, Terry originally toured the European and Asian stage as "Nat Clifford." He returned to America as a gag man for silent film comedies. On August 24th, 1919, while on set, he handed what was thought a dummy bomb to "Harold Lloyd." It exploded in Lloyd's hands loosing two fingers and a thumb from his right hand. Terry became "Laurel and Hardy's" comedy film writer in the 1920's-30's, and also acted as a bit player. He acted in 9 movies, including playing a hunter in the 1935 classic Bride of Frankenstein. He left Hollywood becoming a missionary chaplain to a leper colony in Hawaii.
Worthington's career was versatile, spanning 40 years, from 1913 to 1942, acting in 85 films He also directed some 37 movies from 1915-25, and produced the 1917 movie The Clock. He appeared in classics such as the 1933 Marx Brother's Duck Soup (First Minister of Finance), 1934 Perils of Pauline (the American Consul), and 1938 Boys Town (the Governor).
Joe Brandt
Brandt was a writer and penned the scenario in the 1915 movie Graft.
Carlye is the oldest Trojan entry to Hollywood starting with the 1909 Vitagraph. He appeared in 89 movies, spanning 40 years from 1910 to 1947. His first performance was Uncle Tom's Cabin (1910), incidently first performed on stage in America in Troy 48 years earlier. Other notable films include The Badge of Courage (1912). Blackwell was also a director, producer, and writer. He is the father of actor Carlyle Blackwell.
Mary Nash
Born Mary Ryan, Nash appeared in 25 films in the 1910's to 40's. She played Mrs. Pryor in Wells Fargo (1937), Fräulein Rottenmeier in Heidi (1937), and Margaret Lord in The Philadelphia Story (1940).
Herman did it all. He was a director, producer, production manager and designer, in the art department, and writer from 1920's to 40's. As director, he's credited with 59 movies including many westerns. His last film Rogues' Gallery (1945), he also produced, as well as six other movies from 1931-45. He was the production manger for four movies, production designer for two, was art associate for Mr. Doodle Kicks Off (1938), and writer of The Black Coin (1936).
Florence Nash
Florence Ryan was the sister of Mary Nash and so became Florence Nash. However, her acting career only produced three movies Springtime (1914), It's a Great Life (1936) and The Women (1939), proving sequels, in any form, never really do make it.
Butcher was a producer in Hollywood with seven pictures to his credit from 1930 to 35.
Helen Ford
The real "Helen of Troy," Ford appeared in 8 movies from the 1940's to 70's, but had an earlier career on the stage. She appeared in the lead in George F. Kaufman's 'Helen of Troy, New York,' a broadway play in 1923 based around the Troy collar industry.
Jack Boland
Boland was famous as a second unit or assistant director on more than a dozen films from 1924 to 1958, including the 1958 Littlest Hobo.
Lester Cole
Cole appeared in only four films from 1929-44: The Desert Song, Painted Faces (1929), Love at First Sight (1930) and South of Dixie (1944)
Alan Birmingham
Birmingham appeared in 7 movies from 1929-37, including roles such as Dr. Cummings in The Furies (1930) and the role of Lamb in The Great Gambini (1937).
b. 1855 - November 7, 1939
Day acted during the 1920's-30's appearing in three movies: Timothy's Quest (1922), The Ragged Edge (1923) and Mother Carey's Chickens (1938).
August 21, 1858 - March 26, 1936,
Frank Terry
May 3, 1870 - October 26, 1948,
William Worthington
April 8, 1872-April 9, 1941
July 20, 1882-February 22, 1939
Carlyle Blackwell Sr.
January 20, 1884-June 17, 1955
August 15, 1885-December 3, 1976
Albert Herman
February 22, 1887-September 28, 1958
October 2, 1888-April 2, 1950
Edward Butcher
May 15, 1892-December11, 1960
June 6, 1894-January 19, 1982
January 23, 1896-
March 30 1896 -May 4, 1962
(no dates)