
Gene Gauntier
Acting
Biography
Gene Gauntier, born Eugenia Gauntier Liggett, was an American screenwriter, director and actress who was one of the pioneers of the motion picture industry. A writer, director and actress in films from mid 1906 to 1920, she wrote screenplays for 31 films.
Known For

A young man leaves Ireland for America, but doesn't forget home.
The Lad from Old Ireland

The first adaptation of Lew Wallace's novel, Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.
Ben Hur

Based on Shakespeare's play. Petruchio courts the bad-tempered Katharina, and tries to change her aggressive behavior.
The Taming of the Shrew

Mrs. Wharton, a dashing widow, gives a party at her beautiful villa in honor of the presentation to her of a handsome diamond necklace by her fiancé. During the evening bridge participated in by a number of the guests, among whom is Myrtle Vane. Miss Vane is playing in wretched luck, and is advised several times by Mrs. Wharton to desist, but she still plays on in the vain hopes of the tide of fortune turning, until at last, in the extreme of desperation, she stakes her all and loses. Shame and disgrace stare her in the face. What can she do to recoup her depleted fortune? As one of the guests there is Professor Francois Paracelsus, the eminent palmister, who of course, was called upon to read the palms of those present. Sheets of paper were prepared and each imprinted their hand on a sheet to be read by the erudite soothsayer at his leisure, and so were left on the drawing room table.
Betrayed by a Handprint

The life of Jesus is played out in tableaux shot in the Holy Land.
From the Manger to the Cross
William Thompson and John Smith occupied offices in the same New York skyscraper, and both being seized with an irrepressible desire to cut loose and paint things crimson, arranged it as follows in this Biograph picture. Thompson sent a message to his wife that his friend Smith was ill, and it was his duty to perform that spiritual work of mercy, "comfort the afflicted," hence he would not have her wait up for him as he might be late. Smith did likewise, using Thompson as the object of his humane consideration. This done, they start off to make a night of it. First they visit the gilded throne room of a temple of Bacchus, where they moisten their parched spirits with dry Martinis. They are soon in a most glorious condition. Smith suggests the show where "Amateur Night" is on. - Written by Moving Picture World synopsis
Thompson's Night Out
A young couple’s love is forbidden by the girl’s father. He forces her to write a farewell letter. Three years later, the Civil War begins and the father dies. At the end of the war, her boyfriend comes to visit her and all the suffering is forgotten.
When Lovers Part
A story of love triangle, between Nell, Big Jim and Tom.
Vagabonds
Jeanne La Roche lives alone with her brother in the great northwestern country. Jacques is a ne'er-do-well and has fallen under the suspicion of the mounted police, two of whom are dispatched to arrest him for robbery. The stolen goods are found in his home. Jeanne is too young to be left in their lonely cabin, so she is taken to the post, where the wife of the proprietor welcomes her and gives her a home. Several years later, Donald McLean wins her for his wife. Meantime Jacques escapes from prison, eludes his pursuers and takes refuge in McLean's home.
Gene of the Northland

The story of the Emerald Isle years ago. Showing the struggle against poverty, evictions by hard-hearted landlords, hill fighting and the final triumph of the downtrodden.
Ireland, the Oppressed

A young Irish boy has fallen in love with a poor girl and wants to marry her, but his mother will stop at nothing, including murder, to see that he marries his rich cousin.
The Colleen Bawn
Kathleen, the daughter of a fisherman meets Henry, the son of a Wall Street Broker, her father forbids their relationship, Kathleen defies her father, and travels to New York to be reunited with Henry.
The Fishermaid of Ballydavid

Based on the story of the real-life 17th Century Irish rebel and the eighteen century ballad about him, this one-reeler is one of the Kalem pictures shot by Olcott and his company on their second trip to the Emerald Isle.
Rory O'More
Robert Ffolliott is a young Irish lad who is done out of his land and sent off to a penal colony in Australia following false accusations by the greedy Kinchella. Conn the Shaughraun comes to his rescue, helps him to escape from the prison ship and return to Ireland where he is united with his sweetheart.
The Shaughraun

An Irish mother uses her life savings to pay for her son, a talented musician, to study in America.
His Mother

An English doctor based in Egypt finds his wife in the arms of a local diplomat, and in a madness-induced frenzy departs for the desert. After being discovered by wandering Bedouins, Dr. Cochran embraces their practices and begins to fall in love with Zeinab, the daughter of a Sheik. Tragedy ensues when his forgotten wife visits the village and beckons him to take her back.
Tragedy of the Desert

Illustrates a man's struggle to overcome an inherited love for drink. Although yet a young man, the enemy of his family had already sunk its claws firmly upon James Grant. A man of superior intelligence, his habits hold him down to the lot of a common laborer in a small saw mill on the St. Johns River. About two years before the opening of the picture he had met and fallen in love with Jenny, the daughter of a small farmer, living near the saw mill. Under the influence of her great love he has succeeded in throwing off the burden of his hereditary desires. For three months he has not touched a drop of liquor.
A Slave to Drink
Larry Malone and Maggie McClusky get married, and for a honeymoon trip decide to journey through the home country of their ancestors.
The Irish Honeymoon

Mack Sennett appears as a Native American in this film produced by the Biograph Company.
The Girl and the Outlaw

Anastasia is being picked up by an artist who wants to paint her picture.The artist have other intentions as well. He tried to seduce Anastasia. When he is tired of her, Anastasia returns home to her mother.