Wilton Lackaye
Acting
Biography
From Wikipedia Wilton Lackaye (September 30, 1862 – August 22, 1932) was an American stage and film actor, who originated the role of Svengali (from the 1895 novel Trilby) in both stage and film. He created the role of Svengali in the play Trilby in 1895 which he played on screen in 1915 opposite Clara Kimball Young. He enjoyed a lengthy and distinguished stage career before entering silent films in middle age. He was a unique and distinctive looking actor with large round eyes particularly effective when playing the control-freak Svengali.
Known For
The hypnotic Svengali controls the singing voice of a young starlet, but he cannot control her heart.
Trilby
Novice businessman Curtis Jadwin is introduced to the world of grain speculation by veteran broker Charles Cressler. At a performance of Faust, Curtis meets and falls in love with Laura Dearborn, the sweetheart of artist Sheldon Corthell. Curtis pursues Laura and finally convinces her to marry him, but soon after their wedding, he neglects her for his business. In her loneliness, Laura renews her relationship with Sheldon and the lovers plan to elope. When Curtis is ruined on the market, however, Laura rejects her lover and comforts her husband.
The Pit
Men try to understand the women in their lives.
What's Wrong with the Women?
A modern love story is the framework for a costume love story, based on Boccaccio's "The Falcon."
For Woman's Favor
Their father, Michael Kalmar, imprisoned in Siberia, political refugees Ivan and Irma Kalmar seek freedom in Winnipeg, Canada. Encountering persecution at the hands of prejudiced neighbors, including their father's enemy, Makaroff. Ivan's violin playing both attracts Marjorie Menzies and earns him the enmity of District Attorney Mortimer Staunton, a rival for her affection. At a party at Makaroff's home, Irma is insulted, her abuser is slain and Ivan arrested. Her escapee father confesses to the murder but both men are freed when a family servant who admits to the murder.
God's Crucible
After Roger Laroque maims Louversan, his look-alike, in an honorable duel during the Franco-Prussian War, Louversan swears revenge on his better. In Paris, Roger falls in love with Julia, who he later discovers is married to Lucien, his close army friend. Out of duty to Lucien, Roger ends the affair and leaves for the country where he meets and marries Marie Greville, his uncle's ward. Furious at Roger's desertion, Julia vows revenge and joins forces with Louversan.
The Man of Shame
A silent film Directed by Stanner E.V. Taylor.