Margaret Chute

Margaret Chute
Born(1886-06-07)June 7, 1886
South Norwood, London, England, UK
DiedNovember 30, 1948 (aged 62)
Los Angeles, California, United States
Relatives

Margaret Chute (1886–1948) was an English stage actor, suffragist, freelance journalist, and photographer.

Personal life

Chute was the daughter of Charles Kean Chute and Sybil Claridge Andrews. Her parents were notable stage actors, performing in the West End and throughout Britain, including at Hastings’ Gaiety Theatre.[1]

During World War II, Joan Crawford volunteered as Chute's guarantor, allowing her to move from England and continue working in the United States.[2][3]

Chute passed away in Los Angeles, California on November 30, 1948, due to a stroke caused by cirrhosis of the liver.[4][5]

Career

Chute was on the professional stage from 1908-1919. In 1911 to 1912, she played Mrs. Cowper-Cowper in the first revival of Lady Windermere's Fan.

In 1917, George Robey employed Chute as his private secretary. In 1920, she was employed by Sir Oswald Stoll as the first woman press representative for London's Coliseum and Alhambra theatres.[6]

In 1925, Chute travelled to Germany to survey their studio systems.[7] In 1926, Chute travelled to Hollywood to interview some of her favorite film stars, including Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks.[8] She would return every year. Chute wrote for various fan magazines including Hollywood Magazine, Photoplay, and Picture Play magazine.[9][8][10][2] She also wrote for United Press.[11]

Chute also took photographs of many stars, including Jean Harlow, Marion Davies, Dorothy Sebastian, and Joan Crawford.[12][13][14]

Her career declined after Chute published articles exposing the mistreatment of women in Hollywood, similar to today's MeToo movement.

Legacy

In July 2021, The Stables Theatre premiered Picture Picture by Chute's relation David Charles Manners, which focused on Chute's life and hosted the first-ever exhibition of Chute's photographs.[1]

Performances

Performances
Year Play Part Theatre
1908-09 Aladdin chorus & dancer Prince’s, Bristol
1909 Cinderella Fairy Godmother (understudy + 5 weeks in role) Adelphi, London
1909 The Proud Prince chorus Lyceum, London
1910 F.R. Benson's Co. tour of multiple Shakespeare plays

The School for Scandal

The Knight of the Burning Pestle

multiple roles national tour
1910 The Eccentric Lord Comberdene company role St. James's, London
1910 The Miniature Beadnell St. James's, London
1911-12 Lady Windermere's Fan[15] Mrs Cowper-Cowper St. James's, London
1912 The Bear Leaders Lloyd Comedy Theatre, London
1913 Turandot, Princess of China Tien-wa St. James's, London
1913 Lady Noggs Suzette Comedy Theatre, London
1913 The Month of Mary Sister of Charity The Little Theatre, Adelphi

(Pioneer Players)

1913 The Big Game Mildred Carruthers New Theatre, London
1914 Love and the Law Margaret Devonshire Park, Eastbourne
1914 The Impromptus Margaret Kean Bournemouth Winter Gardens & Boscombe Pier
1914-15 Humpty Dumpty Pansy Prince's, Bristol
1915-16 Goody Two Shoes Ronnie, the Mayor’s son Prince's, Bristol
1919 The Lymelights Margaret Kean 12-week tour

References

  1. ^ a b Hewitt, Phil. "The tale of Hollywood's very first freelance film journalist". Sussexworld.
  2. ^ a b Hollywood (1941). Fawcett Publications, inc. 1941 – via MBRS Library of Congress.
  3. ^ "Hollywood Still Film Capital, Says Reviewer". The Deseret News. 1936-03-13.
  4. ^ "Los Angeles. Death Record Indexes". FamilySearch.
  5. ^ "Norwalk. Death Certificates". FamilySearch.
  6. ^ The Billboard 1921-02-05: Vol 33 Iss 6. Prometheus Global Media. 1921-02-05.
  7. ^ Higgins, Harvey O. (1925-12-16). "The Fourth Column: Germany's Rapid Strides As Motion Picture Centre". Border Cities Chrysler News.
  8. ^ a b Picture-Play Magazine. New York, N.Y. : Street & Smith. 1926 – via MBRS Library of Congress.
  9. ^ Photoplay Magazine Publishing Company (1941). Photoplay (Jul – Dec 1941). Chicago, Photoplay Magazine Publishing Company – via New York The Museum of Modern Art Library.
  10. ^ Photoplay. Chicago: Macfadden Publications, Inc. Jan–Jun 1938 – via Media History Digital Library.
  11. ^ Chute, Margaret (1929-01-23). "Woman Tells of Thrilling Rescue on The High Seas". The Washington Reporter. United Press.
  12. ^ "Jean Harlow talks over the next scene for 'Riff Raff' with director J..." Getty Images. 2004-04-16. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  13. ^ "American actress Marion Davies relaxing in her Beverly Hills garden..." Getty Images. 2004-04-13. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  14. ^ "American actresses Joan Crawford and Dorothy Sebastian practise..." Getty Images. 2004-04-09. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  15. ^ "Margaret Chute as Mrs Cowper-Cowper; G. Trevor Roller as Parker in 'Lady Windermere's Fan' Portrait Print". National Portrait Gallery Shop. Retrieved 2024-03-18.