Madeline and Marion Fairbanks

Madeline (Madeleine) (15 November 1900 – 15 January 1989) and her twin sister Marion Fairbanks (15 November 1900 – 20 September 1973) were stage and motion picture actresses active in the silent era. The two sisters were seemingly inseparable. However, their Thanhouser filmographies are slightly different, as on occasion one twin appeared in a film without the other.

The Fairbanks Twins

Early life

Born in New York City, the twins were mainly educated by private tutors at home and while traveling. Their mother was actress Jennie M. Fairbanks, a.k.a. Jane Fairbanks, and their father was the son of Nathaniel Fairbanks, who served in the American Civil War, and a descendant of Jonathan Fairbanks, a Massachusetts hero of the Revolution. Madeline and Marion had an older brother, Robert.

Career
The Fairbanks twins, Madeline and Marion Fairbanks

The twins began their career on the stage in such productions as Alias Jimmy Valentine, Mother, Salomy Jane, Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch, and countless others. Starting in 1909 they performed with Nora Bayes in The Jolly Bachelors. Madeline wrote a note to President William Howard Taft, who received the twins at a private reception when they performed in Washington, D.C. After the meeting, he presented them with an autographed picture. At first Marion desired to be a dramatic actress while Madeline aspired to playing comedic roles.

They entered films with Biograph circa 1910. They joined the Thanhouser Film Corporation in 1912, where they were billed as "The Thanhouser Twins", and remained there until 1916. The Fairbanks sisters appeared with Teddie Gerard in the cast of the Florenz Ziegfeld Midnight Frolic in August 1920.

In 1923, Madeline decided to pursue dramatic roles, while Marion continued in musical revues, touring in the title role with the "Little Nellie Kelly company". Madeline landed roles in Mercenary Mary, The Grab Bag, and The Ritz Revue. By 1924, the girls had felt their separation too keenly, and they rejoined on stage in George White's Scandals, followed in early 1927 by parts in Oh, Kay.

Later years

By 1932, Marion was on stage separately at the Waldorf Theatre, New York City. She succeeded Eleanor King as leading lady in Whistling in the Dark. 1930s news accounts reported that she operated a beauty parlor and directed a branch of a cosmetics manufacturer. In her later years she knew much unhappiness and struggled with the temptations of alcohol.

Deaths

Marion Fairbanks died in Georgia in 1973. Her name was then Marion Fairbanks Delph. She had no survivors other than her sister. Madeline married Leonard Sherman in 1937. The union ended in divorce in 1947. She lived in New York until early 1989, where she died of respiratory failure.

Work

Stage
DateStageplayPerforming
1912Snow White and the Seven DwarfsMadeline & Marion
1916The Century GirlMadeline & Marion
1917Ziegfeld Follies of 1917Madeline & Marion
1918Ziegfeld Follies of 1918Madeline & Marion
1919Ziegfeld Follies of 1919Madeline & Marion
1921Ziegfeld 9 O'clock FrolicMadeline & Marion
1921Two Little Girls in BlueMadeline & Marion
1924Hassard Short's Ritz RevueMadeline
1924The Grab BagMarion
1925Mercenary MaryMadeline
1926Oh, Kay!Madeline & Marion
1927Allez-oopMadeline
1928HappyMadeline

Film
DateMovieActing
1912The TwinsMadeline & Marion
1912CousinsMadeline & Marion
1912As Others See UsMadeline & Marion
1912The Little Girl Next DoorMadeline & Marion
1913An Unfair ExchangeMadeline & Marion
1913Life's PathwayMadeline & Marion
1913The Twins and the Other GirlMadeline & Marion
1913The Children's HourMadeline & Marion
1913Their Great Big Beautiful DollMadeline & Marion
1913Uncle's NamesakesMadeline & Marion
1913Lawyer, Dog and BabyMadeline & Marion
1913Jack and the BeanstalkMadeline & Marion
1914Twins and a StepmotherMadeline & Marion
1914Guilty or Not GuiltyMadeline
1914The Tin Soldier and the DollsMadeline & Marion
1914Beating BackMadeline
1914In Her SleepMadeline
1914The Legend of Snow WhiteMarion
1914The Girl Across the HallMarion
1914The Million Dollar MysteryMadeline & Marion
1914The Widow's MiteMadeline & Marion
1914The Pendulum of FateMadeline & Marion
1914In Peril's PathMadeline & Marion
1914In Danger's HourMadeline & Marion
1914The Benevolence of Conductor 786Madeline & Marion
1914Left in the TrainMadeline & Marion
1914Shep's Race with DeathMadeline & Marion
1914Pawns of FateMadeline & Marion
1914Shadows and SunshineMadeline & Marion
1914A Hatful of TroubleMarion
1915When Fate RebelledMadeline & Marion
1915$1,000 RewardMadeline & Marion
1915Their One LoveMadeline & Marion
1915Fairy Fern SeedMadeline & Marion
1915Through Edith's Looking GlassMarion
1915Which Shall It Be?Madeline & Marion
1915The Flying TwinsMadeline & Marion
1915The Twins of the G.L. RanchMadeline & Marion
1915An Innocent TraitorMadeline & Marion
1915The Baby and the BossMarion
1916Bubbles in the GlassMadeline
1916The Burglars' PicnicMadeline & Marion
1916A Bird of PreyMadeline
1916The AnswerMadeline & Marion
1916The Heart of a DollMadeline & Marion
1922The Beauty ShopMadeline & Marion
1929On with the Show!Madeline & Marion
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References
  • New York Times, Theatrical Notes, August 9, 1920, Page 6.
  • Syracuse Herald, Juvenile Performers Are Stage Veterans, May 5, 1912, Page 48.
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