Priscilla Bonner

Priscilla Bonner (February 17, 1899 – February 21, 1996) was an American silent film actress.

Priscilla Bonner
Born(1899-02-17)February 17, 1899
Washington, D.C., U.S.
DiedFebruary 21, 1996(1996-02-21) (aged 97)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills
Other namesPriscilla B. Woolfan
OccupationActress
Years active1920–1929
Spouse(s)
    Allen Wynes Alexander
    (
    m. 1921⁠–⁠1926)
      Dr. E. Bertrand Woolfan
      (
      m. 1928⁠–⁠1962)
      (his death)

      Career

      Priscilla Bonner was born in Washington, D.C. on February 17, 1899. In 1916 when living in Adrian, Michigan she answered an open call to audition for the movie "The Romance of Miss Adrian". Using her dance skills she won a part in the picture. Her father, John S. Bonner, worked for Page Fence and served as an officer in Company B the local National Guard Unit. At the start of World War I the company was activated for service and her father started his career as an Army officer. The family moved often and she spent much of her life in different places. She often play acted to amuse herself, playing all the parts and shifting the sets.[1] While her father was stationed in Chicago, assigned to the staff of General Leonard Wood, she received a call from someone connected with Chicago Photoplay, insisting she come to their studio for photographs. Although realizing it was likely a wrong number, Priscilla seized the opportunity to have her picture taken there. Intrigued by her bold initiative and photogenic charisma, the studio took portraits of her and sent them to film studios in California.[2] Her parents allowed her the opportunity to travel to Los Angeles. It was here that she met Charles Ray, and made her film debut in the 1920 film Homer Comes Home, after being signed to MGM that same year. She went on to co-star with Jack Pickford in The Man Who Had Everything (1920), Lon Chaney, Sr. in Shadows (1922), Colleen Moore in April Showers, and comedian Harry Langdon in The Strong Man. In 1925 she successfully sued Warner Bros. and won a substantial cash settlement when she was originally chosen and then dropped as leading lady from John Barrymore's The Sea Beast in favor of Barrymore's new real life love interest Dolores Costello.

      Priscilla Bonner, scene from Drusilla with a Million (1925)

      That same year she starred in the controversial independent film The Red Kimono produced and directed by Dorothy Davenport, the widow of Wallace Reid. In 1927, Bonner was loaned to Paramount Pictures to co-star in the box office hit It, starring Clara Bow.[3]

      Personal life

      In 1921, she married writer and author Allen Wynes Alexander.[4] A little over a year later, he left her. She sued for divorce,[5] but later dismissed the case.[6]

      In 1928, Bonner married Dr. E. Bertrand Woolfan. She retired from films the following year. The couple were popular hosts to the burgeoning Los Angeles literary and film community, and particularly befriended Preston Sturges, the writer and director. On February 21, 1996, Bonner died at the age of 97.[7]

      Her younger sister was Margerie Bonner, who also became an actress.

      Filmography
      Year Title Role Notes
      1920 Homer Comes Home Rachel Prouty
      1920 Honest Hutch Ellen
      1920 The Man Who Had Everything Prue Winn
      1920 Officer 666 Sadie
      1921 The Son of Wallingford Mary Curtis
      1921 Bob Hampton of Placer Schoolteacher
      1921 Home Stuff Susan Deep
      1922 Shadows Mary Brent
      1923 Galloping Thru
      1923 The Purple Dawn Ruth Ketchell
      1923 Where's My Wandering Boy This Evening?
      1923 Pitfalls of a Big City Alternative title: The Pitfalls of a Great City
      1923 April Showers Shannon O'Rourke
      1924 A Desperate Adventure
      1924 Hold Your Breath The Sister
      1924 Tarnish Aggie
      1924 Chalk Marks Betty Towner
      1925 Charley's Aunt Kitty
      1925 The Mansion of Aching Hearts A City Girl
      1925 Proud Flesh San Francisco Girl
      1925 The White Desert Mrs. Foster
      1925 Drusilla with a Million Sally May Ferris
      1925 Eyes of Hollywood
      1925 The Red Kimono Gabrielle Darley
      1926 The Earth Woman Sally
      1926 3 Bad Men Millie Stanley
      1926 The Strong Man Mary Brown
      1926 The False Alarm Bessie Flannigan
      1927 It Molly
      1927 Long Pants His Bride (Priscilla)
      1927 Paying the Price
      1927 The Prince of Headwaiters Faith Cable
      1927 Broadway After Midnight Queenie Morgan/Gloria Livingston Alternative title: Gangsters on Broadway
      1928 Outcast Souls Alice Davis
      1928 Golden Shackles Lucy Weston
      1929 Girls Who Dare Sally Casey

      References
      Notes
      1. Bean, Daisy (7 September 1920). "News Notes from Movie Land". The Rock Island Argus and Daily Union. Rock Island, Illinois. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
      2. Eliot, Jean (1 August 1920). "Washington Society Girl Proves Star of Films". The Washington Times. Washington, D.C. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
      3. Villecco 2001, pp. 22, 30
      4. "Priscella Bonner to Wed; Plans Aerial Honeymoon". Evening Public Ledger. Philadelphia, PA. 18 May 1921. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
      5. "Pretty Priscella Bonner Appeals to Los Angeles Judge". The Washington Times. Washington DC. 27 August 1922. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
      6. "Movie Actress Sues Manager". The Fairmont West Virginian. Fairmont, WV. 2 September 1922. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
      7. Villecco 2001, pp. 33, 34
      Bibliography
      • Villecco, Tony (2001). Silent Stars Speak: Interviews With Twelve Cinema Pioneers. McFarland. ISBN 0-7864-0814-6.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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