Fernanda Eliscu

Fernanda Eliscu (April 24, 1880 – September 27, 1968) was a Romanian-born actress in the United States, in English and Yiddish productions on stage and screen.

Fernanda Eliscu, from a 1911 publication.

Early life

Fernanda Eliscu was born in Iași, Romania (some sources say Bucharest). She moved to the United States as a girl with her parents.[1] She trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, and at Cooper Union.[2]

Career

Early in her acting career, Eliscu was associated with Minnie Maddern Fiske and Maude Adams.[3] On stage, Eliscu acted in The Little Minister, Cyrano de Bergerac (1899), Beau Brummel (1899), Her Majesty (1900), Don Caesar's Return (1901), The Smoldering Flame, Pickpockets, Jacque Duval, Romeo and Juliet (1903), Marta of the Lowlands (1903),[4] The Light from Saint Agnes (1906), Ruth (1907),[5] The Third Degree (1909-1910),[6] The Outsider (1924, 1928),[7] If I Were You (1931), Triplets (1932), Creeping Fire (1935), and Winterset (1936).[8] Her extensive collection of hair ornaments, combs, pins, and clasps, was considered remarkable.[9]

In 1909, the Los Angeles Times theatre critic raved about Eliscu, assuring readers that "If the name of Fernanda Eliscu is not inscribed high in the records of dramatic accomplishment during the next ten years, it will be because either dramatic accomplishment or Fernanda Eliscu has ceased to exist."[10]

Eliscu also appeared in films, including Winterset (1936), Background to Danger (1943),[11] Berlin Express (1948),[12] Harbor of Missing Men (1950), and Charge of the Lancers (1954).

Personal life

Fernanda Eliscu married actor Carl Anthony Pfeil. They had three children before Pfeil died in 1930.[13] Fernanda Eliscu died in 1968, in Los Angeles, California, aged 88 years.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1936WintersetPiny
1943Background to DangerTurkish Wife on TrainUncredited
1943The Song of BernadetteTownswomanUncredited
1944You Can't Ration LoveMrs. BoskowskyUncredited
1944Uncertain GloryMiddle-Aged Woman at MeetingUncredited
1945A Tree Grows in BrooklynMinor RoleUncredited
1945Her Highness and the BellboyDiplomat's WifeUncredited
1946GildaBendolin's WifeUncredited
1946The VerdictFrench HousekeeperUncredited
1947UnconqueredSquawUncredited
1947Desire MeOld WomanUncredited
1947A Double LifeLandladyUncredited
1948Arch of TriumphFlower WomanUncredited
1948Berlin ExpressGerman WomanUncredited
1949Samson and DelilahHerdswomanUncredited
1950Black HandMinor RoleUncredited
1950Harbor of Missing MenMama Corcoris
1952Viva Zapata!Fuentes' WifeUncredited
1953Remains to Be SeenMinor RoleUncredited
1954Charge of the LancersKeta
1957IstanbulCleaning WomanUncredited, (final film role)

References
  1. "Theatrical" Monroe News-Star (March 3, 1910): 5. via Newspapers.com
  2. "New Dramatic Stars Announced for Next Season; Charlotte Walker and Fernanda Eliscu Talented Young Players" Wichita Daily Eagle (June 2, 1907): 17. via Newspapers.com
  3. "Fernanda Eliscu May Be Starred" New York Times (May 16, 1907): 7. via Newspapers.com
  4. "Fernanda Eliscu's Rise" Wilkes-Barre Record (November 30, 1903): 12. via Newspapers.com
  5. "Local Amusements" Pittston Gazette (September 27, 1907): 5. via Newspapers.com
  6. "'The Third Degree' Seen Again With New Actress" Brooklyn Daily Eagle (September 13, 1910): 20. via Newspapers.com
  7. Thomas S. Hischak, Broadway Plays and Musicals (McFarland 2009): 348. ISBN 9780786453092
  8. Fernanda Eliscu, Playbill database.
  9. "Makes Fad of Hair Ornaments" Akron Beacon Journal (May 20, 1910): 16. via Newspapers.com
  10. "Music and the Stage" Los Angeles Times (October 13, 1909): 115.
  11. Everett Aaker, George Raft: The Films (McFarland 2013): 102. ISBN 9780786493135
  12. Paul Mavis, The Espionage Filmography: United States Releases, 1898 through 1999 (McFarland 2011): 123. ISBN 9780786449156
  13. "Carl Anthony, Actor, Dies at 52" New York Times (July 29, 1930): 15.
  • Fernanda Eliscu on IMDb
  • A photograph of Fernanda Eliscu, circa 1931, in the New York Public Library Digital Collections.
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