Gladys Valerie (June 27, 1890 – September 1972)[1] was an American singer and actress. She worked during the silent film era.

Valerie in 1920
Gladys Valerie on the right in a still from The Mind the Paint Girl

Life and career

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Valerie was born Gladys Valerie Hays, on 27 June 1890,[1] in Wheeling, West Virginia.[2] She was the daughter of Rudolph A Hays and Edith Ida Hays, nee Koon.[3] She was raised and educated in New York City.[4]

On the 30th June 1914, Gladys was married to Mark Barth, a teacher, in Manhattan.[3]

In 1919, Valerie sang at a benefit concert for blind soldiers. In the Harrisburg Telegraph, it was written that "Gladys Valerie sang at a concert given for the benefit of blind soldiers, and judging by the warm reception which the audience accorded her, Miss Valerie's voice has lost none of its original beauty since her sojourn in the silent drama. Miss Valerie sang on the operatic stage before taking up picture work."[5]

In a November 1919 issue of Motion Picture News, it was written that "Gladys Valerie was somewhat surprised recently by the noticeable enthusiasm and pleasure evinced by a certain young lieutenant who had just returned from overseas, upon being presented to Miss Valerie. She ventured to ask the reason for his somewhat unusually cordial acknowledgement of the introduction, and was very much astonished to learn that she was considered the "Best Girl" of Company D - 105 Artillery A. E. F. It seems that when a picture show was given in camp, each company adopted some screen luminary who appealed to the voters as their "Best Girl" and Miss Valerie had been chosen by this lieutenant's company for that distinction."[6]

In a December 1919 issue of Motion Picture News, it was written that "Gladys Valerie selected a certain dress from a wholesale house the other day. Hardly had the dress reached home, than Miss Valerie was called to the telephone, and an interested voice asked whether they might name the spring models that they intended making from the one she chose, the Gladys Valerie frocks. Miss Valeria, with her usual graciousness, replied that she had no objection whatever."[6]

In 1922-1923 Valerie appeared on stage in the play "Tiger Lily," [7][8] which featured actor Sessue Hayakawa in the leading role.

In 1932 it was reported that Gladys Valerie was working at the WINS radio station, acting multiple parts in sketches which she had also written and produced.[9][10]

According to the 1940 US Census, Valerie had no occupation,[11] but in the 1950 US Census, she was working in the advertising industry.[12]

Partial filmography

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References

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  1. ^ a b "United States Social Security Death Index - Gladys Barth". www.familysearch.org. Retrieved 2023-04-24.
  2. ^ Johnston, William Allen (1921). "Motion picture studio directory and trade annual 1921". www.archive.org. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  3. ^ a b "Certificate and Record of Marriage - Mark Barth and Gladys Valerie Hays". Historical Vital Records of NYC.
  4. ^ Johnston, William Allen (1921). Motion picture studio directory and trade annual 1921. Prelinger Library. New York, N.Y., Chicago, Ill. [etc.] Motion picture news, incorporated.
  5. ^ "Newsy Jottings of Theater and Screen". Harrisburg Telegraph. November 14, 1919. Retrieved March 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "Motion Picture News". Motion Picture News. December 1, 1919 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ "Japanese Star Wins in Play". The Evening Journal (Wilmington, Delaware). 30 December 1922. p. 2. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  8. ^ "At The Theatre: "Tiger Lily" Gives Sessue Hayakawa Admirable Chance to Show Skill". Atlantic City Daily Press. 16 January 1923. p. 13. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  9. ^ ""T.-U. Radio Extra on Air Today at 5.45"". Times Union. 3 February 1932. p. 10. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  10. ^ Dialle, Turner (17 February 1932). "Radio News: Profitable Practice". The Daily Star, Long Island City, Queens Borough, N.Y. p. 6. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  11. ^ "United States Census, 1940 - New York; New York; New York City, Manhattan, Assembly District 9; 31-804 New York City, Manhattan Borough Assembly District 9 (Tract 165 - part)". www.familysearch.org. 1 April 1940. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  12. ^ "United States Census, 1950: New York City". FamilySearch. 1 April 1950. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Gladys Valerie". American Film Institute. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  14. ^ a b c d "Gladys Valerie". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  15. ^ ""Mind the Paint Girl" at Shea's Hippodrome". The Buffalo Times. December 28, 1919. Retrieved March 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "Breamer and Gordon in "Dawn" Offer Good Entertainment". The Tampa Tribune. January 2, 1920. Retrieved March 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ "Great Bill is Coming to State". Stockton Daily Evening Record. October 27, 1922. Retrieved March 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ Film Year Book 1926. 1926. p. 638.
  19. ^ "Tom Meighan is Star at Regent Offering". The Miami Herald. February 21, 1927. Retrieved March 21, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
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