Muriel Ostriche
Also Known As: Moxie Girl, Muriel Henrietta Oestrich
Biography: Muriel Hennrietta Ostriche (born May 24, 1896 – May 3, 1989) was an American silent film actress. Following tryouts with the Biograph and Pathe studios, Ostriche signed with Eclair for $5 per day. After a year and a half with Eclair, she joined Reliance for a higher salary. Following that experienced, she was signed by the Thanhouser Company based in New Rochelle, New York, and starred in 134 films in her career. Ostriche told author Michael G. Ankerich that A Daughter of the Sea (1915) was her best performance and her favorite film. In 1920, Ostriche was featured in advertising for Bonnie-B veils. She was living in Florida in the mid-1980s when author Q. David Bowers began researching a biography on Ostriche, which became Muriel Ostriche: Princess of Silent Films. He was shocked to discover that she was still living and a willing interview subject. She enjoyed a revival in her fame in the later portion of her life which she relished and because of this renewed interest, her own insights into her life are preserved today.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: New York City, New York, USA
Birthday: May 24, 1896
Deathday: May 03, 1989
Adult: No
Gender: Female
Popularity:
Known For:
A Square Deal
Overview: Hugh Eltinge, a struggling artist, and Mark Dunbar, a genius of the pen, whom the world has as yet failed to reward, live together in MacDougal Alley. Across the hall is Doris Golden, a reporter on the Evening Star, who enthuses over the work of both. Mark's novel is sold and Hugh and Doris see a new Mark. Mark begs Hugh to allow him to stake him until his pictures sell, but pleasure in his new clothes and new popularity dwindle as he sees his old friends will not profit by them. A happy idea strikes him and he buys all of Hugh's paintings on exhibition at a local dealer, requesting that his name be not mentioned.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1917-02-19
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The Volunteer
Overview: Madge Evans, World Film Corp. juvenile star, is sent to her Quaker grandparents, Timothy and Tabitha Mendenhall, when her father and mother go to serve in World War I. After bidding farewell to the World stars, Madge goes to her grandparent's home where she experiences stern discipline.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1917-12-24
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Her Awakening
Overview: Helen Gray, the daughter of a hard working carpenter, receives the attention of her employer, much against her father's will. On her birthday, Mr. Adams invites her to dine with him and presents her with a handsome bracelet. That night, on Helen's return home, at twelve o'clock, her father, who has waited up for her, upbraids her.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1914-04-17
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For the Honor of the Crew
Overview: Robert Brent and Dick Morgan, the former wealthy, the latter poor, are chums at one of the big colleges until they both fall in love with Viola Scott, a college girl.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1915-11-09
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Leap to Fame
Overview: Charles Trevor is a young chap just out of college, who is put to work on a daily newspaper and at once starts to lead a life of adventure and romance. A German spy and a maiden in distress cross his path the first day and, before the end of the story, he has landed a big scoop for his paper, put the German in jail and married the girl.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1918-04-24
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The Road to France
Overview: Tom Whitney, well connected but a social derelict because of his weakness for drink, is released from the draft because of an old football Injury, but a policeman persuades him that he can still do his bit in the shipyards. He takes a job in the yard owned by the man to whose daughter he was engaged in happier times. Three German propagandists seek to foment a strike to delay the work, and largely through Tom's efforts the plan goes amiss and the strike is called off. Rehabilitated by work, the launching of The Liberty is a forecast of his own rebirth.
Genres: Drama War
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1918-10-14
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A Daughter of the Sea
Overview: Margot, the motherless daughter of a New England fisherman, dreams of a better life. After rescuing the wealthy Jack Rutledge's mother, Margot is taken in by the family. Jack and Margot fall in love against the will of his mother and must find a way to marry.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1915-11-22
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When It Strikes Home
Overview: Dick hastily marries a young woman, yet his wealthy father rips them apart. Unbeknownst to him, a son is born. Years later, Dick is in happy, but childless marriage when they decide to adopt a child. By chance and unknown to him, the boy is his son.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1915-05-17
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Kennedy Square
Overview: At a dance on his parents' plantation in the early nineteenth century, Harry Rutter wins a duel with Langdon Willetts, but loses his fiancée, Kate Seymour, who disapproves of fighting. He is thrown out of his family home and forced to stay with others. Tired of accepting charity, Harry leaves for South America. Now he returns a rich man to a ruined home.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1916-02-21
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A Circus Romance
Overview: Circus dancer Babette learns from Zaidee, her fortune-teller mother, that her father is the respected businessman Ezra Butterworth, who had deserted Zaidee years before and then remarried. After Zaidee dies, Babette goes to live with Ezra, but fearful that his second wife will learn of his less-than-upright past, he takes her in as his ward and forbids her to mention their real relationship.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1916-01-24
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Who Killed Simon Baird
Overview: Edith and John Maitland will allow David Sterling to marry their daughter Helen as soon as he earns five thousand dollars, so David tries to sell one of his inventions to Simon Baird for that amount. Simon, unable to make up his mind, is found murdered the next day, and David is arrested with five thousand dollars of Simon's money in his possession.
Genres: Mystery
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1916-04-17
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The Birth of Character
Overview: A prologue shows an alchemist about to be burned at the stake. Before dying, he claims that his theory is correct: in an effort to overcome external conditions, man develops his character. In modern times, Harry Thorn loves Grace Dupont, but after losing his money he drifts toward crime. He steals a necklace, and when Grace finds out she cancels their engagement. Harry decides to give himself up, thereby finally establishing some strength of character. When he gets out of jail, Grace takes him back, but Harry has to face one more temptation. Alice Farley, who loves him but whom he has spurned, tries to lure him back to crime, but with Grace's help Harry manages to resist.
Genres: Drama Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1916-03-01
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The Men She Married
Overview: Tricked into marriage with a villain, the woman, believing him dead, marries another, only to have the first husband reappear and cause her much worry.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1916-11-27
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The Social Leper
Overview: A clairvoyant warns divorcée Adrienne Van Couver to beware of Robert Warren, whom she has spurned. The warning comes true after Adrienne's ex-husband, John Dean, meets Warren, an old friend, and tells him the story of his marriage to Adrienne. He tells how her frivolity and malice caused both the death of their only child, and after their divorce John’s romance with Lorraine Barkley who left him for lawyer Henry Armstrong. Enraged by Adrienne's treachery, Warren goes to her apartment and kills her. Dean arrives after Warren has fled and is arrested for the murder. Believing that Dean is innocent, Lorraine persuades Armstrong to defend him. After a last-minute confession by John is cleared.
Genres: Drama Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1917-03-19
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Sally in Our Alley
Overview: Sally McGill, a little Irish girl, brought up in a particularly sordid section, is compelled to work to support her entire family. Ben Blaney, the young foreman where she works, loves little Sally. Mrs. Rockwell, wealthy and childless, finds joy in taking a limited number of the poorest children to her country home each summer, and she selects those whom she will take. Sally's ambition is to become a refined lady like those about her, and she is attracted to Paul Taylor, but knows she is inferior to him.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1916-07-17
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Oh, You Ragtime!
Overview: The famous pianist Tenorini has moved into the neighbourhood. He plays a song (a spring waltz from "Alexander's Ragtime Band") on the piano; it is such a joyful tune that everyone in the neighborhood starts to dance. When he finally stops everyone is exhausted.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-04-17
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The Decoy
Overview: A rather complex interweaving of romance and crime is squeezed into one reel. A "respectable" couple of city "card sharpers" invite a distant country relative to visit, then use her as a pretty, unwitting decoy to lure rich victims. They flee town a step ahead of the law. At a resort, the innocent girl falls in love with the latest victim, but they help expose and apprehend the guilty parties.
Genres: Crime Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1914-07-02
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The Farmer's Daughters
Overview: Unable to find help to work his farm, a farmer gets a bright idea--he advertises that any man willing to work on his farm will be permitted to court his two daughters. The girls and their mother don't take kindly to being offered as an "incentive", so when some college boys show up looking to take advantage of both offers, the girls come up with a plan of their own.
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1913-09-27
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The Dormant Power
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1917-10-22
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Mortmain
Overview: Surgeon Crisp announces to his student doctors and friends that he has solved the problem of limb-grafting, and shows proofs. Among those deeply interested is Mortmain, a musician and a friend of the surgeon.
Genres: Drama Horror
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1915-09-06
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An Elevator Romance
Overview: A wealthy, hustling young westerner comes east, and immediately calls up his boyhood chum, now a staid businessman in a New York skyscraper. The westerner is charmed by the sweet voice of the telephone girl who answers his call from the office switchboard, and determines to make her acquaintance. In fact, one of the first things he does after reaching his friend's office is to make inquiries, and he is made happy by an introduction. He soon finds that while the voice is charming, the girl's appearance and manner are much more so. But the girl, being modest and retiring does not approve of such an informal acquaintance. She practically snubs the westerner, and he sees that he has made little progress in his suit. And time is valuable for he soon must go back to his home, and he has already decided that he will take a bride with him. Love finds a way, as it usually does.
Genres: Romance Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1911-04-27
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The Sacred Flame
Overview: Young high school teacher Rosalie Allen rejects the love of Dr. Paul Duncan to "save" Lionel Brooks, a man down on his luck.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1920-01-01
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Tinsel
Overview: After the death of her second husband, Princess Sylvia Carzoni writes to her first husband, Richard Carmichael, requesting the custody of their daughter Ruth. The naïve Ruth is so thrilled at the prospect of entering society that Richard reluctantly allows her to go, and in her new surroundings, she happily receives the attentions of several of her mother's friends. Through her own innocence, Ruth withstands their advances, but she falls victim to the dashing Jefferson Kane, who suggests that she visit him at his home. Suspicious, Sylvia follows her daughter to Jefferson's estate, where she finds Ruth struggling with the villain, and after denouncing him, Sylvia takes the girl home. Sylvia lovingly embraces Ruth, and as she is discussing the shallowness of society life, Richard and Bobby Woodward, Ruth's old sweetheart, arrive demanding Ruth's return. Eventually, however, Sylvia regains Richard's love, and Ruth is united with Bobby.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1918-07-08
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Robin Hood
Overview: Robin Hood is a 1912 film made by Eclair Studios when it and many other early film studios in America's first motion picture industry were based in Fort Lee, New Jersey at the beginning of the 20th century. The movie's costumes feature enormous versions of the familiar hats of Robin and his merry men, and uses the unusual effect of momentarily superimposing images different animals over each character to emphasize their good or evil qualities. The film was directed by Étienne Arnaud and Herbert Blaché, and written by Eustace Hale Ball. A restored copy of the 30-minute film exists and was exhibited in 2006 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.
Genres: Romance Adventure Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1912-08-21
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Superstitious Sammy
Overview:
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1915-09-13
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The Strike
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1914-04-21
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Her First Lesson
Overview:
Genres: Comedy
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1914-04-03
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A Circumstantial Nurse
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1914-01-09
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The Law of Humanity
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1913-12-19
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The Hand Invisible
Overview: Steel magnate Rodney Graham divorces his wife, Alice, after she suffers an injury that renders her unable to give him an heir. He pursues debutante Katherine Dale, whose fiancé, Dick Allen, died on the eve of their wedding. With the help of Katherine's ambitious mother, Rodney persuades her to marry him. Katherine dies after giving birth to Rodney, Jr., and the elder Graham's stepbrother, Arthur Haynes, angrily predicts the magnate's sad demise. Rodney devotes himself to raising his son, who later falls in love with Arthur's' daughter, Ruth. Although he objects to the match, Rodney is persuaded by Alice to allow it. Upon discovering that his son was actually Dick Allen's child, Rodney plans to disinherit the boy, but is paralyzed by a stroke before he can change his will. He attends the wedding in a wheelchair and dies soon after.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1919-03-17
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Hitting the Trail
Overview: Kid Kelly, a gangster in New York's Lower East Side, attempts to rob Goldberg's millinery store. When the police arrive, Flo Haines, who had come to the building to look at an apartment, hides. When the police find her, they charge her with the crime, but the Kid turns himself over to the law instead. After his release, he again meets Flo, who works in an artificial-flower factory by day and at Reverend Roberts' relief mission by night. The Kid soon falls in love with Flo, and his jealous sweetheart Mamie tricks her into coming to her apartment, where she drugs her and turns her over to Joe Carelli, the flower factory's lustful owner. The Kid saves Flo, but when Carelli is found murdered the next day, he is arrested for the crime. The confession of Annie, who had stabbed Carelli in a jealous rage, frees The Kid, who reforms himself and marries Flo.
Genres: Drama Crime
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1918-12-02
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The Good for Nothing
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1917-12-10
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Moral Courage
Overview: Wealthy Joshua Anson expects his son Chadwick to marry a woman of their class, but much to his chagrin Chadwick falls in love with factory girl Mary McClintock. Anson schemes to break up the romance by framing Mary in a compromising situation, but she outsmarts him and marries Chadwick. Not to be defeated, Anson offers his daughter-in-law $100,000 to divorce his son, but Mary outfoxes him once again by accepting the money, getting a divorce, and then remarrying Chadwick. Mary's last trick wins her father-in-law's respect, and he finally offers the couple his blessings.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1917-05-14
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