
Acting
Helen Badgley
Born 1908-12-01 · Saratoga Springs, New York, USA
By the time she was just 3 years old she was appearing in her first film, Brother Bob's Baby in 1911. In 1912 she appeared in eleven films, and in 1913, that number increased to twenty two. At age six she lost her two front teeth and "retired" until new ones could appear. She never went back. She ended up with 103 credits to her name earning her the title "Thanhouser Kidlet" after the movie studio Thanhouser located in New York City which burned down. Her father was Gerald Badgely, expert mechanic and electrician at the studio where he perfected the Vista moving picture recorder.
Acting credits
Comte Paul De Valreas is attracted to Frou Frou, the frivolous wife of Henri De Sartorys and the indifferent mother of their young son Georges. Paul persuades Frou Frou to bring her somber sister Louise, who secretly loves Henri, into the household, thus freeing her from any domestic duties.
Frou Frou
1914
7.0The Thanhouser Co. has reissued a number of its surviving films on video. FIRES OF YOUTH existed at around 52 minutes in its original release. A shortened version running just over 31 minutes has survived at the George Eastman House and has now been released by Thanhouser. Jeanne Eagels does well as the neglected young daughter in a factory town. She appears in 22 scenes and delivers a sensitive performance.
The Fires of Youth
1917
NRZudora, not knowing she's an heiress to a $20 million fortune, lives with her uncle, a mystic and detective, who covets her inheritance. She wants to marry John Storm but her uncle is against it. However, the uncle makes a bargain; if Zudora can solve the next twenty mysteries brought to him, she can marry as she chooses. Episodes 1,2 and 8, plus another unidentified chapter, survive. The rest is believed to be lost.
Zudora
1914
9.0A broker who was trying to get rich dishonestly, found himself in danger of arrest. Just as he was preparing for flight a neighbor entered. This man had been poor all his life, but coming unexpectedly into a legacy of $10,000, decided that the broker was the man who could invest the money for him.
The Thunderbolt
1912
The film's heroine is a dancer of world-wide reputation who, in the days of her struggle, has offended the story's villain.
The Dancer
1914
NRNo synopsis available yet.
A Rag, a Bone and a Hank of Hair
1917
The film follows Ezra Greer, a middle-aged man who has worked hard since his youth. He cares deeply for his motherless daughter, Mary, but was unable to attend the annual commencement at her co-educational college. He awaits for her to return from college, but Mary leaves with her romantic interest, Jack Denbeigh.
The Heart of Ezra Greer
1917
6.3This adaptation of the Alexandre Dumas story tells of a man, living in the present day, who returns home incognito and wealthy after having been a sailor for years and living on a desert island surrounded by water filled with pearl-oysters. He revenges himself on his enemy, who had unjustly accused him of a crime he did not commit.
A Modern Monte Cristo
1917
6.4A lonely little girl is befriended by Shep, a neighbor's collie. The girl meets an untimely death, leaving Shep behind.
A Dog's Love
1914
9.0Edwin Rowley is a talented but uncommercial playwright. Stephen Hunt is a successful theatrical manager. Rowley finishes a brilliant play and sends it to Hunt for production. Recognizing it as a masterpiece, Hunt puts his own name on the play and produces it, achieving fame as a playwright. Upon discovery of the theft the shock is too much for Rowley’s wife, who dies. Rowley, devastated, loses his sanity and disappears. Hunt decides to adopt Rowley's orphaned son and raises him as his own. Years later, Rowley, wandering aimlessly, sees a poster advertising his play with his own name on it. This sight brings him back to his senses. Rowley and Hunt are reconciled, and Rowley finally receives public recognition and enjoys his success as the true author of the play.
The Stolen Triumph
1916
7.5A recreation of the Thanhouser Studio fire of 13 January 1913, it includes the rescue of a small child from the flaming building.
When the Studio Burned
1913
Born in a prospector's camp, orphaned by a flood and taken care of by relatives to whom she was unwelcome, Mercy grew up dodging blows and curses with equal dexterity and indifferent success.
Mercy on a Crutch
1915
Nell leaves the farm to start a candy store in New York, but has a troubled start until she meets Jack Monroe, a young spendthrift who helps her attract business. They fall in love, marry, and move in with Jack's father. Nell soon discovers that Jack is a drug addict. In sympathy, Jack's father offers to annul the marriage, but Nell refuses, wishing instead to commit herself to the indefinite struggle of pursuing the road to Jack's rehabilitation.
The Candy Girl
1917
NRWith younger brothers and sisters to support, Peggy takes on the task-heavy job as maid for Mrs. Stuyvesant. Peggy also manages to help the woman's children, a lovelorn daughter and a son who is the unwilling tool of spies.
Pots-and-Pans Peggy
1917
The story's hero, a reformer in politics, has been accused and convicted of "padding the registration lists," but on procured evidence and on a frame-up, made by the ring leader's heeler, William Russell. He is sent to prison and the story works out to his coming home, a cleared and rehabilitated man, on Christmas Eve.
The Repeater
1912
A short adaption of the novel by Charles Dickens.
Little Dorrit
1913
6.5A romantic story utilizing flashback sequences, featuring Harry Benham, Mignon Anderson and Helen Badgley (http://thanhouser.org/).
Just a Shabby Doll
1913
8.0The Colonel, for many years, has lived in the past, reverencing the lost cause of the Confederacy and hating all Northerners. When his daughter, Rose, named for her mother, falls in love with a New England youth, he haughtily refuses his consent. Rose and John Hewins run away and are married.
The Three Roses
1915
10.0No synopsis available yet.
The Baby and the Boss
1915
10.0The merchant had succeeded in business because he was utterly heartless and had ground down all opposition. His employees hated him, his competitors feared him, and the servants in his home lived in mortal dread of him.
Coals of Fire
1914
6.0Over the years, an old gardener observes a romance develop between a young boy and girl. 20 years after they break up over a misunderstanding, the old man is instrumental in bringing them back together again.
In a Garden
1912
A young girl, who had talent as a violinist, came to New York determined to win fame on the concert stage. She found the field overcrowded, but accepted an engagement as violin soloist in a cabaret restaurant. She was pretty and her playing pleased the patrons of the place. One evening a roughly dressed man came into the restaurant. His attire was in sharp contrast to the foppish men in evening dress who were languidly eating their meals. When the young violinist made her appearance the countryman showed by his manner that she had made a deep impression upon him.
The Girl of the Cabaret
1913
A well to do young man imagined he was very much in love with a certain actress.
Baby Hands
1912
9.0No synopsis available yet.
Their Great Big Beautiful Doll
1913