Norma Talmadge

Acting

Norma Talmadge

Born 1894-05-26 · Jersey City, New Jersey, USA

Norma Talmadge started her career in one-reelers in 1909 for Vitagraph, playing bit roles as a young teenager starting. As she continually worked at the studio over the next several years, her parts grew until she frequently started as the leading lady. Her young promising career got a huge boost after her marriage to exhibitor Joseph M. Schenck. Together, they formed the Norma Talmadge Film Corporation in 1917 and began producing Star vechiles for Talmadge. Specializing in melodramas and woman’s pictures, Talmadge became one of the biggest stars of the 1920s, starting in hits such as Smilin’ Through, Secrets, The Lady, and Kiki. With her star already fading when the talkie revolution swept Hollywood, Talmadge made just two sound films before retiring from the screen. Although largely forgotten today, Talmadge was a pioneering producer and director who stood as one of the most popular and powerful women in early Hollywood.

Acting credits

No artwork available
7.3

A comic one-act film featuring the character Bunny, which takes place in an office.

Stenographer Troubles

1913

Show People poster
7.1

Hollywood hopeful Peggy Pepper arrives at a major studio, from Georgia, to become a great dramatic star. Things don't go entirely according to plan.

Show People

1928

The Lady poster
5.8

A young woman marries the wastrel son of a British aristocrat. Her husband, who has been disinherited by his father, loses what little money he has left gambling in casinos and then dies, leaving her penniless and with an infant son. When her former father-in-law tries to get custody of the child, she leaves him with a couple she trusts, but when she later goes to reclaim her son, she can't find the people she left him with.

The Lady

1925

Fifty-Fifty poster
5.0

Naomi is a young aspiring artist known to her Bohemian friends as "The Nut." Naomi's alleged nuttiness does not in any way impede the efforts by wealthy Frederick Harmon to make the unworldly heroine his bride. When their first baby is born, Naomi becomes so obsessed with motherhood that she completely ignores poor Harmon, who, to offset his loneliness, begins squiring the vampish Helen Carew. Helen manages to convince Harmon that Naomi has been unfaithful, leading inevitably to divorce-court litigation.

Fifty-Fifty

1916

Kiki poster
7.8

Kiki, a poor young woman who sells newspapers on the street corners of Paris, is able to land a job singing and dancing at a nearby theater. While she is there, she invites herself into the life of the revue's manager, with whom she has fallen in love.

Kiki

1926

Seeing Stars poster
4.9

First National gala celebrity banquet with stars.

Seeing Stars

1922

Martha's Vindication poster
NR

A 1916 film directed by Chester M. Franklin.

Martha's Vindication

1916

Screen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10) poster
NR

The edition of Screen Snapshots celebrates 25 years of production. It looks at the content of edition #1, then a tribute to movie people who have died in those 25 years. Finally there are tributes to the Screen Snapshots series by Cecil De Mille, Walt Disney, Louella Parsons and Rosalind Russell.

Screen Snapshots (Series 22, No. 10)

1942

Within the Law poster
5.6

When Mary Turner is sent to prison for a crime she did not commit, she vows upon her release to take vengeance on those who wronged her, always staying however within the letter of the law.

Within the Law

1923

John Rance, Gentleman poster
NR

A young woman, Lesbia (Norma Talmadge), who has a summer flirtation with a young doctor named John Rance (Antonio Moreno). She then throws him over. Later his best friend returns from a tour of the world with his new wife, the very same Lesbia.

John Rance, Gentleman

1914

The Peacemaker poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

The Peacemaker

1914

Yes or No poster
6.7

Two wives, one rich, one poor, each find themselves tempted by romantic seducers, and each faces the dilemma of remaining true to the husband who neglects her or of falling into the arms of another.

Yes or No

1920

Ashes of Vengeance poster
6.0

This historical piece, set in the Huguenot days of France, is Norma Talmadge's 37th feature film and the longest to date at two hours. The plot involves a man forced into servitude who falls in love with the sister of his persecutor. It was Ms. Talmadge's fourth involvement with director, Frank Lloyd and the cast included future star, Wallace Beery.

Ashes of Vengeance

1923

Camille poster
3.7

Based on the 1852 novel and play La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas, fils.

Camille

1927

The Passion Flower poster
9.0

A 1921 film directed by Herbert Brenon.

The Passion Flower

1921

Love's Redemption poster
10.0

On the island of Jamaica, a young man of promise, Clifford Standish, is slowly sinking into an alcoholic debauchery. He meets a good-hearted woman called Ginger who leads him back to sobriety and society. But when they return to England together, they find society not worth living with. A lost film.

Love's Redemption

1921

The Devil's Needle poster
6.4

Renee is a French artist's model who uses morphine as an escape from the dull reality of her life. She recommends it to a neurotic artist because "it kindles the fires of genius." The artist quickly becomes addicted to the drug and the quality of his work begins to disintegrate. He takes on a new model, marries her, and starts her on the same path of moral degradation, until a guilt-ridden Renee decides to intervene in order to save them both. According to silent film historian Kevin Brownlow, THE DEVIL'S NEEDLE was banned by the state of Ohio, but the censor board reversed its decision after recognizing the positive message beneath the film's scandalous surface. This special edition was mastered from a 35mm preservation print of the 1923 re-release version. The only known surviving copy, the element suffers significant nitrate decomposition during some scenes.

The Devil's Needle

1916

Iron and Steel poster
7.0

Herr Ludwig Kronitz is a king in his own works and rules with a controlling hand. He is known as the "Man of Iron." He has made a fortune out of the manufacture of guns, and is hard and unscrupulous.

Iron and Steel

1914

The Song of Love poster
6.2

The Song of Love is a silent film of 1923 directed by Chester M. Franklin and Frances Marion. The film was produced and starred Norma Talmadge.

The Song of Love

1923

No artwork available
NR

Jack, a little orphan, is anxious to become a sailor, and although Captain Rhines refuses to take him aboard his ship, manages to sneak in as a stowaway. When out to sea a few days, he is discovered, and is about to be disciplined, when the captain's daughter, May, intercedes. A terrific storm strikes them, and the ship is dashed to pieces. The captain, with the assistance of Jack, builds a little raft, and with little May, they set out for an island which they can hardly discern, as it is so many miles away. After drifting for many hours, they at last reach the island, which is inhabited by a savage tribe.

The Child Crusoes

1911

The Social Secretary poster
5.6

An attractive young girl struggles to hold a job as she deals with unwanted romantic advances from her boss.

The Social Secretary

1916

The Probation Wife poster
7.0

A 1919 film directed by Sidney Franklin.

The Probation Wife

1919

No artwork available
7.0

The dramatist’s wife pawns her necklace when her husband tells her he cannot afford to buy her a new gown for the Vavasour Ball. The pawnbroker's daughter borrows the necklace from his safe so that she may wear it to another ball. Trouble ensues for all.

The Vavasour Ball

1914

The Battle Cry of Peace poster
NR

Enemy agents under the leadership of "Emanon" conspire with pacifists to keep the American defense appropriations down at a time when forces of the enemy are preparing to invade. The invasion comes, and New York, Washington, and other American cities are devastated.

The Battle Cry of Peace

1915

Behind the camera

The Lady poster
5.8

A young woman marries the wastrel son of a British aristocrat. Her husband, who has been disinherited by his father, loses what little money he has left gambling in casinos and then dies, leaving her penniless and with an infant son. When her former father-in-law tries to get custody of the child, she leaves him with a couple she trusts, but when she later goes to reclaim her son, she can't find the people she left him with.

The Lady

1925

Kiki poster
7.8

Kiki, a poor young woman who sells newspapers on the street corners of Paris, is able to land a job singing and dancing at a nearby theater. While she is there, she invites herself into the life of the revue's manager, with whom she has fallen in love.

Kiki

1926

Seeing Stars poster
4.9

First National gala celebrity banquet with stars.

Seeing Stars

1922

Within the Law poster
5.6

When Mary Turner is sent to prison for a crime she did not commit, she vows upon her release to take vengeance on those who wronged her, always staying however within the letter of the law.

Within the Law

1923

Yes or No poster
6.7

Two wives, one rich, one poor, each find themselves tempted by romantic seducers, and each faces the dilemma of remaining true to the husband who neglects her or of falling into the arms of another.

Yes or No

1920

Ashes of Vengeance poster
6.0

This historical piece, set in the Huguenot days of France, is Norma Talmadge's 37th feature film and the longest to date at two hours. The plot involves a man forced into servitude who falls in love with the sister of his persecutor. It was Ms. Talmadge's fourth involvement with director, Frank Lloyd and the cast included future star, Wallace Beery.

Ashes of Vengeance

1923

Camille poster
3.7

Based on the 1852 novel and play La Dame aux Camélias by Alexandre Dumas, fils.

Camille

1927

The Passion Flower poster
9.0

A 1921 film directed by Herbert Brenon.

The Passion Flower

1921

Love's Redemption poster
10.0

On the island of Jamaica, a young man of promise, Clifford Standish, is slowly sinking into an alcoholic debauchery. He meets a good-hearted woman called Ginger who leads him back to sobriety and society. But when they return to England together, they find society not worth living with. A lost film.

Love's Redemption

1921

The Song of Love poster
6.2

The Song of Love is a silent film of 1923 directed by Chester M. Franklin and Frances Marion. The film was produced and starred Norma Talmadge.

The Song of Love

1923

The Probation Wife poster
7.0

A 1919 film directed by Sidney Franklin.

The Probation Wife

1919

The Woman Disputed poster
7.1

An adventuress in love with an Austrian agrees to become the mistress of a Russian officer in exchange for the release of Austrian hostages.

The Woman Disputed

1928

The Sign on the Door poster
9.0

A 1921 film directed by Herbert Brenon.

The Sign on the Door

1921

The Eternal Flame poster
10.0

A 1922 film directed by Frank Lloyd.

The Eternal Flame

1922

The Wonderful Thing poster
8.0

Jacqueline Laurentine Boggs, the daughter of an American hog farmer, is schooled in France and comes to stay with an English family. There she brings a dose of reality to her snobby hosts.

The Wonderful Thing

1921

The Only Woman poster
8.0

A 1924 film directed by Sidney Olcott.

The Only Woman

1924

The Dove poster
6.8

Norma Talmadge plays a Mexican saloon singer, known as 'The Dove.' She is romanced by a young caballero and menaced by a Villa-like brute of a dictator, played by Noah Beery.

The Dove

1927

New York Nights poster
5.5

Show girl Jill Deverne is married to song writer Fred Deverne, and everyone is involved in the Broadway night life and endless parties. Jill is being pursued by a gangster, and she leaves her husband after he spends the night with a floozie. Jill ends up as the gangster's moll, but she soon gets tired of the lifestyle.

New York Nights

1929

The Voice from the Minaret poster
10.0

Lord Carlyle governs a province in India. Although he weds the beautiful Adrienne, he can't make her love him. And no wonder -- he's not only cruel, he's unfaithful. Adrienne leaves him and boards a ship with the intention of returning to England. But on the boat she meets Andrew Fabian, who is studying for the clergy. They fall in love, and he convinces her to accompany him on a pilgrimage to Damascus.

The Voice from the Minaret

1923

Panthea poster
NR

A woman sacrifices everything for her husband's career.

Panthea

1917

The Branded Woman poster
8.0

A 1920 film directed by Albert Parker.

The Branded Woman

1920

Smilin' Through poster
6.5

The story is essentially the same as the popular Jane Cowl play, with Talmadge in the dual role of Kathleen and Moonyean. Kathleen, a young Irish woman, is in love with Kenneth Wayne but is prevented from marrying him by her guardian John Carteret. John is haunted by memories of his thwarted love for Kathleen's aunt, Moonyean.

Smilin' Through

1922

Secrets poster
6.0

An old woman's memories are rekindled as she rereads her diary. She recalls her youth in England when she married a suitor over the objections of her parents and moved with him to the Wyoming frontier. They live a hardscrabble life there and suffered deprivation, hunger, Indian attacks, and the death of her baby. Although they eventually make a go of it, her husband becomes involved with another woman. Now that he is on his deathbed, will she forgive her husband after 40 years.

Secrets

1924

The Isle of Conquest poster
9.0

A 1919 film directed by Edward José.

The Isle of Conquest

1919