Beatrice Prentice

Beatrice Prentice was a stage actress of the early 20th century.

Family

She was from a prominent New York City family whose members were listed in the blue book (social register). The other Prentices objected when she steppeddown from the pedestal to enter acting. Her married name was Mrs. Harrison Ford (silent film actor)."Uptown Social Work Benefits", New York Times, February 1, 1925, pg. X9.] She wed Ford on March 29, 1909. Because of her family'sobjection to her marriage, the union was not discovered by newspapers until late August 1910. And then it was only by accident that it was found out. Prentice was independently wealthy. She owned a lily farm in Bermuda. She met Ford when both were in the "Soldiers of Fortune" company."This Lily Weds Matinee Idol", Fort Wayne News, Wednesday Evening, August 31, 1910, pg. 1.]

She had a brother, Edward H. Prentice, and a sister, Helen Prentice Frost. The former died following a long illness in San Marino, California, on April 27, 1944. He was 67 years old. His residence was 220 Madison Avenue. Edward Prentice was vice president and treasurer of the insurance firm of Fox & Pier, Inc., 99 John Street. ["Edward H. Prentice", New York Times, May 7, 1944, pg. 45.] His funeral was held at the Church of the Incarnation, Madison Avenue (Manhattan) and 35th Street, in New York City."Deaths", New York Times, May 9, 1944, pg. 19.]

Broadway Actress

Prentice performed in support of Dustin Farnum in "The Rangers", an American play produced by Charles Frohman. Written by August Thomas,
Mary Boland was the leading lady. The production was presented at Wallack's Theatre. ["Week's Playbills Show Many Novelties", New York Times, September 1, 1907, pg. X3.] On Fireman's Night at Luna Park, July 15, 1908,

Prentice acted with Robert Edeson in "The Call of the North". Proceeds from the entertainment benefited the Fireman's Memorial Fund. ["Amusement Notes", New York Times, July 15, 1908, pg. X5.] As "Julie Bagneau", Prentice plays a young Indian girl whose father has been sent to his death. The Hudson Theatre audience on Broadway applaudedenthusiastically to her skill in depicting her character. ["Good Acting In Weak Book-Play", New York Times, August 25, 1908, pg. 7.] The show changed venues, moving to the Montauk Theatre in Brooklyn, New York, in December. "The Call of the North" was written by George Broadhurst. ["In Brooklyn This Week", New York Times, December 20, 1908, pg. 11.] Charles Darnton, dramatic editor of the New York World, commented, "Miss Prentice is all naturalness." ["Robert Edeson", Lowell Sun, Monday, November 23, 1908, pg. 7.]

In October 1910 Prentice was in the debut of "Ambition" with Elsie Ferguson, in New Haven, Connecticut. The drama dealt with the theory thata woman's place was in the home, despite the temptations of a career. ["Elsie Ferguson Appears In Ambition", New York Times, October 11, 1910, pg. 11.] The play moved to the Bijou Theatre in early December. ["Amusements", New York Times, November 5, 1910, pg. 7.]

"Maggie Pepper", written by Charles Klein, began rehearsals in January 1911. Produced by Henry B. Harris, the play starred Rose Stahl, with Prentice, as "Zaza", among the supporting actors."Theatrical Notes", January 6, 1911, pg. 5.] Performances began at the Harris Theatre,formerly the Hackett Theatre. The interior had been entirely done over, with a new facade accompanying the widening of 42nd Street (Manhattan)."Harris To Produce Fifteen New Plays", August 14, 1911, pg. 7.] The foyer of the refurbished venue had a bronze bust of William Harris, father of Henry B. Harris, to whom the theatre was dedicated."Rose Stahl's Rescue Mission", New York Times, September 1, 1911, pg. 7.] "Maggie Pepper" dealt with department store life.

"The Hartfords", a three-act drama by Rachel Crothers, featured Viola Allen with Prentice in the part of her daughter. A January 1912 Lyceum Theatre (New York) audience was moved by a scene between the two women, in which Allen realizes her error in placing art before parental obligation. ["Viola Allen in a New Role", New York Times, January 21, 1912, pg. 10.] R.A. Roberts put on "The Passing of the Idle Rich" in 1913. Taken from a book by Frederick Townsend Martin, with a screenplay by Margaret Townsend, the theatrical presentation debuted at the Garden Theatre on April 28. Prentice was in the cast together with Beverley Sitgreaves, Marie Burke, Victoria Montgomery, and Escamillo Fernandez. ["F.T. Martin to be Staged Soon", New York Times, April 14, 1913, pg. 9.]

The Candler Theatre presented "Making Dick Over", a comedy in three-acts, in December 1915. With Norman Tnarp as the leading man, the plot involves an individual whose family and friends attempt to make a business man out of him. Prentice was a player in this humorous show pertaining to a male "Dora". ["Gamut Club Matinee", New York Times, December 24, 1915, pg. 9.]

She acted the role of "Chow Wan", the maid to Due Jung Fah, ["Second Thoughts On First Nights", New York Times, February 25, 1917, pg. 30.] in a1916 revival of "The Yellow Jacket", staged in ten matinee shows at the Cort Theatre. The Chinese play was written by George C. Hazelton. The theme of the entertainment had a ubiquitous appeal, concentrating on "mother love, rake's progress, young romance, and retribution.""The Yellow Jacket, Augustly Revived", New York Times, November 10, 1916, pg. 11.]

Later career

In May 1923 Prentice and Cornelia Otis Skinner acted in the first theatrical effort of Eleanor Robson Belmont. Co-written with Harriet Ford, "In The Next Room" was an adaptation of a short story by Burton E. Stevenson. Winthrop Ames and Guthrie McClintic produced the play in Atlantic City, New Jersey. ["Gossip of the Rialto", New York Times, May 20, 1923, pg. X1.]

Prentice performed the lead in the annual entertainment for the Garden School Alumnae Association on February 13, 1925. The benefit assisted the Alice Chapin Adoption Nursery and was held at the Ritz-Carlton in New York City.

Following many years on the New York stage and tours of the Orient with the Frawley company, she opted for domestic life for several years in California. ["Beatrice Prentice Unique", Los Angeles Times, October 17, 1926, pg. C23.] She returned to the theater in an Arthur Freed production of "Loving Ladies" written by Margaret Mayo and Aubrey Kennedy. Performances began at the Orange Grove Theater in Los Angeles, California. The show entertained with continuous action covering a story which lasted three hours. ["Grove Comedy Claims Unique Right to Fame", Los Angeles Times, October 6, 1926, pg. A9.] After the Orange Grove engagement Prentice was offered a chance to make a motion picture series of farces. One studio was confirmed to have made her an offer. ["Beatrice Prentice Featured", Los Angeles Times, October 28, 1926, pg. A8.]

She played the title role, a petite Chinese princess, in "Turandot", which opened at the Pasadena Playhouse in January 1927. The tale of old China was one of a succession of oriental parts she had depicted. Her cruel nature as the character turns warm-hearted only when she finds a lover who can solve her three riddles. Prentice's costumes are lovely. ["Community Has Fantastic Play", Los Angeles Times, January 18, 1927, pg. A11.] In "Amber", she acted the role of the nautch dancer only a short time before."Plays Another Oriental Role", Los Angeles Times, January 13, 1927, pg. A9.]

In March 1927 Ruth Helen Davis produced "Smilin Thru" at the Belmont Theater at Vermont and First Street Playhouse, in Los Angeles. Prentice played the dual roles of "Kathleen Dungannon" and "Moonyeen""Smilin Thru Is Done With Charm", Los Angeles Times, March 21, 1927, pg. A7.] opposite English actor Wyndham Standing."Standing Will Repeat Role in Spoken Version", March 19, 1927, pg. 13.] Prentice was praised by a critic for her "radiant presence" and skill in performing two characters and a difficult and emotional third act.

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