Confirmed Years: 1914
Biography:
Caroline Frances Cooke began her career on the stage at the Frohman companies in New York, and gained recognition for her work with the Selig Polyscope Company in Chicago. She was married to Lorimer Johnston, and the two formed a great team, working together first at the Selig Polyscope Company, then leaving together to join the American Film Manufacturing Company in Santa Barbara beginning in 1913. Her first role with American was as Valeria in “In the Days of Trajan”, which was released October 20, 1913. She worked for American until 1914. During this time, she acted in many films, often as a supporting actress in films written or directed by Johnston. Notable exceptions include “The Town of Nazareth” and “The Story of the Olive”, the latter of which grants Cooke both a writing and acting credit.
Cooke’s acting was described as natural and helpful in story development. Cooke had a joyful spirit, and was once caught by onlookers performing an impromptu reenactment of the “Romeo and Juliet” balcony scene with Tom Ricketts, a coworker at the American Film Company. Their performance was captivating, and exhibited the talent of Flying A actors. She is frequently described as a comfortable and experienced actress. The Metamorphosis, a film directed by her husband, was her last film at American.
In July of 1914, Cooke and Johnston left American to go to the Santa Barbara Moving Picture Company to continue their careers in silent film, with Cooke being selected as leading woman of the company.
- Madeline Jednorowicz, September 2023
Confirmed American Credits:
Writer --
- Story of the Olive, The (1914) - Author Brand: Flying A
Actor --
- Adventures of Jacques, The (1913) - Brand: Flying A
- In the Days of Trajan (1913) - Pompeia Plotina Brand: Flying A
- Assisted Proposal, An (1913) - Brand: Flying A
- Occult, The (1913) - Brand: Flying A
- American Born (1913) - Brand: Flying A
- Rose of San Juan, The (1913) - Brand: Flying A
- Power of Light, The (1914) - Mother Jackson Brand: Flying A
- At the Potter's Wheel (1914) - Brand:
- Blowout at Santa Banana, A (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Cricket on the Hearth (1914) - Bertha Brand: Flying A
- Crucible, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Call of the Traumerei, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Coming of the Padres, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Turning Point, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Town of Nazareth, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Last Supper, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Widow's Investment, The (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- David Gray's Estate (1914) - Brand: Flying A
- Story of the Olive, The (1914) - Ortega's lover Brand: Flying A
- Navy Aviator, The (1914) - Ysobel de Torreno Brand: Flying A
- Metamorphosis, The (1914) - Anola, South Sea Queen Brand: Flying A