Anna Lehr

Anna Lehr (November 17, 1890, New York City – January 22, 1974, Santa Monica, California) was an American silent film and stage actress.[1]

Anna Lehr
Lehr and Taylor Holmes in Upside Down (1919)
Born(1890-11-17)November 17, 1890
New York City, U.S.
DiedJanuary 22, 1974(1974-01-22) (aged 83)
Santa Monica, California. U.S.
OccupationActress
ChildrenAnn Dvorak

Biography

Born in New York City to Austrian immigrant parents, Frank Lehr and Emilie Freisinger, Anna Lehr filmed Civilization's Child (1916) for Thomas Ince, a Triangle-Kay Bee feature.[1] The screenplay was written by C. Gardner Sullivan.[2] There is a scene in which Russian cavalry charge over her as she lies prostrate on the ground. Lehr's fear was abated somewhat by her belief that horses will not step on people except by accident.[1] She played "Doris Ames" in the silent film Grafters (1917), which was directed by Allan Dwan.[3]

In 1919 Lehr was chosen by David Powell to play in Teeth of the Tiger. She was forced to withdraw due to ptomaine poisoning. The movie was being filmed by Famous Players-Lasky in New York City. Lehr's continued absence necessitated the retaking of scenes which she had completed.[4]

She was sued by Chappell, Inc., in 1921 for nonpayment of $916.85 worth of hats, gowns, and cloaks. Lehr testified that she had intended to pay for the merchandise but delayed after a sheriff and collectors began bothering her. Chappell contended that when she did not return to their store to make arrangements for payment, they had a right to send out to collect the amount owed them. Her attorney sought dismissal of the case on the grounds that Edwin McKim was made a party to the suit, but had not been served; McKim was in New York City at the time. The case was carried out in the Los Angeles, California court of Judge J.P. Wood.[5]

Family

She was married to Edwin McKim;[6] their daughter was actress Ann Dvorak.[5][7] The couple divorced when Dvorak was eight years old, and she and her father had no contact with each other for nearly 14 years. She finally reconnected with him "through a newspaper appeal" in 1934.[8]

Death

Anna Lehr died in Santa Monica, California, aged 83, in 1974, predeceasing her daughter, Ann Dvorak, by only five years.

Partial filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1912A Simple LifeMarie Smith
1914Should a Woman Divorce?
1915The White Scar[9]Wehnonah
1916Civilization's ChildBerna
1917GraftersDoris Ames
ParentageMrs. Brown
1918My Own United StatesAgnes Churchill
MenLaura BurtonLost film
The Yellow TicketMary VarenkaLost film
Laughing Bill HydePonotah
The Birth of a Race
1919Thunderbolts of FateEleanor Brewster
1920A Child for SaleCatherine Bell
The Truth About HusbandsJanet Preece
1921Cheated HeartsNaomiLost film
Mr. Barnes of New YorkMarina Paoli
1923Ruggles of Red GapMrs. Belknap-Jackson

References
  1. At The Majestic, Sheboygan Press, May 24, 1916, p. 2
  2. "Smashing Photoplay", Ogden Standard, June 3, 1916, p. 9
  3. "Palace Theater", Grand Rapids, Wisconsin Daily Leader, October 20, 1917, p. 2
  4. News Notes From Movieland, Madison Capital Times, July 31, 1919, p. 4
  5. "Wants Husband Protected", Los Angeles Times, July 23, 1921
  6. Edwin McKim profile at AnnDvorak.com
  7. "Theatrical News; Regis Veiled Marriage", Trenton Evening Times, February 13, 1920, p. 15
  8. "Ann Dvorak Finds Father After 14 Years' Silence". The New York Times. February 5, 1934. p. 19. Retrieved November 4, 2020 – via ProQuest.
  9. Cozad, W. Lee. Those Magnificent Mountain Movies: (The Golden Years) 1911–1939, p. 17-18 (2002)
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