Vera K. Maxwell (October 19, 1891 – May 1, 1950) was an American actress, dancer, choreographer, and showgirl.
Vera K. Maxwell | |
|---|---|
 Maxwell about 1917 | |
| Born | Vera K. Maxwell October 19, 1891 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | May 1, 1950 (aged 52) New York City, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1909–1928 |
Early years
editMaxwell was born in 1891 in New York City. The 1905 New York Census has her living in a Manhattan rooming house with her mother, also named Vera Maxwell, who is listed as a widow working as a milliner.[1]
Stage and screen career
editMaxwell's first performance credit was as "Blondy, Third Bell Boy" in the Broadway musical comedy Mr. Hamlet of Broadway from December 1908 to February 1909.[2] She was next cast in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1909 as a showgirl, where she achieved great success. She also seemed to have great fun, as she reportedly "danced the Fandango Rag" for the Follies company on a dining table during a 1910 New Year's Eve party.[3]
Maxwell was in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1910 and the Ziegfeld Follies of 1911 when she became principal in the production.[4] She returned for the Ziegfeld Follies of 1912, and the following year went to London to perform in All the Winners at London's Empire Theatre. By that point, she was famous for her theatrical talent; London papers described her as "a dancer and singer of considerable repute in New York."[5] After reportedly "taking London by storm," Maxwell made a short film in England titled Always Gay where she danced "The Evening News Waltz" with Jack Jarrett.[6]
Also in 1913, Maxwell reportedly had her portrait painted by Paul Helleu, who declared that Maxwell was "one of two the most beautiful women in America." Around the same time, Maxwell was voted "the most beautiful woman on stage" in Paris.[7]
Maxwell was back in New York City by late 1913, where she performed at Hammerstein's with dance partner Wallace McCutcheon.[8]
She made headlines early in 1914 when she was reported to "make $1,000 a week tangoing" and had "insured each of her slim and lithesome feet for $50,000 each."[9]
Her next Broadway show was The Century Girl (1916–17), where she again danced with Wallace McCutcheon. She then appeared in Dance and Grow Thin (1917) and Miss 1917 (1917-1918).[10] Her late career credits include The Tantrum in 1924[11] and Triple Crossed at the Morosco Theatre in 1927.[12]
Personal life
editThe Ziegfeld organization announced that Maxwell was engaged to businessman George H. Taylor in December 1912,[13] but the marriage never took place. Maxwell remained single for the rest of her life.
Maxwell died in New York City in 1950.
References
edit- ^ "New York State Census, 1905". FamilySeach. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ "Internet Broadway Database". Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ "A Regular New Year's Eve" Party". Variety. New York, NY. January 8, 1910. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
- ^ "Cast for Follies of 1911 Completed". New York Times. New York, NY. June 8, 1911. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "The World of Variety". The Daily Telegraph. London, England. April 5, 1913. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "The World of Variety". The Daily Telegraph. London, England. August 9, 1913. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "Here's the Two Prettiest Girls in America Picked by the Noted French Artist Helleu". The Evening World. New York, NY. August 9, 1913. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "Hammersteins". The Press and Sun Bulletin. Binghamton, NY, USA. November 24, 1913. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "Dance Brings Them Fame and Fortune". The Press and Sun Bulletin. Binghamton, NY, USA. January 2, 1914. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "Vera Maxwell". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "At the Theater". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, NY, USA. August 22, 1924. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "Ex-Follies Girl Has Mystery Lead". Daily News. Nwe York, NY USA. May 2, 1927. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "G.H. Taylor to Wed Actress?". The Sun. New York, NY. December 8, 1912. Retrieved February 21, 2024.