Volume III: Biographies

STEUART, Loel *

Actress (1914-1915)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: Loel Steuart, a child actress, appeared in Thanhouser films in 1914 and 1915.

Biographical Notes: Loel Stewart was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1910. A note in the February 1914 issue of The Motion Picture Story Magazine stated that she was three and one-half years old at the time and was working for Biograph, for whom she and her two siblings also acted prior to coming to Thanhouser. There were three Steuart children, two girls and a boy. Eldean, a girl born on October 22, 1911, was the youngest. Maurice, Jr., born in 1908, was the oldest. With their parents, Mrs. and Mrs. Maurice Steuart, they appeared in vaudeville as The Five Steuarts. All three children acted in films, including Thanhouser releases. Their surname was often misspelled "Stewart" or "Stuart" in publicity. Certain writers mistakenly assumed Loel was a boy and referred to her as "he."

Loel's first name occasionally appeared in print erroneously as "Lowell." Perhaps Loel Steuart adopted the stage surname of Stewart, for her name appears thus in the 1918 edition of the Motion Picture Studio Directory. At that time she was living at 370 Undercliff Avenue, Edgewater, New Jersey, and was working with Fox in Fort Lee. The New Rochelle Pioneer, December 18, 1915, printed an article which misstated the gender of Loel Steuart and also misspelled both of her names: "Despite his years (he is only seven) Lowell Stewart, the handsome and talented young Thanhouser star, enjoys a wide reputation in the field of motion pictures. Strange as it may seem, this little chap is equally at home in comedy and dramatic roles and can handle one just as well as the other. Personally Lowell prefers the most difficult roles, and it has been said by some of the more severe critics that a wonderful future awaits him in screen work. Lowell is a natural born actor and scored a success on the very first occasion he posed for the camera. He was little more than a year old at the time. Lowell has been before the camera ever since, winning new laurels with each appearance."

An article in the New York Morning Telegraph, July 2, 1916, noted: "Loel Steuart, the five-year-old member of the Five Steuarts, is a mite of a thing with golden hair and blue eyes. She is dainty, full of charm and has already won her way. Loel entered the movies at the age of two and a half, under the guidance of D.W. Griffith, who at that time was the chief of the Biograph Company. She has played with such favorites as Mary Pickford, Blanche Sweet, and Lillian Gish, and has been heading the list with her exceptionally fine work with Thomas Jefferson, Ethel Barrymore, Mrs. Fiske, and Nat Goodwin.

"Her latest picture is with Theda Bara, in which she plays little Willie in East Lynne. Loel is known for her aptness in grasping the ideas of her director and executing them perfectly. Free from stage craft, she acts all the parts in true baby fashion. This magnetic little darling is full of tears and laughter and is the idol of her public, many of whom call her the 'miniature Duse' of America. Although only five years old, Loel is an exquisite dancer. This tiny artist's greatest pleasure seems to be to make her rag doll, Ella, appreciate Mme. Schumann-Heink on the Victrola. Her greatest ambition, after becoming a recognized Sarah Bernhardt, is to be a wash-woman. However, with such ability as she has already shown, this last desire on the part of this mite is in no danger of being recognized, for little Loel Steuart has already found her place in the hearts of the people who watch eagerly for any picture she is in."

An article in the October 29, 1916 issue of the same newspaper stated that Loel had recently personally signed her first motion picture contract, her earlier contracts having been been signed by her parents.

Thanhouser Filmography:

1914: The Toy Shop (Princess 6-12-1914), The Girl of the Seasons (Princess 7-10-1914), The Target of Destiny (Princess 7-31-1914)

1915: The Six-Cent Loaf (6-8-1915), Helen's Babies (9-14-1915), The Villainous Vegetable Vendor (Falstaff 11-25-1915)

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