Volume III: Biographies

STEUART, Maurice Jr.

Actor (1914-1916)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: Maurice Steuart, Jr. appeared in Thanhouser films from 1914 to 1916. In some film credits he was listed without the "Jr."

Biographical Notes: Maurice Steuart, Jr. was born in 1908 and was the oldest of the three Steuart children. Eldean, a girl born on October 22, 1911, was the youngest. Loel, a girl, was born in 1910. 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. In the autumn of 1914, "The Five Steuarts" were on stage in Joseph Jefferson's version of Rip Van Winkle. In October 1914, they worked with the Royal Film Company. Their surname was often misspelled "Stewart" or "Stuart" in publicity.

Maurice Steuart, Jr. appeared in various Thanhouser films circa 1914-1916, including the 1914 Princess release, The Touch of a Little Hand, in which he played the part of a girl. In December 1915 he was seen in the Kleine release of Bondwomen, a film which starred Maude Fealy. In 1916 he was seen in episodes of Kleine's serial, Gloria's Romance, at which time it was stated he was six and one-half years old. During the autumn 1918 filming in Coytesville, New York of The Awakening of Helena Richie, a Metro-Rolfe film with Ethel Barrymore in the title role, Maurice Steuart, Jr., stated to have been seven years old at the time, narrowly escaped injury when he was in a coach pulled by runaway horses.

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), The Touch of a Little Hand (Princess 10-16-1914)

1915: It's An Ill Wind (Falstaff 5-28-1915), Which Shall It Be? (6-22-1915)

1916: Ruth's Remarkable Reception (Falstaff 2-22-1916)

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