Volume III: Biographies

BARLOW, Reginald *

Actor (1915)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: Reginald Barlow appeared in Thanhouser films in 1915.

Biographical Notes: Reginald Barlow was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on June 17, 1866, the son of Milton G. Barlow, a famous minstrel player. He followed a career on the stage, beginning at the age of nine when he appeared in blackface with this father's minstrel troupe, Barlow, Wilson, Primrose & West, after which he toured with the company for several years. At one time he attended Harvard University. Later, he went on the legitimate stage and was seen in The Silver King, Monte Cristo, The Sign of the Cross, and other plays. Barlow was on the stage in New York City for seven years, including three years at the New Theatre with Winthrop Ames. Among his roles were leading parts in Prunella, The Yellow Jacket, and The Devil.

Barlow served in the Spanish-American War of 1898, with the Royal Canadian Regiment in the Boer War, and with American forces in the First World War. In June 1908, at which time he lived at 567 10th Avenue, New York City, newspapers across the nation carried accounts stating that after 30 years on stage, he was changing his profession to that of a clergyman and would begin by assisting in the service at the Church of the Ascension, an Episcopal church in Greenpoint, New York City, on June 7th. "In my opinion, every actor, when he becomes 50 or 60 years of age, if he is still in the profession, should become a minister," Barlow was quoted as saying (cf. The Boston Herald, June 6, 1908). It was announced that in the autumn he would enter the General Theological Seminary. However, his plans for a new career subsequently changed, and he went back on stage.

Reginald Barlow joined Thanhouser in the summer of 1915. It is believed that his brief stint with Thanhouser represented his first film appearance. He was in films with other companies through at least 1940, with most of his screen activity occurring during the 1930s. During the same era he also appeared in numerous stage productions. He was married to actress Selma Rose (1873-1933). His death occurred on July 6, 1943 in Hollywood.

Thanhouser Filmography:

1915: M. Lecoq (8-26-1915)

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