Volume III: Biographies

NILE, Grace *

Actress (1912)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: Grace Nile appeared in Thanhouser films in 1912.

Biographical Notes: Grace Dunbar Nile was born in the 1890s in Fremont, Nebraska. She went on the stage at an early age and over a long span of years was seen with Eva Tanguay, Eddie Foy, Bob Burns, Jack Benny, and others. In 1927 she formed a vaudeville company. From 1910 to 1912, Miss Nile toured the United States in the stage production of Brewster's Millions, in which she played the part of Peggy Gray. At the time she was in town playing this role she gave an interview to The Columbus Journal, printed in the November 20, 1910 issue, which stated that she was a Western girl, and that in comparison to Eastern actresses Westerners "are more natural, they have better voices and fewer affectations." A review in The Post Express, Rochester, New York, August 29, 1911, noted: "Grace Nile is in speech and method too immature for the part of Peggy, but her presence and acting were satisfactory to her hearers."

The Pittsburgh Post, September 28, 1911, told of her career: "Grace Nile, the leading woman with Brewster's Millions, which is in the Lyceum Theatre this week, was ambitious to go on the stage ever since a child, but it was a long time before she succeeded in getting into the professional ranks. Her chance came unexpectedly and she took advantage of it. Since then she has had comparatively smooth sailing in the theatrical sea. The actress is a Southern girl and was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and she early became identified with the amateur theatricals of her home town.

"'I don't think I missed taking part in any of the local shows,' she said. 'If there was talk of a benefit performance I was one of the first on hand to offer my services. I have played for everything from an entertainment given to buy swings for a park to a charity show to raise funds to purchase a new town pump. We used to take little trips to nearby towns and I used to consider them as important as a journey to Europe. I was only a slip of a girl then, and when I went away on the 6 o'clock train to give a show in a neighboring town and would be back at midnight I suppose I thought I was going on a fearfully long journey.

"'In the meantime I was studying the classics and dreamed about Juliet and Ophelia. I took elocution lessons and looked forward to the day when I would become a professional actress. My chance came unexpectedly one day when I was in a neighboring town visiting an aunt. A barnstorming company was billed to play East Lynne. I don't think it will ever die. I had played in the piece many times, and when I heard that one of the actresses was taken suddenly ill and could not appear I volunteered my services, which were accepted. Of course the company wasn't what you would call a strong one, but as the members were professionals I felt pretty proud. That was really my beginning, and a short time later I secured an engagement with a better organization.'"

In 1912 she was at Thanhouser's New Rochelle studio for a short time and acted in Only a Miller's Daughter and The Merchant of Venice. In 1914 Grace Nile was seen on the stage as Mary Turner in Within the Law. From October 1915 through early 1916, she toured with the stage play, Miss Petticoats. Miss Nile died of cancer in Lakewood, Colorado, on November 14, 1958.

Thanhouser Filmography:

1912: Only a Miller's Daughter (7-21-1912), The Merchant of Venice (7-26-1912)

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