Volume III: Biographies

PHRYNE *

Snake (1914)

Thanhouser Career Information "Phryne," a python, was with the "Thanhouser Zoo." (Compare to "Steve," another snake in Thanhouser pictures.)

Biographical Notes: The Morning Telegraph, May 3, 1914, told of the reptile's death: "Michael Schliesser, formerly proud in the possession of Phryne, is proud no longer. In the home of Michael there is a super abundance of sackcloth and ashes, and the place is moist with the constant trickle of tears. But Phryne is not there. No longer will Michael see her long sinuous lines gliding in and out of the house. No longer will he feel his heartbeat quicken at her light and silent approach. Phryne is dead! She used to pose for a motion picture camera. There never was a more apt pupil than Phryne. And right at the beginning of her career, before the glory of International fame was hers, she was cut off. Not exactly cut off, either. The temperature of the Thanhouser studio where she worked was not suitable for her delicate nature, Michael felt sure. She caught cold and died. In his first agony of grief, Michael sued the Thanhouser company for $250. He itemized his bill as follows: $100 for training Phryne, $10 for each of the three days she acted, and $120 for her taking off. Which is not exorbitant when you think of her length. Phryne was about ten feet long and was one of the best pythons in captivity. And when it comes to sorrow Rachael mourning for her children looks like a drunken sailor on shore leave compared to Michael."

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