Volume III: Biographies

HOLMES, Gerda *

Actress (1913)

Thanhouser Career Synopsis: Gerda Holmes, an actress, played in several Thanhouser films released in 1913. In some credits her name appeared as Mrs. Rapley Holmes.

Biographical Notes: Born of Danish parents in Chicago (one notice stated she was born in Denmark in 1882), Gerda Holmes spent her first five years in that city, after which she returned with her parents to their native land, where she spent the next eleven years. In the process she forgot English and learned the Danish language. She pronounced her name as "Yerda." She began her career at the age of 14 on the stage in Denmark, playing and singing small parts. When she was 16, she came to America to study music in New York City. Her family returned to Chicago. An article in Movie Pictorial, October 1915, described the home where Gerda Holmes lived with her parents: "The grounds surrounding the Holmes mansion are very large - platted according to the dimensions that prevailed along the North Shore in its earlier days - with many nooks and corners, and stately elms and beautiful maples. There are many lawns - shade for the long summer days - rest spots where Miss Holmes finds comfort in her few leisure hours reading her favorite authors and entertaining her friends."

Her first American stage role of note was the part of Echo in Klaw & Erlanger's road company of The Round Up. As late as the summer of 1914, she continued work with Round Up, on an intermittent basis between her film commitments. She was also seen on the stage in several vaudeville numbers, none of which was memorable. Her screen career is believed to have begun with Thanhouser, with whom she spent five months and played in the 1913 releases of Robin Hood and Moths. While at Thanhouser, she received a better offer from Essanay, where she went to play opposite Francis X. Bushman in several subjects, including the 1914 films, Fingerprints and The Elder Brother.

In Movie Pictorial, August 29, 1914, Katherine Synon wrote of Miss Holmes' role as a blind girl in the film, A Song in the Dark, which incorporated a scene in which the blind girl, shown on a stage, appears to sing. While the picture was being screened at Essanay's private studio theatre, Gerda Holmes, who was in attendance, burst into glorious song, delighting her audience. In later social events sponsored by the Essanay, she was often called upon to sing.

In an article by Caroline Carr, in The Chicago Herald, June 6, 1915, Gerda Holmes was quoted in response to the question, "Which do you like best, the screen or the stage?": "Pictures are my hobby and I love them best, providing conditions are pleasant at the studio. I think one must work under pleasant conditions both on the stage and in the studio." In the summer of 1915 she produced for the United Photoplays Company, The Victory of Virtue, which was released in December of the same year. The director was Harry McCraig, who had directed her earlier at Essanay. Beginning in the autumn of 1915, she was with World Film Corporation and appeared in The Chain Invisible, Sudden Riches, Husband and Wife, and other features.

In an article in Photoplay Magazine, March 1916, she was described as "dark and slight." At the time she was with the Equitable branch of World. Movie "fans" enjoyed reading details of players' lives, therefore it was not unusual than in April 1916 a publicist, J. Keeley, issued a news release stating that Gerda Holmes was famous for her Italian-style spaghetti. "'I cook the sauce nearly all day,' said Miss Holmes. 'I get tomato paste and onions, garlic, green peppers, chicken and a pork chop to a person. Let this cook until the meat is in shreds. Then strain and add fresh mushrooms. Cook the spaghetti in salt water until tender, add the sauce, and serve with grated Romano cheese. It is a concoction fit for a king.'"

She was married to actor Rapley Holmes (1868-1928), a former stage actor who became well known for his work on the screen with Essanay in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes maintained a cottage at Rye Beach, on Long Island Sound, where they spent many pleasant times in the summer.

Thanhouser Filmography:

1913: His Sacrifice (6-13-1913), Little Dorrit (7-29-1913), Moths (Mutual 9-1913), Robin Hood, Parts 1 and 2 (Mutual 9-23-1913), Robin Hood, Parts 3 and 4 (Mutual 9-30-1913), The Twins and the Other Girl (10-3-1913)

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