Thelma Salter
Thelma Salter | |
|---|---|
 Salter in 1917 | |
| Born | January 15, 1908 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | November 17, 1953 (aged 45) Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1915–1929 |
| Spouse | Edward Kaufman |
Thelma Salter (January 15, 1908 – November 17, 1953) was an American child actress during the silent film era. She starred in several Triangle Film Corporation productions during the 1910s, including leading roles in the films The Crab (1917) and In Slumberland (1917–1918). During her brief but widely publicized career, Salter was frequently praised in national promotional campaigns as one of the most appealing child performers in motion pictures.
Early life and career
[edit]Salter was born in Los Angeles, California. She began acting in motion pictures at a very young age and was cast in several early Triangle-Kay Bee productions under the supervision of producer Thomas H. Ince.[1] By 1917, she had gained recognition in Triangle features and was frequently promoted as a screen personality in her own right.
Film career
[edit]In the five-reel drama The Crab, Salter portrayed Ivy Marten, a cheerful orphan girl who is adopted by a reclusive millionaire. Her character’s kindness gradually transforms the man’s cold demeanor and redeems him emotionally. Contemporary film promotions described Salter’s performance as central to the film’s appeal.[2][3][4]
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Later in 1917, Salter starred in In Slumberland, a fantasy film directed by Irvin Willat and written by L. V. Jefferson. She co-starred with Georgie Stone in a story set in a dreamlike magical world. The production featured elaborate visual effects and double exposures, and was promoted as a children’s fantasy with fairy tale elements.[5][6][7]
During her brief period of fame, Salter was widely promoted as a featured child performer. Promotional materials and press coverage referred to her as “the cutest child actress in motion pictures today,” “the beautiful and talented child star,” and “the world’s greatest child actress.”[2][1][3][6]
Salter also appeared in a supporting role in Happiness (1917), a Triangle drama starring Enid Bennett.[8] She had previously been featured in multiple uncredited Triangle-Kay Bee shorts during the mid-1910s.
Salter would later appear as Becky Thatcher in the 1920 film adaptation of Huckleberry Finn.[9] She also played an uncredited extra in the 1925 romantic comedy film Bright Lights.
Later life and death
[edit]Salter retired from acting after 1929. She later married writer-producer Edward Kaufman. She died on November 17, 1953, in Hollywood, California, at the age of 45. She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale.[10]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1913 | Past Redemption | Little Tom | Silent drama short |
| 1913 | The Seal of Silence | — | Silent short |
| 1914 | Little Billy's Triumph | — | Silent short |
| 1914 | Jim Cameron's Wife | Jim Cameron's Child | Silent short |
| 1915 | The Disciple | Alice Houston | Triangle-Kay Bee short |
| 1915 | Bad Buck of Santa Ynez | The Daughter | Triangle-Kay Bee short |
| 1915 | The Alien | Dorothy Griswold | Triangle-Kay Bee short |
| 1915 | Matrimony | Viola | Feature; directed by Scott Sidney, produced by Thomas H. Ince |
| 1916 | The Wasted Years | — | Triangle short |
| 1917 | Selfish Yates | Betty Adams | Triangle short |
| 1917 | The Crab | Ivy Marten (aka Ivy Warren) | Lead role, Triangle feature; praised nationwide |
| 1917 | Happiness | Dolly Temple (child) | Supporting role, Triangle feature |
| 1917–1918 | In Slumberland | Eileen McCree / Thelma | Lead role, fantasy feature |
| 1920 | Huckleberry Finn | Becky Thatcher | Feature adaptation |
| 1925 | Bright Lights | — | Uncredited extra |
| 1928 | The Campus Vamp | Bathing Girl | Uncredited extra in short |
| 1928 | Sword Points | — | Minor role |
| 1928 | Run, Girl, Run | Minor role | Minor role |
| 1928 | Motorboat Mamas | Cafe Patron | Uncredited extra |
References
[edit]- ^ a b "The Crab Will Be Seen at Savoy Theatre". The Eugene Guard. March 31, 1917. p. 8.
- ^ a b "The Crab". The Flint Journal. February 20, 1917. p. 12.
- ^ a b "Bijou Ad". Birmingham Post-Herald. February 9, 1917. p. 2.
- ^ "Keenan Is Featured in The Crab". The Sentinel-Record. February 20, 1917. p. 6.
- ^ "Star Theater Will Present Kiddie Fantasy". Heppner Gazette-Times. April 25, 1918. p. 8.
- ^ a b "In Slumberland". Lewistown Daily News. August 15, 1917. p. 3.
- ^ "Charming Fantasy at Lyceum". The Ogden Examiner. July 29, 1917.
- ^ "The Crab and In Slumberland". The Wichita Eagle. August 12, 1917. p. 13.
- ^ "Progressive Silent Film List: Huckleberry Finn". silentera.com. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Wilson, Scott. Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed.: 2 (Kindle Locations 25047-25048). McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. Kindle Edition.
External links
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