Like many actresses working in the motion picture industry in the mid-1910s, Ruth Stonehouse’s chance to direct her own films came more as a result of the increased production schedule at Universal Pictures than as a result of studio mogul Carl Laemmle’s progressive attitudes toward women (Slide 1977, 41). Like other “Universal Women” such as Cleo Madison, Lule Warrenton, and Elsie Jane Wilson, Stonehouse was a hard-working actress before the chance to direct arose. Acting in hundreds of early comic films, writing six and directing ten of these, Stonehouse was involved in film production from a very early date. Asked about her ambitions in a 1919 Motion Picture Magazine interview, Stonehouse replied: “We-ll, of course I do want to be a star… for a while… but eventually I want to be a directress, a producer; I want to be in the business end of it, that is, at the same time, the artistic end of it” (104). Perhaps the sheer number of her acting roles helps to explain the survival of some of the films in which she had parts, as a matter of odds increased by volume as well as by her long tenure in the industry, from 1907 to 1928.
Richard Travers, Gloria Swanson, and Ruth Stonhouse, The Romance of an American Dutchess (1915). Private Collection.
Ruth Stonehouse c. 1917. Private Collection.
Ruth Stonehouse article “Such a Little Director,” in Moving Picture Weekly.
In 1907, along with Gilbert M. Anderson and George Spoor, she helped to launch Essanay Film Manufacturing Company in Chicago eight years before Charles Chaplin arrived. While at Essanay, Stonehouse developed her skills as an actress working on over one hundred short and feature films. In 1916, the year before Essanay closed, she moved to Universal Film Manufacturing Company, where she was soon given the opportunity to direct Puppy Love (1917). This was the first of a series of comic shorts entitled the Mary Ann Kelly Stories, which she coauthored, directed, and starred in, playing the leading role as the heroine of the series. A fascinating article, “The Directing Microbe,” published in Moving Picture Stories in 1917, highlights the entrance of the “bright little actress” into filmmaking (28). The article figures the desire to direct as an infectious microbe that has begun to attack individuals involved in film production at every level. It warns its readers that “few actors, office boys, stage carpenters and developing laborers escape [the microbe’s] ambitious sting” and that the infection has “now hit the gentler sex” (28). Stonehouse emerges as an example of the indiscriminateness of the so-called microbe insofar as even this “delicate, dainty little creature” has begun directing her own films. Emphasizing how “incredible” it is that an actress such as Stonehouse can “be so masterful as to dominate a band of fiery photoplayers,” the article goes on to suggest that the entrance of women into directing is a threat to “men who have spent a lifetime perfecting their art” (28). “The Directing Microbe” indexes the extent to which women directors were accepted as an intriguing trend in the industry even as it accentuates the development as something of an anomaly.
Ruth Stonehouse’s character could be compared with that of Mary Pickford, who perfected the screen persona of the comic, childlike picture of girlish femininity. Also like Pickford, Stonehouse developed an impish character, at the same time creating ways to use this image to make a way into the film industry that would allow control over that image.
Bibliography
“The Directing Microbe.” Moving Picture Stories (13 Apr. 1917): 28.
Lamb. Grace. “Patsel: A Descriptive Vagary of Ruth Stonehouse.” Motion Picture Magazine (Feb. 1919): 54-55, 104.
“Mrs. Felix Hughes.” Obit. Los Angeles Times (14 May 1941): 18.
“Such a Little Director.” Moving Picture Weekly (24 March 1917): 19.
Filmography
A. Archival Filmography: Extant Film Titles:
1. Ruth Stonehouse as Director and Actress
Rosalind at Redgate. Dir.: Ruth Stonehouse, sc.: Giles R. Warren (Universal Star US 1919) cas.: cas.: Claire McDowell, Lawrence Peyton, Martha Mattox, Ruth Stonehouse, si, b&w. Archive: Svenska Filminstitutet.
2. Ruth Stonehouse as Scenario Writer
Rough Going. Dir.: Wally Van, st.: Ruth Stonehouse (Independent Pictures Corp. US 1925) cas.: Franklyn Farnum, Marion Harlan, si, b&w, 35mm, 5 reels. Archive: Library of Congress, Cinémathèque Royale de Belgique.
3. Ruth Stonehouse as Director, Scenario Writer, and Actress
Mary Ann in Society. Dir.: Ruth Stonehouse, st.: Ruth Stonehouse, sc.: Fred Myton (Victor US 1917) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Lydia Yeamans Titus, Edith Kessler, 35mm. Archive: EYE Filmmuseum.
4. Ruth Stonehouse as Actress
Der Huttenbesitzer. Dir.: J. Searle Dawley (Edison Mfg. Co. US 1910) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Charles Ogle, si, b&w, 16mm. Archive: Deutsche Kinemathek.
From the Submerged. Dir./sc.: Theodore K. Wharton (Essanay Film Mfg. Co. US 1912) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Dolores Cassinelli, si, b&w, 35mm. Archive: Library of Congress.
Giuseppe’s Good Fortune. (Essanay Film Mfg. Co. US 1912) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Dolores Cassinelli, Eleanor Blanchard, si, b&w, 35mm. Archive: Library of Congress, Library and Archives Canada.
The Laird of Mcgillicuddy. (Essanay Film Mfg. Co. US 1913) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Billy Mason, si, b&w. Archive: EYE Filmmuseum.
A Wolf Among the Lambs. (Essanay Film Mfg. Co. US 1913) cas.: Dolores Cassinelli, Ruth Stonehouse, si, b&w. Archive: Museum of Modern Art, EYE Filmmuseum.
The Hour and the Man. (Essanay Film Mfg. Co. US 1914) cas.: Francis Bushman, Ruth Stonehouse, si, b&w. Archive: BFI National Archive.
Dawn and Twilight. (Essanay Film Mfg. Co. US 1914) cas.: Francis Bushman, Ruth Stonehouse, si, b&w, 35mm. Archive: BFI National Archive, Private Collection (16mm).
Creed of the Clan. (Essanay Film Mfg. Co. US 1915) cas.: Lillian Drew, Ruth Stonehouse, si, b&w, 35mm. Archive: George Eastman Museum.
The Misjudged Mr. Hartley. (Essanay Film Mfg. Co. US 1915) c.as: Ruth Stonehouse, Bryant Washburn, si, b&w, 35mm. Archive: George Eastman Museum.
The Girl Who Feared Daylight. Dir.: Lucius Henderson, sc.: Norbert Lusk (Victor US 1916) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Mary Fuller, si, b&w. Archive: Library of Congress.
Love Aflame/Hearts Aflame. Dir.: Raymond Wells, sc.: Mary Murillo (Universal Film Mfg. Co., Inc. US 1917) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Jean Hersholt, si, b&w, 35mm, 5 reels. Archive: Library of Congress.
The Master Mystery. Dir.: Burton King, sc.: Arthur B. Reeve, Charles Logue (B.A. Rolfe Productions US 1918-19), cas.: Harry Houdini, Marguerite Marsh, Ruth Stonehouse, si, b&w. Archive: UCLA Film & Television Archive (episodes 1-7, 9, 11-15) [Note: EYE Filmmuseum has an identified episode from this serial].
The Masked Rider. Dir./sc.: Aubrey M. Kennedy (Shamrock Films US 1919) cas.: Harry Myers, Ruth Stonehouse. Paul Panzer, si, b&w. Archive: Univ. of Southern California [episodes 2-10, 12-15].
The Hope. Dir.: Herbert Blaché, sc.: Henry Hamilton (Metro Pictures Corp. US 1920) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Marguerite De la Motte, Lillian Langdon, si, b&w. Archive: George Eastman Museum.
Orphan Mary Ann. (Radin Pictures US 1920) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, si, b&w, 35mm. Archive: Library of Congress.
The Heart of Doreon/In the Heart of Dorean. Dir.: Robert N. Bradbury (US 1921) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Tom Santschi, si, b&w, 9.5mm. Archive: Private Collection [Note: survives as a home movie abridgment that was released in 1926].
Flames of Passion. Dir.: Harry Moody, sc.: George Hivey (Premium Picture Productions US 1923) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, si, b&w, 35mm., 5 reels. Archive: Library of Congress.
The Way of the Transgressor. Dir.: William James Craft (Premium Picture Productions US 1923) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Laura Anson, si, b&w, 5 reels. Archive: George Eastman Museum.
Blood and Steel. Dir.: J. P. McGowan, sc.: George H. Plympton (Independent Pictures Corp. US 1925) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Helen Holmes, si, b&w, 35mm., 5 reels. Archive: Library of Congress.
Ermine and Rhinestones. Dir.: Burton King, sc.: William Laub, st.: Louise Winter (Jans Productions, Inc. US 1925) cas.: Edna Murphy, Ruth Stonehouse, si, b&w, 35mm., 6 reels. Archive: Library of Congress.
Fifth Avenue Models/5th Avenue Models. Dir.: Svend Gade, adp.: Olga Printzlau (Universal Pictures Corp. US 1925) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Mary Philbin, si, b&w, 7 reels. Archive: UCLA Film & Television Archive.
The Scarlet West. [Trailer]. Dir.: John G Adolfi, sc.: Anthony Paul Kelly (Frank J. Carroll Productions US 1925) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Clara Bow, si, b&w, 35mm. Archive: Library of Congress.
The Ladybird. Dir.: Walter Lang, sc.: John F. Natteford (Chadwick Pictures US 1927) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Betty Compson, si, b&w, 35mm., 7 reels. Archive: Library of Congress.
Poor Girls. Dir.: William James Craft, sc.: William Branch, st.: Sophie Bogen (Columbia Pictures Corp. US 1927) cas.: Ruth Stonehouse, Dorothy Revier, si, b&w, 35mm., 6 reels; 5,428 ft. Archive: Library of Congress.
The Heart of Mary Ann, 1917; Daredevil Dan, 1917; Dorothy Dares, 1917; A Limb of Satan, 1917; Puppy Love, 1917; The Stolen Actress, 1917; Tacky Sue’s Romance, 1917; A Walloping Time, 1917.
2. Ruth Stonehouse as Actress
Neptune’s Daughter, 1912; The Alster Case, 1915; The Crimson Wing, 1915; The Slim Princess, 1915; Kinkaid, Gambler, 1916; Love Never Dies, 1916; The Edge of the Law, 1917; Fighting for Love, 1917; Follow the Girl, 1917; A Phantom Husband, 1917; The Sainty Sinner, 1917; The Four-flusher, 1919; The Red Viper, 1919; Are All Men Alike? 1920; Cinderella’s Twin, 1920; Parlor, Bedroom and Bath, 1920; Don’t Call Me Little Girl, 1921; I am Guilty, 1921; The Flash, 1923; Lights Out, 1923; Broken Barriers, 1924; A Girl of the Limberlost, 1924; The Fugitive, 1925; Straight Through, 1925; A Two-Fisted Sheriff, 1925; Broken Homes, 1926; The Wives of the Prophet, 1926; The Ape, 1928.
C. DVD Sources:
Houdini the Movie Star. DVD. (Kino Lorber US 2008) - contains incomplete version of The Master Mystery (1918-19).
The Laird of Mcgillicuddy (1913) via EYE Filmmuseum (Dutch intertitles)
An identified episode from this serial The Master Mystery (1918-9) via the EYE Filmmuseum (Dutch intertitles)
Credit Report
While neither AFI, Spehr, or Braff list any director on Rosalind at Redgate, FIAF lists Stonehouse as director. FIAF’s credits for Der Huttenbesitzer are confusing. The play “Der Huttenbesitzer” is a German version of a French play originally titled “Le Maitre de Forges”/“The Iron Master” and performed in English as “Lady Clare.” According to Braff and AFI, Edison Company made a version directed by Dawley or Ashley Miller titled Lady Clare in 1912; however, this version does not list Stonehouse. After referring to eight different sources, the title Der Huttenbesitzer only appears in FIAF. Neither AFI nor FIAF list Stonehouse in The End of the Feud or Paul Spehr lists her as acting in both films. Ruth Stonehouse acted in Neptune’s Daughter, directed by Theodore Wharton and produced by Essanay Film Manufacturing Company in 1912. This title is not to be confused with the one with featuring Annette Kellerman, directed by Herbert Brenon, and produced by Universal Film Manufacturing Company in 1914. AFI and FIAF do not list the 1912 version, but Braff and Spher both list the 1912 version and credit Stonehouse. The surviving print of Love Aflame/Hearts Aflame is incomplete.
Research Update
August 2024: The filmography has been updated to reflect that a copy of Mary Ann in Society (1917), previously considered lost, is held at the Eye Filmmuseum.
Citation
Koerner, Michelle. "Ruth Stonehouse." In Jane Gaines, Radha Vatsal, and Monica Dall’Asta, eds. Women Film Pioneers Project. New York, NY: Columbia University Libraries, 2013. <https://doi.org/10.7916/d8-72rk-1w82>
