Florence Shirley (born Florence Isabell Splaine;[1] June 5, 1892 – May 12, 1967) was an American stage and film actress.
Early years
Born in New York City, Shirley was the daughter of Francis Splaine.[1]
Career
Florence Shirley and Taylor Holmes, in His Majesty Bunker Bean, from a 1916 publication
Shirley began her stage career in Boston at age 14 when she said two lines in a Christmas play put on by John Craig's Castle Square Stock Company. Craig's interest led to her having children's parts in other plays, including boys' parts in productions of Shakespeare's plays. By 1914, she had become the ingenue of that company.[2]
She enjoyed moderate success on Broadway.[3] After the sinking of the Titanic in April 1912, she participated in a benefit concert for survivors held at the George M. Cohan Theatre.[4] Her last Broadway appearance was in Alice in Arms (originally called Star in the Window[5]) alongside Kirk Douglas.[6]
She appeared in more than 50 films throughout her film career.[3]
Personal life and death
On February 14, 1917, Shirley married efficiency engineer A. J. Koehler in New York City.[1]
Works
Selected filmography
Shirley's film credits include the following:[citation needed]
^ a b c"Splaine-Koehler Wedding". The Miami Republican. Kansas, Paola. February 23, 1917. p. 1. Retrieved April 30, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
^"A Charming Stock Ingenue". National Magazine: 312–313. May 1914. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
^ a b"Rites today for Florence Shirley". Los Angeles Times. May 15, 1967. p. 26.
^"More benefits planned; many stage stars volunteer for Cohan Theatre concert to-night" (PDF). The New York Times. April 21, 1912. p. 8. Retrieved June 9, 2008.
^"Premiere tonight of 'Alice in Arms'". The New York Times. January 31, 1945. p. 26.
^"Thin Man Proves Himself". The Wall Street Journal. January 29, 1945. p. 4.