Dorothy Phillips (born Dorothy Gwendolyn Strible, October 30, 1889 – March 1, 1980) was an American stage and film actress. She is known for her emotional performances in melodramas, having played a number of "brow beaten" women on screen, but had a pleasant demeanor off. She garnered little press for anything outside of her work.
Career Born Dorothy Gwendolyn Strible in Baltimore, Phillips was educated at the College of Expression of Maryland. After graduation she acted with the George Fawcett Stock Co. Phillips continued her career as a stage actress with Colonel Savage Productions, acting in New York and Chicago. She made her film debut in 1911 in a two-reeler called The Rosary, and appeared in over 150 films during her career. For a time she was nicknamed Kid Nazimova for her ability to imitate the Russian Hollywood actress Alla Nazimova. Phillips started at Universal Pictures often starring with Lon Chaney. Sometimes she would supplement these features with "shorts" filmed at Fox Studios. By 1917 Phillips had appeared in 22 films over two years and had suffered a breakdown due to exhaustion. It also caused a breach in her working relationship with director Joseph De Grasse and his screenwriter/director wife Ida May Park.
Once she had rested and recovered, 1918 brought a series of successful films, including A Soul for Sale, the first film starring her that was directed by her husband, Allen J. Holubar. Her pictures during this time scored highly with exhibitors and patrons alike. These successes and newfound working relationship between the couple prompted Phillips to leave Universal and in 1920 she and Holubar formed their own company, Allen Holubar Productions. Their pictures were released through First National Pictures to further acclaim throughout the 1920s.
Phillips' career slowed after 1927, and she mainly appeared in uncredited bit roles for the rest of her career. Her last appearance was in the 1962 western The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
Marriage and death Dorothy Phillips was married to actor-director Allen Holubar for 11 years until his death in 1923 from pneumonia, following surgery, at the age of 33. They met when she was starring on stage in the Chicago production of "Every Woman" as the character of Modesty. After his death, she did not return to acting until mid-1925. Phillips also died of pneumonia, in 1980, at the age of 90. She is buried with her husband at the Secret Garden section of Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.
Legacy For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Dorothy Phillips has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6358 Hollywood Blvd. Phillips and Holubar's 1918 film The Heart of Humanity was shown at MOMA, The Museum of Modern Art in a 2014 exhibition.
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes1911His Friend's WifeShort, Uncredited Lost filmThe RosaryRuth MartinShort Lost filmHer Dad the ConstableMary PerkinsShort Lost filmThe Gordian KnotMarion WaltersShort Lost filmSaved from the TorrentsKatie CarringtonShort Lost filmFate's Funny FrolicAlice TrevorShort Lost filmA False SuspicionMarion WaltersShort Lost film1913The Unburied PastMargaret PhillipsShort Lost filmThe Power of ConscienceDora GordonShort Lost film1914In All Things ModerationMary Graham - the Oldest DaughterShort Lost filmThree Men Who KnewMrs. WatsonShort Lost film1915The Affair of the TerraceJasmine RobertsShort Lost filmThe Trail of the Upper YukonMarciaShort Lost film1916AmbitionLost filmThe Mark of CainDorisAlternative title: By Fate's Degree Lost filmIf My Country Should CallMargaret Ardrath Incomplete filmThe Place Beyond the WindsPriscilla Glenn Incomplete filmThe Price of SilenceHelen Urmy1917The Piper's PriceAmy Hadley Lost film Hell Morgan's Girl Lola Lost film The Girl in the Checkered Coat Mary Graham "Flash" Fan Lost filmThe FlashlightDelice BrixtonAlternative title: The Flashlight Girl Lost filmA Doll's HouseNora Helmer Lost film Fires of Rebellion Madge Garvey Lost filmThe RescueAnne Wetherall Lost filmPay Me!MartaAlternative titles: Pay DayThe Vengeance of the West Incomplete filmTriumphNell Baxter Incomplete film BondageElinor Crawford Lost film1918The Grand PassionViola Argos Lost filmBroadway LoveMidge O'HaraThe Risky RoadMarjorie Helmer A Soul for SaleNeila PendletonThe Mortgaged WifeGloria CarterThe Talk of the TownGenevra FrenchDirected by Allen Holubar, her husband Lost filmThe Heart of HumanityNanetteDirected by Allen Holubar1919DestinyMary Burton Lost filmThe Right to HappinessSonia & Vivian - Twin SistersPaid in AdvanceJoan Gray 1920Once to Every WomanAurora Meredith Lost film1921Man, Woman & MarriageVictoria1922Hurricane's GalLola The World's a Stage Jo Bishop Lost film1923Slander the WomanYvonne DesmarestLost filmThe Unknown PurpleUncredited Lost film1925Every Man's WifeMrs. BradinLost film The Sporting Chance Patricia Winthrop Lost filmWithout MercyMrs. Enid Grant1926The Bar-C MysteryJane CortelyouLost filmThe Gay DeceiverClaireLost filmUpstageMiss WeaverRememberRuth Pomeroy Incomplete film1927Women Love DiamondsMrs. FlahertyThe Broken GateAurora Lane Lost filmCradle SnatchersKitty LaddDirected by Howard Hawks Incomplete film1930The Jazz CinderellaMrs. Consuelo CarterAlternative title: Love Is Like That1934Now I'll TellMrs. Farth(scenes deleted)1936Thank You, Jeeves!Boy's motherUncredited1937Hot WaterNurseUncredited1940And One Was BeautifulGertrude's maidUncredited1942My Favorite SpyWoman at weddingUncreditedBoston Blackie Goes HollywoodOld Lady at RadioUncredited1943The Cross of LorraineVillage womanUncredited1944Mrs. ParkingtonLeaping Rock PedestrianUncredited1946The Postman Always Rings TwiceNurseUncredited1949The Reckless MomentWomanUncredited1950Father of the BrideWoman in Nightmare SequenceUncredited1951Man in the SaddleTownswomanUncredited1955Violent SaturdayBank customerUncreditedHow to Be Very, Very PopularUncredited1956The Man in the Gray Flannel SuitMr. Hopkins' maidUncredited1962The Man Who Shot Liberty ValanceTownswomanUncredited
References
External links
Dorothy Phillips at Virtual History portrait of Dorothy Phillips(moviecard)