Anna Lehr (November 17, 1890 – January 22, 1974) was an American silent film and stage actress.At The Majestic, Sheboygan Press, May 24, 1916, p. 2
Biography Born in New York City to Austrian immigrant parents, Frank Lehr and Emilie Freisinger, Anna Lehr filmed Civilization's Child (1916) for Thomas Ince, a Triangle–Kay Bee feature. The screenplay was written by C. Gardner Sullivan."Smashing Photoplay", Ogden Standard, June 3, 1916, p. 9 There is a scene in which Russian cavalry charge over her as she lies prostrate on the ground. Lehr's fear was abated somewhat by her belief that horses will not step on people except by accident. She played "Doris Ames" in the silent film Grafters (1917), which was directed by Allan Dwan."Palace Theater", Grand Rapids, Wisconsin Daily Leader, October 20, 1917, p. 2
In 1919, Lehr was chosen by David Powell to play in Teeth of the Tiger. She was forced to withdraw due to ptomaine poisoning. The movie was being filmed by Famous Players–Lasky in New York City. Lehr's continued absence necessitated the retaking of scenes which she had completed.News Notes From Movieland, Madison Capital Times, July 31, 1919, p. 4
She was sued by Chappell, Inc., in 1921 for nonpayment of $916.85 worth of hats, gowns, and cloaks. Lehr testified that she had intended to pay for the merchandise but delayed after a sheriff and collectors began bothering her. Chappell contended that when she did not return to their store to make arrangements for payment, they had a right to send out to collect the amount owed them. Her attorney sought dismissal of the case on the grounds that Edwin McKim was made a party to the suit, but had not been served; McKim was in New York City at the time. The case was carried out in the Los Angeles, California court of Judge J.P. Wood."Wants Husband Protected", Los Angeles Times, July 23, 1921
Family She was married to Edwin McKim; their daughter was actress Ann Dvorak."Theatrical News; Regis Veiled Marriage", Trenton Evening Times, February 13, 1920, p. 15 The couple divorced when Dvorak was nine or ten years old, and she and her father had no contact with each other for nearly 14 years. She finally reconnected with him "through a newspaper appeal" in 1934.
Death
Lehr died in Santa Monica, California, aged 83, in 1974, predeceasing her daughter, Ann Dvorak, by only five years.
Partial filmography Year Title Role Notes1912 A Simple Life Marie Smith 1914 Should a Woman Divorce? 1915 The White ScarCozad, W. Lee. Those Magnificent Mountain Movies: (The Golden Years) 1911–1939, pp. 17–18 (2002) Wehnonah 1916 Civilization's Child Berna 1917 Grafters Doris Ames Parentage Mrs. Brown 1918 The Other Woman Mrs. Harrington My Own United States Agnes Churchill Men Laura Burton Lost film The Yellow Ticket Mary Varenka Lost film Laughing Bill Hyde Ponotah The Birth of a Race 1919 Thunderbolts of Fate Eleanor Brewster Home Wanted Letty Thompson 1920 A Child for SaleCatherine Bell The Truth About HusbandsJanet Preece The Valley of Doubt Annice1921 Cheated Hearts Naomi Lost film Mr. Barnes of New York Marina Paoli 1923 Ruggles of Red Gap Mrs. Belknap-Jackson
References
External links
Anna Lehr Gallery at Ann Dvorak.com Later photo of Ann Lehr with Nat Sherman and Hedda Hopper