Alta Allen (born Alta Crowin) (September 6, 1904 – July 24, 1998) was an American actress.
Early years Allen was born as Alta Crowin in Oakland, California in 1904 to a Scottish mother, Jessie (née Robertson), and W. J. Crowin, who hailed from the West Coast. She made her first professional performance at an Oakland theater in a production of Louisa May Alcott's Little Women. Allen's role in this production was as Beth March. She was ten years old at the time.
Allen was "one of the most popular of Oakland's younger social set."
Career Allen's early professional experience included acting in stock theater in Oakland and directing and performing in the Fairmont's Rainbow Lane revue.
In 1920, William Fox, the founder of the Fox Film Corporation, observed Allen as she performed the leading roleBalboa Films: A History and Filmography of the Silent Film Studio p. 170 at a musical revue within the Fairmont Hotel.American Silent Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Feature Films, 1913-1929 p. 381 Subsequently, she signed a contract with his studios, although she would only perform one role in any silent film released by Fox Film: the 1921 comedy Skirts. She would subsequently sign a contract with Universal Studios, and later appeared in several films released by this corporation, including The Marriage Chance (1922), and A Self-Made Failure (1924). Her final credited screen appearance occurred in 1926, as Thora Barton in the cast of The Set-Up.
Personal life and death On November 25, 1920, Allen married actor, screenwriter, and director Hampton Del Ruth (the couple later divorced). She died of natural causes at her Boonsboro home on June 24, 1998, the age of 93.
Filmography
Year Film Role Notes1921A Shocking NightBessie Lane Lost filmSeven Years Bad LuckBettyMax's FiancéeBe My WifeMaryThe subject of the main characters' affectionsSkirtsKidnapped girl Lost film1922The Marriage ChanceEleanor Douglas Lost film1924A Self-Made FailureMrs. Spike MaloneAlternative title: The Goof Lost filmDaring ChancesAgnes Rushton Lost film1926 The Set-Up Thora BartonDaughter of Cliff Barton, the murder victim Lost filmRaggedy RoseRose's former co-workerUncredited role
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