Wanda Wiley Atkinson (April 20, 1901 – March 29, 1987)Wiley's gravestone gives 1901 as her birth year; some sources give 1902 instead. was an American silent film actress who appeared in dozens of comedy shorts between 1924 and 1927.
Early life and education Wiley was born in New Boston, Texas, the youngest of twelve children born to James Alexander Wiley Sr. and Ida Ione Barnett Wiley. Her mother was born in Mississippi. She studied at the Texas Dental College before seeking a film career. Career Wiley was a comedian who appeared in dozens of short films between 1924 and 1927. She was athletic, and her films often featured her performing slapstick physical stunts. She suffered an injury when she was thrown from a startled horse on one film set. On another occasion she was injured when she was hurled from a motorcycle. She played a football player in Gridiron Gertie (1925).
Wiley was under contract with the Century Film Corporation in 1925. and was described that year as "one of the biggest individual moneymakers of all the comediennes in the picture business." She signed with Bray Productions in 1926."Bray Engages Wanda Wiley for Comedies Series" Motion Picture News 34(October 9, 1926): 1390. via Internet Archive. She starred in a series of "What Happened to Jane" shorts in 1926 (Jane's Inheritance, Jane's Troubles, Jane's Engagement Party, Jane's Predicament, Jane's Honeymoon, and Jane's Flirtation),"Stern Bros. List 1927-28 Films" Motion Picture News 34(September 18, 1926): 1097. via Internet Archive. before she was replaced in the role by Thelma Daniels in 1927.
In the 1960s, Wanda Wiley Atkinson exhibited her paintings in New Mexico, and went to Paris to paint while her niece Patricia Boward pursued a modeling career. Films 1927 Lost in a Pullman Weak Knees Hot Tires The Speed Hound A Polo Bear Try and Do It Thanks for the Boat Ride Jane's Flirtation
1926
Blue Black Jane's Predicament Look Out Below Jane's Engagement PartyThompson, Paul. "Jane's Engagement Party" (review), Motion Picture News 34(October 30, 1926): 1682. via Internet Archive Jane's Troubles"Opinions on Current Productions" Motion Picture News 34(October 9, 1926): 1392. via Internet Archive Punches and Perfume The Fighting Fool Jane's Inheritance Mixed Brides A Thrilling Romance There She Goes Twin Sisters Playing the Swell"Short Feature Reviews" Exhibitors' Daily Review 19(May 15, 1926): 17. Painless Pain Yearning for Love Flying Wheels Her Lucky Leap
1925
Going Good The Speedy Marriage A Winning PairSmith, Chester J. "A Winning Pair" (review), Motion Picture News (October 4, 1925): 1939. via Internet Archive. Cupid's Victory "New Wanda Wiley Comedy is Released" Motion Picture News (October 3, 1925): 1586. via Internet Archive. Won by Law Just in Time Gridiron Gertie The Queen of Aces Don't Worry Nobody's Sweetheart "'Nobody's Sweetheart' Featuring Wanda Wiley Reaches the Screen" Universal Weekly 21(2)(February 21, 1925): 25. via Internet Archive. Getting Trimmed Looking Down
1924 Present Arms Sweet Dreams Some Tomboy Snappy Eyes The Trouble Fixer Her Fortunate Face Her City Sport Starving Beauties Hello, 'Frisco
Personal life and legacy Wiley was injured in a 1925 car accident in Los Angeles. She married eye surgeon Donald Taylor Atkinson in 1935. Wiley's husband died in San Antonio in 1959, and she died in 1987, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 85. Most, but not all, of her films are considered lost. A Thrilling Romance (1926) is in the collection of the Library of Congress. References
External links
A Thrilling Romance (1926), on YouTube John Bengtson, "Wonderful Wanda Wiley … Who? Part Two – lost on Beaudry" Chaplin-Keaton-Lloyd Film Locations (and More) (May 6, 2023); a blogpost about a Wiley film and its location, with photos Trav S.D., "Why I'm Kinda Fonda Wanda Wiley" Travalanche (April 20, 2023), blog post about Wiley