Florence Melton Gerald (1858–1942) was an American stage actress, poet, and writer. She was known for her acting roles in Broadway theatre.
Early life and education Florence Melton Gerald was born on September 23, 1858, in New Orleans, to parents Omega Melton (1836–1918) and Judge George Bruce Gerald (1835–1914). Her maternal grandfather James G. Melton had owned the only hotel at Washington-on-the-Brazos, Texas in the 19th-century, which had been a gathering place on March 2, 1836, after Texas Declaration of Independence, and was once home to the original Texas Liberty Bell.
Gerald attended Waco University (now Baylor University) in Waco, Texas, where she studied poetry and graduated in 1873, and in 1880. She published the book, Adenheim and Other Poems (1880).
Career
After graduation, she was hired as an elocution instructor (public speaking) at Waco Female College. Her interest in working as a playwright started after her graduation.
In 1898, she headed for the theater district in New York City to begin her stage acting career. Under the management of Charles Frohman, Gerald started her acting career on Broadway in, The Girl from Maxim’s (1898) at the Grand Opera House.
Gerald wrote the play, The Woman Pays, which was adapted into the 1915 silent film by screenwriter Harry Chandlee.
She appeared in the R. L. McLaughlin Stock Co. at the Ohio Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio in the summer of 1924.
Gerald died at age 83, on September 6, 1942, at the St. James Hotel at Broadway and 26th Street in New York City. She is buried at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, Westchester County, New York in the Actors' Fund area.
Theater +List of Gerald's theater rolesDate(s)TitleRoleLocationNotesJune 1894The Two OrphansCountess de LiniersBroadway Lyceum, Buffalo, New YorkAug. 29, 1899 – Oct. 1899The Girl from Maxim'sMme. PetypontGrand Opera House, New York City, Criterion Theatre, New York CityHyde and Benham1899The Angel of the AlleyMrs. BennettNew York Citydirected by Theo KremerFeb. 17, 1903 – April 30, 1903ResurrectionAunt MaryHammerstein's Victoria, New York CityDec. 22, 1909 – Jan. 15, 1910The Goddess of Liberty Lady FitzHugh MurrayWeber's Music Hall, New York Citymusical play produced by Joseph E. HowardDec. 24, 1913 – Jan. 1, 1914We Are Seven Maxine Elliott's Theatre, New York CityMay 5, 1914 – May 31, 1914The Charm of Isabel Maxine Elliott's Theatre, New York CityMay 25, 1920 – May 31, 1920An Innocent IdeaMrs. CaseFulton Theatre, New York CityAug. 30, 1920 – Sept. 1, 1920Immodest Violet Mrs. Amantha Rose48th Street Theatre, New York CityApril 17, 1923 – April 28, 1923Within Four WallsLouisa MinuitSelwyn Theatre, New York Citydirected by Mack Hilliard Oct. 16, 1923–June 15, 1924The Shame Woman Martha CaseGreenwich Village Theatre, New York CityFeb. 10, 1925 – May 1, 1925The RatMme. CollineAstor Theatre, New York City, New Yorkproduced by Earl CarrollNov. 16, 1926 – Dec. 1, 1926Lily SuePhroniaLyceum Theatre, New York CityJan. 18, 1927 – July 30, 1927The BarkerMaw BensonPrincess Theatre, New York City, Biltmore Theatre, New York Cityproduced by Charles L. WagnerMar. 8, 1927 –Mar. 31, 1927The Heaven Tappers Mrs. GilsonForrest Theatre, New York CityFeb. 21, 1928 – Mar. 1, 1928Mayaas 'mama'Comedy Theatre, New York CityJan. 2, 1933 – Jan. 31, 1933Saint WenchLyceum Theatre, New York CityDec. 10, 1934 –Jan. 26, 1935Valley Forgeas 'auntie'Guild Theatre, New York CityOct. 14, 1935 Tobacco RoadAda LesterLyric Theatre, Allentown, PennsylvaniaDec. 14, 1937Tobacco RoadAda LesterParamount Theatre, Alexandria, LouisianaDec. 31, 1937Tobacco RoadAda LesterPlaza Theatre, Palm Springs, California
Publications
References
External links
Florence Gerald at BroadwayWorld Florence Gerald at Playbill