Lola May (born May Purman;[1] 1889–1971) was an American silent film and stage actress.

Lola May
May in 1916 publication
Born
May Purman

March 15, 1889
DiedFebruary 4, 1971 (aged 81)
OccupationActress
Years active1914–1918 (film)

Life

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May was born in North Dakota. She was a stage actress and appeared in seven films during the silent era including the historical drama The Beggar of Cawnpore.[2] She appeared in the 1908-1909 Broadway hit A Gentleman from Mississippi.[citation needed] Her other Broadway plays included The Lure (1913), Just Like John (1912), and An Old New Yorker (1911).[3]

Beginning in November 1913, May faced a lawsuit from Marie Crandell, who said that her estranged husband, Derby Crandell, had bought gifts for May and had dined with her. Mrs. Crandell said "My husband was a model husband and we were very happy until this other woman came between us." The suit asked for $50,000 damages.[4] The suit was dismissed on March 21, 1914, after Mrs. Crandell "failed to file a bill of particulars".[5]

In 1916 she appeared in Thomas H. Ince's anti-war film Civilization as Queen Eugenie.[6] The film reputedly cost $1 million to make.

Partial filmography

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References

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  1. ^ "Hat for actress brings big suit". The Washington Times. D.C., Washington. November 21, 1913. p. 4. Retrieved March 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ Katchmer p.184
  3. ^ "Lola May". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  4. ^ "Lost a 'Model Husband', Woman Sues an Actress In 'The Lure' for $50,000". Pittsburgh Daily Post. November 23, 1913. p. 1. Retrieved March 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Pursued by Banker, Lola May Declares". The Washington Times. D.C., Washington. March 22, 1914. p. 1. Retrieved March 13, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "The Stage" Munsey's Magazine (September 1916): 697.

Bibliography

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  • George A. Katchmer. A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland, 2002.
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