Dorothy Kathleen Gulliver (September 6, 1908 – May 23, 1997) was an American silent film actress, and one of the few to make a successful transition when films began using sound.

Dorothy Gulliver
Born
Dorothy Kathleen Gulliver

(1908-09-06)September 6, 1908
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
DiedMay 23, 1997(1997-05-23) (aged 88)
OccupationActress

Biography

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The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Gulliver,[1] she was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1908 and was raised as a Mormon. From childhood, she wanted to be an actress. After she won the Miss Salt Lake City beauty contest in 1924, a scout for Paramount sought to have her go to Hollywood, but her mother opposed that plan.[2] In June 1925, she won a beauty contest sponsored by Universal, with her awards including a six-month contract with Universal at a salary of $50 per week.[3]

Gulliver's early work at Universal included two short films and two serials, The Winking Idol (1926) and Strings of Steel (1926).[2] She was named as a 1928 WAMPAS Baby Star. Gulliver was part of The Collegians silent series of the late 1920s, and did some silent serials with William Desmond, Jack Hoxie, and Hoot Gibson. With the beginning of sound films, she became a popular heroine in 1930s "cliffhangers", including The Galloping Ghost, Phantom of the West, The Shadow of the Eagle, The Last Frontier, and 1936's Custer's Last Stand. Her costars were often Rex Lease, Tim McCoy, Jack Hoxie, and Wild Bill Elliott.

Gulliver was at one point married to Chester De Vito, an assistant director.[4] She was also married to Charles Proctor.[citation needed]

While major roles faded and she had uncredited roles, she made movies until 1976 and had a main role in Faces (1968). She died in Valley Center, California, on May 23, 1997, aged 88.[citation needed]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1926 The Winking Idol Lost Film
Strings of Steel Lost Film
The Shoot 'Em Up Kid Short
Lost Film
1927 The Rambling Ranger Ruth Buxley Lost Film
A Dog of the Regiment Marie von Waldorf Lost Film
One Glorious Scrap Joan Curtis Lost Film
The Shield of Honor Gwen O'Day
1928 Honeymoon Flats Lila Garland Lost Film
Good Morning, Judge Ruth Grey Lost Film
The Wild West Show Ruth Henson Lost Film
Clearing the Trail Ellen Lost Film
1929 The Lariat Kid Hagerty's Niece Lost Film
College Love Dorothy Mae Lost Film
Night Parade Doris O'Connell
Painted Faces Babe Barnes
Mexicali Rose Marie Uncredited
1930 Troopers Three Dorothy Clark
Under Montana Skies Mary
1931 The Phantom of the West Mona Cortez
In Old Cheyenne Helen Sutter
The Galloping Ghost Barbara Courtland Serial
The Fighting Marshal Alice Wheeler
1932 The Shadow of the Eagle Jean Gregory
The Honor of the Press June Bonner
The Last Frontier Betty Halliday
Outlaw Justice June Taggart
1933 Revenge at Monte Carlo Diane
King Kong New York Theatergoer Uncredited
Cheating Blondes Lita
1934 The Pecos Dandy His Sweetheart
Stand Up and Cheer! Stenographer Uncredited
1935 Fighting Caballero Pat
1936 Custer's Last Stand Red Fwan
1938 In Early Arizona Alice Weldon
1939 North of Shanghai Sue
Lone Star Pioneers Virginia Crittenden
1941 Appointment for Love Minor Role Uncredited
Borrowed Hero Snack Stand Clerk Uncredited
1942 A Tragedy at Midnight Miss Tindall Uncredited
The Traitor Within Trucker's Wife Uncredited
1944 Sweethearts of the U.S.A. Defense Plant Worker
1957 Official Detective Mrs. Samka Episode: " Armor Attack"
1968 Faces Florence
1976 Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood Old Woman on Bus Cameo Appearance, (final film role)

Sources

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  • Lamparski, R. (1989) Whatever became of ...?, all new eleventh series, Crown Publishers Inc.: New York. ISBN 0 517 57150 1.

References

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  1. ^ "(untitled brief)". The Salt Lake Telegram. June 12, 1925. p. 2. Retrieved July 6, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b Mayer, Geoff (February 9, 2017). Encyclopedia of American Film Serials. McFarland. p. 143. ISBN 978-0-7864-7762-3. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  3. ^ "Miss Dorothy Gulliver Wins Telegram Film Contest Honor". The Salt Lake Telegram. June 12, 1925. p. 2. Retrieved July 6, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Lamparski, p. 67.
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