Genevieve Blinn

Genevieve Blinn
File:American Methods (1917) still 1.jpg
Born	ca. June 12, 1874 (1874-06-12) New Brunswick, Canada
Died	July 20, 1956 (1956-07-21) (aged 82) San Anselmo, California
Occupation	actress

Genevieve Blinn (June 12, 1874 – July 20, 1956) was a Canadian actress who appeared on stage and in Hollywood silent motion pictures. Born Genevieve Clothilde Nannery, she was a native of New Brunswick, Canada.

Distinguished Theatrical Family

Genevieve was the last member of an old theater family from Saint John, New Brunswick. Her brother Ed Nannary was a stage actor in New York City and on the west coast. Her sister May performed as a star of the old Alcatraz Theater in San Francisco, California.

Stage Actress

In October 1906 Genevieve was the leading woman in the Ezra Kendall production of the Swell, Elegant Jones. A comedy in three acts, the play was staged at the Wilmington, Delaware Opera House. The author of the play, Herbert Hall Winslow, also wrote The Vinegar Buyer. Miss Brinn acted in stage roles opposite Richard Mansfield, Robert Mantel, and Willard Mack.

Blinn came to Los Angeles, California in February 1912 as the leading lady of the Burbank Stock Company. Her arrival was in the press after she established a name for herself in eastern theatrical engagements. In New York she appeared at the head of the Crescent Stock Company for the previous five months. Her first performance with Burbank came as "Ann Brown" in a farce called Seven Days. The primary comedy figure, Blinn played a woman who believed in theosophy.

Silent Movie Actress

Blinn's career as a performer in movies began with a role as "Countess de Moray" in A Wife's Sacrifice (1916). She is best known for her role as the queen in The Queen of Sheba (1921). Aside from this feature, Genevieve was in a number of other films which starred Theda Bara.

The actress retired from the stage and screen with the advent of sound motion pictures. Her last film was Common Clay (1930), in which she played the role of "Mrs. Fullerton."

Private life

Genevieve was married to a lumberman named Irving L. Blinn from Los Angeles, California . She petitioned for a divorce from her husband in July 1904.

Genevieve Blinn died in 1956 in San Rafael, California following a long illness. A son, William Lewis Blinn, predeceased his mother. He was a member of the Olympic Club and a graduate of the University of Santa Clara. She died in San Anselmo, California on March 16, 1951.

Partial filmography

• A Wife's Sacrifice (1916)
• Tangled Lives (1917)
• Cleopatra (1917)
• The Rose of Blood (1917)
• Madame Du Barry (1917)
• Salomé (1918)
• When a Woman Sins (1918)
• The Last of the Duanes (1919)
• The Queen of Sheba (1921)
• Crazy to Marry (1921)
• Don't Tell Everything (1921)
• If I Were Queen (1922)
• The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln (1924)
• Common Clay (1930)

References

• Lima, Ohio News, Genevieve Blinn, Ex-Star, Dies, July 22, 1956, Page 9B.
• Los Angeles Times, The Public Service, July 16, 1904, Page A2.
• Los Angeles Times, Leading Lady Is Due Today, February 29, 1912, Page III4.
• New York Times, Ezra Kendall Produces A New Play, October 5, 1906, Page 9.
• William Nannery and Atlantic Victorian Theatre: The Amateur Legacy by Carl Killen, M. A. Thesis (PDF - large file)