The Forgotten Story of Margaret Chute: A Pioneer in the Film Industry

Strategic Insights -

Margaret Chute was an actress, journalist, and photographer who broke barriers in the film industry as Hollywood's first freelance film journalist. Born in London in 1886, Chute's family had a long and storied history in the theatrical world, with her parents and grandparents all appearing on stage in Bristol. Chute herself was an actress from 1908 to 1919, often billed as "Margaret Kean," and appeared in several pantomimes at The Prince's in Bristol. She also wrote articles for the Bristol Times and Mirror, including pieces on making a pantomime, drawing on her own experience at The Prince's.

Key Takeaways:

  • Margaret Chute was born in 1886 in London and was a member of a family dynasty that dominated the theatrical world in Bristol for over 80 years.
  • Chute was Hollywood's first freelance film journalist and traveled to the USA in 1926 to interview film stars for fan magazines such as Photoplay and Picture Play.
  • She was a pioneer in the film industry, meeting and photographing major Hollywood stars, including Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks.
  • Chute's career declined in the 1930s after she published articles exposing the mistreatment of women in the film industry, similar to today's "MeToo" movement.
  • She never married but had a long-term relationship with married actor Edmund Breon, and her story was deleted from Hollywood history due to her outspoken articles.
  • Chute died of cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 62 in 1948 in Los Angeles, California.
  • Her first cousin once removed, David Manners, produced a play about her life, Picture Perfect, which is currently being developed as a film.

Statistics:

  • 1882: Sybil Chute played a stage version of Uncle Tom's Cabin at The Prince's in Bristol.
  • 1889: Margaret's parents, Charles and Sybil Chute, appeared together at the Theatre Royal in a melodrama called Alone in London.
  • 1908: Margaret started her acting career and appeared in the chorus of Aladdin at The Prince's in Bristol.
  • 1911: Margaret played Mrs Cowper-Cowper in the first West End revival of Oscar Wilde's Lady Windermere's Fan.
  • 1920: Margaret was employed by George Stoll as the first female press representative for London's Coliseum and Alhambra theatres.
  • 1926: Margaret traveled to Hollywood to interview film stars.
  • 1929: Margaret met Michael Redgrave, a young actor who would become a famous stage and film star.
  • 1930s: Margaret met and photographed many major Hollywood stars, including Judy Garland, Mae West, and Shirley Temple.
  • 1935: Margaret published articles exposing the mistreatment of women in the film industry, similar to today's "MeToo" movement.
  • 1948: Margaret Chute died of cirrhosis of the liver at the age of 62 in Los Angeles, California.

Sources:

  • Margaret Chute's family history, provided by Jonathan Rowe.
  • Margaret Chute's biography, found in the provided text.
  • Picture Perfect, a play about Margaret Chute's life, produced by David Manners.