Blyth Daly
Encyclopedia
Blyth Daly, also spelled Blythe Daley (1901-?1971) was an actress who appeared in stage productions on Broadway and who appeared in several silent and sound films. She is better known for her relationships and friendships in the underworld of the Hollywood and New York City
lesbian
acting community than for her acting career itself. She was the daughter of established stage actor Arnold Daly
and his wife Mary Blythe.
In 1919, Frank Case
, manager of the Algonquin Hotel
, began hosting popular and well known members of the acting and writing
community, with the group being dubbed the "Algonquin Round Table
", with members including Edna Ferber
, actress Tallulah Bankhead
, Harpo Marx
and others. Daly, never what was called an "official member" of the group, attended through her association with Bankhead, Estelle Winwood
and actress Eva Le Gallienne
, with the four of them being dubbed "The Four Riders of the Algonquin" due to their appearances together at the "Algonquin Round Table
".
Daly was bisexual, as was Bankhead, and Le Gallienne was well known inside the acting community as being lesbian. The four became close friends and associates, but of the four, Daly's acting career never took off. She had several bit-parts in early silent films, and well into the 1930s she had small appearances, always uncredited. By the 1960s she had all but disappeared.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
lesbian
Lesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
acting community than for her acting career itself. She was the daughter of established stage actor Arnold Daly
Arnold Daly
Arnold Daly was an American actor, playwright and producer. He was the father of actress and Algonquin Rountable personality Blyth Daly....
and his wife Mary Blythe.
In 1919, Frank Case
Frank Case
Frank Case was an American hotelier and author. He owned and managed the Algonquin Hotel during the heyday of the Algonquin Round Table and wrote a number of books about his experiences with the hotel and the Round Tablers....
, manager of the Algonquin Hotel
Algonquin Hotel
The Algonquin Hotel is a historic hotel located at 59 West 44th Street in Manhattan . The hotel has been designated as a New York City Historic Landmark....
, began hosting popular and well known members of the acting and writing
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
community, with the group being dubbed the "Algonquin Round Table
Algonquin Round Table
The Algonquin Round Table was a celebrated group of New York City writers, critics, actors and wits. Gathering initially as part of a practical joke, members of "The Vicious Circle", as they dubbed themselves, met for lunch each day at the Algonquin Hotel from 1919 until roughly 1929...
", with members including Edna Ferber
Edna Ferber
Edna Ferber was an American novelist, short story writer and playwright. Her novels were especially popular and included the Pulitzer Prize-winning So Big , Show Boat , and Giant .-Early years:Ferber was born August 15, 1885, in Kalamazoo, Michigan,...
, actress Tallulah Bankhead
Tallulah Bankhead
Tallulah Brockman Bankhead was an award-winning American actress of the stage and screen, talk-show host, and bonne vivante...
, Harpo Marx
Harpo Marx
Adolph "Harpo" Marx was an American comedian and film star. He was the second oldest of the Marx Brothers. His comic style was influenced by clown and pantomime traditions. He wore a curly reddish wig, and never spoke during performances...
and others. Daly, never what was called an "official member" of the group, attended through her association with Bankhead, Estelle Winwood
Estelle Winwood
Estelle Winwood was an English stage and film actress who moved to the United States in mid-career and became celebrated for her longevity.-Early life and early career:...
and actress Eva Le Gallienne
Eva Le Gallienne
Eva Le Gallienne was a well-known actress, producer, and director, during the first half of the 20th century.-Early life and early career:...
, with the four of them being dubbed "The Four Riders of the Algonquin" due to their appearances together at the "Algonquin Round Table
Algonquin Round Table
The Algonquin Round Table was a celebrated group of New York City writers, critics, actors and wits. Gathering initially as part of a practical joke, members of "The Vicious Circle", as they dubbed themselves, met for lunch each day at the Algonquin Hotel from 1919 until roughly 1929...
".
Daly was bisexual, as was Bankhead, and Le Gallienne was well known inside the acting community as being lesbian. The four became close friends and associates, but of the four, Daly's acting career never took off. She had several bit-parts in early silent films, and well into the 1930s she had small appearances, always uncredited. By the 1960s she had all but disappeared.
Filmography
- The Chapman ReportThe Chapman ReportThe Chapman Report is a 1962 film made by DFZ Productions and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. It was directed by George Cukor and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck and Richard D. Zanuck, from a screenplay by Wyatt Cooper and Don Mankiewicz, adapted by Gene Allen and Grant Stuart from Irving...
(1962) - A Star Is BornA Star Is Born (1954 film)A Star Is Born is a 1954 American musical film directed by George Cukor. The screenplay written by Moss Hart was an adaptation of the original 1937 film, which was based on the original screenplay by Robert Carson, Dorothy Parker, and Alan Campbell...
(1954) (uncredited) .... Miss Fusselow - The Model and the Marriage BrokerThe Model and the Marriage BrokerThe Model and the Marriage Broker is a 1951 comedy film about a model who is so pleased with the work of a marriage broker, she decides to return the favor.-Cast:* Jeanne Crain as Kitty Bennett* Scott Brady as Matt Hornbeck* Thelma Ritter as Mae Swasey...
(1951) (uncredited) .... Receptionist - It's a Joke, Son!It's a Joke, Son!- Cast :*Kenny Delmar as Senator Beauregard Claghorn*Una Merkel as Mrs. Magnolia Claghorn*June Lockhart as Mary Lou Claghorn*Kenneth Farrell as Jefferson "Jeff" Davis*Douglass Dumbrille as Big Dan Healey*Jimmy Conlin as Senator Alexander P...
(1947) (uncredited) .... Daughters of Dixie member - That's Gratitude (1934) .... Nora
- Her Man (1930) (uncredited) .... Dance Hall Girl
External links
- Photograph of Blyth Daly
- Blythe Daly at the Internet Broadway Database
- Arnold Daly(father of Blythe Daly) at Findagrave
- Blythe Daly portrait at NYP Library