Constance Binney
Encyclopedia
Constance Binney was an American
stage
and film
actress and dancer.
Born in New York City
, Constance Binney was educated at Westover School
, a private college preparatory boarding school
for girls in Middlebury, Connecticut
and in Paris
, France
. She made her Broadway theatre
debut in 1917 and the following year appeared with her actress sister, Faire Binney(1898–1957), in the Maurice Tourneur
silent film
, Sporting Life
based on the play by Cecil Raleigh
and Seymour Hicks
. In 1919, she starred opposite John Barrymore
in The Test of Honor.
Although Constance Binney left the film business in 1923, her contribution to the industry was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
at 6301 Hollywood Blvd.
Constance Binney last performed on Broadway in 1924. She appeared on stage in London
and in 1941 married the British war hero, Leonard Cheshire
who was twenty-one years her junior. However, this marriage was short-lived.
Constance Binney died in 1989 in Whitestone, Queens
, New York City
, aged 93.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
stage
Stage (theatre)
In theatre or performance arts, the stage is a designated space for the performance productions. The stage serves as a space for actors or performers and a focal point for the members of the audience...
and film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
actress and dancer.
Born in New York City
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...
, Constance Binney was educated at Westover School
Westover School
The Westover School, often referred to simply as "Westover," is an independent college-preparatory day and boarding school for girls. Located in Middlebury, Connecticut, USA, the school offers grades 9-12...
, a private college preparatory boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
for girls in Middlebury, Connecticut
Middlebury, Connecticut
Middlebury is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 6,451 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water....
and in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. She made her Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
debut in 1917 and the following year appeared with her actress sister, Faire Binney(1898–1957), in the Maurice Tourneur
Maurice Tourneur
Maurice Tourneur was an important international film director and screenwriter.-Life:Born Maurice Thomas in the Belleville district of Paris, France, his father was a jeweler. As a young man, Maurice Thomas first trained as a graphic designer and a magazine illustrator but was soon drawn to the...
silent film
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
, Sporting Life
The Sporting Life (1918 film)
The Sporting Life is a 1918 silent film drama directed by Maurice Tourneur. It is the first film for sisters Faire Binney and Constance Binney, from the Broadway stage. Tourneur would re-film this story again in 1925...
based on the play by Cecil Raleigh
Cecil Raleigh
Cecil Raleigh was an English actor and playwright.He was the son of Dr. John Fothergill Rowlands, and took the stage name of Raleigh...
and Seymour Hicks
Seymour Hicks
Sir Arthur Seymour Hicks , better known as Seymour Hicks, was a British actor, music hall performer, playwright, screenwriter, theatre manager and producer. He married the actress Ellaline Terriss in 1893...
. In 1919, she starred opposite John Barrymore
John Barrymore
John Sidney Blyth , better known as John Barrymore, was an acclaimed American actor. He first gained fame as a handsome stage actor in light comedy, then high drama and culminating in groundbreaking portrayals in Shakespearean plays Hamlet and Richard III...
in The Test of Honor.
Although Constance Binney left the film business in 1923, her contribution to the industry was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
at 6301 Hollywood Blvd.
Constance Binney last performed on Broadway in 1924. She appeared on stage in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and in 1941 married the British war hero, Leonard Cheshire
Leonard Cheshire
Group Captain Geoffrey Leonard Cheshire, Baron Cheshire, VC, OM, DSO and Two Bars, DFC was a highly decorated British RAF pilot during the Second World War....
who was twenty-one years her junior. However, this marriage was short-lived.
Constance Binney died in 1989 in Whitestone, Queens
Whitestone, Queens
Whitestone is a residential neighborhood in the northernmost part of the City of New York borough of Queens. Located between the East River to the north and 25th Avenue to the south. Whitestone is surrounded by College Point, Flushing, Bayside, Auburndale, Linden Hill, and Murray Hill...
, New York City
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...
, aged 93.
Partial Filmography
- The Sporting LifeThe Sporting Life (1918 film)The Sporting Life is a 1918 silent film drama directed by Maurice Tourneur. It is the first film for sisters Faire Binney and Constance Binney, from the Broadway stage. Tourneur would re-film this story again in 1925...
(1918) (* with sister Faire Binney) - The Test of HonorThe Test of HonorThe Test of Honor is a 1919 silent film drama produced by Famous Players-Lasky and released by Paramount. It was directed by John S. Robertson and stars John Barrymore. Considered the actor's first drama movie role after years of doing film comedies. It was made at Famous Players East Coast...
(1919) - Erstwhile SusanErstwhile SusanErstwhile Susan is a 1919 silent film drama directed by John S. Robertson, produced and distributed by Realart Pictures. It is based on a 1914 novel Barnabetta by Helen Reimensnyder Martin and later Broadway play Erstwhile Susan by Marian De Forest. Minnie Maddern Fiske starred on Broadway in 1916...
(1919) - The Stolen KissThe Stolen KissThe Stolen Kiss is a 1920 silent film romance drama starring Constance Binney. Kenneth Webb directed. The Realart Company produced and were an affiliate of Paramount Pictures. It is a lost film. -Cast:*Constance Binney - Felicia Day/Octavia, her Mother...
(1920) - 39 East39 East39 East is a 1920 silent film comedy produced by the Realart Picture Company and starring Constance Binney reprising her role from the Broadway play. This film was directed by John S. Robertson who had directed Binney in Erstwhile Susan and Test of Honor the year before...
(1920) - Something Different (1920)
- Such a Little QueenSuch a Little Queen (1921 film)Such a Little Queen is a 1921 silent film drama starring Constance Binney and directed by George Fawcett, who usually appeared in front of the camera as a character actor. This film is a remake of the 1914 film of the same title which served as an early feature length vehicle for Mary Pickford who...
(1921) - The Case of BeckyThe Case of BeckyThe Case of Becky is a 1921 silent film drama based on a successful 1912 David Belasco and Edward J. Locke written play, The Case of Becky. Belasco also produced the play. The play starred Belasco's muse, Frances Starr. This film was produced by Realart Pictures and released through Paramount...
(1921) - A Bill of Divorcement (1922)