Mae Busch
| Mae Busch | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Annie May Busch 18 June 1891 Melbourne, Victoria |
| Died | 20 April 1946 (aged 54) San Fernando Valley, California, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Colon cancer |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1912–1946 |
| Spouse(s) |
Francis McDonald (m. 1915; div. 1922) John Earl Cassell (m. 1926; div. 1929) Thomas C. Tate (m. 1936; her death 1946) |
Mae Busch (18 June 1891 – 20 April 1946) was an Australian-born actress who worked in both silent and sound films in early Hollywood. In the latter part of her career, she appeared in many Laurel and Hardy comedies, where she frequently played Hardy's shrewish wife.
She was born Annie May Busch in Melbourne, Victoria to popular Australian vaudeville performers Elizabeth Maria Lay and Frederick William Busch. Her mother had been active since 1883 under the stage names Dora Devere and then Dora Busch; she toured India with Hudson's Surprise Party and toured New Zealand twice. In 1887 she joined Frank M. Clark's Silk Stocking Company. Frederick William Busch was a member of the Company's orchestra. Elizabeth and William were married on 6 February 1888 in Brisbane, Queensland, between performances. They continued to tour with various companies with short breaks when their two children were born, Dorothy in 1889 (who lived for only 4 months) and Annie May in 1891. Elizabeth did one season of opera with mixed reviews and William featured in touring bands and orchestras as well as in special acts such as the Paragon Trio.
Following a concert tour of New Zealand, the family left for the USA via Tahiti. They departed on 8 August 1896 and arrived in San Francisco at the end of 1896 or in early 1897. As Dora Busch, Elizabeth was part of the Grand Opera Quartet, making her American debut on 14 February 1897 at the Orpheum Theatre. Towards the end of 1897 the family moved to the East Coast. William Busch performed with the Paragon Trio (renamed Lelliott Busch & Lelliott) at the Drexel Theatre in Chicago on 13 November 1897.
While her parents were touring, 6-year-old Annie May was placed in a convent school in New Jersey. At the age of 12, she joined her parents as the Busch Devere Trio, which was active from 1903 until 1912. As Mae Busch she performed with her mother in Guy Fletch Bragdon's "The Fixer" to good reviews, and in 1911 they featured in Tom Reeves' "Big Show Burlesque". Mae's big break came in March 1912 when she replaced Lillian Lorraine as the lead female in "Over the River" with Eddie Foy.
Mae's first film appearances were in The Agitator and The Water Nymph, both released in 1912. There is some doubt about Mae being in these films as the production of both films in California appears to clash with commitments in New York. In 1915 she began working at Keystone Studios, where she appeared in comedy two-reelers. Her dalliance with studio chief Mack Sennett famously ended his engagement to actress Mabel Normand—who had actually been Busch's mentor and friend—when Normand walked in on the pair. According to some accounts, Busch, who was known for pinpoint throwing accuracy, inflicted a serious head injury on Normand by striking her with a vase. Normand died a few years later at age 37 from tuberculosis.
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