Marion Fairfax
| Marion Fairfax | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
October 24, 1875 Richmond, Virginia, United States |
| Died | October 2, 1970 (aged 94) Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Occupation | Screenwriter, Playwright, Actress, and Producer |
| Spouse(s) | Tully Marshall |
Marion Fairfax (October 24, 1875 – October 2, 1970) was an American screenwriter and playwright. Born as Marion Neiswanger in Richmond, Virginia, After she graduated from Chicago’s South Division High School, she enrolled in Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. She married actor Tully Marshall for forty-three years. Fairfax worked as a company director, director, editor, editorial director, playwright, producer, screenwriter and theatre actress.
Fairfax first started her career as a stage actress, just like many other women did in that era. By 1901 she was appearing on Broadway and soon after that her own plays started appearing on Broadway. Before she went into pictures she was known for being one of the most distinguished stage authors in the United States, writing Broadway hits such as The Builders (1907), The Chaperon (1908), The Talker (1912), A Modern Girl (1914), In 1915 The Lasky Feature Play Company entered into a contract with Fairfax. This opportunity gave Fairfax the chance to work under William C. DeMille who is known as the author for many successful plays such as “The Warrens of Virginia” and “The Woman.” The success of Fairfax comes through wide knowledge of dramatic values, not only from an author’s perspective but also from that of the artist.
Fairfax's production career began with the Paramount Company. During her time there she wrote the scripts to multiple successful photoplays such as The Clown, The Honor of His House, The Valley of the Giants, The Westerner, The Sowers, The Immigrant and many more. In October 1920 Fairfax renewed a contract with Marshall Neilan. After building a successful resume with Neilan, which included the production and script writing of films such as Don't ever marry, The Rivers End, Dinty and Go and Get it, Fairfax was in charge of Neilan's next four films. Her first project is based on a Ben Ames Williams magazine story called Not a Drum Was Heard.
After spending her early career with Neilan, Fairfax soon developed her own production company in 1921. At this point in her career Fairfax was known for being a famous playwright and a very successful screenwriter. Many other women have attempted to pursue careers in film at this point but it was Lois Weber and Fairfax proving that women can survive in the film industry. Exhibitors Herald asked Fairfax about the start of her own company and she had this to say: “The formation of Marion Fairfax Productions is not the result of a sudden decision or and overnight idea. It is the realization of a plan that I have studied and worked out for over a year. I believe there is a place for the combination of literary effort and motion picture presentation just as there is a place for the combination of literary achievement and stage presentation.” With a new production company at her disposal Fairfax began working on a highly anticipated film called The Lying Truth which starred Marjorie Daw, J. Pat O'Malley, Noah Beery, Sr., and Tully Marshall. Released in July 1922 The Lying Truth was quickly recognized as a masterpiece.
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