19 Facts About Frank Powell

Francis William Powell was a Canadian-born American stage and silent film actor, director, producer, and screenwriter who worked predominantly in the United States.

Frank Powell is credited with "discovering" Theda Bara and casting her in a starring role in the 1915 release A Fool There Was.

Frank Powell was born in 1877 in Hamilton, Canada, the child of Elizabeth and Francis Powell.

Frank Powell then relocated for several years to England, where he directed productions for actress Ellen Terry before returning to North America.

Frank Powell remained with Ellen Terry three years when he became interested in the production of great historical spectacular film dramas.

Frank Powell had become a master of types, costumes, architecture and picturesque backgrounds.

In New York in 1909, Frank Powell expanded his career into the rapidly expanding motion picture industry, working initially as an actor and scriptwriter at Biograph Studios.

Later, as a freelancer, Frank Powell directed the first film made by George Kleine's production company.

Frank Powell was then hired near the end of 1914 by Fox Film Corporation, where he directed two highly popular films starring Theda Bara.

Frank Powell put her into the background away from the camera.

Frank Powell did not want her recognized and classified as a mere extra.

Frank Powell evolved for her the name Theda Bara under which she was to attain world fame, "Theda" being an obvious contraction of Theodosia, while "Bara" was derived from a relative's name of Barranger.

In late 1916, Frank Powell established his own production company and later set up filming and post-production facilities in San Antonio, Texas.

However, after being screened to a private audience, who objected to what they viewed as gross exaggerations in the film, Frank Powell's company decided to make changes to the original print.

Frank Powell continued to direct films even as he expanded his work as a producer and continued the development of his production facilities in Texas under the name Sunset Pictures Corporation.

Frank Powell continued his work as a "scenarist" or screenwriter, writing a number of scripts for British productions in the early 1920s, including A Soul's Awakening.

Frank Powell and Eleanor had one son, Frank Baden Powell, who was born in Iowa on June 26,1910.

Mr Frank Powell is remodeling and furnishing the house and under his artistic direction should make his place one of the most noted in Bayside.

The date, exact location, and cause of Frank Powell's death remain uncertain due to the lack of conclusive documentation.