Madame Sul-Te-Wan

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Known Credits

0.1603

Gender

Female

Birthday

07-Mar-1873

Age

(152 years old)

Place of Birth

Louisville, Kentucky, USA

Also Known As
  • Nellie Wan
  • Nellie Crawford
  • Madame Sultewan
  • Madame Wan
  • Sul-Te-Wan

Madame Sul-Te-Wan

Biography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Madame Sul-Te-Wan (born Nellie Crawford; March 7, 1873 – February 1, 1959) was the first African-American actress to sign a film contract and be a featured performer. She was an American stage, film and television actress for over 50 years. The daughter of former slaves, she began her career in entertainment touring the East Coast with various theatrical companies and moved to California to become a member of the fledgling film community. She became known as a character actress, appeared in high-profile films such as The Birth of a Nation (1915) and Intolerance (1916), and easily navigated the transition to the sound films. In 1986, she was inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.


Credits

Jungle Mystery Jungle Mystery (1932) Character: Native Woman in Stockade (Uncredited)
In Africa, two hunters meet a girl and her father who are searching for her lost brother. Their search is complicated by rival hunters who are after ivory and by a tribe of hostile natives.
Stage Struck Stage Struck (1917) Character: Uncredited
A 1917 film directed by Edward Morrissey.
His Musical Sneeze His Musical Sneeze (1919) Character: Maid (uncredited)
A young man goes into the woods to hunt rabbits, and winds up getting mixed up with a dog, a lion and a beautiful woman.
The Cause of It All The Cause of It All (1915) Character: Mary - The Hotel Cook
Dr. Spencer's wife becomes intensely jealous when she finds, in her husband's coat, a note signed "Mary," which asks him to visit the writer at the Hotel Mum. The woman carries her tale of woe to Attorney Thomas, a family friend. In his effort to make light of the matter, Thomas soothingly places his arm about Mrs. Spencer's shoulder. Dr. Spencer's office is directly across the court. Glancing out of the window, the doctor sees his wife apparently being embraced by Thomas. The attorney consents to accompany Mrs. Spencer to the Mum and meet "Mary." The doctor trails the two. As luck would have it, Mrs. Thomas passes the Mum just as her husband and Mrs. Spencer enter. The doctor and Mrs. Thomas meet and make their way after their other halves, bent on vengeance bent.
The Show The Show (1922) Character: Maid (uncredited)
A harried propman backstage at a theater must put up with malfunctioning wind machines, roosters that spit nitroglycerine, and a gang planning to rob the theater's payroll.
Island in the Sky Island in the Sky (1938) Character: Scrubwoman (Uncredited)
A secretary (Gloria Stuart) solves a murder for her boyfriend (Michael Whalen) in the district attorney's office.
The Story of Seabiscuit The Story of Seabiscuit (1949) Character: Libby
Horse trainer Shawn O'Hara and his lovely niece, Margaret, come to America to escape the memory of an accident involving Margaret's brother, Danny. Working with thoroughbreds in Kentucky, Shawn takes a liking to a yearling named Seabiscuit, and fights to convince the horse's owner that the tiny horse with big knees will become a top-notch racehorse. Meanwhile, Margaret begins a tentative relationship with jockey Ted Knowles, but is haunted by her brother's death in a steeplechase spill. Written by Ray Hamel
The Golden Bed The Golden Bed (1925) Character: Boarding House Maid (Uncredited)
Femme fatale Flora marries a titled European to save the family planation. Her husband and a rival fall to their deaths in a glacier. Next Flora weds her sister Margaret's love Admah. She bleeds him dry, until he goes to prison.
The Birth of a Nation The Birth of a Nation (1915) Character: Black Woman (uncredited)
Two families, abolitionist Northerners the Stonemans and Southern landowners the Camerons, intertwine. When Confederate colonel Ben Cameron is captured in battle, nurse Elsie Stoneman petitions for his pardon. In Reconstruction-era South Carolina, Cameron founds the Ku Klux Klan, battling Elsie's congressman father and his African-American protégé, Silas Lynch.
The Lightning Rider The Lightning Rider (1924) Character: Mammy
A bandit known as The Black Mask is terrorizing the countryside around the California border town of Caliboro. When word spreads that the Mask's gang is going to hit town, the town priest turns over the church's money to the local sheriff for safekeeping.
Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages Intolerance: Love's Struggle Throughout the Ages (1916) Character: Girl at the Marriage Market (uncredited)
The story of a poor young woman, separated by prejudice from her husband and baby, is interwoven with tales of intolerance from throughout history.
The Children Pay The Children Pay (1916) Character: Uncredited
What will become of the Children in a home divided....
Sarah and Son Sarah and Son (1930) Character: Belloc's Maid (Uncredited)
A ne'er-do-well husband, after years of abusing his wife, disappears with their son, and winds up selling him to a wealthy family. Years later, the wife, now a world-famous opera singer, finally has enough time and money to begin a search for him.
The Thoroughbred The Thoroughbred (1930) Character: Sacharine
Unemployed jockey Tod Taylor gets a huge break when he is hired by Matt Riley. Within weeks, Taylor is riding Riley's horses to a string of victories. Success and the limelight go right to the jockey's head. Big-time gambler Tom Drake hires a blonde sexpot to seduce Tod and introduce him to the roulette wheel. Showing off, he starts playing for stakes way over his head. With Drake holding a huge note that Tod can't possibly pay off, he delivers an ultimatum — lose the big race tomorrow or a police detective will be waiting at the finish line to arrest him for passing bad checks.
Sullivan's Travels Sullivan's Travels (1941) Character: Church Harmonium Player (Uncredited)
Successful movie director John L. Sullivan, convinced he won't be able to film his ambitious masterpiece until he has suffered, dons a hobo disguise and sets off on a journey, aiming to "know trouble" first-hand. When all he finds is a train ride back to Hollywood and a beautiful blonde companion, he redoubles his efforts, managing to land himself in more trouble than he bargained for when he loses his memory and ends up a prisoner on a chain gang.
Who's Your Father? Who's Your Father? (1918) Character: Black Mother (uncredited)
This comedy starts with the rescue by a cowboy's dog of a baby that is floating down a gorge toward a cataract in a tiny crib. The cowboy takes the foundling to his cabin. Then the cowboy finds himself not only beset with the troubles of feeding an infant, but also is the object of a spinster who, by claiming the baby, hopes to compromise the cowboy
The Buccaneer The Buccaneer (1958) Character: Good Luck Charm Vendor
During the War of 1812 against Britain: General Andrew Jackson has only 1,200 men left to defend New Orleans when he learns that a British fleet will arrive with 60 ships and 16,000 men to take the city. In this situation an island near the city becomes strategically important to both parties, but it's inhabited by the last big buccaneer: Jean Lafitte. Although Lafitte never attacks American ships, the governor hates him for selling merchandise without taxes - and is loved by the citizens for the same reason. When the big fight gets nearer, Lafitte is drawn between the fronts. His heart belongs to America, but his people urge him to join the party that's more likely to win.
Hoodoo Ann Hoodoo Ann (1916) Character: Black Cindy
A teenage orphan (who believes herself to be "hoodooed") is taken in by a childless couple and quickly falls for the boy next door; Her luck seems to have changed. But the idyll is broken up after a trip to the movies-- It seems the 'hoodoo' has returned after she tries to replicate what she'd seen on the screen.
Something of Value Something of Value (1957) Character: Midwife (Uncredited)
As Kenya's Mau Mau uprising tears the country apart, former childhood friends Kimani (Sidney Poitier), a native, and Peter (Rock Hudson), a British colonist, find themselves on opposite sides of the struggle in this provocative drama. Though each is devoted to his cause, both wish for a more moderate path -- but their hopes for a peaceful resolution are thwarted by rage, colonial arrogance and escalating violence on both sides.
Mighty Joe Young Mighty Joe Young (1949) Character: Young Family Servant (Uncredited)
A young woman, Jill Young, grew up on her father's ranch in Africa, raising a large gorilla named Joe from an infant. Years later, she brings him to Hollywood to become a star.
Tarzan and the Trappers Tarzan and the Trappers (1958) Character: Witch Woman
Tarzan goes up against a baddie by the name of Schroeder, who is trapping animals and selling them illegally to zoos. A twist is thrown into the plot when Schroeder's brother, with the help of money-hungry trader Lapin, hunts a different kind of quarry, human game. Now Tarzan must not only fight to save the animals of the jungle, but he must also save himself. Three episodes of a failed TV series edited for theater release.
Love Thy Neighbor Love Thy Neighbor (1940) Character: Lady McBeth
Capitalizing on the famous radio 'feud' between comedians Jack Benny and Fred Allen. The two stars play versions of themselves, constantly at each other's throats due to real and imagined slights.
The Narrow Street The Narrow Street (1925) Character: Easter
Simon Haldane works in the office of the Faulkner Iron Works, but he has been raised by his two maiden aunts in an extremely sheltered manner and is basically afraid of everyone and everything. One morning he finds a strange girl shivering in his bedroom, and although he's terrified of her, he manages to call a doctor for her. This starts a rumor that Simon is married. Complications ensue.
The Toy Wife The Toy Wife (1938) Character: Eve, a Black Servant (Uncredited)
A Southern belle finds herself torn between two suitors.
A Modern Hero A Modern Hero (1934) Character: Mme. Azais' Neighbor ( Uncredited)
A 1920s circus performer uses every means at his disposal to achieve fame and fortune at the expense of others.
Band of Angels Band of Angels (1957) Character: Flower Vendor (Uncredited)
Living in Kentucky prior to the Civil War, Amantha Starr is a privileged young woman. Her widowed father, a wealthy plantation owner, dotes on her and sends her to the best schools. When he dies suddenly Amantha's world is turned upside down. She learns that her father had been living on borrowed money and that her mother was actually a slave and her father's mistress.
The Affairs of Annabel The Affairs of Annabel (1938) Character: Benzedrina (uncredited)
Wonder Pictures has been striking out at the box office lately, causing the seedy PR man to involve main star Annabel in ever outrageous stunts for publicity.
Mokey Mokey (1942) Character: Miss Cully, Old Black Woman (Uncredited)
A newlywed tries to deal with her troubled stepchild.
Why Change Your Wife? Why Change Your Wife? (1920) Character: Sally's Maid (Uncredited)
Robert and Beth Bordon are married but share little. He runs into Sally at a cabaret and the Gordons are soon divorced. Just as he gets bored with Sally's superficiality, Beth strives to improve her looks. The original couple falls in love again at a summer resort.
Uncle Tom's Cabin Uncle Tom's Cabin (1927) Character: Slave at Wedding (uncredited)
In 1856, slave Eliza plans to marry George with the consent of the Shelbys, her masters, but George's owner prevents the wedding. A few years later, Eliza flees with her son, Harry, after learning the Shelbys plan to hand them over to a crooked creditor to prevent foreclosure. George also escapes and goes on the run while Eliza and Harry are captured and brought back home. Mother and son are separated as George tries to find them both.
Heaven on Earth Heaven on Earth (1931) Character: Voodoo Sue
A young boy finds out that the man he thought was his father actually killed his real father, then adopted him.
Safari Safari (1940) Character: Native Woman
Millionaire Baron de Courland and his fiancée Linda Stewart employ Jim Logan as a guide for their hunting trip in the jungle. Linda finds unplanned adventure in her sudden love for Jim, ultimately forsaking her future with the Baron for the joys of true love.
Old Wives for New Old Wives for New (1918) Character: Viola's Maid (uncredited)
Charles Murdock neglects his fat and lazy wife for another woman; When his other love interest becomes involved in a murder, he leaves for Paris.
Queen Kelly Queen Kelly (1932) Character: Kali Sana – Aunt's Cook (Uncredited)
A prince betrothed to a mad queen falls in love with an orphan girl from a convent.
Tell No Tales Tell No Tales (1939) Character: Jim Alley's Mother (uncredited)
A newspaper editor turns a kidnapping into the banner headlines and exclusive story that could save his publication.
Tarzan of the Apes Tarzan of the Apes (1918) Character: Esmeralda - Jane's Maid (uncredited)
A female ape takes to mothering the orphaned boy (Tarzan) and raises him over the course of many years until a rescue mission is finally launched and the search party combs the jungle for the long-time missing Lord Greystoke. But then, one of the search members, Jane Porter, gets separated from the group and comes face to face with fearsome wild animals. Tarzan saves her from harm just in the knick of time and love begins to blossom.
King Kong King Kong (1933) Character: Native Handmaiden (uncredited)
Adventurous filmmaker Carl Denham sets out to produce a motion picture unlike anything the world has seen before. Alongside his leading lady Ann Darrow and his first mate Jack Driscoll, they arrive on an island and discover a legendary creature said to be neither beast nor man. Denham captures the monster to be displayed on Broadway as King Kong, the eighth wonder of the world.
College College (1927) Character: Cook (uncredited)
A bookish college student dismissive of athletics is compelled to try out sports to win the affection of the girl he loves.
The Carnation Kid The Carnation Kid (1929) Character: The Maid (Uncredited)
It's a case of mistaken identity in this comedy that centers around a country bumpkin mistaken for a Chicago hitman.
Carmen Jones Carmen Jones (1954) Character: Hagar – Carmen's Grandmother (Uncredited)
At a parachute factory during WWII, vixen Carmen Jones seduces an engaged soldier to avoid imprisonment.
Maid of Salem Maid of Salem (1937) Character: Tituba
When a young woman named Barbara Clarke has an affair with adventurer Roger Coverman, it causes a scandal in the Puritanical town of Salem, Massachusetts. After a meddling girl arouses their suspicions, the town's elders accuse Barbara of being a witch. She is tried, convicted of sorcery and sentenced to death. As the townspeople prepare to burn Barbara at the stake, Roger tries desperately to save the woman he loves.
San Francisco San Francisco (1936) Character: Earthquake Survivor (Uncredited)
A beautiful singer and a battling priest try to reform a Barbary Coast saloon owner in the days before the great earthquake and subsequent fires in 1906.
The Pagan Lady The Pagan Lady (1931) Character: Carla the Servant
Dot starts out as a bartender in Havana when in walks Dingo Mike (Charles Bickford) and orders up a drink that sounds like something you'd consume on a dare. He drinks the concoction down in one swallow and also manages to outsmart Dot's boss and his rum-running hooligans. You see, Dingo is a bootlegger himself. He literally sweeps the lady off her feet and they set up housekeeping in a tropical hotel full of colorful characters, some of whom are in the bootlegging business too.
Operator 13 Operator 13 (1934) Character: Slave at Medicine Show ( Uncredited)
American Civil War, 1862. After the disaster of the Second Battle of Bull Run, Major Allen, chief of the Secret Service of the Union, asks actress Gail Loveless to become one of his operators and infiltrate enemy territory.
Thunderbolt Thunderbolt (1929) Character: Bit Role
A criminal known as Thunderbolt is imprisoned and facing execution. Into the next cell is placed Bob Moran, an innocent man who has been framed and who is in love with Thunderbolt's girl, without knowing of their relationship. Thunderbolt hopes to stave off the execution long enough to kill young Moran for romancing his girl.
Revenge of the Zombies Revenge of the Zombies (1943) Character: Beulah
When Dr. Von Altermann's wife Lila dies mysteriously at his spooky mansion her relations suspect murder. They also suspect the doctor is turning her into a zombie, to join the army of living dead he hopes to devote to the Nazi cause. However, Lila, though dead, has developed a will of her own.
In Old Chicago In Old Chicago (1938) Character: Hattie
The O'Leary brothers -- honest Jack and roguish Dion -- become powerful figures, and eventually rivals, in Chicago on the eve of its Great Fire.
Imitation of Life Imitation of Life (1934) Character: Cook (uncredited)
A struggling widow and her daughter take in a black housekeeper and her fair-skinned daughter. The two women start a successful business but face familial, identity, and racial issues along the way.
King of the Zombies King of the Zombies (1941) Character: Tahama
During World War II, a small plane somewhere over the Caribbean runs low on fuel and is blown off course by a storm. Guided by a faint radio signal, they crash-land on an island. The passenger, his manservant and the pilot take refuge in a mansion owned by a doctor. The quick-witted yet easily-frightened manservant soon becomes convinced the mansion is haunted by zombies and ghosts.
Torchy Blane.. Playing with Dynamite Torchy Blane.. Playing with Dynamite (1939) Character: Ruby (uncredited)
Torchy Blane and Steve McBride try to nab a gangster by tracking his moll.
Maryland Maryland (1940) Character: Naomi
A woman tormented by the hunting death of her husband forbids her son to have anything to do with horses. But when he falls for the daughter of his father's trainer, he defies his mother by entering the Maryland Hunt.
So Red the Rose So Red the Rose (1935) Character: Slave (Uncredited)
During the American Civil War, Valette Bedford waits patiently for her husband Duncan Bedford, to return home, praying that she will not become a widow.
Manslaughter Manslaughter (1922) Character: Prison Inmate (uncredited)
Society-girl thrillseeker Lydia's fun comes to an end when she accidentally causes the death of motorcycle policeman.
Ladies They Talk About Ladies They Talk About (1933) Character: Mustard (uncredited)
A moll, imprisoned after participating in a bank robbery, helps with a breakout plot.
Black Moon Black Moon (1934) Character: Ruva
A woman returning to her island birthplace finds herself drawn to a voodoo cult.
Thank Your Lucky Stars Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943) Character: Bit in "Ice Cold Katie" Number (uncredited)
An Eddie Cantor look-alike organizes an all-star show to help the war effort.
Kentucky Kentucky (1938) Character: Lily
Young lovers Jack and Sally are from families that compete to send horses to the 1938 Kentucky Derby, but during the Civil War, her family sided with the South while his sided with the North--and her Uncle Peter will have nothing to do with Jack's family.



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