Ivy Martinek was an American actress who is best known for her roles in “The Three-Fingered Kate,” “Lieutenant Daring,” and “When Paris Sleeps.” Born Elfride Caroline Steigerwald in 1880 in Austria-Hungary, she became a prominent figure in silent films.
Personal and Family Life
Ivy grew up in a German naval family and had a brother named George. After marrying Oceano Martinek in 1903, she moved to America to perform with the Barnum and Bailey Circus. The couple had a child before transitioning to silent movies, establishing their career in England. Ivy was also known by the nickname Ellie and had a close relationship with her sister-in-law, Olympia Sumner.
Career
Ivy began her film career with Pathe Freres and became well-known for her role as the lead in the action-adventure series “The Three-Fingered Kate,” produced from 1909 to 1912. In 1913, she performed under the name Montford and continued acting until her final film, “When Paris Sleeps,” in 1917. Her performances were often alongside her husband, H.O. Martinek, who was instrumental in her movie career.
Death and Legacy
Ivy Martinek passed away on June 16, 1949, in Ovingdean, Brighton, England. Her contributions to early silent cinema remain significant, particularly in the action-adventure genre. Although her fame faded after her passing, Ivy is still remembered for her pioneering roles in early filmmaking.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Exploits of Three-Fingered Kate | 1909-01-02 | |
| Reub’s Little Girl | 1913-08-30 | The Girl |
| The Mountaineer’s Romance | 1912-01-02 | |
| The Blind Boy | 1917-12-01 | Inez (as Ivy Montford) |
| Three-Fingered Kate – The Wedding Presents | 1912-07-01 | Kate |
| Three-Fingered Kate: Her Second Victim, the Art Dealer | 1909-01-01 | Kate |
| Three-Fingered Kate – Her Victim the Banker | 1910-05-01 | Kate |
| Three-Fingered Kate: The Episode of the Sacred Elephants | 1910-11-01 | Kate |
| Three-Fingered Kate: The Case of the Chemical Fumes | 1912-01-01 | Kate |
| Three-Fingered Kate: The Pseudo-Quartette | 1912-01-01 | Kate |
| Lieutenant Daring Defeats the Middleweight Champion | 1912-01-01 | Ivy Mountford |
| Lieutenant Daring and the Photographing Pigeon | 1912-01-01 | The Girl |
| Lieutenant Daring Quells a Rebellion | 1912-01-01 | Carmencita |
| Don Q and the Artist | 1912-01-01 | Isabelita |
| Don Q – How He Outwitted Don Luis | 1912-12-01 | Isabelita |