Note: The titles of Zoe Rae's first films for Selig are unknown at this time. Given that many of these appearances amounted to bit parts, it's possible that she did not receive billing. This newly compiled listing begins with Rae's stint at Biograph, for whom she worked under her original name, Zoe Bech.
Key to abbreviations - D: Director, Sc: Scenario, A: Author, C: Cast
A Much Needed Lesson (5-10-15)
One reel, Biograph.
C: Jack Mulhall, Rea Martin, Gus Pixley, Irma Dawkins, Zoe Bech.
The Canceled Mortgage (5-17-15)
One reel, Biograph.
C: Claire McDowell, J. Barney Furey, Zoe Bech.
Bobby's Bargain (5-21-15) One
reel, Biograph.
C: Jack Mulhall, Rea Martin, Gus Pixley, Irme Dawkins, Marie Newton,
Zoe Bech.
The Divided Locket (6-10-15)
One reel, Biograph.
C: Helen Bray, Charles Perley, Augusta Anderson, Madge Kirby,
Zoe Bech.
The Little Runaways (7-7-15)
One reel, Biograph.
D: Ed Morrisey. C: Gus Pixley, George Stone, Irma Dawkins, Jack
Mulhall, Zoe Bech.
A Letter to Daddy (7-26-15)
One reel, Biograph.
D: Ed Morrisey. C: Gus Pixley, Zoe Bech, Irma Dawkins, Jack Mulhall.
The Law of Love (8-10-15) Two
reels, Biograph.
D: J. Farrell MacDonald. C: Jose Ruben, Charles H. Mailes, Madge
Kirby, Adelaide Woods, G. Raymond Nye, Zoe Bech.
The Ace of Diamonds (8-21-15) One reel, Biograph. D: George E. Reehm. C: Charles Perley, Zoe Bech.
Dora (8-28-15) Three reels,
Biograph.
D: Travers Vale. Sc: Charles Reade. A: From the poem by Alfred
Lord Tennyson. C: Jack Mulhall, Gretchen Hartman, Isabel Rae,
Mary Malesta, Frank Ritchie, Jack Drumier, Zoe Bech.
The Stranger in the Valley
(9-2-15) One reel, Biograph.
D: Walter Coyle. C: Claire McDowell, Thornton Cole, Herbert Barrington,
Zoe Bech.
And By These Deeds (9-21-15)
Two reels, Biograph.
D: Ray Physioc. A: Roy Norton. C: Laura La Varnie, Ivan Christie,
Joseph McDermott, Mary Maletesta, Zoe Bech, Katherine Lee.
Her Soul Revealed (10-7-15)
One reel, Biograph.
C: Augusta Anderson, Laura La Varnie, Zoe Bech, Charles Perley.
The Inevitable (10-16-15) One
reel, Biograph.
D: Walter Coyle. C: Alan Hale, Claire McDowell, Viola Smith, Ilean
Hume, Zoe Bech.
Harvest (10-27-15) Three reels,
Biograph.
C: Jack Mulhall, Franklyn Ritchie, Gretchen Hartman, Louise Vale,
Jack Drumier, Herbert Barrington, Charles H. Mailes, Viola Smith,
Zoe Bech.
The Passing Storm (10-30-15)
One reel, Biograph.
C: Alan Hale, Claire McDowell, Zoe Bech, Charles Bennett, Viola
Smith.
Love's Enduring Flame (11-20-15)
Two reels, Biograph.
C: Alan Hale, Charles Perley, William J. Butler, Claire McDowell,
Zoe Bech, Jose Ruben, Laura La Varnie, Viola Smith, Charles Bennett.
Parker Jim's Guardianship (12-21-15)
Two reels, Biograph.
C: Ivan Christie, Zoe Bech, W.C. Robinson, Robert Nolan.
Their Hour (3-2-16) Two reels,
Universal Gold Seal.
Sc: Bess Meredyth. C: Cleo Madison, Joe King, Edward Sloman, Zoe
Bech, Carmen Phillips, Wilfred Lucas, Buster Emmons.
The Desperado (Released 3-22-16;
copyrighted 3-15-16) One reel, Universal Laemmle.
D: Rupert Julian. Sc: Calder Johnstone. A: Hugh Johnson. C: Rupert
Julian, Zoe Bech, Jack Holt, Frank MacQuarrie.
Love Laughs at Dispepsia ((4-18-16;
copyrighted 4-10-16) One reel, Universal Imp.
D: Roy Clements Sc: Hal Clotworthy. C: Victor Potel, Jane Bernoudy,
Zoe Bech.
The Lonesome House (Released
4-26-16; copyrighted 4-19-16) One reel, Universal Big U.
D: George Cochrane. Sc: Calder Johnstone. A: O.M. Robinson. C:
Thomas Jefferson, Julia Jackson, Zoe Bech, Jessie Arnold.
The Beloved Liar (Released
5-4-16; copyrighted 4-26-16) Three reels, Universal Big U.
D: George Cochrane Sc: Calder Johnstone. A: D.M. Robinson, Calder
Johnstone. C: Thomas Jefferson, Zoe Bech, Nanine Wright, Buddy
McQuale, Marjorie Blinn, Frank Newberg.
Naked Hearts (Released 5-29-16;
copyrighted 5-2-16) Five reels, Universal Bluebird.
D: Rupert Julian. Sc: Olga Printzlau. A: Rupert Julian, based
on "Maud" by Alfred Lord Tennyson. C: Zoe Bech, Francelia
Billington, Jack Holt, Gordon Griffith, Rupert Julian, George
Hupp, Douglas Gerrard, Ben Horning, Paul Weigle, Nanine Wright.
The Attic Princess (Released
5-31-16; copyrighted 5-24-16) One reel, Universal Big U.
D: George Cochrane. Sc: Calder Johnstone. A: Calder Johnstone.
C: Thomas Jefferson, Zoe Bech, Marjorie Ellison.
Betty's Hobo (Released 6-15-16;
copyrighted 6-6-16) One reel, Universal Big U.
D: R.H. Cochrane. Sc: Calder Johnstone. C: Thomas Jefferson, Zoe
Bech, Malcolm Blevins, Marjorie Ellison.
Bettina Loved a Sailor (Released
8-14-16; copyrighted 7-20-16) Five reels, Universal Bluebird.
D: Rupert Julian. Sc: Elliott J. Clawson. A: "L'Abbe Constantine"
by Ludovic Halevy. C: George Berrell, Francelia Billington, Zoe
Rae, Louise Lovely, Rupert Julian, Douglas Gerrard, Elsie Jane
Wilson.
A Mountain Tragedy (10-7-16;
copyrighted 9-22-16) Two reels, Universal 101 Bison.
D: George Cochrane. Sc: Calder Johnstone. C: Zoe Rae, E.J. Denecke,
Marjorie Ellison, Burton Law, Buster Emmons.
Through Baby's Voice (10-18-16)
two reels, Universal Laemmle.
D: George Cochrane. A: Charles J. Wilson, Jr.
C: Zoe Rae, Gertrude Astor, Walter Belasco, Maud Emory, Seymour
Hastings.
Gloriana (Released 11-6-16;
copyrighted 10-21-16) Five reels, Universal Bluebird.
D: E. Mason Hopper. Sc: William H. Lippert. A: E. Mason Hopper.
C: Zoe Rae, Clarissa Selwynne, Irene Hunt, Gordon Griffith, Vergie
Foltz, William Canfield, Buddie Messenger, Johnnie Cooke, Mary
Talbot.
Polly Put the Kettle On (1-1-17;
copyrighted 12-22-17) Five reels, Universal Red Feather.
D: Douglas Gerrard. Sc: Elizabeth C. Hendrix (Inspired by the
song of the same title) C: Thomas Jefferson, Ruth Clifford, Zoe
Rae, Martha Maddox, Douglas Gerrard, Marvel Spencer, Lena Basquette.
Midnight (1-14-17) One reel,
Universal Imp.
D: Allan J. Holubar. Sc: E.J. Clawson. A: Frank Spearman.
C: Allan J. Holubar, Zoe Rae.
The War Waif (2-1-17) Two reels,
Universal.
D: Allan J. Holubar. Sc: Maie B. Havey. A: Grace Ellen Bailey.
C: Allan J. Holubar, Zoe Rae, Irene Hunt, Eugene Walsh, Nellie
Allen, Nanine Wright, George Pierce.
The Grudge (3-25-17) Two reels,
Universal Rex.
D: William V. Mong. Sc: Harvey Gates. C: William V. Mong, Irene
Hunt, Zoe Rae, Alfred Allen, William Wayne, Harry Holden.
Chubby Takes a Hand (4-18-17)
One reel, Universal Laemmle.
D: William V. Mong. Sc: Harvey Gates. A: E. Magnus Ingleton. C:
William V. Mong, Zoe Rae, Dan Lighton, Betty Schade, Violet Schram.
By Speshul Delivery (6-1-17)
One reel, Universal Victor.
D: George Sargent. Sc: Karl R. Coolidge. C: Zoe Rae, Gertrude
Astor, Van Paul, Frankie Lee.
The Circus of Life (Released
6-4-17; copyrighted 5-23-17) Five reels, Universal Butterfly.
D: Rupert Julian. Sc: Elliot J. Clawson. A: Elliott J. Clawson.
C: Pomeroy Cannon, Elsie Jane Wilson, Zoe Rae, Harry Carter, Mignon
Anderson, Emory Johnson, Nanine Wright.
Heart of Gold (6-14-17) Two
reels, Universal Gold Seal.
C: George Sargent. Sc: Karl R. Coolidge. A: Charles J. Wilson,
Jr. C: Zoe Rae, Gertrude Astor, Walter Belasco, Maud Emory, Seymour
Hastings.
A Kentucky Cinderella (Released
6-25-17; copyrighted 5-26-17) Five reels, Universal Bluebird.
D: Rupert Julian. Sc: Elliott J. Clawson. A: F. Hopkins Smith.
C: Rupert Julian, Harry Carter, Ruth Clifford, Gretchen Lederer,
Myrtle Reeves, Aurora Pratt, Emory Johnson, Eddie Polo, Frank
Lanning, Zoe Rae, Lucretia Harris, Elsie Jane Wilson.
The Golden Heart (8-20-17)
Two reels, Universal Star.
D: George Sargent. Sc: Karl R. Coolidge. A: Charles J. Wilson,
Jr. C: Walter Belasco, Zoe Rae, Maud Emory, Seymour Hastings,
Gertrude Astor, Seymour Zeliff.
The Cricket (Released 9-10-17;
copyrighted 11-02-17) Five reels, Universal Imp.
D: Elsie Jane Wilson. Sc: Elliot J. Clawson. C: Zoe Rae, Rene
Rogers, Fred Warren, Harry Holden, Winter Hall, George Hupp, Hallam
Cooley, Gretchen Lederer.
The Little Pirate (Released
9-10-17; copyrighted 8-31-17) Five reels, Universal Butterfly.
D: Elsie Jane Wilson. Sc: Elliot J. Clawson. A: Norris Shannon.
C: Charles H. West, Frank Brownlee, Gretchen Lederer, Zoe Rae,
Lillian Peacock, M.F. Titus, Burwell Hamrick.
The Silent Lady (Released 12-10-17;
11-30-17) Five reels, Universal Butterfly.
D: Elsie Jane Wilson. Sc: Elliott J. Clawson. C: Zoe Rae, Gretchen
Lederer, Winter Hall, Harry Holden, Edwin Brown, Lulu Warrenton,
E.A. Warren.
My Little Boy (Released 12-17-17;
copyrighted 5-1-17) Five reels, Universal Bluebird.
D: Elsie Jane Wilson. Sc: Elliot J. Clawson (suggested by portions
of Dickens' A Christmas Carol and the nursery rhyme "Little
Boy Blue.") A: Rupert Julian. C: Emory Johnson, Ella Hall,
Zoe Rae, Winter Hall, Harry Holden, Gretchen Lederer.
The Kaiser, Beast of Berlin
(Released 3-11-18) Seven reels, Renowned Pictures Corporation;
released by Jewel Productions. Producer: Rupert Julian.
D: Rupert Julian. Sc: Elliot Clawson and Rupert Julian. C: Rupert
Julian, Elmo Lincloln, Nigel DeBrulier, Lon Chaney, Zoe Rae, George
Hupp, Walter Belasco.
The Magic Eye (Released 4-1-18;
copyrighted 3-22-18) Five reels, Universal.
D: Rae Berger. Sc: Frank Howard Clark. A: Norris Shannon. C: Henry
A. Barrows, Claire Du Brey, Zoe Rae, Charles H. Mailes, William
A. Carroll, Elwood Bredell.
Danger Within (Released 5-18-18;
copyrighted 4-11-18) Five reels, Universal Bluebird.
D: Rae Berger. Sc: Frank Howard Clark. A: Charles T. Dazey, Frank
M. Dazey. C: Winifred Greenwood, Zoe Rae, William A. Carroll,
Charles H. Mailes, Harry Dunkinson, Virginia True Boardman.
The Star Prince (6/18) Five
reels, Little Players' Film Company of Chicago.
D: Madeline Brandeis. C: Zoe Rae, Dorphia Brown, John Dorland,
Edith Rothschild, Marjorie Claire Bowden.
The Weaker Vessel (Released
6-30-19; copyrighted 6-29-19) Six reels, Universal.
D: Paul Powell. Sc: Elmer Ellsworth. A: Elmer Ellsworth. C: Mary
MacLaren, Anne Schaefer, John MacKay, Johnnie Cooke, Ethel Ritchie,
Thurston Hall, Zoe Rae, Lina Basquette.
Ace of the Saddle (Released
8-18-19; copyrighted 7-30-19) Six reels, Universal.
D: John Ford. Sc: George Hively. A: Frederick J. Jackson. C: Harry
Carey, Joe Harris, Duke R. Lee, Zoe Rae, Peggy Pearce, Jack Walters,
Vester Peggy, Howard Enstedt.
Rings and Things (9-20-20)
One reel, Universal Star.
D: Al Santell. Sc: A.J. Wilson. A: Tom Gibson. C: Josephine Hill,
Neal Burns, Zoe Rae.
Sources: The Universal Silents, Richard E. Braff,
Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co., 1999.
The Braff Silent Short Film Working Papers, Jefferson,
NC: McFarland & Co., 2001.
The American Film Institute Catalogue of Motion Pictures Produced
in the United States: Feature Films: 1911-20. Berkley: The
University of Berkley Press, 1988.
Special thanks to Kevin Brownlow and Anthony Slide for kindly providing research materials. Thanks are also due to Zoe's daughter, Mona, for her hospitality and for sharing her mother's personal collection of photographs