Allene Ray

[COP11]

Allene Ray (January 2, 1901 - May 5, 1979) was a motion pictures actress from San Antonio, Texas. She came to Hollywood after winning a motion picture contest in 1920. In 1919 a producer visiting San Antonio met Ray and insisted she take a part in a film he was making. After this success her friends prevailed upon her to enter a contest held by one of the eastern magazine companies. Ray was the winner among a field of candidates selected from throughout the entire United States.

Among her first screen credits are Honeymoon Ranch (1920), West of the Rio Grande (1921), and Partners of the Sunset (1922). The latter she made for the Lubin Corporation. In making The Fortieth Door (1924) Ray decided to wear a brunette wig as the film featured an Egyptian heroine. The serial was made by Pathe Pictures.

Her film career continued into the era of sound motion pictures with appearances in such films as The Indians Are Coming (1930), Westward Bound (1930), and The Phantom (1931). Ray played the role of a stowaway in Gun Cargo (1949).

She died from cancer in 1979, aged 78, in Temple City, California.

[COP11]

[Philip Hudson]

This is from personal knowledge.   Allene Ray used her middle name as an actress.  He last name was Birch.  At one time,  she lived with here family In Live Oak County, Texas.  Her parents lived with her in California when she was acting.  Her father and sister, Louise Birch Nolen, lived in Simmons, a community In Live Oak County, Texas. My mother, Thelma Hicks Hudson personally knew Allene  and her entire family.  I personally knew her father and her sister. I got the impression from people that knew her that she also played on Broadway.  My mother said she was in the Broadway play "The Tomboy."  Is there any record of her playing in New York?  Her father listed his occupation as bronco buster in the census'. I would like data to establish her as a one time resident of Live Oak County. 

I am 82 years old and am a native if Live Oak County, Texas. - Philip Wayne Hudson