Elda Vokel

Elda Vokel Hartley (March 6, 1911 – March 6, 2001) was a stage and motion picture actress, and later a producer and promoter of documentary films, from Dallas, Texas. Following a brief career as a Hollywood actress, which lasted from 1930 to 1932 and during which she accumulated four screen credits, Vokel married filmmaker Irving Hartley, with whom she produced numerous documentary films on a wide range of subjects. In 1976, she created the Hartley Film Foundation, which was dedicated to promoting greater understanding of religion and spirituality.

Early life, education, and theater

Elda Voelkel (as her surname was originally spelled), the daughter of Leonidas ("L. C." or "Leo") and Emily (Lockwood) Voelkel, was born in Texas, where she grew up in McKinney. Vokel gained experience at the Little Theater in Dallas and studied expression. She enjoyed sketching and once entertained the dual ambition of becoming an artist and a novelist. She spent two years studying at Southern Methodist University, before departing for New York City and dramatic school.

Vokel appeared on Broadway in the comedy The Greeks Had A Word For It, in 1931. In June of that year she came to Santa Barbara, California with a troupe. Dorothy Hall and Wanda Lyon co-starred with her in the play which was written by Zoë Akins. The Belasco and Curran show also featured Armand Kallz and Montagu Love.

Films

The Fox Film Corporation signed Vokel to a contract after she played two ingenue theatrical roles in New York. Her first assignment was Bad Girl. However, she lost the part because of objections regarding her southern accent. She was cast in bit parts in The Vagabond King (1930), Only The Brave (1930), and had an uncredited role in She Wanted A Millionaire (1932).

Vokel returned to the New York stage prior to reentering motion pictures. She was temporarily given the feminine lead, opposite Warner Oland, in Charlie Chan's Chance (1932). Before filming began she was replaced by Marian Nixon. Her final film role was in The First Year (1932). The movie starred Charles Farrell and Janet Gaynor. Directed by William K. Howard, the romantic comedy was taken from a popular farce, penned by Frank Craven.

Following the end of her acting career and her 1940 marriage to filmmaker Irving Hartley, Vokel (thereafter known as Elda Hartley) began producing documentary films, including newsreels and travelogues, with her husband. Beginning in 1965, she turned to world religions and spirituality as the primary subject matter of her films, and to that end she co-founded the Hartley Film Foundation.

Private life

Vokel began a romantic relationship with William Keighley. He was the Belasco stage director who selected her for the role of Polaire in The Greeks Had A Word For It. Keighley and Vokel married and were later divorced in October 1936. In 1940, Vokel married Charles Irving Hartley (1902–1986).

Vokel enjoyed modernistic furniture, horseback riding, tennis, and swimming. She read both philosophy and psychology.

References

• Appleton, Wisconsin Post-Crescent, "Gaynor-Farrell Team In The First Year", Sunday, November 19, 1932, Page 7.
• Galveston Daily News, "Talkie Portrait", September 13, 1931, Page 15.
• Los Angeles Times, "Santa Barbara Will View Comedy First", July 23, 1931, Page A9.
• Los Angeles Times, "What Caused Career Mystery To Actress", August 9, 1931, Page B10.
• Los Angeles Times, "Isn't It Nice?", August 11, 1931, Page A11.
• Los Angeles Times, "Fox Assigns Two Leads", October 30, 1931, Page 11.
• Port Arthur, Texas News, "Director, Tired Of Marriage, Is Freed", October 4, 1936, Page 24.