American actress and costume designer
Corinne Barker (née Riely; June 5, 1890 – August 6, 1928) was an American actress and costume designer who came to prominence during the silent era, specifically for her roles in several Vitagraph films. She also appeared in several Broadway productions as well as two films with Marion Davies: "The Restless Sex" (1920) and "Enchantment" (1921).
After making the transition to theater in the 1920s, Barker began working as a costume designer in Manhattan, working under Vincent Youmans. Upon returning to the United States from Europe in July 1928, Barker developed peritonitis from food poisoning, of which she died on August 6, 1928.
Life and career.
Early life.
Barker was born Corinne Riely on June 5, 1890 in Salem, Oregon, to Charles Strang and Amelia (née Savage) Riely. She was educated at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Salem. Her father was also a native of Salem, and a prominent businessman there and in Portland, Oregon.
Film and theater career.
She began acting in theater productions in Portland in the early-1900s. She moved from Portland to New York City in 1910, and appeared in a stage production of "The Crinoline Girl" with Julian Eltinge. She married William Barker in Portland some time prior to 1916.
Barker began appearing in films in 1918, debuting in "Money Mad". Her second film appearance in "Peck's Bad Girl" (1918) was praised by "Variety", which noted: "Corinne Barker as the wily Hortense could not have been better cast." She appeared in a handful of features in 1919, including "One Week of Life", "The Peace of Roaring River", and "The Climbers", the latter of which starred Corinne Griffith. She subsequently had a supporting role opposite Marion Davies in the drama "The Restless Sex" (1920). Barker married actor Hobart Henley in New York City in July 1920, after which she appeared in "Why Girls Leave Home" (1921), and "Enchantment" (also 1921), the latter of which also starred Davies.
In New York, Barker worked as a stage actress as well as a costume designer, designing the costumes for a 1926 Broadway production of "No, No, Nanette". In late 1927, she began designing costumes for Vincent Youmans' stage productions. She resided on the Upper West Side at 78th Street with husband Henley and her mother.
Death.
Barker was admitted to Mount Sinai Hospital in Manhattan on July 19, 1928, shortly after returning to the United States from Europe, suffering from peritonitis. It was reported on July 27 that her condition had stemmed from food poisoning and that she was in "serious condition." Barker died a little over a week later on August 6, 1928.
Her funeral service was held at the Church of Transfiguration in Manhattan. Barker is interred at River View Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.
References.
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