In 1929, Hale began working in Hollywood. Her first film was The Hole in the Wall (1929). Also in 1929, she reprised her role as Cora Sabbot in the film version of the Broadway play Paris. During her four years in Hollywood, she worked for Columbia, Fox, Paramount, RKO and Warner Bros. studios and performed in 30 films.[2] She often appeared in roles as a mother or grandmother.[4]
Writing
Hale had a parallel career as an author and playwright starting in the first decade of the 20th century.[citation needed] She cowrote the play Mother's Millions and was a correspondent for Harper's Magazine during World War I.[1] Her books included Home Talent[6] and An American's London.[1] She also was an associate editor for The Smart Set magazine.[4] Her published work exceeded 10 books and 100 short stories.[7]
Personal life
In 1899, Closser married artist and actor Walter Hale, whose name she used for her stage career,[2] and who illustrated a number of her travel books. She collaborated with him in the preparation of many travel works, for which they traveled extensively. The marriage was childless.
Closser Hale was one of the founders of the Stage Women's War Relief during World War I.[3]
Death
Hale was overcome by heat while shopping in Hollywood, California, on July 25, 1933, and she died following a heart attack at Monte Sano Hospital[1] on July 26, 1933[8] at the age of 60. In her will, Hale requested a simple and inexpensive Episcopalian funeral service. She directed that at the close of the service, her body should be cremated and that "no friend or kin accompany the body further than the church door."[8] The will also said, "If I live in the memory of my friends, I shall have lived long enough."[8] She left her estate to relatives and charities. Her body was cremated and the ashes were interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.[citation needed]
^Merrick, Mollie (April 24, 1932). "Hollywood in Person". The Montana Standard. Montana, Butte. North America Newspaper Alliance. p. 31. Retrieved November 20, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.