Margaret Chute

Chute was the daughter of Charles Kean Chute and Sybil Claridge Andrews. Her parents were notable stage actors, performing in the West End and throughout Britain, including at Hastings’ Gaiety Theatre.^[1]

During World War II, Joan Crawford volunteered as Chute's guarantor, allowing her to move from England and continue working in the United States.^[2][3]

Chute passed away in Los Angeles, California on November 30, 1948, due to a stroke caused by cirrhosis of the liver.^[4][5]

Chute was on the professional stage from 1908-1919. In 1911 to 1912, she played Mrs. Cowper-Cowper in the first revival of Lady Windermere's Fan.

In 1917, George Robey employed Chute as his private secretary. In 1920, she was employed by Sir Oswald Stoll as the first woman press representative for London's Coliseum and Alhambra theatres.^[6]

In 1925, Chute travelled to Germany to survey their studio systems.^[7] In 1926, Chute travelled to Hollywood to interview some of her favorite film stars, including Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks.^[8] She would return every year. Chute wrote for various fan magazines including Hollywood Magazine, Photoplay, and Picture Play magazine.^{[9][8][10][2]} She also wrote for United Press.^[11]

Chute also took photographs of many stars, including Jean Harlow, Marion Davies, Dorothy Sebastian, and Joan Crawford.^[12][13][14]

Her career declined after Chute published articles exposing the mistreatment of women in Hollywood, similar to today's MeToo movement.

In July 2021, The Stables Theatre premiered Picture Picture by Chute's relation David Charles Manners, which focused on Chute's life and hosted the first-ever exhibition of Chute's photographs.^[1]