Roberta Wilson

Lois Wilson, the oldest of the girls, would end up experiencing the longest career in films, including both silent and sound pictures.

She knew the name change was needed because her motion picture career always existed in the shadow of her famous sister Lois.

"[6] That same year, Roberta's sister, Lois, moves to California after winning a beauty contest put on by Universal Studios and The Birmingham News.

Her ascension to top billing was not based on the influence of her more famous sister but rather on her determination to achieve success in her chosen art form.

The magazine ads for the film lists G. Raymond Nye and Roberta Wilson as the featured leads under the direction of Jacques Jaccard.

The movie ad from the October 1916 issue Moving Picture World December 1916 edition shows Roberta sharing top billing with Frank Whitson and Hayward Mack under the direction of Burton George.

All of Roberta Wilson's films made during this period are lost except the 1916 release of The Isle Of Life[20] In May 1881, Raymond W Eyster was born in Amelia, Ohio.

[21] It is uncertain if Roberta knew the reasons for Eyster's earlier divorce, since those details might predict his future destructive behavior.

[22] [23] The age disparity barely violated the archaic "Half-your-age-plus-seven rule", so this marriage would not raise any collective societal eyebrows.

The 1920 census shows Ray and Roberta Eyster living at 4949 Sheridan Road with a live-in German servant.

"[23][26] Indeed, she honored her promise to leave the movie business while married to Eyster, releasing her last film one month before her marriage.

Bebe also began working on resetting Roberta's life in an attempt to blot out the memories of a dismal past in Chicago.

In 1924, she stated, "I do not want to shine in reflected glory or to trade on my sister's reputation," says Miss Kane in explanation of her screen name.

The film was released in September 1924 and told the story of a man and woman's romance while cast away on a desert island.

Her last project for 1925 was a feature-length drama, The New Commandment released in November for another New York-based production company, First National Pictures.

The comedy project featured Ben Lyon, Blanche Sweet and Diana's sister, Lois Wilson.

All of Roberta Wilson's films made during this second stint are lost except, Miss Bluebeard[40] Lovers in Quarantine[41] and The Brown Derby.

Now a bon vivant, George Fitzmaurice was sitting in his new home when Diana Kane stopped in to ask for a part in a movie.

As mentioned previously, after Roberta's marriage failed, she moved to New York and settled in with Bebe Daniels In 1923, she changed her name to Diana Kane.

Diana used her home to stage weddings, showers, social functions, and most importantly, a place to raise children.

According to the 1930 census, the house was a primary residence for George, Diana, 1-year-old daughter Sheila, an English Butler, servant, Child Nurse, and a 35-year-old French maid.

He also flew airplanes for the British in World War I. Brigadier General Cousins took charge of the Army Air Forces West Coast Training Center in 1942.

"[53] In an article by Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parsons dated April 27, 1945, she states, "Mrs. Diana Fitzmaurice, widow, of one of Hollywood's most beloved directors, George Fitzmaurice announced today she would wed Maj. Gen. Ralph Cousins, commandant of the Santa Ana Army Air Base."

Parsons further stated Diana is "one of the film colony's favorite personalities," and her future husband is "well-liked in Hollywood" and "made hosts of friends among southern California movie and society celebrities."

Their successful daughters had moved them to California, providing them with a nice Beverly Hills home and a comfortable lifestyle for the rest of their lives.

In later life, Lois Wilson moved to Reno, Nevada to be closer to her niece Sheila Shay, Roberta's only surviving daughter.

Lois Wilson died of pneumonia at a Skilled Care facility in Reno, Nevada, on March 3, 1988, at the age of 93 years old.

[56] Janice Wilson began her brief career in films by acting in Pitfalls of a Big City released on April 13, 1919.

Janice Stroub, Roberta's younger sister, was 82 years old when she died on November 5, 1982, in Beverly Hills, California.

Constance B Wilson (Connie), Roberta's youngest sister, was 64 years old when she died on January 4, 1968, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania after choking on a piece of meat in a restaurant.

Lois and Diana 1926
1916 magazine ad
1916 magazine ad
1916 MPW cover
1916 magazine ad
Roberta Eyster 1922
1926 Lobby Card
1926 Lobby Card
George and Diana
General and Diana Fitzmaurice