Belle K. Maniates | |
|---|---|
 Belle K. Maniates, from a 1915 publication | |
| Born | September 1861 Marshall, Michigan, US |
| Died | November 13, 1931 Lansing, Michigan, US |
| Occupation | Writer |
Belle K. Maniates (September 1861 – November 13, 1931) was an American novelist and short story writer. At least three silent films were made based on works by Maniates: Amarilly of Clothes-Line Alley (1918), Mirandy Smiles (1918), and Penny of Top Hill Trail (1921).
Belle Kanaris Maniates was born in Marshall, Michigan, in 1861. Her father Nicholas Kanaris Maniates was a Greek immigrant and a doctor.[1][2] Her mother was Martha Arabelle Becker Maniates, of New York. Her father died in the same year that Belle Maniates was born.[3] She was sometimes described as the niece or grandniece of Greek politician Konstantinos Kanaris.[2]
Maniates, who worked as a secretary and clerk in the Michigan state government in Lansing,[4][5] wrote "eight novels and hundreds of short stories".[1] Several of her short stories appeared in the Chicago Defender newspaper. Books by Maniates included David Dunne, a Romance of the Middle West (1912),[6][7] Amarilly of Clothes-Line Alley (1915),[8] Mildew Manse (1916),[9][10] Amarilly in Love (1917),[11] Little Boy Bear (1917),[12] Our Next Door Neighbors (1917),[13] Penny of Top Hill Trail (1919),[14] and Sand Holler (1920).[15]
Three of her stories were adapted as silent films: Amarilly of Clothes-Line Alley (1918) was directed by Marshall Neilan, adapted by Frances Marion and starred Mary Pickford;[4] Mirandy Smiles (1918) was directed by William C. deMille, adapted by Edith M. Kennedy, and starred Vivian Martin; and Penny of Top Hill Trail (1921) was directed by Arthur Berthelet, adapted by Finis Fox and Beatrice Van, and starred Bessie Love.[16][17] Amarilly of Clothes-Line Alley and Mildew Alley were also adapted for the stage, in 1917 and 1922.[18][19]
