H.O. Martinek

Oceano Henry Oscar Martinek was born into a circus family on 24 May 1876, on a ship travelling to Sweden. He performed in the circus from an early age, with his brother Leonard, and later on, with his wife, Ivy. All three were in a troupe of acrobatic dancers who went to the USA in 1903 to perform at the prestigious Barnum and Bailey's circus. Shortly after this, he and his wife, Ivy Martinek, moved away from circus performing into silent movies, working initially in France for Pathe Freres. They were both eventually tempted across the Channel to work for British and Colonial, who wanted to break into the exciting world of silent movies, with a touch of French elan. Thus from around 1909 H O Martinek, as he seemed to be known, both starred in and directed many early silent adventure, crime, drama and comedy films, often appearing with his wife, Ivy Martinek, His first film was a smash-hit 'Her Lover's Honour'. He is perhaps best remembered for directing many of the very popular 'Three-Fingered Kate' adventure series, starring his wife Ivy, between 1909-12. His last starring role and screen appearance was in "The Deadly Model' for the Big Ben Film Company in 1915. He died of tuberculosis in 1935, age 58.