I am wondering if any print of this film has survived? Probably not, as the vast majority of all silent movies are lost. But if anyone knows the answer, please contact me.
If SAPHO is a lost film, it is doubly tragic, as this seems to be the only film appearance of Florence Roberts, who was one of the nation's most prominent touring stage actresses in the nation, and arguably the first woman to actually head a live theater troupe.
Florence Roberts was born in New York, but spent most of her life in San Francisco, where she was the toast of the theater world, performing in such shows as GIOCONDA, MARTA OF THE LOWLANDS, MARIA ROSA, SAPHO, and the show that would earn her a nickname, ZAZA. Often, she would be referred to Florence "Zaza" Roberts. She also appeared on Broadway in STRENGTH OF THE WEAK, JIM THE PENMAN, DIPLOMACY, and THE CLAIM. She missed being caught in the 1906 San Francisco earthquake because she was on Broadway at the time.
She was married to famed San Francisco stage actor Lewis Morrison, who was old enough to be her father, and years after his death,married much younger actor Frederick Vogeding. Florence Roberts was step-grandmother to actresses Constance and Joan Bennett, although they never met her (they were descended from Morrison by his first wife).
The story of Florence Roberts is a fascinating one, and if SAPHO is indeed a lost film, it is sad but not surprising. Florence Roberts should not be confused with the actress of the same name who played character roles in films in the 1930s.
