Bernice Vere (1 July 1900 – 13 March 1972) was an English-born stage, playwright, director, and film actress. She emigrated to Australia when she turned 12. She started performing on stage in Australia until the movie-producing team of E.J. Carroll and Snowy Baker discovered her. They cast her in the silent feature The Shadow of Lightning Ridge, where she acted alongside American actress Agnes Vernon. Vere immigrated to the United States and married a prominent American writer while continuing her career as a stock actor. Her last motion picture was the silent feature released in 1928. After her last film, she returned to the stage. She continued acting with several repertoire companies in the United States, developing into a playwright and Director. She died in New Jersey in 1972. Early years Vere was the second child born to John W. and Francis A. Vert of Formby, England. An older sister, Adrienne Elizabeth, had previously arrived in July 1895. The 1901 English census lists her father's occupation as a Commercial Traveler (salesperson) and her mother as a stay-at-home parent. In 1911, the 12 year old attended a private girls' school in Sales, England. Vere demonstrated a talent for singing and musicianship at an early age. Bernice was a gifted violinist, and when she was 6, she became the In June 1912, Bernice Vert's family, minus her father, emigrated to Australia. The booking was a third-class contract (the only type of ticket available on the ship) and arrived in Sydney on June 19, 1912. The ship's manifest lists her mother, Francis (48), her sister Adrienne (18), and 11-year-old Bernice. Soon after her arrival, Bernice got involved in Australia's theater scene, acting in plays and performed as a child on stage. Career Stage Her first appearance in an Australian newspaper was in the Freeman's Journal on June 25, 1914. The item mentioned Bernice Vert contributing a recitation to the St Patrick's Old Boys concert. She had just turned 14. When Bernice was 15, the media mentioned her performance at the Casula camp. When Bernice Vert was 16, the news media called her a "talented amateur." By age 17, she was getting rave reviews for her performance in the comedy — . The newspaper reviewer states: After turning 18, she would continue her stage performances appearing in the comedies of and . In February 1919, she sailed to New Zealand to play in .