“I was born in New York City, but both my parents died when I was two years old. So then I went to live with my grandmother in Wisconsin. I was born in eighteen ninety-three, if you care to know.” — Cleo Ridgely Source: Pearl Gaddis (1916) “I’ve been a picture actress for six […]
“I’ve always been very proud to be a South African and I’ve always been very honest to people about that. And whatever I can do in my power, I promise you, I will do. I don’t think it’s too much pressure. I think it’s our duty as citizens of this country. You don’t have to […]
HOW I BECAME A PHOTOPLAYER By Bessie Eyton October 1, 1916 I have been told that my entrance and my success in motion pictures were somewhat unusual for the reason I had no previous dramatic experience. As you know, a large majority of those prominent in the art of the silent drama were formerly players […]
Born in Louisville, KY., [Billie West] inherited the name “Billie,” with some changes, from her mother, who was called “Willie” West by her friends. She was an only girl and had two brothers. She confesses to being a tomboy…In 1910 she left home and went on the stage to begin a varied career in stock, […]
Jean Kent was a British film star of the 1940s and 1950s. Her real name was Joan Mildred Hurst. Her parents were variety performers Norman Field and Nina Norre of Brixton, London, who developed her into a performer. Joan learned to dance as a child and appeared in early films and stage performers under other […]
On Febrary 26, 1942, Private Edward Collinash hands an eviction notice to Terminal Island resident Shiro Matsushita. Matsushita was required to leave his home by midnight the following night. The following day, the Los Angeles Times reported on the U.S. military’s Terminal Island evictions in its article: “Japs’ Ouster Demand Rises.” (Note: Bizarre Los Angeles […]
“Me a nuclear scientist? That’s ridiculous. Yeah, I know the story’s out. But it isn’t true. Here’s what happened. I majored in drama at Washington University but had to take a science course. I signed up for physical science but the card got mixed up and I wound up taking nuclear science. Now everyone thinks […]
“I storyboard every sequence that I work on. It’s all storyboarded ahead of time so that we have a minimum of waste. We were always working on tight budgets so we have to have a minimum of waste. We seldom overshoot if we can help it.”— Ray Harryhausen Source: Chris Neumer “I […]
NUMBERS HER ADMIRERS BY THE MILLIONS Bessie Learn Rises to the Topmost Heights of Popularity. Aug. 15, 1915 That five feet of femininity, even “with heels” should – could – rise to such heights of popularity as has the dainty little Edison ingenue lead, Bessie Learn, is a picture paradox – but no mirage. Her […]
“Women who fill ill at ease in pajamas should not wear them.” — Hedda Hopper