“The motion picture is so vast in scope, so willing to venture into untried fields, that I’m looking with eagerness to Hollywood as the emotional Eden to which I belong.” — Jill Esmond Source: 1931 Photo: Ernest Bachrach (1932)
ACTOR JAILED IN ABDUCTION Frederico de la Vega Held on Girl’s Charges Los Angeles Times, May 11, 1933 Accused of kidnapping a pretty Mexican actress when she refused his escort, Frederico de la Vaga, Argentine actor, last night was in the West Los Angeles jail. His accuser is Nancy Torres, 22-years of age, recent arrival […]
Lillian Lane makes frequent trips to Africa on big game hunts. She has quite an enviable reputation as a huntress. When at home, in London, she is an actress. Lillian is just as good on the stage as she is with a big game rifle in her hands, in the country [sic] of Africa. — […]
“I’ve always been an avid reader. I’ve been known to read as many as three books in one day…especially Russian psychology. The Russians have such a capacity for unhappiness. Their books are full of it. So is their music with all its plaintive minors. I studied piano, you know.” — Grace Bradley Source: Lyle Rooks […]
Fate Has Smiled Upon Vera Francis — Deciding Career Is Big Question by Nora Holt April 17, 1954 How long does it take a young girl living in this mad and commedium [sic] for a career? Especially if the medium is show business, the most demanding, risky and heartbreaking, and yet fascinating and rewarding profession […]
Ruth “Dusty” Anderson was a popular fashion model in the 1940s. Born in Toledo, Ohio, she moved to New York City to embark on a showbusiness career. According to Walter Winchell, while she was in Toledo, she had won a $400 Bank Night prize, which paid for her move to the Big Apple. Other press […]
Joan Burgess got her start as a chorus girl with Earl Carroll in one his Vanity shows on Broadway in 1928. She then met Flo Ziegfeld, who cast her in a minor role in his production of “Show Boat” in 1930. While in “Show Boat” she started dating Nicky Blair, part owner of a popular […]
Tom Tyler, real name Vincent Markowski, was born August 9, 1903 in Port Henry, New York. He became a weightlifter who began his movie career in 1924 as an extra. Because of his tall, strong build, he easily fit in with the Western genre and he debuted as a leading man in Let’s Go, Gallagher (1925). By 1927, […]
Sign Spanish Dancing Star For Talkies Luana Alcañiz, Meller’s Protege, to Perform in Movietone May 25, 1930 A new charmer in the ranks of movietone is announced by Fox Films with the signing of Luana Alcañiz, a beautiful 21-year-old dancer and singer whose art is ranked by critics with that of Raquel Meller. Miss Alcañiz […]
Steffi Duna Goes Wild For Picture Purposes She Even Changed Her Name By Eleanor Barnes December 7, 1935 The Hollywood savage is not Lupe Velez, but Steffi Duna, Hungarian actress. Miss Duna has not always been a savage. For years she was civilized – Then came the Warner Bros., who wrought the change in Miss […]