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Jeanette MacDonald

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"The one thing I missed was never having children. It just wasn't in the cards, I guess." ~ Jeanette

Jeanette Anna MacDonald was born on June 18, 1903, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was the youngest of three daughters. Jeanette was a talented singer with a beautiful soprano voice. She went to New York to study music and began her career on Broadway. Jeanette made her film debut in the 1929 musical The Love Parade. It was a hit and she became one of Hollywood's hottest actresses. Her success continued with starring roles in The Lottery Bride and Love Me Tonight. Jeanette's sister, Marie Blake, also became an actress. In 1934 Jeanette signed a lucrative contract with MGM. The following year she he was paired with baritone Nelson Eddy in the musical Naughty Marietta. Jeanette and Nelson became one of Hollywood's most popular duos and were nicknamed "America's Singing Sweethearts". They made seven more movies together including Maytime and Sweethearts.



In real life Nelson and Jeanette were romantically involved for many years but kept their affair a secret. She married actor Gene Raymond in 1937. Although they appeared happy in public the couple had a troubled marriage. Jeanette was unable to have children and their were rumors that Gene was gay. By 1939 her $300,000 a year salary made her one of the highest paid actresses and she was voted "Queen Of Hollywood" in a nationwide poll. After making several unsuccessful films she decided to leave MGM in 1942. Jeanette performed live concerts and appeared in several stage productions. In 1958 Jeanette re-teamed with Nelson to record an album of duets. As she got older health problems forced her to stop working. Jeanette died on January 14, 1965 from a heart attack. She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013





 
   




Jeanette's costume from The Sun Comes Up (from my collection)

Sonja Henie

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"Jewelry takes people's minds off your wrinkles." ~ Sonja

Sonja Henie was born on April 8, 1912 in Oslo, Norway. She grew up in a very wealthy family and was encouraged to play sports. Sonja loved playing tennis and she excelled at ice-skating. At the age of ten she won her first ice-skating competition. She competed in the 1924 Winter Olympics and came in eighth place. Sonja became the ice-skating world champion in 1927 and the following year she won an Olympic gold medal. She also won gold medals in the 1932 and 1936 Olympics. After retiring from competitive skating Sonja wanted to pursue an acting career. In 1936 her father financed an extravagant ice show in Hollywood. Darryl Zanuck took notice of the petite blonde and signed her to a contract. Her first film, One In A Million with Adolphe Menjou, was a huge success. Although critics complained about her acting skills and thick accent audiences loved her. She starred in a string of hits including Thin Ice, My Lucky Star, and and Sun Valley Serenade. All of her films included dazzling ice-skating routines which she choreographed herself. By 1939 she was one of the highest paid actresses in Hollywood. She appeared on the cover of Time magazine and her skates were immortalized at Graumann's Chinese Theatre. In addition to her acting Sonja toured the world performing in ice shows and landed many lucrative endorsement deals.



She had high profile romances with Tyrone Power, boxer Joe Louis, and Van Johnson. In 1940 Sonja married businessman Daniel Topping. During World War 2 her connections to the Nazis caused a controversy. She had often performed in Germany and her popularity plummeted when a photo of her with Adolphe Hitler was published. Sonja decided to become a US citizen and supported the USO in their efforts. She divorced Daniel and married Winthrop Gardner, a wealthy aviator, in 1949. By this time her movie career was over. She continued to perform in ice shows and even starred in her own television special. Unfortunately she had a serious drinking problem which eventually forced her to retire. Sonja's marriage to Winthrop ended in 1956. That same year she married shipping magnate Niels Onstad. The couple moved back to Norway and opened a museum to showcase their art collection. In 1968 Sonja was diagnosed with leukemia. She died on October 12, 1969 at the age of fifty-seven. Sonja is buried on a hilltop overlooking the Henie-Onstad museum. After she died her brother wrote a scandalous biography in which he claimed Sonja had a violent temper and was very promiscuous.

~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2014


With Tyrone Power






A handwritten letter to George Cukor (from my collection)

Peggy Shannon

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"I am as much like Clara Bow as onion soup is like a fine day." ~ Peggy

Peggy Shannon was born Winona Sammon on January 10, 1907, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She attended Catholic school where she became friends with child actress Madge Evans. While visiting her aunt in New York sixteen year old Peggy was discovered by producer Florenz Ziegfeld. He hired her as a chorus girl in The Ziegfeld Follies. Peggy married actor Alan Davis in 1926. The following year she was starring on Broadway in Earl Carrol's production of What Anne Brought Home. In 1931 she was offered a contract at Paramount studios. With her beautiful face and red hair Peggy was promoted as "the new Clara Bow". When Clara suffered a nervous breakdown Peggy was given her role in The Secret Call. Although she starred in the films This Reckless Age and Hotel Continental her career never really took off. She also developed a reputation for being difficult to work with.



When her movie contract was not renewed she tried returning to Broadway. Unfortunately by this time she had serious drinking problem and was fired from the play The Light Behind The Shadow. Peggy continued to get small parts in B-movies like Youth On Parole and Cafe Hostess. She divorced Alan in 1940 and married camera man Albert G. Roberts. On May 11, 1941 her husband returned home from a trip and found Peggy slumped over the kitchen table. She had died from a heart attack at the young age of thirty-four. Her autopsy revealed that she had a serious liver ailment cause by her alcoholism. Three weeks after her death Albert committed suicide. Peggy is buried at Hollywood Forever cemetery in Hollywood, California. The epitaph on her tombstone says "That Red Headed Girl, Peggy Shannon".

~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2014









Peggy's Christmas card (from my collection)

Toby Wing

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"Because I'm a vivid blonde and people think of me as a chorus girl they won't believe I'm any more than just that." ~ Toby

Toby Wing was born Martha Virginia Wing on July 14, 1915, in Amelia Courthouse, Virginia. Her father worked as an assistant director and helped Toby get her first acting job at the age of nine. When she was a teenager she was hired as one of the Goldywn Girls along with Betty Grable and Paulette Goddard. Toby started to get supporting roles in films like School For Girls and Murder At The Vanities. In 1934 she announced her engagement to actor Jackie Coogan but they broke up soon after. With her platinum blonde hair and voluptuous figure Toby became a popular sex symbol. Her high-profile romances with Maurice Chevalier, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr, and singer Pinky Tomlin kept her in name in the gossip columns.



Although she played leading roles in The Marines Came Through and With Love And Kisses Toby never became a big star. In 1938 she married aviator Dick Merrill. Toby toured with several stage productions but eventually she quit acting. Her first son Henry died from crib death in 1940. That same year her second son Ricky was born. Toby and Dick eventually settled in Virginia and she began a new career as a real estate agent. Tragically in 1982 their son Ricky was murdered in their home. Just one month later Dick died from a heart attack. Toby remained in Virginia with her two granddaughters. She passed away on March 22, 2001 at the age of eighty-five. Toby is buried with her husband and sons in Christ Church Kingston Parish Cemetery in Mathews, Virginia.

~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2014








A program signed by Toby, Lupe Velez, and Clifton Webb (from my collection)

Betty Grable

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"I'm a song and dance girl. I can act enough to get by. But that's the limit ofmy talents." ~ Betty

Betty Grable was born Elizabeth Ruth Grable on December 18, 1916, in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the youngest of three children (her brother died before Betty was born). By the age of five she was taking tap dancing and saxophone lessons. Betty's ambitious mother was determined to make her a star. They moved Hollywood when Betty was a teenager and she was often forced to lie about her age to get work. She beat out hundreds of other hopefuls to become one of the "Goldwyn Girls" and got small roles in movies like The Gay Divorcee and Pigskin Parade. Betty married former child star Jackie Coogan in November 1937 but they divorced three years later. In 1939 she starred on Broadway in the musical DuBarry Was A Lady. Betty was offered a contract with 20th Century Fox in 1940 and was given the lead in the musical Down Argentine Way. It was a smash and she became one of Hollywood's hottest actresses. More hit films followed including Moon Over Miami, Pin-Up Girl, and The Dolly Sisters. Betty fell in love with bandleader Artie Shaw and was devastated when he eloped with nineteen-year old Lana Turner. To make matters worse Betty discovered she was pregnant and had an abortion. In 1941 she became engaged to actor George Raft but ended the relationship when he could not get a divorce from his wife.

With Jackie Coogan



She also had brief romances with Tyrone Power and Victor Mature. Betty became the most popular sex symbol of World War 2 after a pin-up she posed for became world famous. As a publicity stunt her legs were insured for one million dollars. She married bandleader Harry James in July 1943 and had two daughters - Victoria and Jessica. Betty and Harry shared a love of horse racing and they bought several horses. By 1948 she was the highest paid woman in America. Despite all of her success she was growing tired of Hollywood and decided to stop making movies. Her final film was the 1955 musical How To Be Very, Very Popular. Betty later worked in Las Vegas and on Broadway. She also made occasional appearances on television shows like The Lucy Desi Comedy Hour. During the 1960s Betty appeared in commercials for Geritol and Playtex. After years of putting up with Harry's gambling and cheating she divorced him in 1965. Soon after she began dating a young dancer named Bob Remick. Betty was a heavy smoker who often smoked three packs of cigarettes a day. She died from lung cancer on July 2, 1973. Although she had once been a millionaire Betty was nearly broke when she passed away. She is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.

~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013





 With her daughters




A handwritten letter (from my collection)

A jacket Betty wore in When My Baby Smiles At Me (from my collection)

Linda Darnell

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"Rumors don't bother me. I learned long ago to disregard them." ~ Linda

Linda Darnell was born Monetta Eloyse Darnell on October 16, 1923, in Dallas, Texas. During her childhood she worked as a model and appeared in local stage productions. Her mother became obsessed with making her a star. A Hollywood talent scout got Linda a screen test in 1937 but when the studio discovered that she was only thirteen they sent her home. Two years later she was offered a contract with 20th Century Fox. Her first starring role was in the 1940 drama Star Dust, a movie loosely based on her own life. Over the next decade she appeared in many successful films including Blood And Sand, Centennial Summer, The Mark Of Zorro. She became known as the "girl with the perfect face". Linda married forty-three year old cameraman J. Peverell Marley in 1944 and they adopted a daughter named Lola. In 1947 Linda was given the lead role in the highly anticipated film Forever Amber. The movie got a lot of publicity but it failed to live up to expectations.



While making the 1949 drama A Letter To Three Wives she began a tumultuous affair with director Joseph L. Mankiewicz. She divorced J. Peverell  in 1952 and her second marriage, to brewery heir Phillip Liebmann, lasted only a year. In 1957 she married Merle Robertson, an airline pilot, and decided to take a break from acting. Linda made occasional appearances on television shows like What's My Line. Her marriage to Merle ended in 1962. By this time she had a serious drinking problem and was close to bankruptcy. She wanted to make a comeback and landed a role in the 1965 western Black Spurs. In the spring of 1965 Linda went to Illinois to visit a friend. On April 9 she watched Star Dust on television and went to sleep. During the night the house caught on fire and Linda was burned over eighty percent of her body. She died the next day from her injuries. Linda was just forty-one years old. She was cremated and her ashes were buried at Union Hill Cemetery in
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013






With her daughter


A handwritten letter (from my collection)

 Linda's book (from my collection)

The dress Linda wore in Centennial Summer (from my collection)

Charlotte Greenwood

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"Temperament is temper that is too old to spark." ~ Charlotte

Charlotte Greenwood was born Frances Charlotte Greenwood on June 25, 1890, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a sickly child and her father left the family when she was very young. Charlotte grew into a healthy, six foot tall woman. She started her career dancing in vaudeville where she became known for her long legs. Her signature dance move was doing a high kick. She was nicknamed "Lady Longlegs". In 1915 Charlotte married actor Cyril Ring. She was deeply in love with him but he left her for another woman. Charlotte married songwriter Martin Broones in 1924. Although she dreamed of becoming a dramatic actress she had greater success in comedy. She starred in a series of stage shows playing a man crazy character named "Letty". The character became so popular that Charlotte starred in the movie version So Long Letty in 1929.



She appeared in dozens of films including Down Argentine Way, Star Dust, and The Gang's All Here. Charlotte was usually cast as the comedic sidekick and became one the most recognizable character actresses. During World War 2 she joined the Hollywood Victory Caravan and traveled across the country with other film stars raising money. Charlotte returned to the stage in 1950 starring in Cole Porter's Out of This World. She was a devout Christian scientist and her faith made her turn down roles she felt were too risque. In 1955 she played Aunt Eller in the hit musical Oklahoma. Charlotte made a few more films before retiring. She and Martin enjoyed a very happy marriage until his death in 1971. Charlotte died on December 28, 1977 from natural causes. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered at sea. Since she had no children she left her personal papers to playwright William Luce.

~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2014






Charlotte, Betty Grable, and John Payne


An autographed photo (from my collection)

 The dress Charlotte wore in Dixie Dugan (from my collection)

Janet Gaynor

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"No one remains forever young and no one should want to." ~ Janet

Janet Gaynor was born Laura Augusta Gainor on October 6, 1906, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. When she was a child her family moved to California. After high school she enrolled in secretarial school and worked in a shoe store. Janet decided to try acting and began getting work as an extra. Her first starring role was in the 1926 drama The Johnstown Flood. Just three years later she won the very first Academy Award for Best Actress for her cumulative work in Seventh Heaven, Sunrise, and Street Angel. She married Jesse Peck, an attorney, in 1929 but they divorced after four years together. Janet and Charles Farrell became a popular screen team and costarred in many hit films including Sunny Side Up and High Society Blues. By 1934 Janet was the top female box-office star in the country. She was nicknamed "The World's Sweetheart". Janet received another Oscar nomination in 1938 for her performance in A Star Is Born.



Despite all of her success she was tired of making movies and decided to retire. In 1939 she married MGM fashion designer Gilbert Adrian, who had worked on films like The Women and The Wizard Of Oz. They had a son, Robin, and moved to Brazil. Janet spent a lot of time traveling and started a second career as an artist. Her paintings were exhibited in galleries all over the country. She acted occasionally but never resumed her career full-time. In 1959 Adrian died of a heart attack. A few years later Janet married her close friend producer Paul Gregory. She also had a romantic relationship with actress Mary Martin that lasted for many years. In 1982 Janet was seriously injured in a car accident. She never fully recovered and died on September 14, 1984 from pneumonia. Janet was cremated and her ashes were buried next to Adrian at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood, California.


~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013

With her mother






A handwritten letter (from my collection)

A watercolor painting done by Janet (from my collection)

Clara Bow

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"A sex symbol is a heavy load to carry when one is tired, hurt and bewildered." ~ Clara

Clara Gordon Bow was on born July 29, 1905, in Brooklyn, New York. Her nightmare childhood included an alcoholic father who sexually abused her and an insane mother who once tried to kill her. When she was sixteen Clara entered a a contest in Motion Picture magazine and won a screen test. She landed a few small roles and was chosen as a Wampas Baby Star. In 1927 she played a carefree flapper in the comedy It. The film made her a superstar and from then on she was known as "The It Girl".  She appeared in many successful movies including The Plastic Age, Wings, and Mantrap. By 1929 Clara was the top female box-office star in the country and she was getting forty-five thousand fan letters a month. When the talkies started she was worried about her thick Brooklyn accent but audiences loved her voice. Although Clara earned more than five thousand dollars a week she lived in a seven-room bungalow in Beverly Hills. She hated going to Hollywood events and preferred to stay home and play poker. Clara's image as a sex symbol and her off screen romances made her the most gossiped about woman in Hollywood. Among her many lovers were actors Gary Cooper, Fredric March, Gilbert Roland, Bela Lugosi, and
director Victor Fleming.



 In 1930 Clara's secretary, Daisy DeVoe, was put on trial for stealing from her. Daisy testified that Clara was involved in orgies and bestiality. Although these stories were false her reputation was ruined. Shortly after the trial Clara suffered a nervous breakdown. She finally found happiness when she married actor Rex Bell in 1931. Tired of Hollywood she decided to stop making movies. Her final film was the 1933 drama Hoopla. Clara and Rex moved to Nevada and had two sons. They also opened a restaurant in Hollywood called "The It Cafe". Clara suffered from chronic insomnia and was eventually diagnosed with schizophrenia. In 1944 she attempted suicide by swallowing a bottle of pills. As she got older Clara became reclusive and rarely left her home. She turned down a lucrative offer to write her autobiography because she didn't want to embarrass her family. After her husband Rex died from a heart attack in 1962 she moved to Culver City, California. On the evening of September 26, 1965 Clara watched the film The Virginian on television. It was directed by her former fiance Victor Fleming and starred her former lover Gary Cooper. Later that night Clara died from a heart attack. She is buried next to Rex at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013

 
Clara posed nude early in her career











A signed contract (from my collection)

Jean Harlow

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“Underwear makes me uncomfortable and besides my parts have to breathe.” ~ Jean

Jean Harlow was born Harlean Harlow Carpenter on March 3, 1911, in Kansas City, Missouri. When she was a child her parents divorced and her mother took her to California. At the age of sixteen Jean married Charles McGrew, a young millionaire, but the marriage only lasted two years. Jean's mother, a failed actress, encouraged her to go into show business. She appeared as an extra in movies like Double Whoopee and The Love Parade. Her big break came in 1930 when Howard Hughes cast her as a femme fatale in Hell's Angels. Overnight Jean became one of Hollywood's most sought after actresses and women all over the country began to copy her platinum blonde hairstyle. In July 1932 Jean married MGM executive Paul Bern who was twice her age. Two months after their wedding Paul committed suicide by shooting himself. There were rumors that Paul had been impotent but Jean would always say that they had a happy marriage. Although she was devastated by her husband's death she returned to work almost immediately to start shooting her next film.

 With her mother


Her success continued with starring roles in Dinner At Eight, Bombshell, and Red-Headed Woman. She shocked people at the studio by not wearing underwear and putting ice on her breasts before shooting a scene. Despite Jean's sexy image she continued to live with her mother and everyone called her "The Baby". In 1933 she married Harold Rosson, a cameraman. They divorced seven months later and Jean fell in love with actor William Powell, ex-husband of Carole Lombard. She became pregnant but she had an abortion because William would not marry her. When her hair became too damaged from the coloring she became a "brownette". Meanwhile MGM tried to soften her image by casting her as a good girl in Wife Vs. Secretary.  In the spring of 1937 she was working on the film Saratoga when she collapsed on the set. Although her mother claimed to be a Christian Scientist Jean was given the best medical treatment available. Tragically she died on June 7, 1937 from uremic poisoning. Jean was just twenty-six years old. She is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. William paid for her crypt which is inscribed "Our Baby".

~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2014

In 1929 Jean posed nude in Griffith Park
 









Most of Jean's autographs were actually signed by her mother

Jeannette MacDonald's Dress From The Sun Come Up

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In 2013 I purchased a dress Jeanette MacDonald wore in the film The Sun Comes Up. It was designed by Irene.




The Sun Comes Up was released on May 12, 1949. It was Jeanette's final film.






Linda Darnell's Dress From Centennial Summer

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In 2012 I purchased a dress Linda Darnell wore in Centennial Summer. It was designed by Rene Hubert.




Centennial Summer was released on July 10, 1946. The movie was directed by Otto Preminger.






Barbara Stanwyck

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"Attention embarrasses me. I don`t like to be on display." ~ Barbara

Barbara Stanwyck was born Ruby Catherine Stevens on July 16, 1907, in Brooklyn, New York. She was the youngest of five children. When she was four her mother was killed and shortly after her father abandoned them. Barbara would spend her childhood in a series of foster homes. At age fourteen she dropped out of school and began working odd jobs. She danced in The Ziegfeld Follies and appeared in numerous Broadway plays. In 1928 she married actor Frank Fay who helped her land a movie contract. Barbara became a star playing strong women in movies like Night Nurse and Baby Face. She and Frank adopted a son, Dion, but their marriage ended. He was an alcoholic and became jealous of her success. Although she won custody of Dion they eventually became estranged. Barbara was nominated for an Academy Award in 1937 for Stella Dallas. She would get three more Oscar nominations but never won.

 With Robert Taylor


While making the drama This Is My Affair she met Robert Taylor. They were married in 1939. Barbara's success continued with the hit films Double Indemnity, Ball Of Fire, and The Lady Eve. By 1944 she was Hollywood's highest paid actress. Her marriage to Robert ended after twelve years but she would always say he was the great love of her life. There were also rumors that Barbara had lesbian lovers. During the 1960s she starred in the TV series The Big Valley and won an Emmy for The Barbara Stanywck Show. She was a lifelong Republican and devoted much of her time to charity work. Unfortunately in 1981 she was badly beaten by an intruder and a few years later her home burned down in a fire. Barbara died on January 20, 1990 from heart failure. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered in California.

~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013

 Barbara posed nude early in her career
 


 
 



A handwritten letter (from my collection)

Paulette Goddard's Dress From Hazard

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In 2014 I purchased a dress Paulette Goddard wore in the film Hazard. It was designed by Bernard Newman.





Hazard was released on May 28, 1948. Paulette plays a compulsive gambler who loses a big bet.







Betty Grable's Jacket From When My Baby Smiles At Me

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In 2013 I purchased a jacket Betty Grable wore in the film When My Baby Smiles At Me. It was designed by Rene Hubert.





When My Baby Smiles At Me was released on December 10, 1948. It became Fox's highest grossing film of the year.







Janet Reade

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Janet Reade was born Helen Dorothy Rulon on July 21, 1910, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She moved to New York City and started her career as a dancer with the Ziegfeld Follies. At the age of twenty she landed her first lead role in the Broadway show Ballyhoo Of 1930. Janet married Walter Batchelor, a theatre manager, but the marriage was short-lived. In 1931 she made her film debut in the comedy short Sky High. Over the next five years she appeared in several more shorts including The Mild West and Here Comes Flossie. Janet had a lovely singing voice and often sang onscreen.



Unfortunately her movie career next took off and she began performing in vaudeville. She married dancer Pat Rooney in 1935. The couple separated a few years later and she quit show business. Janet made headlines in 1942 when she announced she was divorcing her husband so she could marry her father-in-law Pat Rooney Sr. On July 21, 1942 she married sixty-two year old Pat in New Jersey. Although they seemed happy in public Janet was suffering from alcoholism. She died on
February 6, 1943 from a liver ailment. Janet was only thirty-two years old.

~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2014

 Pat Rooney Sr. and Janet on their wedding day

 Janet's autograph (from my collection)


Paulette Goddard

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"I lived in Hollywood long enough to play tennis and become a star, but I never felt it was my home." ~ Paulette

Paulette Goddard was born Pauline Marion Levy on June 3, 1910, in Long Island, New York. She was a child model and joined the Ziegfeld Follies when she was just thirteen years old. In 1927 she married Edgar James, a lumber company executive, but they divorced four years later. Paulette got work as an extra in movies and was chosen by producer Samuel Goldwyn to be one of his "Goldwyn Girls". She got a lot of attention when she began dating Charlie Chaplin in 1932. He cast her in his film Modern Times and they were secretly married. Their relationship was tumultuous and Paulette had short-lived affairs with composer George Gershwin and director Anatole Litvak. She desperately wanted to play Scarlett O'Hara in Gone With The Wind but lost the part to Vivien Leigh when she could not prove her marriage was legal. Paulette's career really took off when she signed with Paramount pictures. She starred in a string of hits including The Cat And The Canary, Second Chorus, and Hazard.



Paulette divorced Charlie and married Burgess Meredith in 1944. That same year she was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in So Proudly We Hail. She and Burgess formed a production company and together they made the 1946 drama The Diary Of A Chambermaid. They tried to have a baby but Paulette suffered a miscarriage. By the early 1950s her marriage to Burgess was over and she was growing tired of her career. She married author Erich Maria Remarque in 1958 and began spending most of her time in Europe. Paulette was an avid art collector and had millions of dollars worth of jewels. After her husband's death in 1970 she lived a quiet life away from the spotlight. She was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy. Paulette died on April 23, 1990 from heart failure. She is buried in a private cemetery in Ronco, Switzerland. In her will Paulette left more than twenty-million dollars to New York University.

~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013

 Paulette posed nude when she was young







Paulette's autograph (from my collection)

Paulette's book (from my collection)

Mary Pickford

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"I never liked one of my pictures in its entirety." ~ Mary

Mary Pickford was born Gladys Louise Smith on April 8, 1892, in Toronto, Canada. After her father's death Mary, her brother Jack, and sister Lottie began working on the stage to support the family. D.W. Griffith discovered her and soon she was appearing in silent films. At just five feet tall with long curls she was often cast as a child. She married Owen Moore, an actor, in 1911 but they separated shorty after. Mary starred in a string of hit movies including Stella Maris, Pollyanna, and My Best Girl. She became the highest paid actress in Hollywood and was nicknamed "America's Sweetheart". Mary fell in love with dashing actor Douglas Fairbanks and they were married in 1920. The couple lived in a lavish Beverly Hills mansion called "Pickfair". Mary joined Douglas, Charlie Chaplin, and D.W. Griffith to form United Artists Studios. She was also a founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.




 In 1929 she starred in Coquette, her first sound film, and won the Academy Award for Best Actress. Tired of making movies she decided to retire from acting. Her sixteen year marriage to Douglas ended in 1936 and a year later she married actor Charles "Buddy" Rogers (who was rumored to be gay). Mary was unable to have children due to a botched abortion so she and Charles adopted a son and a daughter. She was offered the role of Norma Desmond in the 1950 drama Sunset Boulevard but turned it down. Mary devoted most of her time to charity work and published her autobiography, Sunshine And Shadow. As she grew older she developed a drinking problem and became a recluse. She was presented with an honorary Oscar at the 1976 Academy Awards. Mary died on May 29, 1979 from a cerebral hemorrhage. She was cremated and her ashes are buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013

 With Douglas Fairbanks

 
 


With Eleanor Roosevelt


A signed letter (from my collection)

Mary's trinket box (from my collection)

Jean Harlow's Nude Photos

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Jean Harlow was Hollywood's first blond bombshell. At the age of eighteen she posed nude in Griffith Park.






 




Barbara Stanwyck's Nude Photos

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Barbara Stanwyck was one of Hollywood's most popular femme fatale's. Before she became famous she often posed nude.






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