Celebrate Thanksgiving with our classic beauties
Judy Garland
Carole Landis
Barbara Nichols
Marilyn Monroe
Barbara Kent
Ava Gardner
Barbara Bates
June Haver
Mitzi Gaynor
Debbie Reynolds
![]()
Vera Reynolds
Ann Sheridan
Happy Thanksgiving
↧
↧
Joan Blondell & Her Racy Pin-Ups
Joan Blondell was one of Tinseltown's most beautiful women. When she began her career in the early 1930s she was always being asked to pose wearing sexy lingerie or even less. These racy pin-ups helped make her a depression era superstar.
↧
Betty Grable's Million Dollar Legs
Betty Grable had the most famous legs in Hollywood. They were even insured for one million dollars!She once said “There are two reasons why I'm in show business,and I'm standing on both of them.”
Her famous World War 2 pin-up
"Actress Betty Grable showing off black mesh stocking she is wearing for a scene that
will feature her legs, in her dressing room at 20th Century Fox studios."
will feature her legs, in her dressing room at 20th Century Fox studios."
On the beach in 1940
"Actress Betty Grable's getting cold cream applied to her legs by Life photographer
Walter Sanders as he prepares her for a photo session at studio."
![]()
Her legs were immortalized at Grauman's Chinese Theatre
![]()
Rollerskating in 1938
![]()
"Rear view of actress Betty Grable modeling shirt of her own design decorated
with Army insignias while showing off her famous legs in the process."
Walter Sanders as he prepares her for a photo session at studio."
Rollerskating in 1938
with Army insignias while showing off her famous legs in the process."
A scene from Mother Wore Tights
Young Betty showing off her legs
![]()
Her legs still looked amazing in 1955
Betty's famous legs were on display during her Las Vegas show
↧
Dorothy Dell
“The girl who has a career ahead of her can’t afford to waste her time in parties and automobile
rides and late dances - she has to work.” ~ Dorothy
Dorothy Dell was born Dorothy Dell Goff in Hattiesburg Mississippi, on January 20, 1915. Her family later moved to New Orleans where she became friends with Dorothy Lamour . The two girls dreamed of becoming actresses together. Dorothy began entering beauty pageants when she was a teenager and in 1930 she was crowned Miss Universe. She moved to New York City where she appeared in The Ziegfeld Follies. Dorothy fell in love with singer Russ Columbo but their romance was short-lived. At the age of eighteen she went to Hollywood and was quickly signed by Paramount Studios. She was given a prominent role in the 1934 film Wharf Angel. Her performance earned rave reviews and critics predicted Dorothy would become a big star.
She worked with Shirley Temple in Little Miss Marker and with Lew Cody in Shoot The Works. In the Spring of 1934 it was announced she would play the lead in the drama Now and Forever. Dorothy's career was taking off and she had finally found true love. She became engaged to a caricaturist named Nat Carr and was busy planning their wedding. On June 8, 1934 she attended a party with her friend Dr. Carl Wagner. While driving home at 1:00 AM the car hit a boulder and flipped over several times. Dorothy was killed instantly. She was just nineteen years old. Dr. Wagner, who was driving the car, died several hours later. Dorothy is buried at Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana.
~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013
↧
Blanche Sweet
"We ate, slept, and lived motion pictures." ~ Blanche
Blanche Sweet was born Sarah Blanche Sweet on June 18, 1896 in Chicago, Illinois. Her parents were vaudeville actors and she began performing at the age of four. In 1909 she signed a contract with Biograph studios. She made dozens of films and became known as "The Biograph Blonde". Blanche had a highly publicized affair with director Marshall Neilan. He divorced his wife and they were married in 1922. By this time Blanche was one of the most successful actresses in Hollywood. She won rave reviews for her performances in Anna Christie and Tess of the D'Urbervilles (which was directed by Neilan). Unfortunately when the talkies came Blanche's career suffered. One of her last film roles was playing a washed up actress in
Show Girl In Hollywood.
Show Girl In Hollywood.
In 1929 her marriage to Marshall ended. She spent the next few years working on radio shows and in the theater. Blanche married stage actor Raymond Hackett in 1935. Eventually she quit show business and got a job at a department store. She and Raymond remained happily married until his death in 1958. They never had children. She started acting again and appeared in several television shows. Blanche also worked with film historians and gave lectures about the early days of Hollywood. She would spend her final years living in New York City. Blanche died on September 9, 1986 from a stroke. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered in Brooklyn's botanical gardens.
~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013
~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013
↧
↧
Beautiful Brides
These classic actresses were Hollywood's most beautiful brides
Jayne Mansfield married Mr. Universe Mickey Hargitay on January 13, 1958. It was her second marriage.
The couple divorced six years later.
![]()
The couple divorced six years later.
Betty Grable married actor Jackie Coogan on November 20, 1937. They divorced after three years together.
On September 29, 1927 Norma Shearer married MGM executive Irving Thalberg. He died in 1936 from a heart ailment.
Marilyn Monroe married playwright Arthur Miller on June 29, 1956. It was Marilyn's third marriage.
They divorced four years later.
They divorced four years later.
On July 2, 1932 Jean Harlow married MGM executive Paul Bern. This was Jean's second marriage.
Paul died under mysterious circumstances in September 1932.
![]()
Linda Darnell married cinematographer Pev Marley on April 18, 1943. They divorced after eight years together.
Paul died under mysterious circumstances in September 1932.
Carole Landis married Major Thomas Wallace on January 5, 1943. It was her third marriage.
The couple divorced two years later.
The couple divorced two years later.
Watch a newsreel about Carole's wedding
↧
Marion Davies & Her Parties
Marion Davies was known for having the best parties in Hollywood. She loved to throw lavish costume parties at San Simeon, the mansion she shared with William Randolph Hearst. Every big star wanted an invitation!
Gloria Swanson, Marion, Constance Bennett, and Jean Harlow
![]()
Joan Crawford and Constance Bennett
![]()
Marion and Norma Shearer
![]()
William Randolph Hearst, Bette Davis, Louella Parsons, and Mary Brian
↧
Rare Childhood Photos
Take a look at our classic beauties when they were children
Norma Shearer
![]()
Carole Lombard
![]()
Bette Davis
Myrna Loy
Jean Harlow
![]()
Rita Hayworth
![]()
Betty Grable
![]()
Marilyn Monroe
![]()
Clara Bow
Janet Gaynor
![]()
Joan Crawford
![]()
Ava Gardner
↧
The Changing Face Of Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford was one of the most photographed actresses in Hollywood. Over the years she grew from a young flapper into a mature superstar. These rare portraits show us how Joan's face and hairstyles changed.
1926
1929
1930
1932
1934
1937
1939
1942
1947
↧
↧
Lana Turner Was The Sweater Girl
When Lana Turner made her film debut in They Won't Forget audiences were more impressed with how she looked in a sweater than with her acting. After that she would forever be known as "The Sweater Girl". Lana always hated the nickname and said she was embarrassed being a pin-up girl.
In The Won't Forget
1938
At Hollywood High
She still filled out her sweater 1954
↧
Virginia Vance
Virginia Vance was born Dahlia Roberta Pears on July 1, 1902 in Illinois. She moved to Hollywood and became one of Mack Sennett's bathing beauties. In 1922 she made her acting debut in the comedy short Crash. Virginia would appear in more than ninety short films including Don't Hesitate and Hold You Hat. She married actor Bryant Washburn in 1929 and retired. The couple had one daughter. Virginia died of a heart attack on October 13, 1942. She was just forty years old.
With Cliff Bowes in Don't Hesitate
↧
Happy Holidays
Celebrate Christmas with our classic beauties
Ava Gardner
Betty Grable
![]()
Clara Bow
![]()
Jeanette MacDonald
Jeanette MacDonald
Jayne Mansfield
![]()
Marilyn Monroe
![]()
Paulette Goddard
![]()
Norma Shearer
![]()
Joan Crawford
Jean Harlow
![]()
A Christmas card from Jean Harlow
↧
Poodle Lovers ~ Part 2
Here are some more classic beauties who loved their poodles
Debbie Reynolds
![]()
Betty White
Lucille Ball
Janet Leigh
![]()
Ann Sheridan
Sandra Dee
![]()
Anne Francis
![]()
Claudette Colbert
![]()
Mamie Van Doren
![]()
June Havoc
↧
↧
Joan Fontaine
"Marriage, as an institution, is as dead as the dodo bird." - Joan
Joan divorced Brian and married producer William Dozier in 1946. They had a daughter, Deborah, but the marriage didn't last. She married producer Collier Young in 1952 and adopted a baby girl from Peru. Sadly the young girl ran away when she was a teenager. After divorcing Collier Joan married her fourth husband, magazine editor Alfred Wright Jr, in 1964. Their marriage ended five years later. Joan continued to act in movies and on television. She was nominated for an Emmy award for her work on the soap opera Ryan's Hope. Joan also starred on Broadway in the play Lion In Winter and in 1978 she published her autobiography No Bed Of Roses. Her final acting role was in the 1994 TV movie Good King Wenceslas. She retired and lived a quiet life with her dogs in Carmel, California. Joan died on December 15, 2013 from natural causes. She was ninety-six years old.
~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013
↧
Marvel Rea
Marvel Rea was born Marvel Luciel Rea on November 9, 1901, in Ainsworth, Nebraska. Her family moved to California when she was a child. Marvel grew into a beautiful teenager and in 1917 she became a Mack Sennett bathing beauty. The following year she married banker Henry Page Wells. Unfortunately he was a drug addict and she divorced him less than a year later. Marvel appeared in more than thirty films including Her Screen Idol and The Summer Girls. She never became a major star and in 1921 she quit acting. Her final role was in the short film For Land's Sake.
![]()
Ford Sterling and Alice Maison
Marvel married her second husband Edwin J. Wilkinson in 1936 but her happiness was short-lived. On September 2, 1936 she was kidnapped and assaulted by three men. They were caught and Marvel had to testify at the headline-making trial. Sadly she never fully recovered from the attack. She committed suicide on June 17, 1937 by ingesting ant poison. Marvel was only thirty-five years old. She is buried at Pacific Crest Cemetery in Redondo Beach, California.
Marvel is sitting on the right
↧
Did Barbara Stanwyck Pose Nude?
Barbara Stanwyck was one of Hollywood's most successful leading ladies. She started her career as dancer in the Ziegfeld Follies. Barbara also earned extra money by posing nude.
Barbara in 1924
Posing for Alfred Cheney Johnston
Posing in 1926
Still sexy in 1938
↧
Happy New Year
Celebrate the new year with our classic beauties
Ann Miller
![]()
Mary Pickford
![]()
Betty Grable
![]()
Shirley Temple
![]()
Mamie Van Doren
![]()
Ann Rutherford
Yvonne De Carlo
![]()
Bette Davis
![]()
Marie Wilson
![]()
Rita Hayworth
![]()
Ann Blyth
![]()
Dorothy Lamour
↧
↧
Marie Prevost
Marie Prevost was born Marie Bickford Dunn on November 8, 1898, in Sarnia, Ontario. When she was a baby her father was killed in a tragic accident. Her mother remarried and the family eventually settled in California. In 1915 Marie got a job working as a secretary. While running an errand at Keystone studios she was asked to do a bit part in the movie Those Bitter Sweets. Mack Sennett was impressed and hired her to be one of his bathing beauties. She secretly married socialite Henry Gerke in 1918 but they split up a few months later. After appearing in numerous comedies she was offered a contract at Warner Brothers for $1,500 a week. She earned rave reviews for her performances in The Beautiful and Damned and The Marriage Circle. Howard Hughes gave her the lead in The Racket and they enjoyed a passionate affair. Marie began a highly publicized romance with actor Kenneth Harlan and they announced their engagement.
This caused a scandal when her estranged husband filed for divorce. The press claimed Marie was going to be a bigamist and the negative publicity tarnished her image. She and Kenny were finally able to get married after she obtained a divorce. In 1926 Warner Brothers decided not to renew her contract and Marie was devastated when her mother was killed in a car accident. She began binge eating and drinking to deal with her depression. After several separations she and Kenny divorced in 1929. Marie continued to act but could only get minor roles in films like Party Girl and Paid. On January 21, 1937 she died from acute alcoholism and malnutrition. Her body was not discovered for two days and false rumors spread that her dog began eating her body. Marie was only thirty-eight years old. Her close friend Joan Crawford paid for the funeral. She was cremated and her ashes were given to her sister.
~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013
~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013
Marie's autograph (from my collection)
↧
Margaret Roach
Margaret Roach was born on March 21, 1921 in Los Angeles, California. Her father was comedy producer Hal Roach. When she was a teenager Margaret worked on in the theatre and sang at nightclubs. She changed her name to Diane Rochelle and began getting small roles in films. Her father didn't want her to be an actress and initially refused to help her. However in 1940 he cast her in his comedies including Turnabout and Road Show. Margaret's first marriage, to E.L. Hilton, ended in divorce. Following her mother's death in 1941 she became estranged from her father.
Patsy Kelly, Margaret, and Adolphe Menjou
![]()
John Hubbard, Margaret, and Carole Landis
She married actor and writer Robert Livingston in 1947 and they had a son named Addison. Although she made more than a dozen films Margaret never became a leading lady. She retired after appearing in the 1949 crime drama The Devil's Sleep. Her marriage to Robert ended after four years. On November 25, 1964 Margaret passed away at the age of forty-three. She was buried near her mother at Holy Cross cemetery in Los Angeles. Margaret's son Addison Randall also became an actor.
~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013
~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013
With Charles Butterworth
↧
Marie Dressler
"Old age is an insult. It's like being smacked" ~ Marie
Marie Dressler was born Leila Marie Koerber on November 9, 1868 in Cobourg, Ontario. Her father was a music teacher and she sang with him when she was a child. At the age of fourteen she left home to become a chorus girl. She found success in vaudeville where she was known for her full-figured body. Marie married an American named George Hoeppert in 1899 and became a US citizen. They had a daughter who sadly died in infancy. She divorced George in 1906 and began a serious romance with businessman James Henry Dalton. Marie claimed they had gotten married but it turned out James had never legally divorced his first wife. In 1914 Mack Sennett cast her in Tillie's Punctured Romance, the first full length motion picture.
After appearing in several more comedies Marie returned to the New York stage. Tragically in 1921 her longtime companion James died. She was also bi-sexual and had a serious romance with actress Claire DuBrey. Marie landed a contract with MGM in 1927 and quickly became one of the most popular character actresses in Hollywood. In 1931 she won an Oscar for her performance in Minn and Bill. Her success continued with hit films like Dinner At Eight and Tugboat Annie. She appeared on the cover of Time magazine and wrote her autobiography "The Life Story Of An Ugly Duckling". Marie's career came to a sudden end when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. On July 28, 1934 she died at the age of sixty-five. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.
~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013
~ Original biography by Elizabeth Ann 2013
Jean Harlow and Marie
A handwritten letter (from my collection)
![]()
![]()
Marie's grave
![]()
↧
More Pages to Explore .....
