Forgotten 'Silent' Ladies of the Silver screen.

[johnbear]

Born in Anchorage Kentucky March 7th 1886 Died 1958 (72).
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0669410/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

[johnbear]

[Findcandor]

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I'm very surprised someone came up with the actress's name (as well as the names of a few other cast members; the IMDb page), given how there are no film credits and it's not as though this was a conventional movie, said to be "one of the earliest exploitation films which contained nudity."

The thirteen-minute 1927 flick entitled "Forbidden Daughters" stars Clarice Conwell, and what I found intriguing is how exquisite she looked.



In addition, she does not have the trappings of the usual 1920s woman, which is hard to describe. Just think of any heroine from that era, as, say, Charlie Chaplin's or Buster Keaton's objects of desire. It's more than just the dress, or the flapper-type hairstyles; usually there is something about 1920s cinematic women that screams "1920s." (The same may be said for each decade's cinematic women up until the 1980s-1990s.)

Clarice also has a 1920s "do," but her face and aura made her come across as a woman who could readily belong in a more modern age.

I'll borrow the words of an IMDb reviewer to give you an idea of what the flick is about: "A wife goes to the jungles of Africa to bring her husband back. On her journey she runs into countless naked women and finally finds her husband in the arms of a nude Princess. To get him back she must strip off and show him what he's missing."


Lady in middle is the "Harem Favorite," identified as Gladys DeLores. The inclusion of Black women was off the beaten track for the period. (Note how some are doing their best to cover their faces.)

Clarice plays "Alva" and her rival is "Princess Luma," who seduces Alva's husband with an exotic dance. Alva has no choice but to remind hubby of Alva's wares, as the title card explains her motivating factor, which may have been inspired by the wisdom of Forrest Gump: "Native (is) as native does." She peels off her attire, and gives them both a defiant look.



The director was Albert Arthur Allen, who "unwittingly took on the Goliath of nudity and politics," according to the description of a 2002 book of his works. Here is a fine write-up about the movie. The movie may be picked up from here or here.



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[johnbear]

[Findcandor]

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Hats Off (1927)

Born in June of 1907 (IMDb wrongly states a year later) and died in 1978 (IMDb filmography), Dorothy Coburn seems to have been a very cool lady. She was athletic, and didn't mind getting messed up (she also worked as a stuntwoman), especially when appearing with Laurel and Hardy. Here's a very nice page about her, and another informative page.


A viewing of Putting Pants on Philip (1927) is what led to this post; Stan Laurel arrives from Scotland and his uncle Oliver Hardy has agreed to take care of him. Stan has one weakness: Wimmen.



Dorothy Coburn keeps encountering them and when the over-amorous and kilt-wearing Stan (whom everyone mistakes for a woman, because he is wearing a "skirt") catches sight of her, he takes a flying "whoopee" leap into the air, and chases her. (Stan could really jump; look at the last photo... he's flying.)



Since Dorothy was selected as the epitome of 1920s womanhood who could make hearts skip a beat, she had to be spotlighted on Vintage Erotica Forum.

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She seeks the safety of a cop, but then somehow comes upon the pair again. Who is stalking whom?


Ollie asks if Stan would really like to meet the lady, and then tries speaking with her; he gets the brush-off.

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Stan lays his kilt over a puddle to try and win her over, but she defiantly takes a large leap over it.
As she's walking away, she turns back with a smile, and does her own flying "whoopee" leap.


Dorothy's screen career as an adult began in 1926, and she appeared in around thirty films, before it came to a stop only four years later (save for an uncredited role as an extra in a 1936 film). This was the year (1930) when she got married to an actor (which may have had something to do with her decision to quit), but the union didn't last. It's said she occasionally worked as a stand-in for Ginger Rogers, and she eventually found work as a receptionist.



Dorothy as a nurse in The Finishing Touch (1928); the hospital staff is up in arms given the noise being made by L&H,
who are working as contractors nearby.










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[Spargel]

Stella Dallas (1925)

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Chicken a La King (1928)

with Nancy Carroll

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Book: Who's Who on the Screen - New York City, 1920

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Book: Who's Who on the Screen - New York City, 1920

[Spargel]

Originally Posted by VintageKell

Zena Keefe was an American actress in silent film, active from 1911 until the 1920's. Starting in shorts by 1916, she was playing a substantial role in films. She continued to appear in at least a few movies every year, until her final appearance in a 28 movie career, in 'Trouping with Ellen' in 1924.

Married to William M. Brownell, Keefe died on November 16, 1977 in Danvers, Massachusetts.

Pictures:

Book: Who's Who on the Screen - New York City, 1920