Helen Menken (née Meinken; December 12, 1901 – March 27, 1966) was an American stage actress. Menken was born in New York City to a German-French father, Frederick Meinken, and an Irish-born mother, Mary Madden. Both of her parents were deaf, and her early communication came via sign language. She did not begin speaking aloudContinue reading “Wonderful Portrait Photos of Helen Menken in the 1920s and 1930s”
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Frank Sinatra Relaxing at Home With His Dog Ringo in Palm Springs, 1964
Frank Sinatra’s mother did not allow him to have a dog when he was a kid. He made up for it by having many in his adult life. The Sinatras had many different animals — from dogs, to cats, to horses. “I found a snake in the yard one day and I called the gardenerContinue reading “Frank Sinatra Relaxing at Home With His Dog Ringo in Palm Springs, 1964”
The Story of the Famous Photograph of Captain Jonathan Walker’s Branded Hand, ca. 1845
The letters “S.S.,” for slave stealer, were branded on the hand of Captain Jonathan W. Walker, an ardent abolitionist, as shown in this dramatic photograph. Walker was born in Harwich on Cape Cod in 1799 and spent his early years between the shipyard and the sea. His life-long interest in the abolition of slavery probablyContinue reading “The Story of the Famous Photograph of Captain Jonathan Walker’s Branded Hand, ca. 1845”
Camille du Gast, the First Woman to Race Consistently at International Level
“The danger of an accident is always present in my mind, though I am never afraid.” – Camille du Gast, Motor Monthly, Dec. 1903. Camille du Gast (1868–1942) became the first woman to race consistently at international level in 1904. After witnessing the start of the Paris-Lyon road race, the following year she was satContinue reading “Camille du Gast, the First Woman to Race Consistently at International Level”
Barbara La Marr: The Girl Who Was Too Beautiful For Hollywood
Born 1896 as Reatha Dale Watson in Yakima, Washington, American actress and screenwriter Barbara La Marr spent her early life in the Pacific Northwest before relocating with her family to California when she was a teenager. After performing in vaudeville and working as a dancer in New York City, she moved to Los Angeles withContinue reading “Barbara La Marr: The Girl Who Was Too Beautiful For Hollywood”
40 Beautiful Photos of Wendy Barrie in the 1930s and 1940s
Born 1912 as Marguerite Wendy Jenkins in London, British-American actress Wendy Barrie made her screen debut in the film Threads in 1932. She went on to make a number of motion pictures for London Films under the Korda brothers, Alexander and Zoltan, the best known of which is 1933’s The Private Life of Henry VIII,Continue reading “40 Beautiful Photos of Wendy Barrie in the 1930s and 1940s”
45 Portrait Photos of Pola Negri During the Filming of ‘Loves of an Actress’ (1928)
Loves of an Actress is a lost 1928 American silent romantic drama film directed by Rowland V. Lee and starring Pola Negri. It was produced by Adolph Zukor and Jesse Lasky with the distribution through Paramount Pictures. The film had a soundtrack of either Vitaphone or Movietone of music and sound effects. These vintage photosContinue reading “45 Portrait Photos of Pola Negri During the Filming of ‘Loves of an Actress’ (1928)”
Amazing Portraits of Jamie Farr as Sgt. Maxwell Q. Klinger in ‘M*A*S*H’
Maxwell Q. Klinger is a most unusual character from the MAS*H television series which ran from September 17, 1972, to February 28, 1983. Jamie Farr portrayed this comical, cross-dressing enlisted man who was always trying to get sent home from the Korean War. According to Farr, MAS*H creator Larry Gelbart based the character on comedianContinue reading “Amazing Portraits of Jamie Farr as Sgt. Maxwell Q. Klinger in ‘M*A*S*H’”
35 Vintage Photos of Actress Diana Lynn in the 1940s and 1950s
Born 1926 as Dolores Eartha Loehr in in Los Angeles, California, American actress Diana Lynn was considered a child prodigy. She began taking piano lessons at age 4, and by the age of 12 was playing with the Los Angeles Junior Symphony Orchestra. Lynn made her film debut playing the piano in They Shall HaveContinue reading “35 Vintage Photos of Actress Diana Lynn in the 1940s and 1950s”
38 Stunning Photos of Bo Derek While Filming ’10’ in 1979
Bo Derek had her first major film appearance in 10, a 1979 American romantic comedy film written, produced, and directed by Blake Edwards. It was considered a trend-setting film at the time and was one of the year’s biggest box-office hits. It follows a man in middle age who becomes infatuated with a young womanContinue reading “38 Stunning Photos of Bo Derek While Filming ’10’ in 1979”
