About 15 years ago I read an obituary of an obscure movie actress who had recently died. I had never heard of her. The obituary said she was a minor star who mainly had small parts in B movies. But she was widely acknowledged to be the most beautiful actress in Hollywood. The obituary did not have a picture of her and I was unable to locate one. Today it occurred to me that with the internet I should be able to track down a picture. One problem: I don’t remember her name! When I Googled “Most Beautiful Actress” I got many sites on the subject, but none seemed to refer to this actress, they were filled with pictures of well-known actresses. Does anyone know who was likely the subject of the obituary I saw?
Some people claim that Hedy Lamarr was the most beautiful actress in Hollywood during the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. She was also interesting in other ways:
Others suggest Rita Hayworth, although she’s a little late to be thought of as a 1930’s actress:
Another possibility is Lana Turner, although again she’s more of a 1940’s actress:
There’s also Greta Garbo:
Yes, they were all beautiful, Hedy Lamar being number one on my list of the most beautiful actresses of all time, but none of them were obscure.
The more I think about it, the more I think the actress I’m thinking of could have had a last name beginning with an “H”, perhaps “Hamilton.”
I’m sorry, but that’s contradictory. How could she be both obscure and widely acknowledged to be the most beautiful actress in Hollywood? I think the obituary you read was merely making up that claim.
Joan Bennett wasn’t obscure, but less well known today:
And I always thought she was the most beautiful blonde in Hollywood.
OH.
Starts with an H? Check.
Semi-obscure? Check.
Died in 1981, a little farther back than you’re thinking.
Ann Harding.
Louise Brooks was still making films in the 30s.
I think this is who I was looking for. But, after looking at some of her pictures posted on the internet and even allowing for the changing styles in beauty, I can’t imagine why she was considered so beautiful.
She could be obscure to moviegoers, but acknowledged by her peers.
Nevermind. Day late and dollar short.
Neither H nor Hamilton, but Evelyn Venable died 16 years ago, was “(l)ovely and ethereal in looks” and slid quite rapidly from a start in A movies to a career of B movies.
She was the voice of, and model for, the Blue Fairy in Pinocchio.
Some pictures:
http://www.safka-bareis.com/VENABLE_EVELYN.jpg
http://i04.bdbphotos.com/2L/13/0000621213-60470L.jpg
That’s stretching it. Yes, and she also could be obscure among American filmgoers but widely acknowledged to be beautiful among Bulgarian filmgoers. If you switch the group you’re measuring her fame over, you can make that work.
I’m going to dispute this. Yes, the actress was obscure to the OP. He also acknowledged that she was a minor star who played mostly in b-pictures. Nothing contradictory yet. There are a few of us around who pay attention to 30s movie stars other than the top handful, but we’re getting thin on the ground.
Could a minor star be acknowledged as the most beautiful? Again, yes, because there’s nothing contradictory here. While stars were selected for their looks even more then than today, it’s a truism in every era of movies that Hollywood had legions of incredibly gorgeous starlets who try and fail. Some make a few movies and are never seen again, some settle into careers in b-movies, some go into modeling, some become waitresses or return home. And a few are just unlucky. Open any Hollywood history and you’ll find some mention of names who shoulda been stars but never made it to the top.
Was Ann Harding ever considered the most beautiful? She wouldn’t be my choice. But the concept is sound. Jeanne Crain is a minor star at best but she might have been the most beautiful 40’s actress. Tuesday Weld might qualify for the 50s. Heck, Raquel Welch was a minor star who appeared mostly in b-movies in the 60s and she is truly widely considered the most beautiful of her era.
Without a beaut-o-meter to test them subjective judgments are all we have.
Marilyn Nash? Georgia Hale? They had memorable roles in Chaplin films and not much else.
Hedley.
Perhaps if you watched one of her movies. Some people are less attractive in still photos. I looked at her IMDB profile and can’t think of a particular movie to suggest for you, but I see that TCM is playing “The Unknown Man” on July 13 at 11 a.m. Unfortunately that is from 1951 so you will not see her at the height of her apparent appeal. But it might help.
JThunder, is it really necessary for you to post “Hedley” every time someone mentions Hedy Lamarr?
[Was Ann Harding ever considered the most beautiful? She wouldn’t be my choice. But the concept is sound. JeanneCrain1.jpg"]Jeanne Crain is a minor star at best but she might have been the most beautiful 40’s actress. .
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I thought I was the only one who remembered Jeanne Crain.
Is it really that offensive? Or worth complaining about? It’s not as though her name comes up on a frequent basis.
If the board or moderators do rule that this is unacceptable or offensive behavior, then I’ll accede. I don’t understand why this gets you so upset, but if people do think that it violates board rules or decorum, then I won’t argue against that.
Just from reading the thread title, this was going to be my answer.