# Most Beautiful Actress of the 1930s **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 30, 2009, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157 "2009-05-30T13:33:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/21 "2009-05-30T19:27:50Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > Is it really that… JThamunder. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/22 "2009-05-30T20:45:10Z")
BTW, **Wendell Wagner** , I discovered that the last time I posted “Hedley!” was on [December 22nd, 2005](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=6927541&highlight=Hedley#post6927541), three years and five months ago. Is that too often? I’m sorry if you find this distasteful. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/23 "2009-05-30T20:53:16Z")
No, the last time was apparently December 15, 2008: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=497358&highlight=Hedley&page=2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=497358&highlight=Hedley&page=2) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Shroud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/439d5e/32.png) [@The\_Shroud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Shroud)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/24 "2009-05-30T20:58:10Z")
According to Wikipedia, [Dolores del Rìo](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolores_del_R%C3%ADo) was called “the second most beautiful woman of Hollywood” by Photoplay magazine, and “was generally thought to be one of the most beautiful actresses of her generation.” She died in 1983, so that’s about 10 years too early, but maybe it was an old obit? And just because I was hoping this was a “post your favorites” thread: My favorites are [Miriam Hopkins](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_iNLtcc6dW9Q/SOVP-WcUUMI/AAAAAAAAAzo/GEJ4KlR8rWk/s320/Miriam+Hopkins.bmp) and [Norma Shearer](http://www.all-art.org/er_in_art/Vintage_photographs/norma%20shearer1.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/25 "2009-05-30T21:05:31Z")
> [@Ronald\_C.Semone](#): > > I thought I was the only one who remembered Jeanne Crain. Hells no! Ms. Crain was in two of my favorite films – _Cheaper by the Dozen_ and even more importantly, _A Letter to Three Wives_. Which also starred yet _another_ more beautiful actress, the breathtaking Linda Darnell. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/26 "2009-05-30T21:46:56Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > No, the last time was apparently December 15, 2008: > > [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=497358&highlight=Hedley&page=2](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=497358&highlight=Hedley&page=2) Okay, I missed that. So the last time was five months ago, and the time before that was three years prior. Is that truly excessive? What kind of rules would you like us to follow in this regard? BTW, a quick search shows that there were a great many other threads in which Hedy Lamarr was mentioned and I did not respond with “Hedley.” Shall I provide the statistics for you? Perhaps that would let us arrive at some accord regarding the acceptable frequency at which I, or any other SDMBer, can post such a response. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/27 "2009-05-30T21:49:28Z")
> [@Ronald\_C.Semone](#): > > I thought I was the only one who remembered Jeanne Crain. Oh, no indeed! _State Fair_! ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/28 "2009-05-30T22:23:23Z")
Other people have posted the “Hedy Lamarr - No, it’s Hedley” thing too: > **[Are there any men & women who have a complete "brains and beauty" package?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=470175)** > > I was wondering at the fact that being really, really smart and really, really good looking typically don’t intersect in one individual all that often, which isn’t all that surprising in that both those states are not all that common to begin with,... > **[What scientist would make the most compelling biopic?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=502196)** > > Keeping in mind that a movie set entirely in a lab would be boring as shit, what scientist would make the most compelling biopic? Charles Darwin’s voyage on the Beagleor Alfred Russel Wallace’s island adventures could make a great adventure movie... > **[Strange "hobbies" of well known people.](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=449744)** > > Yesterday I was reading a column about “fame” by Australian actor William McInnes. And he told this great little tale: \*I was on a television series once that was basically all about being famous. Well, not exactly, but that was the end result of... > **[Which classic period actresses would have done nude scenes?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=418395)** > > Barbara Payton, natch, but can’t think of any other obvious choices. Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/29 "2009-05-30T22:25:36Z")
In the 30s the major women were Marlene Dietrich, Jean Harlow Greta Garbo, Norma Shearer In the 40s you saw more “beauties,” because a lot of them did “pin-up” pictures for the troops. Rita Hayworth is definately thought of as a 40s actress, along with Marie MacDonald, Carmen Miranda and Betty Grable. I agree with the one poster that said that the name recognition can extend beyond their actual fame. As Rachel Welch, just the mention of her name brings to mind beauty. \<\\> ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/30 "2009-05-30T23:05:13Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > Other people have posted the “Hedy Lamarr - No, it’s Hedley” thing too: Granted. Are you personally blaming me for their heinous deeds? After all, you specifically said, “ **JThunder** , is it really necessary for you to post ‘Hedley’ every time someone mentions Hedy Lamarr?” I agree that other people have posted the “Hedley” response. Why are you holding me personally responsible for their actions? BTW, your cites illustrate a point that I made earlier… namely, that I do NOT say “Hedley!” everytime someone mentions Ms. Lamarr. In fact, most of the time, I offer no response whatsoever. This is why I feel that your approach to this problem – that is, placing the blame on my shoulders – is not very helpful. **Wendell** , it’s apparent that you don’t like this joke. I can understand that. Can you think of a more helpful and productive response to this problem than levelling the aforementioned accusation? I can think of at least three. ---
**Author:** ![Ronald\_C.Semone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/cc9497/32.png) [@Ronald\_C.Semone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronald_C.Semone)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/31 "2009-05-30T23:18:05Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > Granted. Are you personally blaming me for their heinous deeds? After all, you specifically said, “ **JThunder** , is it really necessary for you to post ‘Hedley’ every time someone mentions Hedy Lamarr?” > > I agree that other people have posted the “Hedley” response. Why are you holding me personally responsible for their actions? > > BTW, your cites illustrate a point that I made earlier… namely, that I do NOT say “Hedley!” everytime someone mentions Ms. Lamarr. In fact, most of the time, I offer no response whatsoever. This is why I feel that your approach to this problem – that is, placing the blame on my shoulders – is not very helpful. > > **Wendell** , it’s apparent that you don’t like this joke. I can understand that. Can you think of a more helpful and productive response to this problem than levelling the aforementioned accusation? I can think of at least three. O.K., I give up. Would someone please explain what this discussion of “Hedley” is all about. As I understand it, Lamarr’s given name was “Hedweg” and she chose the name “Hedy” when she went into the movie business. Where does"Hedley" come from? ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/32 "2009-05-30T23:33:50Z")
It’s from the movie _Blazing Saddles_. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/33 "2009-05-30T23:34:53Z")
> [@Ronald\_C.Semone](#): > > Where does"Hedley" come from? Mel Brooks. It’s a **Blazing Saddles** reference, wherein Harvey Korman’s nefarious character “Hedley Lamarr” repeatedly corrects people for calling him “Hedy.” A silly play on names joke that probably resonated a lot more with audiences of Mel Brooks’ age, than it would with most modern audiences, for whom the actress Hedy Lamarr is almost certainly an increasingly obscure pop figure. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/34 "2009-05-31T00:55:42Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Joan Bennett wasn’t obscure, but less well known today. > > And I always thought she was the most beautiful blonde in Hollywood. “Let’s speak of Lamarr, that Hedy so fair, Why does she let Joan Bennett wear all her old hair?” ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/35 "2009-05-31T01:27:00Z")
Did we ever figure out who the Op was trying to remember? Which 1930’s actress was the most beautiful? Maybe Merle Oberon. Which 1930’s actress would make the greatest girlfriend? Definitely Elsa Lanchester. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/36 "2009-05-31T02:06:18Z")
[Paulette Goddard](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paulette_Goddard)died in 1990, so the timeline isn’t too far off. But she was hardly a little-known B-movie actress. [Vera Hruba Ralston](http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0707843/)was a B-movie actress, touted (by her studio) as “the most beautiful woman in Hollywood” but she didn’t start acting until the 1940s. She died in 2003. ---
**Author:** ![Shawn1767](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Shawn1767](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shawn1767)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/37 "2009-05-31T02:21:16Z")
In my opinion, the most attractive star of that era is [myrna loy](http://classicmoviefavorites.com/loy/loy6.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/38 "2009-05-31T02:32:39Z")
I love Myrna Loy so much! She always struck me as quite contemporary. Gloria Stewart (old lady in Titanic) was drop dead gorgeous in her youth!!! ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/39 "2009-05-31T02:49:35Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > Did we ever figure out who the Op was trying to remember? Apparently as early as post #8. Which few seemed to have read. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157/40 "2009-05-31T02:50:35Z")
Let’s not forget Claudette Colbert and Carole Lombard. I’ve always been partial to them. And Jean Harlow. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-beautiful-actress-of-the-1930s/498157.md?page=3)