Friday, November 21, 2014

Bathing Beauties IV

Lillian Knight was born Lillian Unold on March 23, 1883 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Lillian's film career began when she rang up a friend who was putting on a fashion show for Cecil DeMille and asked if she could appear in it. Her friend invited her down and gave Lillian a bathing suit that 25 of the other girls just couldn't seem to fit into. In a Cinderella-esque plot twist, Lillian put the suit on and it fit her perfectly! Soon after the fashion show, Lillian was given a movie contract and appeared in her first film in 1914. She had a pretty short career, lasting a little over 10 years with only about 16 film credits. 
Lillian passed away on May 16, 1946 in Pomona, California. I am not sure where she is buried. 

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Thelma Parr was born Betty Selby on October 19, 1906 in Grant's Pass, Oregon. I don't know anything about her early life or her family unfortunately. 
Thelma's film career lasted from 1925 until 1930 and in that short period of time she managed to appear in around 35 films. Sadly, her career was cut short when she was injured in a car accident that left her face, mostly her mouth, severely scarred. 
I do know that she was married twice, her first marriage being to banjo player William Goman from 1925 until 1930. Her second husband was a man named Emmanuel Titelman who she was married to from 1933 until his death in 1966. She and Titelman had two daughters.
Thelma passed away on February 13, 2000 in San Clemente, California. Unfortunately, I don't know where she is buried.

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Vera Steadman was born on June 23, 1900 in Monterey, California. She was the second child born to Montague Steadman, a farmer, and his wife, Frances Gregg. She had an older brother, Montague Jr. who later had a career in Hollywood working as a cameraman. Vera's film career lasted from 1915 until 1938 with over 120 films, and although she did appear in a few talkies, it was only in bit roles. 
In 1926, Vera was riding in a car driven by Al Christie along with Hughlina Marion, mother of actress and friend Marie Prevost when the car swerved and overturned. Christie suffered minor cuts and bruises whereas Hughlina died from a broken spine. Vera was somewhere in the middle, suffering from a broken back and two broken legs, leading doctors to believe that she would either die in surgery or end up being crippled for the rest of her life. Vera managed to beat the odds! After spending six months being bedridden, she slowly but surely got back to walking around on her own. Doctors believed that Vera's strong athletic talents (she was an excellent swimmer) and her competitive drive were instrumental in helping her succeed. 
Vera was married twice, first to actor and violinist Jack Taylor in 1920. The couple had twin daughters, Marie (after friend Marie Prevost) and Frances in 1921. Sadly, Frances passed away at only six weeks old. Her second marriage was to former jockey, Joseph Milton Flynn in 1948, but I am not sure how long they were married. She also briefly dated actor Buster Collier.  
Vera passed away on December 14, 1966 in Long Beach, California. She was buried at Forest Lawn in Long Beach. 

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Elsie Tarron was born Elsie Maud Tarron on September 3, 1903 in London, England, United Kingdom. Her career lasted from 1923 until 1929 with about 60 films crammed into that little bit of time. 
Elsie passed away on October 24, 1990 in Los Angeles. I believe she is buried at Forest Lawn in Glendale but I am not 100% sure.
She was married once, to actor Andy Clyde from 1932 until his death in 1967. The couple had a son named John Allan in 1935, but sadly he passed away at the young age of nine. Unfortunately, I don't know what happened to him.

4 comments:

  1. All these ladies had something tragic happen but had the will power to overcome it. Love their bathing suits:) I have to give them so much credit for overcoming disfigurement, paralysis and the death of a child. Overcoming is the wrong word-surviving it may be a better one

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    1. It is sad but true. It is strange how the girls go from these nameless, beautiful girls to women with real stories and real lives.

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  2. Please write aa book! I just love your site

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    1. Haha, thank you Sarah! You aren't the only one who has suggested that I write a book. It is definitely something on my mind.

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