Bathing Beauties IX

Betty Bird was born Hilde Elisabeth Ptack on June 18, 1901 in Vienna, Austria-Hungary. Her father's name was Ludwig Ptack, but I am not sure of her mother's name. Her father worked for a film studio in Austria and it was through him that she got her break into the flickers. She made her film debut in 1924 and made around eight pictures for American studios, including Sennett. She later went back to Austria and appeared in at least 30 more films until she retired in 1935. Her Bathing Beauty image worked for her off screen as well because she was known as the "Venice Beauty Queen" (and I am thinking this is the Venice in Italy, not Venice in California). 

She was married twice. Her first husband was director Gustav Ucicky who she was married to from 1923 until 1936. Her second husband was an Italian dentist with the last name of "Hruska."

Betty passed away in 1998 in Italy. I do not know where she is buried, but I am assuming it is in Europe.

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Nancy Cornelius was born Nancy Katherine Cornelius on February 21, 1911 in Westchester County, New York. She was the second child born to Alfred Cornelius, an importer, and his wife, Constance. Brother William was born four years before her. 

Nancy's film career began in 1927 and she appeared in around 10 films and shorts before retiring in 1933. It was during this time that she also won a Miss Hollywood contest. After she retired from screen acting, she began touring the vaudeville circuit with fellow silent film actors, Al St. John and Kenneth Harlan.

I read that she was married twice, but I can't find any information on her reported first husband, Lawrence Erie Smith. I know she did marry Jerome Safron, district manager for Columbia Pictures, in 1933. The couple would eventually have twin daughters, Nancy Katherine and Patricia Ann. I am not sure when they divorced, but I know they eventually did because Safron would go on to marry actress Joi Lansing in 1950. I am not sure whether or not Nancy ever married again. 

Nancy passed away on June 6, 1983 in Los Angeles. I don't know where she is buried.

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Ruth King was born on September 10, 1898 in Iowa. There is a bit of confusion about her family history and even her career. I read that her great nephew was wondering if his great-aunt may be getting confused with another actress by that name because the above picture didn't seem to match the ones he had seem previously. So, I am not sure what all is true and what is just...whatever it is! Anyway, according to Ruth's nephew, "King" was actually the name of her step-father because her father was a minister and would not have approved of his daughter becoming an actress.

Her career lasted from 1917 until 1926, appearing in 23 films. Her most famous film appearance was with Lon Chaney in his 1924 film, He Who Gets Slapped. 

She was married at least once, to a man named Ward Roy Hamilton from 1917 until 1926. I do not know if she ever remarried.

Ruth passed away on February 27, 1946 in Los Angeles, California. I do not know where she is buried. 

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Irene Tyner was born on March 4, 1898 in Pennsylvania. I unfortunately do not know anything about her family history or her early life.

Her film career lasted for only a year, from 1917 until 1918 and she appeared in roughly six shorts. She did have the distinction of appearing in a few of Harold Lloyd's early Lonesome Luke shorts. 

Irene passed away on March 10, 1950 in Los Angeles, California. I do not know where she is buried. 

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Elsie Ware was born Elsie Wareham on March 16, 1900 in Thorne, England, UK. She may have been the only child born to Charles and Edith Wareham, but I can't find any information on their family.

Like a few other Bathing Beauties, Elsie was an accomplished swimmer and frequently won trophies in various aquatic events. Her Hollywood career was slim. In a span of ten years (1919-1929) she was only credited for appearing in six film shorts. She did double for Viola Dana in a few films though.

Her life after Hollywood is pretty much a mystery. I know that she was married to a man named Charles Woit in 1927, but I don't know how long the marriage lasted. I don't even know when she died. I mean, she was born in 1900...I find it hard to believe that she is still alive. 

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Maude Wayne was born Maude Wehn on March 26, 1895 in Beatrice, Nebraska. She was the youngest child born to Lou Wehn and Maria Jane Maccathron. Her brother, Richard (born Earl Albert) was twelve years older and also worked as an actor in Hollywood. She also had three older sisters, F.J. (how it appears in the census), Hellen, and Lourie. 

Her career lasted from 1917 until 1927 with about 40 credited screen appearances in shorts and films. In 1928 she married silent screen leading man, Johnnie Walker, but they eventually divorced in 1936. I don't believe she married again because she was buried under her married name.

Maude passed away on October 10, 1983 in Los Angeles, California. She is buried at Forest Lawn in Glendale near her mother.