Viola Dana

Viola Dana, born Viola Flugrath June 26, 1897 in Brooklyn, NY, began as a child actress, appearing on the stage at the age of three. She began her Broadway career in 1913, and her success led to her being cast in two Edison studio films. Quickly a star at the Edison studios, Viola married Edison director, John H. Collins in 1915, and the two collaborated on Children of Eve (1915), a graphic re-enactment of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist fire, The Cossack Whip (1916) and Blue Jeans (1917). In the first of a number of personal tragedies, Collins died during the influenza epidemic of 1918.

Viola's success at Edison found she and her husband being signed with Metro Pictures Corporation. After Collins' death, she was alone in California, where Metro had relocated. Tragedy again struck in 1920 when she became involved with aviator and stunt pilot Ormer Locklear. He died when his plane crashed in August of that year during a nighttime film shoot. Viola witnessed the crash and didn't fly for the next 25 years. Note: Locklear was the prototype for George Roy Hill's The Great Waldo Pepper (1975). Viola was a guest of honor at the film's premiere.

During the 1920's, Viola was a highly-paid star, appearing in 50 films, including Dangerous to Men (1920), Open All Night (1924), available through specialty dealers, and Bred in Old Kentucky (1926). In 1925 she married stunt man "Lefty" Flynn. The marriage lasted four years and she never remarried. Viola's star faded as she entered her thirties, but she turned out a memorable performance in Frank Capra's That Certain Thing (1928). When talkies came in, Viola became another of its victims. She retired from the screen in 1929 after roles in Two Sisters, One Splendid Hour, and The Show of Shows. By the time she made her final film appearance, she had appeared in over 100 films.

Viola Dana died in 1987 from heart failure, aged 90. She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6541 Hollywood Boulevard.

Click on the images for a larger view.

Undated postcard

Would love to know what film this is from.

Stars of the Photoplay 1924

Now playing at your local theater - if it's 1920 and you are at DC's Savoy Theater.

Mid-twenties portrait

Portrait from 1918/1919.

Viola Dana - What do you think - Allure?