Jetta made several DeMille films that helped her become one of the top box office draws of the late 1920's. The films include The Coming of Amos (1925), The Road to Yesterday (1925), and White Gold (1927). However, it may have been that Jetta's success went to her head. In 1927 DeMille canceled her contract saying she was too difficult to work with. She then filed a lawsuit for breach of contract and although DeMille claimed her conduct had caused numerous and costly production delays, Jetta, in a landmark ruling, won the suit when DeMille couldn't or wouldn't provide the financial records to support his claim. This decision set a precedent in establishing an actor's rights.
Unfortunately her high-profile suit stunted her Hollywood career as no studio wanted her on their roster. Jetta made her last screen appearance in a talkie, Business and Pleasure (1932). In later years she became active in Actors Equity's fight for the unionization of film actors. She became known as the "Joan of Arc of Equity." Interviewed late in life she is quoted as saying "I don't like being called a silent star. I was never silent." Jetta has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6333 Hollywood Blvd. She died in California 1985.
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Bio from the 1924 edition of Stars of the Photoplay
Publicity still postcard.
Publicity still from The SpaniardJetta Goudal - What do you think - Allure?
