Raquel Torres

Raquel Torres

From Photoplay Magazine, 1930, "Actually christened Billie Osterman, Raquel Torres was born November 11, 1908, in Hermosillo, Senora, Mexico, where her father kept a merchandise store. She was educated in Los Angeles in a convent. And what could be more romantic than to make your screen debut as one of the "White Shadows in the South Seas?" Raquel has black hair and dark brown eyes. She is 5 Feet, 2 inches in height and weighs 110 pounds. Her beauty resembles that of no other woman on the screen and is pure Spanish in type."

Raquel only made 11 films, but can often be seen on TV - that is because one of those films was the classic Marx Brothers film, Duck Soup (1933). It was Raquel who inspired Groucho's classic line: "I could dance with you until the cows come home. On second thought, I'd rather dance with the cows until you come home." Raquel died in 1987.

Raquel Torres - What do you think? Allure?

Lilliane Dietz

Lilliane Dietz

Well, here is a real mystery woman. I, anyway, can find virtually no information about her except for the following 1936 NYT film review of a film in which she appeared - along with a young Vittorio de Sica.

"Instead of being called "The Song of the Sun," the new Italian film at the Teatro Cine-Roma ought to be labeled "Something New Under the Sun." For, incredible as it may seem to hardened cinema patrons, here is a delightful romantic comedy, built around a former Metropolitan Opera tenor, but with a handsome lawyer as the hero and the singer kept well in the background and not required to do anything outside his vocal métier.

Thanks to the pleasant music woven through the highly amusing action by Maestro Mascagni, the competent direction of a German expert and the beautiful photography, there is hardly a dull moment in this gay tale or mistaken identity. And even if the picture were less entertaining per se, the charming screen presence of Lilliane Dietz, a pretty blond German actress, would furnish attraction enough to hold the attention of the audience."

Lilliane Dietz - What do you think? Allure?

Madge Bellamy Revisited

I thought I'd jump out of the postcard images for a little change. You can read about Madge in my earlier post, but I decided to post an image of her from a different source. Below is Madge on the cover of the famous Photoplay magazine, the January 1929 edition. BTW, these early magazines are still available at reasonable prices and in quite good condition.

The artist is Charles Sheldon. The pastels he created for Photoplay launched his career in portrait illustrations. Later came cover art commissions for Screenland, Movie Classic and Radio Digest magazines. I think he captured Madge's allure.

Madge Bellamy- What do you think? Allure?

Corinne Griffth

Corinne Griffith

Born in Texarkana Texas in 1894, Corrine appeared in 66 films from 1916 to 1932 and one more in 1962. At the height of her popularity, she was known as the "Orchid Lady of the Screen". In 1925 she made the film 'DeClasse' in which a young extra named Clark Gable appeared. Corinne received an Academy Award nomination for her work in 'The Divine Lady (1929). Not suited for talkies, she wisely retired while still a star. An astute businesswoman after leaving her film career behind, she soon amassed a fortune in real estate holdings. At the time of her death on July 13, 1979, she was one of the wealthiest women in the world, leaving an estate of $150 million. She also wrote several books, including "Papa's Delicate Condition", which was made into a movie starring Jackie Gleason. She was married four times. Her third husband, George Preston Marshall, was founder and owner of the Washington Redskins.

Corinne Griffth - What do you think? Allure?

Lucy Doraine

Lucy Doraine

Born in Hungary in 1898, Lucy appeared in only 23 films from 1918 to 1931. Barely out of her teens, she began a career that was initially guided by the veteran Hungarian director, Mihaly Kertesz (Michael Curtiz), who became her first husband. She eventually moved to the U.S. and made several films in Hollywood and retired from films when she was 33. She died in California in1989 at the age of 91.

Lucy Doraine - What do you think? Allure?