Future projects?

Although I’m still searching for more info on Ms Moorhead, there are plenty others I’m interested in, those whose career came and went, some were big stars, some just bit parts, but all very important and mysterious. I’ve already talked about the great Marjorie Gateson, who seems just as mysterious as Natalie, my first search for info on her came up with very little, although TCM recently showed “Kings Vacation” with George Arliss, in which Marjorie had a big part. The idea of writing a book about Natalie Moorhead would be great, but as of now impossible, without finding someone who knew her personally or access to her personal papers, but what about a book dedicated to those who time has sadly forgot. Even the novice movie fans know Charlie Chaplin, Humphrey Bogart, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Clark Gable, and Greta Garbo, but who knows Aileen Pringle, Betty Compson, Toby Wing, Dorothy Mackaill, Kay Johnson, and Helen Vinson? Although I still plan to keep this blog Natalie Moorhead centered, you may start seeing reviews and info on the following actress that I find fascinating and sadly forgotten.

Betty Compson 1897-1974
Absolutely beautiful and a cute voice, an awesome combination, Betty was a big star in the silent’s and early talkies, but soon dropped to bit parts, then low budget movies, then gone. Although she went on to have a solid career after the movies making ash trays for clubs and restaurants with her ex boxer husband in the 60’s to 70’s. But why did she drop when she had such talent and unbelievable beauty?

Dorothy Mackaill 1903-1990
Another big late silent and early talkie star, whose career sadly fell apart, although she stayed in Hollywood and was a part of the scene. I’ve read she quit pictures to take care of her sick mother, but why didn’t she come back, she had the talent and was one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen.

Kay Johnson 1904-1975
If you haven’t seen “Madam Satan” your missing out on a fun movie, a bit strange, but fun. Kay Johnson seemed to be very big for about a year or two in the early 30‘s, two big Cecil B Demille movies, and a few other big movies, then gone. I about went crazy when I saw her in “Mr. Lucky” in 1943, a very small part, but she looked a good as ever. Like Natalie she had a unique look and voice, how can you not love her?

Toby Wing 1915-2001
Easily one of the sexiest women of all time, Marilyn Monroe is nowhere close, she’s sexy and cute, a dangerous combination. Now can she act, not really, she a had few movies with bigger parts, but she mostly had bit parts, just walking around in her underwear or chorus in musicals, but who cares about acting with Toby. Toby was just plain fun, but a quickly as she appeared she was gone, why? I’ve read she became a teacher, wow, can you imagine having a former movie star as your teacher?

Jean Parker 1915-2005
I’ve talked about beauties, but none compare to Jean Parker, just stunning, and that voice, what a goddess, I fell in love with her the first time I saw her. She started in smaller parts became a big star in B movies, then disappeared, why? She wasn’t so great in the dramas but in comedies she was fantastic, they made over 6 Maisie movies with Ann Southern, and about 7 Torchy Blane movies with Glenda Farrell, now I love Glenda and Ann but come on those Kitty D’Day movies with Jean are perfect, why only did they only make 2?

Mary Brian 1906-2002
She got her start as Wendy in the silent Peter Pan, became a big star in the early talkies, but again was just about gone in the 40’s, with those looks and voice, how can you not love her. She had a brief fling on TV on “Meet Corliss Archer”, then retired and became a painter.

Silver Screen magazine 1931

I know it’s been a long time since I last posted, but I’ve been very busy with other projects, and haven’t had time to do much research or watch movies. But I did finally find the Sept 1931 issue of Silver Screen magazine, the only magazine that I know of that had a feature on Natalie Moorhead. I’ve been searching for years, the problem was I knew of the article, the magazine, and the year, but not which month, finally I stumble upon it and probably spent more than I should have, but I had to have it. The story is fun, but nothing I didn’t already know, still sounds like a Hollywood made up story, which doesn’t help when trying to find some real information. I really need to find someone alive who knew Natalie, so many questions, and no way of finding the answers. Although the story wasn’t anything new, the issue did have some other great stuff like a feature on Ruth Chatterton, one of my favorites, plus a story on the great Clara Bow, oh and I can’t forget the Natalie Moorhead Maybelline ad. Hopefully soon I can start adding some more reviews and information, I’m currently looking into Natalie’s three (or is it 4) husbands, stay tuned.