FOUR PORTRAITS OF PROVOCATIVE GERMAN SILENT FILM STAR RUTH WEYHER

POSTCARD 1
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POSTCARD 2 (SOLD)

                             

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is ruth-weyher_0001.jpgPOSTCARD 3  (SOLD)

RUTH WEYHER : SULTRY GERMAN SILENT FILM ACTRESS : RPPC - Picture 1 of 3

POSTCARD 4  (SOLD)

Postcard 1 is a vintage real photo postcard that features German silent film actress, Ruth Weyher (1901-1983). She was born in Neumark, East Prussia, Germany.  Weyher grew up in Danzig where she studied painting until she switched to a conservatory to study singing. An illness robbed her of her singing voice and in 1919 she travelled to Berlin where she studied a Max Reinhardt’s theatre school. Reinhardt was a well known director and producer. She appeared in 48 films between 1920 and 1930. She starred in director Georg Wilhelm Pabst’s film “Secrets of the Soul” (1926). She also produced a film in 1929. During her career, Weyher only appeared in a few sound movies and she abandoned acting after marrying publisher Hans Geiselberger in 1932. It is reported that she retired at her husband’s request. The video clip below features Miss Weyher in her appearance in the film “Shadows: A Nightly Hallucination” (1923). The film title translation was done by “google translate”. Weyher’s costar in this film was Austrian stage and film actor Fritz Kortner (1892-1970). A review of this film describes Weyher as “beautiful and passionate”.  Ruth Weyher’s appearance in this film can be described as risque or provocative. One of the themes of this film is infidelity. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag and is part of a series (no. 3529/1). The portrait of Miss Weyher was taken by Alex Schmoll, a photographer located in Berlin, Germany. There is Italian print on the reverse of the postcard that roughly translates as “Exclusive sale publisher: Ballerini and Fratini, Firenze (Florence, Italy). A bit of research reveals that the publishing house, Ballerini & Fratini Montespertoli began in Florence in the year 1912.                                     

Postcard 2 features Ruth Weyher and was published by Ross Verlag. The postcard is part of a series (no. 3089/1). This portrait of Miss Weyher  has her posed in position to display her bare back. She has an engaging smile and holds a large fan of dark feathers. Some may find this image somewhat sexually provocative. The photographer of this photograph is Kiesel of Berlin, Germany.  (SOLD)

Postcard 3 is a vintage real photo postcard that features Miss Weyher holding an adorable kitten. This postcard was published by Iris Verlag and is part of a series (no. 892). The portrait of Miss Weyher was taken by Kiesell, a photographer located in Berlin, Germany. This postcard has remnants of it’s former scrapbook home on back of card. It is in  overall good condition (see scans).   (SOLD)

Postcard 4 was published by Ross Verlag and is part of a series (no. 3318/1). The portrait of Miss Weyher was taken by the Kiese studio in Berlin, Germany.   (SOLD)

 

Published in: on August 3, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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PORTRAIT OF JEANNE SAMARY :ARTIST MODEL FOR RENOIR :STAGE ACTRESS : CABINET CARD

This cabinet card photograph features a portrait of French stage actress, Jeanne Samary (1857-1890). Samary was born into a family of artists. Her father was a cellist at the Paris Opera and she had two aunts and a grandmother who were actresses at the the Comedie-Francaise. At age fourteen, she entered the Conservatoire and in three years later, won the first prize for comedy. She made her debut at the Comedie-Francaise in 1874. She is not as well known for her acting as for her posing for several portraits by Pierre Auguste Renoir. She was his model between 1877 and 1880. She appeared in Renoir’s painting, “Le Dejeuner des canotiers” (Luncheon of the Boating Party). Samary was an actress who was perceived as a woman “of the people”. She could not get major roles on the stage. She played minor roles and often was cast as a maid. Samary wanted to be a famous actress but instead is famous for being one of Renoir’s models. This photograph of Samary was taken by the W. & D. Downey studio (London).  SOLD

Published in: on July 25, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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VIRGINIA MAYO : BEAUTIFUL ACTRESS : PICTUREGOER SERIES : WARNER BROTHERS

This vintage real photo postcard features American actress and dancer, Virginia Mayo (1920-2005). Virginia grew up in St. Louis. She began attending her Aunt’s acting school at age 6. She also took dancing lessons. She began her professional acting career after graduating high school. She began acting and dancing at the St. Louis Municipal Opera Theatre. She then toured the vaudeville circuit for three years. She appeared in some short films and then was “discovered” performing at a Broadway area night club, by Samuel Goldwyn. Goldwyn appreciated her for her talent as well as her beauty. He signed her to an acting contract with his company.  In 1941, she appeared on the Broadway stage with Eddie Cantor. Her first starring role occured in 1944 when she appeared in a film with Bob Hope. The IMDb reports that Mayo had 70 film credits between 1939 and 1997. She performed in one Broadway play (1941-1942). This vintage postcard is part of the “Picturegoer” series (No. D 541). She posed for the postcard’s portrait while under contract with Warner Brothers.  SOLD

Published in: on July 24, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ARLETTE MARCHAL : PRETTY FRENCH FILM ACTRESS : SILENT FILM & TALKIES : RPPC

This vintage real photo postcard features French film actress, Arlette Marchal (1902-1984). The IMDb reports that she appeared in 42 films between 1922 and 1951. Marchal was brunette and exotic looking. As a young woman she was very shy and overcame her shyness by entering a beauty contest. She won the contest and one of the judges helped her get a film role. After that appearance, she was in constant demand for both leading and supporting roles in Hollywood silent films. She worked for both MGM and Paramount. She also was a major actress in French and German talkies. Her high in popularity was in the mid 1920’s. The IMDb states that she was most known for “Aux jardins de Murcie” (1923), “Figaro” (1929), “Don Quichotte” (1933), and “The Fighting Pimpernel” (1949). Marchal was noted for her beauty but she also received positive reviews for her acting from American film critics. She retired from acting in 1951 to concentrate on operating her chain of French fashion houses. This postcard was published by Alfred Noyer as part of a series (No.167). Miss Marchal’s photo was taken by the Sartony studio (Paris). SOLD

Published in: on July 17, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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OCTAVIA HANDWORTH : AMERICAN STAGE AND SILENT FILM ACTRESS : REAL PHOTO POSTCARD

This uncommon vintage real photo postcard features pretty American silent film actress, Octavia Handworth (1887-1978). She was of Danish heritage. She showed much musical talent as a youngster and she was sent to Copenhagen to live with relatives and study music. She returned to the US at age twelve, continued music studies and was hired by an opera company at age sixteen. However, she determined that her real passion was for acting. She was married to Harry Handworth, an actor, producer and film director. Handworth headed Excelsior Feature Film Company. Her second marriage was to actor, Gordon De Main. She began her acting career on stage on the East Coast. She is known for the films “When Fate Leads Trump” (1914), “The Path Forbidden” (1914), “The Great Ruby” (1915), and “Too Much Bull” (1915). Much of her career, she appeared in short films for companies like Pathe, and Lubin. She did however make a half dozen feature films. There was much competition to become a major actress in film, and Octavia failed to reach that status. She retired from acting in 1921 after appearing in the film, “Footlights”. According to the IMDb, Octavia has 61 acting credits between 1910 and 1921. This postcard presents Octavia with a bit of an impish expression. This card was published by Kraus Manufacturing Company (New York) for the Pathe film company. Interestingly, the caption on the front of the card describes Octavia’s appearance. She is said to be blonde, light complexioned, and to have had gray eyes.  SOLD

Published in: on July 16, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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LOIS MORAN : AMERICAN FILM AND STAGE STAR : AFFAIR WITH F. SCOTT FITZGERALD

This vintage real photo postcard features actress Lois Moran (1909-1990). She was an American stage and film actress.  She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She lost both her father, and then her step father, at an early age. In 1921, at the age of 12, Moran and her mother moved to Paris, France. She began singing and dancing at the Paris National Opera at the early age of 13 years old. By age 14, she was appearing in silent films. Her debut in a Hollywood film occurred in “Stella Dallas” (1925). Moran’s film experience included musicals. In fact, she appeared with Al Jolson in “Mammy” (1930). The IMDb reports that Moran acted in 39 films between 1924 and 1974. She parlayed her experience in movies to begin acting on the Broadway stage. The IBDb lists Moran as appearing in 3 Broadway plays between 1930 and 1933.  Moran’s personal life included a short affair (1927) with “The Great Gatsby” writer F. Scott Fitzgerald. Interestingly, one of the characters (Rosemary Hoyt) in “Tender is the Night” is said to mirror Moran. In 1935, she married Clarence M. Young, the assistant Secretary of Commerce. This postcard was published by Ross Verlag as part of a series (No.3171/1). In the lower right hand corner is the logo of Fox Films. She was likely under contract with Fox when this photo was taken. The photo was taken by Fox photographer Max Munn Autrey (1891-1971). This vintage postcard is in good condition (see scans).

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #5218

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Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) #5218

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Published in: on July 14, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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YOKO TANI : SUCCESSFUL JAPANESE ACTRESS IN EUROPE AND DELIVERER OF CHEESECAKE

POSTCARD 1

POSTCARD 1 (CLOSE-UP)

POSTCARD 2  (SOLD)

POSTCARD 2 (CLOSE-UP)  (SOLD)

Yoko Tani (1928-1999) was a Japanese actress and nightclub entertainer. Some writers have described her as “Eurasian” or “half French”. These half white labels were thought necessary because there was a belief she would be accepted more as an exotic than as a Japanese woman by European post World War II audiences. The reality is that both her parents were Japanese but worked for the Japanese embassy in Paris. She was conceived on a boat to France and born in Paris. She was given the name “Yoko” which means “ocean child”. She and her family returned to Japan in 1930 and she returned to France in 1950 after finishing her schooling in Japan. She went back to France because she was awarded a scholarship to study aesthetics at the University of Paris. She stayed in school for a couple of years but it did not hold her interest. She developed a strong attraction to the world of cabarets, night clubs and music halls. She entered into “show business” and became known as an “exotic oriental beauty” with her provocative sexy “geisha” dances. These dances often ended with her slipping out of her kimono. She also appeared in “cheesecake photographs”. Discovered by Marcel Carne, a French film director, she entered into his social world of filmdom. She met and later married Roland Lesaffre, the French actor. It would be the first of two marriages. She soon began acting in films. Until the mid 1950’s her acting roles were confined to stereotyped Asians in French films. In 1956 she appeared in French films in more substantial roles. While in Japan, she appeared in a film with a “women in prison” theme. Between 1957 and 1962, Tani appeared in international films. Her first English language film was Graham Greene’s “The Quiet American”. She had a small role playing a French speaking Vietnamese nightclub hostess. In regard to English language films, Tani’s first great success was in “The Wind Cannot Read” (1958). She had a leading actress role and her success helped land her additional English language roles (Great Britain and the United States). Additional Hollywood parts included My Geisha (1962) and “Who’s Been Sleeping In My Bed” (1963). In about 1963, she became more of a European based actress. She worked on mainly low budget Italian films and in femme fatale roles in British television. Tani maintained her love for cabaret and nightclubs throughout her career. The producer of “The Wind Cannot Read” wrote that when looking to recruit Tani for the picture, she found her in a “girlie club”, basically, a strip tease joint in Paris. It was reported that in the 1960’s, she worked in the Le Crazy Horse de Paris nightclub. In 1997, at nearly 50 years of age, she was in Brazil to play a small role in a sexploitation film. Also in 1977 she starred in a transvestite show in downtown Sao Paulo. The IMDb credits Tani with 53 film acting credits between 1949 and 2018.

  Postcard 1 showcases the beauty of Yoko Tani. This photograph is certainly a “cheesecake” image. Tani seems to be falling out of her robe (kimono). Let there be no doubt, sex sells. This was true in the 1950’s and 1960’s as well as today. Unfortunately, women were, and are, seen as objects. This vintage real photo postcard was made in France and published by the “Globe”. The card was part of a series (no.713). The photograph was taken by famed celebrity photographer Sam Levin. Levin was popular both in Europe as well as the United States. This photo postcard is in very good condition (see scans).

Postcard 2 is a risque photograph of Miss Tani. She is wearing the same robe as the one she wears in Postcard 1. It is strategically ill fitting. The postcard is made in Paris and published by the globe as part of a series no.469). The photographer is Sam Levin.  SOLD

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes shipping within the US) #3116

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$14.72

Buy this Vintage Real Photo Postcard (includes International shipping outside the US) #3116

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$23.22

POSTCARD 1POSTCARD 2
Published in: on July 12, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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ELIZABETH MANET : FRENCH ACTRESS : PHOTO BY SAM LEVIN

This vintage real photo postcard features actress Elisabeth Manet. Manet was born in Paris, France, in 1934. She is remembered for “Young Girls Beware” (1957) and “The Mirror has Two Faces” (1958). He IMDb filmography includes six credits between 1955 and 1959. SOLD

Published in: on July 11, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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DOLLY ADAMS : THE WATER QUEEN : LIVED ON THE WILD SIDE

It turns out that there were two New York City actresses named Dolly Adams. I will tell you the story of both of them. Each actress made sensational headlines. The first Dolly Adams that I describe had an interesting and unique wedding experience. The second Dolly Adams described is Dolly Adams “The Water Queen”. It is her photograph that accompanies this blog entry. 

The New York Times of September 21, 1897 reports that Emma Viola Street a variety actress, known as Dolly Adams;  and Frederick Hillmeyer,  the son of a well-to-do hotel proprietor,  were married in a Harlem, New York, prison. They had to be married by a clergyman because a court room judge refused to perform the ceremony because he thought “the marriage could not turn out happily”.  The reason why Hillmeyer was in court was because he was accused by Ms Adams of stealing  jewelry and cash from her Park Avenue flat. Ms Adams requested that the judge withdraw the charges but he refused to do so, causing the actress to have an “epileptic” fit. 

Dolly Adams, the “Water Queen”  lived a very interesting life. She was born Ellen Loretta Callahan in 1860 in New York. Her parents were from Ireland. Her father, a longshoreman, died when Dolly was young. Dolly’s mom went to work and Dolly received little supervision and a age sixteen was working as a prostitute in a New York parlor house. During her youth she used to swim at the New York Aquarium with a group of other girls. She was a talented swimmer and received special training and learned to hold her breath under water for an extended period of time. She eventually became an underwater performer and was given the title “Water Queen”. Dolly moved to San Francisco, accompanying a couple of madams out west. She lived on the wild side in California. She became famous when she attended the Policeman’s Ball dressed as Cupid and ran up to President Grant and pinned a lily on the lapel of his coat. Observers stated that President Grant, a man who didn’t flinch in battle, appeared shocked upon this floral assault by Miss Adams. She also won first place for her costume. Dolly Adams returned to New York City where she continued to live a life full of drama and travail. She died in 1888 aboard a steam ship which was to take her on a tour of the orient. The cause of death was the impact of syphilis, opium addiction and pneumonia.  (SOLD)

Published in: on July 7, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Comments (2)  
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HERITO: A PORTRAIT OF MLLE HERO (THEATER ACTRESS)

herito

This vintage real photo postcard features French glamour star Herito (Mlle Hero). She was a celebrated actress and dancer of her era. Although she was a popular subject of photo postcards, this particular postcard is not very common. The postcard was published by Rotophot Berlin (RPH). Rotophot made it’s debut in Berlin, Germany around the turn of the century (1900). The company had other European offices including London and Budapest. They published many different postcard topics including stage stars. Many of their early postcards were tinted. Eventually Rotophot morphed into “Ross Verlag” a postcard company that collectors know for the many postcards they produced featuring actors and actresses.  (SOLD)

herito 1

Published in: on July 3, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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