This vintage real photo postcard features American actress, Thelma Todd (1906-1935). She rose to prominence during the 1920s and 1930s as a comedic actress in both silent films and early talkies. Todd became known for her beauty, talent, and comedic timing, appearing in over 120 films throughout her career. She was nicknamed “The Ice Cream Blonde” and “Hot Toddy”. Todd began her entertainment career as a teenager, winning several beauty pageants before making her way to Hollywood. She started in the film industry as an extra and later secured minor roles in silent films. Her breakthrough came when she signed a contract with Hal Roach Studios, where she starred alongside comedy legends like Laurel and Hardy, Charley Chase, and Our Gang. In the late 1920s, Todd successfully transitioned into “talkies,” showcasing her ability to deliver comedic lines with charm and wit. Some of her notable films from this period include “Monkey Business” (1931), “The Maltese Falcon” (1931), and “Horse Feathers” (1932). Despite her success on the silver screen, Todd faced personal challenges and setbacks. She had a tumultuous love life, including relationships with prominent figures such as director Roland West and gangster Lucky Luciano. Her relationship with West, who was married at the time, was marred by rumors and scandals. Tragically, on December 16, 1935, Thelma Todd’s life was cut short under mysterious circumstances. Her body was found in her car, parked in the garage of her café, the Thelma Todd’s Sidewalk Café in Pacific Palisades, California. While the exact cause of her death remains uncertain, it was officially ruled as accidental carbon monoxide poisoning due to a faulty garage heater. However, some speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding her death have persisted over the years. This postcard was published as part of the “Picturegoer” series (no.413). SOLD
The adorable stage actress featured in this vintage photo postcard is Madge Temple (1875/80-1943). She was an English actress, vocalist, and music hall comedienne. Temple’s first appearance in pantomime was at West London’s, Lyric Theatre, at Christmas in 1900. She then went on tour and in 1905, she began playing on the variety stage. She then successfully toured music hall theatres with such songs as “Come , Be My Rainbow”, “He’s a Very Old Friend of Mine”, and “I’m Looking for Mr. Wright”. In 1909 and 1910 she made a series of of recordings for Pathe. She was a popular performer on the British stage and became a star in Australia when she toured there in 1913-1914. Madge Temple was married to Herman Darewski (1883-1947), a successful composer of many popular songs. The pair had at least one child. The story of Neville Lawrence Darewski is told in a book entitled “SAS Italian Job: The Secret Mission to Storm a Forbidden Nazi Fortress”. He was known as “Major Temple”, adopting his mother’s last name as his nom de guerre. He was a member of a an elite “Special Duty” unit and was involved in secret missions during World War II. He was a member of Churchill’s “Ministry for Ungentlemanly Warfare”. In 1943 he was dropped behind enemy lines in Italy. He commanded a unit of five hundred Italian partisans. The group did a great deal of damage to the Italian and German military in Italy. They attacked a airbase and destroyed eighty-nine Italian planes. Unfortunately, Major Temple did not survive the war. He was killed in a truck accident as he was trying to escape the German army which after much time and effort, had surrounded his unit. This postcard is postmarked 1907 in Kilburn which is likely the Kilburn that is a section of London. The photographer of this portrait of Madge Temple is Ian Douglas Campbell-Gray. He is associated with ten portraits in the United Kingdom’s National Portrait Gallery. The British Journal of Photography (1910) printed a photograph of a commercial truck that advertised Campbell Gray’s photo studio. His creative flair is evident because the back half of the truck looked exactly like a camera. This postcard has a message which discusses the photograph on it’s front. The writer apologizes about her inability to find a photo card of “G.R.?” and claims that such cards are scarce because the performer was not active when the postcard was written. Could she be referring to “Gaynor Rowland”? This specific Madge Temple photo postcard is uncommon. The postcard is in very good condition (see scans). SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 