THELMA TODD : FILM ACTRESS : LUCKY LUCIANO : SUICIDE : PICTUREGOER : RPPC

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

Published in: on October 30, 2024 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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FLORENCE GILBERT : EARLY FILM ACTRESS : ACTED IN 68 FILMS IN 7 YEARS

Florence Gilbert (1904-1991) is the subject of this vintage real photo postcard. She was a film actress active between 1920 and 1927. Gilbert’s hometown was Chicago. Florence’s mother wanted her to become the next Mary Pickford. In fact, she resembled Pickford in some ways. Florence’s mother had mailed photos of Florence to Pickford who encouraged her to take Florence to Hollywood. At age 14, she moved with her mother and brother to Los Angeles. She started off as Mary Pickford’s double. She was discovered by Monty Banks, an Italian comedian, film actor, director and producer. Apparently, she looked older than her fourteen years. She played a number of roles in films for Mack Sennett studios. She also worked in Hollywood for Fox Studios. Although she was still a teenager, she became the breadwinner of her family. According to IMDb she made 68 film appearances beginning in 1920. She appeared in the first Laurel and Hardy film, ‘The Lucky Dog” (1921). She was married three times. Her first husband was Ashton Dearholt (1894-1942), an American silent film actor. She permanently left acting after marrying Dearholt. She divorced him when he returned home from filming in Guatemala, accompanied by co-star Ula Holt. He was determined to have Holt live in the house he shared with Gilbert. She divorced Dearholt after he made his outrageous demand. Dearholt later married Holt. Husband number two was Edgar Rice Burroughs (1875-1950), an American fiction writer. He was the creator of Tarzan. The marriage ended in divorce due to his drinking. Her third husband was Dr Albert Stillman Chase. She had two children with Dearholt; both were adopted by Chase. Another source “credited her” with two additional marriages. This vintage postcard was published by Ross Verlag, located in Berlin, Germany. The card was part of a series (no.1640/1). Note the Fox studio’s logo in the bottom right hand corner of the image. This postcard is in excellent condition (see scans). SOLD

Published in: on October 22, 2020 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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