ALMA BENNETT : RISQUÉ 1920s RPPC OF SILENT FILM ACTRESS : PATHE : IRIS VERLAG

This sepia-toned, real photo postcard features the glamorous silent film actress Alma Bennett (1904-1958) in a striking, risqué pose. Published by Iris Verlag of Austria, this collectible is numbered 5234 and credits the prominent studio Pathé as the photographer—known for its high-quality film stills and star portraits during the silent era. The image captures Bennett draped in a sheer, flowing fabric that barely conceals her chest. With her hands placed carefully to cover herself, the pose is both sensual and elegant—clearly intended to appeal to fans of 1920s starlets and risqué glamour. Her expressive face is tilted upward in a dramatic fashion, with her dark, wavy bob framing large, expressive eyes. Her parted lips and gaze suggest a moment of theatrical longing or awe, characteristic of the silent film aesthetic. This postcard falls squarely into the risqué category due to its suggestive styling and scant coverage, though it retains a refined and artistic tone rather than being overtly provocative. Alma Bennett was an American silent film actress who appeared in over 60 films between 1919 and 1931. Known for her beauty, versatility, and ability to play both dramatic and comedic roles, she became a recognizable face during the peak years of silent cinema. Bennett began her career in Hollywood in the late 1910s, likely transitioning into film from stage or local beauty contests, as was common during the period. Her breakout years came in the 1920s, with notable roles in films such as: “Orphans of the Storm” (1921, uncredited, directed by D.W. Griffith), “The Prairie Pirate” (1925), “A Woman Against the World” (1928), “The Night Flyer” (1928). and “The Arizona Kid” (1930).  Alma’s personal life was somewhat tumultuous, mirroring that of many silent-era actresses whose careers were overshadowed by the transition to sound films. She was married to Fred Bennett, though the marriage reportedly ended in divorce. Little is documented about her life after retiring from film around 1931, and she never returned to the screen during the sound era. (SOLD)

Published in: on August 27, 2025 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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JUNE CAPRICE : SILENT FILM STAR : FOX’S PICK TO COMPETE WITH MARY PICKFORD

June Caprice started life named Helen Elizabeth Lawson. She was born in 1895 in Arlington, Massachusetts. June was a silent film actress. She attended school in Boston. Her acting career began on the stage. In 1916, she signed with the Fox Film Corporation to make films. William Fox had been searching for an actress to compete with Mary Pickford. Caprice had won a Boston Mary Pickford look-a-like contest. When he discovered Caprice, he boldly predicted that she would become the best known female on the screen within the upcoming six months. A press release introducing her to film fandom, stated that she was seventeen years of age. In fact, she was about twenty years old at the time. Caprice made her screen debut in a move entitled “Caprice of the Mountains” (1916). A film critic, writing in the New York Times described her as “young, pretty, graceful, petite, with an eloquence of gesture that augurs a bright future in the movies”. Her first film provided her with her stage name, “June Caprice”. June became quite popular. She received a lot of attention from fan magazines and was one of Fox’s most profitable stars toward the end of the 1910’s. She made sixteen films while with Fox. Her director for half of the movies was Harry F. Millarde. The pair began a relationship and eventually married. Caprice also worked at one time for Pathe studios. She left the film industry to begin a family and in 1922 she gave birth to a daughter. Caprice’s career took a downturn after World War I. The sweet, pure and innocent look lost popularity and was replaced by the jazz age flapper look. She later returned to working on stage and modelling. In 1931, her husband died at the young age of 46. Five years later, Caprice had a fatal heart attack while in Los Angeles. At the time, she also was suffering with cancer. She was just 40 years old at the time of her death. Caprice’s daughter was only aged 14 when she was orphaned. She was raised by her grandparents on Long Island, New York. She became a “cover girl” and actress. She used the name Toni Seven. Her photo and brief biography can be found elsewhere in the Cabinet Card Gallery. Seven inherited three million dollars from her family. The IMDb credits June Caprice with 22 film appearances between 1916 and 1921. This vintage real photo postcard was published by Pictures Ltd which was located in London, England. It was published with the perimission of the Fox Film Co. The card is part of a series (no.12) labeled “Pictures” Portrait Gallery. (SOLD)

 

 

 

 

 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
Published in: on September 24, 2020 at 12:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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