Alice White
For a few years Alice White (New Jersey, 1904 - Los Angeles, 1983) was one of Hollywood's most alluring actresses. After leaving school she became a secretary and script girl for director Josef Von Sternberg. After clashing with Von Sternberg, Alice left his employment to work for Charlie Chaplin, who decided before long to place her in front of the camera. She played a succession of flappers and gold diggers.
During the 1920s Alice White's beauty and bubbly personality made her a star
In her seventh film, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1928), she finally got a leading role. It was based on the popular novel by Anita Loos. It was a big hit and Alice's performance got rave reviews. Sadly this silent film is now lost (in 1953 the movie was remade as a musical starring Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell).
Her 16th picture, Broadway Babies (1929), became her first 100% talkie, it was a smash hit. Her next big musical was Show Girl in Hollywood (1930) in the Western Electric sound-on-film process. Alice continued to make successful talkies but her career was hurt by several scandals.
Sy Bartlett and Alice White
In 1933 she had an alleged affair with two men at the same time, her then boyfriend, British actor Jack Warburton, and producer Sy Bartlett. She accused Warburton of beating her so badly she needed reconstructive surgery on her nose. Warburton told the press that Alice and Sy hired thugs to disfigure him. Although she later married Bartlett, her reputation was tarnished and she appeared only in supporting roles after this. By 1938, her name was at the bottom of the cast lists and she made her final film appearance in 1949.
Alice White
next stop: White Alice!
Not an actress I had heard of, beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of her either. She was very pretty. Pity about the scandals but that was Hollywood!
ReplyDeleteWhat captivating eyes! Hollywood causes death in all sorts of ways. I'm enjoying these posts, Rob, so many vintage actresses with quite a story to tell!
ReplyDeleteVery nice collection of images - Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, and your BlogDogIt site is very interesting!
DeleteAnd a nice plan to juxtapose Alice White and White Alice (- ;
ReplyDeleteWow, I had not heard of her that I can remember. She has such a sweet face, and yet you could say she's beautiful, and one can tell from her smile that I'm sure she was very enjoyable to be around.
ReplyDeleteHi Rob, I enjoyed learning more about Alice White. Love the photos, especially the one with Alice & Sy by the car. Thanks for leaving a message on my Flickr account. It's always nice to hear from you. :)
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