Biography of Miriam Hopkins (1902-1972), whose legacy should be her racy and sophisticated Paramount pre-Code output—not her feud with Bette Davis, or missing out on Gone With the Wind despite being Margaret Mitchell’s favorite for Scarlett O’Hara.
Movie Star Biographies
Biographies of movie stars from the Silent period through Hollywood's Golden Age. These include a great amount of research and are often annotated throughout. Since mid-2008 these are all written by Cliff Aliperti. Older entries point to freelance articles by other contributing authors that were originally posted at an older version of this website.
Stanley Fields Biography — Blustery Thirties Character Actor
Unraveling truth and myth in the life of character actor Stanley Fields. Born Walter L. Agnew, you’ll know him from Cimarron, Little Caesar (1931), Island of Lost Souls (1932), Algiers (1938), and several other major 1930s Hollywood releases.
Helen Mack — Brief Biography of The Son of Kong Star
A brief biography of The Son of Kong star Helen Mack centered around her breakthrough role in RKO’s Sweepings earlier in 1933. With coverage of Mack as child star and explanation of how she reentered the movies in 1931.
Merna Kennedy – Chaplin Leading Lady; Also Star of Broadway
Merna Kennedy was an unknown dancer and actress when she emerged alongside Charlie Chaplin in The Circus (1928), the peak to a short movie career. This biography covers Merna Kennedy’s background, a few of her films, and her tragically premature death.
Guy Kibbee Biography – Character Actor Played Sugar Daddies, Goofballs, and Patriarchs
Biography of 1930s and 1940s character actor Guy Kibbee, who starred in over one hundred Hollywood films. Lovable Kibbee could play lecherous sugar daddies and folksy patriarchs with equal skill.
Viola Dana – A Biography in Clippings
A collection of 26 clippings spanning 1905-1987 that cover the life and career of silent screen actress Viola Dana. Illustrated with vintage movie collectibles. Also includes screen captures of her 1963 appearance on My Three Sons.
Helen Lowell, 1880s Gilbert & Sullivan to 1930s Cranky Character Parts
A brief appraisal of Helen Lowell’s brief 1930s movie career followed by a collection of clippings highlighting her stage work from 1882 through the 1920s.
Helen Vinson Biography – A Socialite Specializing in Socialites
Born Helen Rulfs in Beaumont, Texas, this biography traces Helen Vinson’s life and career through Houston to New York, Hollywood, and beyond. Born to money, Vinson excelled at playing icy socialites in the movies. Married three times including her 1930s union with Wimbledon champ Fred Perry.
Arthur Hohl – Broadway to Hollywood, Double-Dealers All the Way
A biography of character actor Arthur Hohl, whose Broadway stardom typed him as cowardly villains and humorless prosecutors throughout Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Ralf Harolde, Expert Portrayer of Lowlifes and Junkies
Appraisal of Ralf Harolde’s talents as ultimate pre-Code lowlife with biographical bits assembled where possible. Busy character actor of the 1930s-40s, who made his mark in films such as Night Nurse, Safe in Hell, and Picture Snatcher.
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