New book on 14 Hard-Luck Girls of the Silent Screen

Michael G. Ankerich · Post by **Michael G. Ankerich** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 4:37 pm

Hello everyone. I want to let you know that my new book, Dangerous Curves Atop Hollywood Heels: The Lives, Careers, and Misfortunes of 14 Hard-Luck Girls of the Silent Screen, is now available.

My work continues on the Mae Murray biography. If you knew her, please get in touch. If you have leads on anyone who might have known her, please let me know.

Thanks.....

Michael G. Ankerich
michaelgankerich.com

http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Curves- ... 470&sr=8-4

Gagman 66 · Post by **Gagman 66** » Mon Oct 18, 2010 5:09 pm

Wow! Looks like a very interesting publication.

Marie Prevost-"Really Swinging"

sc1957 · Post by **sc1957** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 6:51 am

So, is it 14 girls, or 15?

I have to admit, I've heard of only a couple of them. I guess my silent-film education needs a boost, and this might be one way to do it.

sepiatone · Post by **sepiatone** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:30 am

Wanda Hawley's is particularly sad as she had worked with big talent like DeMille, Gloria Swanson, Wallace Reid. Her career foundered after sound came and she hadn't married or had children. She then ended up becoming a 'call girl' in the San Francisco area in the 30s. Call Girl is just another name for , well, you know, ___________!

sepiatone · Post by **sepiatone** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 9:30 am

Good luck Mike on the Mae Murray bio.

Harold Aherne · Post by **Harold Aherne** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:49 pm

sepiatone wrote:Wanda Hawley's is particularly sad as she had worked with big talent like DeMille, Gloria Swanson, Wallace Reid. Her career foundered after sound came and she hadn't married or had children. She then ended up becoming a 'call girl' in the San Francisco area in the 30s. Call Girl is just another name for , well, you know, ___________!

Actually, Wanda married at least three times: to Allen Burton Hawley (from 1918 to October 1923), to J. Stuart Wilkinson (from July 1925 until at least April 1930) and someone with the last name of Richey, which was Wanda's name when she died in 1963. Allen Hawley died in September 1925. In the 1930 census, Wanda is listed as Wanda Wilkinson and she claimed to be married, although she was living in an apartment by herself.

Sound had little or nothing to do with her career decline; after being dropped by Famous Players-Lasky in 1923 she moved back into leading lady roles in minor films (like those she made for Rayart and Aywon) and supporting parts in major films (like Graustark with Norma Talmadge). She made one sound short for Paramount in 1929 and a couple of low-budget Westerns in 1931 with Jay Wilsey. She was working as a fashion and beauty commentator in the 1931-33 period, making personal appearances in department stores along the west coast. The last reference I can find regarding her contemporary activities is in the Spokane Daily Chronicle of 24 Sep. 1934, when she had a nightclub act at that city's Davy Jones' Locker.

Some newspapers erroneously reported her death in 1942, but it was actually Ormi Hawley who died then and several papers printed retractions. Wanda's actual passing went unnoticed by the national press. I haven't heard any more about her later years.

-Harold

Michael G. Ankerich · Post by **Michael G. Ankerich** » Tue Oct 19, 2010 3:11 pm

There are 14 hard-luck gals. I had intended for Mae Murray to be included, but after I received cooperation from her son and uncovered details about her early life, I decided I had too much material for only one chapter. She gets a whole book!

sc1957 wrote:So, is it 14 girls, or 15?

I have to admit, I've heard of only a couple of them. I guess my silent-film education needs a boost, and this might be one way to do it.

didi-5 · Post by **didi-5** » Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:25 am

Sounds a very interesting book and a must-buy.