The 1920s was a changing era for women. A vibrant crop of fun-loving young women, referred to as flappers, rejected confining corsets and the strict morals of the day. Embracing the Jazz Age, they donned short skirts, bobbed their hair and drank lavish cocktails. Whereas their mothers would never race around in flashy automobiles, this new breed of fearless women jumped in and took over the steering wheel. In the forefront of all this excitement were the stars of Hollywood.
Louise Books is perhaps the most infamous of the 1920s flappers. This American actress and dancer popularized the bobbed haircut. She was well known for her vamp roles in Hollywood’s silent films. Brooks was briefly married two times, each ending in high profile divorce. She was not ashamed of her love affairs with rich and powerful men. Known for her extravagant spending and excessive drinking, she was the epitome of this over-the-top new woman. Not shy, she posed nude for art photography. Brooks marched to the beat of her own drum, and has the lavish legacy of a true flapper.
Clara Bow was an actress of both silent films and the “Talkies” (film with sound). Her early years were spent caring for her sickly mother. Many times in these early years she went hungry. Once, she even woke up to find her deranged mother holding a knife against her throat. To escape her home life, Bow entered various acting contests and visited studio agencies looking for work. Not one to put up with her awful situation, she took charge and changed her life. Finally, she landed her first movie role and became known for her beauty, brains and personality. A true modern woman, she was acknowledged for her wit, not just her looks.
Another well known dancer and actress from the Roaring Twenties was Violet Romer. This high-achieving Californian also founded her own dance school. She had a nymph-like appearance and visually seemed younger than her actual years. A lithe frame and blonde hair gave an ethereal elegance to this driven star. Romer won critical approval in various solo dance concerts in San Francisco, New York, London and Paris. The most amazing fact of all is that she never took a formal dance lesson…a true original.
Starting her career as a photographer’s model, Alice Joyce soon got the acting bug. This Kansas City born actress from a broken home got her first film role through a New York City based studio. Joyce was known as “The Madonna of the Screen” due to her striking features and presence. The “Talkies” took over Hollywood in the mid to late 1920s. Unfortunately, this star was not as successful transitioning into sound motion pictures. Her expressive dramatics were a hit in the silent films, but “Talkies” required less theatrics. In her later years, after retiring from film, she was active in women’s organizations. Proving that a rough start in life could be overcome by hard work, she was a wonderful role model.
Norma Talmadge was not just a Hollywood actress, she was also a film producer! This specialist in melodrama married a millionaire and together they started a production company. Born in New Jersey to an alcoholic father, most of her early life was spent in poverty. To help feed her family, Norma tried out for a photographer who created “illustrated song slides.” After a successful audition, she was hired to sing in this art form that was shown before the main film. Soon film roles followed. Known for being one of the most elegant and glamorous film stars, she became quite wealthy on her own accord. A true rags to riches story.
These women were fearless and talented trailblazers. They will forever be remembered for their talent, audacity and modernity. Throughout their rise and fall, and in some cases their comeback, they stayed true to their ideals and dreams. A bunch of truly inspirational ladies.
