Bet You Can’t Guess

In the age of the Silent Films I also have my favorites.   Oh is it Fairbanks? Valentino? Pickford? Gish?  They are all great but in the silent era I am not much of a drama fan…. they tended to overact (they were imitating the stage which was understandable) and while these four were the best they are not my favorites.

Tending to like the comedies more you probably would pick Chaplin or Keaton.  Now, I love them but nope…..  remember I am the guy who in the Golden Era loved the Three Stooges… LOL

No, my favorite male and female stars are none of the above.  My favorite actor was a nerdy looking guy who makes me laugh until my ribs hurt.  He was born in Nebraska on April 20, 1893 (April 20th is the birthday of my father and Adolf Hitler LOL) and he lived until March 8, 1971.  He started in film in 1913 (100 years ago!) and his career boomed until the advent of the talkies.  It is not well known that he once in a stunt blew part of his hand off and after that you always see a glove on his hand.  He did all of his hair raising stunts and is most famous for hanging off the hand of a clock high above the city (yes he did that stunt and like all his stunts there were no safety nets!)  Sometimes his stunts were scary but they always turned out funny.  One of his favorite props was a Model T Ford which makes it even more interesting for me.  I loved his timing, his way of pulling off his stunts and I think he was one heck of a actor who knew how to get the most out of every scene.  I love that this nerdy guy somehow always comes out on top using his wits which lead him from one funny situation into another until it works out.  Now, what I find fascinating is that this nerdy looking guy off the screen was considered one of the better looking actors!  What I enjoy the most is his acting portrayed the American views of the time of the rugged individualist and stick to it till you overcome the odds views riddled with humor and situations that I think we all can relate too happening in our lives and wondering how ever survived it yet alone came out smelling like a Rose!

After his film days he had a career in Radio comedy and then ran the Shriner charities.  His estate was called Green Acres and not much of it is left today with just a few acres and the house still there.

He had three leading co-stars in his career and the first one was perhaps the most talented.  Bebe Daniels and he fell in love and almost married.  However, she wanted to become a dramatic actress and they parted ways.  They remained friends however and she died 8 days after he did in 1971 reportedly heartbroken over his death. Bebe was perhaps even better than he was in his comedies and stole quite a few scenes.

His third leading lady Jobyna Ralston and she was a wonderful actress who was more of the straight person who set up and added to the funny moments with her straight face and wonderful acting.

As you notice the second leading lady I saved till last.  You see, she is my favorite actress of the silent era.  Of the three leading ladies in his films she had the shortest time with him on the screen because she married this guy!!!  When I first saw her with my favorite star I had mixed feelings.  Very different from Bebe in every way. However,  as I watched her role became endearing.  You see, she is more of the girl next door type who at one moment is so serious and kind, yet the next moment is grinning like a imp as she pulls off some of the funniest little background stunts that makes his life harder and then she teases him unmercifully only to turn on the cuteness which endears her to him only to have her then set him up for something even funnier to happen which is is either slyly plotting or more often innocently bringing about.  At times she overacts at first, but as their time together on film progresses they clicked in a way that only two people in love could’ve.  Lucy had Desi and Fred had Ginger.  Together these two made some great films together and by the time they had finished her last film with him (it was called  Safety Last and  is considered the greatest film of his ) she was wooed by rival studios and he proposed to her and they were married.  The next to last film  called Grandma’s Boy is considered her greatest film.

My favorite actress was born Feb. 22, 1901 and lived until August 18, 1969.  Her brother Jack Davis was a star in the silent Our Gang comedies (the Our Gang/ Little Rascals are a favorite of mine also).  Together they had three children; Harold, Gloria and Peggy whom they adopted.  Her career lasted from 1916-1927.  If you mention her name today she is rarely known.  However, to me, while she was not the prettiest, the most sexy, the best actress, the best known or even a star in her own right she is my favorite of the silent era actresses.  Her other famous role… she was a Maybelline Model in 1922.

Who are they….. well does this picture tell you?

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No, didnt think this would tell you who they are.  He doesnt look anything like he did in his movies while she is grinning like a imp like she did on the films..  perhaps this one…

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I bet no one has guessed yet……  but you will know on the next one..

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Thats right…. its Harold Lloyd!  To me one of the funniest guys ever and his wife… Mildred Davis.  These two are my favorite silent era stars who to this day still make me laugh….

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Very gutsy!  No such thing as safety nets then…….  they did have a matress several stories below!

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-Harold was 5 foot 10 inches and weighed 150 pounds.  Mildred was 5 foot 2 inches and weighed 100 pounds.

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Yeah…… who is laughing now Harold?  hehehe

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Hanging from a clock hand?  Ooooh… what a great idea!!! Muwahahahah