Gloria Swanson
Encyclopedia
Gloria Swanson was an American actress, singer and producer. She was one of the most prominent stars during the silent film
era as both an actress and a fashion icon, especially under the direction of Cecil B. DeMille
, made dozens of silents and was nominated for the first Academy Award in the Best Actress category. She had also produced her own films such as the controversial Sadie Thompson
and The Love of Sunya
. In 1929, Swanson successfully transitioned to talkies with The Trespasser
.
However, personal problems and changing tastes saw her popularity wane during the 1930s when she moved into theater and television. Today she is best known for her role as Norma Desmond, a faded silent film star, in the critically acclaimed film Sunset Boulevard
(1950).
Klanowski) and Joseph Theodore Swanson, a soldier. She attended Hawthorne Scholastic Academy
. Her father was from a strict Lutheran Swedish American
family, and her mother was of German, French
and Polish ancestry.
Although born in Chicago because of her father's attachment to the Army, they moved frequently and she ended up spending most of her childhood on the island of Puerto Rico
and in Key West, Florida
. It was not her intention to enter show business, but on a whim one of her aunts took her to a small film company in Chicago called Essanay Studios
for a visit and Swanson was asked to come back to work as an extra
. After a few months as an extra working with among others, Charlie Chaplin
, and making $13.50 a week, she left school to work full time at the studio. Soon though her parents separated and she and her mother moved to California.
Swanson made her film debut in 1914 as an extra in The Song of Soul for Essanay. While on a tour of the studio, she asked to be in the movie just for fun. Essanay hired her to feature in several movies, including His New Job, directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin
. Swanson auditioned for the leading female role in His New Job, but Chaplin did not see her as leading lady material and cast her in the brief role of a stenographer.
Swanson moved to California
in 1916 to appear in Mack Sennett
's Keystone
comedies opposite Bobby Vernon
, and in 1919 she signed with Paramount Pictures
and worked often with Cecil B. DeMille
, who turned her into a romantic lead in such films as Don't Change Your Husband
(1919), Male and Female
(1919) with the famous scene posing as "the Lion's Bride" with a real lion, Why Change Your Wife?
(1920), Something to Think About
(1920), and The Affairs of Anatol
(1921).
In the space of two years, Swanson rocketed to stardom and was one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. Swanson later appeared in a series of films directed by Sam Wood
. She starred in Beyond the Rocks
(1922) with her long-time friend Rudolph Valentino
. (Long believed to be a lost film
, Beyond the Rocks was rediscovered in 2004 in a private collection in The Netherlands and is now available on DVD.)
Swanson continued to make costume drama films for the next few years. So successful were her films for Paramount that the studio was afraid of losing her and gave in to many of her whims and wishes.
During her heyday, audiences went to her films not only for her performances, but also to see her wardrobe. Frequently ornamented with beads, jewels, peacock and ostrich
feathers, haute couture
of the day or extravagant period pieces, one would hardly suspect that she was barely five feet (1.52 m) tall. Her fashion, hair styles, and jewels were copied around the world. She was the screen's first clothes horse and was becoming one of the most famous and photographed women in the world.
In 1925, she starred in the first French-American co-production, Madame Sans-Gêne
, directed by Léonce Perret
. Filming was allowed for the first time at many of the historic sites relating to Napoleon. While it was well received at the time, no prints are known to exist, and it is unfortunately considered to be a lost film
. During the production of Madame Sans-Gêne, Swanson met her third husband Henri, Marquis de la Falaise, who had been hired to be her translator during the film's production. After four months' residence in France, she returned to the United States as European nobility, now known as the Marquise. She got a huge welcome home with parades in both New York and Los Angeles. She appeared in a 1925 short produced by Lee DeForest in his Phonofilm
sound-on-film process.
She made a number of films for Paramount, among them The Coast of Folly
, Stage Struck
and Fine Manners. In 1927, she decided to turn down a million dollar a year contract with Paramount to join the newly-created United Artists
, where she was her own boss and could make the films she wanted, with whom she wanted, and when.
Her first independent film, The Love of Sunya
, was directed by Albert Parker
, and based on the play The Eyes of Youth by Max Marcin
and Charles Guernon. Produced by and starring Swanson, it also stars John Boles
and Pauline Garon
. It is the story of a young woman granted the ability to see into her future, including her future with different men.
The story had been filmed previously as Eyes of Youth
starring Clara Kimball Young
(that production was also directed by Albert Parker and was responsible for the discovery of Rudolph Valentino
by June Mathis
.) The production was marred by several problems, mainly a suitable cameraman to deal with the film's intricate double exposures, as Swanson was not used to taking charge, and filming took place in New York. It premiered at the grand opening of the Roxy Theatre in New York City
on March 11, 1927. (Swanson was pictured in the ruins of the Roxy on October 14, 1960, during the demolition of the theater, in a famous photo taken by Time-Life
photographer Eliot Elisofon and published in Life
magazine.)
The production had been a disaster and Swanson felt its success would be mediocre at best. On the advice of Joseph Schenck
, she relented and returned to Hollywood, whereupon Schenck begged her to film something more commercial. She agreed but ended up filming the more controversial Sadie Thompson
instead.
." Schenck pleaded with her to do a commercially successful film like The Last of Mrs. Cheyney. Swanson felt it too formulaic, and decided to call upon director Raoul Walsh
, who was signed with Fox Film Corporation at the time.
Walsh had been known for bringing controversial material to film, and at their first meeting suggested the John Colton
and Clemence Randolph play Rain (1923). The play had been based on a story by W. Somerset Maugham
in 1921
titled Miss Thompson. Swanson had seen Jeanne Eagels
perform the role twice, and enjoyed it.
However, because of its content, producing the film under the tight restrictions of the Hays Code would be almost impossible. The play was on the unofficial blacklist, and had quietly been banned from filmmaking a year earlier. To try to avoid issues with the code, Swanson and Walsh decided to leave out profanity, rename 'Reverend Davidson' 'Mr. Davidson', and claim it was in the interest of morality to produce the picture as Irving Thalberg
had produced The Scarlet Letter
(1926) at MGM.
Swanson invited Will Hays over for luncheon and summarized the plot, naming the author and the sticking points. According to Swanson, Hays made a verbal promise that he would have no problem with the making of such a film. Swanson set about getting the rights to the play by having Schenck pretend to buy it in the name of United Artists
, never to be used. Thus they were able to obtain the story rights for $60,000 instead of the original $100,000. When news broke concerning just what was intended with the play, the three authors threatened to sue. However, Swanson later contacted Maugham about rights to a sequel, and he offered to grant them for $25,000. Maugham claimed Fox had asked about a sequel at the same time Swanson had bought the original story's rights. The sequel was to follow the further exploits of Sadie in Australia, but was never made.
Swanson and Walsh set about writing the script, and discreetly placed an ad announcing the film, thinking no one noticed, as Charles Lindbergh
had just completed his historic transatlantic flight. However, the press picked up on it and sensationalized the story. United Artists
received a threatening two-page telegram from the MPAA signed by all its members, including Fox (Walsh's studio) and Hays himself. In addition, the rest of the signors owned several thousand movie houses, and if they refused to screen the film it could be a financial disaster. This was the first time Swanson had heard the name of Joseph P. Kennedy, with whom she would later have an affair, and who would arrange financing for her next few pictures, including Queen Kelly
(1929).
Swanson was angered by the response, as she felt those very studios had produced questionable films themselves, and were jealous at not having the chance to produce Rain. After another threatening telegram, she decided to first appeal to the MPAA, and then the newspapers. She only heard back from Marcus Loew
, who promised to appeal on her behalf, and since he owned a chain of theatres this eased some of her concerns. Figuring the silence meant the matter had been dropped, Swanson began filming on Sadie Thompson, which already had a quarter of a million dollars invested in it.
Before casting began, the young Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
wanted to audition for the role of Handsome O'Hara. However, Swanson felt he was too young and not right for the role. Lionel Barrymore
had been first picked to play Davidson but was thought to be too ill at the time, though he did eventually win the role. Barrymore wore the same outfit for an entire week, aggravating Swanson. She asked some of the crew to tell him to change and wash, which he did indeed do. Aside from this, Swanson was happy with his performance. Walsh hadn't appeared in front of a camera in 8 years, and feared he wouldn't be able to both direct and act at the same time. However, two days into filming, his fears had disappeared.
Much of the filming took place on Santa Catalina Island
near Long Beach, California
. Swanson took ill shortly after, and met a doctor who started her life-long love of macrobiotic diets. A week into shooting, Sam Goldwyn called cameraman George Barnes away. Swanson was furious, but the loan contract had allowed Goldwyn to call him away as he pleased. Not wanting to let a hundred extras sit around for days, Swanson and Walsh tried to hire two more cameramen, but both were unsatisfactory. Mary Pickford
had offered the services of her favorite cameraman Charles Rosher
, who was called in, but despite doing a decent job couldn't match Barnes' work. Through Loew, MGM loaned Oliver Marsh, who completed the picture.
The cameraman fiasco was extremely costly to the production, yet shooting continued. With the picture half finished, it was already well over budget, and Schenck was wary, as Swanson's first picture had also been over budget and underperformed. Swanson talked with her advisors and sold her home in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, and offered to sell her New York City penthouse as well.
Despite reports that "dirty" words can be read on the characters' lips, Swanson claims the censors went over everything with a fine-toothed comb. However, Swanson admitted that one line she was shouting at Davidson went, "You'd rip the wings off of a butterfly, you son of a bitch!" when recounting a conversation with Walsh later in life. If the word rain was used in a title, they asked that it be removed. They also wanted to change Davidson's name to something else, but Swanson and Walsh refused.
The film was a success, and was the only silent independent film of Swanson's to do well at the box office. In fact, it was one of her last financially successful films, including the talkies The Trespasser
and Sunset Blvd
. It went on to make $1,000,000 during its U.S. run. However, at Kennedy's advice, Swanson had sold her distribution rights for the film to Schenck, as Kennedy felt it would be a commercial failure. He also didn't care for the image Swanson portrayed in the film. By this point Queen Kelly
had been a disaster, and Swanson regretted it. The film made the top 10 best pictures of the year list as well. It would be Raoul Walsh's final role, as he subsequently lost his eye in an accident.
The film was nominated for awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role
(Gloria Swanson) and Best Cinematography
. Swanson did not attend the ceremony, and always felt it was like "comparing apples to oranges".
Contemporary reviews called it racy but excellent, and especially praised Swanson's acting.
Today, everything but the final reel (stopping just after Davidson finds Sadie in his room) exists in good condition.
(1929), was directed by Erich von Stroheim
and produced by Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.
, father of the future President
John F. Kennedy
. Produced in 1928-29, it starred Swanson in the title role, with Walter Byron and Seena Owen
.
It is the story of Prince Wolfram, who is betrothed to mad Queen Regina V of Kronberg. On maneuvers (as punishment for consorting with other women), he spies Kelly walking with the other students of a convent. Enthralled by her beauty, he kidnaps her that night from the convent, takes her to his room and professes his love for her. When the Queen finds them together the next morning, she whips Kelly and throws her out of the castle. Regina then puts Wolfram in prison for his refusal to marry the Queen. Kelly goes to German
East Africa
to visit her dying Aunt, and is forced to marry the disgusting Jan. The Aunt dies after the wedding, and Kelly refuses to live with Jan, becoming the head of her aunt's brothel. Her extravagances and style earn her the name Queen Kelly.
Production of the costly film was shut down after complaints by Swanson about von Stroheim and the general direction the film was taking. Though the European scenes were full of innuendo, and featured a philandering prince and a sex-crazed queen, the scenes set in Africa were grim and, Swanson felt, distasteful. In later interviews, Swanson claimed that she had been misled by the script, which referred to her character arriving in, and taking over, a dance hall; looking at the rushes, it was obvious the 'dance hall' was actually a brothel.
Stroheim was fired from the film, and the African storyline was scrapped. Swanson and Kennedy still wanted to salvage the European material, as it had been so costly and time-consuming, and had potential market value. An alternate ending was shot on November 24, 1931. In this ending, directed by Swanson and photographed by Gregg Toland
, Prince Wolfram is shown visiting the palace. A nun leads him to the chapel, where Kelly's body lies in state. This has been called the "Swanson ending." The film was not theatrically released in the United States, but it was shown in Europe and South America with the Swanson ending tacked on. This was due to a clause in Stroheim's contract.
A short extract of the film appears in Sunset Boulevard
(1950), representing an old silent picture Swanson's character Norma Desmond—herself a silent movie star—had made. Von Stroheim is also a primary character in Sunset Boulevard as her ex-director, ex-husband, and current butler. By some accounts, von Strohiem suggested the clip be used for its heavy irony. This was the first time audiences in the U.S. were allowed to see any footage of the infamous collaboration.
In the 1960s, it was shown on television with the Swanson ending, along with a taped introduction and conclusion in which Swanson spoke about the history of the project. By 1985, Kino International had acquired the rights to the movie and restored two versions: one that uses still photos and subtitles in an attempt to wrap up the storyline, and the other the European "suicide ending" version.
(1929), Indiscreet
(1931), and Music in the Air
(1934).
The Trespasser
tells the story of a "kept woman" who maintains a lavish lifestyle. It stars Swanson, Robert Ames
, Purnell Pratt
, Henry B. Walthall
, and Wally Albright
. The movie was written and directed by Edmund Goulding
and released by United Artists
. It earned Swanson an Academy Award
nomination in her talkie debut. It was filmed simultaneously in a silent and a talking version, and was a smash hit.
The Trespasser was an important film for Swanson, following the disastrous Queen Kelly and the hit Sadie Thompson, and garnered Swanson her second Oscar nomination. Sadly for Swanson, The Trespasser proved to be one of her only two hit talkies, the other being Sunset Boulevard, made over 20 years later. Subsequent follow-ups like What a Widow!, Indiscreet
, Tonight or Never
, Perfect Understanding
, and Music in the Air
all proved to be box-office flops. Despite the disappointments following The Trespasser, Swanson was well remembered by Billy Wilder
, a writer on Music in the Air, when he was casting the part of Norma Desmond in his masterpiece Sunset Boulevard (1950).
Even though she managed to make the transition to talkies, as her career began to decline, Swanson relocated permanently to New York City in 1938, where she began an inventions and patents company called Multiprizes, which kept her occupied during the years of World War II. This small company had the sole purpose of rescuing Jewish scientists and inventors from war-torn Europe and bringing them to the United States. She helped many escape, and some useful inventions came from the enterprise. She made another film for RKO Radio Pictures in 1941, began appearing in the legitimate theatre, and starred in her own television show in 1948.
Never one to dwell on the past, she threw herself into painting and sculpting, writing a syndicated column, touring in summer stock
, engaging in political activism, radio and television work, clothing and accessories design and marketing, and making occasional appearances on the big screen. But it was not until 1950 when Sunset Boulevard
was released (earning her yet another Academy award nomination), that she achieved mass recognition again.
and several former silent screen actresses (including Mary Pickford
and Pola Negri
) all declined the role, in 1950 Swanson starred in Sunset Boulevard
, portraying Norma Desmond, a faded silent movie star who falls in love with the younger screenwriter Joe Gillis, played by William Holden
. Norma Desmond lives in the past, assisted by her butler Max, played by Erich von Stroheim
. Her dreams of a comeback are subverted as she becomes delusional. There are cameos from actors of the silent era in the film, including Buster Keaton
, H. B. Warner
and Anna Q. Nilsson
. Cecil B. DeMille
plays himself in a pivotal scene.
This has since been called the greatest film about Hollywood. Many of the lines from the film have become pop-culture mainstays, and are often used to describe Swanson herself; among them: "The Greatest Star of them all," "I am big; it's the pictures that got small," "We didn't need dialogue, we had faces," and "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." She received her third Best Actress Oscar nomination, but lost to Judy Holliday
for Born Yesterday
.
She received several subsequent acting offers but turned most of them down, saying they tended to be pale imitations of Norma Desmond. Her last major Hollywood motion picture role was the poorly received Three for Bedroom "C" in 1952. In 1956, Swanson made Nero's Mistress, which also starred Vittorio de Sica
and Brigitte Bardot
. Her final screen appearance was as herself in Airport 1975
.
Though Swanson only made three films after Sunset Boulevard, she starred in numerous stage and television productions during her remaining years. She was active in various business ventures, travelled extensively, wrote articles, columns, and an autobiography, painted and sculpted, and became a passionate advocate of various health and nutrition topics. In 1966 The George Eastman House in Rochester, New York, honored Swanson with a career film retrospective titled "A Tribute to Gloria Swanson" that screened some of her films over a few days.
series in 1948, The Gloria Swanson Hour, in which she invited friends and others to be guests. Swanson also later hosted a television anthology series, Crown Theatre with Gloria Swanson, in which she occasionally acted.
Through the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s, Swanson appeared on many and various talk and variety shows such as The Carol Burnett Show
in 1973 and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
to recollect on her films and to lampoon them as well. She was twice the "mystery guest" on What's My Line. She acted in "Behind the Locked Door" on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour in 1964, and in the same year was nominated for a Golden Globe award for her performance in Burke's Law
. A guest appearance on The Dick Cavett Show
with Janis Joplin
(fall 1970) was another memorable TV appearance.
Her most famous television appearance, however, is a 1966 episode of The Beverly Hillbillies
titled "The Gloria Swanson Story," in which she plays herself. In the episode, the Clampetts mistakenly believe Swanson is destitute, and decide to finance a comeback movie for her—in a silent film. Her last acting role, aside from playing herself in Airport 1975
, was in the made-for-TV horror film
Killer Bees
(1974).
After near-retirement from film, Swanson appeared in many plays throughout her later life, beginning in the 1940s. She toured with A Goose for the Gander, Reflected Glory, and Let Us Be Gay. After her success with Sunset Boulevard, she starred on Broadway
in a revival of Twentieth Century
(1951) with Jose Ferrer
, and in Nina with David Niven
. Her last major stage role was in the 1971 Broadway production of Butterflies Are Free
at the Booth Theatre
.
advocate who was known for bringing her own meals to public functions in a paper bag. Swanson told actor Dirk Benedict
about macrobiotic diet
s when he was battling prostate cancer
at a very young age. He had refused conventional therapies and credited this kind of diet and healthy eating with his recovery. In 1975 Swanson traveled the United States and helped to promote the book Sugar Blues
written by her husband, William Dufty.
In early 1980, Swanson's 520-page autobiography, Swanson on Swanson, was published by Random House and became a national best-seller. It was translated into French, Italian and Swedish editions. That same year, she also designed a stamp cachet for the United Nations Postal Administration and chaired the New York chapter of "Seniors for Reagan-Bush".
She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church; her father was of Swedish Lutheran descent and he too was a member of the same church.
Swanson's first husband was the actor Wallace Beery
(1885–1949), whom she married on her 17th birthday. In her autobiography Swanson on Swanson, she wrote that Beery raped her on their wedding night. Beery also impregnated Swanson in 1917. Not wanting her to have the child, he tricked her into drinking a concoction that induced an abortion. Though they still worked together at Sennett they separated and finally divorced two years later.
She married Herbert K. Somborn (1881–1934), then president of Equity Pictures Corporation and later the owner of the Brown Derby
restaurant, in 1919. Their daughter, Gloria Swanson Somborn (October 7, 1920—December 28, 2000), was born in 1920. Their divorce, finalized in January 1925, was sensational and led to Gloria having a "morals clause" added to her studio contract. Somborn accused her of adultery with 13 men including Cecil B. DeMille
, Rudolph Valentino
, and Marshall Neilan
. During their divorce Swanson wanted another child and in 1923 she adopted a baby boy, Sonny Smith (1922–1975), whom she renamed Joseph Patrick Swanson.
Her third husband was the French aristocrat Henri, Marquis de la Falaise de la Coudraye
(1898–1972), whom she married on January 28, 1925 after the Somborn divorce was finalized. Though Henri was a Marquis and the grandson of Richard and Martha Lucy Hennessy from the famous Hennessy Cognac family, he was not rich and had to work for a living. He was originally hired to be her assistant and interpreter in France while she was filming Madame Sans-Gêne
(1925). Gloria was the first film star to marry European royalty, and the marriage became a global sensation. She conceived a child with him, but had an abortion which, in her autobiography, she said she regretted.
Later Henri became a film executive representing Pathé
(USA) in France through Joseph P. Kennedy, who was running the studio. Many now assume he was given the position which kept him in France for ten months a year to simply keep him out of the way. This marriage ended in divorce in 1930 Soon after, Henri was married for a second time, this time to actress Constance Bennett
.
While still married to Henri, Swanson had an affair with the married Joseph P. Kennedy for a number of years. He became her business partner and their relationship was an open secret in Hollywood. He took over all of her personal and business affairs and was supposed to make her millions. Unfortunately, after the disastrous Queen Kelly Kennedy left her, and her finances were in worse shape than when he came into her life. Two books have been written about the affair.
After the marriage to Henri and her affair with Kennedy were over, she married Michael Farmer (1902–1975) in August 1931. Because of the possibility that Swanson's divorce from La Falaise had not been final at the time of the wedding, she was forced to remarry Farmer the following November, by which time she was four months pregnant with Michelle Bridget Farmer, who was born in 1932. Swanson and Farmer divorced in 1934. Their daughter, Michelle, stayed with her mother, was often on the set of Sunset Boulevard, and at age 18 moved to France where she still lives.
In 1945, she married William N. Davey. According to Swanson, after discovering Davey in a drunken stupor, she and daughter Michelle, believing they were being helpful, left a trail of Alcoholics Anonymous
literature around their apartment. Davey quickly packed up and left. This divorce was finalized in 1946. For the next thirty years, Swanson would not be married, and was able to pursue her own interests.
Swanson joined the ranks of celebrities that have been stalked
. In the early 1950s, she was pursued by a World War II
veteran, Samuel Golden, who claimed that the two were destined to be married and would give her 2/3 of his children as well as divulge secrets about the Navy's computer systems if she would run away with him. Recent declassified FBI documents disclose J. Edgar Hoover
's obsession with seeing Golden tried for treason
, but Golden dropped out of sight, apparently in the Greater Boston area.
Swanson's final marriage was in 1976 and lasted until her death. Her sixth husband and widower, writer William Dufty
(1916–2002), was the co-author of Billie Holiday
's autobiography Lady Sings the Blues, the author of Sugar Blues
, a 1975 best-selling health book still in print, and the author of the English
version of Georges Ohsawa's You Are All Sanpaku. He was best known as a book ghost-writer and as a newspaperman, working for many years at the New York Post, where he was assistant to the editor from 1951-1960. Dufty first met Swanson in 1965 and by 1967 they were living together as a couple. Swanson shared her husband's deep enthusiasm for macrobiotic diet
s and they traveled widely together to speak about sugar and food. They promoted his book Sugar Blues together in 1975 and wrote a syndicated column together. It was through this book and Dufty that Swanson first got to know John Lennon
and Yoko Ono
. Swanson later testified on his behalf at his immigration hearing in New York to get a U.S. green card, which he eventually received.
Being a well-respected author and "book doctor," Dufty also ghost-wrote Swanson's best-selling 1980 autobiography Swanson on Swanson for her and with her help. They were prominent socialites and had homes and lived in many places, including New York City, Rome, Portugal, and Palm Springs, California. After Swanson's death Dufty returned to his former home in Birmingham, Michigan. Dufty died of cancer in 2002.
and her ashes interred at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest
on Fifth Avenue, in New York City, attended by only a small circle of family. Her death created worldwide headlines, with The New York Times echoing a line from Sunset Boulevard, calling her, "The greatest star of them all."
After Swanson's death, there were a series of auctions from August to September 1983 at William Doyle Gallery in New York of the star's furniture and decorations, jewelry, fashion collection, career and personal memorabilia.
; one for motion pictures at 6748 Hollywood Boulevard, and another for television at 6301 Hollywood Boulevard. In 1982, a year before her death, Swanson sold her archives of over 600 boxes for an undisclosed sum, including photographs, artwork, copies of films and private papers including correspondence, contracts and financial dealings to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin
. The second-largest collection of Swanson materials is held in the family archives of Timothy A. Rooks. In the last years of her life Swanson professed a desire to see Beyond the Rocks
, but the film was unavailable and considered lost
. The film was rediscovered and screened in 2005. Swanson was survived by both of her daughters, her son having died in 1975, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the United States and France. Arguably one of the greatest stars of early Hollywood, today Swanson is most remembered for her portrayal of Norma Desmond in 1950's Sunset Boulevard.
and in film
by:
Silent film
A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound, especially with no spoken dialogue. In silent films for entertainment the dialogue is transmitted through muted gestures, pantomime and title cards...
era as both an actress and a fashion icon, especially under the direction of Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil Blount DeMille was an American film director and Academy Award-winning film producer in both silent and sound films. He was renowned for the flamboyance and showmanship of his movies...
, made dozens of silents and was nominated for the first Academy Award in the Best Actress category. She had also produced her own films such as the controversial Sadie Thompson
Sadie Thompson
Sadie Thompson is an American silent film that tells the story of a "fallen woman" who comes to Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila to start a new life, but encounters a zealous missionary who wants to force her back to her former life in San Francisco. The film stars Gloria Swanson, Lionel...
and The Love of Sunya
The Love of Sunya
The Love of Sunya is a silent film directed by Albert Parker, and based on the play The Eyes of Youth by Max Marcin and Charles Guernon. Produced by and starring Gloria Swanson, it also stars John Boles and Pauline Garon. It premiered at the grand opening of the Roxy Theatre in New York City on...
. In 1929, Swanson successfully transitioned to talkies with The Trespasser
The Trespasser
The Trespasser is an American film directed and written by Edmund Goulding, starring Gloria Swanson, Robert Ames, Purnell Pratt, Henry B...
.
However, personal problems and changing tastes saw her popularity wane during the 1930s when she moved into theater and television. Today she is best known for her role as Norma Desmond, a faded silent film star, in the critically acclaimed film Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard (film)
Sunset Boulevard is a 1950 American film noir directed and co-written by Billy Wilder, and produced and co-written by Charles Brackett...
(1950).
Early life
Gloria Josephine May Swanson was born in a small house in Chicago, Illinois in 1899 to Adelaide (néeMarried and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
Klanowski) and Joseph Theodore Swanson, a soldier. She attended Hawthorne Scholastic Academy
Hawthorne Scholastic Academy
Hawthorne Scholastic Academy is a K-8 public school in Chicago, Illinois. The school is known to be ranked highly in the city of Chicago and in the state of Illinois. The school has eighteen homerooms.- In Comparison :...
. Her father was from a strict Lutheran Swedish American
Swedish American
Swedish Americans are Americans of Swedish descent, especially the descendants of about 1.2 million immigrants from Sweden during 1885-1915. Most were Lutherans who affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America ; some were Methodists...
family, and her mother was of German, French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
and Polish ancestry.
Although born in Chicago because of her father's attachment to the Army, they moved frequently and she ended up spending most of her childhood on the island of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
and in Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
. It was not her intention to enter show business, but on a whim one of her aunts took her to a small film company in Chicago called Essanay Studios
Essanay Studios
The Essanay Film Manufacturing Company was an American motion picture studio. It is best known today for its series of Charlie Chaplin comedies of 1915.-Founding:...
for a visit and Swanson was asked to come back to work as an extra
Extra (actor)
A background actor or extra is a performer in a film, television show, stage, musical, opera or ballet production, who appears in a nonspeaking, nonsinging or nondancing capacity, usually in the background...
. After a few months as an extra working with among others, Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
, and making $13.50 a week, she left school to work full time at the studio. Soon though her parents separated and she and her mother moved to California.
Films
Charlie Chaplin
Sir Charles Spencer "Charlie" Chaplin, KBE was an English comic actor, film director and composer best known for his work during the silent film era. He became the most famous film star in the world before the end of World War I...
. Swanson auditioned for the leading female role in His New Job, but Chaplin did not see her as leading lady material and cast her in the brief role of a stenographer.
Swanson moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1916 to appear in Mack Sennett
Mack Sennett
Mack Sennett was a Canadian-born American director and was known as the innovator of slapstick comedy in film. During his lifetime he was known at times as the "King of Comedy"...
's Keystone
Keystone Studios
Keystone Studios was an early movie studio founded in Edendale, California in 1912 as the Keystone Pictures Studio by Mack Sennett with backing from Adam Kessel and Charles O. Bauman, owners of the New York Motion Picture Company...
comedies opposite Bobby Vernon
Bobby Vernon
Bobby Vernon was an American comedic actor in silent films. He later became a writer and comedy supervisor at Paramount for W.C. Fields and Bing Crosby, when the sound era arrived....
, and in 1919 she signed with Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film production and distribution company, located at 5555 Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Founded in 1912 and currently owned by media conglomerate Viacom, it is America's oldest existing film studio; it is also the last major film studio still...
and worked often with Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil Blount DeMille was an American film director and Academy Award-winning film producer in both silent and sound films. He was renowned for the flamboyance and showmanship of his movies...
, who turned her into a romantic lead in such films as Don't Change Your Husband
Don't Change Your Husband
Don't Change Your Husband is a 1919 comedy film directed by Cecil B. DeMille. A print of the film survives.-Cast:* Elliott Dexter - James Denby Porter* Gloria Swanson - Leila Porter* Lew Cody - Schuyler Van Sutphen* Sylvia Ashton - Mrs. Huckney...
(1919), Male and Female
Male and Female
Male and Female is a 1919 silent film directed by Cecil B. DeMille. Its main themes are gender relations and social class. It is based on the J. M. Barrie play "The Admirable Crichton".-Plot:...
(1919) with the famous scene posing as "the Lion's Bride" with a real lion, Why Change Your Wife?
Why Change Your Wife?
-Plot:Frumpy wife Beth devotes herself to bettering her husband's mind and expanding his appreciation for the finer things in life, such as classical music. When he goes shopping at a lingerie store to buy some sexier clothes for her, he meets Sally, the shop girl. Rejected by his wife for a night...
(1920), Something to Think About
Something to Think About
-Cast:* Elliott Dexter - David Markely* Gloria Swanson - Ruth Anderson* Monte Blue - Jim Dirk* Theodore Roberts - Luke Anderson* Claire McDowell - Housekeeper* Michael D. Moore - Bobby * Julia Faye - Banker's Daughter...
(1920), and The Affairs of Anatol
The Affairs of Anatol
The Affairs of Anatol is a 1921 silent drama film directed by Cecil B. DeMille.-Cast:* Wallace Reid as Anatol DeWitt Spencer* Gloria Swanson as Vivian Spencer * Wanda Hawley as Emilie Dixon* Theodore Roberts as Gordon Bronson...
(1921).
In the space of two years, Swanson rocketed to stardom and was one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood. Swanson later appeared in a series of films directed by Sam Wood
Sam Wood
Samuel Grosvenor "Sam" Wood was an American film director, and producer, who was best known for directing such Hollywood hits as A Night at the Opera, A Day at the Races, Goodbye, Mr. Chips, and The Pride of the Yankees...
. She starred in Beyond the Rocks
Beyond the Rocks (film)
Beyond the Rocks is a 1922 silent drama film directed by Sam Wood, starring Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson. It is based on the novel of the same name by Elinor Glyn.-Plot:...
(1922) with her long-time friend Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino was an Italian actor, and early pop icon. A sex symbol of the 1920s, Valentino was known as the "Latin Lover". He starred in several well-known silent films including The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Sheik, Blood and Sand, The Eagle and Son of the Sheik...
. (Long believed to be a lost film
Lost film
A lost film is a feature film or short film that is no longer known to exist in studio archives, private collections or public archives such as the Library of Congress, where at least one copy of all American films are deposited and catalogued for copyright reasons...
, Beyond the Rocks was rediscovered in 2004 in a private collection in The Netherlands and is now available on DVD.)
Swanson continued to make costume drama films for the next few years. So successful were her films for Paramount that the studio was afraid of losing her and gave in to many of her whims and wishes.
During her heyday, audiences went to her films not only for her performances, but also to see her wardrobe. Frequently ornamented with beads, jewels, peacock and ostrich
Ostrich
The Ostrich is one or two species of large flightless birds native to Africa, the only living member of the genus Struthio. Some analyses indicate that the Somali Ostrich may be better considered a full species apart from the Common Ostrich, but most taxonomists consider it to be a...
feathers, haute couture
Haute couture
Haute couture refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing. Haute couture is made to order for a specific customer, and it is usually made from high-quality, expensive fabric and sewn with extreme attention to detail and finished by the most experienced and capable seamstresses,...
of the day or extravagant period pieces, one would hardly suspect that she was barely five feet (1.52 m) tall. Her fashion, hair styles, and jewels were copied around the world. She was the screen's first clothes horse and was becoming one of the most famous and photographed women in the world.
In 1925, she starred in the first French-American co-production, Madame Sans-Gêne
Madame Sans-Gene (1925 film)
Madame Sans-Gene is a silent romantic comedy/costume drama directed by Léonce Perret and starring Gloria Swanson.-Production background:The film was produced in France, as Swanson was on extended vacation there...
, directed by Léonce Perret
Léonce Perret
Léonce Perret was a prolific and innovative French film actor, director and producer. He also worked as a stage actor and director...
. Filming was allowed for the first time at many of the historic sites relating to Napoleon. While it was well received at the time, no prints are known to exist, and it is unfortunately considered to be a lost film
Lost film
A lost film is a feature film or short film that is no longer known to exist in studio archives, private collections or public archives such as the Library of Congress, where at least one copy of all American films are deposited and catalogued for copyright reasons...
. During the production of Madame Sans-Gêne, Swanson met her third husband Henri, Marquis de la Falaise, who had been hired to be her translator during the film's production. After four months' residence in France, she returned to the United States as European nobility, now known as the Marquise. She got a huge welcome home with parades in both New York and Los Angeles. She appeared in a 1925 short produced by Lee DeForest in his Phonofilm
Phonofilm
In 1919, Lee De Forest, inventor of the audion tube, filed his first patent on a sound-on-film process, DeForest Phonofilm, which recorded sound directly onto film as parallel lines. These parallel lines photographically recorded electrical waveforms from a microphone, which were translated back...
sound-on-film process.
She made a number of films for Paramount, among them The Coast of Folly
The Coast of Folly (1925 film)
The Coast of Folly is a 1925 silent drama directed by Allan Dwan and starred Gloria Swanson. Richard Arlen had a small part in the film but his scenes were cut before release. Still photos of Arlen in the film exist. The film is considered lost.-Cast:...
, Stage Struck
Stage Struck (1925 film)
Stage Struck is a silent comedy film starring Gloria Swanson, Lawrence Gray, Gertrude Astor, and Ford Sterling. The film was directed by Allan Dwan, and released by Paramount Pictures with sequences filmed in the early two-color Technicolor. The film, including its Technicolor sequences was...
and Fine Manners. In 1927, she decided to turn down a million dollar a year contract with Paramount to join the newly-created United Artists
United Artists
United Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
, where she was her own boss and could make the films she wanted, with whom she wanted, and when.
Her first independent film, The Love of Sunya
The Love of Sunya
The Love of Sunya is a silent film directed by Albert Parker, and based on the play The Eyes of Youth by Max Marcin and Charles Guernon. Produced by and starring Gloria Swanson, it also stars John Boles and Pauline Garon. It premiered at the grand opening of the Roxy Theatre in New York City on...
, was directed by Albert Parker
Albert Parker (director)
Albert Parker was an American film director, producer, screenwriter and actor. He directed 36 films between 1917 and 1938. In the early 1930s Parker left Hollywood for England where he continued to direct films and also opened an actors' agency office...
, and based on the play The Eyes of Youth by Max Marcin
Max Marcin
Max Marcin was a Polish screenwriter and film director. He wrote for 47 films between 1916 and 1949. He also directed six films between 1931 and 1936. His stage work includes See My Lawyer , directed by Frank M...
and Charles Guernon. Produced by and starring Swanson, it also stars John Boles
John Boles (actor)
-Early life:Boles was born in Greenville, Texas, into a middle-class family. He graduated with honors from the University of Texas in 1917 and married Marielite Dobbs in that same year. His parents wanted him to be a doctor and Boles studied and finally got his B.A. degree, but the stage called...
and Pauline Garon
Pauline Garon
Pauline Garon was a Canadian-born American silent film, feature film and stage actress.-Early life:Born in Montreal, Quebec as Marie Pauline Garon, Garon was the daughter of Pierre and Victoria Garon. Pierre was of French descent and Victoria's heritage was Irish...
. It is the story of a young woman granted the ability to see into her future, including her future with different men.
The story had been filmed previously as Eyes of Youth
Eyes of Youth
Eyes of Youth is a silent film directed by Albert Parker and starring Clara Kimball Young. The film was based on a stage play Eyes of Youth performed on Broadway in 1917-18 and had starred Marjorie Rambeau. This film also featured actor named Rudolph Valentino in a role as a thief/con artist...
starring Clara Kimball Young
Clara Kimball Young
Clara Kimball Young was an American film actress, who was highly regarded and publicly popular in the early silent film era.-Early life:...
(that production was also directed by Albert Parker and was responsible for the discovery of Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino was an Italian actor, and early pop icon. A sex symbol of the 1920s, Valentino was known as the "Latin Lover". He starred in several well-known silent films including The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Sheik, Blood and Sand, The Eagle and Son of the Sheik...
by June Mathis
June Mathis
June Mathis was an American screenwriter and one of the highest paid Hollywood executives in the 1920s. Mathis was the first female executive for Metro/MGM and at only 35, she was the highest paid executive in Hollywood. In 1926 she was voted the third most influential woman in Hollywood, behind...
.) The production was marred by several problems, mainly a suitable cameraman to deal with the film's intricate double exposures, as Swanson was not used to taking charge, and filming took place in New York. It premiered at the grand opening of the Roxy Theatre in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on March 11, 1927. (Swanson was pictured in the ruins of the Roxy on October 14, 1960, during the demolition of the theater, in a famous photo taken by Time-Life
Time-Life
Time–Life is a creator and direct marketer of books, music, video/DVD, and multimedia products. Its products are sold throughout North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia through television, print, retail, the Internet, telemarketing, and direct sales....
photographer Eliot Elisofon and published in Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
magazine.)
The production had been a disaster and Swanson felt its success would be mediocre at best. On the advice of Joseph Schenck
Joseph Schenck
Joseph Michael Schenck was a pioneer executive who played a key role in the development of the United States film industry.Born in Rybinsk, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia to a Jewish household, he and his family-including younger brother Nicholas- emigrated to New York City in 1893, he and Nicholas...
, she relented and returned to Hollywood, whereupon Schenck begged her to film something more commercial. She agreed but ended up filming the more controversial Sadie Thompson
Sadie Thompson
Sadie Thompson is an American silent film that tells the story of a "fallen woman" who comes to Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila to start a new life, but encounters a zealous missionary who wants to force her back to her former life in San Francisco. The film stars Gloria Swanson, Lionel...
instead.
Sadie Thompson
Feeling she would never have as much artistic freedom and independence as she had at that moment, Swanson decided she "wanted to make my Gold RushThe Gold Rush
The Gold Rush is a 1925 silent film comedy written, produced, directed by, and starring Charlie Chaplin in his Little Tramp role. The film also stars Georgia Hale, Mack Swain, Tom Murray, Henry Bergman, Malcolm Waite....
." Schenck pleaded with her to do a commercially successful film like The Last of Mrs. Cheyney. Swanson felt it too formulaic, and decided to call upon director Raoul Walsh
Raoul Walsh
Raoul Walsh was an American film director, actor, founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the brother of silent screen actor George Walsh...
, who was signed with Fox Film Corporation at the time.
Walsh had been known for bringing controversial material to film, and at their first meeting suggested the John Colton
John Colton
Sir John Colton KCMG was an Australian politician, Premier of South Australia and philanthropist.Colton, the son of William Colton, a farmer, was born in Devonshire, England. He arrived in South Australia in 1839 with his parents, who went on the land...
and Clemence Randolph play Rain (1923). The play had been based on a story by W. Somerset Maugham
W. Somerset Maugham
William Somerset Maugham , CH was an English playwright, novelist and short story writer. He was among the most popular writers of his era and, reputedly, the highest paid author during the 1930s.-Childhood and education:...
in 1921
1921 in literature
The year 1921 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-New books:*Edgar Rice Burroughs – Tarzan the Terrible*James Branch Cabell – Figures of Earth*Hall Caine – The Master of Man*Willa Cather – Alexander's Bridge...
titled Miss Thompson. Swanson had seen Jeanne Eagels
Jeanne Eagels
Jeanne Eagels was an American actress on Broadway and in several motion pictures. She was a former Ziegfeld Follies Girl who went on to greater fame on Broadway and in the emerging medium of sound films....
perform the role twice, and enjoyed it.
However, because of its content, producing the film under the tight restrictions of the Hays Code would be almost impossible. The play was on the unofficial blacklist, and had quietly been banned from filmmaking a year earlier. To try to avoid issues with the code, Swanson and Walsh decided to leave out profanity, rename 'Reverend Davidson' 'Mr. Davidson', and claim it was in the interest of morality to produce the picture as Irving Thalberg
Irving Thalberg
Irving Grant Thalberg was an American film producer during the early years of motion pictures. He was called "The Boy Wonder" for his youth and his extraordinary ability to select the right scripts, choose the right actors, gather the best production staff and make very profitable films.-Life and...
had produced The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter (1926 film)
The Scarlet Letter is a 1926 drama film directed by Victor Sjöström. Louis B. Mayer was reluctant on using Miss Gish, fearing opposition from church groups. The film was announced as "It's a real 'A' picture", taking advantage of the 'A' for Adultery, and proved a box office success...
(1926) at MGM.
Swanson invited Will Hays over for luncheon and summarized the plot, naming the author and the sticking points. According to Swanson, Hays made a verbal promise that he would have no problem with the making of such a film. Swanson set about getting the rights to the play by having Schenck pretend to buy it in the name of United Artists
United Artists
United Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
, never to be used. Thus they were able to obtain the story rights for $60,000 instead of the original $100,000. When news broke concerning just what was intended with the play, the three authors threatened to sue. However, Swanson later contacted Maugham about rights to a sequel, and he offered to grant them for $25,000. Maugham claimed Fox had asked about a sequel at the same time Swanson had bought the original story's rights. The sequel was to follow the further exploits of Sadie in Australia, but was never made.
Swanson and Walsh set about writing the script, and discreetly placed an ad announcing the film, thinking no one noticed, as Charles Lindbergh
Charles Lindbergh
Charles Augustus Lindbergh was an American aviator, author, inventor, explorer, and social activist.Lindbergh, a 25-year-old U.S...
had just completed his historic transatlantic flight. However, the press picked up on it and sensationalized the story. United Artists
United Artists
United Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
received a threatening two-page telegram from the MPAA signed by all its members, including Fox (Walsh's studio) and Hays himself. In addition, the rest of the signors owned several thousand movie houses, and if they refused to screen the film it could be a financial disaster. This was the first time Swanson had heard the name of Joseph P. Kennedy, with whom she would later have an affair, and who would arrange financing for her next few pictures, including Queen Kelly
Queen Kelly
Queen Kelly is the title of an American silent film produced in 1928-29 and released in 1929, originally by United Artists. The film was directed by Erich von Stroheim, starred Gloria Swanson in the title role, and also starred Walter Byron and Seena Owen. It was produced by Joseph P...
(1929).
Swanson was angered by the response, as she felt those very studios had produced questionable films themselves, and were jealous at not having the chance to produce Rain. After another threatening telegram, she decided to first appeal to the MPAA, and then the newspapers. She only heard back from Marcus Loew
Marcus Loew
Marcus Loew was an American business magnate and a pioneer of the motion picture industry who formed Loews Theatres and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer .-Biography:...
, who promised to appeal on her behalf, and since he owned a chain of theatres this eased some of her concerns. Figuring the silence meant the matter had been dropped, Swanson began filming on Sadie Thompson, which already had a quarter of a million dollars invested in it.
Before casting began, the young Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Douglas Elton Fairbanks, Jr. KBE was an American actor and a highly decorated naval officer of World War II.-Early life:...
wanted to audition for the role of Handsome O'Hara. However, Swanson felt he was too young and not right for the role. Lionel Barrymore
Lionel Barrymore
Lionel Barrymore was an American actor of stage, screen and radio. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in A Free Soul...
had been first picked to play Davidson but was thought to be too ill at the time, though he did eventually win the role. Barrymore wore the same outfit for an entire week, aggravating Swanson. She asked some of the crew to tell him to change and wash, which he did indeed do. Aside from this, Swanson was happy with his performance. Walsh hadn't appeared in front of a camera in 8 years, and feared he wouldn't be able to both direct and act at the same time. However, two days into filming, his fears had disappeared.
Much of the filming took place on Santa Catalina Island
Santa Catalina Island, California
Santa Catalina Island, often called Catalina Island, or just Catalina, is a rocky island off the coast of the U.S. state of California. The island is long and across at its greatest width. The island is located about south-southwest of Los Angeles, California. The highest point on the island is...
near Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
. Swanson took ill shortly after, and met a doctor who started her life-long love of macrobiotic diets. A week into shooting, Sam Goldwyn called cameraman George Barnes away. Swanson was furious, but the loan contract had allowed Goldwyn to call him away as he pleased. Not wanting to let a hundred extras sit around for days, Swanson and Walsh tried to hire two more cameramen, but both were unsatisfactory. Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford was a Canadian-born motion picture actress, co-founder of the film studio United Artists and one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
had offered the services of her favorite cameraman Charles Rosher
Charles Rosher
Charles Rosher, A.S.C. was a two-time Academy Award-winning cinematographer who worked from the early days of silent films through the 1950s...
, who was called in, but despite doing a decent job couldn't match Barnes' work. Through Loew, MGM loaned Oliver Marsh, who completed the picture.
The cameraman fiasco was extremely costly to the production, yet shooting continued. With the picture half finished, it was already well over budget, and Schenck was wary, as Swanson's first picture had also been over budget and underperformed. Swanson talked with her advisors and sold her home in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, and offered to sell her New York City penthouse as well.
Despite reports that "dirty" words can be read on the characters' lips, Swanson claims the censors went over everything with a fine-toothed comb. However, Swanson admitted that one line she was shouting at Davidson went, "You'd rip the wings off of a butterfly, you son of a bitch!" when recounting a conversation with Walsh later in life. If the word rain was used in a title, they asked that it be removed. They also wanted to change Davidson's name to something else, but Swanson and Walsh refused.
The film was a success, and was the only silent independent film of Swanson's to do well at the box office. In fact, it was one of her last financially successful films, including the talkies The Trespasser
The Trespasser
The Trespasser is an American film directed and written by Edmund Goulding, starring Gloria Swanson, Robert Ames, Purnell Pratt, Henry B...
and Sunset Blvd
Sunset Boulevard (film)
Sunset Boulevard is a 1950 American film noir directed and co-written by Billy Wilder, and produced and co-written by Charles Brackett...
. It went on to make $1,000,000 during its U.S. run. However, at Kennedy's advice, Swanson had sold her distribution rights for the film to Schenck, as Kennedy felt it would be a commercial failure. He also didn't care for the image Swanson portrayed in the film. By this point Queen Kelly
Queen Kelly
Queen Kelly is the title of an American silent film produced in 1928-29 and released in 1929, originally by United Artists. The film was directed by Erich von Stroheim, starred Gloria Swanson in the title role, and also starred Walter Byron and Seena Owen. It was produced by Joseph P...
had been a disaster, and Swanson regretted it. The film made the top 10 best pictures of the year list as well. It would be Raoul Walsh's final role, as he subsequently lost his eye in an accident.
The film was nominated for awards for Best Actress in a Leading Role
Academy Award for Best Actress
Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance while working within the film industry...
(Gloria Swanson) and Best Cinematography
Academy Award for Best Cinematography
The Academy Award for Best Cinematography is an Academy Award awarded each year to a cinematographer for work in one particular motion picture.-History:...
. Swanson did not attend the ceremony, and always felt it was like "comparing apples to oranges".
Contemporary reviews called it racy but excellent, and especially praised Swanson's acting.
Today, everything but the final reel (stopping just after Davidson finds Sadie in his room) exists in good condition.
Queen Kelly
One of the most infamous of Hollywood's unfinished films, Queen KellyQueen Kelly
Queen Kelly is the title of an American silent film produced in 1928-29 and released in 1929, originally by United Artists. The film was directed by Erich von Stroheim, starred Gloria Swanson in the title role, and also starred Walter Byron and Seena Owen. It was produced by Joseph P...
(1929), was directed by Erich von Stroheim
Erich von Stroheim
Erich von Stroheim was an Austrian-born film star of the silent era, subsequently noted as an auteur for his directorial work.-Background:...
and produced by Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.
Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.
Joseph Patrick "Joe" Kennedy, Sr. was a prominent American businessman, investor, and government official....
, father of the future President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
. Produced in 1928-29, it starred Swanson in the title role, with Walter Byron and Seena Owen
Seena Owen
Seena Owen was a Danish-American silent film actress.-Early Life:She was born Signe M. Auen at Spokane, Washington, the youngest of three children raised by Jens Christensen and Karen Auen. Her father and mother came from Denmark in the late 1880s and settled in Minnesota where they married in 1888...
.
It is the story of Prince Wolfram, who is betrothed to mad Queen Regina V of Kronberg. On maneuvers (as punishment for consorting with other women), he spies Kelly walking with the other students of a convent. Enthralled by her beauty, he kidnaps her that night from the convent, takes her to his room and professes his love for her. When the Queen finds them together the next morning, she whips Kelly and throws her out of the castle. Regina then puts Wolfram in prison for his refusal to marry the Queen. Kelly goes to German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
to visit her dying Aunt, and is forced to marry the disgusting Jan. The Aunt dies after the wedding, and Kelly refuses to live with Jan, becoming the head of her aunt's brothel. Her extravagances and style earn her the name Queen Kelly.
Production of the costly film was shut down after complaints by Swanson about von Stroheim and the general direction the film was taking. Though the European scenes were full of innuendo, and featured a philandering prince and a sex-crazed queen, the scenes set in Africa were grim and, Swanson felt, distasteful. In later interviews, Swanson claimed that she had been misled by the script, which referred to her character arriving in, and taking over, a dance hall; looking at the rushes, it was obvious the 'dance hall' was actually a brothel.
Stroheim was fired from the film, and the African storyline was scrapped. Swanson and Kennedy still wanted to salvage the European material, as it had been so costly and time-consuming, and had potential market value. An alternate ending was shot on November 24, 1931. In this ending, directed by Swanson and photographed by Gregg Toland
Gregg Toland
Gregg Toland, A.S.C. was an American cinematographer noted for his innovative use of lighting and techniques such as deep focus, an example of which can be found in his work on Orson Welles' Citizen Kane.-Career:...
, Prince Wolfram is shown visiting the palace. A nun leads him to the chapel, where Kelly's body lies in state. This has been called the "Swanson ending." The film was not theatrically released in the United States, but it was shown in Europe and South America with the Swanson ending tacked on. This was due to a clause in Stroheim's contract.
A short extract of the film appears in Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard (film)
Sunset Boulevard is a 1950 American film noir directed and co-written by Billy Wilder, and produced and co-written by Charles Brackett...
(1950), representing an old silent picture Swanson's character Norma Desmond—herself a silent movie star—had made. Von Stroheim is also a primary character in Sunset Boulevard as her ex-director, ex-husband, and current butler. By some accounts, von Strohiem suggested the clip be used for its heavy irony. This was the first time audiences in the U.S. were allowed to see any footage of the infamous collaboration.
In the 1960s, it was shown on television with the Swanson ending, along with a taped introduction and conclusion in which Swanson spoke about the history of the project. By 1985, Kino International had acquired the rights to the movie and restored two versions: one that uses still photos and subtitles in an attempt to wrap up the storyline, and the other the European "suicide ending" version.
Talkies
To try to recover from the Queen Kelly fiasco, Swanson jumped into making talkies, even singing in The TrespasserThe Trespasser
The Trespasser is an American film directed and written by Edmund Goulding, starring Gloria Swanson, Robert Ames, Purnell Pratt, Henry B...
(1929), Indiscreet
Indiscreet (1931 film)
Indiscreet is an American comedy film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Gloria Swanson and Ben Lyon. The screenplay by Buddy G. DeSylva, Lew Brown, and Ray Henderson, based on their story Obey That Impulse, originally was written as a full-fledged musical, but only two songs - "If You Haven't...
(1931), and Music in the Air
Music in the Air
Music in the Air is a musical written by Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern . It introduced songs such as "The Song Is You", "In Egern on the Tegern See" and "I've Told Ev'ry Little Star"...
(1934).
The Trespasser
The Trespasser
The Trespasser is an American film directed and written by Edmund Goulding, starring Gloria Swanson, Robert Ames, Purnell Pratt, Henry B...
tells the story of a "kept woman" who maintains a lavish lifestyle. It stars Swanson, Robert Ames
Robert Ames
Robert Downing Ames was an American stage and film actor whose career was cut short by his untimely death at age 42.-Birth:Robert Ames was born on March 23, 1889 at Hartford, Connecticut, wher his father, Louis Mason Ames, was employed as an accountant for an insurance company and his mother, Mary...
, Purnell Pratt
Purnell Pratt
Purnell Pratt was an American film actor. He appeared in 114 films between 1914 and 1941.He was born in Bethel, Illinois and died in Hollywood, California.-Selected filmography:* On with the Show...
, Henry B. Walthall
Henry B. Walthall
Henry Brazeale Walthall was an American film actor.-Career:Walthall began his career as a stage actor, appearing on Broadway in a supporting role in William Vaughn Moody's The Great Divide in 1906–1908. His career in movies began in 1908, in the film Rescued from an Eagle's Nest, which also...
, and Wally Albright
Wally Albright
Wally Albright was an American former child actor.-Career:Albright was born Walton Algernon Albright, Jr. in Burbank, California. He appeared in a number of films during his career, and is notable for appearing in six Our Gang short subjects throughout the early 1930s...
. The movie was written and directed by Edmund Goulding
Edmund Goulding
Edmund Goulding was a British film writer and director. As an actor early in his career he was one of the 'Ghosts' in the 1922 British made Paramount silent Three Live Ghosts alongside Norman Kerry and Cyril Chadwick. Also in the early 20s he wrote several screenplays for star Mae Murray and...
and released by United Artists
United Artists
United Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
. It earned Swanson an Academy Award
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
nomination in her talkie debut. It was filmed simultaneously in a silent and a talking version, and was a smash hit.
The Trespasser was an important film for Swanson, following the disastrous Queen Kelly and the hit Sadie Thompson, and garnered Swanson her second Oscar nomination. Sadly for Swanson, The Trespasser proved to be one of her only two hit talkies, the other being Sunset Boulevard, made over 20 years later. Subsequent follow-ups like What a Widow!, Indiscreet
Indiscreet (1931 film)
Indiscreet is an American comedy film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Gloria Swanson and Ben Lyon. The screenplay by Buddy G. DeSylva, Lew Brown, and Ray Henderson, based on their story Obey That Impulse, originally was written as a full-fledged musical, but only two songs - "If You Haven't...
, Tonight or Never
Tonight or Never
Tonight or Never is a comedy film directed by Mervyn LeRoy, starring Gloria Swanson and featuring Boris Karloff.-Plot:Nella Vargo is a Hungarian prima donna whose latest performances include singing Tosca in Venice...
, Perfect Understanding
Perfect Understanding
Perfect Understanding is a 1933 British comedy film directed by Cyril Gardner and starring Laurence Olivier, Gloria Swanson and John Halliday.-Plot:...
, and Music in the Air
Music in the Air
Music in the Air is a musical written by Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern . It introduced songs such as "The Song Is You", "In Egern on the Tegern See" and "I've Told Ev'ry Little Star"...
all proved to be box-office flops. Despite the disappointments following The Trespasser, Swanson was well remembered by Billy Wilder
Billy Wilder
Billy Wilder was an Austro-Hungarian born American filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, artist, and journalist, whose career spanned more than 50 years and 60 films. He is regarded as one of the most brilliant and versatile filmmakers of Hollywood's golden age...
, a writer on Music in the Air, when he was casting the part of Norma Desmond in his masterpiece Sunset Boulevard (1950).
Even though she managed to make the transition to talkies, as her career began to decline, Swanson relocated permanently to New York City in 1938, where she began an inventions and patents company called Multiprizes, which kept her occupied during the years of World War II. This small company had the sole purpose of rescuing Jewish scientists and inventors from war-torn Europe and bringing them to the United States. She helped many escape, and some useful inventions came from the enterprise. She made another film for RKO Radio Pictures in 1941, began appearing in the legitimate theatre, and starred in her own television show in 1948.
Never one to dwell on the past, she threw herself into painting and sculpting, writing a syndicated column, touring in summer stock
Summer Stock
For the article about the theatre genre, see Summer stock theatre.Summer Stock is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical made in 1950. The film was directed by Charles Walters and stars Judy Garland, Gene Kelly, Eddie Bracken, Gloria DeHaven, Marjorie Main, and Phil Silvers...
, engaging in political activism, radio and television work, clothing and accessories design and marketing, and making occasional appearances on the big screen. But it was not until 1950 when Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard is a street in the western part of Los Angeles County, California, that stretches from Figueroa Street in downtown Los Angeles to the Pacific Coast Highway at the Pacific Ocean in the Pacific Palisades...
was released (earning her yet another Academy award nomination), that she achieved mass recognition again.
Sunset Boulevard
After Mae WestMae West
Mae West was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter and sex symbol whose entertainment career spanned seven decades....
and several former silent screen actresses (including Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford
Mary Pickford was a Canadian-born motion picture actress, co-founder of the film studio United Artists and one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...
and Pola Negri
Pola Negri
Pola Negri was a Polish stage and film actress who achieved worldwide fame for her tragedienne and femme fatale roles from the 1910s through the 1940s during the Golden Era of Hollywood film. She was the first European film star to be invited to Hollywood, and became a great American star. She...
) all declined the role, in 1950 Swanson starred in Sunset Boulevard
Sunset Boulevard (film)
Sunset Boulevard is a 1950 American film noir directed and co-written by Billy Wilder, and produced and co-written by Charles Brackett...
, portraying Norma Desmond, a faded silent movie star who falls in love with the younger screenwriter Joe Gillis, played by William Holden
William Holden
William Holden was an American actor. Holden won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1954 and the Emmy Award for Best Actor in 1974...
. Norma Desmond lives in the past, assisted by her butler Max, played by Erich von Stroheim
Erich von Stroheim
Erich von Stroheim was an Austrian-born film star of the silent era, subsequently noted as an auteur for his directorial work.-Background:...
. Her dreams of a comeback are subverted as she becomes delusional. There are cameos from actors of the silent era in the film, including Buster Keaton
Buster Keaton
Joseph Frank "Buster" Keaton was an American comic actor, filmmaker, producer and writer. He was best known for his silent films, in which his trademark was physical comedy with a consistently stoic, deadpan expression, earning him the nickname "The Great Stone Face".Keaton was recognized as the...
, H. B. Warner
H. B. Warner
H. B. Warner was a British actor.-Early life:He was born Henry Byron Charles Stewart Warner-Lickford in St John's Wood, London, England in 1875...
and Anna Q. Nilsson
Anna Q. Nilsson
Anna Quirentia Nilsson was a Swedish born American actress who achieved success in American silent movies.-Background:...
. Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil Blount DeMille was an American film director and Academy Award-winning film producer in both silent and sound films. He was renowned for the flamboyance and showmanship of his movies...
plays himself in a pivotal scene.
This has since been called the greatest film about Hollywood. Many of the lines from the film have become pop-culture mainstays, and are often used to describe Swanson herself; among them: "The Greatest Star of them all," "I am big; it's the pictures that got small," "We didn't need dialogue, we had faces," and "All right, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up." She received her third Best Actress Oscar nomination, but lost to Judy Holliday
Judy Holliday
Judy Holliday was an American actress.Holliday began her career as part of a night-club act, before working in Broadway plays and musicals...
for Born Yesterday
Born Yesterday (1950 film)
Born Yesterday is a 1950 film based on the play of the same name by Garson Kanin and directed by George Cukor. The screenplay was written by Albert Mannheimer with uncredited contributions from Kanin....
.
She received several subsequent acting offers but turned most of them down, saying they tended to be pale imitations of Norma Desmond. Her last major Hollywood motion picture role was the poorly received Three for Bedroom "C" in 1952. In 1956, Swanson made Nero's Mistress, which also starred Vittorio de Sica
Vittorio de Sica
Vittorio De Sica was an Italian director and actor, a leading figure in the neorealist movement....
and Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot is a French former fashion model, actress, singer and animal rights activist. She was one of the best-known sex-symbols of the 1960s.In her early life, Bardot was an aspiring ballet dancer...
. Her final screen appearance was as herself in Airport 1975
Airport 1975
Airport 1975 is a 1974 disaster film and the first sequel to the successful 1970 film Airport. It stars Charlton Heston and Karen Black and is directed by Jack Smight....
.
Though Swanson only made three films after Sunset Boulevard, she starred in numerous stage and television productions during her remaining years. She was active in various business ventures, travelled extensively, wrote articles, columns, and an autobiography, painted and sculpted, and became a passionate advocate of various health and nutrition topics. In 1966 The George Eastman House in Rochester, New York, honored Swanson with a career film retrospective titled "A Tribute to Gloria Swanson" that screened some of her films over a few days.
Television and theater
Swanson hosted one of the first live televisionLive television
Live television refers to a television production broadcast in real-time, as events happen, in the present. From the early days of television until about 1958, live television was used heavily, except for filmed shows such as I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke. Video tape did not exist until 1957...
series in 1948, The Gloria Swanson Hour, in which she invited friends and others to be guests. Swanson also later hosted a television anthology series, Crown Theatre with Gloria Swanson, in which she occasionally acted.
Through the 1960s, 1970s, and early 1980s, Swanson appeared on many and various talk and variety shows such as The Carol Burnett Show
The Carol Burnett Show
The Carol Burnett Show is a variety / sketch comedy television show starring Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, and Tim Conway. It originally ran on CBS from September 11, 1967, to March 29, 1978, for 278 episodes and originated from CBS Television City's Studio 33...
in 1973 and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under the Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night....
to recollect on her films and to lampoon them as well. She was twice the "mystery guest" on What's My Line. She acted in "Behind the Locked Door" on The Alfred Hitchcock Hour in 1964, and in the same year was nominated for a Golden Globe award for her performance in Burke's Law
Burke's Law
Burke's Law is a detective series that ran on ABC from 1963 to 1965 and was revived on CBS in the 1990s. The show starred Gene Barry as Amos Burke, millionaire captain of Los Angeles police homicide division, who was chauffeured around to solve crimes in his Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud...
. A guest appearance on The Dick Cavett Show
The Dick Cavett Show
The Dick Cavett Show has been the title of several talk shows hosted by Dick Cavett on various television networks, including:* ABC daytime ...
with Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin
Janis Lyn Joplin was an American singer, songwriter, painter, dancer and music arranger. She rose to prominence in the late 1960s as the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company and later as a solo artist with her backing groups, The Kozmic Blues Band and The Full Tilt Boogie Band...
(fall 1970) was another memorable TV appearance.
Her most famous television appearance, however, is a 1966 episode of The Beverly Hillbillies
The Beverly Hillbillies
The Beverly Hillbillies is an American situation comedy originally broadcast for nine seasons on CBS from 1962 to 1971, starring Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer, Jr....
titled "The Gloria Swanson Story," in which she plays herself. In the episode, the Clampetts mistakenly believe Swanson is destitute, and decide to finance a comeback movie for her—in a silent film. Her last acting role, aside from playing herself in Airport 1975
Airport 1975
Airport 1975 is a 1974 disaster film and the first sequel to the successful 1970 film Airport. It stars Charlton Heston and Karen Black and is directed by Jack Smight....
, was in the made-for-TV horror film
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
Killer Bees
Killer Bees (1974 film)
Killer Bees is a 1974 made for TV horror movie featuring Gloria Swanson that originally aired on ABC on February 26, 1974. The film, which was directed by Curtis Harrington, had a very small cast, including Kate Jackson, Craig Stevens, John Getz, and Edward Albert.-Plot:Madame von Bohlen , a...
(1974).
After near-retirement from film, Swanson appeared in many plays throughout her later life, beginning in the 1940s. She toured with A Goose for the Gander, Reflected Glory, and Let Us Be Gay. After her success with Sunset Boulevard, she starred on Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
in a revival of Twentieth Century
Twentieth Century (play)
Twentieth Century is a play by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur based on the unproduced play Napoleon of Broadway by Charles B. Millholland, inspired by his experience working for the eccentric Broadway impresario David Belasco....
(1951) with Jose Ferrer
José Ferrer
José Vicente Ferrer de Otero y Cintrón , best known as José Ferrer, was a Puerto Rican actor, as well as a theater and film director...
, and in Nina with David Niven
David Niven
James David Graham Niven , known as David Niven, was a British actor and novelist, best known for his roles as Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days and Sir Charles Lytton, a.k.a. "the Phantom", in The Pink Panther...
. Her last major stage role was in the 1971 Broadway production of Butterflies Are Free
Butterflies Are Free (play)
Butterflies Are Free is a play by Leonard Gershe.Loosely based on the life of attorney Harold Krents, the plot revolves around a Manhattan blind man whose controlling mother disapproves of his relationship with a free-spirited hippie. The title was inspired by a passage in Charles Dickens' Bleak...
at the Booth Theatre
Booth Theatre
The Booth Theatre is a Broadway theatre located at 222 West 45th Street in midtown-Manhattan, New York City.Architect Henry B. Herts designed the Booth and its companion Shubert Theatre as a back-to-back pair sharing a Venetian Renaissance-style façade...
.
Personal life
Swanson became a vegetarian around 1928 and was an early health foodHealth food
The term health food is generally used to describe foods that are considered to be beneficial to health, beyond a normal healthy diet required for human nutrition. However, the term is not precisely defined by national regulatory agencies such as the U.S...
advocate who was known for bringing her own meals to public functions in a paper bag. Swanson told actor Dirk Benedict
Dirk Benedict
Dirk Benedict is an American movie, television and stage actor, perhaps best known for playing the characters Lieutenant Templeton "Faceman" Peck in The A-Team television series and Lieutenant Starbuck in the original Battlestar Galactica film and television series.-Early life:Benedict was born...
about macrobiotic diet
Macrobiotic diet
A macrobiotic diet , from "macro" and "bios" , a dietary regimen which involves eating grains as a staple food supplemented with other foodstuffs such as local vegetables avoiding the use of highly processed or refined foods and most animal products...
s when he was battling prostate cancer
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system. Most prostate cancers are slow growing; however, there are cases of aggressive prostate cancers. The cancer cells may metastasize from the prostate to other parts of the body, particularly...
at a very young age. He had refused conventional therapies and credited this kind of diet and healthy eating with his recovery. In 1975 Swanson traveled the United States and helped to promote the book Sugar Blues
Sugar Blues
Sugar Blues is a book by William Dufty that was released in 1975 and became a commercial success. According to the publishers, over 1.6 million copies have been printed....
written by her husband, William Dufty.
In early 1980, Swanson's 520-page autobiography, Swanson on Swanson, was published by Random House and became a national best-seller. It was translated into French, Italian and Swedish editions. That same year, she also designed a stamp cachet for the United Nations Postal Administration and chaired the New York chapter of "Seniors for Reagan-Bush".
She was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church; her father was of Swedish Lutheran descent and he too was a member of the same church.
Marriages and relationships
Throughout her life and her many marriages, Swanson was always known as Miss Swanson. Though she legally took the names of her husbands, her own personality and fame always overshadowed them.Swanson's first husband was the actor Wallace Beery
Wallace Beery
Wallace Fitzgerald Beery was an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Bill in Min and Bill opposite Marie Dressler, as Long John Silver in Treasure Island, as Pancho Villa in Viva Villa!, and his titular role in The Champ, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor...
(1885–1949), whom she married on her 17th birthday. In her autobiography Swanson on Swanson, she wrote that Beery raped her on their wedding night. Beery also impregnated Swanson in 1917. Not wanting her to have the child, he tricked her into drinking a concoction that induced an abortion. Though they still worked together at Sennett they separated and finally divorced two years later.
She married Herbert K. Somborn (1881–1934), then president of Equity Pictures Corporation and later the owner of the Brown Derby
Brown Derby
The Brown Derby was the name of a chain of restaurants in Los Angeles, California. The first and most famous of these was shaped like a men's derby hat, an iconic image that became synonymous with the Golden Age of Hollywood....
restaurant, in 1919. Their daughter, Gloria Swanson Somborn (October 7, 1920—December 28, 2000), was born in 1920. Their divorce, finalized in January 1925, was sensational and led to Gloria having a "morals clause" added to her studio contract. Somborn accused her of adultery with 13 men including Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil B. DeMille
Cecil Blount DeMille was an American film director and Academy Award-winning film producer in both silent and sound films. He was renowned for the flamboyance and showmanship of his movies...
, Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino
Rudolph Valentino was an Italian actor, and early pop icon. A sex symbol of the 1920s, Valentino was known as the "Latin Lover". He starred in several well-known silent films including The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Sheik, Blood and Sand, The Eagle and Son of the Sheik...
, and Marshall Neilan
Marshall Neilan
Marshall Ambrose Neilan was an American motion picture actor, screenwriter, film director, and producer.-Early life:...
. During their divorce Swanson wanted another child and in 1923 she adopted a baby boy, Sonny Smith (1922–1975), whom she renamed Joseph Patrick Swanson.
Her third husband was the French aristocrat Henri, Marquis de la Falaise de la Coudraye
Henri de la Falaise
Henry de La Falaise, Marquis de La Coudraye, born James Henry Le Bailly de La Falaise , was a French nobleman, translator, film director, film producer, sometimes actor and war hero who was best known for his high-profile marriages to two leading Hollywood actresses.His actual surname was Le...
(1898–1972), whom she married on January 28, 1925 after the Somborn divorce was finalized. Though Henri was a Marquis and the grandson of Richard and Martha Lucy Hennessy from the famous Hennessy Cognac family, he was not rich and had to work for a living. He was originally hired to be her assistant and interpreter in France while she was filming Madame Sans-Gêne
Madame Sans-Gene (1925 film)
Madame Sans-Gene is a silent romantic comedy/costume drama directed by Léonce Perret and starring Gloria Swanson.-Production background:The film was produced in France, as Swanson was on extended vacation there...
(1925). Gloria was the first film star to marry European royalty, and the marriage became a global sensation. She conceived a child with him, but had an abortion which, in her autobiography, she said she regretted.
Later Henri became a film executive representing Pathé
Pathé
Pathé or Pathé Frères is the name of various French businesses founded and originally run by the Pathé Brothers of France.-History:...
(USA) in France through Joseph P. Kennedy, who was running the studio. Many now assume he was given the position which kept him in France for ten months a year to simply keep him out of the way. This marriage ended in divorce in 1930 Soon after, Henri was married for a second time, this time to actress Constance Bennett
Constance Bennett
-Early life:She was born in New York City, the daughter of actor Richard Bennett and actress Adrienne Morrison, whose father was the stage actor Lewis Morrison , a wealthy performer of English and Spanish ancestry...
.
While still married to Henri, Swanson had an affair with the married Joseph P. Kennedy for a number of years. He became her business partner and their relationship was an open secret in Hollywood. He took over all of her personal and business affairs and was supposed to make her millions. Unfortunately, after the disastrous Queen Kelly Kennedy left her, and her finances were in worse shape than when he came into her life. Two books have been written about the affair.
After the marriage to Henri and her affair with Kennedy were over, she married Michael Farmer (1902–1975) in August 1931. Because of the possibility that Swanson's divorce from La Falaise had not been final at the time of the wedding, she was forced to remarry Farmer the following November, by which time she was four months pregnant with Michelle Bridget Farmer, who was born in 1932. Swanson and Farmer divorced in 1934. Their daughter, Michelle, stayed with her mother, was often on the set of Sunset Boulevard, and at age 18 moved to France where she still lives.
In 1945, she married William N. Davey. According to Swanson, after discovering Davey in a drunken stupor, she and daughter Michelle, believing they were being helpful, left a trail of Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous is an international mutual aid movement which says its "primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety." Now claiming more than 2 million members, AA was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in Akron, Ohio...
literature around their apartment. Davey quickly packed up and left. This divorce was finalized in 1946. For the next thirty years, Swanson would not be married, and was able to pursue her own interests.
Swanson joined the ranks of celebrities that have been stalked
Stalking
Stalking is a term commonly used to refer to unwanted and obsessive attention by an individual or group to another person. Stalking behaviors are related to harassment and intimidation and may include following the victim in person and/or monitoring them via the internet...
. In the early 1950s, she was pursued by a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
veteran, Samuel Golden, who claimed that the two were destined to be married and would give her 2/3 of his children as well as divulge secrets about the Navy's computer systems if she would run away with him. Recent declassified FBI documents disclose J. Edgar Hoover
J. Edgar Hoover
John Edgar Hoover was the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States. Appointed director of the Bureau of Investigation—predecessor to the FBI—in 1924, he was instrumental in founding the FBI in 1935, where he remained director until his death in 1972...
's obsession with seeing Golden tried for treason
Treason
In law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
, but Golden dropped out of sight, apparently in the Greater Boston area.
Swanson's final marriage was in 1976 and lasted until her death. Her sixth husband and widower, writer William Dufty
William Dufty
William Francis Dufty was an American writer, and nutrition activist. Including ghostwriting, he wrote approximately 40 books.-Biography:...
(1916–2002), was the co-author of Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday was an American jazz singer and songwriter. Nicknamed "Lady Day" by her friend and musical partner Lester Young, Holiday had a seminal influence on jazz and pop singing...
's autobiography Lady Sings the Blues, the author of Sugar Blues
Sugar Blues
Sugar Blues is a book by William Dufty that was released in 1975 and became a commercial success. According to the publishers, over 1.6 million copies have been printed....
, a 1975 best-selling health book still in print, and the author of the English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
version of Georges Ohsawa's You Are All Sanpaku. He was best known as a book ghost-writer and as a newspaperman, working for many years at the New York Post, where he was assistant to the editor from 1951-1960. Dufty first met Swanson in 1965 and by 1967 they were living together as a couple. Swanson shared her husband's deep enthusiasm for macrobiotic diet
Macrobiotic diet
A macrobiotic diet , from "macro" and "bios" , a dietary regimen which involves eating grains as a staple food supplemented with other foodstuffs such as local vegetables avoiding the use of highly processed or refined foods and most animal products...
s and they traveled widely together to speak about sugar and food. They promoted his book Sugar Blues together in 1975 and wrote a syndicated column together. It was through this book and Dufty that Swanson first got to know John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
and Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono
is a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
. Swanson later testified on his behalf at his immigration hearing in New York to get a U.S. green card, which he eventually received.
Being a well-respected author and "book doctor," Dufty also ghost-wrote Swanson's best-selling 1980 autobiography Swanson on Swanson for her and with her help. They were prominent socialites and had homes and lived in many places, including New York City, Rome, Portugal, and Palm Springs, California. After Swanson's death Dufty returned to his former home in Birmingham, Michigan. Dufty died of cancer in 2002.
Death
Shortly after returning to New York from her home in Portugal, on April 4, 1983, Swanson died in New York City in New York Hospital from a heart ailment, aged 84. She was crematedCremation
Cremation is the process of reducing bodies to basic chemical compounds such as gasses and bone fragments. This is accomplished through high-temperature burning, vaporization and oxidation....
and her ashes interred at the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest
Church of the Heavenly Rest
The Church of the Heavenly Rest is an Episcopal Church on the Upper East Side of New York City, located on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 90th Street, opposite Central Park and the Carnegie Mansion...
on Fifth Avenue, in New York City, attended by only a small circle of family. Her death created worldwide headlines, with The New York Times echoing a line from Sunset Boulevard, calling her, "The greatest star of them all."
After Swanson's death, there were a series of auctions from August to September 1983 at William Doyle Gallery in New York of the star's furniture and decorations, jewelry, fashion collection, career and personal memorabilia.
Legacy
Gloria Swanson has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of FameHollywood Walk of Fame
The Hollywood Walk of Fame consists of more than 2,400 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along fifteen blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, California...
; one for motion pictures at 6748 Hollywood Boulevard, and another for television at 6301 Hollywood Boulevard. In 1982, a year before her death, Swanson sold her archives of over 600 boxes for an undisclosed sum, including photographs, artwork, copies of films and private papers including correspondence, contracts and financial dealings to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. The second-largest collection of Swanson materials is held in the family archives of Timothy A. Rooks. In the last years of her life Swanson professed a desire to see Beyond the Rocks
Beyond the Rocks (film)
Beyond the Rocks is a 1922 silent drama film directed by Sam Wood, starring Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson. It is based on the novel of the same name by Elinor Glyn.-Plot:...
, but the film was unavailable and considered lost
Lost film
A lost film is a feature film or short film that is no longer known to exist in studio archives, private collections or public archives such as the Library of Congress, where at least one copy of all American films are deposited and catalogued for copyright reasons...
. The film was rediscovered and screened in 2005. Swanson was survived by both of her daughters, her son having died in 1975, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren in the United States and France. Arguably one of the greatest stars of early Hollywood, today Swanson is most remembered for her portrayal of Norma Desmond in 1950's Sunset Boulevard.
Portrayals
Swanson has been played both on televisionTelevision
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
and in film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
by:
- Debi MazarDebi MazarDeborah "Debi" Mazar is an American actress, perhaps best known for her Jersey Girl-type roles; as sharp-tongued women in independent films; and for her recurring role as press agent Shauna Roberts on the HBO series Entourage.-Early life:...
in Return to BabylonReturn to BabylonReturn to Babylon is an upcoming silent film. It was directed by Alex Monty Canawati and written by Matt Riddlehoover. It stars an ensemble cast of Jennifer Tilly, María Conchita Alonso, Ione Skye, Debi Mazar, and Tippi Hedren.-Plot:...
(2008) - Ann TurkelAnn TurkelAnn Kathryn Turkel is an American actress and model.Turkel studied at the Musical Theatre Academy.She was photographed for American Vogue...
in White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd (1991) - Madolyn Smith OsborneMadolyn Smith OsborneMadolyn Smith Osborne is an American actress.Madolyn Smith Osborne may be best-known for her roles in the TV miniseries If Tomorrow Comes and the feature film Funny Farm, which co-starred Chevy Chase. In 1984, she appeared in 2010, with Roy Scheider...
in The Kennedys of Massachusetts (1990) - Diane VenoraDiane VenoraDiane Venora is an American stage, television, and film actress.-Early life:Venora was born Diana Venora in East Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of Marie and Robert P. Venora, who owned a dry cleaning establishment. Diane graduated from East Hartford High School, class of 1970. During her...
in The Cotton ClubThe Cotton Club (film)The Cotton Club is a 1984 crime-drama, centered on a famed Harlem jazz club of the 1930s, the Cotton Club.The movie was co-written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola, choreographed by Henry LeTang, and starred Richard Gere, Diane Lane, and Gregory Hines...
(1984)
Features
- His New JobHis New JobHis New Job is a short 1915 film written by, directed by, and starring Charlie Chaplin. Gloria Swanson appears as an uncredited extra. The title is an inside reference to this being Chaplin's first film after leaving Keystone Studios for Essanay Studios....
(1915) (Extant) - Teddy at the ThrottleTeddy at the ThrottleTeddy at the Throttle is a silent film starring Bobby Vernon and Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Bobby Vernon as Bobbie Knight* Gloria Swanson as Gloria Dawn* Wallace Beery as Henry Black* May Emory as The Guardian's Sister...
(1917) (Extant) - Society for SaleSociety for SaleSociety for Sale is a 1918 silent drama film directed by Frank Borzage, starring William Desmond and Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* William Desmond - Honorable Billy* Gloria Swanson - Phylis Clyne* Herbert Prior - Lord Sheldon* Charles Dorian - Furnival...
(1918) (Lost) - Her DecisionHer DecisionHer Decision is a 1918 silent drama film directed by Jack Conway and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - Phyllis Dunbar* J. Barney Sherry - Martin Rankin* Darrell Foss - Bobbie Warner* Ann Forrest - Inah Dunbar...
(1918) (Lost) - Station ContentStation ContentStation Content is a 1918 silent drama film directed by Arthur Hoyt and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - Kitty Manning* Lee Hill - Jim Manning* Arthur Millett - Stephen Morton* Nellie Allen - Mrs. Morton...
(1918) (Lost) - You Can't Believe EverythingYou Can't Believe EverythingYou Can't Believe Everything is a 1918 silent drama film directed by Jack Conway and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - Patricia Reynolds* Darrell Foss - Arthur Kirby* Jack Richardson - Hasty Carson* Edward Peil Sr. - Jim Wheeler...
(1918) (Lost) - Everywoman's HusbandEverywoman's HusbandEverywoman's Husband is a 1918 silent drama film directed by Gilbert P. Hamilton and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - Edith Emerson* Joe King - Frank Emerson* Lillian Langdon - Mrs. Rhodes...
(1918) (Lost) - Shifting SandsShifting Sands (film)Shifting Sands is a 1918 silent drama film directed by Albert Parker and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - Marcia Grey* Joe King - John Stanford* Harvey Clark - Henry holt - Rent collector* Leone Carton - Cora Grey...
(1918) (Extant) - The Secret CodeThe Secret Code (film)The Secret Code is a 1918 silent drama film directed by Albert Parker and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - Sally Carter Rand* J. Barney Sherry - Sen. John Calhoun Rand* Rhy Alexander - Lola Walling...
(1918) (Lost) - Wife or CountryWife or CountryWife or Country is a 1918 silent drama film directed by E. Mason Hopper and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Harry Mestayer - Dale Barker* Gretchen Lederer - Gretchen Barker* Gloria Swanson - Sylvia Hamilton* Jack Richardson - Dr. Meyer Stahl...
(1918) (Lost) - Don't Change Your HusbandDon't Change Your HusbandDon't Change Your Husband is a 1919 comedy film directed by Cecil B. DeMille. A print of the film survives.-Cast:* Elliott Dexter - James Denby Porter* Gloria Swanson - Leila Porter* Lew Cody - Schuyler Van Sutphen* Sylvia Ashton - Mrs. Huckney...
(1919) (Extant) - For Better, for Worse (1919) (Extant)
- Male and FemaleMale and FemaleMale and Female is a 1919 silent film directed by Cecil B. DeMille. Its main themes are gender relations and social class. It is based on the J. M. Barrie play "The Admirable Crichton".-Plot:...
(1919) (Extant) - Why Change Your Wife?Why Change Your Wife?-Plot:Frumpy wife Beth devotes herself to bettering her husband's mind and expanding his appreciation for the finer things in life, such as classical music. When he goes shopping at a lingerie store to buy some sexier clothes for her, he meets Sally, the shop girl. Rejected by his wife for a night...
(1920) (Extant) - Something to Think AboutSomething to Think About-Cast:* Elliott Dexter - David Markely* Gloria Swanson - Ruth Anderson* Monte Blue - Jim Dirk* Theodore Roberts - Luke Anderson* Claire McDowell - Housekeeper* Michael D. Moore - Bobby * Julia Faye - Banker's Daughter...
(1920) (Extant) - The Great MomentThe Great Moment (1921 film)The Great Moment is a 1921 drama film directed by Sam Wood and starring Gloria Swanson, Alec B. Francis and Milton Sills. Swanson's first of many features for director Sam Wood. A lost film.-Plot summary:...
(1921) (Lost) - The Affairs of AnatolThe Affairs of AnatolThe Affairs of Anatol is a 1921 silent drama film directed by Cecil B. DeMille.-Cast:* Wallace Reid as Anatol DeWitt Spencer* Gloria Swanson as Vivian Spencer * Wanda Hawley as Emilie Dixon* Theodore Roberts as Gordon Bronson...
(1921) (Extant) - Under the LashUnder the LashUnder the Lash is a 1921 silent drama film directed by Sam Wood and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - Deborah Krillet* Mahlon Hamilton - Robert Waring* Russell Simpson - Simeon Krillet* Lillian Leighton - Tant Anna Vanderberg...
(1921) (Lost) - Don't Tell EverythingDon't Tell EverythingDon't Tell Everything is a 1921 silent drama film directed by Sam Wood and starring Gloria Swanson. Wood apparently used much cutting room floor footage from Cecil DeMille's The Affairs of Anatol. This film is lost.-Cast:* Wallace Reid - Cullen Dale...
(1921) (Lost) - Her Husband's TrademarkHer Husband's TrademarkHer Husband's Trademark is a 1922 silent drama film directed by Sam Wood and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - Lois Miller* Richard Wayne - Allan Franklyn* Stuart Holmes - James Berkeley* Lucien Littlefield - Slithy Winters...
(1922) (Extant) - Her Gilded CageHer Gilded CageHer Gilded Cage is a 1922 silent drama film directed by Sam Wood and starring Gloria Swanson. It is a lost film.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - Suzanne Ornoff* David Powell - Arnold Pell* Harrison Ford - Lawrence Pell* Anne Cornwall - Jacqueline Ornoff...
(1922) (Lost) - Beyond the RocksBeyond the Rocks (film)Beyond the Rocks is a 1922 silent drama film directed by Sam Wood, starring Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson. It is based on the novel of the same name by Elinor Glyn.-Plot:...
(1922) (Extant) - The Impossible Mrs. BellewThe Impossible Mrs. BellewThe Impossible Mrs. Bellew is a 1922 silent drama film directed by Sam Wood and starring Gloria Swanson. The film is considered to be lost.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson as Betty Bellew* Robert Cain as Lance Bellew* Conrad Nagel as John Helstan...
(1922) (Lost) - My American WifeMy American WifeMy American Wife is a 1922 silent drama film directed by Sam Wood and starring Gloria Swanson. The film is considered to be lost, since no prints seem to have survived.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - Natalie Chester* Antonio Moreno - Manuel La Tessa...
(1922) (Lost) - Prodigal Daughters (1923) (Lost)
- Bluebeard's 8th WifeBluebeard's 8th WifeBluebeard's 8th Wife is a 1923 silent romantic-comedy film produced by Famous Players-Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It was directed by Sam Wood and starred Gloria Swanson. The film is based on a successful 1921 Broadway play, Bluebeard's Eighth Wife, which starred Ina Claire in the...
(1923) (Lost) - HollywoodHollywood (1923 film)Hollywood was a silent comedy film directed by James Cruze, co-written by Frank Condon and Thomas J. Geraghty, and released by Paramount Pictures.The film has become famous as having featured cameos of more than thirty famous Hollywood stars...
(1923) (cameo) (Lost)
- ZazaZaza (1923 film)Zaza is a silent film drama produced by Famous Players-Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures, directed by Allan Dwan, and starring Gloria Swanson. This film is based on a famous play of the same name produced on Broadway in 1899 by David Belasco and starring Mrs...
(1923) (Extant; Library of Congress) - The Humming BirdThe Humming Bird (1924 film)The Humming Bird is a 1924 silent film crime drama produced by Famous Players-Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It was based on a play by Maude Fulton who also starred on Broadway...
(1924) (Extant; Library of Congress) - A Society ScandalA Society ScandalA Society Scandal is a 1924 silent film drama starring Gloria Swanson and was produced by Famous Players-Lasky and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It is based on a 1923 play, The Laughing Lady by Alfred Sutro, which starred Ethel Barrymore on Broadway. The picture was directed by Allan Dwan,...
(1924) (Lost) - ManhandledManhandled (1924 film)Manhandled is a silent drama film directed by Allan Dwan and starring Gloria Swanson. The film was produced by Famous Players-Lasky at their East Coast Astoria Studios facility and distributed by Paramount Pictures...
(1924) (Extant; Library of Congress) - Her Love Story (1924) (Lost)
- Wages of Virtue (1924) (Lost)
- Madame Sans-GêneMadame Sans-Gene (1925 film)Madame Sans-Gene is a silent romantic comedy/costume drama directed by Léonce Perret and starring Gloria Swanson.-Production background:The film was produced in France, as Swanson was on extended vacation there...
(1925) (Lost) - The Coast of FollyThe Coast of Folly (1925 film)The Coast of Folly is a 1925 silent drama directed by Allan Dwan and starred Gloria Swanson. Richard Arlen had a small part in the film but his scenes were cut before release. Still photos of Arlen in the film exist. The film is considered lost.-Cast:...
(1925) (Lost) - Stage StruckStage Struck (1925 film)Stage Struck is a silent comedy film starring Gloria Swanson, Lawrence Gray, Gertrude Astor, and Ford Sterling. The film was directed by Allan Dwan, and released by Paramount Pictures with sequences filmed in the early two-color Technicolor. The film, including its Technicolor sequences was...
(1925) (Extant) - The Untamed LadyThe Untamed LadyThe Untamed Lady is a silent film starring Gloria Swanson, and marks Nancy Kelly's first screen appearance. The movie was written by James Ashmore Creelman from an original story by Fannie Hurst and directed by Frank Tuttle. A lost film....
(1926) (Lost) - Fine MannersFine MannersFine Manners is a 1926 American black-and-white silent comedy film directed initially by Lewis Milestone and completed by Richard Rosson for Famous Players-Lasky/Paramount Pictures...
(1926) (Extant; Library of Congress) - The Love of SunyaThe Love of SunyaThe Love of Sunya is a silent film directed by Albert Parker, and based on the play The Eyes of Youth by Max Marcin and Charles Guernon. Produced by and starring Gloria Swanson, it also stars John Boles and Pauline Garon. It premiered at the grand opening of the Roxy Theatre in New York City on...
(1927) (Extant) - Sadie ThompsonSadie ThompsonSadie Thompson is an American silent film that tells the story of a "fallen woman" who comes to Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila to start a new life, but encounters a zealous missionary who wants to force her back to her former life in San Francisco. The film stars Gloria Swanson, Lionel...
(1928) (Extant) - Queen KellyQueen KellyQueen Kelly is the title of an American silent film produced in 1928-29 and released in 1929, originally by United Artists. The film was directed by Erich von Stroheim, starred Gloria Swanson in the title role, and also starred Walter Byron and Seena Owen. It was produced by Joseph P...
(1929) (Extant) - The TrespasserThe TrespasserThe Trespasser is an American film directed and written by Edmund Goulding, starring Gloria Swanson, Robert Ames, Purnell Pratt, Henry B...
(1929) (Extant) - What a Widow! (1930)
- IndiscreetIndiscreet (1931 film)Indiscreet is an American comedy film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Gloria Swanson and Ben Lyon. The screenplay by Buddy G. DeSylva, Lew Brown, and Ray Henderson, based on their story Obey That Impulse, originally was written as a full-fledged musical, but only two songs - "If You Haven't...
(1931) (Extant) - Tonight or NeverTonight or NeverTonight or Never is a comedy film directed by Mervyn LeRoy, starring Gloria Swanson and featuring Boris Karloff.-Plot:Nella Vargo is a Hungarian prima donna whose latest performances include singing Tosca in Venice...
(1931) (Extant) - Perfect UnderstandingPerfect UnderstandingPerfect Understanding is a 1933 British comedy film directed by Cyril Gardner and starring Laurence Olivier, Gloria Swanson and John Halliday.-Plot:...
(1933) (Extant) - Music in the AirMusic in the Air (film)Music in the Air is a 1934 romantic comedy musical film based on Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's Broadway musical of the same name. It stars Gloria Swanson as a opera diva, John Boles as her librettist and Douglass Montgomery as an aspiring songwriter who stumbles into their stormy...
(1934) (Extant) - Father Takes a Wife (1941) (Extant)
- Sunset BoulevardSunset Boulevard (film)Sunset Boulevard is a 1950 American film noir directed and co-written by Billy Wilder, and produced and co-written by Charles Brackett...
(1950) (Extant) - Three for Bedroom "C" (1952)
- Nero's Mistress (1956)
- Chaplinesque, My Life and Hard TimesChaplinesque, My Life and Hard TimesChaplinesque, My Life and Hard Times aka The Eternal Tramp is a 1972 documentary film directed by Harry Hurwitz. The film was frequently shown on American Public Television.-Plot:...
(1972) (documentary narrator) - Airport 1975Airport 1975Airport 1975 is a 1974 disaster film and the first sequel to the successful 1970 film Airport. It stars Charlton Heston and Karen Black and is directed by Jack Smight....
(1974)
Short subjects
- The Song of the Soul (1914)
- At the End of a Perfect Day (1915)
- The Ambition of the BaronThe Ambition of the BaronThe Ambition of the Baron is a 1915 silent drama film. Gloria Swanson had a bit-part role.-Cast:* Francis X. Bushman - Count Jean de Lugnan* Beverly Bayne - Annetta* Thomas Commerford* Lester Cuneo* Joseph Byron Totten -...
(1915) - The Fable of Elvira and Farina and the Meal TicketThe Fable of Elvira and Farina and the Meal TicketThe Fable of Elvira and Farina and the Meal Ticket is a 1915 silent film directed by Richard Foster Baker. Gloria Swanson made her first credited appearance in this film as Farina.-Cast:* Lillian Drew - Elvira...
(1915) - His New JobHis New JobHis New Job is a short 1915 film written by, directed by, and starring Charlie Chaplin. Gloria Swanson appears as an uncredited extra. The title is an inside reference to this being Chaplin's first film after leaving Keystone Studios for Essanay Studios....
(1915) - Sweedie Goes to CollegeSweedie Goes to CollegeSweedie Goes to College is a 1915 silent comedy film directed by Richard Foster Baker and featuring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Wallace Beery - Sweedie* Ben Turpin - Sweedie's Romeo* Charlotte Mineau - Mrs. Knowledge - the Matron...
(1915) - The Romance of an American DuchessThe Romance of an American DuchessThe Romance of an American Duchess is a 1915 silent drama film. Gloria Swanson had an uncredited role.-Cast:* Richard Travers - Duke de Longtour * Estelle Scott - Countess Maria* Sidney Ainsworth - Marquis Ferdinand...
(1915) - The Broken PledgeThe Broken PledgeThe Broken Pledge is a 1915 silent comedy film starring Wallace Beery and Gloria Swanson. Off screen, Beery and Swanson were briefly married.-Cast:* Wallace Beery* Virginia Bowker* Harry Dunkinson* Gloria Swanson -...
(1915) - The Nick of Time BabyThe Nick of Time BabyThe Nick of Time Baby is a 1916 silent comedy film directed by Clarence G. Badger and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Sylvia Ashton* Robert Bolder - * Helen Bray* Teddy the Dog* Tom Kennedy* Larry Lyndon* Earle Rodney...
(1916) - A Dash of CourageA Dash of CourageA Dash of Courage is a 1916 silent comedy film directed by Charley Chase, starring Gloria Swanson, and featuring Wallace Beery, to whom she was briefly married.-Cast:* Harry Gribbon as Police Commissioner* Guy Woodward* Gloria Swanson* Bobby Vernon...
(1916) - Hearts and SparksHearts and SparksHearts and Sparks is a 1916 silent comedy film directed by Clarence G. Badger and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Billie Bennett* Nick Cogley* Albert T. Gillespie* Tom Kennedy* Joe Lee* Hank Mann* Slim Summerville* Gloria Swanson...
(1916) - A Social CubA Social CubA Social Cub is a 1916 short silent comedy film directed by Clarence G. Badger and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Elizabeth De Witt* Gonda Durand* Harry Gribbon* Reggie Morris* Blanche Payson* Della Pringle* Gloria Swanson* Josef Swickard...
(1916) - The Danger GirlThe Danger GirlThe Danger Girl is a 1916 silent comedy film directed by Clarence G. Badger and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - Reggie's madcap sister* Bobby Vernon - Bobbie, a young gentleman* Helen Bray - * Myrtle Lind -...
(1916) - Haystacks and SteeplesHaystacks and SteeplesHaystacks and Steeples is a 1916 silent comedy film directed by Clarence G. Badger and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Sylvia Ashton* Helen Bray* George Felix* Reggie Morris* Della Pringle* Gloria Swanson* Josef Swickard* Eva Thatcher...
(1916) - Teddy at the ThrottleTeddy at the ThrottleTeddy at the Throttle is a silent film starring Bobby Vernon and Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Bobby Vernon as Bobbie Knight* Gloria Swanson as Gloria Dawn* Wallace Beery as Henry Black* May Emory as The Guardian's Sister...
(1917) - Baseball MadnessBaseball MadnessBaseball Madness is a 1917 silent comedy film directed by Billy Mason and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson* Billy Mason* Orin Jackson - * Mark Fenton* Countess Du Cello - * Victor Potel...
(1917) - Dangers of a BrideDangers of a BrideDangers of a Bride is a 1917 silent comedy film directed by Clarence G. Badger and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson* Bobby Vernon* Agnes Vernon* Fritz Schade* Juanita Hansen* Jay Dwiggins* Robert Milliken* Al McKinnon* Martha Trick...
(1917) - Whose Baby?Whose Baby?Whose Baby? is a 1917 silent comedy film directed by Clarence G. Badger and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Bobby Vernon* Gloria Swanson* Jay Dwiggins* Martha Trick* Robert Milliken* Fritz Schade* Juanita Hansen* Sylvia Ashton* Helen Bray...
(1917) - The Sultan's WifeThe Sultan's WifeThe Sultan's Wife is a 1917 silent comedy film directed by Clarence G. Badger and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - Gloria* Bobby Vernon - Bobby* Joseph Callahan* Teddy the Dog* Gonda Durand* Phyllis Haver* Roxana McGowan...
(1917) - The Pullman BrideThe Pullman BrideThe Pullman Bride is a 1917 silent comedy film directed by Clarence G. Badger and starring Gloria Swanson.-Cast:* Gloria Swanson - The Girl* Mack Swain - The Chosen One* Chester Conklin - A Rejected Suitor* Laura La Varnie - The Girl's Mother...
(1917) - A Trip to Paramountown (1922)
- Gloria Swanson Dialogue (1925)
Television
- The Peter Lind Hayes Show (1 episode, 1950)
- What's My Line?What's My Line?What's My Line? is a panel game show which originally ran in the United States on the CBS Television Network from 1950 to 1967, with several international versions and subsequent U.S. revivals. The game tasked celebrity panelists with questioning contestants in order to determine their occupations....
(2 episodes, 1950, 1965) - Hollywood Opening Night (1 episode, 1953)
- Crown Theatre with Gloria Swanson (Host, 1954–1955)
- The Steve Allen ShowThe Steve Allen ShowThe Steve Allen Show is an American variety show hosted by Steve Allen from June 1956 to June 1960 on NBC, from September 1961 to December 1961 on ABC, and in first-run syndication from 1962 to 1964....
(1 episode, 1957) - StraightawayStraightawayStraightaway is a 26-week half-hour drama series which ran on ABC television during the 1961–1962 season –the story of two young men who operate a garage and engage in auto racing. John Ashley and Brian Kelly played race car designers Clipper Hamilton and Scott Ross, respectively. Scott...
(1 episode, 1961) - Dr. Kildare (1 episode, 1963)
- Kraft Suspense TheatreKraft Suspense TheatreKraft Suspense Theatre, an anthology series, was telecast from 1963 to 1965 on NBC. Sponsored by Kraft Foods, it was seen three weeks out of every four and was pre-empted for Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall specials once monthly...
(1 episode, 1964) - The Alfred Hitchcock HourAlfred Hitchcock PresentsAlfred Hitchcock Presents is an American television anthology series hosted by Alfred Hitchcock. The series featured dramas, thrillers, and mysteries. By the premiere of the show on October 2, 1955, Hitchcock had been directing films for over three decades...
(1 episode, 1964) - Burke's LawBurke's LawBurke's Law is a detective series that ran on ABC from 1963 to 1965 and was revived on CBS in the 1990s. The show starred Gene Barry as Amos Burke, millionaire captain of Los Angeles police homicide division, who was chauffeured around to solve crimes in his Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud...
(2 episodes, 1963–1964) - My Three SonsMy Three SonsMy Three Sons is an American situation comedy. The series ran from 1960 to 1965 on ABC, and moved to CBS until its end on August 24, 1972. My Three Sons chronicles the life of a widower and aeronautical engineer named Steven Douglas , raising his three sons.The series was a cornerstone of the CBS...
(1 episode, 1965) - Ben CaseyBen CaseyBen Casey is an American medical drama series which ran on ABC from 1961 to 1966. The show was known for its opening titles, which consisted of a hand drawing the symbols "♂, ♀, *, †, ∞" on a chalkboard, as cast member Sam Jaffe intoned, "Man, woman, birth, death, infinity." Neurosurgeon Joseph...
(1 episode, 1965) - The Carol Burnett ShowThe Carol Burnett ShowThe Carol Burnett Show is a variety / sketch comedy television show starring Carol Burnett, Harvey Korman, Vicki Lawrence, Lyle Waggoner, and Tim Conway. It originally ran on CBS from September 11, 1967, to March 29, 1978, for 278 episodes and originated from CBS Television City's Studio 33...
(1973) - The Beverly HillbilliesThe Beverly HillbilliesThe Beverly Hillbillies is an American situation comedy originally broadcast for nine seasons on CBS from 1962 to 1971, starring Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer, Jr....
(1 episode, 1966) - Killer BeesKiller Bees (1974 film)Killer Bees is a 1974 made for TV horror movie featuring Gloria Swanson that originally aired on ABC on February 26, 1974. The film, which was directed by Curtis Harrington, had a very small cast, including Kate Jackson, Craig Stevens, John Getz, and Edward Albert.-Plot:Madame von Bohlen , a...
(1974)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Film or series |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | Academy Award | Nominated | Best Actress in a Leading Role Academy Award for Best Actress Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize an actress who has delivered an outstanding performance while working within the film industry... |
Sadie Thompson |
| 1930 | The Trespasser | |||
| 1951 | Sunset Boulevard | |||
| 1951 | Golden Globe Award Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign... |
Won | Best Motion Picture Actress - Drama | Sunset Boulevard |
| 1964 | Nominated | Best TV Star - Female | Burke's Law | |
| 1951 | Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists Nastro d'Argento The Nastro d'Argento is a movie award assigned each year, since 1946, for cinematic performances and production by Sindacato Nazionale dei Giornalisti Cinematografici Italiani, the association of Italian film critics... |
Won | Best Actress - Foreign Film (Migliore Attrice Straniera) | Sunset Boulevard |
| 1951 | Jussi Award | Won | Foreign Actress | Sunset Boulevard |
| 1950 | National Board of Review of Motion Pictures National Board of Review of Motion Pictures The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures was founded in 1909 in New York City, just 13 years after the birth of cinema, to protest New York City Mayor George B. McClellan, Jr.'s revocation of moving-picture exhibition licenses on Christmas Eve 1908. The mayor believed that the new medium... |
Won | Best Actress | Sunset Boulevard |
| 1980 | Career Achievement Award | |
||
| 1975 | Saturn Award Saturn Award The Saturn Award is an award presented annually by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films to honor the top works in science fiction, fantasy, and horror in film, television, and home video. The Saturn Awards were devised by Dr. Donald A. Reed in 1972, who felt that films within... |
Won | Special Award | |
Sources
- 1900 United States Federal Census, Chicago Ward 25, Town of Lakeview, Cook County, Illinois, Enumeration District 760, p. 8A (J.T. Swanson)
Further reading
- Swanson, Gloria, Swanson on Swanson, Random House, 1980.
- Quirk, Lawrence J., The Films of Gloria Swanson, Citadel Press, 1984. ISBN 0806508744.
- Hudson, Richard, Gloria Swanson, Castle Books, 1970. Library Congress Catalogue Card Number 75-88280.
- Dufty, WilliamWilliam DuftyWilliam Francis Dufty was an American writer, and nutrition activist. Including ghostwriting, he wrote approximately 40 books.-Biography:...
, Sugar Blues, Chilton Books, 1975 (and reprint), especially introduction. ISBN 0801959543. - Carr, Larry, Four Fabulous Faces: Swanson, Garbo, Crawford, Dietrich, Galahad Books, 1970. ISBN 0883650444.
- Tapert, Annette, The Power of Glamour, Crown Publishers, Inc., 1998, especially Introduction + chapter 1. ISBN 0517703769.
- Madsen, Axel, Gloria and Joe. The Star-Crossed Love Affair of Gloria Swanson and Joe Kennedy, Arbor House, New York, 1988.
- Beauchamp, Cari, Joseph P. Kennedy Presents, His Hollywood Years, 2009, especially chapters 10, 11, 13, 18-23,25 26. ISBN 9781400040001.
- Kessler, RonaldRonald KesslerRonald Borek Kessler is an American journalist and author of 19 non-fiction books. He is chief Washington, D.C. correspondent of the conservative news and commentary website Newsmax.com.-Personal life:Kessler was born in New York City in 1943...
, The Sins of the Father: Joseph P. Kennedy and the Dynasty He Founded, Warner, 1996, chapter 6. ISBN 0-446-60384-8. - Staggs, Sam, Close-up on Sunset Boulevard: Billy Wilder, Norma Desmond, and the Dark Hollywood Dream, St. Martin's Press, 2003. ISBN 031227453X.
- Kidd, Charles, Debrett Goes to Hollywood, St. Martin's Press, 1986, especially chapter 2. ISBN 0312005881.
- Craughwell-Varda, Kathleen, Looking for Jackie- American Fashion Icons, hearst Books, New York, 1999, especially chapter 11. ISBN 0688167268.
- Kobal, John, People Will Talk, Knopf, New York, 1985, especially Introduction and chapter 1. ISBN 0394536606.
- Card, James, seductive Cinema- The Art of Silent Film, University of Minnesota Press, (paperback reprint) 1994. ISBN 0816633908.
- Lockwood, Charles, Dream Palaces - Hollywood at Home, 1981.
External links
- Glorious Gloria Swanson - Tribute site
- Gloria Swanson's papers at the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin
- Gloria Swanson photographs and bibliography
- Gloria Swanson, video of The Mike Wallace InterviewThe Mike Wallace InterviewThe Mike Wallace Interview is a series of 30-minute television interviews conducted by host Mike Wallace in 1957-60. Before The Mike Wallace Interview was televised nationally on prime-time in 1957, the host of the show had risen to prominence a year earlier with Night-Beat, a television interview...
, April 28, 1957