Laura La Plante
Encyclopedia
Laura La Plante was an American
actress, best-known for her roles in silent film
s.
. During the 1920s she appeared in more than sixty films. Among her early film appearances were Big Town Round-Up (1921
), with cowboy star Tom Mix
, and the serials
Perils of the Yukon
(1922
) and Around the World in Eighteen Days
(1923
).
The majority of her films (i.e. from 1921
to 1930
) were made for Universal Pictures
. During this period she was the studio's most popular star, "an accomplishment duplicated only by Deanna Durbin
years later." One of her earliest surviving films is Smouldering Fires
(1925
) directed by Clarence Brown
and costarring Pauline Frederick
. Her best remembered film is arguably the silent classic The Cat and the Canary
(1927
), although she also achieved acclaim for Skinner's Dress Suit
(1926
), with Reginald Denny
, the part-talkie The Love Trap (1929
), directed by William Wyler
, and the 1929 part-talkie film version of Show Boat
(1929), adapted from the novel of the same name by Edna Ferber
.
Although this last film was an adaptation of the novel, and not of the famous musical play that the novel was based on, some songs from the play were tossed into the film as box-office insurance. La Plante, however, did not actually sing in the movie; her singing was dubbed by Eva Olivetti, one of the first instances in which this was done in a motion picture. Quite unusual for its day, a scene of La Plante in Show Boat was broadcast on early British television
.
musical
extravaganza King of Jazz
(1930).
For a while she free-lanced, appearing in God's Gift to Women (Warner Bros.
, 1931
), directed by Michael Curtiz
and co-starring Frank Fay
, and Arizona
(Columbia
,1931), co-starring a young John Wayne
.
where she appeared in several "quota quickies", including Man of the Moment
(1935
), with Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
La Plante was briefly considered to replace Myrna Loy
in the Thin Man
series when Loy thought about leaving, but Loy stayed as "Nora Charles" , and La Plante's career never rebounded.
She retired from the screen in 1935, making only two later films, 1957's Spring Reunion being her last. Her younger sister, actress Violet La Plante
, never achieved her sister Laura's level of fame, but, like Laura, was herself named as a "WAMPAS Baby Star", with her "WAMPAS" title coming in 1925. In 1954 Laura La Plante made a guest appearance (as herself, Mrs. Laura Asher) on Groucho Marx
's quiz show You Bet Your Life
. [Her partner was 18 year old Henry Aaron (B. 1936), a senior at Fairfax High School.] She talked about her husband, Irving Asher
, who had just lost 25 lbs. and completed "Elephant Walk" with Elizabeth Taylor in "Ceylon". Mrs. Asher asked that her winnings, if any, go to the Motion Picture Relief Fund. They got three out of four questions correct to win $215.
, aged 91. There is a Laura La Plante Road in Agoura Hills, California.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress, best-known for her roles in silent film
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...
s.
Early acting career
Born as Laura LaPlant, La Plante made her acting debut at the age of 15, and in 1923 was named as one of the years WAMPAS Baby StarsWAMPAS Baby Stars
The WAMPAS Baby Stars was a promotional campaign sponsored by the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers in the United States which honored thirteen young women each year whom they believed to be on the threshold of movie stardom. They were selected from 1922 to 1934, and annual...
. During the 1920s she appeared in more than sixty films. Among her early film appearances were Big Town Round-Up (1921
1921 in film
-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1921:U.S.A. unless stated*$10,000 Under a Pillow, silent film directed by Frank Moser*The Ace of Hearts, silent film directed by Wallace Worsley*Across the Divide, silent film directed by John Holloway...
), with cowboy star Tom Mix
Tom Mix
Thomas Edwin "Tom" Mix was an American film actor and the star of many early Western movies. He made a reported 336 films between 1910 and 1935, all but nine of which were silent features...
, and the serials
Serial (film)
Serials, more specifically known as Movie serials, Film serials or Chapter plays, were short subjects originally shown in theaters in conjunction with a feature film. They were related to pulp magazine serialized fiction...
Perils of the Yukon
Perils of the Yukon
Perils of the Yukon is a 1922 Northern film serial directed by Jay Marchant, J. P. McGowan and Perry N. Vekroff. This serial is presumably lost.-Cast:* William Desmond - Jack Merrill Sr. / Jack Merrill Jr.* Laura La Plante - Olga...
(1922
1922 in film
-Events:* June 11 - United States première of Robert J. Flaherty's Nanook of the North, the first commercially successful feature length documentary film....
) and Around the World in Eighteen Days
Around the World in Eighteen Days
Around the World in Eighteen Days is a 1923 film serial directed by B. Reeves Eason and Robert F. Hill. The film is now considered to be a lost film.-Cast:* William Desmond - Phineas Fogg III* Laura La Plante - Madge Harlow...
(1923
1923 in film
-Events:*April 15 - Lee De Forest demonstrates the Phonofilm sound-on-film system at the Rivoli Theater in New York with a series of short musical films featuring vaudeville performers.-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1923:U.S.A...
).
The majority of her films (i.e. from 1921
1921 in film
-Top grossing films :-Films released in 1921:U.S.A. unless stated*$10,000 Under a Pillow, silent film directed by Frank Moser*The Ace of Hearts, silent film directed by Wallace Worsley*Across the Divide, silent film directed by John Holloway...
to 1930
1930 in film
-Events:* November 1: The Big Trail featuring a young John Wayne in his first starring role is released in both 35mm, and a very early form of 70mm film and was the first large scale big-budget film of the sound era costing over $2 million. The film was praised for its aesthetic quality and realism...
) were made for Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
-1920:* White Youth* The Flaming Disc* Am I Dreaming?* The Dragon's Net* The Adorable Savage* Putting It Over* The Line Runners-1921:* The Fire Eater* A Battle of Wits* Dream Girl* The Millionaire...
. During this period she was the studio's most popular star, "an accomplishment duplicated only by Deanna Durbin
Deanna Durbin
Deanna Durbin is a Canadian-born, Southern California-raised retired singer and actress, who appeared in a number of musical films in the 1930s and 1940s singing standards as well as operatic arias....
years later." One of her earliest surviving films is Smouldering Fires
Smouldering Fires (film)
Smouldering Fires is a 1925 Universal silent drama film directed by Clarence Brown and starring Pauline Frederick. Its plot is similar to the 1933 talking picture Female, starring Ruth Chatterton....
(1925
1925 in film
-Events:*November 5: The Big Parade holds its Grand Premier*December 30: premier of Ben-Hur the most expensive silent film ever made costing 4-6 million dollars -Top grossing films :...
) directed by Clarence Brown
Clarence Brown
Clarence Brown was an American film director.-Early life:Born in Clinton, Massachusetts, to a cotton manufacturer, Brown moved to the South when he was 11. He attended Knoxville High School and the University of Tennessee, both in Knoxville, Tennessee, graduating from the university at the age of...
and costarring Pauline Frederick
Pauline Frederick
Pauline Frederick was a leading Broadway actress who later became known for her motion picture work.-Early years:...
. Her best remembered film is arguably the silent classic The Cat and the Canary
The Cat and the Canary (1927 film)
The Cat and the Canary is an American silent horror film adaptation of John Willard's 1922 black comedy play of the same name. Directed by German Expressionist filmmaker Paul Leni, the film stars Laura La Plante as Annabelle West, Forrest Stanley as Charles "Charlie" Wilder, and Creighton Hale as...
(1927
1927 in film
-Events:*January 10 - Fritz Lang's science-fiction fantasy Metropolis premieres in Germany.*April 7 - Abel Gance's Napoleon often considered his best known and greatest masterpiece, premiers at the Paris Opéra and would demonstrate techniques and equipment that would not be used for years to...
), although she also achieved acclaim for Skinner's Dress Suit
Skinner's Dress Suit
Skinner's Dress Suit is a 1926 silent film comedy produced and distributed by Universal Pictures and starring Reginald Denny. William Seiter was the director of the film which was based on the novel of the name by Henry Irving Dodge...
(1926
1926 in film
-Events:*August - Warner Brothers debuts the first Vitaphone film, Don Juan. The Vitaphone system used multiple 33⅓ rpm disc records developed by Bell Telephone Laboratories and Western Electric to play back audio synchronized with film....
), with Reginald Denny
Reginald Denny (actor)
Reginald Denny was an English stage, film, and television actor. He was once an amateur boxing champion of Great Britain.-Acting career:...
, the part-talkie The Love Trap (1929
1929 in film
-Events:The days of the silent film are numbered. A mad scramble to provide synchronized sound is on.*January 20 - The movie In Old Arizona is released. The film is the first full-length talking film to be filmed outdoors....
), directed by William Wyler
William Wyler
William Wyler was a leading American motion picture director, producer, and screenwriter.Notable works included Ben-Hur , The Best Years of Our Lives , and Mrs. Miniver , all of which won Wyler Academy Awards for Best Director, and also won Best Picture...
, and the 1929 part-talkie film version of Show Boat
Show Boat (1929 film)
Show Boat is a film based on the novel by Edna Ferber. This version was released by Universal in two editions, one a silent film for movie theatres still not equipped for sound, and one a part-talkie with a sound prologue...
(1929), adapted from the novel of the same name by Edna Ferber
Edna Ferber
Edna Ferber was an American novelist, short story writer and playwright. Her novels were especially popular and included the Pulitzer Prize-winning So Big , Show Boat , and Giant .-Early years:Ferber was born August 15, 1885, in Kalamazoo, Michigan,...
.
Although this last film was an adaptation of the novel, and not of the famous musical play that the novel was based on, some songs from the play were tossed into the film as box-office insurance. La Plante, however, did not actually sing in the movie; her singing was dubbed by Eva Olivetti, one of the first instances in which this was done in a motion picture. Quite unusual for its day, a scene of La Plante in Show Boat was broadcast on early British television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
.
Transition to "talking films"
The advent of 'talkies' effectively shortened her career. Only in her mid-twenties, La Plante proved to be a quite natural and appealing presence in early talkies but the huge wave of new stars in those years overshadowed her. She made her last appearances for Universal in the TechnicolorTechnicolor
Technicolor is a color motion picture process invented in 1916 and improved over several decades.It was the second major process, after Britain's Kinemacolor, and the most widely used color process in Hollywood from 1922 to 1952...
musical
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
extravaganza King of Jazz
King of Jazz
King of Jazz is a 1930 motion picture starring Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra. The film's title was taken from Whiteman's controversial, self-conferred appellation...
(1930).
For a while she free-lanced, appearing in God's Gift to Women (Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
, 1931
1931 in film
-Top grossing films:-Academy Awards:*Best Picture: Cimarron - MGM*Best Actor: Lionel Barrymore - A Free Soul*Best Actor: Wallace Beery - The Champ*Best Actor: Fredric March - Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde...
), directed by Michael Curtiz
Michael Curtiz
Michael Curtiz was an Academy award winning Hungarian-American film director. He had early creditsas Mihály Kertész and Michael Kertész...
and co-starring Frank Fay
Frank Fay (American actor)
Frank Fay was an American film and stage actor, emcee, comedian, best known as an actor for having played "Elwood P. Dowd" in the play Harvey by the American playwright Mary Coyle Chase on Broadway...
, and Arizona
Arizona (1931 film)
Arizona is a 1931 American drama film directed by George B. Seitz. The film stars Laura La Plante, John Wayne and June Clyde...
(Columbia
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
,1931), co-starring a young John Wayne
John Wayne
Marion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
.
Later career
La Plante subsequently went to EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
where she appeared in several "quota quickies", including Man of the Moment
Man of the Moment (1935 film)
Man of the Moment is a 1935 romantic comedy film starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Laura La Plante.-Plot:Office worker Mary Briany finds out she is being demoted by the boss she secretly loves in order to make room for his girlfriend. She tries to commit suicide by jumping into the river...
(1935
1935 in film
-Events:*Judy Garland signs a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer .*Seven year old Shirley Temple wins a special Academy Award.*The Bantu Educational Kinema Experiment started in order to educate the Bantu peoples.-Top grossing films:-Academy Awards:...
), with 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:...
La Plante was briefly considered to replace Myrna Loy
Myrna Loy
Myrna Loy was an American actress. Trained as a dancer, she devoted herself fully to an acting career following a few minor roles in silent films. Originally typecast in exotic roles, often as a vamp or a woman of Asian descent, her career prospects improved following her portrayal of Nora Charles...
in the Thin Man
The Thin Man (film)
The Thin Man is a 1934 American comic detective film starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, a flirtatious married couple who banter wittily as they solve crimes with ease. Nick is a hard drinking retired detective and Nora a wealthy heiress...
series when Loy thought about leaving, but Loy stayed as "Nora Charles" , and La Plante's career never rebounded.
She retired from the screen in 1935, making only two later films, 1957's Spring Reunion being her last. Her younger sister, actress Violet La Plante
Violet La Plante
Violet La Plante, also known as Violet Avon was an American film actress during Hollywoods silent film era....
, never achieved her sister Laura's level of fame, but, like Laura, was herself named as a "WAMPAS Baby Star", with her "WAMPAS" title coming in 1925. In 1954 Laura La Plante made a guest appearance (as herself, Mrs. Laura Asher) on Groucho Marx
Groucho Marx
Julius Henry "Groucho" Marx was an American comedian and film star famed as a master of wit. His rapid-fire delivery of innuendo-laden patter earned him many admirers. He made 13 feature films with his siblings the Marx Brothers, of whom he was the third-born...
's quiz show You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life
You Bet Your Life is an American quiz show that aired on both radio and television. The original and best-known version was hosted by Groucho Marx of the Marx Brothers, with announcer and assistant George Fenneman. The show debuted on ABC Radio in October 1947, then moved to CBS Radio in September...
. [Her partner was 18 year old Henry Aaron (B. 1936), a senior at Fairfax High School.] She talked about her husband, Irving Asher
Irving Asher
Irving Asher was an Producer. He worked as a managing director for Warner Brothers in England in the 1930s, working on Alexander Korda's classic epic, The Four Feathers...
, who had just lost 25 lbs. and completed "Elephant Walk" with Elizabeth Taylor in "Ceylon". Mrs. Asher asked that her winnings, if any, go to the Motion Picture Relief Fund. They got three out of four questions correct to win $215.
Death
She died in Woodland Hills, California from Alzheimer's diseaseAlzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
, aged 91. There is a Laura La Plante Road in Agoura Hills, California.
Partial filmography
- Perils of the YukonPerils of the YukonPerils of the Yukon is a 1922 Northern film serial directed by Jay Marchant, J. P. McGowan and Perry N. Vekroff. This serial is presumably lost.-Cast:* William Desmond - Jack Merrill Sr. / Jack Merrill Jr.* Laura La Plante - Olga...
(1922) (15 episode serial) - Around the World in Eighteen DaysAround the World in Eighteen DaysAround the World in Eighteen Days is a 1923 film serial directed by B. Reeves Eason and Robert F. Hill. The film is now considered to be a lost film.-Cast:* William Desmond - Phineas Fogg III* Laura La Plante - Madge Harlow...
(1923) (12 episode serial) - Dead GameDead GameDead Game is a 1923 Western film directed by Edward Sedgwick and featuring Hoot Gibson.-Cast:* Hoot Gibson - 'Katy' Didd * Robert McKim - Prince Tetlow* Harry Carter - Jenks* Laura La Plante - Alice Mason* William Welsh - Harlu...
(1923) - Shootin' for LoveShootin' for LoveShootin' for Love is a 1923 Western film directed by Edward Sedgwick and featuring Hoot Gibson.-Cast:* Hoot Gibson - Duke Travis* Laura La Plante - Mary Randolph* Alfred Allen - Jim Travis* William Welsh - Bill Randolph* William Steele - Dan Hobson...
(1923) - Out of LuckOut of LuckOut of Luck is a 1923 comedy film directed by Edward Sedgwick and starring Hoot Gibson.-Cast:* Hoot Gibson - Sam Pertune* Laura La Plante - Mae Day* Howard Truesdale - Ezra Day * Elinor Hancock - Aunt Edith Bristol...
(1923) - The Ramblin' KidThe Ramblin' KidThe Ramblin' Kid is a 1923 Western film directed by Edward Sedgwick and featuring Hoot Gibson.-Cast:* Hoot Gibson - The Ramblin' Kid* Laura La Plante - Carolyn June* Harold Goodwin - Skinny Rawlins* William Welsh - Lafe Dorsey...
(1923) - The Thrill ChaserThe Thrill ChaserThe Thrill Chaser is a 1923 action film directed by Edward Sedgwick and featuring Hoot Gibson.-Cast:* Hoot Gibson - Omar K. Jenkins* James Neill - Sheik Ussan* Billie Dove - Olala Ussan* W. E. Lawrence - Prince Ahmed The Thrill Chaser is a 1923 action film directed by Edward Sedgwick and featuring...
(1923) - Ride for Your LifeRide for Your LifeRide for Your Life is a 1924 Western film directed by Edward Sedgwick and featuring Hoot Gibson.-Cast:* Hoot Gibson - Bud Watkins* Laura La Plante - Betsy Burke* Harry Todd - 'Plug' Hanks* Robert McKim - 'Geentleman Jim' Slade...
(1924) - Smouldering FiresSmouldering Fires (film)Smouldering Fires is a 1925 Universal silent drama film directed by Clarence Brown and starring Pauline Frederick. Its plot is similar to the 1933 talking picture Female, starring Ruth Chatterton....
(1925) - The TeaserThe Teaser (1925 film)The Teaser is a 1925 black-and-white silent film comedy/romance/drama film written by Lewis Milestone, Edward T. Lowe Jr. and Jack Wagner based upon the play of the same name by Adelaide Matthews and Martha M. Stanley. The film was directed by William A. Seiter for Universal Pictures, and stars...
(1925) - Dangerous InnocenceDangerous Innocence (film)Dangerous Innocence is a 1925 black-and-white silent film comedy/romance/drama film written by Lewis Milestone and James O. Spearing based upon the novel Ann's an Idiot by Pamela Wynne. Directed by William A. Seiter for Universal Pictures, the film stars Laura La Plante and Eugene O'Brien...
(1925) - The Cat and the CanaryThe Cat and the Canary (1927 film)The Cat and the Canary is an American silent horror film adaptation of John Willard's 1922 black comedy play of the same name. Directed by German Expressionist filmmaker Paul Leni, the film stars Laura La Plante as Annabelle West, Forrest Stanley as Charles "Charlie" Wilder, and Creighton Hale as...
(1927) - The Last WarningThe Last WarningThe Last Warning is a mystery film directed by Paul Leni. It is a companion piece to Universal Pictures 1927 production of The Cat and the Canary...
(1929) - Show BoatShow Boat (1929 film)Show Boat is a film based on the novel by Edna Ferber. This version was released by Universal in two editions, one a silent film for movie theatres still not equipped for sound, and one a part-talkie with a sound prologue...
(1929) - King of JazzKing of JazzKing of Jazz is a 1930 motion picture starring Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra. The film's title was taken from Whiteman's controversial, self-conferred appellation...
(1930) - Stout Hearts and Willing HandsStout Hearts and Willing HandsStout Hearts and Willing Hands is a 1931 short comedy film directed by Bryan Foy. It was nominated for an Academy Award in 1932 for Best Short Subject , but was disqualified.-Cast:* Frank Fay* Lew Cody* Laura La Plante* Alec B...
(1931) - ArizonaArizona (1931 film)Arizona is a 1931 American drama film directed by George B. Seitz. The film stars Laura La Plante, John Wayne and June Clyde...
(1931), with John WayneJohn WayneMarion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height... - Her Imaginary LoverHer Imaginary LoverHer Imaginary Lover is a 1933 British comedy film directed by George King and starring Laura La Plante and Percy Marmont.The film was a quota quickie production based on the play Green Stockings by A. E. W...
(1933) - The Girl in PossessionThe Girl in PossessionThe Girl in Possession is a 1934 British comedy film starring Laura La Plante and Henry Kendall and directed by Monty Banks, who also wrote the screenplay and featured in the film himself....
(1934) - Man of the MomentMan of the Moment (1935 film)Man of the Moment is a 1935 romantic comedy film starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Laura La Plante.-Plot:Office worker Mary Briany finds out she is being demoted by the boss she secretly loves in order to make room for his girlfriend. She tries to commit suicide by jumping into the river...
(1935), co-starring 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:...
External links
- Laura La Plante photo gallery
- Laura La Plante(NY Public Library, Billy Rose collection)