Barbara La Marr — Blue Book of the Screen (1923) 🇺🇸

One of our justly famous screen sirens was visiting a Dallas, Texas, orphan asylum a short time ago, when she heard a gurgling sound. She paused and looked around. Near her was a crooning baby boy, his eyes upon her face, and the sweetest smile in the world upon its tiny face.

In a moment the siren was cuddling the soft bundle in her arms and, a short time later, she was taking it to her home to be her own little boy for all time.

The vamp had been vamped.

Perhaps it is more fitting to state that this was the real Barbara La Marr in real life, all of which goes to prove that film characters are not always what they seem.

The gifted Barbara was born in Richmond, Va., of an old American family which traces its lineage back to France and the days of Napoleon. At the age of sixteen she caused a lifting of eyebrows in exclusive Virginia social circles by doing a barefoot dance, which was said to be artistic but quite “informal.”

That the dancing was a pronounced success, there can be no doubt, for Miss La Marr, going to New York, secured stage work there and soon was appearing in a featured role in a Broadway musical review.

It was during this appearance that Douglas Fairbanks [Douglas Fairbanks Sr.] saw her. As a result, that beautiful and promising young lady graced Mr. Fairbanks’ production of The Three Musketeers. This successful appearance brought her engagements with Rex Ingram. He cast her in The Prisoner of Zenda.

But Miss La Marr ceased vamping very suddenly, and became the sweet young girl of courting days in “Trifling Women.” The entire change of role and the splendid success in the new characterization placed Miss La Marr securely upon the throne of the stars.

Following this decisive triumph, Miss La Marr was called upon to portray the difficult role of Hester in Gasnier’s [Louis J. Gasnier] The Hero.

Miss La Marr has been signed up for a series of special productions by Sawyer [Arthur H. Sawyer], and will be featured by that management.

But Miss La Marr has won squarely, having proved her ability in leading photodramas of the recent screen.

The star has established her household in Hollywood, where she and Marvin, the recently adopted babe, have their romps.

Collection: The Blue Book of the Screen (1923)