The Expressions of Fanny Ward (1919) 🇬🇧

Fanny Ward — A cinema queen, who is also “The Queen of Diamonds.”

Besides being a queen of the Cinema, Fanny Ward has another very imposing title, and that is the Queen of Diamonds.” She possesses every variety and colour of rare stones, and her largest diamond is called “the Rose of the Rand.” Although possessing many other varieties of gems, diamonds are her decided favourites.

One brilliant piece of jewellery she wears on only very exceptional occasions. It was when this coronet crowned her for the first time that a society “gossip” writer styled her “the Queen of Diamonds.”

2,000 Flawless Stones

The coronet contains 2,000 flawless white stones, ranging in weight from one-half carat to four carats. At the base of the crown is a band of brilliants, set in squares. Discussing the value of this remarkable piece of jewellery, a gem expert said recently, “I doubt if its like exists in the world. Among the Russian crown jewels there was a coronet of somewhat similar structure, but the stones in it are not to be compared to the stones in this tiara for purity or brilliancy.”

In addition to the 2,000 diamonds of which the coronet is composed, there are also twenty-five large white Oriental pearls valued at £20,000.

Straight from the Diamond Mines

Miss Ward’s former husband was a millionaire, who was associated with others in the operations of South Africa diamond mines. Although many readers may feel inclined to envy Fanny Ward, being the possessor of so many valuable jewels has its drawbacks.

“I never had a nerve,” she complained in an interview recently, “until I had jewels. Now I am for ever wondering if they are safe.”

An Early Ambition

Fanny Ward always had a desire to be an actress from the very earliest. “As far back as I can remember I used to dress up in the odds and ends I found in the attic,” she says. “And I used to parade about in them, being everything from Ophelia down.

“I think it was fortunate for me that I knew so early what I wanted to do, because then I didn’t waste any precious time testing other things. I just always knew.”

All her family objected quite strenuously to her desire to go on the stage.

They were Methodists and highly religious, and Fanny says she has an uncle and an aunt who never hear her name to this day without a shudder.

Mother Knew Her

Fanny Ward’s mother helped her in her ambition, although she did not believe in her daughter’s choice. “But,” says Fanny, “she knew me, and so when we came to New York for our holiday one year, I announced to her that I had got my first engagement, and she helped me ever after.”

Miss Ward, otherwise Mrs. Jack Dean, is at present on a long stay in England, at her home in Berkeley Square. She is very fond of this country, and exhibits no desire at present to return to her “picture” home in California. She is very fond of Queen Alexandra, and once described her as “a perfect English type, beautiful, and the kind of fare which shows that she thinks good thoughts.” Lady Bancroft is the only other actress who has had a house in Berkeley Square, all the rest of the residents are members of the nobility. So “the Queen of Diamonds” is in very aristocratic company.

In the Future

Many picture-goers are anxious to know what are the future plans of Fanny Ward. It is possible that she will play in a few British productions, during her stay over here, although nothing definite has been settled yet. Had it been possible to obtain a London theatre, Miss Ward would have appeared in a new stage production months ago.

Her latest screen play is called The Profiteers, and as its title suggests, it deals with problems arising from the war.

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Photo captions:

• A beautiful profile.
• Simplicity.
• The Charm of a Smile.
• In Serious Mood.
• Teasing.

Collection: Picture Show Magazine, November 1919