Ramon Navarro — Blue Book of the Screen (1923) 🇺🇸

One of the most recent acquisitions by the screen, is Ramon Samaniegos, a proud name back in Spain, but a painful one for screen fans to pronounce.

Its length also would clog a billboard or an electric sign over a theater.

Ramon [Ramon Novarro] was one of those obscure geniuses who had to be “discovered,” and it was Ferdinand Earle who came through with the job. He cast Navarro in the super-production of The Rubaiyat, wherein he justified Mr. Earle’s previous judgment.

Therefore Ramon adopted the stage name of “Navarro,” and is widely known by the cognomen already, although he has had prominent parts in but four productions.

Ramon was born in Durango, Mexico, September 20, 1901, but his parents hailed from Spain. They taught him to speak English from early youth, together with the other seven stalwart offspring.

About five years ago the family removed to Los Angeles, where the very air is surcharged with dramatic talent. But the only work he secured was as an “extra” for this company or that. The only stir he made was his appearance in small parts where he could exhibit his dancing.

When Rex Ingram was casting about for a type to use as Rupert in The Prisoner of Zenda, Mr. Earle took Navarro to the former director, recommending him for the part.

Ingram declared that Ramon was too young. He then sketched upon the back of an envelope the face of the Rupert he wanted. Navarro took the sketch away with him and grew a beard, to hide that youthful appearance. Mr. Ingram later saw The Rubaiyat, and liked Ramon’s work. He engaged him, and Navarro made a decided success of Rupert.

Navarro is five feet, ten inches tall, weighs 160 pounds, and has black hair and brown eyes.

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Rex Ingram instructs his pupil, Ramon Navarro, in the art of pantomiming.

Portrait by Hoover • Los Angeles

Collection: The Blue Book of the Screen (1923)