The “Baby” Wampas Stars of 1926 🇺🇸
It’s a great honor — being chosen one of the lucky thirteen. It means that one hundred enterprising publicity men of the films believe you have possibilities of becoming a star. It means parties, honors, publicity and boosting. And a formal introduction to a few thousands of “your public” at the annual Wampas Frolic.
On this night of nights the Thirteen, marceled, manicured and exquisitely gowned, step one by one from Cinderella’s Coach on the stage to make a timid bow before the inquisitive throng who want “to see what they’re like.”
Each year the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers, popularly known as the Wampas, gets behind thirteen promising sub-debs and gives them the help and encouragement that is so necessary to their advancement. The value of this recognition and assistance is admitted whole-heartedly by Colleen Moore, Lois Wilson, Claire Windsor, Bessie Love, Patsy Ruth Miller, Mary Philbin, Dorothy Mackaill, Clara Bow, Lillian Rich, Dorothy Devore, Alberta Vaughn and Evelyn Brent — all of whom have been Wampas stars.
This year’s bouquet of beauty includes Mary Brian, Mary Astor and Vera Reynolds, whom you already know slightly. Mary Brian’s unforgettable Wendy of Peter Pan gave her a running start along the road to fame. She represents the sweet, old-fashioned innocence of the teens, and has that field almost to herself. She’s from Texas.
Vera Reynolds proved her right to recognition by her good work in “The Road to Yesterday.” Miss Reynolds has been in pictures for some time and has had one or two good parts. But she is just as anxious to be a Wampas star as the veriest newcomer. With this distinction and her Cecil DeMille [Cecil B. DeMille] contract. Vera’s future seems assured. Richmond. Virginia, is her birthplace.
In Beau Brummel and Don Q, you saw the old world romantic beauty of Mary Astor. Folks say she has the perfect feminine profile of the screen. It is not strange then that John Barrymore has chosen her again for his leading lady in Don Juan. Mary Astor begins a new year rich with promise. She is a Quincy, Ill., girl.
Sally O’Neill [Sally O’Neil] and Joan Crawford are the Mary and Irene of Metro-Goldwyn’s “Sally, Irene and Mary,” just recently released. Each of these newcomers scored a distinct hit in this new picture. Sally O’Neill, who was born — and should have remained — Chotsy Noonan, has one of the most vivid personalities to come to the screen in some time. Jersey City is her birthplace.
Joan Crawford is beautiful and intelligent and intensely feminine. Another Texas girl.
Dolores Costello is one of the Costellos — old motion picture aristocracy. Maurice [Maurice Costello] has retired from the screen. but his clan goes marching on. Dolores was born in New York City. She, too, will be seen in one of the important feminine roles in John Barrymore’s Don Juan.
Dolores Del Rio [Dolores del Río] is the Mexican beauty, society girl, whom Edwin Carewe met in Mexico City and persuaded to come to Hollywood and pictures. Señorita Del Rio makes her screen debut as a vamp in Carewe’s picture “Joanna” with Dorothy Mackaill.
Joyce Compton, of Kentucky, Marceline Day of Denver, Fay Wray of Canada, Janet Gaynor, of California, Sally Long, of Kansas City, and Edna Marian [Edna Marion], are new names — to be conjured with. Now if these thirteen can deliver the knockout blow, the world is theirs.
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Vera Reynolds needs no introduction to picture-goers. They will recall her in “Icebound” and later in several DeMille pictures, the most recent of which is “The Road to Yesterday.” Vera is a piquant brunette with brown eyes and pensive smile
Mary Astor is a russet-haired beauty with brown eyes. She played with Barrymore in Beau Brummel, and is again his leading lady in Don Juan. You also saw her in Don Q. Mary’s delicate beauty is ideally suited to old-world romance
Kentucky is represented by fluffy-haired Joyce Compton, a new addition to Hollywood’s beauty barrage. Her first part of any importance was in “What Fools Men.” First National, with whom she is under contract, plans big things for her
Joan Crawford, known on the musical comedy stage as Lucille Le Sueur, has glorious auburn hair and hazel eyes. You will see her in Harry Langdon’s first feature length picture
Edna Marian is about as big as a minute, blonde with blue eyes and an engaging personality. She is a Century funmaker, but her dramatic ability has been proved in a serious film
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Janet Gaynor reminds one of “the kind of girl mother used to be.” Sweet and unaffected with softly curling hair and frank brown eyes. Janet has not been long in pictures and is playing in “The Johnstown Flood”
Marceline Day is the type of girl who drives strong men to poetry. A profusion of dark curls, blue eyes and an adorable smile won her featured roles after two years’ work as an extra. She will be glimpsed in “The Barrier”
Sally Long is a beauty from one of Broadway’s best shows. It is said she inspired the song, I Wonder What’s Become of Sally. If you are wondering — she has been playing in the Belasco show Fifth Avenue
Wendy of Peter Pan fame is now a Wampas star. Little Mary Brian of the long brown hair and bright blue eyes came from Texas. She is still in her teens, and her screen future is very promising
Sally O’Neill is the cute little rascal who made such a hit as Mary in “Sally, Irene and Mary.” Her real name is Chotsy Noonan — and they handed her “Sally O’Neill,” Chotsy is as Irish as her name, with blue eyes and golden-brown hair
Canada is represented by Fay Wray, who has appeared in numerous comedies and is now having her first dramatic experience in westerns. Fay is another girl who was reluctant with the shears
Delores Costello, daughter of Maurice, is fast following in her famous daddy’s footsteps. Musical comedy brought her to the screen where she recently played with John Barrymore in The Sea Beast. Her coloring is fair and her hair, you shingled dears, is long!
Daughter of a distinguished Mexican family is Delores del Rio. A typical Castillian Beauty… and a dancer of remarkable grace. Edwin Carewe persuaded her to leave the social life of Mexico City for Hollywood. She has appeared in several of his films
Collection: Photoplay Magazine, February 1926