Declaration of Intention for Greta Garbo, stating that she wishes to become a United States citizen, September 9, 1949. — Records of District Courts of the United Courts of the United States, Record Group 21.
Posts Tagged ‘Greta Garbo’
Declaration of Intention for Greta Garbo
Thursday, June 15th, 2017
Hollywood Stars and their Telephones
Wednesday, May 18th, 2011CELEBRITY TRIVIA
Hollywood stars and their telephones
By Allan R. Ellenberger
Private telephone lines refused to remain private for very long and added to the problems of Hollywood stars who attempted to keep their home life apart from their film careers.
At one time, someone, wishing to “have some fun” at the expense of actor Lew Cody, published his private telephone number. The next day the telephone company, unable to handle the calls into the Cody home, rushed an emergency crew to his Beverly Hills house to install a new system.
Nils Asther’s private telephone number was given out by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio to a caller who posed as a friend. Before long Asther was deluged with strangers calling him at all hours of the day and night. He had to change his number.
Few screen stars had their telephones listed, but when they did it was a “blind” number that led to secretarial offices, a personal telephone always was listed confidentially or under another name and address that could not be traced.
John Gilbert had a regular house telephone, but had a private phone in his study which he answered himself. Greta Garbo’s telephone was listed to her housekeeper, who was given the names of persons she expected to call.
Ramon Novarro’s home number was under his family name of Samaniego, and Norma Shearer’s home telephone was listed as an address only.
If one happened to get Lon Chaney’s number by mistake and asked whose home it was, one would be told: “This is Oxford so-and-so. Who is this, please?” Beyond that one would gain no inkling of the subscriber’s identity.
Bessie Love had two telephones, one for her household needs and a private line for herself. William Haines also had a private line, and Buster Keaton’s house had an elaborate extension system so he could pick up the phone wherever he happened to be.
All of the private lines had cutoff keys so that a star, leaving the house or retiring for the night, could disconnect the telephone, a no-answer signal informing friends that they were not available.
Despite all the privacy precautions, however, the number leak out to salesmen and canvassers and the average life of a private number in Hollywood was estimate at about four months.
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Greta Garbo’s Birthday
Saturday, September 18th, 2010
Hollywood Bohemians
Tuesday, October 27th, 2009BOOKS
Hollywood Bohemians:
Transgressive Sexuality and the Selling of the Movieland Dream
by Brett L. Abrams
Between 1917 and 1941, Hollywood studios, gossip columnists and novelist featured an unprecedented number of homosexuals, cross-dressers, and adulterers in their depictions of the glamorous Hollywood lifestyle.
Actress Greta Garbo defined herself as the ultimate serial bachelorette. Screenwriter Mercedes De Acosta engaged in numerous lesbian relationships with the Hollywood elite. And countless homosexual designers brazenly picked up men in the hottest Hollywood nightclubs. Hollywood’s image grew as a place of sexual abandon.
This book demonstrates how studios and the media used images of these sexaully adventurous characters to promote the industry and appeal to the prurient interests of their audiences. (from the book jacket)
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“an insightful and intriguing read” — Philadelphia Gay News
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“In Hollywood Bohemians, Brett Abrams has provided all film historians with a brand new take on Hollywood. This social study should be must reading for all scholars. Rather than simplistic assertions, Abrams offers documents that will be new to all.” — Douglas Gomery, Professor of Journalism and Film Studies Emeritus, University of Maryland and author of Shared Pleases: A History of Movie Presentation In the United States and the Hollywood Studio System: A History.
Brett L. Abrams is an archivist with the National Archives and Records Administration.
Click here to purchase Hollywood Bohemians
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Gilbert, Garbo and Adoree
Friday, June 19th, 2009PHOTOPLAY
Nightmare à la Russe
From Motion Picture Classic, December 1928
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The caption reads: “After the recent rush of Russian stories to the screen, with John Gilbert, and Greta Garbo and Renee Adorée in interchangeable parts, it is small wonder that an artist who has seen them all should have uneasel dreams.”
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