ACQUANETTA
Born Burnu or Mildred Davenport. Various reports indicated differing stories of Acquanetta's origins. It has been stated that she was born near a reservation of Arapaho Indian parents in Ozone, near Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1920, as a torrid Latin temptress from Venezuela, and also that she was from Norristown, a Pennsylvanian mining community. After graduating from High school, Acquanetta went to New York to become a model. On her way to South America to perform at Copacabana, she stopped over in Hollywood, where independent producer Walter Wanger spotted her and found her a bit part in ARABIAN NIGHTS. Universal Studios liked what they saw and signed her to a contract. They then created the non-speaking role of Paula Dupree, the Ape Woman, which ran for three films (the last being portrayed by Vicky Lane). She had also been assigned to appear as 'Amina Mansouri' in The Mummy's Ghost 1944, until she had an accident on the set and Ramsay Ames replaced her. After Universal, she joined RKO where she appeared in TARZAN AND THE LEOPARD WOMAN, her only starring role in a big-budget production. She drifted into obscurity shortly afterwards, appearing in small supporting roles thereafter. In the Fifties, she was hosting a radio and TV show on a local Arizona channel representing her current husband's Lincoln-Mercury dealership. 40's 1942 Arabian Nights (as Harem girl) 1943 Captive Wild Woman (as Paula Dupree). Rhythm of the Islands 1944 Jungle Woman (as Paula Dupree). Dead Man's Eyes (as Tanya Czoraki) 1946 Tarzan and the Leopard Woman (as Lea). Top 50's 1951 Callaway Went Thataway. Lost Continent (as Native Girl). |
