Between 1922 & 1929 Clara Bow's vitality, sexiness, vivaciousness and acting naturalism defined the liberated woman of the
1920's. Not only that, every man I ever met who was a true classic film fan has fallen hard for our Clara. And it's no wonder,
the "It" Girl carries more sensuality in a carefree glance than all the Rockettes high-kicking could do, at a Saturday matinee at
the Roxy! Clara could be your pal or your gal. She was accessible in a most delicious sort of way. Her acting technique was full
of charm and wit. Don't underestimate Clara, though. She was a thorough professional.
The daughter of a schizophrenic mother and a sexually abusive father, Clara broke away
by winning the 1921 Fame and Fortune Contest, sponsored by Brewster Publications,
publishers of Clara's favorite magazine, Motion Picture. Winning led to a small part in Beyond the Rainbow, where Clara's part was cut, and then to Down to the Sea in Ships. While critically
panned, Clara's performance was praised and made clear Clara's ability to make the screen come alive with
her presence.
Still one step away from stardom, Clara was signed to B.P. Schulberg's Preferred Pictures in 1923, where she
spent the next 2 years churning out low-budget films for Schulberg and others. In 1924, Clara was one of 13 young women chosen as a Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers (WAMPAS) Baby Star,
chosen for their talent and promise as a potential motion picture star. Clara was on her way up.
Contrary to popular belief, Clara Bow successfully made the transition to talkies with such roles as Call Her
Savage and Hoopla. She retired from films in 1933 to become a full-time wife and later, full-time mother to two sons, Tony and George.
Clara died in 1965 separated from her husband Rex Bell and in relative obscurity. Sadly, her childhood of
poverty, violence, and insanity, together with the very public scandals during her stardom left Clara mentally fragile and incapacitated for much more than quiet and seclusion. She lived out the rest of her days in solitude.
Background made with Goddess Art from Jonathon Bowser
