That gorgeousness is the original “It” girl… not some Lohan trash imitation. Bow was the real deal, from Brooklyn too, born on this day in 1905. An abused and impoverished child, she somehow managed to become America’s first sex symbol.
The story about her taking on the entire USC football team was proven false by someone who interviewed members of the alleged dalliance team, and they all denied it. Among her many affairs, however, was Bela Lugosi.
Clara got into pictures by winning a contest and was a top box office star in the waning days of the silents — she exemplified the Flapper era, although she was making $35,000 a week during the Depression.
She made a few sound pictures and quit the business at 26, married cowboy actor Rex Bell and had two kids. She never attempted a comeback.
Bow died in Los Angeles of a heart attack at age 60. Her remains are at Forest Lawn, near those of George Burns and Nat King Cole, and right below Alan Ladd.
It was announced Wednesday that versatile Greg Kinnear and the lovely independent spirit Katie Holmes will play John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy (seen above on a 1963 trip to Dallas) in the History Channel’s 2011 eight-hour mini-series, The Kennedys. Joel Surnow, creator of 24, will produce with already controversial scripts from filmmaker Robert Greenwald, who will reportedly limn Jack as the playboy that he was.
Oh, this is going to be wonderful.
Caroline Kennedy has already said she is outraged because JFK will be portrayed as a “sex maniac.” And who to play Caroline as a child?
Suri Cruise?! Oh, I hope so!
Who will play JFK’s favorite mobster moll girlfriend, Judith Exner?