Photo attributed to George Hurrell (1904-1992), Ruth Harriet Louise’s successor at MGM
I think this photo shows Marion Davies at the beach house she shared with William Randolph Hearst in Santa Monica — when they weren’t staying at (and entertaining in) one of a half dozen other residences.
Marion Davies (Marion Cecilia Douras, 1897-1961) by Ira L. Hill (1876-1947).
She first appeared on Broadway in Charles Dillingham’s CHIN CHIN (1914) as a member of the Ensemble. After a named role in NOBODY HOME (1915), she returned to the chorus for Dillingham’s MISS INFORMATION (1915), then another named part in STOP! LOOK! LISTEN! (1915-16). She had finally arrived, joining the 1916 ZIEGFELD FOLLIES with Ina Claire and Fanny Brice.
Photo by Ruth Harriet Louise, MGM’s chief portrait photographer 1925-30.
Legend has it that Marion Davies met William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951) during the run of the 1916 FOLLIES; in the latter half of the decade Hearst took firm control of her career. More than three decades her senior, the heir to great wealth who had gone on to make even more, he had ample confidence in his own judgment as he wagered several fortunes on this lovely, stammering beauty — a mimic and a comedian, whom Hearst wished to mold into another one of those stately Ziegfeld dolls.
19. Harry Rapf (1882-1949) of the Producers Branch, second from left next to Buster Keaton (and with Louis B. Mayer third from right), at a house party at William Randolph Hearst’s “El Cuesta Encantada” in San Simeon, California, ca. 1927.
Harry Rapf has 81 producer credits at IMDb, among them BROWN OF HARVARD (1926), THE BROADWAY MELODY (1929), MIN AND BILL (1930), and Robert Benchley’s short HOW TO SLEEP (1935). His last film was SCENE OF THE CRIME (1949).
In the photo, left to right: Buster Keaton (Joseph Frank Keaton Jr., 1895-1966); Harry Rapf; Irving Thalberg (# 21); and Nicholas M. Schenck (1881-1969). There are so many names in this post that I will have to continue in a second part.
N.B. The member numbers follow The Internet Movie Database's list order announcing the Academy in January 1927.
18. Louis B. Mayer (Lazar/Ezemiel Mair, 1884?-1957; third from right) and 19. Harry Rapf (1882-1949; next to Buster Keaton) of the Producers Branch, at a house party at William Randolph Hearst’s “El Cuesta Encantada” in San Simeon, California, ca. 1927.
