The Wampas Baby Stars: A Biographical Dictionary, 1922 - 1934
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Book Description
In 1922, an early association of film publicists known as the Western Associated Motion Picture Advertisers (Wampas) hit upon a strategy to call attention to their organization and their industry. The group selected 13 young actresses with potential star power and promoted them heavily as "Baby" (meaning junior) Stars. To be selected a Wampas Baby Star soon became a much-sought honor-a ticket to recognition and publicity in those days before the Academy Awards.
While a few Baby Stars (Ginger Rogers, Joan Crawford) went on to superstardom and others enjoyed modest success, some failed to shine. Many of the nearly 150 actresses chosen during the program's existence, 1922-1934, are forgotten names today.
This book offers full biographical details on every actress selected as a Wampas Baby Star. Each actress's entry traces her career and lists films in which she appeared. A year-by-year section lists each year's stars and alternates. Appendices include lists of rivals and successors to the Wampas Baby program (such as the "Paramount Protges"), Wampas "Drop-Outs," presidents of Wampas, and miscellaneous facts about the Wampas Babies (which actress was tallest? Shortest? Oldest at time of selection?). Photographs, a bibliography and an index are included.
About the Author
Roy Liebman, a librarian and film bibliographer living in Woodland Hills, California, is also the author of Silent Film Performers (1996, $75, "Recommended"-Choice) and From Silents to Sound (1998, $65, "Recommended"-Booklist/RBB).
The Wampas Baby Stars: A Biographical Dictionary, 1922 - 1934,Roy Liebman,McFarland & Company,0786407565,Actresses,Biography,Biography / Autobiography,Dictionaries,Entertainment & Performing Arts - Actors & Actresses,General,Motion picture actors and actr,Motion picture actors and actresses,Performing Arts,Performing Arts/Dance,Reference,United States,Western Associated Motion Picture Advertisers (Organization),Women
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