Thelma Todd was born on July 29, 1905 in Lawrence, Massachusetts, a small town within three miles from the New Hampshire state line. She had been a lovely child with good academic tendencies. She was so academically inclined, that she decided early on to become a school teacher.
After high school she went on to college, but because of her mother's insistance, entered several beauty contests. Apparently, her mother wanted her to be more than just a "school marm".
Thelma was so successful in beauty contests that she entered on the state level and won the coveted title of "Miss Massachusetts" in 1925 and went on to the "Miss America" pageant. Although she didn't win, the pageant afforded her a chance to be seen by talent scouts who were looking for new beauty to showcase on film.
She began appearing in movie shorts, mostly comedy, which were akin to television programs of today. The one reelers, as they were called, helped develop her talent for the big screen. She had been making the shorts for Hal Roach when she was signed to Paramount Studios.
Her first film was as Lorraine Lane in 1927's FASCINATING YOUTH, a romantic comedy, which was Paramount's showcase vehicle for it's new stars. She was 21 years old.
Thelma received minor billing in another film that year entitled GOD GAVE ME TWENTY CENTS. The next year Thelma starred with Gary Cooper and William Powell in the western, NEVADA.
1927 also saw her in three more films with THE GAY DEFENDER being the most notable. The film starred Richard Dix in the role of one being accused falsely of murder.
As the Twenties wore on, Thelma found herself in more films. In 1928 and 1929 alone, Thelma was featured in twenty films, some comedies, some dramas, and still others found her in gothic or horror flicks.
Thelma had reason to celebrate as the advent of sound came in to vogue. She was one of the fortunate ones to have their film careers continue after the silent era ended. While others voices didn't lend themselves well to the microphone, Thelma's did.
In 1930, Thelma added fourteen more motion pictures to her resume with DOLLAR DIZZY and FOLLOW THRU being the most notable ones. The latter was a musical with Thelma playing a rival to Nancy Carroll for the affections of Buddy Rogers. The film was a hit at the box-office as had it's stage predecessor.
The following year, Thelma appeared in fourteen more films such as LET'S DO THINGS, SPEAK EASILY, THE OLD BULL, and ON THE LOOSE.
The film that was the most successful that Thelma participated that year, however, was MONKEY BUSINESS starring the very comedic Marx Brothers. While the critics gave the film mixed reviews, the public loved it.
In 1932, Thelma, again, appeared in a Marx Brothers film directed by Norman McLeod called HORSE FEATHERS. That same year saw Thelma in THIS IS THE NIGHT, a profitable film which saw Cary Grant in his first major role.
In 1934, Thelma made sixteen feature films but her career would soon come to a grinding halt.
Her comedic talents served her well, once again, in 1935. Films such as TWIN TRIPLETS and THE MISSES STOOGE continued to show the funny side of Thelma. She also proved to be a savvy business woman with the opening of "Thelma Todd's Sidewalk Cafe", a restaurant that catered to show business people. It also had some shady characters as its clientele. It was rumored that Thelma had become involved with men of questionable character.
On December 16, 1935, Thelma was found dead in her car, in her garage, in Los Angeles, California. Death was ruled a suicide due to carbon monoxide poisoning. She was only 30 years old. At the time, as today, many felt that Thelma's death was murder because of some of her connections to the unsavory men to which her establishment catered. It had been said that Thelma never seemed depressed to any degree hence the conspiracy theories. The case was never solved to everyone's satisfaction.
Three films made in 1935, weren't released until the following year, HOT MONEY, ALL-AMERICAN TOOTHACHE, and THE BOHEMIAN GIRL. The latter saw her substantial role cut so much that her part was almost minuscule.
Thelma had made 115 films and with her
young age could very well have been one of the giants in the entertainment industry had she not met
her untimely demise.
Check out these Thelma Todd pics
Thelma Pic 1
Thelma Pic 2
Thelma Pic 3
Thelma Pic 4
Thelma Pic 5
Thelma Pic 6
Click here to go to Gail Russell
My thanks to Thelma Todd's Sidewalk Cafe for the pics along with Four Forgotten Actress.
THELMA TODD'S SIDEWALK CAFE
LEST THEY BE FORGOTTEN© 1999 Denny C. Jackson dejackso@iglou.com
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