The 1940s see dozens of Hollywood actresses emerge beyond the familiar household names. The galleries below present a curated selection of performers from the decade – some celebrated, others now largely forgotten – each illustrated with an original studio photograph and accompanied by biographical notes.
The 1940s are a dark decade dominated by war in Europe and Asia. While the US doesn’t enter World War II until the end of 1941, it is not immune from the prevailing mood of angst.
As the Nazis threaten to eradicate jews, gypsies and other minorities, Europe’s loss is the US’s gain. Hollywood benefits hugely from an influx of talent – the exiles include actors and actresses, directors, producers, art directors and photographers, composers and musicians.
Not only do they help to reinvigorate the studios, they play a vital role in the development of film noir, a defining genre of the decade – a decade that produces, among other movies, Citizen Kane, Casablanca, The Maltese Falcon, Mildred Pierce, The Third Man, Double Indemnity, The Big Sleep, The Killers, Gilda, The Lady from Shanghai and To Have and Have Not.
At the same time, wannabe actresses flock to Hollywood. Growing up during the Great Depression, for many the movies have been the main form of escapism from the sheer, grinding poverty of daily life. Some make their way there themselves, others are steered by ambitious or desperate parents. Awaiting them is a horde of sexual predators. But only a handful of the new arrivals will make it in Tinseltown. To do so, they need a combination of talent, savvy and looks. Arguably, above all they need luck.
This page is a showcase primarily for the girls (and they are girls – young and inexperienced) who at least make it through the studio gates but who never make it big. Alongside them are the troupers – those who have some success but have to be satisfied with supporting roles – always the bridesmaid, never the bride. And then there are the A-listers – those who become true stars, remembered and celebrated to this day. But also those whose fame has since faded, like so many of the surviving stills that the studios circulated in their thousands.
See how many of these 1940s actresses you can recognise in the gallery below – Lauren Bacall, Anne Baxter, Joan Bennett, Dona Drake, Paula Drew, Faye Emerson, Betty Field, Helen Gilbert, Betty Grable, Nancy Guild, Barbara Hale, June Havoc, Rosemary Lane, Evelyn McBride, Dolores Moran, Vera Ralston, Tamara Toumanova, Helen Walker, Marie Wilson and Nan Wynn.
Don’t just look at the pictures, captivating as they are. Mouseover or touch the photos and click on More information to find out about them. You can also use the filter buttons above the gallery to choose the kinds of themes/stories you’re most interested in. These are of course quite subjective but fun to play with.
There are some great stories that bring the individual actresses to life and tell us about a vanished age. You could do a lot worse than start with Lynne Baggett, Joan Bennett, Alaine Brandis, Paula Drew, Evelyn Keyes, Maria Montez, Dolores Moran, Vera Ralston, Nan Wynn and Helen Walker.
Most of the shots in the first gallery are in portrait format – well, they are portraits in one form or another. But here, to go with them, are some landscape shots, and what landscapes they feature!
Once again, see how many of these actresses you can recognise in the photos: Alaine Brandes, Marlene Dietrich, Renee Godfrey, Neila Hart, Rita Johnson, Evelyn Keyes, Maria Montez, Ann Morriss and Lisabeth Scott.
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A few stars, who managed to make an impact in their time but have since been forgotten except by movie buffs, have separate profiles on aenigma – the likes of Dusty Anderson, Hazel Brooks, Marguerite Chapman, Jinx Falkenburg, Carole Landis, Ella Raines and Martha Vickers.
