Alice White~Hollywood's Forgotten Star of the 20's 30's & 40's

Alice White (August 24, 1904, Paterson, New Jersey -- February 19, 1983, Los Angeles, California) was an American film actress. Born Alava White

After leaving school she became a secretary and "script girl"
for director Josef Von Sternberg. After clashing with Von Sternberg, White left his employment to work for Charlie Chaplin, who decided before long to place her in front of the camera.

Her bubbly and vivacious persona led to comparisons with Clara Bow, but White's career was slow to progress. After playing a succession of flappers and gold diggers, she attracted the attention of the director and producer Mervyn LeRoy who saw potential in her.

Her first sound films included Show Girl (1928) made in the Vitaphone sound-on-disc system, and Show Girl in Hollywood (1930) in the Western Electric sound-on-film process, both released by Warner Brothers and both based on novels by J. P. McEvoy. In these two films, White appeared as "Dixie Dugan". In October 1929, McAvoy started the comic strip Dixie Dugan with the character Dixie having a "helmet" hairstyle and appearance similar to actress Louise Brooks. White also used the services of Hollywood 'beauty sculptor' Sylvia of Hollywood to stay in shape.

She left films in 1931 to improve her acting abilities, returning in 1933 only to have her career hurt by a scandal that erupted over her involvement with boyfriend actor Jack Warburton and future husband Sy Bartlett.

White was involved in a public fight with Jack Warburton. Warburton and Alice apparently got into an argument at a party resulting in Warburton getting drunk and beating Alice. Shortly after the beating, Warburton was assaulted by two men who later claimed that Alice and future husband Sydney Bartlett had hired them to beat up Warburton. The idea apparently to disfigure him where he would leave Hollywood and return to England. The charges were dropped, however the publicity was ugly and appeared in the papers for days. Alice's career took somewhat of a detour from here. The once steady stream of parts suddenly started to dry up by the late 1930's.

Although she later married Bartlett, her reputation was tarnished and she appeared only in supporting roles after this. By 1937 and 1938, her name was at the bottom of the cast lists. She made her final film appearance in Flamingo Road (1949).

White died of complications from a stroke, aged 78, on February 19, 1983.

White has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to Motion Pictures, at 1501 Vine Street.

Filmography

Features:
The Sea Tiger (1927)
The Satin Woman (1927)
The American Beauty (1927)
Breakfast at Sunrise (1927)
The Private Life of Helen of Troy (1927)
The Dove (1927)
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1928)
Mad Hour (1928)
The Big Noise (1928)
Harold Teen (1928)
Three-Ring Marriage (1928)
Show Girl (1928)
Naughty Baby (1928)
Hot Stuff (1929)
Broadway Babies (1929)
The Girl from Woolworth's (1929)
The Show of Shows (1929)
Playing Around (1930)
Show Girl in Hollywood (1930)
Sweet Mama (1930)
Sweethearts on Parade (1930)
The Widow from Chicago (1930)
The Naughty Flirt (1931)
Murder at Midnight (1931)
Employees' Entrance (1933)
Luxury Liner (1933)
Picture Snatcher (1933)
King for a Night (1933)
Cross Country Cruise (1934)
Jimmy the Gent (1934)
A Very Honorable Guy (1934)
Gift of Gab (1934)
Secret of the Chateau (1934)
Sweet Music (1935)
Coronado (1935)
Big City (1937)
Telephone Operator (1937)
King of the Newsboys (1938)
Annabel Takes a Tour (1938)
Night of January 16th (1941)
Girls' Town (1942)
Flamingo Road (1949)

Short Subjects:
Hollywood on Parade No. A-12 (1933)
Hollywood on Parade No. B-6 (1934)
The Hollywood Gad-About (1934)
A Trip Thru a Hollywood Studio (1935)
Broadway Highlights No. 2 (1935)

Category:

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[1970Tswan]

Check out the James Cagney movie "Picture Snatcher". Alice White has a big part in it, and you'll get a good sense of who she was.

[staclynn72]

@1970Tswan Thanks!

[Lengo67]

@1970Tswan Thanks for this. I've found Picture Snatcher at Netflix and added it to my queue.

[staclynn72]

@Lengo67 Glad you liked it.

[Thorgaerd]

who is the artist of the song?

[staclynn72]

@Thorgaerd You know I got it off youtube it was in the free music. I dont know why the song is not showing next to the video. I did an internet search to find the singer when I first heard it, and found not a single thing. I'd have to do major search to find it. I can't remember the name of the band.

[Lengo67]

@1970Tswan I did as you suggested. I rented Picture Snatcher from Netflix. This was a fine recommendation! Thanks! I enjoyed this movie.

Wikipedia has a short article about her. This is an interesting read. See this before watching Picture Snatcher.

Loved the video! Loved this movie too! Others be warned: This movie is not suitable for kids.

[Lengo67]

@staclynn72 You did well with this. The song you chose for this is very fitting. Alice White was very beautiful and it is sad that few know her name. You did her justice.

There is a short entry at Wikipedia about her. It says little, but it provides many external links. I suspect that you have already seen this, but others might not have. What it does say is interesting, and those who want to, can find out more by going to the external sites after reading wiki's short article.

[browniemcfi]

really lovely, such a shame she is so unknown now!

[staclynn72]

@gazebo46 Thanks..