Lotus Thompson: Silent Film Star

What happened on the set of Rough House Rosie?

“By the disgusted look on Clara Bow’s face, the reclining attitude of Lotus Thompson apparently does not meet with her approval.”

What was going on?

1927. Clara Bow was wildly popular and Paramount paid her handsomely. We may never know what happened on the set of this film, however, two photographs tell a story.

The first photo shows a scene from Rough House Rosie with Lotus on the left, Douglas Gilmore in the middle, and Clara Bow on the right. The second photograph allows us to peek inside a Hollywood film set, warts and all.

Was Lotus not deferential enough? Compare the two photos and see what you think.

So many questions. What was a photographer doing there, why was it published in the paper, and would Lotus Thompson stage her own publicity?

Still from the film. Left, Lotus, Douglas Gilmore, Clara Bow.