Lotus Thompson: Silent Film Star

PART ONE:

It was all over the newspapers –  if you were an aspiring actress in early Hollywood, you knew all about it. It was something so coveted, it could change the direction of an aspiring actress’s life, and take them from the ranks of amateur to real– life movie star.

In 1922, a group of powerful men, known as the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers (WAMPAS), formed and created the annual competition and ball to develop and foster talent, and it quickly became a very coveted position.

Each year, every major studio nominated two candidates, from within, out of which thirteen finalists were selected overall to be presented at the annual WAMPAS ball. The finalists were all offered extensive media coverage and access to valuable networking opportunities. Notable former WAMPAS baby stars who lived up to their potential include Clara Bow, Betty Compson, Mabel Normand, and Anna May Wong.

“The WAMPAS, an organisation of movie publicity men, rarely ever goes amiss in its predictions.”This powerful group of movie publicity men decided the fate of 13 young actresses every year with the talent to go all the way.

The girls had to be nominated first – then chosen, announced, and exhibited. They had to be working, experienced, not too well– known, and under 25. Hal Roach nominated his two favourites: Olive Borden and Ena Gregory.

Two facts : Lotus was extremely ambitious, and she was not nominated. Personally, I think she was much aggrieved. In fact, based on newspaper articles of the time, she and fellow Australian, Ena Gregory were intensely competitive. What would a very ambitious girl do in such a situation?

See more in WAMPAS PART TWO.