Clara+Bow

Clara Bow the “It” Girl

**Actress**

Between 1922 and 1929, Clara Bow’s liveliness and sexiness defined the modern woman of the 1920s. Clara was known as ‘The “It” Girl’. “It” symbolized the fabulous progress woman were making in society, and leading the way she was the girl of the year, who had “It” in wealth. She was hot and bright. On the set she was full of charm and wit. She played many roles including manicurist, waitresses and department store clerks. She was also a careful professional, asserted by people who knew and worked with her, like Colleen Moore, Diana Serra Cary (“Baby Peggy”) and Louise Brooks.

** Career over in 1933 when only 26 years old. **

“The trouble with me is-I’m not a sneak!” There is Clara Bow’s own diagnosis of the scandals which nearly cost her job and her screen career. Clara is hurt. First she suffered ridicule because she fell in love with Harry Richman. She was a single girl and he, a single man, but did their mutual eligibility matter? Then the newspapers noticed she was gaining weight! They hooted. Then unhappy, intensely personal affair in Texas. Reporters tore her decency to shreds! Finally, gambling-with Clara this time luridly represented as a welcher. Now Clara is tired of being picked on. She is afraid, too, pitifully fearful, of the hostility she imagines everywhere, in everything, in everybody.”

Jarvis, Paul. “Quit Pickin’ on me!” says Clara Bow.” [|Http://www.clarabow.net/articles/quitpickingonme/1.html] Jan. 1931. Web.

There were many scandals of Clara Bow that almost cost her job and her actress career. First she was hurt and had to suffer because people laugh at her for falling in love with Harry Richman. She’s also been eating a lot of food so she gained weight, the newspapers noticed. Then she had an affair in Texas. Finally she was represented as a welcher for gambling. The reporter made her look so awful. So now Clara is tired of people picking on her, afraid, and pitifully scared of the aggression.

“Clara’s career, and her potential revival, has suffered due to two diverse but crucial issues. First, she was condemned unfairly by the Hollywood community for her questionable morality. Secondly, most of her films have been lost. Her morality was thoroughly questioned by Budd Schulberg, son of powerful producer B.P. Schulberg. Budd knew Clara when she was under personal contract to B.P. Budd became closely acquainted with Clara beginning at age 10.”

Montalbano, Christopher E. “Clara Bow the “It” Girl.” [|Http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/386/cbow.html] 16 Dec. 1998. Web.

Her career was over because of two vital issues. First she was ruined incorrectly by the Hollywood Community for her uncertain honesty. Second was that most of her films were lost and her morality was questioned by Budd Schulberg, the son of a powerful producer B.P. Schulberg. Budd and Clara were friends beginning at the age of 10 when Clara was produced by Budd’s father.

Clara died in loneliness in 1965. Her childhood of poverty, violence, and public scandals during her fame left her many sadness of her life.