Vera Reynolds

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Vera Reynolds (25 November 1899 - 22 April 1962) was an American silent film actress. She was born in Richmond, Virginia on November 25, 1899. She started out as a dancer, worked as a Mack Sennett bathing beauty, and became a leading lady in silent motion pictures. Vera appeared in many of the earliest films produced by Cecil B. Demille. Among Reynolds' film credits are starring roles in Feet of Clay, The Golden Bed, and Prodigal Daughters. Vera was married to actors Robert Ellis Reel (1892-1974) and Earl Montgomery. The latter was a comedian in Larry Semon's company. She divorced Montgomery in 1926. Vera continued her career through 1932.

Vera was a petite, blue-eyed brunet, with a vivacious, "bubbling over personality." She was constantly looking for fun and possessed a certain aura inherent to women who are blue-eyed and brunet. Reporters noted that she was so tiny that she reminded one much more of a little girl than a mature movie star. While she was working with Demille, the Hollywood mogul loaned her out so frequently to other studios, that she seldom knew where her dressing room might be from day to day. She began to tire of the process and felt she would be a better actress if she could stay put. Reynolds possessed a great popularity in Hollywood as well as throughout America during the late 1920s.

On August 28, 1927, police in Hollywood reported that Vera Reynolds had taken poison. Later the same evening Miss Reynolds clarified what happened. She explained that an excited telephone operator had phoned the police when her mother requested a doctor. The police arrived along with an ambulance. The actress was found unconscious on the floor of a bathroom in her Hollywood home. Police responded initially to moans from the actress' mother who was outside the bathroom. When the door was opened they found Vera writhing in pain. Reynolds' mother believed her daughter had taken the poison by mistake, believing it to be medicine. Despite the actress' protestations she was transported to the emergency room and given emergency treatment. The attending physician said that he failed to find any trace of poison. Instead he thought Reynolds may have suffered an attack brought on by acute indigestion or ptomaine poisoning. Police had discovered a half-filled bottle of poison in the bathroom which led to their initial conclusion. Vera, upon returning to her home, described the initial report as "ridiculous". I have too much to live for. she said. Life is indeed very sweet and I am certainly not ready to end it yet.

In March 1938, a breach of promise suit Vera Reynolds brought against Robert Ellis Reel was reported. She had sued Reel for breach of promise, asking the amount of $150,000. Vera contended she lived with Reel for nine years before she learned that they were not married. The suit stated that he promised to marry her, but did not. During a recess in the trial Hollywood film director Bob Vignola assumed the role of peacemaker. He believed the case could be reconciled out of court. Reynolds thought she had gone through a marriage ceremony with Reel in Greenwich, Connecticut in 1926. Reel denied there had been a wedding and stated the two had lived together unmarried. He remarked they "had the edge" on their unhappy married friends.

Vera Reynolds died in Hollywood on April 22, 1962 at the age of 62. Funeral services were conducted in the chapel of Pierce Brothers Hollywood Mortuary. She died at the Motion Picture Country Hospital. Prior to her death Vera lived for the previous year with her friend, Miss Margaret Brumet. They resided in Inglewood, California at 229 Queens Street. Surviving Vera was a sister, Miss Loa Fellows. Reynolds was buried in Valhalla Memorial Park, North Hollywood.

[edit] Selected filmography

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  • Dunkirk, New York Evening Observer, Breach Of Promise Suit Of Vera Reynolds Is Near Settlement, Saturday, March 26, 1938, Page 3.
  • Los Angeles Times, Screen Star Vera Reynolds Funeral Set, April 25, 1962, Page B1.
  • Newark, Ohio Advocate and American Tribune, Vera Reynolds, Pretty Blue-eyed Brunet, Possesses the Unusual--Is Popular, Saturday, July 28, 1928, Page Seven.
  • Oakland, California Tribune, Vera Reynolds Not Poisoned, Monday Evening, August 29, 1927, Page 1.
  • Syracuse, New York Herald, Vera Reynolds Wearies Of Being Farmed Out, Tuesday Evening, July 31, 1928, Page 9.
Languages