Author Allan Ellenberger, currently working on a biography of Miriam Hopkins, pays tribute to Anita Page, The Last Surviving Silent Film Star, who turns 98 today.
Page was one of the stars of the first talking picture to win a Best Picture Academy Award, The Broadway Melody, an MGM musical released in 1929.
Here are a couple of snippets from Herr Ellenberger's article, which includes quotes from those present at Anita Page's 83rd birthday bash at the St. James Hotel:
"Yesterday, August 4, was the 98th birthday of Anita Page. I first met Anita in 1993 while researching my book, Ramon Novarro: A Biography of the Silent Film Idol. Anita costarred with Ramon Novarro in The Flying Fleet (1929) and was one of his last living co-stars, so naturally I was thrilled when she agreed to meet with me.
"That same year, on her 83rd birthday, I was invited to join her family, friends and former costars at what was then called the St. James Hotel, on the renowned Sunset Strip. Once known as the Sunset Towers, it was at one time the home to countless Hollywood stars and executives, including Anita's first husband, composer Nacio Herb Brown, who lived in the penthouse.
"The guest list that evening looked like a Hollywood Who's Who and included Cesar Romero, Milton Berle, Hugh Heffner, Margaret O'Brien, Betty Garrett and Mel Torme, to name a few."
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