Classic Vixen: Carole Lombard (13 GIFs)

Carole Lombard first hit the silver display in A Good Crime (1921) at solely 12 years outdated. She continued to pursue appearing in her adolescence, screen-testing for a Charlie Chaplin movie at 15. Whereas Lombard didn’t land the function, she secured a $75/week contract with Fox Movie Company by 16.

Whereas on a date, Lombard was in a automotive accident that left a scar throughout her face, for which she underwent reconstructive surgical procedure. Throughout this period of Lombard’s profession, she turned one of many Sennett Bathing Beauties (stunning, swimsuit-clad girls featured in Mack Sennett’s slapstick comedies throughout the silent movie period, meant to drum up buzz and draw greater audiences for Sennett’s movies). Lombard’s work at Mack Sennett’s studio (described by Lombard as “essentially the most pleasant madhouse possible”) laid the inspiration for her future profession as a comic book actor.

Lombard quickly started touchdown main roles and hit her stride in 1934, showing in 6 movies that 12 months alone. By 1937, Lombard turned the highest-paid Hollywood starlet, signing a $450,000 cope with Paramount. That very same 12 months, Lombard acquired an Academy Award nomination for Greatest Actress for My Man Godfrey, wherein she starred reverse her ex-husband William Powell.

Lombard, dubbed “the Queen of Screwball,” was identified for her daring physicality, rowdy fast-talking, and zany wit. Criterion asserts that she “virtually invented screwball comedy, or no less than formed its contours.”

Nevertheless, whereas Lombard was much less“vixen” and extra “screwball comic,” it’s arduous to disclaim her magnificence. It’s simple to be distracted by Lombard’s quirky goofball schtick, however she was pure glamour, star energy, and mischief, all rolled into one. 

Sadly, Lombard was killed in a aircraft accident that additionally took the lives of 21 different passengers. To defend towards Japanese bombers doubtlessly coming into American airspace, security beacons had been turned off, and, with out these visible warnings, the pilot was unable to navigate the mountains of their flight path. Carole Lombard was solely 33 years outdated. 

The American Movie Institute named Carole Lombard one of many 25 best American feminine display legends in Hollywood cinema, and enjoyable reality – you’ll be able to see Carole Lombard’s star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame within the movie Fairly Girl.