Title supplied by cataloger.; Photograph was edited for publication purposes. Harold Lloyd was born on April 20, 1893 in Burchard Nebraska. He was an American actor, comedian, film director, producer, screenwriter, and stunt performer who is best known for his silent comedy films. He was also a founding member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He was one of the most popular actors of the silent film era along with Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin. Lloyd's performance hanging from the hands of a clock high above the street in Safety Last! (1923) is one of the most iconic images in all of cinema. Lloyd began acting at the age of 20 and became friends with filmmaker Hal Roach. In 1919 he was seriously injured while holding what he thought was a prop bomb. It exploded, causing him to lose the thumb and forefinger of his right hand. By 1921 Lloyd and Roach moved from short films to feature length comedies. The films were popular and highly profitable, making him one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in early Hollywood. Lloyd married actress Mildred Davis on Saturday, February 10, 1923 in Los Angeles. The couple had three children (one adopted). After the silent film era, his popularity waned and he basically retired from film. In 1944 he became director and host of a radio anthology series that lasted only one season. He became involved in civic and charity work and experimented with photography. He died on March 8, 1971.; Mildred Hillary Davis was born on February 22, 1901 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was an American actress who appeared in many of Harold Lloyd's classic silent comedies and eventually became his wife. She was very active in the Beverly Hills social scene often hosting parties at their Beverly Hills mansion, Greenacres. She died on August 18, 1969. Roy Brooks was born in 1901 and was a childhood friend of Mildred Davis, Lloyd's wife. He was an American actor who appeared in many of Lloyd's early films and later became Lloyd's personal secretary. He stayed close to the family for many years, living on their estate. He was gay and never tried to hide the fact. He died in 1976. Photograph caption dated January 30, 1937 reads "In one of the most charming parties in recent weeks, a group of the society set is pictured at the Cocoanut Grove the other evening when Mrs. Margaret L. Smith of Honolulu and Los Angeles, entertained in honor of Mrs. Frederick Conger Bryan on the latter's birthday. Left to right, Mrs. Smith, the hostess; Roy Brooks, Mrs. Harold Lloyd and Alexander Black. The tables were beautifully decorated for the event." The group is seated at a table with floral arrangements and candles. Other diners and waiters are in the background. The Cocoanut Grove was a nightclub in the Ambassador Hotel located at 3400 Wilshire Boulevard.
Type
image
Format
1 photographic print :b&w ;21 x 26 cm. Photographic prints
Davis, Mildred,--1900?-1969 Brooks, Roy,--1901-1976 Lloyd, Harold,--1893-1971--Family Ambassador Hotel Cocoanut Grove (Los Angeles, Calif.) Motion picture actors and actresses--United States Nightclubs--California--Los Angeles Hotels--California--Los Angeles Parties--California--Los Angeles Waiters--California--Los Angeles Candles Men--California--Los Angeles Women--California--Los Angeles Lost architecture--California--Los Angeles Eating & drinking--California--Los Angeles Interiors--California--Los Angeles Flower arrangements Los Angeles Evening Herald and Express photographs Herald-Examiner Collection photographs
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