Laura La Plante American actress Date of Birth: 01.11.1904 Country: USA

1. American Actress
2. Early Films and Recognition
3. Notable Films and Transition to Sound
4. Later Career and Personal Life

American Actress

Laura La Plante was an American actress born on November 1, 1904 in St. Louis, Missouri. She made her acting debut at the age of 15 and was named one of the "WAMPAS Baby Stars" in 1923, a prestigious recognition for young actresses. Throughout the 1920s, Laura appeared in over 60 films, most of which were produced by Universal Pictures. During this period, she became the most popular star of the studio, only rivaled by Deanna Durbin.

Early Films and Recognition

Laura La Plante's early films included the comedy Western "Big Town Round-Up" in 1921, where she starred alongside cowboy actor Tom Mix. She also appeared in adventure film "Perils of the Yukon" in 1922 and the movie "Around the World in Eighteen Days" in 1923. One of her early surviving films is the drama "Smouldering Fires" in 1925, directed by Clarence Brown and starring Pauline Frederick.

Notable Films and Transition to Sound

One of the most memorable films in Laura's career was the classic silent horror comedy "The Cat and the Canary" in 1927. She also gained recognition for her role in the comedy "Skinner's Dress Suit" in 1926, directed by William A. Seiter and co-starring Reginald Denny. Other notable films include William Wyler's comedy "The Love Trap" in 1929 and the musical drama "Show Boat," based on the novel by Edna Ferber, also released in 1929. In "Show Boat," Laura's character, Magnolia Hawks, was dubbed by Eva Olivetti, one of the first instances of such substitution in cinema.

The transition from silent films to sound had a negative impact on Laura's career. She was overshadowed by the emergence of new stars in the early sound era. Her last film with Universal Pictures was the musical animated extravaganza "King of Jazz" in 1930. She continued to work in the film industry without a contract and appeared in "God's Gift to Women" in 1931, produced by Warner Bros. In the same year, Laura worked with Columbia Pictures in the melodrama "Arizona," starring a young John Wayne.

Later Career and Personal Life

After moving to England, Laura La Plante appeared in several low-budget films known as "quota quickies," which were hastily produced to meet the government's quota for national content in theaters. Among these films was the comedy "Man of the Moment" in 1935, directed by Monty Banks and co-starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. Laura was also considered as a replacement for Myrna Loy in the comedy film "The Thin Man," but Loy ultimately accepted the role of Nora Charles, hindering Laura's career resurgence.

Laura La Plante retired from acting in 1935 but made a comeback with two films: "Little Mister Jim" in 1947 and the drama "Spring Reunion" in 1957. Her younger sister, Violet La Plante, was also an actress but never achieved the same level of success. Laura was married to American film director William A. Seiter from 1926 to 1934 and then to producer Irving Asher from 1934 until his death in 1985. She passed away on October 14, 1996, at the age of 91, in Woodland Hills, California, due to Alzheimer's disease. In Agoura Hills, California, there is a road named after the actress, Laura La Plante Road.