Peg Entwistle

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Peg Entwistle
Born
Millicent Lilian Entwistle

Peg Entwistle (February 5, 1908 – September 18, 1932) was a Welsh-born stage actress, as well as a brief Hollywood film actress, who achieved notoriety following her suicide.

Early life

Entwistle was born in Port Talbot, Wales on February 5, 1908 as Millicent Lilian Entwistle (not Lillian Millicent Entwistle as is usually noted).[1] Her parents were Robert S. and Emily (née Stevenson) Entwistle.[1]

Although Peg Entwistle's Los Angeles death certificate/coroner's report[2] states her birth as February 6th, the error was made by her uncle, Harold Entwistle, who had a history of getting dates and ages wrong as evidenced in the December 20, 1920 edition of the New York Times article describing the death of Peg's father, Robert Entwistle. The police and New York Times reporter, having obtained information about Robert Entwistle's children from Harold, give the age of Peg as 15 when, in fact, she could only be 12 years old in 1920. Harold also got the ages of Entwistle's half-brothers wrong by several years.

Millicent Lilian Entwistle at some point inverted her names and altered the spelling somewhat, but she later adopted "Peg" for the stage and held to that name even on her marriage certificate.

Peg Entwistle came to America as a very young girl. Records of The Ellis Island Foundation have her listed on a return voyage from Liverpool, England to New York City aboard the SS Philadelphia in March of 1916. She is listed on the ship's manifest as traveling with her father (Robert), her uncle (Charles Harold), and their two wives, Lauretta and Jane.[3] Peg Entwistle likely first came to America some time after her mother Emily died in West Kensington, London, and prior to 1916 since her father was acting on Broadway as early as 1913.[4] Robert Entwistle had originally been brought from England by famed Broadway producer Charles Frohman and worked as Frohman's stage manager.

On December 19, 1920, Robert Entwistle was struck and killed on New York City's Park Avenue at 72nd Street by a private limo. He had been on his way home from the Madison Avenue shop he owned, making fancy gift boxes for wealthy clients. The two witnesses who rushed Robert to the hospital told police they saw a chauffeur get out of the car, stare down at Entwistle's body and then climb back in and quickly drive away. The driver was never identified. Peg Entwistle and her two half-brothers, Milton and Robert Jr., were taken into the guardianship of their uncle, Charles Harold Entwistle, an actor and at that time the manager for one of Broadway's biggest stars, Walter Hampden. Harold, as he is most often called, was living in Ohio at the time and just happened to be in New York attending to Hampden's affairs.

It is not yet known why Lauretta Entwistle, Robert's second wife, was not now in the picture. However the 1920 U.S. Census still had her as his wife and living with him the previous January while the New York Times on December 20th reported the children as "motherless."[3]

Broadway

In 1925 Walter Hampden gave Peg Entwistle an un-credited walk-on part in his Broadway production of Hamlet. She carried the train of Queen Gertrude's gown and was also a cup-bearer. Shortly after her's walk-on in Hamlet, Entwistle went to Boston and became a student of Henry Jewett's Repertory. She was one of the pioneering Henry Jewett Players, who were gaining national attention.

On January 5, 1926 Entwistle played the role of Hedvig in Henrik Ibsen's The Wild Duck. This show starred Walter Hampden and was directed by Blanche Yurka. (It was Entwistle's performance that inspired a young Bette Davis to pursue acting. After the play Bette Davis made a wish to her mother, Ruthie, ..."I want to be exactly like Peg Entwistle." Over the years, as she recounted her career, Bette Davis made more than several public references crediting Entwistle as her inspiration...including the above quote. Some years, later Yurka sent a note to Bette Davis asking if she'd like to play Hedvig. Davis sent word back to the Broadway director that ever since she had seen Peg Entwistle in The Wild Duck she knew she'd someday play Hedvig.)[5]

Soon after, Entwistle was recruited by the highly prestigious New York Theatre Guild. Her first credited Broadway performance was as Martha in The Man from Toronto. It opened at The Selywn Theatre on June 17, 1926 and ran 28 performances. New York Times theatre critic Brooks Atkinson didn't mention Entwistle but commented that the cast was "...suitably crisp."[6]

Entwistle performed in 10 Broadway plays as a member of the Theatre Guild between 1926 and 1932. She worked with some of the most notable of her day, including George M. Cohan, William Gillette, Bob Cummings, Dorothy Gish, Hugh Sinclair, Henry Travers and Laurette Taylor. Her longest running play was the 1927 smash hit Tommy in which she starred with Sidney Toler. This play had a 232-performance run. It was during the time of this production that she married actor Robert Keith on April 18, 1927 at the chapel of the New York City Clerk's office. Her marriage license is #12687.[3]

Entwistle's shortest Broadway run was also in 1927. This play was The Uninvited Guest and ran just 7 times. However, even though the critics disliked the play, Entwistle was given great reviews for her work. The New York Times critic, J. Brooks Atkinson, wrote, "...Peg Entwistle gave a performance considerably better than the play warranted."[7] There were several short runs due to bad writing and production values, but even in a play that was not liked by critics, Peg Entwistle was always singled out with high praise.

She traveled with the Guild between her Broadway shows. Entwistle was highly adept at changing roles as evidenced by her 1929 tour when in San Francisco during May and June she played four characters in four plays during four weeks. Entwistle was featured in a number of articles centering on her career and life. Two of the more indepth looks at her were in a Sunday edition of the New York Times in 1927,[8] and the Oakland Tribune several years later during her San Francisco tour with the Theatre Guild.[9]

Hollywood career

Despite reports to the contrary, Peg Entwistle did not come to Los Angeles in 1932 because Broadway work was drying up. Her last Broadway appearance was in Alice Sit-by-the-Fire.[10] This play was the front piece of a two-act bill commonly known as "A Night of Barrie," or "The Barrie Revivals," focused on the work of Peter Pan creator, Sir James Barrie. The second show of the production was a single-act play called The Old Lady Shows Her Medals. Entwistle appeared only in Alice Sit-by-the-Fire.

Starring in both plays was Laurette Taylor, one of the most popular and well-loved performers of her day, despite her chronic alcoholism. It was Taylor's malady that led to problems for Entwistle and the production. Taylor failed to appear for two evening performances in less than a month, forcing the producers to refund the ticket-holders.[11]

The Barrie revivals were a well-received success. However, Taylor's second absence forced producer William A. Brady's hand. He declared the run had "abruptly ended" because of Taylor's inability to appear. This action resulted in an arbitration affecting monies that the cast believed they were owed. The Arbitration Board ruled Brady was not liable to the actors. Thus, Peg Entwistle and her co-players only received a week's salary at the time of the closing and not a percentage of the box office gross as had been agreed upon before the show opened. Laurette Taylor had also forfeited to Brady a $5,000 "good conduct" bond.[12][13] Although the show was scheduled to run for 45 performances, the revivals lasted for just 32.

On May 4, 1932 a Los Angeles paper announced that West Coast producers Edward Belasco and Homer Curran brought Peg Entwistle to Los Angeles to co-star with Billie Burke in the Romney Brent play, The Mad Hopes.[14]It was staged solely as a tryout in preparation for a Broadway opening. It opened to rave reviews on May 23, 1932 at the Belasco Theater in downtown Los Angeles. The Belasco had 1,600 seats but the house was standing-room only to the doors. Theatre critic Flo Lawrence commented, "...Belasco and Curran have staged the new play most effectively and have endowed this Romney Brent opus with every distinction of cast and direction. (producer) Bela Blau ... has developed the comedy to its highest points. Costumes and settings are of delightful quality, and every detail makes the production one entirely fit for its translation to the New York stage. In the cast Peg Entwistle and Humphrey Bogart hold first place in supporting the star (Billie Burke) and both give fine, serious performances. Miss Entwistle as the earnest, young daughter (Geneva Hope) of a vague mother and presents a charming picture of youth..." [15] The Mad Hopes was a hit and closed on June 4th, 1932 as scheduled.

Another reviewer wrote: "If you saw Billie Burke in The Mad Hopes at the Belasco, you will have a happy recollection of Peg Entwistle...Miss Entwistle is an accomplished actress, and although she was brought out here from Broadway (for the play) she grew up in Southern California...She was all set to return to New York when the play closed Saturday night, but Radio Pictures (RKO) called her for a screen test. Now it is very likely she will remain here for one of the featured roles in Thirteen Women..."[16]

On June 13, 1932, Entwistle signed a contract for a one-picture deal with RKO Studios. Producer David O. Selznick signed below her name and is titled as "Vice President."[17] Entwistle was to report "on or about" July 2, 1932 to begin shooting her part as Hazel Cousins in Thirteen Women.[17] Entwistle's RKO contract spells her character role as "Hazel Cozins."[17]

The film received poor reviews by critics and negative feedback from test screenings. The film's general release was held back by the studio, who decided to cut back the running time by eliminating scenes deemed unnecessary. Because of this, Entwistle's screen time was greatly reduced. The film was released to the Roxy Theater in New York City on October 14, 1932, less than a month after Entwistle's suicide. A review on October 15th was not very good and while it does mention the suicides in the plot, no mention of Peg or her character is made.[18] She is listed in the cast credits, though. The film was released in Los Angeles on November 11, 1932.

Entwistle's RKO contract was not optioned. What happened to her and what she did after she completed filming of her part in Thirteen Women remains, for the most part, a mystery. It is known that she posed topless for the photographer then known as Bruno of Hollywood,[citation needed] and that this session may have been due to financial hardship, but what led exactly to her pathos may never actually be known.

Death

Entwistle's body was found on Sunday, September 18th. The event surrounding the discovery were as unusual as her method of suicide. A call came in to the Central Station of the Los Angeles Police Department on Sunday evening. Officer Crum was on duty at the Complaint Desk when he took a call from a woman. "I was hiking near the Hollywoodland sign today, and near the bottom I found a woman's shoes and jacket. A little further on I noticed a purse. In it was a suicide note. I looked down the mountain and saw a body. I don't want any publicity in this matter, so I wrapped up the jacket, shoes and purse in a bundle and laid them on the steps of the Hollywood Police Station." Officer Crum tried to get the caller's name but she ended the call without another word. Crum called the Hollywood station and the items were found as described. A Detective and two Radio Car Officers soon found the body of a blonde hair, blue-eyed woman who was moderately well dressed. Peg Entwistle remained unidentified until her uncle connected the description and the intials "P.E." on the suicide note in the newspapers with his niece's 2-day absense.[19]

On Monday, September 19, 1932, after identifying Peg Entwistle, Harold Entwistle filled in some of the blanks for authorities and the press.[19] She indeed had been upset at not being able to impress the studios. She told him that she was going to walk to a nearby drugstore and then visit friends.[19]

Instead of walking to the drugstore, she made her way up the southern slope of Mount Lee, near her uncle's home, to the foot of the Hollywoodland sign. Originally constructed in 1923 to advertise a real estate development, the sign was made up of 50 ft. high white letters spelling "HOLLYWOODLAND" (the last four letters were removed in 1949).[20]

When Entwistle reached the sign, she took off her coat, folded it into a neat bundle, and placed it on the ground next to her purse. She then climbed the maintenance ladder to the top of the letter "H" and jumped to her death.

Her body was discovered in the brush at the base of the hill two days later, and pronounced dead. When police examined her belongings, in her purse they found a note that read:

I am afraid, I am a coward. I am sorry for everything. If I had done this a long time ago, it would have saved a lot of pain. P.E.[21]

The cause of death is listed by the coroner as "multiple fractures of the pelvis."[22] She likely did not die quickly.[23]

Two days later, Entwistle's uncle opened a letter addressed to her from the Beverly Hills Playhouse; it was mailed the day before she jumped. In it was an offer for her to play the lead role in a stage production—in which her character would commit suicide in the final act.[24]

Her funeral was held in Hollywood and the body cremated. Her ashes were later sent to Glendale, Ohio for burial next to her father in Oak Hill Cemetery; her remains were interred on January 5, 1933.[25]

References

  1. ^ a b Official "Entry of Birth" in the Port Talbot Registrar's Births Records. NOTE: The "CERTIFIED COPY of an ENTRY of BIRTH" (WCN #062974) Pursuant to the UK's Births and Deaths Registration Act of 1953 states Entwistle's birth as "Fifth February 1908. This certificate is the official documentation of her true birth date. The dates, names, and addresses therein are confirmed and verified by the Deputy Superintendent Registrar as having been transcribed verbatim from the original 1908 entry #470. TheHollywoodSignGirl.com.
  2. ^ The Hollywood Sign Girl...Myths vs Facts--Pt. 3. TheHollywoodSignGirl.com.
  3. ^ a b c List or Manifest of Alien Passengers. TheHollywoodSignGirl.com. (The Entwistle family is listed on lines 6-10, while the 1920 U.S. Census listing is on lines 80-84.)
  4. ^ ​The Younger Generation/Half an Hour​ at the Internet Broadway Database
  5. ^ Chandler, Charlotte. The Girl Who Walked Home Alone--Bette Davis, A Personal Biography. Simon and Shuster, 2006. ISBN 0743262085.
  6. ^ New York Times, June 18, 1926.
  7. ^ Atkinson, Brooks J. New York Times, September 28, 1927.
  8. ^ "And Who Is Peg Entwistle?" New York Times 20 February 1927.
  9. ^ "English Actress With Guild." Oakland Tribune. 5 May 1929.
  10. ^ A Night of Barrie ... Alice Sit-by-the-Fire. TheHollywoodSignGirl.com.
  11. ^ New York Times. 15 March 1932; 6 April 1932.
  12. ^ New York Times, April 7, 1932; May 10, 1932; May 14, 1932.
  13. ^ Courtney, Marguerite. Laurette. Antheum, 1968. p342.
  14. ^ Yeaman, Elizabeth. Hollywood Citizen News. 4 May 1932; 7 June 1932.
  15. ^ 'Lawrence, Florence. Los Angeles Examiner 24 May 1932.
  16. ^ Yeaman, Elizabeth. Hollywood Citizen News. 7 June 1932.
  17. ^ a b c RKO Contract TheHollywoodSignGirl.com.
  18. ^ New York Times. 15 October 1932.
  19. ^ a b c "Suicide Laid To Film Jinx" Los Angeles Times. 20 September 1932, page A1.
  20. ^ Montagne, Renée (2002-10-28). "The Hollywood Sign". Present at the Creation. National Public Radio Crime Library. Retrieved 2006-09-20.
  21. ^ "Girl Leaps To Death From Sign." Los Angeles Times. 19 September 1932, page A1.
  22. ^ County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health/Vital Statistics--Standard Certificate of Death #10501, sections 24-25. Filed 20 September 1932.
  23. ^ Wheeless. Textbook of Orthopaedics. Duke University Medical Center Division of Orthopaedic Surgery.
  24. ^ The Hollywood Sign: A Beat-by-Beat Plotline. HollywoodSign.org.
  25. ^ Peg Entwistle at Find a Grave

External links

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