Small Silver Pearl Hoop Earrings

Clara Bow was the Hollywood it-girl of the 1920s, which starkly contrasts with her humble beginnings.

She was born in 1905 and grew up in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. Her mom had a mental illness, which required that Clara assist her family from an early age.  Her father struggled to keep a job, which meant that the family had to move house quite often within the Prospect Heights area.

In the early 1920s, Clara fell in love with the silver screen. She, like 50% of Americans, attended the movies every week. Upon returning home, she would reenact scenes from the movie she thought were not adequately executed. Hence, in essence, she was entirely self-taught. (What a smart cookie.)

With the support of her father, she entered the “Fame and Fortune” acting contest hosted by Brewster publications’ magazine. Winners of this contest were often presented with opportunities to take part in future film production. Clara won but, unfortunately, would not receive any roles following the competition. 

Undeterred and optimistic, she dropped out of high school and continued pursuing her dream of becoming a Hollywood starlet. She eventually landed a role in the movie Down to the Sea Ships (1923). While she did not play a lead role in this film, her performance shone brighter than those of her peers. A critic said of her performance, “In movie parlance, she ‘stole” the picture…”

Following such critical acclaim, she went on to star in various films. In a few of these, she played the role of the flirtatious flapper. Director Frank Lloyd explained, “Bow is the personification of the ideal aristocratic flapper, mischievous, pretty, aggressive, quick-tempered and deeply sentimental.”

In 1927, Clara Bow shone in six Paramount releases. It – a film about a youthful shop girl who falls in love with her boss Cyrus Waltham – was one of them, and it was also the film that earned her the coveted title of “The “It” Girl.”