» Thu Aug 14, 2014 3:42 am I'm a bit late reporting this, but have been ill off and on for some months and thus not felt up to it.
The death I sadly report likely won't spark memories for most forum readers. But it is, in my opinion, an important passing, truthfully the end of an era.
Carla Laemmle died of natural causes this past June. She was 104 years old, and active in film until almost the end. She holds the distinction of being our last surviving "advlt" actress from the silent film era, which ended roughly 1929. A meager handful of other silent era actors remain, but all were "child stars" at the time. She was the last surviver from the cast of the Lon Chaney (sr) "Phantom of the Opera" (her first role, in which is portrayed a ballerina). Additionally, she was the last surviver from the cast of the still well known early sound Bela Lugosi "Dracula". She was niece to Carl Laemmle, founder of Universal Studios.
Here'shttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Io0r52DEbI. As can be seen and heard, Carla was mentally fit at the time. Maybe it's my imagination, but I swear there's still a sparkle in her eyes. It's a very sweet interview, with many stills and movie clips. (A good many other videos featuring the lady are housed at YouTube. They are easily enough found by the curious. No sense me linking any of them.)
