Today we would like to introduce you to Marion Davies. Born in 1897 in Brooklyn as Marion Cecilia Douras but changed her surname to Davies when her sister spotted the name on a real estate sign. Even at a time when New York was a melting pot for immigrants, having a British surname greatly helped one's prospects.
After making her screen debut in 1916 modelling dresses, she featured in her first film - The Runaway Romany - in 1917. She went on to make a small fortune as a film star, despite being nervous when sound was introduced because she had never overcome her childhood stutter. The car was made by Jack Landon who made 'midget' cars for films and feaures in a short chase scene in 1928 silent film romantic comedy 'The Cardboard Lover' in which she starred and was executive producer with her lover William Randolph Hearst. The colour scheme, shape and wheels remind us of an Auburn - she would look so much better in the real thing?
We found her climbing into a slightly smarter car when modelling hats for Hollywood's favourite hatter Lilly Daché (Davies was her first Hollywood celebrity customer). "Lilly had no idea who the pretty blonde was, nor the adoring older gentleman paying the bill, but Marion must have been pleased, for a steady stream of “name” customers soon found their way to Lilly’s shop. Delores Del Rio was another good customer (remember her?). We think this picture of her on a model A Ford is from the 1928 film. 'The Patsy' and in 1926, Davies played Beverly Calhoun in 'Beverly of Graustark' and poses here beside a shiny 1926 Cadillac 6400 Brougham. You can see her trying to make Clark Gable fall for her charms in this clip from 'Polly of the Circus'.
(Text Robin Batchelor, pictures from archive)