Film Decline and Stage Work
Baby Peggy's film career abruptly ended in 1925 when her father had a falling out with Sol Lesser over her salary and cancelled her contract. She found herself essentially blacklisted and was only able to land one more part in silent films, a minor role in the 1926 picture April Fool.
From 1925 to 1929, Peggy enjoyed a successful career as a vaudeville performer. While her routine, which included a comedy sketch, singing and a dramatic monologue, was initially met with skepticism, it soon became a popular and respected act. Although she was prohibited from "playing the Palace" due to her young age, she appeared onstage there as a special guest. Peggy and her family toured the United States and Canada, performing in major venues, until the family tired of touring. Cary's parents feared for her health which was another reason for leaving the rough life of touring.
Her father planned on buying a ranch to convert into a high-end getaway. However the stock market crash of 1929 put an immediate halt to the plans. Having made a $75,000 deposit on the land and current property, the Montgomerys were forced to move to rural Wyoming where they lived near the Jelm Mountains. Cary found the change in pace refreshing and hoped her stage days were over. However the family struggled to make a living, and as a last ditch effort returned to Hollywood in the early 30s to the young teenaged Cary's chagrin.
Cary posed for publicity photos with Douglas Fairbanks Sr. and signed on George Ullman as her manager. Hopes of a comeback were mostly dashed by vicious rumors of a bad screen test that never took place. The entire family was forced to take extra work while Cary attended Fairfax High School. Cary loathed screen work and retired after Having Wonderful Time (1938).
Read more about this topic: Diana Serra Cary
Famous quotes containing the words film, decline, stage and/or work:
“You should look straight at a film; that’s the only way to see one. Film is not the art of scholars but of illiterates.”
—Werner Herzog (b. 1942)
“Our achievements speak for themselves. What we have to keep track of are our failures, discouragements, and doubts. We tend to forget the past difficulties, the many false starts, and the painful groping. We see our past achievements as the end result of a clean forward thrust, and our present difficulties as signs of decline and decay.”
—Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)
“Remember that as a teenager you are at the last stage in your life when you will be happy to hear that the phone is for you.”
—Fran Lebowitz (b. 1951)
“‘Tis not need we know our every thought
Or see the work shop where each mask is wrought
Wherefrom we view the world of box and pit,
Careless of wear, just so the mask shall fit
And serve our jape’s turn for a night or two.”
—Ezra Pound (1885–1972)