Olga Baclanova (1893 - 1974)
Russian actress, who achieved prominence during the silent film era.| * | August 19, 1893 Moscow, Russia | |
| as Olga Vladimirovna Baklanova | ||
| † | September 6, 1974 Vevey, Switzerland |
Olga Baclanova was born in Moscow in 1896 as the daughter of an actress in early Russian films. At the age of 16 she made her debut on stage and at 18 she starred for the first time in a movie. The Russian Revolution ended her short film career and the returned to the stage.
In 1923 she toured the United States with the Moscow Art Theatre. Baclanova decided to stay and in the late 20's she became a star in Hollywood mostly casted as an exotic woman. The transition to talking pictures was difficult for Baclanova because of her heavy Russian accent. She only occured in supporting parts, but played one final leading role in Freaks in 1932. The film was no success at that time and her film career was over.
Again Baclanova returned to the stage and even became her own radio show. After her retirement, she moved to Switzerland where she died in Vervey in 1974.
In 1923 she toured the United States with the Moscow Art Theatre. Baclanova decided to stay and in the late 20's she became a star in Hollywood mostly casted as an exotic woman. The transition to talking pictures was difficult for Baclanova because of her heavy Russian accent. She only occured in supporting parts, but played one final leading role in Freaks in 1932. The film was no success at that time and her film career was over.
Again Baclanova returned to the stage and even became her own radio show. After her retirement, she moved to Switzerland where she died in Vervey in 1974.
Vintage magazines
Photoplay, June 1929
Photoplay, July 1928
Photoplay, August 1928
Photoplay, August 1928
Photoplay, September 1928
Photoplay, September 1928
Photoplay, December 1928
Photoplay, January 1929
Photoplay, January 1929
Photoplay, February 1929
Photoplay, March 1929
Photoplay, March 1929
Photoplay, April 1929
Photoplay, July 1929
Photoplay, August 1930
Photoplay, September 1930
Photoplay, November 1930
Photoplay, May 1932
Photoplay, January 1933
Books with substantial mentioning of Olga Baclanova
| Gary J. Svehla and Susan Svehla (editors) Hollywood's Classic Scream Queens, 1930s 2000 |
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Gregory William Mank Women in Horror Films, 1930s Jefferson, North Carolina, and London, 1999 |
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| John Kobal People Will Talk New York, 1985 |
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| Calvin Thomas Beck with Robert Stewart Associate Editor Scream Queens New York - London, 1978 |
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Books with an entry on Olga Baclanova
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Denise Lowe An Encyclopedic Dictionary of Women in Early American Films, 1895 - 1930 New York, London, Oxford, 2005 |
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Kay Weniger Das große Personenlexikon des Films, Erster Band. A-C Berlin, 2001 |
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Roy Liebman Silent Film Performers, An Annotated Bibliography of Published, Unpublished and Archival Sources for over 350 Actors and Actresses Jefferson, North Carolina, and London, 1996 |
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Danny Peary Cult Movie Stars New York, [..], 1991 |
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Martin J. Quigley (ed.) The Motion Picture Almanac, Big Stars in Big Pictures Chicago, Ill., 1929  |
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Films
1927
The Dove
1928
Three Sinners
The Woman Disputed
The Man who Laughs
Street of Sin
The Docks of New York
Forgotten Faces
Avalanche
1929
The Wolf of Wall Street
A Dangerous Woman
The Man I Love
1930
Are You There?
Cheer Up and Smile
1931
The Great Lover
1932
Freaks
Downstairs
1933
The Billion Dollar Scandal
1943
Claudia
1927
The Dove
1928
Three Sinners
The Woman Disputed
The Man who Laughs
Street of Sin
The Docks of New York
Forgotten Faces
Avalanche
1929
The Wolf of Wall Street
A Dangerous Woman
The Man I Love
1930
Are You There?
Cheer Up and Smile
1931
The Great Lover
1932
Freaks
Downstairs
1933
The Billion Dollar Scandal
1943
Claudia