Bebe Daniels

Bebe Daniels had one of the most diverse and lengthy careers in show business. From her beginnings as a child on the vaudeville circuit to her resurgence as a radio and television star in postwar Britain, Daniels’ story has not been told.
Best remembered for her work in silent films, Daniels was a child actress in the earliest days of the West Coast film industry before becoming Harold Lloyd’s first leading lady. Later she was one of Cecil B. DeMille’s vamps before reaching the pinnacle of success with Paramount in the 1920s.
With the advent of talkies, she was able to reinvent herself, enjoying a resurgence in the 1930s until her eventual retirement to England. Daniels’ life was filled with determination and steadfast principles but also high-profile romances and the glitz and glamour of early Hollywood.

Charles L. Epting is the editor-in-chief of Silent Film Quarterly magazine. He has also written extensively about Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal and stamp collecting. He lives in Huntington Beach, California.

Charles L. Epting
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 232
Bibliographic Info: 44 photos, filmography, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2016
pISBN: 978-1-4766-6374-6
eISBN: 978-1-4766-2532-4
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents


Acknowledgments vi

Foreword by Annette D’Agostino Lloyd 1

Preface 3

Introduction 6

 1. In a ­Snow-Flecked Dallas 9

 2. The Stage 18

 3. The Screen 22

 4. Meeting Harold Lloyd 30

 5. Leaving Rolin 39

 6. Mr. DeMille 46

 7. Realart Pictures 53

 8. Ten Days in Jail 58

 9. The End of Realart 67

10. New York 75

11. Valentino 84

12. Romping Back into Comedies 89

13. Engagement Rumors 95

14. Dashing Screen Star 105

15. The End of an Era 116

16. Mrs. Bebe Daniels Lyon 120

17. Leaving RKO 128

18. Barbara Bebe Daniels 134

19. To England 143

20. Hollywood Holiday 152

21. Loyal to England 160

22. War and Peace 165

23. After the War 174

24. The Lyons Take Television 182

25. Still Only the Honeymoon 187

26. “She Was My Life” 191

Epilogue 193

Filmography 195

Chapter Notes 209

Bibliography 218

Index 219

“a refreshing breeze among a storm-tossed sea of scandal-laden bios. A book about a star we can respect and admire! It’s a top notch book filled with humor, drama, sadness, and joy, all a part of the admirable life of one of the silent screen’s most endearing personalities. A nostalgic trip looking back along Daniels’ fascinating life is well worth taking, and Epting makes it a very enjoyable journey”—Silents are Golden; “Epting’s research is meticulous and he tirelessly peels away layers of rumor and family lore to find the true details of Bebe’s life. His affection for this fine forgotten actress is clear, as is his care to present her legacy with much thoroughness as possible…excellent”—Silent-ology; “bring[s] to light Daniels remarkable story…well-researched…a heartwarming tale”—PopCultureClassics.com; “a thoroughgoing and fascinating look at one of silent screen’s most appealing actresses…recommended”—James L. Neibaur, writer; “a worthwhile introduction…a first ever look at the popular silent film star”—The Huffington Post.