It was a very known fact that if people wanted a career in Hollywood, they shouldn't butt heads with MGM's president Louis B. Mayer. Mae Murray proved to be a prime example of what could happen if a person did. The veteran actress listened to the advice of her new husband, David Mdivani. He had assumed the role as her personal manager in 1926, and advised her to walk out of her MGM contract to become independent. One of Hollywood's more popular silent movie actresses who played opposite of Rudolph Valentino, was directed by Cecil B. DeMille, and was known as "The Gardenia of the Screen," Murray soon found out one doesn't get Mayer's blood pressure up without some sort of repercussions. Her acting offers with other major film studios dried up. Murray soon discovered she was being 'graylisted," meaning there was no official announcement for the studios to avoid hiring her, but it was secretly known throughout Hollywood circles not to do so.
Murray's career was in limbo until she connected with her ex, Robert Leonard, owner of the small movie studio Tiffany Pictures. Murray had formed the company with her then husband Leonard in the early 1920s, but her divorce from him required her to divest from the studio. She saw a chance to rejuvenate her film career by starring in her first talkie, Tiffany Pictures' January 1930's "Peacock Alley."
Alas, there would be no Cinderella story here. The movie proved to be a dismal financial failure. Even though Tiffany Pictures constructed elaborate sets for Murray's movie on a low budget, "Peacock Alley" did more damage to the actress' future ambitions than she ever could ever imagine. "Peacock Alley" was a reprise of her successful 1922 silent of the same name. The plot involves her desire to marry wealthy Stoddard Clayton (George Barraud), even though she doesn't love him. Her reasoning: "I'm running away from the doubts and uncertainty and problems of a woman who isn't married." Staying overnight at Clayton's suite, she later finds another option in Jim Bradbury (Jason Robards, Sr.), a Texan from her hometown. They marry, but Jim soon finds out about that overnight stay in Clayton's suite. Fireworks erupt.
"Peacock Alley" was universally critically panned by almost every publication. Typical was Photoplay's scathing assessment of Murray, whose other nickname was "The Girl with the Bee-Stung Lips." Describing the movie as "a sorry affair," the critic said Murray's performance was "more affected and more bee-stung of mouth than ever. You'll laugh at the drama and weep over the comedy."
Murray was so upset at the reviews she turned her venom over "Peacock Alley's" failure on Tiffany Pictures. She sued the company for $1,750,000, claiming the studio technical crew's incompetence was on full display throughout the film. She assessed the high damages based on her career facing ruination. This was the first court case in cinema where an actress sued members of a film crew for incompetence. Murray's case ended up not in her favor. After the trial, the actress did appear in two small movie roles the following year, but her on-camera presence failed to generate any further interest.
The man who gave her such bad advice, husband Mdivani, spent most of Murray's money she had earned throughout the years. The two divorced in 1933. To make ends meet, she found a job performing in the 1940s at New York City's Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe nightclub, which was famous for hiring silent film actors for its nostalgic "Gay '90's" shows. The aging Murray, in her mid-50s by this time, was criticized for wearing outfits designed for much younger performers and for applying heavy make-up to hide her deep wrinkles. Murray ended up in poverty, dying in 1965 at the Motion Pictures retirement home in Woodland Hills at 79.
"Peacock Alley" proved to be one of character actor Jason Robards, Sr.'s larger roles. He had a long career in film and on stage, beginning in 1921 and lasting through the late 1950s with his television appearances on NBC's 'Cimarron City.' But his visibility lessened as talkies took hold. He is the father of Jason Robards, Jr., who witnessed his father's struggles as the silent film actor hustled for parts to pay his family's bills.
Murray's career was in limbo until she connected with her ex, Robert Leonard, owner of the small movie studio Tiffany Pictures. Murray had formed the company with her then husband Leonard in the early 1920s, but her divorce from him required her to divest from the studio. She saw a chance to rejuvenate her film career by starring in her first talkie, Tiffany Pictures' January 1930's "Peacock Alley."
Alas, there would be no Cinderella story here. The movie proved to be a dismal financial failure. Even though Tiffany Pictures constructed elaborate sets for Murray's movie on a low budget, "Peacock Alley" did more damage to the actress' future ambitions than she ever could ever imagine. "Peacock Alley" was a reprise of her successful 1922 silent of the same name. The plot involves her desire to marry wealthy Stoddard Clayton (George Barraud), even though she doesn't love him. Her reasoning: "I'm running away from the doubts and uncertainty and problems of a woman who isn't married." Staying overnight at Clayton's suite, she later finds another option in Jim Bradbury (Jason Robards, Sr.), a Texan from her hometown. They marry, but Jim soon finds out about that overnight stay in Clayton's suite. Fireworks erupt.
"Peacock Alley" was universally critically panned by almost every publication. Typical was Photoplay's scathing assessment of Murray, whose other nickname was "The Girl with the Bee-Stung Lips." Describing the movie as "a sorry affair," the critic said Murray's performance was "more affected and more bee-stung of mouth than ever. You'll laugh at the drama and weep over the comedy."
Murray was so upset at the reviews she turned her venom over "Peacock Alley's" failure on Tiffany Pictures. She sued the company for $1,750,000, claiming the studio technical crew's incompetence was on full display throughout the film. She assessed the high damages based on her career facing ruination. This was the first court case in cinema where an actress sued members of a film crew for incompetence. Murray's case ended up not in her favor. After the trial, the actress did appear in two small movie roles the following year, but her on-camera presence failed to generate any further interest.
The man who gave her such bad advice, husband Mdivani, spent most of Murray's money she had earned throughout the years. The two divorced in 1933. To make ends meet, she found a job performing in the 1940s at New York City's Billy Rose's Diamond Horseshoe nightclub, which was famous for hiring silent film actors for its nostalgic "Gay '90's" shows. The aging Murray, in her mid-50s by this time, was criticized for wearing outfits designed for much younger performers and for applying heavy make-up to hide her deep wrinkles. Murray ended up in poverty, dying in 1965 at the Motion Pictures retirement home in Woodland Hills at 79.
"Peacock Alley" proved to be one of character actor Jason Robards, Sr.'s larger roles. He had a long career in film and on stage, beginning in 1921 and lasting through the late 1950s with his television appearances on NBC's 'Cimarron City.' But his visibility lessened as talkies took hold. He is the father of Jason Robards, Jr., who witnessed his father's struggles as the silent film actor hustled for parts to pay his family's bills.