Born #OTD 1894: Gladys Brockwell, a luminary of the silent era who met a sudden and tragic end just as the age of the 'Talkies' was dawning

Photos by Albert Witzel

A Brooklyn-born beauty, Gladys Brockwell (née Lindeman), was touring the country in theatrical productions as early as age seven. Over the course of two decades, she starred in numerous silent films and was 'regarded as one of the finest character actresses of the day who not only adapted to sound films but excelled in them.' However, as this bold new era of sound in cinema was gaining momentum, tragedy struck on 27 June 1929. Ms Brockwell was involved in a horrific car crash that sent the vehicle over a 75-foot embankment on the Ventura Highway, trapping her beneath the wreckage. Despite four blood transfusions, she succumbed to internal injuries and sadly departed this cruel earth on 2 July 1929, at just 34 years of age.

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