Corinne Griffith

This stunningly lovely silent film actor later proved herself a financial wizard and gifted writer. A beauty contest winner, Griffith was signed by Vitagraph in 1916 and stayed with that studio through 1922, working her way up to leading lady in such films as "The Love Doctor" (1917), "Miss Ambition" (1918), "Thin Ice" (1919), "The Garter Girl" (1920) and "Divorce Coupons" (1922). In 1924, she and her husband, producer Walter Morosco, formed Corinne Griffith Productions, releasing through First National until 1927. By this time, Griffith (nicknamed The Orchid Lady) was an undisputed star, with hits including "Black Oxen" (1924), "Declasse" (1925) and "The Lady in Ermine" (1927). Her biggest success was "The Divine Lady" (1927), a biopic of Lady Emma Hamilton.