Special Sub-Topic: The Life of Thelma Todd Click Here To Play: The Life of Thelma Todd

Where was Thelma Todd born?

Lawrence, Massachusetts. Thelma Todd was born three miles from the New Hampshire border in Lawrence, Massachusetts on July 29, 1905.

What happened to Thelma in 1925?

She became Miss Massachusetts. She was named Miss Massachusetts 1925 at the Empire Theater. A talent scout from Paramount and Famous Players-Lasky Studio was asked by Napoleon Demara, manager of the Empire Theater, to take a look at Thelma. He liked what he saw and offered her a screen test in Boston. She was very photogenic and was offered a chance to go to Paramount and Famous Players-Lasky's acting school. The Paramount and Famous Players-Lasky Studio was the last of the studios to leave New York and move to Hollywood.

Where did Thelma attend acting school?

Astoria, New York. The Paramount and Famous Players-Lasky acting school in Astoria, New York was the first acting school in the country.

Which of the following did Thelma meet in acting school?

Gloria Swanson. The Paramount and Famous Players-Lasky acting school was at their Astoria, New York studio. Miss Swanson, one of their biggest stars, refused to leave New York, and she was the reason that the studio had not moved to Hollywood. Swanson did not want to leave New York, because she thought Los Angeles was a "bawdy cow town". When Thelma was attending acting school, she meet Miss Swanson. Thelma said she had never meet anyone so beautiful--or so rude in her life.

What was the name of Thelma Todd's first movie?

Fascinating Youth. "Fascinating Youth" was released on Mar. 17, 1926. She had a bit part as a sister of a society girl. It was made at the Players' school. This was a silent film, and that was why being photogenic was so important.

What was the maximum weekly amount that Thelma was offered by Hal Roach on her 1929 five-year contract with Roach Studios?

$500. On Jan. 1929, Hal Roach offered Thelma a five-year contract with a start of $75.00 to a maximum of $500 per week.

Her first starring role was in what film?

Seven Footprints To Satan. Thelma appeared in all the four films listed."Seven Footprints To Satan" was released Feb. 17, 1929. Her co-star was Creighton Hale. This was a "talkie"--not her first talking movie, but it was her first starring role. She was one of the stars who successfully crossed over from the silent era. "Unaccustomed As We Are" was released on May 4, 1929, and was the first Laurel and Hardy "talkie".

What was the "Potato Clause" that Hal Roach insisted be added to Thelma's contract

It said she could not gain more than five pounds.. This "potato clause" stated that if she gained five pounds or more, Thelma could be fired. This clause constantly haunted Thelma, as she gained weight and crash dieted even to the point of passing out on the set. Finally, she was given prescription diet pills by a co-worker on the set. She became very dependent on these, as they did curb her appetite and give her renewed energy.

What actress was given the starring role in "Hells Angels" because Hal Roach objected to Thelma appearing in a drama?

Jean Harlow. Jean Harlow was given the starring role in "Hell's Angels" because Hal Roach did not want Thelma to do dramatic roles. Thelma Todd really became his star comedy actresses. She appeared with such greats as Laurel and Hardy, the Marx Brothers, and Charlie Chase.

What was the name of the Marx Brothers film, released on Sept. 17, 1931, that also starred Thelma?

Monkey Business. She also starred in "Horse Feathers" with the Marx Bothers which was released on Aug. 8, 1932.

On Thelma's new contract with Hal Roach of May, 1931, what was Thelma's maximum weekly salary?

$2,000. Her maximum salary under her new contract was $2,000.00 per week.

What was the name of the business that Thelma started with Rowland West?

Sidewalk Cafe. In August, 1934, along with Rowland West, Thelma Todd started a very succesful restaurant called the Sidewalk Cafe.

What was the name of the friend that her husband Pat DiCicco introduced Thelma to?

Charles "Lucky" Luciano. Thelma married Pat DiCicco on July 18, 1932 in Prescott, Arizona, and it was DiCicco who introduced Thelma to his friend mobster Charles "Lucky" Luciano. All of the four names mentioned are of mob bosses. Thelma's marriage to DiCicco was of very short duration, lasting less than a year. It is said that Luciano was the first to give Thelma hard drugs. It was his ultimate method of controlling people. Strangely enough, Al Capone did not believe in hard drugs.

Why did the mob want the third floor of Thelma's business for?

Gambling. Luciano dreamed of merging with Thelma and using the third floor of her very scucessful Sidewalk Cafe for gambling. He knew her connections would be invaluable in attracting high-rolling stars and movie people. He wanted to take over the third floor by the end of 1935. Thelma, though, had other plans that did not include Luciano. She wanted the third floor for another resturant that she planned to open by New Year's Day 1936.

Thelma's death on Dec. 15, 1935 has spawned many theories. Which of the following is not a theory put forth concerning her untimely death?

Thelma accidentally drowned in her swimming pool.. The official report labeled Thelma's death as suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. She was found on Dec. 16, 1935 by her maid, Mae Whitehead. She had found Thelma dead, sitting in her car, in the gargage of Thelma's house. One story was that her death was accidental, and that Rowland West had locked her out of her house on that cold December night, and that Thelma had left the motor of her car running to keep warm. This is the version that West gave out as the true one, and he blamed himself until his death for her death. The other story is that she was killed by a hit man on Luciano's orders, because Thelma would not give him the third floor of her cafe for gambling. Thelma's family never believed the suicide verdict, because at the time of her death, she was making $3500 a week and had been seeing a nice man in San Francisco. Thelma's body was cremated and her urn was placed, years later, in her mother's casket. They were buried together in Lawrence, Massachusetts, Thelma's hometown. I hope you enjoyed my quiz on the charming, lovely, and talented actress, Thelma Todd.