Leila Hyams(1905-1977)
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Leila Hyams was one of the top leading ladies of the early talkie
pre-code years. She was a likable, pleasing actress with a charming
presence. She had much spark, personality and charisma, and a touch of
down-to-earthiness and naturalness that won over movie fans; they could
relate to her. A versatile, excellent actress she was, able to conform
to any role and maintain that special heartfelt sincerity she always
displayed in her role. Freaks (1932) was
her best-known movie, in which she played Venus and gave a
compassionate performance. Her image on screen was beautiful but not
conceited, not high and mighty, tough but sweet and she had sex appeal but
always came across as a lady who managed to keep her innocence. Those were the qualities that
carried her to fame and set her apart from the other leading ladies of
early Hollywood.
