The American Venus

The American Venus was a 1926 American silent comedy film directed by Frank Tuttle, and starring Esther Ralston, Ford Sterling, Lawrence Gray, Fay Lanphier, Louise Brooks, and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. The film was based on an original story by Townsend Martin. The scenario was written by Frederick Stowers with intertitles by Robert Benchley.

Before shooting began, the film became the subject of a minor controversy when the New York Graphic, a newspaper known for its use of yellow journalism, claimed that the films distributor, Paramount Pictures, had fixed the Miss America pageant. In a series of articles, the paper claimed that the eventual winner, Fay Lanphier Miss California, had been chosen before the pageant because she signed on to star in the film before the pageant was held. Paramount publicly admitted it had been involved with the pageants promotions and had agreed to pay for pageants reviewing stand. The studio also agreed to sponsor an American Venus contest to be held before the Miss America pageant to determine which of the contestants had the best photographic possibilities. Lanphier won the American Venus title and was chosen by Famous PlayersLasky then production manager Walter Wanger a role in the film. The New York Graphic was later forced to retract their claim that the contest had been fixed.Fay Lanphier was the first Miss America winner to star in a feature film. While the film was a popular draw upon its release and played in theatres for two years after its initial release mainly due to the heavy publicity and the inclusion of two sequences that were shot in twostrip Technicolor, The American Venus received mixed reviews and Lanphiers contract was dropped. The American Venus proved to be more helpful to the careers of star Esther Ralston and Louise Brooks who was cast in a supporting role. Ralston had previously played supporting roles in the silent features Huckleberry Finn and Beggar on Horseback 1925. The success of The American Venus effectively established Ralstons career as a leading lady. The film also helped to boost Louise Brooks burgeoning career. It was her first significant role her first role was small part in 1925s The Street of Forgotten Men for which she received good reviews. ........

Source: Wikipedia