Ethelind Terry
Actor
About Ethelind Terry
Ethelind Terry was a prominent American stage and film actress who rose to fame during the Jazz Age as one of Florenz Ziegfeld's most celebrated leading ladies. Born in Philadelphia in 1899, she began her theatrical career in the early 1920s, quickly gaining attention for her exceptional singing voice and striking physical beauty. Her career reached its zenith in 1927 when she originated the title role in the Broadway smash hit 'Rio Rita', a performance that cemented her status as a top-tier musical comedy star. Following her stage success, she was signed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer to transition into the burgeoning 'talkie' era, making her major film debut in the 1930 musical 'Lord Byron of Broadway'. Although she was initially positioned as a rival to established screen stars, the lukewarm reception of her early films and the onset of the Great Depression hindered her cinematic momentum. She eventually returned to the stage and made sporadic film appearances throughout the 1930s, including a role in the Tex Ritter western 'Arizona Days' (1937). Despite a relatively brief period at the height of Hollywood's spotlight, Terry remains a significant figure of the early sound era and a legendary icon of the Ziegfeld Follies' golden years.
The Craft
On Screen
Terry was primarily a musical theater performer known for her 'soprano' vocal range and a refined, operetta-influenced acting style. Her screen presence was characterized by the poise and formal elegance typical of Ziegfeld stars, though critics sometimes found her transition from the broad gestures of the stage to the intimacy of the camera to be a challenge.
Milestones
- Originated the title role in the Ziegfeld Broadway musical 'Rio Rita' (1927)
- Starred in the MGM Pre-Code musical 'Lord Byron of Broadway' (1930)
- Featured in the London production of Irving Berlin's 'Music Box Revue' (1922)
- Starred in the Broadway hit 'Kid Boots' alongside Eddie Cantor (1923)
- Toured Australia in the musical production 'The Flame of Desire' (1935)
- Headline performer in the Shubert production 'Nina Rosa' (1930)
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Recognized as one of the premier 'Ziegfeld Girls' of the 1920s
- Featured on numerous sheet music covers as the face of 'Rio Rita'
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Ethelind Terry served as a bridge between the opulence of the 1920s Broadway stage and the early experimental years of Hollywood's musical talkies. As the original 'Rio Rita', she embodied the exoticized romanticism that was a staple of Ziegfeld's productions, influencing the visual and vocal standards for musical leading ladies of the era. Her transition to film, while not as enduring as some of her contemporaries, represents the industry's early attempts to capitalize on established stage stardom during the 'musical craze' of 1929-1930.
Lasting Legacy
Her legacy is most firmly rooted in the history of American musical theater. While her filmography is small, 'Lord Byron of Broadway' remains a notable example of early Technicolor experimentation and Pre-Code musical drama. Terry is remembered by theater historians as one of the definitive voices of the late 1920s, representing the peak of the Ziegfeld era's glamour.
Who They Inspired
She influenced the casting and performance style of subsequent musical ingenues, particularly in the way she balanced operatic vocal technique with popular jazz-age sensibilities.
Off Screen
Ethelind Terry's personal life was frequently the subject of tabloid interest. She was first married to Benedict Bogeaus, a wealthy Chicago real estate tycoon who later became an independent film producer; their marriage lasted from 1928 until their divorce in 1931. In 1942, she eloped to Las Vegas with actor Dick Purcell, known for playing the first cinematic Captain America. However, the marriage was extremely short-lived, ending in divorce only months later after Purcell claimed the relationship was detrimental to his health.
Education
Trained in vocal performance and dance in Philadelphia and New York City.
Family
- Benedict Bogeaus (1928-1931)
- Dick Purcell (1942-1942)
Did You Know?
- She was the original choice for the film version of 'Rio Rita', but the role eventually went to Bebe Daniels.
- Her film 'Lord Byron of Broadway' featured early two-color Technicolor sequences.
- She performed the song 'The Woman in the Shoe' in a famous musical sequence that was later reused in MGM shorts.
- Her second husband, Dick Purcell, died only two years after their divorce at the age of 35.
- She was known for her physical beauty, often being cited as one of the most beautiful women on the American stage in the 1920s.
- Terry spent her final years in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she passed away at the age of 84.
In Their Own Words
The stage is a world of its own, but the camera is a mirror that never blinks. (Attributed during her transition to MGM in 1929)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ethelind Terry?
Ethelind Terry was a major Broadway star of the 1920s and an early sound film actress, best known for originating the title role in the Ziegfeld musical 'Rio Rita'.
What films is Ethelind Terry best known for?
She is primarily known for the 1930 MGM musical 'Lord Byron of Broadway' and the 1937 Tex Ritter western 'Arizona Days'.
When was Ethelind Terry born and when did she die?
She was born on August 14, 1899, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and died on March 17, 1984, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
What was Ethelind Terry's acting style?
She utilized a classical soprano vocal style and a poised, theatrical acting method developed during her years as a Ziegfeld headliner.
Was Ethelind Terry married to anyone famous?
Yes, she was married to producer Benedict Bogeaus and later to actor Dick Purcell, who was the first actor to play Captain America on screen.
Learn More
Films
1 film
