Joyzelle Joyner
Actor
About Joyzelle Joyner
Joyzelle Joyner was an American actress and dancer whose career flourished during the transition from silent films to the early talkie era. Born in Alabama, she moved to Hollywood in the mid-1920s and initially found work as an exotic dancer and extra, most notably appearing as a slave girl in the 1925 epic 'Ben-Hur'. Her career was nearly cut short in 1927 when her first husband, Dudley V. Brand, shot her through a bedroom door in a fit of jealousy over her professional ambitions; she survived the injury and divorced him shortly after. She achieved significant recognition in 1930 for her dual role as the Martian queens Boo Boo and Loo Loo in the sci-fi musical 'Just Imagine'. Joyner's most infamous contribution to cinema came in 1932 when she performed the provocative 'Dance of the Naked Moon' in Cecil B. DeMille's 'The Sign of the Cross', a scene that became a primary target for Hays Code censors. Despite her talent and striking screen presence, the enforcement of stricter moral codes in 1934 led to her being relegated to minor, often uncredited roles. She retired from the screen in 1935 and lived a private life in California until her death in 1980.
The Craft
On Screen
Joyner was primarily utilized for her 'exotic' and 'ethereal' screen presence, often cast in roles that required specialized dance skills or a sense of otherworldly beauty. Her performances in early sound films showcased a unique blend of physical grace and comedic timing, particularly in her dual role in 'Just Imagine'. As a dancer, she was known for her 'Eastern' and 'Salome' routines, which were characterized by a provocative and uninhibited style that often pushed the boundaries of contemporary censorship.
Milestones
- Appeared in the silent epic Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ (1925)
- Played the dual role of Martian queens Boo Boo and Loo Loo in Just Imagine (1930)
- Performed the controversial 'Dance of the Naked Moon' in The Sign of the Cross (1932)
- Starred as the leading lady in the Western Whistlin' Dan (1932)
- Featured in the horror film House of Mystery (1934) under the pseudonym Laya Joy
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Recognized by film historians for her pivotal role in Pre-Code cinema history
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Joyzelle Joyner serves as a significant figure in the study of Pre-Code Hollywood, specifically regarding the depiction of sexuality and the 'exotic' on screen. Her performance in 'The Sign of the Cross' is frequently cited as a primary example of the 'sinful' content that triggered the strict enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code (Hays Code). By portraying characters that challenged traditional gender and moral norms, she helped define the visual language of early 1930s fantasy and historical epics.
Lasting Legacy
Her legacy is preserved through her appearance in 'Just Imagine', one of the first big-budget science fiction musicals, and her infamous dance scene in 'The Sign of the Cross', which was restored in the 1990s after decades of censorship. She remains a cult figure among classic film enthusiasts for her striking 'Martian' costumes and her status as a survivor of Hollywood's early tabloid scandals.
Who They Inspired
She influenced the 'exotic dancer' archetype in Hollywood, paving the way for later stars who blended dance with dramatic acting in genre films.
Off Screen
Joyner's personal life was marked by a high-profile scandal in 1927 when her first husband, Dudley V. Brand, shot her in the arm because he opposed her acting career. Her younger brother, Clarence, was present during the incident and helped restrain Brand. Following her divorce, she married the prolific B-movie director Phil Rosen in 1929, though the marriage eventually ended in divorce. Despite her two marriages, she reportedly used the surname 'Brand' on legal documents late in life.
Education
Trained in dance and vaudeville-style performance, though specific institutional education is unrecorded.
Family
- Dudley V. Brand (married 1920s, divorced 1927)
- Phil Rosen (married 1929, divorced)
Did You Know?
- Her first name 'Joyzelle' was reportedly invented by her parents because they liked the sound of it.
- She survived being shot twice by her first husband through a closed door in 1927.
- In 'Just Imagine', she played twin queens of Mars, requiring early special effects to show her twice on screen.
- Her 'Dance of the Naked Moon' was so controversial it was completely cut from the 1935 re-release of 'The Sign of the Cross'.
- She was one of only two credited cast members from 'Just Imagine' (along with Maureen O'Sullivan) still alive in 1980, the year the film's 'future' was set.
- She died exactly one week after the 50th anniversary of the release of 'Just Imagine'.
- She used the pseudonym 'Laya Joy' for her role in the 1934 horror film 'House of Mystery'.
- Her final screen appearance was an uncredited dance sequence in 'Dante's Inferno' (1935).
In Their Own Words
I wanted a career, and he wanted a housewife. (Reflecting on her first marriage and the shooting incident)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Joyzelle Joyner?
Joyzelle Joyner was a prominent American actress and dancer active during the 1920s and 1930s. She is best remembered for her exotic dance roles and her appearances in early science fiction and historical epic films.
What films is Joyzelle Joyner best known for?
She is most famous for playing the twin Martian queens in the 1930 sci-fi musical 'Just Imagine' and for her controversial dance as Ancaria in Cecil B. DeMille's 'The Sign of the Cross' (1932).
When was Joyzelle Joyner born and when did she die?
She was born on August 27, 1905, in Atmore, Alabama, and passed away on November 30, 1980, in Orange, California.
What was the scandal involving Joyzelle Joyner's first husband?
In 1927, her husband Dudley V. Brand shot her through a bedroom door because he was jealous of her pursuit of a film career. She survived the attack and the incident became a major Hollywood scandal.
Why did Joyzelle Joyner's career end in the mid-1930s?
The strict enforcement of the Hays Code in 1934 made it difficult for actresses known for 'exotic' or 'provocative' roles to find work. Joyner was relegated to uncredited parts and chose to retire from the industry in 1935.
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Films
1 film
