Clara Bow

"Silent screen sensation Clara Bow (1905-1965), the greatest box-office draw of her day, was the embodiment of the Roaring Twenties, Hollywood's first sex symbol, and a natural talent with an independent spirit. Raised in the slums of Brooklyn by a family plagued with alcoholism and insanity, Clara catapulted to fame after winning Motion Picture magazine's 1921 "Fame and Fortune" contest. Despite her overwhelming popularity - she once received 45,000 fan letters in a single month - the onscreen vitality and allure that beguiled millions would be her undoing off-camera. David Stenn captures the 'It' girl's legendary rise to stardom and fall from grace, her success marred by studio exploitation and sexual scandals."--BOOK JACKET.