Baby Peggy

Baby Peggy

Born: October 29, 1918
Died: February 24, 2020
in San Diego, California, USA
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Diana Serra Cary (born Peggy-Jean Montgomery, October 29, 1918 – February 24, 2020), known as Baby Peggy, was an American child film actress, vaudevillian, author and silent film historian. At the time of her death, she was the last living film star of the Silent Era of Hollywood.

Montgomery, as she then was, was one of the three major American child stars of the Hollywood silent film era along with Jackie Coogan and Baby Marie. Between 1921 and 1923 she made over 150 short films for the Century Film Corporation. In 1922 she received over 1.2 million fan letters, and by 1924 she had been dubbed The Million Dollar Baby for her $1.5 million annual salary ($22 million in 2018). Despite her childhood fame and wealth, she found herself poor and working as an extra by the 1930s.

Having an interest in both writing and history since her youth, Montgomery found a second career as an author and silent film historian in her later years under the name Diana Serra Cary. She was the author of several books including her historical novel, The Drowning of the Moon, and was an advocate for child actors' rights.

Cary died at her home in Gustine, California at the age of 101.

Movies for Baby Peggy...

Showbiz Kids
Title: Showbiz Kids
Character: Self (as Diana Serra Cary)
Released: July 14, 2020
Type: Movie
A documentary chronicling the shared experiences of prominent former child stars and the personal and professional price of fame and failure on a child.
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Clara Bow: Hollywood's Lost Screen Goddess
Title: Clara Bow: Hollywood's Lost Screen Goddess
Character: Herself
Released: December 30, 2012
Type: Movie
A documentary looking at the life, films, and troubled times of America's first sex symbol, screen actress Clara Bow, featuring interviews and archive footage. It takes a look at why she is considered the 'Lost Screen Goddess'.
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Baby Peggy: The Elephant in the Room
Title: Baby Peggy: The Elephant in the Room
Character: Herself
Released: September 5, 2012
Type: Movie
Documentary about an extraordinary lady, Diana Serra Cary (born Peggy-Jean Montgomery). In the early 1920s she was one of Hollywood's first major child stars, Baby Peggy.
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Fragments: Surviving Pieces of Lost Films
Title: Fragments: Surviving Pieces of Lost Films
Character: Herself
Released: April 3, 2011
Type: Movie
Among the pieces featured in Fragments are the final reel of John Ford's The Village Blacksmith (1922) and a glimpse at Emil Jannings in The Way of All Flesh (1927), the only Oscar®-winning performance in a lost film. Fragments also features clips from such lost films as Cleopatra (1917), starring Theda Bara; The Miracle Man (1919), with Lon Chaney; He Comes Up Smiling (1918), starring Douglas Fairbanks; an early lost sound film, Gold Diggers of Broadway (1929), filmed in early Technicolor, and the only color footage of silent star Clara Bow, Red Hair (1928). The program is rounded out with interviews of film preservationists involved in identifying and restoring these films. Also featured is a new interview with Diana Serra Cary, best known as "Baby Peggy", one of the major American child stars of the silent era, who discusses one of the featured fragments, Darling of New York (1923).
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Girl 27
Title: Girl 27
Character: Self
Released: July 27, 2007
Type: Movie
The reclusive Patricia Douglas comes out of hiding to discuss the 1937 MGM scandal, in which the powerful film studio tricked her and over 100 other underage girls into attending a stag party, where she was raped.
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Clara Bow: Discovering the It Girl
Title: Clara Bow: Discovering the It Girl
Character: Self - Clara's Co-Star in 'Helen's Babies'
Released: June 14, 1999
Type: Movie
Clara Bow: Discovering the 'It' Girl features scenes from 25 of her films, as well as interviews with family members and acquaintances.
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Hollywood’s Children
Title: Hollywood’s Children
Character: Self
Released: February 24, 1982
Type: Movie
A documentary about child actors, since the beginning of motion pictures (narrated by Roddy McDowell).
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Having Wonderful Time
Title: Having Wonderful Time
Character: Extra (uncredited)
Released: July 1, 1938
Type: Movie
Teddy Shaw, a bored New York office girl, goes to a camp in the Catskill Mountains for rest and finds Chick Kirkland.
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True Confession
Title: True Confession
Character: Autograph Hunter (uncredited)
Released: December 24, 1937
Type: Movie
A writer takes a job as a secretary because her scrupulous husband isn't bringing in the dough as an attorney. When her new employer is murdered, she can't seem to make up her mind as to whether she "dunnit" or not.
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Souls at Sea
Title: Souls at Sea
Character: Bit Role (uncredited)
Released: September 3, 1937
Type: Movie
Michael 'Nuggin' Taylor and Powdah save lives during a sea tragedy in this story about the slave trade on the high seas during 1842.
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Ah, Wilderness!
Title: Ah, Wilderness!
Character: Girl at Graduation (uncredited)
Released: December 25, 1935
Type: Movie
At the turn of the century, a young man graduates high school and realizes the joys and sorrows of growing up, with some loving help and guidance from his wise father. A tender, coming-of-age story, with a wonderful look at a long-gone, but fondly remembered, small town America.
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The Return of Chandu
Title: The Return of Chandu
Character: Judy Allen
Released: October 1, 1934
Type: Movie
Chandu consults his crystal ball and sees that Nadji, Princess of Egypt, is in danger. She is about to be sacrificed by the black magic cult of Ubasti. Headed for the magic island of Lemuria, he is shipwrecked , washed ashore and captured. He becomes invisible, escapes and after numerous detours is able to rescue the princess.
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Eight Girls in a Boat
Title: Eight Girls in a Boat
Character: Hortense
Released: January 5, 1934
Type: Movie
In an exclusive Swiss school for young girls, Christa Storm discovers she is going to have a baby, and keeps the secret from everyone but her lover, David Perrin, a young medical student. Having been in the private school most of her life, she can't confide in her father whom she hardly knows and, while he wishes to but can't afford to marry her, David can't get the approval of his father.a
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Off His Base
Title: Off His Base
Character: Peggy
Released: September 18, 1932
Type: Movie
It begins with the Mustangs in trouble in their championship series... all the players are banged up and they're being clobbered. But a sports reporter insists that his nephew, Minor, can really play ball and will help the team win.
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Hollywood on Parade
Title: Hollywood on Parade
Character: Self
Released: June 5, 1932
Type: Movie
A short featuring many stars
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Life in Hollywood No. 3
Title: Life in Hollywood No. 3
Character: Self
Released: August 25, 1927
Type: Movie
Part of a 7-part series exploring all aspects of Hollywood.
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April Fool
Title: April Fool
Character: Irma Goodman - a Child
Released: November 15, 1926
Type: Movie
An out-of-work pants presser starts an umbrella business and makes a fortune. His daughter is set to marry the nephew of a rich neighbor until the nephew is accused of stealing money from his uncle--but the money was really stolen by the rich man's son.
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Helen's Babies
Title: Helen's Babies
Character: Toddie
Released: October 11, 1924
Type: Movie
A young man, who has vowed never to marry and doesn't particularly like children, is left in charge of his two very young nieces. At first they drive him to distraction, but then he begins to warm to them, and also to a beautiful young local girl.
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The Family Secret
Title: The Family Secret
Character: Peggy Holmes
Released: September 28, 1924
Type: Movie
The daughter of a wealthy man secretly marries a man below her station— one whom her father violently disapproves of. The father, in an excess of parental concern, separates the lovers by sending his daughter away so that she might forget her lover, unaware of their married state. During this time, she gives birth to a daughter. After some months, the young mother returns to her family manor and presents her father with his new granddaughter, which causes a most unfortunate scene. Unbeknownst to the young woman, her enraged father falsely accuses his son-in-law of theft and has him incarcerated in order to separate the lovers in an irrational attempt to force his daughter to forget this "unworthy" young man.
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Captain January
Title: Captain January
Character: Captain January
Released: July 6, 1924
Type: Movie
During a tempestuous storm, a lighthouse keeper finds an infant girl who washes ashore tied to some wreckage. He adopts her and they become inseparable. Eventually her real family finds her and wants her to live with them.
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The Flower Girl
Title: The Flower Girl
Released: May 25, 1924
Type: Movie
Fragment of a Baby Peggy short film.
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The Law Forbids
Title: The Law Forbids
Released: April 7, 1924
Type: Movie
Paul and Rhoda Remsen, having marital difficulties, separate; and each is awarded custody of their child Peggy for 6 months of the year. Rhoda and Peggy move to a farm town, while Paul remains in the big city to write a play for actress Inez Lamont, who is in love with him. Peggy knows that her mother still loves Paul, so she flees to the big city to explain the situation to her father.
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Peg o' the Mounted
Title: Peg o' the Mounted
Character: Peg
Released: February 27, 1924
Type: Movie
A pint-sized Mountie pursues a gang of moonshiners.
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Such Is Life
Title: Such Is Life
Character: The Little Match Girl
Released: January 30, 1924
Type: Movie
A feisty homeless orphan girl struggles with winter cold and hunger.
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Our Pet
Title: Our Pet
Released: January 1, 1924
Type: Movie
Baby Peggy short – AKA Too Many Lovers Our Pet tell the story of little girl Baby Peggy who warding off thieves. This short film is one of the titles from 1920s silent film series “Baby Peggy” that played by Diana Serra Cary, the last living silent film star. She was the one of the three major American child stars of the Hollywood silent movie era along with Jackie Coogan and Baby Marie . Most of Cary's “Baby Peggy” films including Our Pet had been lost when the Century Studios burned down in 1926. In September 2016, Japanese silent film narrator (Benshi) and silent film collector Ichiro Kataoka discovered the 9.5 mm print of this long lost film in Japan and brought it back to the screen with his Benshi performance.
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Hansel and Gretel
Title: Hansel and Gretel
Character: Gretel
Released: December 26, 1923
Type: Movie
Century Film Production Black & White Silent
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The Darling of New York
Title: The Darling of New York
Character: Santussa
Released: December 3, 1923
Type: Movie
Santussa, an orphan who becomes separated from her nurse en route to America to live with her grandfather, is cared for by gangsters who hide their stolen jewels in her ragdoll. In New York, Big Mike, finding Santussa a nuisance, dumps her and the doll in a trash can, where a newsboy finds her. After several adventures, Santussa finds her grandfather, the jewels are handed over to customs officials, and the gang of crooks is reformed.
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Miles of Smiles
Title: Miles of Smiles
Character: The Twins (dual role)
Released: November 28, 1923
Type: Movie
In a dual role, Baby Peggy plays the Morgan twins—one who lives with her wealthy parents, and her identical sibling, who is adopted by the impoverished owner of a small-gauge tourist train. Chaos erupts for all concerned when the chase for a lost coin and a case of mistaken identity fortuitously reunites the sisters.
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Carmen, Jr.
Title: Carmen, Jr.
Released: August 29, 1923
Type: Movie
A spoof of Bizet's Carmen, showcasing child star Baby Peggy.
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Hollywood
Title: Hollywood
Character: Baby Peggy Montgomery
Released: August 19, 1923
Type: Movie
Angela comes to Hollywood with only two things: Her dream to become a movie star, and Grandpa. She leaves an Aunt, a brother, Grandma, and her longtime boyfriend back in Centerville. Despite seeing major movie stars around every corner, and knocking on every casting office door in town, at the end of her first day she is still unemployed. To her horror, when she arrives back at their hotel, she finds that Grandpa has been cast in a movie by William DeMille and quickly becomes a star during the ensuing weeks. Her family, worried that Angela and Grandpa are getting into trouble, come to Hollywood to drag them back home. In short order Aunt, Grandma, brother, boyfriend and even the parrot become superstars, but Angela is still unemployed...
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The Kid Reporter
Title: The Kid Reporter
Character: Peggy
Released: May 30, 1923
Type: Movie
The 'secretary' of a busy newspaperman is revealed to be a cherubic small child, Baby Peggy. When a rich woman's pearl necklace is stolen, Baby Peggy's employer promises to make the reporter who cracks the case Editor-in-Chief. The little girl seizes the opportunity, and - several disguises and chases later, with the grudging aid of the office-boy - duly returns with the jewels to achieve promotion, with all the adults scurrying to serve her.
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Sweetie
Title: Sweetie
Character: The Little Newspaper Vendor
Released: April 4, 1923
Type: Movie
A Baby Peggy two-reeler
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Fools First
Title: Fools First
Character: Little girl
Released: May 27, 1922
Type: Movie
Tommy Frazer is one of a gang of crooks lead by "Tony the Wop". Frazer gets caught and is sent up the river for three years on a forgery rap. When he gets out of prison, he finds his girl, Ann Whittaker, waiting for him -- and she's got a scheme. She is working in a bank and wants to pull an inside heist.
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The Little Rascal
Title: The Little Rascal
Character: Baby Peggy
Released: May 24, 1922
Type: Movie
The adventures of Baby Peggy in her own house.
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Circus Clowns
Title: Circus Clowns
Released: January 25, 1922
Type: Movie
Baby Peggy is joined by her star-making partner, Brownie the Wonder Dog and is in a circus as a junior clown.
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Peggy, Behave!
Title: Peggy, Behave!
Character: Baby Peggy
Released: January 1, 1922
Type: Movie
Baby Peggy, one of the biggest child stars in movie history, does not disappoint in this charming silent comedy, even though it only exists in fragmentary form. Through the short, she interacts with a number of animals, especially a goose she wants to cook.
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Get-Rich-Quick Peggy
Title: Get-Rich-Quick Peggy
Released: December 7, 1921
Type: Movie
Short movie starring Baby Peggy
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Brownie's Little Venus
Title: Brownie's Little Venus
Released: September 13, 1921
Type: Movie
A 1921 American silent short film directed by Fred Hibbard for Century Film Company and starring Baby Peggy and Brownie the dog. It was rediscovered in Switzerland in 2010.
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Playmates
Title: Playmates
Character: Baby Peggy
Released: May 18, 1921
Type: Movie
Baby Peggy and Brownie the Dog star in this adorable short.
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Her Circus Man
Title: Her Circus Man
Released: March 9, 1921
Type: Movie
A lost silent short comedy.
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Sea Shore Shapes
Title: Sea Shore Shapes
Released: January 2, 1921
Type: Movie
The story of a bad organ grinder, a life saver, a pretty girl and her baby sister. A dog takes an active part in the final rescue and helps save the child from the fleeing kidnapper.