Random Non-Louise Photo: Detail of Edwina Booth from a provocative portrait by Clarence Sinclair Bull for “Trader Horn” (1931). (Thread)

Full image and another Bull photo from 1931. After a series of minor roles, Edwina went to an audition for the big budget jungle epic “Trader Horn.” Finding it was just a press gimmick she threw a tantrum with enough energy to prod director W.S. Van Dyke to give her the role.

Of course it didn’t hurt that no other actress wanted to film on location for months in the African jungle. But suddenly she was a newly discovered and photogenic Hollywood actress tied to a big budget adventure film. More Edwina by C.S. Bull (L) and George Hurrell (R):

(L) Edwina tries on her strategically tailored “Trader Horn” costume and listens as director W.S. Van Dyke details the wonderful fun in store. He once described her as a “blonde with a temper like a spanked cat.” (R) A stunning photo by Hurrell.

The “Trader Horn” filming was mired in Africa for nearly all of 1929 as the studio tried to transition the silent film into a talkie. But unfortunately, the sound was unusable, the script was improvised and the shoot was plagued by mishaps. Photos by Bull (L) and Hurrell (R):

Dressed in skimpy “goddess” outfits, Edwina was particularly vulnerable to the jungle environment and had to deal with sunstroke, biting ants, tse-tse flies and snakes. She was hurt falling out of a tree and contracted sleeping sickness, dysentery and malaria. Publicity stills:

“Trader Horn” was a hit in 1931 but Edwina hadn’t recovered from her illnesses. She also made tabloid headlines when the wife of a “Trader Horn” cast member charged her with adultery. Dropped by MGM, she later sued for $1m but then settled for just $35,000. Photos by Hurrell:

In 1931 and ‘32, Edwina co-starred in a few low budget films — even reteaming with “Trader” co-star Harry Carey — before seeking healthcare in Europe and retiring. She eventually recovered but after just one big film shot her career was over. Bull (L) and Hurrell montage (R):

Edwina eventually spent most of her years working in the Mormon church while volunteering her time and money. “My years of illness have not been wasted," she later said. "I have learned to love mankind." She died in 1991 at the age of 86. Edwina by George Hurrell, 1931:

Side note: A tortured 2-hour slog of long-winded travelogue and racist, cornball melodrama, “Trader Horn” is a cliched and hackneyed relic. Actual line re: the African tribes: “Horn, you’re mistaken about these people. They’re not savages! They’re just happy, ignorant children.”

And, if you’ve made it this far, here’s Edwina in a short clip from the original “Trader Horn” trailer. Sadly you’ll have to miss “SEE Drums of ‘JuJu’ Witchcraft Set Savages in Bloodlust Frenzy,” but you can watch the full trailer in all of its tacky horribleness on YouTube.