Vonda Phelps
Vonda Phelps is a former child stage actress, vaudeville performer and dancer in the 1920s. She appeared in several silent film productions.
Child prodigy
In May 1924 Phelps participated in Good Fairy, a fantasy play in two acts, at the Philharmonic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California. She performed along with almost twenty other children. Phelps appeared as a dancer at the Christmas program of the Cosmos Club the following December. Her presentation was highlighted by a rendition of Pierrotte Phantasy. The dance was her original creation and demonstrated her unique personality. Phelps gave a similar interpretation of the dance at the Ambassador Theater in Los Angeles. Her performance was part of a concert given by The Children's Opera in June 1926.
Films
Phelps appeared in two motion pictures in the early 1920s: in The Man Who Waited (1922), as "June", a baby, and in The Jungle Goddess (1922) as "Betty", a little girl.[1]
Later life
Her fame as a youth performer did not endure. Phelps is not mentioned in newspaper articles after a reference to her birthday celebration in April 1928. She was given a luncheon at the Elite on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. Guests were entertained at a table replete with a centerpiece of sweet peas rendered in pastel shades. Later the celebrants went to Grauman's Chinese Theater. Fellow silent film star Virginia Marshall was among Phelps' birthday attendants.
References
- ↑ "Thrills Galore in "Jungle Goddess"". Motion Picture Daily. January 28, 1922. p. 605.
- Los Angeles Times, Will Have Role In Good Fairy, May 15, 1924, Page A10.
- Los Angeles Times, Cosmos Club, December 7, 1924, Page C26.
- Los Angeles Times, Stars Tomorrow? April 1, 1925, Page C4.
- Los Angeles Times, Talented Child At Benefit Dance, June 4, 1925, Page 20.
- Los Angeles Times, Society of Cinemaland, April 22, 1928, Page C23.