In the golden age of Hollywood, a time frame spanning from the 1920s to the 1950s, a shocking revelation emerged – that abortions were not just common but almost routine among actresses.
This stark contrast to today’s debates over women’s reproductive rights in America sheds light on how the film industry once operated under a different set of norms and values.
During this period, decisions regarding women’s bodies were predominantly controlled by the powerful male heads of major movie studios like MGM, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and RKO.
As detailed in Aubrey Malone’s book Hollywood’s Second s**, women in the industry were expected to conform to a masculine standard or risk being sidelined.
From the early days of Hollywood, abortions were considered a necessary part of women’s maintenance in the spotlight.
The rise of birth control methods coincided with the emergence of movie stars, who transitioned rapidly from obscurity to fame and fortune.
Anne Helen Petersen’s work, Scandals of Classic Hollywood, paints a vivid picture of this era characterized by excess and indulgence among the nouveau riche.
The liberated atmosphere within the studio system allowed women to break free from traditional gender roles and earn substantial incomes, affording them newfound independence and autonomy.
However, the newfound freedoms also brought about challenges, leading studios to enforce strict morality clauses in actors’ contracts to prevent scandals that could tarnish their public image.
Rumors and speculations surrounding stars’ personal lives were rampant, with instances like Jean Harlow allegedly being prohibited from marrying under her contract with MGM.
When faced with an unplanned pregnancy, stars often resorted to secret abortions to avoid damaging their careers and reputations, as highlighted in E.J.
Fleming’s book The Fixers.
Notable figures like Tallulah Bankhead and Jeanette McDonald discreetly underwent abortions to navigate the demands of their professional lives, showcasing the sacrifices made behind the glamorous facade of Hollywood stardom.
Despite the pressures and challenges, some actresses managed to persevere and continue their careers, defying the odds stacked against them.
One such example is Joan Crawford, whose tumultuous personal life and career struggles were shrouded in secrecy and scandal.
Crawford’s decision to have an abortion during her marriage to Douglas Fairbanks Jr., under the guise of a miscarriage, exemplifies the lengths to which actresses went to protect their livelihoods.
Similarly, Bette Davis, another iconic actress of the era, chose to forgo motherhood early in her career to focus on her acting pursuits.
Davis’s candid acknowledgment of the sacrifices she made underscores the complexities of balancing personal desires with professional ambitions in a cutthroat industry.
The untold stories of these Hollywood legends shed light on a bygone era where women faced immense pressure to conform to societal expectations while navigating the turbulent waters of fame and fortune.
Despite the challenges and sacrifices they endured, these actresses left an indelible mark on the history of cinema, shaping the narrative of Old Hollywood with their resilience and determination.
Read more
