Betty Bronson: The Screen's first Peter Pan
Betty Bronson was a dainty little actress best remembered for playing Peter Pan in the first film adaption of the beloved children's novel. She stood at 5 feet tall and was only 17 when she was selected by J. M. Barrie to play Peter Pan. The lively little creature fought hard for the role and embodied like no one else could, but of course, she made other films during her career as well.
Betty was born Elizabeth Ada Bronson on November 17, 1906, in Trenton, New Jersey, to her acting parents Frank and Nellie Smith Bronson. She had two brothers named Arthur and Frank and a younger sister named Eleanor. According to various newspaper accounts, Betty's family did a lot of moving. At three years old, her parents moved to California where the future star resided for five years, attending both public and private Catholic schools in St. Louis and California. Eventually, her parents moved back to New Jersey where Betty attended East Orange High School, and later St. Vincent's Academy in Newmark. Betty's family also lived in Brooklyn with their Aunt and Uncle at one point before moving out to Los Angeles again, where she got a chance to be in pictures. As for her schooling, Betty was described as a very smart girl who took up music and French earnestly.
Ever since she was ten, Frank and Nellie had planned a stage or screen career for their little daughter. While living in New York, Betty studied Russian ballet with Mikhail Fokine. Betty got her first job in pictures at the Paramount Long Island Studio in 1922, when director Ned Hay gave her a small role in Anna Ascends. Her next picture was Java Head (1923), a now-lost film. She had some small uncredited roles in a few other pictures but didn't get her big break until 1924's Peter Pan, where she played the lead role.
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| Mary Brian as Wendy Darling (L), Betty as Peter Pan (M), and Esther Ralston as Mrs. Darling (R). |
Her selection came after Jesse L. Lasky and Herbert Brenon had made separate trips to England to consult with J.M. Barrie. In discussing three visits Lasky said, "We kept our favorite's name strictly to ourselves, for the right to make a selection was entirely in the hands of Sir James Barrie. when he cabled me that he had selected Betty Bronson from hosts of tests we sent him, I felt that beyond the shadow of a doubt we had at last found the ideal Peter Pan."
Betty's response to J.M. Barrie was, "I feel like a new Cinderella, thanks to you. I realize the importance of your trust in me and my tremendous responsibility. I pledge my every effort to justify your faith. I am the luckiest girl in the world."
Providentially, the public adored her performance in Peter Pan. What's particularly sweet and interesting is the lifelong friendship that blossomed between her co-stars Esther Ralston and Mary Brian during production. Esther described them both as "Very charming people." Another interesting fact is the original selections were Mary Pickford and Gloria Swanson. Mary is a quite logical choice, but Gloria, I can not imagine. What other actresses would've been a suitable Peter Pan other than Betty? Janet Gaynor, possibly?
The only other big-screen success she achieved was in the two-hour epic Ben-Hur (1925), where she portrayed Mary Mother of Jesus. |
| How pretty is she?!! |
