Photos show Pauline Wagner, 101, celebrating the birthday of Marion Davies. William R. Hearst constructed the faux-Georgian mansion, with rooms numbering 100, precipitously near to the ocean. This unnatural structure was mercifully demolished in 1969. Remaining is the estate’s refurbished colonial guest house, now operating as the Annenberg Beach House, a community arts center.
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The presence of 101-year old actress Pauline Wagner added poignancy to an event feting actress Marion Davies at her infamous Santa Monica Beach House this past January. At this location, Pauline first swam at the pool of the William Randolph Hearst-built beach house and nabbed an MGM contract in 1928.
Pauline appeared in “So This Is College,” a early MGM sound release, as well as many other films from 1928 to 1942, including “Lady Killer,” with James Cagney, “King Kong,” (as a stunt double on writhing atop the Empire State Building), and “Mr. Deeds Goes To Town.”
- Pauline Wagner remembers James Cagney
- Ballerina’s beautiful beach bash – Yvonne Mounsey party