Anita Page: Silent Film Star, Hollywood Legend, and Her Final Resting Place in San Diego

Sure there were many pretty actresses in the silent film era but Anita Page, famously dubbed “the most beautiful face in Hollywood” by Photoplay Magazine, captured the hearts of audiences in the 1920s and early 1930s during the Golden Age of silent film more than most.

While her life and career were predominantly centered in Los Angeles, the final chapter of her life concluded in San Diego, where she was laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery after passing away peacefully in 2008​ at the age of 98. Her serene resting place in Southern California marks the end of an extraordinary life that once shone brightly on Hollywood’s silver screens.

From Queens to Hollywood Stardom

Born Anita Evelyn Pomares on Aug. 4, 1910, in Flushing, N.Y., Page’s natural beauty and undeniable charm led her to MGM, where she became an overnight sensation.

Her breakout role in Our Dancing Daughters (1928), opposite Joan Crawford, made her a household name. Crawford later remarked: “Anita had a certain ethereal quality that made her unforgettable on screen.” – Joan Crawford, in A Portrait of Joan​.

Her career quickly took off with films like The Broadway Melody (1929), which won an Academy Award for Best Picture, and Speedway (1929), where she shared the screen with the legendary Clark Gable.

Page’s rise was meteoric, but her reign as Hollywood’s darling was relatively short-lived.

Marriages and Family Life

1934 Page married composer Nacio Herb Brown, known for writing iconic songs like Singin’ in the Rain. However, the marriage was brief and annulled within a year ​(WikiTree.com). Later, she found lasting happiness with Hershel A. House, a Navy pilot and engineer, whom she married in 1937. The couple settled into a quieter life in Southern California, where they raised two daughters, Linda and Sandra.

Page’s transition from Hollywood star to devoted wife and mother marked a significant shift. However, she remained a beloved figure in film history, even making occasional appearances at events celebrating early cinema, such as her honor at the SunDeis Film Festival in 2002​.

The End of an Era

Anita Page died on Sept. 6, 2008, after living out her final years in Van Nuys. She spent her later life surrounded by family, far from the glittering lights of Hollywood. Although there were no clear professional ties to San Diego, her final resting place at Holy Cross Cemetery may reflect a personal or family connection​.

Although she is gone, it’s not surprising that film historians and fans continue to celebrate her life, as she was one of the last remaining stars of the silent film era.

In tribute, William Haines, a close friend and co-star, once said: “Anita was not only beautiful; she had integrity. She walked away from the industry when it stopped serving her, and that takes guts.” – William Haines, in Wisecracker​.

Filmography Highlights

Despite her early retirement, Page’s filmography is filled with iconic titles that showcase her talent and versatility:

• Our Dancing Daughters (1928)
• The Broadway Melody (1929)
• Speedway (1929)
• Free and Easy (1930)
• Night Court (1932)
• Navy Blues (1929)

Fun Facts and Legacy

At the height of her fame, Page reportedly received more fan mail than any other MGM star except Greta Garbo. She was even rumored to have caught the eye of King Alfonso XIII of Spain, who purportedly proposed to her, though she declined​, according to various reports.

Sources

1. Find a Grave – Anita Page
2. Crawford, J. (1959). A Portrait of Joan. Doubleday & Company, Inc.
3. Lambert, G. (1998). Wisecracker: The Life and Times of William Haines, Hollywood’s First Openly Gay Star. Atria Books.
4. Harris, W. (1994). Clark Gable: A Biography. Simon & Schuster.
5. IMDB: Anita Page Filmography

Debbie L. Sklar is a contributing editor to the Times of San Diego. For more historical stories about Hollywood’s Golden Age visit here.