Today is what would have been Pepi Lederer's 100th birthday. Pepi (March 18, 1910 – June 11, 1935) was an actress and writer. She was also the niece of Marion Davies. What little we know about Pepi comes from Louise Brooks' Lulu in Hollywood. In it, she devotes an entire chapter to Pepi, Marion Davies, and Davies' lover, William Randolph Hearst. Louise Brooks knew them all, and spent a little time with each at the Hearst Castle.
If you haven't read Brooks' essay, "Marion Davies' Niece," you should. It is a fine and sympathetic portrait of a tragic figure.
Film historian Allan R, Ellenberger, the author of recommended books on Ramon Novarro and Rudolph Valentino, has written an excellent, illustrated article on Pepi on his blog. Check it out at http://www.allanellenberger.com Pepi Lederer is not forgotten.
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