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| Z aSu Pitts was an actress
in silent American film, in talking pictures, and on television.
Born in Parsons, KS--possibily as early as 1884 or as late as 1900. Her birth year is often published as 1898. She was named after her father's two sisters: EliZa and Susan. Her name is pronounced Say' Zoo. Raised in Santa Cruz, California, she began her film career at the age of 19 as a supporting player in two successive Mary Pickford films. In 1924 she was a lead in Eric von Stroheim's film, Greed. With the advent of sound she steered her career almost exclusively into light comedy, adding a delightful touch as a scatterbrained comedienne. She is remembered also to1950's television audiences as Gale Storm's side-kick in "Oh, Susanna!" ZaSu was married twice, had a daughter named Ann, and adopted the son of her beautiful friend, Barbara LaMarr, when Barbara died-- raising him as her own. She has two grandsons. One lives in California and the other lives in Florida. ZaSu died of cancer in 1963. |
These photos were taken at the ZaSu Pitts Film Festival in Parsons, KS. Select a photo to see a larger version
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Events:
Friday, April 24
- Registration and Reception
- Welcome
- "Silent Film Comedy" presented by Sam Gill
- "ZaSu Pitts & Mary Pickford" presented by John Tibbetts
- The Little Princess -- film presentation
Saturday, April 25
- Registration and Memorabilia Exhibit
- "Catch As Catch Can"/"Red Noses" -- two short films with Thelma Todd/ZaSu Pitts team
- "ZaSu Pitts' Parsons" presented by Randy Roberts
- Lunch
- Parsons Museum open for tours over lunch break
- "McTeague and Greed: Novel into Film" presented by Walter Shear
- Greed -- film presentation
- Dinner
- Reception: Candy Tasting Party (receipes from ZaSu Pitts' book Candy Hits)
- Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch -- film presentation
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Parsons is seven miles from Cherryvale, KS--home of two more famous
actresses: Louise Brooks and Vivian Vance. (See below.)
Click on photo to see enlargement. |
Labette Community College
200 South 14th, P.O. Box 1037, Parsons, Kansas 67357
Phone: 1-316-421-6700
This program was funded in part by the Kansas Humanities Council, a nonprofit cultural organization encouraging the appreciation of history, heritage and values. Also sponsored by the Parsons Art & Humanities Council
Check these sites for more information:
Mary Pickford
Louise Brooks (born in Cherryvale, KS)
Buster Keaton (born in Piqua, KS)
Roscoe Arbuckle (born in Smith Center, KS)
The Silent Era --overview info site about silent film
Gale Storm
And check the I Love Lucy site for more about Vivan Vance (Ethel Mertz), born in Cherryvale, KS
© 1998 by Carol Yoho
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