Research Topics

Writers are always researching something, generally several something's at the same time.  If you know anything about any of the topics listed here, please let me know about it. 

Jade Rhodora, 1913 - 1987

I have also see her name spelled Rodora.  Jade was
born Lou Elma Smith. She was an exotic dancer.  I believe she was dancing between 1931 and 1960.  She developed a dance called The Beauty and The Beast which was more commonly known as The Rape of the Ape.  I can't vouch for the artistry of this dance, but it must have  been something special because I've found two Internet references to it.  Her costume, part body suit and part ape suit, is shown here.  Jade is both parts of this costume.  

Jade Rhodora danced in Kelly's Ritz, The Atlantis Beer Gardens and other places in the Panama Canal Zone from about 1940 to 1945. If you were living in the Panama Canal Zone during this time, please contact me.  

Jade spent a lot of time in South America.  She also lived in Illinois, California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Panama.  If you know of other places where Jade lived I hope you'll tell me about it.    

Jade developed many titled exotic dance routines, most have been lost to history.  I know of Beauty and the Beast; Dianna, Goddess of the Hunt; Leda and the Swan; Afternoon of a Faun; and Venus in Furs; but there were others.  All of Jade Rhodora's routines were copied; some of the imposter dancers not only stole her dance routines, they even used her name.  If you know anything about Jade, or her dances, or Jade Rhodora imposters please contact me. 

 If you know anything about Jade Rhodora, please email me.

Warner Baxter,  1889 - 1951

Warner Baxter was born in Columbus Ohio in 1891 and died in Los Angeles, CA in 1951.  He won the Best Actor Oscar in 1929 for his portrayal of the Cisco Kid in the movie In Old Arizona.  During the horror days of Dr. Water Freeman, Warner was lobotomized, presumably to relieve arthritis pain.  He died a short time later of pneumonia, most likely a complication from the lobotomy.  

If you know anything about Warner Baxter, please email me.

Wesley (Wes) Hudman,  1915 - 1964

Wes Hudman was an actor who did bit roles in about 19 movies and many more television programs.  He appeared in The Adventures of Superman, Death Valley Days, and The Gene Autry Show.  He was also the first Marlborough Man. 

If you know anything about Wes Hudman, please email me.

George E. Cryer,  1875 - 1961

George E. Cryer was a prominent Los Angeles attorney.  George moved to Los Angeles, CA with his parents at the age of 10.  He fought in the Spanish American War.  He then became the first Assistant U.S. Attorney for So. California.  He was Mayor of Los Angeles from 1921 to 1929.  He immediately took responsibility, for the city of Los Angeles, when the St. Frances Dam broke in 1928.  

There was a big disagreement between George Cryer and Kent Parrot in 1929 which caused George to not run again for Mayor of Los Angeles.  What was this disagreement?  

If you know anything about George E. Cryer, please email me.