10 Historical Figures You Might Find At A Gatsby Party

7. Clara Bow - The Original It Girl

Gatsby€™s parties were a playground for the young and beautiful, attracting many modern and free thinking flapper girls. For actresses fresh off the screen, the parties would have served as the ultimate scene to be seen in and few actresses came bigger than the decades reigning sex symbol, Clara Bow.

Bow rose to fame after staring in an array of silent films including the hugely popular €˜It€™ in 1927. The film€™s success and Clara€™s performance as shopgirl Lou Spence earned her the nickname €˜It girl€™ and popularised this expression around the world.

Regardless of whether Bow remained on her best behaviour at Gatsby€™s, it is likely that the tabloids would have circulated stories telling of her alleged wild antics at the party. During the height of her career, Bow fell victim to many scandalous rumours including allegations of drug addiction, incest and exhibitionism. The source of these rumours was eventually discovered as a magazine producer when he attempted to black mail Bow for $25,000 in order for the rumours to stop. However his plan backfired and after an investigation by federal agents he was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Contributor
Contributor

Recent History graduate living in Newcastle. I like to travel and experience new things, my favourite place on earth has got to be the Great Barrier Reef. To date my greatest achievements include completing the National Pokedex and mastering how to make cheesy nachos.