Hollywood Studio Magazine (December 1972)

All about Esther By Jess L. Hoaglin fEsther Ralston’s fascinating story which you will read in this issue is a heart-breaking account of one unhappy period in her life, but Time has a way of healing all sorrows and today Esther is a happy, busy lady with little time to think of the past. One of Hollywood’s most glamorous actresses in the golden days, she started her career as a child, appearing with her parents in vaudeville and the Chautauqua circuits. When the family moved to Hollywood Esther made the rounds of the Studios and managed to obtain bit parts in a number of Western films. Her big chance came when she was signed to portray Mrs. Darling in “Peter Pan” and from then on her career was launched. She was signed for a number of top films including “Old Ironside,” “Beggar on Horseback” and “Children of Divorce.” At the height of her career she went to England, appearing in vaudeville and films. Returning to the States she signed a contract with M-G-M, but made most of her films on loan-out to various studios. Her last two films were made in 1929. She portrayed Nora Bayes in “Tin Pan Alley” and followed this by appearing with Burgess Meredith in “San Francisco Docks.” In 1961 she was signed for a running part in the NBC-TV production, “Our Five Daughters.” “After I finished my year at NBC as star of ‘Our Five Daughters’” said Esther, “my daughter Mary insisted on my coming up to her home in New York to live with her, so ‘she could watch over me.’ I agreed, provided they wouldn’t put me away in ‘lavender and wool’ but would let me be active. I met with friends of theirs who own the Giens Falls Electric Supply and they sent me through the Lighting School in New York and made me a Lighting Consultant in their Studio. I can wire and put together great crystal chandeliers (they call me Rosie, the Riveter) and thoroughly enjoy decorating and lighting beautiful homes. I spend three years braving the blizzards and icy hills traveling the 65 miles to and from Giens Falls so decided last Winter to move closer to my work.” In 1925 when Esther was one of Hollywood’s most glamorous stars she married George Webb and the birth of their first child, Mary Esther, created quite a Sensation. The Press announced her as the $100,000 baby since Esther turned down that much in film contracts for motherhood. Some years later, after the death of Mr. Webb, Esther married Will Morgan of the Fred Waring Pennsylvanians but they were divorced in 1938. A year later she married Ted Lloyd, columnist on Radio Daily and they had two children, Judy, also an actress and the wife of actor-singer Mike Callahan, and Ted Lloyd, Jr., a Captain in the Strategie Air Command. Her daughter, Mary Esther, is married to Howard Baxter and they have three children. The eldest, Laura, 18, lives with her grandmother and attends College. One of Esther’s three brothers, Bradford, is the father of Bob Ralston, the pianist on the Lawrence Welk Show. Esther Ralston and her daughter, Mary Esther Ralston at the height of her film career. Esther Webb, whom the press proclaimed the $100,000 baby at the time of her birtl Esther Ralston as she looks today. A successful business woman, charming mother and grandmother. (Note: Miss Ralston informs me she will be coming to Southern California December 30 for one week. Fans who might be interested in meeting her should contact me at OL 7-4330 or HO 3-6382. Jess L. Hoaglin) 22