Take a closer look at some of Hollywood's top-tier talent at the beginning of their careers.

Child Stars, Then and Now

Take a closer look at some of Hollywood&#39;s top-tier talent at the beginning of their careers.

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Mia Pankau and Dita Parlo in Girls for Sale (1931)

Dita Parlo in Ungarische Rhapsodie (1928)

Jean Dasté and Dita Parlo in L'Atalante (1934)

Dita Parlo and Michel Simon in L'Atalante (1934)

Jean Dasté, Gilles Margaritis, and Dita Parlo in L'Atalante (1934)

Bernard Lancret and Dita Parlo in Ultimatum (1938)

Tom Moore and Dita Parlo in Mr. Broadway (1933)

William Desmond, Eddy Duchin, Tom Moore, and Dita Parlo in Mr. Broadway (1933)

Jean Gabin and Dita Parlo in The Grand Illusion (1937)

Gustav Diessl, Heinrich George, and Dita Parlo in Menschen hinter Gittern (1931)

Lil Dagover, Willy Fritsch, and Dita Parlo in Ungarische Rhapsodie (1928)

Gustav Fröhlich and Dita Parlo in Die heilige Flamme (1931)

Dita Parlo was a German actress known for her work in both German and French cinema. She made her screen debut in Homecoming (1928) and quickly rose to prominence. During the 1930s, she starred in several acclaimed films, including Jean Vigo's L'Atalante (1934) and Jean Renoir's The Grand Illusion (1937), both considered among the greatest films in cinema history. She attempted to transition to Hollywood but found limited success, with plans to star in Orson Welles' adaptation of Heart of Darkness ultimately falling through. During World War II, she was deported to Germany as an enemy alien but returned to France in 1949. Her later career was sparse, with only two post-war film appearances, the last in 1965. Despite her relatively brief time in the spotlight, she left a lasting impact on cinema, inspiring artists such as Madonna and burlesque performer Dita Von Teese, who adopted her name in tribute.

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Dita Parlo

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