The Secret Call

Peggy Shannon's short life and career were filled with bit parts and "B" pictures. While this film is relatively obscure, it entertains as it showcases one of Hollywood's missed opportunities. The Secret Call was an old film property when Paramount decided to shoot the talking version. Based on the play, "The Woman" by William de Mille, Paramount filmed it as a silent in 1915 with Lois Meredith and again in 1927 as "The Telephone Girl" with Madge Bellamy in the lead. It was in rehearsals as a Clara Bow vehicle when Ms. Bow suffered a nervous collapse. Peggy Shannon had been a star on stage and was one of ten young actresses selected by Paramount for a chance in pictures. Just five days after arriving in Hollywood, Ms. Shannon stepped into the lead role. With a marvelously complicated plot, The Secret Call gives Peggy many strong scenes as it unreels. You'll really feel for her. Another great performer who didn't hit it big and hit the bottle instead. She passed away in 1941 at age 32.