Alice Beatrice Roberts was a highly accomplished American film actress, born on March 7, 1905, whose remarkable career in the entertainment industry left an enduring and lasting impact. Her life was a captivating and intricate narrative, woven from a diverse array of fascinating events, relationships, and experiences. At a remarkably young age of 14, she entered into a marriage with the renowned cartoonist and showman Robert L. Ripley, the creator of the iconic and beloved "Believe It or Not" cartoon strip, on October 31, 1919.
Despite facing potential setbacks, Roberts remained steadfast in her pursuit of a career in the beauty pageant arena, showcasing her talents in the esteemed Miss America Pageant, a prestigious event held annually in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in both 1924 and 1925. Her impressive performances yielded remarkable results, as she triumphantly claimed the esteemed "Most Beautiful Girl in Evening Gown" award on not one, but both occasions, leaving a lasting impression on the judges and audience alike with her captivating presence and undeniable charm. This remarkable achievement ultimately paved the way for her entry into the glamorous world of Hollywood, where she arrived in 1933, ready to take on the challenges and opportunities that the city had to offer.
Between the years of 1933 and 1946, the talented actress Roberts made a significant impact on the silver screen, appearing in a staggering nearly sixty films, many of which remain iconic and enduring to this day. Notable among these was her starring role alongside the dashing Bruce Cabot in the cinematic treasures "Tall Timber" and "Love Takes Flight".
While many of Roberts' roles during this period were minor and uncredited, she did manage to make a lasting impression with her performances, showcasing her remarkable range and versatility as an actress. One of her most memorable and iconic roles was that of Queen Azura in the 1938 serial "Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars", a role that has become synonymous with her name and cemented her place in the annals of cinematic history. Throughout her career, Roberts' small but significant roles demonstrated her ability to adapt to a wide range of characters and genres, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and captivate audiences to this day.
Roberts' personal life was a captivating tapestry of intrigue and drama, replete with a high-profile romantic entanglement with the illustrious Louis B. Mayer, the formidable studio chief of MGM, during the years 1935 and 1936, a period when she was under contract to his esteemed organization.
In the 1940s, Roberts embarked upon a marital journey, tying the knot with John Wesley Smith, a union that would ultimately coincide with the conclusion of her cinematic career, marked by a final contract with the venerable Universal Studios.
As she endeavored to establish herself within the realm of acting, the trajectory of Roberts' career unfortunately failed to attain the level of success she had initially aspired to achieve.
Eventually, she made the decision to depart from Hollywood in the year 1949, and her final appearances were in the films "Criss-Cross" and "Family Honeymoon."
Roberts' life came to a close on July 24, 1970, at the age of 65, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, due to complications that arose from pneumonia.
Despite the ebbs and flows that characterized her life, her legacy as a pioneering actress and beauty pageant contestant continues to captivate and inspire audiences to this very day.
