During the lunch break I decided to go downtown and see what was on Main Street. I'm really a sucker for unusual shops, since you never know what treasures you might find. On this day I would not be disappointed.

I wandered into a shop, which was hidden in the back of an old building that was converted into a sort of mall. You had to walk through a dark open-air walkway, and the store was near the back  on the right. The name was the most unusual, and I believe I will never forget it - "Edie's New Age Treasure Room."

The store was crowded with merchandise, and there was incense burning. It was a new age store, overflowing with crystals, incense, and mystical healing books. The owner, whom I took to be Edie Gullon, was a nice and friendly lady who liked to carry on conversations with her customers. Her husband was her sidekick. It was obvious that the store was hers, and he just hung out there. We struck up a conversation and talked about Bakersfield and the terrible fog and heat. All the while Edie was busy with other customers. 

Just so you know, I am not into new age thing. Why I dropped in was more out of curiosity than anything. But one thing did catch my attention. Hung on the walls and all around the shop were magnificent pictures of movie star greats from the 1930's and '40's. I distinctly remember Clarke Gable, Carole Lombard, and others. I thought that this was odd, considering the nature of the shop. Edie noticed my fascination and explained that she had bought the collection of photographs from a lady (Nina) who worked at the MGM commissary for many years. She made it a habit to collect autographed photos from all the stars that visited the commissary. 

I have always been interested in movie history and owning an autographed photo from someone famous. As I looked at the prices I quickly realized that I would not be able to afford anything. But then a photo caught my attention. It was of an actress, dressed in a very elegant dress, posing for the studio photographer. The mood captured by the photographer was typical of the early '30's, and the actress was stunning. Best of all, the price was right - $25. On top of that, it was personalized and autographed by the actress - none other than Helen Mack. I was so enthused to find a piece of Hollywood history that I could afford that I quickly snatched it up and took my prize home with me.

For Nina

With so darn many thanks for your kindness to

 Helen Mack

The photographer's name was in the lower left corner - FPowolny. I didn't really know who the photographer was. I really didn't know who Helen Mack was. I decided to go to the library and see what I could find.

I wasn't disappointed. I was able to find two reference books that gave a snippet about Helen. The first was complimentary of her and provided a listing of her work. It read:

"MACK, Helen (H. McDougall) 1913 -

Personable, attractive, dark-haired American leading actress, in a couple of films when ten, and vaudeville at 13. Started her adult career in earnest at 18, keeping fairly busy through the thirties, her best-remembered film from which period is "Son of Kong". Later became a successful radio producer and writer.

The second reads:

HELEN MACK

Helen Mack was one of movies' best criers. She sobbed up a storm in the first picture in which we remember her, "Sweepings", and by the end of the thirties she was playing one of the best hysterical roles - the streetwalker, Mollie Malloy, in Howard Hawks' "His Girl Friday." And playing it very capably, too.

In between, she had all kinds of leading lady roles, serving in that capacity opposite all manner of leading men - Lee Tracy, George Raft, Harold Lloyd, Joe E. Brown and Cary Grant. But even in the comedies, you usually got to see those pretty dark eyes well up and that pointed chin begin to quiver.