Hollywood Gems Collection

Frances Farmer was one of the most resilient women of Hollywood. This woman survived heartbreak, betrayal, and abuse. Farmer had run-ins with the law. She faced institutionalization against her will at a mental institution. For years, Farmer faced horrid living conditions and suffered barbaric treatments while in a mental ward under a diagnosis still under scrutiny today. Her confinement was during the time when psychology was still a very young science, and treatments like the lobotomy were still performed. These were the dark times when demonstrating any signs of mental health issues was dangerous, especially for women.  

Farmer was an admirable woman that always knew who she was and what she wanted to stand for; unfortunately, her refusal to be molded into the cliché Hollywood socialite gained her Hollywood's cold shoulder. Movie roles for women depended on a certain image that Farmer often rebelled against- the Hollywood Bombshell. Farmer was stunning, and she was expected to behave "accordingly". But Farmer wanted to be the opposite, and she wanted to display that on film through strong roles that would serve to empower women; however, those roles did not mirror the success that the films where she fit the status quo gave her.

After spending time with no work and in need of money, Farmer succumbed to the pressures of Hollywood only to realize that it was too late. A revival in Hollywood was nowhere in sight. 

Feeling discarded in Hollywood after being so well-known and loved can make any actor or actress plummet into a deep depression. Hollywood can be so cruel; the higher the climb the harder the fall. We often hear of how substance abuse follows a fall from Hollywood's grace. Farmer was victim of the downward spiral that followed her situation. In a single year, Frances Farmer lost everything in one fell swoop: her career, her husband, and even her grip on reality. She was subjected to inhumane treatments against her will in a mental facility for almost five years.

Using her remarkable strength, coupled with an undeniable talent, Farmer was able to climb out of the darkness and live her life. Farmer, so strong and resilient, found a way to find joy- despite it all. 

Aside from being a great actress and singer, Farmer was an intelligent and skilled writer that was highly-opinionated. Her writing often triggered controversy. She was a gentle soul that cared about society's problems to the point it often trouble her deeply. Farmer shook the world. 

Farmer was the inspiration for the Hollywood Gems Collection.

Frances Farmer is "The Sapphire".

Sadly, Farmer died of esophagus cancer at the age of 56.

*20% of funds will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

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 Rita Hayworth was born Margarita Carmen Cansino. She was known as "Gilda", and "The Love Goddess". Hayworth was a top glamour girl of her time. She was also termed as a "Hollywood Princess" for the marriage she had with Prince Aly Khan.

From the time Hayworth was a child, she was enrolled in dance classes and performed throughout her youth with her father. Her father, a dancer himself, pushed Hayworth very hard...perhaps too hard. Hayworth was a very talented dancer nonetheless, and her father's decision to move the family to Hollywood would eventually lead to Hayworth's success as a film star.

Hayworth suffered many failed relationships throughout her life; some of these were abusive, including the one with her father. Her marriage to Orson Welles was tragically lonely. Orson Wells often stated how his biggest regret in life was how he treated Hayworth. Welles and Hayworth were deeply in love. Hayworth often recounted how there were times she spent with Welles that were the happiest times of her life.

Hayworth was not happy with how Columbia Pictures tried to run her career, most notably production director Harry Cohn, whom she called a "monster" while accusing him of bugging her room.

Hayworth often stated how she was shy, and that the personality of "Gilda" she often portrayed- a glamourous seductress- was a stark contrast to what she considered her real personality to be like. Others, including men specifically, would expect Gilda and be disappointed to get Rita instead. All Hayworth wanted was a life filled with peace- away from Hollywood; she struggled to have that after five failed marriages to men that cheated on her, used her for money, and abused her. Hayworth even endured a brutal custody battle against Prince Aly Khan for her daughter Princess Yasmin. Hayworth's incredible strength and will to do what was best for her daughter eventually led to her victory in that custody battle.

Despite the hardships, Hayworth always came through shining. She dazzled on the silver screen and captivated hearts. Hayworth shined bright like the gem she was. Above all, Hayworth was mother of two children that loved her. 

Rita Hayworth is "The Emerald" of the Hollywood Gems Collection.

Sadly, Alzheimer's disease led to Hayworth's death at the age of 68. 

*20% of funds will be donated to the Alzheimer's Association.

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Born Vera Jayne Palmer on April 19, 1933 and later known as Jayne Mansfield, was an American actress, singer, nightclub entertainer, and Playboy Playmate. Mansfield was one of Hollywood's original blonde bombshells, and although many people have never seen her movies, she remains one of the most recognizable icons of 1950's celebrity culture.

A sex symbol of Hollywood during the 1950s and early 1960s, Mansfield was known for her personal life, which she was very open about. Mansfield's passion for publicity drove her to completely forgo any privacy whatsoever for the sake of promoting her image. 

Mansfield was known for her publicity stunts that were intended to highlight the archetype of the ditzy blonde bombshell. One such stunt involved a pool and a swimsuit that was so small it came off "accidentally" while in the presence of the press. These situations often got Jayne the attention that made me very well-known.  

Although Mansfield's film career didn't last long, she had several box-office successes and won many awards. Mansfield was the first major American actress to perform in a nude scene in a post-silent era film. When Hugh Hefner rolled out Playboy magazine, it became a success in part because of early appearances from Mansfield.

Mansfield became one of the most well-known sex symbols of her time, but the image she portrayed did not display her amazing intelligence. Mansfield spoke 5 languages and was a classically trained pianist and violinist. It is also believed that her IQ was remarkably high. Mansfield's image underestimated her intelligence.

Mansfield suffered personal hardships. She was married and divorced three times. She experienced relationship abuse and was exploited through her relationship.

Mansfield's ability to manage her career and still make time for family was impressive. Mansfield was mother of five children and she also stated how they were her priority. Mansfield could very well have been one of the hardest working women of Hollywood.

An interesting fact is that among Mansfield's five children is actress Marisa Hargitay- known for her starring role as "Olivia Benson" in Law and Order. Hargitay's resemblance to her late mother is uncanny.

Unfortunately, mother and daughter also shared the tragic event that separated them in life.

Sadly, Jayne Mansfield's death was violent; she died on June 29th of 1967 in an automobile accident in Eastern New Orleans at the young age of 34. Daughter Hargitay, along with her two siblings, were in the backseat asleep when the car slid under the back of a trailer. This sheared off the top of the car, which resulted in Mansfield instant death. Two adults that were in the front of the car with Mansfield also perished. Thankfully, Mansfield's three children survived with minor injuries.

After the tragic event that ended Mansfield's life, The US Department of Transportation began requiring semi-trailer truck trailers to be equipped with underride guards they named the "Mansfield Bar". This was done to prevent future similar deaths.

Jayne Mansfield had tremendous sex appeal and tenacity. A gem in her own right, Mansfield shined bright. 

Jayne Mansfield is "The Ruby" of the Hollywood Gems Collection.

*20% of funds will be donated to the charity Save the Children.

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Born a Gemini on June 1st, 1926 in Los Angeles, California, Norma Jean Mortenson would later be known as Marilyn Monroe.

Outside of Hollywood, Norma Jean was often misunderstood; this was due to the archetype she created for herself, which led her to stardom. An intelligent and clever woman indeed. Monroe combined the appearance of vulnerability and sexuality in one, and as a result, introduced sex appeal in a non-threatening way. This was contrary to the femme fatale image of the 1950s.

On the one hand, Monroe remains a sex symbol, beauty icon, and one of the most famous stars of classical Hollywood cinema. On the other hand, Monroe is remembered for her troubled private life. A life that began with instability throughout childhood that would later spill into her adult life. Monroe struggle for professional respect and for love. Many conspiracy theories still surround her death today.

According to "The Guide to United States Popular Culture", no other star has ever inspired such a wide range of emotions—from lust to pity, and from envy to remorse. It's no wonder that Marilyn Monroe endured such a deep loneliness.

Monroe was a helpless romantic. Sadly though, all three of her marriages ended in divorce. She grew unhappy in her life and in her career to the point she secluded herself in her home. One sad day, Monroe was discovered dead in her bed from an overdose of sleeping pills. Even though Monroe's death was ruled a suicide, conspiracy theories surround her death to this day.

It was alleged that Monroe had affairs with the Kennedy brothers, which included U.S. President at the time John F. Kennedy, and the Attorney General Bobby Kennedy. The theory was that a conspiracy to kill Monroe arose from the need to keep the affairs secret and/or to keep information connecting these two men to organized crime, which Monroe was privy to, private. 

Monroe had a difficult childhood of great instability due to her mother's psychological disorders; this resulted in her spending most of her childhood in orphanages and foster homes. Despite a difficult childhood, Monroe's fame surpassed that of any other entertainer of her time, and she rose to the status of an American cultural icon. Monroe's great success also proved you can be shy, humble, and down-to-Earth while still shining bright!

Marilyn Monroe is "The Diamond".

Monroe was a very kind and charitable person, especially when it came to children. Monroe's humanitarian efforts deserve the spotlight. So...

*20% of funds will be donated to the charity Make-A-Wish.

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