Category Archives: Donna Montran

Donna Darling at the Lyric Theatre, Hamilton, Ontario (January 1926)

In January 1926, Donna Darling and her troupe appeared at Hamilton, Ontario’s Lyric Theatre as a featured vaudeville attraction. Contemporary coverage from The Hamilton Spectator documents her engagement, billing, and reception, offering a clear glimpse into her international touring career during the height of the vaudeville era. Continue reading

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Donna at the Colonial Theater, Lancaster, PA, – Sept. 15-17, 1919

Newspaper ads from the Lancaster newspapers confirm that Donna appeared at the Colonial Theatre in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on September 15–17, 1919. Her act shared the bill with several touring vaudeville performers and a Pathe News comedy film. This discovery adds another verifiable stop in Donna’s 1919 performance schedule and deepens the history of her early career. Continue reading

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Donna at Hotel Brenton, Bass Point, Nahant, Mass. August 4, 1915.

In 1915, Donna—famously known as the “aeroplane girl”—performed at a grand carnival at Hotel Brenton in Nahant, MA. With vibrant lights, cabaret acts, and dancing, the event was directed by Thomas Rooney, whom Donna married just months later. A vivid piece of early 20th-century entertainment history. Continue reading

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Donna in the 1949 Documentary “Down Memory Lane” (?)

A newly found photo of Donna among Mack Sennett’s Bathing Beauties connects our family story to the 1949 film Down Memory Lane. Though the complete film seems lost, this image keeps a bit of her Hollywood days alive. I’m still searching for the full version — maybe it will turn up yet! Continue reading

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Donna and the Bathing Beauties: Uncovering My Grandmother’s Vaudeville Ties

Discover how a family letter and old vaudeville photos help piece together my grandmother’s days as one of Mack Sennett’s Bathing Beauties — and her possible connections with Helen Kane and Stuart Erwin. Continue reading

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