Helenka Adamowska Movies

A stage actress, Helena Adamowska appeared in a couple of Glenn Hunter programmers, Second Fiddle (1923) and Grit (1924). In 1947, Helenka Adamowska Pantaleoni, now working as a volunteer fundraiser, founded the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and in 1975 she was awarded an honorary degree from Smith College. Adamowska was the grandmother of actress Téa Leoni. ~ Hans J. Wollstein, Rovi

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Grit: 1924

F. Scott Fitzgerald was commissioned to write the story to this low budget crime drama for actor Glenn Hughes. In spite of this, the finished film was poor and did nothing for anyone's career -- except Hughes' co-star, a fresh young thing named Clara Bow. As she did in nearly all her early motion pictures, Bow just about steals the show away. Here, as a street urchin, she plays close to her real life persona. When Houdini Hart (Roland Young) tries to go straight, he is killed for his efforts. His wife Annie (Helena Adamowska) dies in childbirth and she transfers her fear onto her son. Although Kid Hart (Hughes) grows up to be a gang member, he's not a very effective one since he's a coward. A girl member of the gang, Orchid McGonigle (Bow) returns from the reformatory (obviously not reformed!) and takes a liking to the timid Hart, which angers gang leader Boris Smith (Osgood Perkins). When Smith kidnaps a boy and takes him to a Chinese opium den, Orchid tries to intervene and winds up in trouble. The Kid learns of her peril and finds the necessary courage to save her. Smith is killed and the Kid gets his girl. ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi

Starring:: Glenn Hunter, Helenka Adamowska, (more)

Second Fiddle: 1923

Glenn Hunter, who, with his shy, bashful persona would take off where Charles Ray left off, was the perfect starring choice for this thriller. Jim Bradley (Hunter) has always played second fiddle in his family -- while his older brother, Herbert (Townsend Martin), goes off to college, Jim becomes a garage mechanic. When Herbert returns home, it's easy for him to steal Jim's girl, Polly Crawford (Mary Astor). But trouble comes to the Bradley's town when Cragg (William Nally) murders his daughter (Helenks Adamowska) and breaks into the family's home. Herbert goes for help, leaving Jim with an empty gun to protect their mother (Mary Foy) and Polly. Jim faints before Herbert returns and is considered a coward. Cragg is taken off to jail, but he escapes and returns to his home to get money. Polly has taken refuge from a storm in the house, and Cragg takes her hostage. Herbert happens on the house, not realizing what is going on inside, and flees when Cragg attacks him. Jim shows up and battles the murderer. Cragg is killed, and Jim proves that he is the braver brother after all. ~ Janiss Garza, Rovi

Starring:: Glenn Hunter, Mary Astor, (more)

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Helenka Adamowska Movies

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