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Palm Beach's Glamorous Past: Silent Film Star's Visit
22 Mar
Summary
- Silent film star Bebe Daniels filmed 'The Palm Beach Girl' in 1926.
- The film captured scenes at Henry Flagler's historic properties.
- The New Palm Beach Hotel hosted Daniels and film crews.
A century ago, in March 1926, silent film star Bebe Daniels filmed "The Palm Beach Girl" on the island. Scenes were shot at historic sites, including properties associated with Henry Flagler, such as his former mansion and the Hotel Royal Poinciana's tea-dance venue. Daniels and her crew resided at the newly opened New Palm Beach Hotel, a luxurious four-story Spanish-style building on Sunrise Avenue.
The hotel itself was a sensation, featuring a rooftop gala with live music. The film "The Palm Beach Girl" depicted Daniels' character visiting her Palm Beach aunts, encountering segregated train travel, bootleggers, and romance. However, no known copy of this movie exists today.
The New Palm Beach Hotel, developed by Thomas A. Clarke, was a significant 1926 construction. It offered views of Lake Worth and the ocean, with extensive gardens. The hotel later transitioned into a retirement center before being renovated and reclassified as a hotel-condominium in 1981. It was designated a town landmark in 2008 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010.
