Category Archives: Performances as Barbara La Marr

My October 28 Barbara La Marr Program in Cave Creek, Arizona

Silent screen actress Barbara La Marr was a legend in her time, leading an astounding life described by newspapers of the day as “a wilder story than she ever helped to film.”  I (Sherri Snyder) will be in Arizona at the Desert Foothills Library in Cave Creek on Tuesday, October 28 to portray Barbara in a self-authored performance piece, then present a slideshow lecture about her, detailing her oftentimes scandalous life from her humble beginnings to her tragic death at age twenty-nine in 1926.  Barbara’s banishment from Los Angeles at age seventeen for being “too beautiful”; her notable careers as a dancer, a vaudevillian, a screenwriter, and an actress; her impact upon cinematic history; and her fierce determination to forge her own destiny amid the constant threat of losing it all to scandal and, ultimately, death will be spotlighted. 

I will also sign copies of my biography, Barbara La Marr: The Girl Who Was Too Beautiful for Hollywood (a limited number of books will be available for purchase). 

The event, beginning at 1 p.m. and roughly an hour and thirty minutes long, is being held in the library’s Jones/Coates Room and is FREE to attend.  Attendees are asked to please register in advance here.

(Photos: [left to right] Barbara, me as Barbara, and my Barbara biography.)

Barbara La Marr and Others Spotlighted on October 5 Hollywood Forever Living History Tour

Join me, Sherri Snyder, at the 126-year-old Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles on Sunday, October 5 as I once again portray silent screen star Barbara La Marr in a one-woman performance piece that I wrote about her incredible life and laudable career. 

My performance is part of the 42nd Art Deco Society of Los Angeles Hollywood Forever Cemetery walking tour.  Also featured on the tour are the stories—told by performers and historians—of silent film god Rudolph Valentino, action hero Douglas Fairbanks Sr., actress and William Randolph Hearst mistress Marion Davies, filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, slain director William Desmond Taylor, and around twenty other Old Hollywood luminaries and Los Angeles pioneers who made Hollywood and history.

Click here for more information and tickets. 

Barbara La Marr in 1925 (left) and me as Barbara.
ADSLA Hollywood Forever Tour promo photo featuring (left to right) Barbara La Marr, Rudolph Valentino, Vampira, and Tyrone Power.

My March 23 Barbara La Marr Program at Hollywood Heritage Museum

Silent screen actress Barbara La Marr was a legend in her time, leading an astounding life described by newspapers of the day as “a wilder story than she ever helped to film.” I (Sherri Snyder) am honored to partner with the Hollywood Heritage Museum during Women’s History Month to portray Barbara in a self-authored performance piece, then present a slideshow lecture about her, detailing her oftentimes scandalous life from her humble beginnings to her tragic death at age twenty-nine in 1926. Barbara’s banishment from Los Angeles at age seventeen for being “too beautiful”; her notable careers as a dancer, a vaudevillian, a screenwriter, and an actress; her impact upon cinematic history; and her fierce determination to forge her own destiny amid the constant threat of losing it all to scandal and, ultimately, death will be spotlighted.  I will also sign copies of my biography, Barbara La Marr: The Girl Who Was Too Beautiful for Hollywood, after the program. 

The Hollywood Heritage Museum is located in the restored Lasky-DeMille Barn, Hollywood’s oldest surviving motion picture studio.  The program, beginning at noon and approximately an hour long, is free with museum admission (seating is limited, however). 

Click here for additional details and to purchase tickets in advance. 

Dominique Benedict of Breakfast at Dominique’s will be in attendance with Barbara La Marr tribute coffee blend samples (in addition to other Hollywood icon-inspired coffee blends).

Barbara, 1924.

October 13 Hollywood Forever Tour and My Performance as Barbara La Marr

Silent screen actress Barbara La Marr was a legend in her time, leading an astounding, oftentimes scandalous life described by newspapers of the day as “a wilder story than she ever helped to film.” Join me, Sherri Snyder, at the 125-year-old Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Sunday, October 13 as I once again portray Barbara in a one-woman performance piece that I wrote about her. Barbara’s banishment from Los Angeles at age seventeen for being “too beautiful”; her notable careers as an actress, a dancer, a vaudevillian, and a screenwriter; her tragic death at age twenty-nine in 1926; and more will be spotlighted.

My performance is part of the Los Angeles Art Deco Society’s 41st Hollywood Forever Cemetery walking tour. Also featured on the tour are the stories—told by performers and historians—of silent film god Rudolph Valentino, matinee idol Douglas Fairbanks Jr., actress and William Randolph Hearst mistress Marion Davies, filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, slain director William Desmond Taylor, glamour ghoul Vampira, and around twenty other Old Hollywood luminaries and Los Angeles pioneers interred at Hollywood Forever.

In addition to portraying Barbara on the tour for many years, I now have the honor of producing it.

Click here for tickets and additional details. This event typically sells out.

(Photo: [left to right] Barbara in 1925 and me as Barbara.)

My October 18 Barbara La Marr Program at La Venta Inn

I (Sherri Snyder) am honored to present a program on illustrious silent screen star Barbara La Marr at the historic La Venta Inn on the Palos Verdes Peninsula on Wednesday, October 18.  Hosted by the Palos Verdes Historical Society as part of a fundraising event, my program will feature my one-woman performance as Barbara and slideshow lecture about her astounding life and laudable career.

La Venta Inn, an event and wedding venue, was a getaway for the rich and famous in the 1920s and 1930s.  It was also the setting for Barbara’s final film, The Girl from Montmartre, filmed in 1925 and released in 1926.

For additional information and tickets, click here

Barbara and Lewis Stone on location at La Venta Inn filming The Girl from Montmartre.
An early 1930s postcard.

October 15 Hollywood Forever Tour and My Performance as Barbara La Marr

Silent screen actress Barbara La Marr was a legend in her time, leading an astounding, oftentimes scandalous life described by newspapers of the day as “a wilder story than she ever helped to film.” Join me, Sherri Snyder, at Hollywood Forever Cemetery on Sunday, October 15 as I once again portray Barbara in a one-woman performance piece that I wrote about her. Barbara’s banishment from Los Angeles at age seventeen for being “too beautiful”; her notable careers as an actress, a dancer, a vaudevillian, and a screenwriter; her tragic death at age twenty-nine in 1926; and more will be spotlighted.

My performance is part of the Los Angeles Art Deco Society’s 40th Hollywood Forever Cemetery walking tour. Also featured on the tour are the stories—told by performers and historians—of silent screen god Rudolph Valentino, matinee idol Douglas Fairbanks Jr., actress and William Randolph Hearst mistress Marion Davies, filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille, slain director William Desmond Taylor, glamour ghoul Vampira, and over twenty other Old Hollywood stars, movie moguls, and pioneers interred at Hollywood Forever.

In addition to portraying Barbara on the tour for many years, I have had the honor of producing it since 2017.

Click here for tickets and additional details. This event typically sells out.

(Photo: Barbara and me as Barbara.)

My September 17 Barbara La Marr Performance (Mountain View Mausoleum Centenary Celebration)

Join me, Sherri Snyder, at the majestic Mountain View Mausoleum (2300 North Marengo Avenue, Altadena, CA) on Sunday, September 17 as I portray Barbara in a one-woman performance piece that I wrote about her. Barbara’s banishment from Los Angeles at age seventeen for being “too beautiful”; her notable careers as an actress, a dancer, a vaudevillian, and a screenwriter; her tragic death at age twenty-nine in 1926; and more will be spotlighted.

My performance is part of the Mountain View Mausoleum Centenary Celebration.  Sponsored by Altadena Heritage, the celebration will take place from 4 to 7:30 p.m. and feature performers portraying famous Altadenans (Barbara passed away in Altadena after battling tuberculosis) and live 1920s music.  Click here for additional information and tickets.    

Me as Barbara on Mountain View Mausoleum’s grand staircase. / Los Angeles Times photo by James Staub.