Baby Peggy: 90 Years Old!

Little Baby Peggy is all growed up! In fact she's turning 90 years old on October 26th! Baby Peggy (better known now as Dana Serra Cary) was one of the most popular child stars during the silent era, and is also one of the last surviving silent film stars.

Cary made over 150 shorts, and at one point made $1,500,000 a year via Universal. However her parents pissed it away, saved nothing for her, and her father eventually got in a fight with a studio head that blacklisted her from pictures. She was also forced to work long hours, do her own stunts (such as running out of a burning building around age 5), and perform sick. She later became an activist for child actor's rights, and wrote a book about her life.

Now turning 90, the Niles Film Museum is throwing a massive bash and retrospective in her honor. Between November 8th and 9th a documentary as well as several of her films will be shown. On the evening of the 8th a birthday dinner banquet will be held (with a price tag of $40...and as a vegetarian I find it lacking in selection though the desserts look good). There will also be a lecture given by Dana as well as a book signing. Most events are priced between $10-$15. An all festival pass is available for $45 (which if your going to the banquet is actually a good deal). All events take place at the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum in Niles, CA. Tickets can be ordered online or by mail and it is highly recommended you purchase in advance. Click here for more information.