Lana Turner

72 years ago this month a sixteen year-old student cutting class was discovered sipping soda at the Top Hat Cafe. One year later she had catapulted to the heights of Hollywood as Lana Turner. The photos below are from Lana Turner’s “Discovery Anniversary” Party on November 3, 1937.

Original caption: Actress Gets Repeat Order On Soda That Preceded Fame. Manuel Hernandez, the soda jerker who sold Lana Turner the soda which she was sipping a year ago when “discovered” by the movies and given a contract, preparing another soda for Miss Turner at the 17 year old beauty’s “Discovery Anniversary” party at the “Tops” Fountain, across the street from the Hollywood, California, High School, which she was then attending.

Original Caption. (L-R) Anne Shirley and John Payne (who were married at the time) appear with Lana Turner at a party at Schwab’s celebrating Turner’s discovery there a year earlier.

Original caption: At Actress’ Party to Celebrate Her “Discovery”. Attending the party given by Lana Turner at the “Tops” Soda Fountain, in Hollywood, California, to celebrate the first anniversary of her “discovery” there by a Warner Brothers’ Talent Scout were, (left to right), Back Row: George Meadows, Barron Polan, Tom Brown, Johnny Downs, and John Payne. (Left to right), Front Row: Carol Stone, Vicki Lester, Natalie Draper, (Mrs. Tom Brown), Lana Turner, Rosina Lawrence, and Anne Shirley, (Mrs. John Payne).