Edna Purviance's bio

June 6, 2018 - Re-editing Edna Purviance's family biography 2nd Draft. Photo: Leading Ladies © used by ednapurviance.org

Thursday, May 07, 2009

"Junoesque" was not a favorite

I remember sitting with Lita (Edna's grand niece) in her office, sorting through photos of Edna, when the word "Junoesque" came up. It has been a word used often in describing Edna's look. Well, that word was not one appreciated in the Purviance home, in fact, it was probably one of the most disliked words in her home.

Edna was always aware of her weight and how other people saw her. It was one of the issues that cause her to 'drift away' from film making. People always focusing on it. Charlie Chaplin making hints about her weight was something she didn't enjoy either.

When Edna finally met Jack Squire, he took Edna for who she was, and didn't make any issues about weight (he was playful with her, instead, on such issues, as one of the personal films show).

So the hearing or reading of the word "Junoesque" was like fingernails on a chalkboard, you could say, in the Purviance home. People may thought it was a 'stately' word to use, but it didn't go down well.

It is something Lita clearly remembered from her time living with Edna.

(Junoesque: Having the stately bearing and imposing beauty of the goddess Juno.)

1 comment:

Edna's Place said...

A myth question that appeared in the stats: Did Edna's affairs lead to her death? I know that has been floating about on some of the chat lines for years, but NO, it didn't! Cancer is what killed Edna, NOT an AFFAIR. (And I read the chatter along with this line, so I know why people are asking this.)

This maybe too simple to those people who believe that line, but it was her diet that led to the cancer. Cigarette smoking since her late teens combined with a rich diet her whole life, lead to health issues during her later years (cancer ran in Edna's family, as her grandmother died from cancer too).

She was also a calm lady on the surface, but had to 'eat' stressful situations during her life, so that takes a toll as well.

As for certain items written about Edna on the web (that that question refers too) I have asked for documents of proof, but I never received any information that I requested. (One of the reasons I don't spend time on many 'chat' sites that feature such questions.)

The best way for me to spend my time is to get the second book done on Edna.

Some people are just going to believe what they want to believe, anyway. But some of this stuff running around about Edna is just plan nonsense.

I will listen to anyone with solid proof, but if they just stand behind rumors, I don't buy it... L