Sidney Bracy in an undated photo. Courtesy of Mary Mallory.
What makes one person a star, why another languishes in tiny parts or obscurity? Is it charisma, sex appeal, luck, opportunity, that pushes them over? And what about someone who was a star, and slips into small roles? Do tastes change, the industry changes, and this person is no longer the flavor of the month?
Such is the story of Australian Sidney Bracy, once a theatrical star and major player in film before falling into playing mostly small parts like butlers, valets,and the like. While his acting career lasted most of his life, he only saw recognizable success for about 15 years. His life revolved around acting and he continued to make a living at it during a time when there was no Social Security, no benefits and no residuals. Life for him was performing, no matter how large the stage.
Mary Mallory’s “Hollywoodland: Tales Lost and Found” is available for the Kindle.
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