Heroine of thhe Month: Mona Rico
Some people have incredibly bad luck. Mona Rico’s life and career is an eye opening example of just how unfortunate some people’s lives turn out. An exotic actress from Mexico she starred opposite John Barrymore in Eternal Love (1929) and looked to be poised be a huge star. Two things happened that destroyed that dream. Talkies came and her thick accent and high pitched voice proved to be unsuited for talkies and she immediately dropped to small supporting roles in A Devil With Women (1930) and Thunder Below (1932).
Then came real tragedy, flying off on her honeymoon with sportsman James Groton, the plane crashed and Rico’s face was heavily damaged, requiring several reconstructive surgeries. The marriage ended quickly and bitterly.
Though she tried to rebuild her film career, it was too late. Her last known role was playing Carmelita, a cantina waitress who gets information for James Carroll and Duncan Renaldo in Republic’s Zorro Rides Again (1937).
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