Who were the WAMPAS Baby Stars?

WAMPAS Baby Stars of 1925 featured in the Los Angeles Times.

If you have read about very early movie history, you may have heard of the WAMPAS Baby Stars…or maybe not. It was one of the first publicity contests in film history! WAMPAS stood for the U.S. Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers. Each year the Association recognized approximately 13 up and coming actresses that they felt were on the cusp of stardom.  WAMPAS ran the promotion from 1922 - 1934, except for the years 1930 and 1933.

The selections were primarily made by press agents associated with WAMPAS, and mostly comprised actresses under contracts to major motion picture studios. This ensured the public was excited to see these stars and would be more likely to attend films that featured them during the era of block-booking by studios.

Although not every star lived up to the predicted movie star status, WAMPAS was on the mark with at least a few of their choices each year.  Examples of those that achieved lasting fame include: Clara Bow (1924), Mary Astor (1926), Jean Arthur (1929), Joan Blondell (1931), and Ginger Rogers (1932). If you are more familiar with silent film, you might also recognize names like Bessie Love (1922), Evelyn Brent (1923), Olive Borden (1925), Sally Rand (1927), and Anita Page (1929).

The last class of WAMPAS Baby Stars was chosen in 1934, and the organization dissolved the following year.  In 1955 Ginger Rodgers spearheaded short-lived effort to revive the tradition, and 15 young actresses were selected as the WAMPAS Baby Stars of 1956.

Have you heard of the WAMPAS Baby Stars, and if so do you have a favorite?