Jobyna Ralston

Angelic, vulnerable-looking leading lady Jobyna Ralston was named after actress Jobyna Howland, a favorite of her stagestruck parents. Ms. Ralston's mother, a portrait photographer, carefully groomed her daughter for a show business career. After studying acting with Ned Wayburn and appearing as a chorus dancer in a George M. Cohan musical, Jobyna began showing up in extra roles in films. Her potential as a leading lady was first realized in the 1922 Max Linder comedy Three Must-Get-Theirs. This film earned her an audition with silent film comedian Harold Lloyd, whose previous leading lady, Mildred Davis, had retired in 1923 to become Mrs. Lloyd. Jobyna co-starred with Lloyd in five of his best silent features: Why Worry? (1923), Hot Water (1924), Girl Shy (1924), The Freshman (1925), For Heaven's Sake (1926), and The Kid Brother (1927). As a freelance actress, Jobyna co-starred with her future husband, Richard Arlen, in the first Oscar-winning film, Wings (1927). Jobyna Ralston's film career ended after two early talkies -- the last of which, Rough Waters (1930), found Jobyna emoting opposite Rin Tin Tin.

~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide