Wampas stood for the Western Association Of Motion Picture Advertisers, and every year from 1922 to 1934 this association gave awards to female starlets (known as "Wampas Baby Stars") who showed promise. Among the starlets who succeeded in becoming stars of some note were luminaries such as Besse Love (1922), Clara Bow (1924), Mary Astor (1926), Joan Crawford (1926), Janet Gaynor (1926), Loretta Young (1929), Ginger Rogers (1932), and June, of course.

Each year the W.A.M.P.A.S. would select 13 hopeful young ladies to extensive media coverage. The following is from the 1925 issue of Photoplay Magazine, and the photograph reproduced below is the same photo as was used in the article.

Thirteen debutantes of the screen, young girls who are starting the long, uphill climb to cinematic success, are happy today at the announcement of their selection as the Wampas Baby Stars of 1925. Each year, the Wampas, the film industry's organization of advertising and publicity men, selects thriteen girls to be the honor guests at the annual Wampas Frolic. The event this year was held at the Hotel Ambassador's new auditorium. The selection was made, not on what the girls have done in the past, but on their prospects for the future. They are all beginners whose latent talent and beauty have attracted the attention of the men who acquaint the outside world with the personalities of filmland's capital. Selection as a Wampas Baby Star means much to a girl starting in pictures. Consequently the rivalry is keen for this honor. The Wampas Baby Stars of 1925 have excellent prospects of a bright future. They are on the threshold of stardom. The door will open to some of them. The 1925 Wampas Baby Stars are Betty Arlen, Violet Avon, Olive Borden, June Marlowe, Ena Gregory, Anne Cornwall, Madeline Hurlock, Natalie Joyce, Joan Meredith, Evelyn Pierce, Dorothy Revier, Duane Thompson, and Lola Todd.

Eleven of the thirteen Wampas Stars of 1925.
Left To Right -- Bottom Row: Violet Avon, Olive Borden, Betty Arlen, Duane Thompson, Natalie Joyce.
Middle Row: Dorothy Revier, Ena Gregory, Joan Meredith.
Top Row: Evelyn Pierce, June Marlowe, Lola Todd.
Not Pictured: Ann Cornwall, Madeline Hurlock.

Betty Arlen: Photoplay said "Betty Arlen, 16, a Kentucky blue-blood, deserted stage dancing for pictures. Beauty and personality are her great assets."
An actress named Betty Arlen made a few movies in the 1940's, but is probably not the same Betty ... unless she made one heck of a comeback from nowhere to somewhere ...

Violet Avon: Photoplay said "Born in St. Louis. Has light hair and blue eyes. Calling at Universal one day, she was asked to stay."
Little is known of Violet, as Universal apparently decided not to pursue their initial interest in her.

Olive Borden: Photoplay said "Olive Borden, 16, Richmond, Va., for past year featured player at Hal Roach Studios. Long black hair, dark brown eyes."
Olive made quite a number of films during the silent era and but a few talkies..

Ann Cornwall: Photoplay said "Educated at Catskill, NY. Dark brown hair and eyes, is leading lady in Douglas MacLean's latest picture, "Introduce Me."
Ann appeared in many silent films, of particular note opposite Buster Keaton in "College".  She later appeared in such films as "You Can't Take It With You" and "Mr Smith Goes To Washington".

Ena Gregory (also known as Marian Douglas): Photoplay said "Ena Gregory, 18, Australia, blonde, hazel eyes, has been in Hal Roach's comedies for two years. Was on Australian stage."
Ena's silent film career was a prolific one, particularly in the western genre -- eight films in 1928 alone.

Madeline Hurlock: Photoplay said "Maryland beauty, joined a theatrical troupe, then vamped Ben Turpin in Mack Sennett comedies."
Madeline did appear in one silent feature, a small role in the 1926 saga "Don Juan's Three Nights."

Natalie Joyce: Photoplay said "Left her native sunny Virginia for sunnier California and joined a revue. Al Christie discovered her for pictures."
Natalie appeared in over a dozen silent films, mostly oaters,  finishing her career upon the advent of sound.

June Marlowe: Photoplay said "June Marlowe, 17 ( ! ), brown hair. Graduated Minneapolis High School ( ! ), making prophecy she would be star. Looks like she'll do it."
She dood it, alright.

Joan Meredith: Photoplay said "From Hot Springs, Ark., she came to Hollywood via the beauty contest route. Height 5 feet, weight 110 pounds."
Joan appeared in but six silent features, the last in the 1926 Mae Busch vehicle "The Truthful Sex."

Evelyn Pierce: Photoplay said "Danced from Del Rio, Texas to Los Angeles. Metro-Goldwyn tried her out -- a long term contract followed."
Evelyn's contract with Metro lasted to 1931's "Monkey Business" (as a manicurist).  She appeared in but six silent features.

Dorothy Revier: Photoplay said "Dorothy Revier, San Francisco, at 5 a professional dancer, has appeared in many films. Her personality alone rivals her beauty."
Dorothy appeared in nearly ninety films., almost sixty of which were silent.  This author remembers her best by her role as the female lead in the Warner Oland / Charlie Chan classic "The Black Camel."

Duane Thompson: Photoplay said "Duane Thompson, 20, Red Oak, Iowa, is steadily climbing to success. First, Christie Comedies and now leading lady for Walter Hiers."
After appearing in a plethora of silent Western films, Duane ended her Hollywood career with the advent of sound.

Lola Todd: Photoplay said "Lola Todd, of Spuyten Duyval, NY, was discovered by Carl Laemmle, despite that odd sounding home town."
Lola made a dozen film during the twenties, including "The Bells" with Lionel Barrymore in 1926.

No wonder she was a Wampas Baby Star!

Humongous thanks to Annette D'Agostino-Lloyd, Bruce Long, and Chris Seguin without whose help this page would not have been possible.

Photo at top of page from the collection of Don Spears.
Original copy of photo at middle of page from Chris Seguin (the photo that spawned the idea for JuneSite).
Photo at bottom of page from the collection of Marc R. Williams and is used with permission.