[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14292]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING CARLA LAEMMLE ON HER 103RD BIRTHDAY

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                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 14, 2012

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise in recognition of 
Carla Laemmle on the occasion of her 103rd birthday.
  Carla is the niece of Carl Laemmle, who founded Universal Studios. 
She grew up on the Universal Studios lot in the early days of the San 
Fernando Valley, the area I now represent. She began her long 
professional acting career at the age of 16 with an uncredited role as 
the prima ballerina in the original silent film version of the Phantom 
of the Opera, demonstrating her many years of training in classical 
dance. Carla is perhaps best known for her role in Dracula, starring 
Bela Lugosi. Her role in Dracula made her the person who spoke the 
first line of dialogue ever in a horror movie. She is now the last 
surviving cast member of both films.
  Carla acted and danced in many more films, including Broadway Melody, 
in which she danced out of an oyster shell in a scene designed by 
famous artist and fashion designer Erte. That film became the first 
musical to win a Best Picture Oscar at the Academy Awards. And, more 
than eighty years after her debut on the silver screen, Carla will 
return to theaters soon in a new horror movie, Mansion of Blood.
  Carla continues to make her home in Hollywood, CA--a place that is 
home for her in a way that few others will ever experience. She will 
celebrate her remarkable milestone with four generations of Laemmle 
family members, many of whom have remained in Los Angeles.
  Please join me in wishing Carla a very happy birthday and many happy 
returns.

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