The ten best actresses of the first half of the 20th century

In films early years (up to 1950), a number of actresses became stars and many gave outstanding performances.  Myrna Loy, Rosalind Russell, Mae West, Jean Harlow, Lena Horne, Greta Garbo, Joan Fontaine, Olivia de Haviland, Vivien Leigh, Gene Tierney, Linda Darnell, Grace Kelly, Irene Dunne, Paulette Goddard, Lana Turner, Ava Gardner, Gloria Swanson, Ginger Rogers and Ingrid Bergman are just some of the screen's leading ladies.

Who were the best of the best?


Here's our ten.






1) Bette Davis

2) Judy Garland

3) Joan Crawford

4) Barbra Stanwyck

5) Hattie McDaniel

6) Carole Lombard

7) Loretta Young

8) Katharine Hepburn

9) Rita Hayworth

10) Jean Arthur