Glesca Marshall

Who is Glesca Marshall?

Glesca Marshall was an actress and theatrical benefactor who was known primarily as the most enduring lover of Alla Nazimova, silent screen actress and a legend of her time. Glesca met Nazimova when both were cast in a production at the Civic Repertory Theater. Glesca lived with the silent screen legend in her Sunset Boulevard property, known as the Garden of Allah, until her death in 1945.

When her success waned, Nazimova sold the property and it became a residential hotel named The Garden of Allah, where many Hollywood celebrities lived. In spite of its notoriety and landmark status among the architecture of West Hollywood, it was torn down in 1959 and replaced with a pink strip mall housing a McDonald's, a Subway Sandwich Shop and a pizza place. This was later bulldozed to provide space for parking. The property is referenced in the 1970 song, "Big Yellow Taxi" by Joni Mitchell.

Glesca was also the longtime companion of Emily Woodruff, theatrical benefactor and main patron of the Springer Opera House in Columbus, Georgia. Emily was married to Hume Cronyn, though they never lived together and Emily insisted the marriage remain a secret.