Ray Mala (1906-1952) is the first Native American movie star and is the most prolific film star that the state of Alaska has thus far produced. He starred in MGM's Academy Award-winning Eskimo/Mala The Magnificent, produced by the legendary Irving Thalberg and directed by Woody Van Dyke. Louis B. Mayer was the Executive Producer. "Eskimo/Mala the Magnificent" won the very first Oscar for Best Film Editing at the Academy Awards.
Ray Mala was born ...
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Ray Mala (1906-1952) is the first Native American movie star and is the most prolific film star that the state of Alaska has thus far produced. He starred in MGM's Academy Award-winning Eskimo/Mala The Magnificent, produced by the legendary Irving Thalberg and directed by Woody Van Dyke. Louis B. Mayer was the Executive Producer. "Eskimo/Mala the Magnificent" won the very first Oscar for Best Film Editing at the Academy Awards.
Ray Mala was born in Candle, Alaska during a unique period in Alaskan history. At that time Alaska was still a district of the United States and still a mystery to many Americans. In 1921 an explorer named Captain Frank Kleinschmidt went to Alaska on an expedition to film a picture called "Primitive Love" in which Mala makes his film debut at age 16. Not only does Mala act in front of the camera but he serves as a cameraman as well for the picture. From here young Mala accompanied Knud Rasmussen, the Danish Arctic explorer and writer on his trip called "The...
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