Ann Christy; Left Film Roles for Ranch Life

Ann Christy, a raven-haired beauty selected by motion picture publicists in 1929 as a film star of the future but who chose instead a luxurious life as the wife of a wealthy Texas rancher, has died in Vernon, Tex.

The former co-star of comedian Harold Lloyd and contract player for Mack Sennett was 82 when she died Saturday of a heart attack.

Miss Christy, born Gladys Cronin in Logansport, Ind., was working as a bookkeeper in Los Angeles when she won a beauty contest sponsored by the Los Angeles Examiner. She went to work for Christie Comedies, changed her name to Ann Christy and played leads or feature roles in many silent films.

She was one of the starlets singled out as a future star by the Western Assn. of Motion Picture Advertisers. The competition was held from 1922 to 1934 and winners over the years included Bessie Love, Clara Bow, Mary Astor, Joan Crawford, Ginger Rogers and Loretta Young.

After making several films opposite Hoot Gibson, Jack Holt and Harry (Snub) Pollard and some early sound pictures for Sennett and Hal Roach, she married Robert Lee More Jr., and moved with him to Texas to live on the 500,000-acre Waggoner Ranch.

Their home there was featured in Architectural Digest magazine, said her lifelong friend, Zoila Rickard. She also developed an interest in the Old West and bought and restored the Tombstone, Ariz., home of Wyatt Earp’s brother, Virgil.

Survivors include two sons and several grandchildren.