Patricia Douglas moved to Hollywood when she was just a young teenager. Her mother, Mildred Mitchell, had traveled to the cinema capital in hopes of a career design gowns for Hollywood’s leading ladies (via Vanity Fair). Similar to many stories of people going out to Hollywood to fulfill their dreams, Mildred would not see her dresses on the red carpet. Instead, she settled for a job working as a couturière for high-end sex workers. Patricia, on the other hand, found some success in Hollywood.

Despite (or because) of her young age, she caught the eye of many actors and studio workers. Douglas recalled spending nights hanging out with the likes of Bing Crosby, Jimmy Durante, Larry Fine of the Three Stooges, and Bill Frawley. Because she did not drink, date, or dream of stardom, celebrities found her appealing. At only 15 years old, Douglas, a dancer, appeared in two films, “So This is Africa” and “Gold Diggers of 1933.” While she was far from being a star actress or celebrity personality, Douglas still was well connected enough in the movie industry to be invited to a party on the night of May 5, 1937. However, Douglas was not told it was a party. She said in an interview that it was a casting call to play a cowgirl, along with around 120 other girls and young women. She said, “They never mentioned it was for a party. I wouldn’t have gone! Oh God, oh God, I wouldn’t have gone.”