Sister Carrie "A Strangely Strong Novel in a Queer Milieu"
Curated by Nancy M. Shawcross Rare Book & Manuscript Library University of Pennsylvania

When Helen Patges Richardson met Dreiser in 1919, it was her dream to become a Hollywood actress. Her desire coincided with Dreiser's interest to experience Hollywood first-hand. Helen enjoyed moderate success as a film extra and secondary actor, enough to maintain at times their California existence. Dreiser, however, eventually decided he missed New York and must return in order to write productively. In 1922 Helen gave up her screen career to follow Dreiser back East. In this photograph she appears at right, Mabel Normand at left.