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RAY MALA BIOGRAPHY--This is the cover of Eskimo Star: From the Tundra to Tinseltown, the Ray Mala Story, by Lael Morgan. Published by Epicenter Press, the biography of Ray Mala, the first Native American to star in a Hollywood film, will be released as part of the statewide Ray Mala Film Festival that begins in Anchorage March 29.

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WELL-SUITED FOR THE OCCASION--Melbourne Spurr, a professional photography in Hollywood, was hired to take this portrait of Ray Wise Mala to add to Mala's portfolio early in the young actor's career.

Mala Family Collection

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HIGH ARCTIC FILM--In Igloo, released by Universal Studios in 1932, Ray Mala played a mighty hunter who saves his village during hard times. This publicity photo is believed to have been taken by John Jobson. Igloo will be screened at several venues courtesy of NBC Universal during the statewide Ray Mala Film Festival, which begins in Anchorage on March 29.

Courtesy of Anna Jobson

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PRIMITIVE LOVE POSTER--Ray Mala was hired as a cinematographer for the Alaska filming of Primitive Love, directed and produced by Frank Kleinschmidt. Mala played the part of a woman when he was not behind the camera. The cast included Eskimos from Nome, who were not credited in the film.

Courtesy of Peg MacGown

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STARRING WITH ROYALTY--In 1936, Mamo Clark, the lovely island princess who really was a member of the Hawaiian royal family, co-starred with Ray Mala in Robinson Crusoe of Clipper Island from Republic Pictures. Mala played a government agent in this fourteen-part series. Previously, Clark had starred with Clark Gable in Mutiny on the Bounty.

Mala Family Collection

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LAEL MORGAN, author of Eskimo Star