Virginia Huget

If you’ve ever seen the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes starring Marilyn Monroe, you may not know that its storied past included a comic strip adaptation in 1926. Spurred on by the success of the novel by Anita Loos in 1925, a successful play was produced in 1926. Loos also licensed a comic strip at the same time. This strip, of the same name, was illustrated by Virginia Huget (born Virginia Clark). Depending on whom you ask, it is believed that Huget was also responsible for the writing. However, it was credited to Loos, perhaps contractually.

Prior to this, Huget studied at the Art Institute of Chicago and was known for her contributions to the “flapper” culture mystique. Huget’s depiction of the young women at the time portrayed them as working women as well.

Huget was exceptionally prolific. As well as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, she created Babs in Society, Miss Aladdin, Molly the Manicure Girl, Flora’s Fling, Campus Caper, and Double Dora.  Many of these were published concurrently.

In the early 30’s she illustrated for Dr. Seuss’ and won an award for Lux Soap ads published as comic strips.

Her last known work was Oh, Diana!, which she took over from Dion Flowers in 1944.

Virginia Clark (December 22, 1899 – June 27, 1991)