Continuing the exploration which began in Actresses of a Certain Character: Forty Familiar Hollywood Faces from the Thirties to the Fifties (McFarland, 2006), this companion volume analyzes the contributions of female supporting players in the films of Hollywood's Golden Age. The twenty-five actresses profiled herein range from the easily recognizable (Marie Dressler, Ethel Waters) to the long forgotten (Esther Howard, Evelyn Varden), and from the prolific (Clara Blandick, Mary Forbes) to the'one-work wonders'(Jane Cowl, Queenie Vassar). Each profile captures the essence of the individual performer's on-screen persona, unique talents and popular appeal--with special emphasis on a single definitive performance of the actress's motion picture career (who, for example, could ever forget Josephine Hull in Harvey?). The appendix offers a list of'The 100 Top Performances by Character Actresses in Hollywood, 1930-1960.'

Nissen, Axel; Phillips, Siân, 1933-

Axel Nissen; Siân Phillips

McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers

Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Co.

United States, United States of America

Jefferson, N.C, North Carolina, 2012

Includes bibliographical references and index.

This Survey Focuses Upon The Typical Roles Available To Character Actresses In Classic Hollywood Films. Each Profile Captures The Essence Of The Individual Performer's On-screen Persona, Unique Talents And Popular Appeal--with Special Emphasis On The Actress's Single Definitive Performance. The Appendix Offers A List Of The Top 100 Performances By Character Actresses In Hollywood, 1930-1960.--provided By Publisher. Mother, May I? Clara Blandick In Shopworn (1932) -- What A Pal: Helen Broderick In Top Hat (1935) -- Lady Detective: Constance Collier In Shadow Of Doubt (1935) -- Declassee: Jane Cowl In Payment On Demand (1951) -- Mother Courage: Henrietta Crosman In Pilgrimage (1933) -- Auntz: Cecil Cunningham In The Awful Truth (1937) -- Old Reliable: Esther Dale In My Reputation (1946) -- The Dilapidated Diva: Marie Dressler In Dinner At Eight (1933) -- The Last Dowager: Isobel Elsom In Ladies In Retirement (1941) -- Larger Than Life: Hope Emerson In Cry Of The City (1948) -- Deep Freeze: Mary Forbes In You Can't Take It With You (1938) -- Clothes Horse: Marjorie Gateson In Cocktail Hour (1933) -- Monster Mom: Louise Closser Hale In Another Language (1933) -- Madame Noir: Ester Howard In Born To Kill (1947) -- Asylums And Old Lace: Josephine Hull In Harvey (1950) -- Maid In America: Patsy Kelly In Private Number (1936) -- Grandmommie Dearest: Alma Kruger In These Three (1936) -- The Real Thing: Aline Macmahon In Side Streets (1934) -- Woman Of The People: Beryl Mercer In Outward Bound (1930) -- Her Girl Friday: Juanita Moore In Imitation Of Life (1959) -- Killing Your Babies: Marjorie Rambeau In Slander (1957) -- Big Mama: Evelyn Varden In Hilda Crane (1956) -- Grandma From Hell: Queenie Vassar In Primrose Path (1940) -- Thoroughly Modern Mammy: Ethel Waters In The Member Of The Wedding (1952) -- Dowager Deluxe: Helen Westley In Splendor (1935) -- Appendix: The 100 Top Performances By Character Actresses In Hollywood, 1930-1960. Axel Nissen ; Foreword By Sin Phillips. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 229-231) And Index.

viii, 242 p. : 26 cm
"This survey focuses upon the typical roles available to character actresses in classic Hollywood films. Each profile captures the essence of the individual performer's on-screen persona, unique talents and popular appeal--with special emphasis on the actress's single definitive performance. The appendix offers a list of "The Top 100 Performances by Character Actresses in Hollywood, 1930-1960.""--Provided by publisher
Includes bibliographical references and index

2024-11-05