Bess Flowers

Born: 23 November 1898, Sherman, Texas, USA

Died: 28 July 1984, Woodlands Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

 

One of the most prolific supporting actresses and bit part players, making over 900 appearances in film and television. She was a dress extra, which means she would bring her own clothes, appropriate for the part, and had a large collection of costumes. The temptation is to include her in the additional cast list of any film she might have been in without any evidence to prove her involvement. This has got a little out of hand on IMDB. I would like to find pictures of her in every film that she is listed as being a part of. Here is a post of entries on IMDB that I think are wrong for Bess Flowers.

 

Hollywood (1923) as Hortense Towers

 

This is a lost film. Bess plays a leading role in what is probably her first film, but the most exciting details about this movie are the many cameos from the bigs stars of the day. Cameos from Fatty Arbuckle, Charles Chaplin, Mary Astor, Baby Peggy, Leatrice Joy, Noah Beery, Douglas Fairbanks, and about 30 others. 

The Silent Partner (1923) as Mrs. Nesbit

This film is not available and is probably lost, but may just as likely be sitting in a private collection or an archive.

 

A Woman of Paris: A Drama of Fate (1923) as Mannequin (uncredited)

 

Mannequin (1926) as Mannequin (uncredited)

Although there is reportedly a print of this film in the Library of Congress collection, I am doubtful that I will ever see it in my lifetime owing to it now being out of copyright and unlikely to make anybody any money, but I am still hopeful it will appear.

Irene (1926) as Jane Gilmour

 

Bess Flowers is on the right, with Marion Aye.

Hands Across the Border (1926) as Ysabel Castro

There is no word on the existence of this film so it is probably lost, but may just as likely be sitting in a private collection or an archive.

 

The Greater Glory (1926) as Helga

 

This is a lost film.

Glenister of the Mounted (1926) as Elizabeth Danrock

Probably a lost film.

Laddie (1926) as Pamela Pryor

 

There is no word on the existence of this film so it is probably lost, but may just as likely be sitting in a private collection or an archive.

Lone Hand Saunders (1926) as Alice Mills

There is no word on the existence of this film so it is probably lost, but may just as likely be sitting in a private collection or an archive.

Old Ironsides (1926) as Minor Role (uncredited)

There are many female extras at the beginning of the film, but I can't see Bess Flowers in any of the shots.

Blondes by Choice (1927) as Olga Flint

A print of this film survives in the Library of Congress. It would be nice if they released it.

 

Show People (1928) as Undetermined Role

 

I've yet to see Bess in this film. Still working on it.

The Ladies' Man (1928) as Unknown uncredited role

There are no details about the existence of this short comedy film. 

 

We Faw Down (1928) as Mrs. Laurel

 

With Stan Laurel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ghost Talks (1929) as Sylvia

 

This is a lost film.

 

Sinister Hands (1932) as Mary Browne

 

 

You Said a Mouthful (1932) as Race Fan on Boat (uncredited)

In the white hat on the right.

I've Got Your Number (1934) as Miss Banks, Telephone Operator Supervisor (uncredited)

 

Okay Toots! (1935) (short) as Woman Consoling Toots (uncredited)

Bess consoles Jeanie Roberts.

The Golden Arrow (1936) as Miss Hackett (uncredited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's Love I'm After (1937) as Audience member (uncredited)

Can you spot Bess in this picture? I think she is in an aisle seat towards the right of the picture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Five Little Peppers in Trouble (1940) as Miss Roberts (uncredited)

 

Coney Island (1943) as Saloon Patron (uncredited)

Bess is the lady on the right.















Career Girl (1944) as Miss Cunningham, Mr. Dexter's Secretary (uncredited)

Double Indemnity (1944) as Norton's Secretary (uncredited)

Musical Movieland (1944) as Tourist (uncredited)

Bess is in the back row on the right. Lottie Williams is on the far left.

The Missing Corpse (1945) as Office worker (uncredited)

 

In the foreground is J. Edward Bromberg. Bess is wearing the same dress she wore in Double Indemnity.


















State Fair (1945) as Horse Race Spectator (uncredited)

This is Dana Andrews and Jeanne Crain in the horse race scene. As they cuddle there is a brief glimpse of a tall blonde lady between the people to the left of the picture. It is my assumption that this is Bess, who is almost missed in this film.














The Perils of Pauline (1947) as Reporter

Bess Flowers can be seen at the back of the picture behind William Demarest. Betty Hutton is on the right.
















Magic Town (1947) as Mayor's Secretary (uncredited)

Bess whispers in Harry Holman's ear while Wallace Ford on the right waits.

Cass Timberlane (1947) as Mary Ann Milligan (uncredited)

Bess Flowers is in the hat on the left, with Mona Barrie and Lana Turner.

 

The Toast of New Orleans (1950) as Restaurant Patron (uncredited)

With J. Carrol Naish.

Born to be Bad (1950) as Mrs. Worthington

 

Bess Flowers is the tall lady in the middle. She is flanked by Hazel Boyne on her right and Joy Hallward in the dark outfit on her left.
















Dial M for Murder (1954) as Woman Departing Ship (uncredited)

Bess is the blurry figure in the background on the right. It is easier to spot her while the scene is playing rather than trying to grab a single snapshot. The actor in the foreground is Robert Cummings.

Perry Mason: The Case of the Restless Redhead (1957) (Season 1, Episode 1) as Lady Departing Magnum Studio (uncredited)

The Fly (1958) as Lady at the ballet

Bess Flowers is on the far right.