Forgotten Actors

Friday, 31 October 2014

Yvonne De Carlo

Born: 1 September 1922, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Died: 8 January 2007, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA

Yvonne De Carlo originally trained as a ballet dancer, but was advised that she would not make the grade. After a few jobs in nightclubs, entertaining men with seedy dances, she was offered a part in a 'Soundie' and loved the way she looked on screen. Her focus then shifted to wanting to be a film star.

Although her film career was critically a series of ups and downs, Yvonne made films for over 50 years. On television she is best remembered for her role as Lily Munster in the hit series 'The Munsters (1964)'.

The Pearl of Bagdad (1940)

This was a 'Soundie', a musical short featuring Yvonne De Carlo in her first uncredited screen appearance.

Harvard, Here I Come (1941) as Bathing Girl (uncredited)

With 'Slapsie' Maxie Rosenbloom and Byron Foulger.

For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943) as Girl in Cafe (uncredited)

Gary Cooper walks down the steps behind a seated Yvonne De Carlo.

Salome Where She Danced (1945) as Salome

This was De Carlo's breakthrough role. With her exotic looks, she was perfectly cast in this film, which became one of the most popular films of the year and Yvonne became an actress in demand.

Song of Scheherazade (1947) as Cara de Talavera

Black Bart (1948) as Lola Montez

Casbah (1948) as Inez (Credited as Yvonne DeCarlo)

Criss Cross (1949) as Anna Dundee

With Burt Lancaster.

Hotel Sahara (1951) as Yasmin Pallas

The Captain's Paradise (1953) as Nita St. James

Band of Angels (1957) as Amantha Starr

With Clark Gable.

Adventures in Paradise: Isle of Eden (1960) (Season 1, Episode 19) as Lianne Zagreb

With Hugo Haas.

McLintock! (1963) as Louise Warren

The Munsters: Pilot (1964) as Lily Munster

The beginning of a two season run and probably Yvonne De Carlo's most remembered role, certainly on television.

The Seven Minutes (1971) as Constance Cumberland

Anna Turner

Born: 6 May 1918, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Died: 29 March 2014, Hammersmith, London, England

Emergency Call (1952) as Mrs. Jackson

Children Galore (1955) as Louise

Anna Turner is on the right, with Betty Ann Davies, holding the baby.

Avis Scott

Born: 22 February 1918, London, England

Died: 31 May 2010, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Brief Encounter (1945) as Kardomah Waitress (uncredited)

Celia Johnson is seated.

Emergency Call (1952) as Marie

Vida Hope

Born: 16 December 1918, Liverpool, Merseyside, England
Died: 23 December 1963, Chelmsford, Essex, England

The 39 Steps (1935) as Usherette (uncredited)

Vida Hope whispers to Robert Donat.

Champagne Charlie (1944) as Rosie, the Elephant and Castle Barmaid (uncredited)

They Made Me a Fugitive (1947) as Mrs. Fenshaw

With Trevor Howard.

The Man in the White Suit (1951) as Bertha

Emergency Call (1952) as Brenda

With Jack Warner.

The Long Memory (1953) as Mrs. Gedge

With John Mills.

Thora Hird

Born: 28 May 1911, Morecambe, Lancashire, England

Died: 15 March 2003, Brinsworth House, Twickenham, Middlesex, England

Thora Hird was a 'national treasure' making her name on the stage and eventually in film and television. Her most famous roles came when she was already over 50 years old. She appeared in over 150 episodes of the long running, gentle, British comedy 'Last of the Summer Wine (1973)', making her first appearance when she was 75.

Go to Blazes (1942) as Elsie