In search of...Virginia Weidler

TopBilled · January 30, 2013

SOULS AT SEA is on my 'I want to see it' list. If only TCM would get more of those Paramount classics from the 1930s. GIRL FROM THE OZARKS and PETER IBBETSON are others.

ginnyfan · January 30, 2013

I'd like to see it too. I'm not as down on Raft as some and I really like Cooper. Harry Carey's in it as well.

ginnyfan · January 31, 2013

TIG features three birthdays and two milestones.

On the birthday front, Fritz Leiber (1882) played Abbe Gallard in ALL THIS AND HEAVEN TOO (1940). He was a Shakespearean actor who turned to film and played character roles in many high budget productions. His son, science fiction writer Fritz Leiber, wrote a story depicting a son's troubled relationship with his father. It is thought to be autobiographical. I chose to depict Mr. Leiber enjoying his birthday.

Charles Irwin (1887) was a character player with roles, mostly uncredited in everything from MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1935) to THE REAL MCCOYS. He played Mr. Chisholm, a credited role, in LOST LOST FATHER (1934) Virginia's next role after her "comeback" in AFTER TONIGHT.

Bill Ryan (1910) was the Assistant Director on BABES ON BROADWAY (1941) and the Unit Manager on BEST FOOT FORWARD (1943). He seems to have spent his entire movie career on these two jobs and never was a lead director.

I couldn't find a picture of Bill, but I did find this picture of his younger sister Thelma and her husband taken in the early 1950s.

In milestones, TIMOTHY'S QUEST featuring Virginia and starring Dickie Moore premiered on this date in 1936. Dickie got to spank her in this one.

Belatedly, LONG LOST FATHER premiered on January 19, 1934. I caught that I had missed it when I looked up Mr. Irwin. Virginia got rave reviews for her interpretation of "Girl At Pier".

TopBilled · January 31, 2013

It's a shame the quality of some of these photos is so bad. There has to be a better place to find better quality photos of Weidler and the others. The Margaret Herrick library comes to mind...

ginnyfan · February 1, 2013

The whole TIG thing is thrown together the night before. I haven't been doing hours of research on it. The photos are all readily available on the net. I just recut and resize to make them fit the template. Grain problems are usually the result of my enlarging something that was only available in a small size or because it was a screen capture. The most recent Weidler photo, from SOULS AT SEA, was a screen capture.

TopBilled · February 1, 2013

I just posted details about the Margaret Herrick Library on one of Arturo's threads. I will repost part of it here. He's in the Los Angeles area, and I know you are on the other side of the country. You may be able to see what they have regarding Virginia Weidler by calling.

The Margaret Herrick Library

Special Collections

333 S La Cienega Blvd Beverly Hills, CA 90211

(310) 247-3020

For more information on the internet, visit:

http://www.oscars.org/library/using/contact.html

ginnyfan · February 1, 2013

Thanks for the info below, TB.

TIG features the birthday of a superstar who, even though they appeared in the same film, I don't know for sure that Ginny ever met.

Clark Gable (1901) played Chris Hunter in TO HOT TO HANDLE (1938). Virginia was Myrna Loy's niece in the film, but her role consisted of a couple of scenes and I'm unsure if Gable would have even been present (Danny, my co-manager at [VWRS|http://www.facebook.com/VirginiaWeidlerRemembranceSociety?ref=hl] is quite sure they would have met based on her time at MGM and status on the productions) . Gable is represented by the newspaper ad at far right.

Carol Stone (1915) is pictured at top middle and played Mary Arden in the never to be seen again FRECKLES (1935). It's the role she is known for, but she did play Kate Holliday on TV's Wyatt Earp. She also lived until age 96.

Helen Chandler (1906) is shown bottom middle and played Lindsey Lane in LONG LOST FATHER (1934). I don't know if she ran into Ginny's "Girl at Pier". She is, of course, known for playing Mina in Dracula (1931).

Our behind the cameras guys include writer David Boehm (1893), represented by the poster for A GUY NAMED JOE (1943). He wrote the original story for that one, but Dalton Trumbo was called in to write the actual script.

Writer S.J. Perelman (1904) is a personal hero because he wrote two Marx Brothers scripts, MONKEY BUSINESS (1931) and HORSE FEATHERS (1932). He once said, "I don't know much about medicine, but I know what I like." Words to live by. He also said something about the movie business that was clever, but unrepeatable here.

Both Boehm and Perelman contributed to the treatment of the same film, THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1936 (1935).

ginnyfan · February 3, 2013

Today In Ginny features so many birthdays that I had to break them down into two collages.

In Group I:

Tempe Pigott (1884) played Mrs. Gamp in LONG LOST FATHER (1934). She's seen here as Mrs. Hawkins in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931).

Next to her, that grainy figure is Ted Oliver (1898) in his role as the jailer in BORN TO SING (1942). That is Rags Ragland's hand blocking him partially along with the top of Ginny's head.

Frank Lloyd (1886) was the director on MAID OF SALEM (1937). He's seen here on that film showing Claudette Colbert how to make candles. Method directing, maybe?

Longtime radio personality Charles Correll (1890) appeared in THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1936 (1935).

Group II:

Starting on the top row, we have Connie Gilchrist (1901) who played Miss Nichols the secretary in THIS TIME FOR KEEPS (1942). She also played Mamie, Marjorie Main's rival in BARNACLE BILL (1941). Gilchrist's film career had started rather late at age 39, but she went on to a long run as a character actress over the next three decades. Her last role was in SOME KIND OF NUT (1969).

Bonita Granville (1923) was a long time child actress who, as others have mentioned before, went on to a longer career in television production with her husband Jack Wrather. She's seen here on her MAID OF SALEM tobacco card. She played Ann Goode, the girl who sets the hysteria in motion in that film. According to IMDb, she was also an uncredited prisoner in Virginia's film OUTSIDE THESE WALLS (1939). That seems odd to me, as I thought Michael Whelan was the convict in the movie, making the film about a men's facility. Maybe someone knows more than I as I've never seen what appears to be an unavailable Columbia picture.

Frank Albertson (1909) played Tom Hamilton Jr. in MOTHER CAREY'S CHICKENS (1937). Albertson had a long, wonderful career, appearing in everything from the very odd futuristic JUST IMAGINE (1930) to PSYCHO (1960). On TV, he played western characters, businessmen and finished up as Colonel Watson when Gomer Pyle first hit boot camp on THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW.

Hattie Noel (1893) played the maid on the train in THE WOMEN (1939). She had suffered a career disappointment around this same time as she lost out on a role in GONE WITH THE WIND to Hattie McDaniel. She was also the body model for Disney animators when they created Hyacinth Hippo for FANTASIA (1940).

Finally, prolific songwriter Burton Lane is credited with writing songs which appeared in two Weidler movies. One song, "How About You?" appeared in both BABES ON BROADWAY (1941) and THE YOUNGEST PROFESSION (1942). The movie world, however, owes him the biggest thanks for being the guy who discovered Frances Gumm and brought her to the attention of MGM. He even accompanied the girl MGM would rename Judy Garland at her first audition.

ginnyfan · February 3, 2013

TODAY IN GINNY XLVII-

After yesterday's splurge of nine, we were due for a letdown...and here it is. Only one today!

Eddie Hall (1912) had a big career in small parts with 184 credits on IMDb. He also has some amazing credits like, "Man in

Saloon Behind Duke and Chester", "Sailor Talking About Lola", and my favorite "Man Walking to File Cabinet".

In SCANDAL STREET (1938) he was the Newspaper Street Hawker.

A special shoutout goes to Peggy Ann Garner born on this date in 1932.

ginnyfan · February 5, 2013

Today in Ginny is finally here! And it's my favorite kind, the kind that lets me sneak extra photos of Virginia Weidler onto the page.

Top left, Ivan F. Simpson(1875) played Reverend Parris in MAID OF SALEM (1937). He also played Collins in the 1936 film TROUBLE FOR TWO. Virginia and David Holt were loaned to MGM to play Rosalind Russell and Robert Montgomery's characters as children, but then had their scenes cut from the finished product. Simpson was in a lot of good films, including CAPTAIN BLOOD, RANDOM HARVEST, and LITTLE LORD FONTLEROY.

Alonzo Price (1884) is listed as having a "bit role" in SOULS AT SEA (1937). Price was much better known for his work on the stage and I did not find his picture. I have Ginny on the lookout for one.

James Craig (1912) is an actor whose face may be more familiar than his name. He was third billed in KITTY FOYLE and the lead in NORTHWEST RANGERS. His Weidler connection is that he played a reporter in OUTSIDE THESE WALLS and a party guest in THE LONE WOLF SPY HUNT, both 1939 features.

Tom Andre (1905) was the assistant director on LOVE IS A HEADACHE (1938), Virginia's first outing with Mickey Rooney. Ginny and the Mick represent him here.

The biggest birthday of the bunch is that of Ida Lupino (1918). Ms. Lupino was a breaker of the glass ceiling long before we were aware of such a thing. Skilled actor and director, she also wrote the screenplay for several of the films she directed. Additionally, her first two directing efforts were self-produced. She even directed several episodes of GILLIGAN'S ISLAND.

Lupino appeared as Agnes in PETER IBBETSON (1935) and was Lanyard girlfriend Val in THE LONE WOLF SPY HUNT (1939). Val as well as Virginia's character of Lanyard's daughter Patricia would disappear from the series after this one film.

ginnyfan · February 5, 2013

Today in Ginny we have an Oscar winner, an editor, a screenwriter and a cowboy star.

Bronislau Kaper (1902) was "discovered" in Europe by Louis B. Mayer and convinced to come to Hollywood. Before winning his Oscar for LILI (1953) he wrote the scores for BARNACLE BILL (1941), I'LL WAIT FOR YOU (1941), and THE AFFAIRS OF MARTHA (1942).

Screenwriter and novelist Jo Pagano (1906) turned his novel The Condemned into the unsettling and effective THE SOUND OF FURY (1950). He also wrote things as different as JUNGLE MOON MEN (1956), HOTEL BERLIN (1945) and his Weidler film, THE ROOKIE COP (1939).

James B. Morley (1894) was the editor for an early Weidler breakthrough film, LADDIE (1935). I'm using a still from this locked up film to represent him.

Tim Holt (1919) is a favorite of mine. As an actor, he moved easily back and forth between the world of highly successful "B'" westerns and higher budgeted features. His credits include THE MAGNIFICENT AMBERSONS (1942), HITLER'S CHILDREN (1943), and the rare SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON (1940). He played Clem Maitland in THE ROOKIE COP (1939). Interestingly, he also starred in the remake of Ginny's LADDIE in 1940.

DownGoesFrazier · February 5, 2013

Jo Pagano? When I was at Penn, one of the most popular hangouts on campus was Campus Joe Pagano's (See how I always free associate).

ginnyfan · February 5, 2013

I was simply surprised to discover that Jo was a man. That's the first time I've noticed that spelling of the name and it's not be a woman.

ginnyfan · February 6, 2013

It's TIG time!

John Webb Dillon (1877) was the Man At Station in YOUNG TOM EDISON and the Postman in KEEPING COMPANY, both in

1940. His first role had been as one of MAE'S SUITORS in 1911 and his final role was as a Policeman in Robert Montgomery's

LADY IN THE LAKE in 1947.

Ben Lewis (1894) was the editor of OUT WEST WITH THE HARDYS (1938) as he was for several Hardy pics. His biggest film

might have been DINNER AT EIGHT (1933). His career lasted long enough to edit Elvis movies, HOLD ON! (1966) starring

Herman's Hermits, and THE YOUNG RUNAWAYS (1968) with Patty McCormick.

Howard Philips (1899) played Claverie in the film SURRENDER (1931), the only movie Ginny was in after her MOBY DICK firing

prior to AFTER TONIGHT. She played "Little Girl" in a bit of typecasting. Phillips only made 12 films from 1931 to 1938 but

was the star of THE LAST MILE (1932) a prison movie that also featured future Ginny co-star Preston Foster.

Finally, writer producer Adrian Scott (1912) was one of three credited screenwriter for KEEPING COMPANY. He became much

more famous, however, for being one of the Hollywood Ten along with his frequent director Edward Dmytryk. After they were

all convicted, Dmytryk testified against him before the House Un-American Activities Committee. His marriage to Anne Shirley

fell apart after his blacklisting because she wouldn't follow him to England to work (Jean Porter did follow Dmytryk) and he did

not work under his own name again until 1972.

ginnyfan · February 8, 2013

TODAY IN GINNY features four birthdays including one of a near dictator.

Joe Devlin (1894) played the Circulation Man in OUTSIDE THESE WALLS (1939). He's seen here with Kane Richmond in BRENDA STARR, REPORTER (1945). He's probably best known for looking so much like Mussolini that he played the dictator in three unrelated movies.

Composer George Bassman was the orchestrator for both BABES ON BROADWAY (1941) and BEST FOOT FORWARD (1943). He also served as vocal arranger on the former. He may be best known for writing, "I'm Getting Sentimental Over You".

Lodge Cunningham (1902) was the sound engineer on THE LONE WOLF SPY HUNT (1939). I wonder if he picked up the squeak of the villain's trunk lid as Virginia exited.

Frank Sullivan (1896) was the editor on THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940), BAD LITTLE ANGEL (1939), and TOO HOT TO HANDLE (1938). I'm guessing he's the guy who put almost Virginia's entire role on the cutting room floor in that last one. He edited many features with either/or Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. He's seen here doing his thing.

ginnyfan · February 8, 2013

TODAY IN GINNY we have a big star who pulled off a cameo, a major character player, a producer and two working actors.

Samuel J. Briskin (1896) was the Associate Producer of RKO's THE OUTCASTS OF POKER FLAT (1937). To represent him, Ginny is playing the hand dealt her in that movie. Briskin was Harry Cohn's right hand man on the Poverty Row end of the business at Columbia where budgets were miniscule. This RKO film had a more acceptable budget.

Judith Allen (1911) was a corset model in THE WOMEN (1939). She had a much larger role in TOWSNBN's BRIGHT EYES (1934). She spent much of her career as a model, night club singer and as a subject of gossip items apparently.

Charles Ruggles (1886) played Wilber Sealingsworth in THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1936 (1935). I remember him from IF I HAD A MILLION (1932), one of several films pairing him with Mary Boland. In addition to having two stars on the Walk Of Fame, TV and Film, he won a Tony in 1959.

Herberta Williams (1917) played Hortense in THE YOUNGEST PROFESSION (1943). A thoughtful Joan Lyons from that film represents her.

Speaking of THE YOUNGEST PROFESSION, Lana Turner (1921) was probably the youngest star with a cameo in that film. She would go on to be cast to play herself once more as the movie star invited to the ball in BEST FOOT FORWARD (1943). Pregnancy forced her to withdraw in favor of Lucille Ball.

ginnyfan · February 9, 2013

It's time for TODAY IN GINNY.

Howard C. Hickman (1880) was a well known stage actor who got into the movies later. He worked on three Weidler films,

playing Editor Williams in LOVE IS A HEADACHE (1938), a businessman in THE UNDER-PUP (1939), and a theatre critic in

BORN TO SING (1942).

Gino Corrado (1893) played a lot of waiters and is the only actor to appear in both CASABLANCA and CITIZEN KANE...both

times as waiters! He expanded his range to play chefs and Maitre d's as well. He played a violinist in THE BIG BROADCAST of

1937 (1936). He is seen here serenading Colleen Moore in the silent THE DESERT FLOWER (1925).

Robert DeGrasse (1900) was the cinematographer of FRECKLES (1935). Since both his photo and photos of that film seem to

be lacking, I chose a photo from one of his final works. He was Director of Photography for 157 of 158 episodes of THE DICK

VANDYKE SHOW.

Dolores Casey (1913) seemed to do more modeling than acting. There are a lot of photos of her applying makeup. She played

a nurse in THE WOMEN (1939) and died tragically of tuberculosis in 1945.

Paula DeCardo (1916) was a noted ballerina who played small role as chorus girls in films. She played "Bit Role" in SCANDAL

STREET (1938). IMDb states that she too died young in 1942, but gives no cause. In the publicity photo for THE BIG

BROADCAST of 1938, she's number 3. The other girls are Carol Parker, Joyce Matthews, and Alma Ross. I love the laces on

the volleyball!

Finally, Kathryn Grayson (1922) didn't appear in a film with Ginny but they were on the MGM lot together. I was surprised

based on the five year age difference to find that she was apparently in the classroom with Virginia for a time. Virginia sat

behind her and was the nicest girl in class, according to Kathryn. That alone gets her a photo rehearsing "Be My Love" for a

radio performance.

ginnyfan · February 11, 2013

TODAY IN GINNY we have a lucky seven birthdays!

Henry Herzbrun (1885) was a producer who served as executive producer on two of Ginny's early projects, PETER IBBETSON

(1935) and TIMOTHY'S QUEST (1936).

Olin Howland (1886) is one of those faces. I know the face, didn't know

the name. He was a telegrapher in YOUNG TOM EDISON (1940). He's also the only person who could claim both GONE WITH THE WIND and THE BLOB on his resume.

Jack Dawn (1892) ascended to being head of the makeup department at MGM in 1939. He was responsible for makeup design

on five Weidler films. Here, he works on Ruth Hussey. During WWII he volunteered to build temporary prosthetics for soldiers

who had suffered facial injuries until they could receive surgery.

Ben Carter (1911) played Eight-ball in BORN TO SING (1942). In keeping with the BTS curse, he died in 1946 from diphtheria.

Larry Adler (1914) had a speciality in THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1937.

He once said that if he were declared dictator, the first thing he'd do is forbid Bob Dylan from playing the mouth organ.

Murial Hutchison played Jane the maid in THE WOMEN (1939). Jane made sure everyone kept up with the gossip.

Finally, Tommy Bupp (1924) played Little Boy in MAID OF SALEM (1937) and Billie in OUTSIDE THESE WALLS (1939). Tommy

had 104 mostly uncredited child roles. He'd probably be best known for playing W.C. Fields' son in IT'S A GIFT (1934) except

that everyone was looking at the scary Baby Leroy.

ginnyfan · February 12, 2013

TODAY IN GINNY features a guy who's on the list for NOT making a film with Virginia.

Max Baer (1909) was a popular boxer who turned to film. He was signed by Paramount to work with Virginia and David Holt on a film called KIDS ON THE CUFF. You know the story, boxer and kids change each other lives. At least, that's what I figure. Baer hated the script, or the money, and took a hike on the project. The film was not made in 1935.

Joseph L. Mankiewicz (1909) was a writer/director/producer who won four Oscars, two each in successive years for A LETTER TO THREE WIVES (1949) and ALL ABOUT EVE (1950). As a younger man, he had the producer's credit for THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940).

Milt Yaner (1911) was a reed man in Ray Noble's Orchestra. They appeared in THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1936 which, as you know by now, was made in 1935. I cropped this photo from his granddaughter's MySpace page.

ginnyfan · February 12, 2013

TODAY IN GINNY:

Al Alleborn (1892) served as the Unit Manager on ALL THIS AND HEAVEN TOO (1940). He served as a unit manager or second director on many WB productions, including CASABLANCA, NOW VOYAGER, and THE MALTESE FALCON. A behind the scenes shot from ATAHT is representing him. Note that Ginny is far right.

Edgar "Blue" Washington (1898) was a successful boxer, baseball player and, finally actor. Unfortunately his acting roles, as well as his baseball playing, were limited by his time. He played a ship slave in SOULS AT SEA (1937) and a native in TOO HOT TO HANDLE (1938).

Joseph F. Biroc (1903), served as cameraman on LADDIE (1935). He went on to a long career as a cinematographer with a range of films from IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE to BLAZING SADDLES. He worked with Samuel Fuller four times and is seen here with Fuller on the set of RUN OF THE ARROW.

Barry Trivers (1907) wrote the story (there was a story?) for THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1937. Those who remember him by name today are probably StarTrek fans since he wrote "The Conscience of the King". A pic of Gene Krupa from BB37 represents him.

Robert Winkler (1927) was a prolific child actor of the period. He was in three Weidler films, playing an urchin in KEEPING COMPANY (1940), "Crawfish" the newsboy in BORN TO SING (1942) and a mailroom boy in THE YOUNGEST PROFESSION (1943). Since he is the same age as Virginia, they may have graduated from the Hollywood Professional School together.

Bonus birthday: Trumpeter Buddy Childers (1926) was in the Stan Kenton Orchestra with Virginia's brother George Weidler.

There is one more BIG birthday today.

Ann Gillis was, in several ways, the Virginia Weidler of Warner Brothers studios. They wanted her to be the next Shirley Temple, but then typecast her as a brat and a snob. She did a lot of her best work on loan to other studios, also like Ginny.

She had interesting things to say about both playing snobs and working with Temple. In the case of playing snobs, she noted that it came easy to her because her mother was herself a bit of a snob. On the subject of Shirley she said, "I remember watching her on the set one day. She got in place for the camera and her mother started yelling at her. I felt bad for her. Her mother pushed her hard and in an unpleasant way. It made me appreciate my own mother even more."

She also went against the majority in her opinion of director Norman Taurog. Taurog received kudos from most child actors, but Ann thought that he gave her no direction when they worked together on TOM SAWYER. She said the direction on that film came only from her mother.

By the time she reached adulthood, she decided that she really didn't like Hollywood and pulled the plug on a career that had never gone quite as far as originally predicted.

Her last role was as Poole's mom in 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY. She took the role thinking it would be fun to work again for a day or so. She balked, though, when Stanley Kubrick kept asking for retake after retake even though the others had been fine. She finally told him he had what he needed and left.

For the record, she appeared with Ginny in THE UNDER-PUP (1939) when they were both on loan to Universal. Their roles were actually mirrors of each other, with Virginia being the loyal sidekick of Gloria Jean's Pip-Emma while Ann was the loyal henchman of bad girl Shirley Mills. She also appeared in ALL THIS AND HEAVEN, TOO.

ginnyfan · February 13, 2013

It's finally time for TODAY IN GINNY.

First a correction note. MONDAY was the anniversary of the release of SCANDAL STREET in 1938. This was a period where Virginia had releases coming from three different studios (MGM, Paramount, and RKO) pretty rapidly, although that doesn't excuse the omission.

We have three birthdays today.

First, John Wray (1887) played Mitika, the Gypsy Contact in AFTER TONIGHT (1933). That film is just awash in spy stereotypes. Wray was particularly popular pre-code, playing tough guys.

Lennie Hayton (1908) was a composer for MGM on BARNACLE BILL, I'LL WAIT FOR YOU, BORN TO SING, THIS TIME FOR KEEPS, THE AFFAIRS OF MARTHA and BEST FOOT FORWARD. He was also BORN TO SING's musical director. He won two Best Music Oscars for ON THE TOWN and HELLO DOLLY. He was also long time music director for his wife, Lena Horne.

Jean Muir (1911) played Miss Helen in THE OUTCASTS OF POKER FLAT. This is one of my favorite Weidler performances. Her RKO loanouts are her best. I think. It's surprising they never actually signed her. Muir quit the movies in 1943 concentrating on stage, radio and TV. She was blacklisted for a time in the 1950s, but I've seen her in two different episodes of TV's NAKED CITY. She also taught drama in college for many years.

ginnyfan · February 15, 2013

It's time for a belated VALENTINE'S DAY WITH GINNY. (I forgot to cross post.)

Our valentines birthdays include:

Larry Steers (1888) was a character actor who only set foot on one Weidler set. He's the guy in the middle playing "Extra on Quiz Show Stage" in THIS TIME FOR KEEPS (1942). He had 520 credits and was really good at playing "patron".

Jack Benny (1894) star of stage, screen, radio and TV played Jack Carson (not that one!) in THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1937.

Here he's getting Valentine's wishes from Martha Raye.

Jessica Dragonette (1900) was the "Garbo of Radio". She played herself in THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1936. She also was awarded Silver Wings from both the Army and Navy and a Silver Medal from the Treasury for her work during World War II.

Her grave stone shows no birth date, BTW.

If Virginia had an acting troupe of regulars, like fellow greats Welles and Wayne, George Noisom (1913) would be in it. George appeared in four Weidler films at MGM, playing Carmody's Receptionist in HENRY GOES ARIZONA (1939), Member of Acting Troupe in BABES ON BROADWAY (1941), Delivery Boy in THE YOUNGEST PROFESSION (1943), and as seen here the Caddy in THIS TIME FOR KEEPS. He's the one holding the flag (Guy Kibbee is the other one).

A special VWRS birthday greeting goes out to Irene Dare (1931) since we talked about her recently on the Facebook page while discussing Bobby Breen.

Back later with today's post.

Edited by: ginnyfan on Feb 15, 2013 7:48 AM

ginnyfan · February 16, 2013

I'm finally ready for TODAY IN GINNY. This one was a little hard for me to throw together, for some reason.

Let me start by mentioning that today is that day we salute cottage cheese, food of the gods and Virginia Weidler's favorite childhood food. Give a carton to someone you love.

John Barrymore (1882) was the most famous member of his illustrious acting family until modern publicity machines got into action. While a man of great talents, he today is probably remembered as much for his behavior as his acting. He played Vance in THE GREAT MAN VOTES (1939). Virginia played his daughter. According to the legends, Barrymore either dropped her to the floor or threw her at the director when she played with his tie while sitting on his lap, an act he deemed to be upstaging.

Things were fine between them the next day, and Barrymore would become one of Ginny's greatest champions, calling her "Hollywood's greatest actress" and saying that he learned by watching her. I know that's a little over the top, but it's still nice. He was also Ahab in the 1930 film of MOBY DICK from which Ginny was fired for not stripping.

Jack Mintz (1895) was a writer who handled continuity on THE BIG BROADCAST OF 1936 (do I really need to tell you it was released in 1935 anymore?). He also was the "screenplay constructor" for YOUNG TOM EDISON (1940). In later life he was the dialogue coach on several Elvis films. It is NOT true that he taught Elvis how to say, "Thank you. Thank you very much."

Bud Geary (1898) had a bigger career in silent pics, playing Will Scarlett in the Douglas Fairbanks version of ROBIN HOOD (1922). By the time he entered Ginnyworld he was doing smaller character roles. He was a cement man in THE GREAT MAN VOTES and a policeman in THE ROOKIE COP (1939).

Gale Sondergaard (1899) was a fine character actress appearing in films as different as THE STRANGE DEATH OF ADOLF HITLER (1943) and THE ROAD TO RIO (1947). She was Martha Harding in MAID OF SALEM (1937). She was blacklisted in the late 1940s, and did not appear on screen from 1949 to 1969. She returned to the screen in 1969 with a small role in husband Herbert J. Biberman's SLAVES. Slaves was director/writer Biberman's first film since 1954's independent SALT OF THE EARTH, which had been made with mostly victims of the blacklist. Sondergaard would continue to make TV guest appearances

throughout the 1970s.

Art Miles (1901) was a character actor who appeared as a driver in BARNACLE BILL-he's the middle murky figure in the screen capture-and a detective in BORN TO SING. Somehow, I don't think his role as "The Gorilla" in the Billy Gilbert/Shemp Howard film CRAZY KNIGHTS (1944) was a highlight of his career.

Albert E. Levoy (1902) was the producer of BAD LITTLE ANGEL (1939). No pic, so Patsy praying will have to suffice.

The great American songwriter Harold Arlen plays an important role in Virginia's career since he wrote "Lydia". He wrote a lot of film classics like "Over The Rainbow" and "Off to See the Wizard". He also wrote "Blues In The Night", The Man That Got Away", and "One For My Baby" so his place in American music in certainly secure.:

Finally, Maria Flynn (1926) was a young actress/dancer who only achieved two movie credits. The larger of the two was as Marianne in INTERMEZZO:A LOVE STORY (1939). She was a dancer in the chorus in BORN TO SING (1942).

ginnyfan · February 16, 2013

A very large SATURDAY IN GINNY

First up is Mitchell Ingraham (1872). Mr. Ingraham had an interesting career. He started as a stage actor in the Midwest, but eventually landed in Prescott AZ where he noticed a dearth of live theatre opportunities. So he made his own regularly booking the local Elks Theatre, usually used for motion pictures, to stage live performances. He left Prescott in the 1930s to try Hollywood, where he worked regularly in small roles. He was the Man At Station in YOUNG TOM EDISON (1940). The photo, by the way, is from an Elks Theatre play.

Egon Brecher (1880) was a Czech born Hollywood player. He was The Majordomo in THE BLACK CAT and lent his authenticity to many roles calling for what Hollywood called the "Continental" accent. As war loomed again in the late '30s and raged into the '40s, he was quite in demand. He played a doctor in ALL THIS AND HEAVEN TOO (1940).

William LeBaron (1883) was a long time producer, working from the 1920s through the 1940s. He produced all sort of films, high level and low. He was the executive producer of MEN WITH WINGS (1938). In that film, Virginia played Louise Campbell as a child, Donald O'Connor did the same for Fred MacMurray, and Billy Cook for Ray Milland. LeBaron is seen here with Mae West in the mid 1930s.

Gilbert Pratt (1892) had been a successful silent screen actor specializing in short subjects. He was a regular in Harold Lloyd's Lonesome Luke series. He moved on to directing films through the 1920s, but in the sound era was mainly a writer. He wrote the screenplay for TIMOTHY'S QUEST (1936). The photo here is of the adult stars from that picture, Tom Keene, Eleanore Whitney, and Elizabeth Patterson.

Vernon Dent (1895) was another small role guy who worked constantly for the Three Stooges. His last role, in fact, was in a short with Moe, Larry, and Joe Besser in 1957. Along the way, he also appeared in westerns and the occasional A feature like BEDTIME STORY, where he was one of the crazy conventioneers. He played Fat Man At Party in THE LONE WOLF SPY HUNT (1939). I scanned the film last night and I'm guessing this is him with Ida Lupino.

In the early 1940s, Virginia was a guest on the Chase and Sanborn Show. I don't know if she bested Charlie McCarthy or if she teamed up with Charlie to play a trick on today's birthday boy, Edgar Bergen.

Actor Jeffrey Lynn (1909) played Henry Martyn Field in ALL THIS AND HEAVEN TOO. I couldn't resist using this picture with the caption from the FOUR DAUGHTERS trailer. Experts seem to think that he was one of the pre-war leading man whose careers did not recover from World War II.

Dorothy Lovett (1915) played a circus member in FIXER DUGAN (1939). She was a regular in the series of films based on the Dr. Christian radio show, playing Judy Price.

ginnyfan · February 16, 2013

A very large SATURDAY IN GINNY: