THE GREAT MS. EDNA MAY OLIVER

[bhryun]

THE BEST CHARACTER ACTOR OF OUT TIME

 

 

This was one of best character actors of our time. Born Edna May Nutter November 9, 1883 to Ida May and Charles Edward Nutter in Malden, Massachusetts. She was also known as " Horse Face" a terrible injustice to her talent and memory. A direct descendant of American president John Quincy Adams, she wanted a career in opera but due to exposure to harsh weather damage her voice, so she turn to acting. Her Broadway debut led to a lot of small roles which didn't take advantage of her acting abilities but all that would change. In 1924 she was cast in Cecil B. DeMille's movie Icebound where she played the part of a maid called Hannah, a role which she said was the start of her movie career. The Oscar-wining Cimarron(1939) was the best testament to her popularity in films where her caricatures "oh reaaallly" would end up in cartoons.

Because of her long facial features she was often offer older character roles even in her younger years. Oliver worked for most of the big studios in the 30's begin to set her own hours as to when she would and would not work, listed below are her movies and tv episodes;

 

Lydia (1941)

Pride and Prejudice (1940)

Drums Along the Mohawk (1939)

Nurse Edith Cavell (1939)

Second Fiddle (1939)

The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle (1939)

Little Miss Broadway (1938)

Paradise for Three (1938)

Rosalie (1937)

My Dear Miss Aldrich (1937)

Parnell (1937)

Romeo and Juliet (1936)

A Tale of Two Cities (1935)

No More Ladies (1935)

Murder on a Honeymoon (1935)

David Copperfield (1935)

We're Rich Again (1934)

Murder on the Blackboard (1934)

The Last Gentleman (1934)

The Poor Rich (1934)

Alice in Wonderland (1933)

Little Women (1933)

Only Yesterday (1933)

Meet the Baron (1933)

Ann Vickers (1933)

It's Great to Be Alive (1933)

The Great Jasper (1933)

Penguin Pool Murder (1932)

The Conquerors (1932)

Hold 'Em Jail (1932)

Ladies of the Jury (1932)

Fanny Foley Herself (1931)

Newly Rich (1931)

Cracked Nuts (1931)

Laugh and Get Rich (1931)

Cimarron (1931)

Half Shot at Sunrise (1930)

The Saturday Night Kid (1929)

Let's Get Married (1926)

The American Venus (1926)

Lovers in Quarantine (1925)

The Lucky Devil (1925)

The Lady Who Lied (1925)

Manhattan (1924)

Icebound (1924)

Restless Wives (1924)

Three O'Clock in the Morning (1923)

Wife in Name Only (1923)

 

Edna May Oliver left us too soon, on November 9, 1942 she pass away from an intestinal disorder, she was 59. She left us with a wonderful legacy of her strong presence and dignity in her movies.....she is sorely missed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bansi4]

 

Miskittyfuzz, that is a very good profile on wonderful character actress Edna May Oliver.

I'm watching her at this moment in "A Tale of Two Cities" and prior to the movie, she was featured in TCMs "What a Character!", which was also enjoyable.

I did take not that at times her middle name of May is also spelled Mae, in some of her credits.

Sadly, the lady died on her birthday.

 

Mongo

[bhryun]

She died of an intestinal disorder, so sad they didn't have the medical ability to save her life. Where ever she is I hope she knows that she was and still is appreciated.

I am now trying to collect all of her movies as well as her TV series. The lady did add a touch of class to all her endeavors.

[Guest]

she never did TV

[fssbdgtsue59]

She will always be my favorite support actress. She did so many films as a support and lent her own attitude to every movie she did. She was one of the greats in my book! Sue

[fssbdgtsue59]

Oh Please don't let this thread die out or the thread of Oliver or Ritter. I know a lot of you still have things to say about these great ladies, so get at it and post something instead of just sitting there! Sue