Lita Chevret
Lita Chevret | |
|---|---|
 Lita Chevret in the 1930 film, The Pay-Off | |
| Born | May 27, 1908 Oakland, California, U.S |
| Died | May 23, 2001 (aged 92) Palm Springs, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1929–1940 |
| Spouse(s) | Alfred Hickman Carlton Williams |
Lita Chevret (May 27, 1908 – May 23, 2001) was an American actress who began her career at the genesis of sound films. She appeared in over 60 films between 1929 and 1940, although in most of those she had small or non-billed parts.
Life
Chevret was born on May 27, 1908 in Oakland, California, to show-business parents, who ensured that she received training in both singing and dance.[1][2][unreliable source?]
Career
Chevret began acting with a stock theater company when she was 16 years old.[3] She also appeared in Berkeley productions of Irving Pichel and in Fanchon and Marco revues.[4]
Based on her dancing ability, Chevret broke into the film business in 1929's Fox Movietone Follies of 1929,[1] with an uncredited role. The following year she appeared in Words and Music in a small unbilled role, in John Wayne's first film where he had a significant role (billed as Duke Morrison).[5] That same year, she appeared in RKO Radio Pictures' Rio Rita, their most successful picture of the year.[5][6]
In 1930, RKO would offer Chevret a 3-year contract, which would be renewed for an additional 3 years. However, she was relegated to mostly small and bit roles while under contract with RKO. When her contract expired in 1936, she made the decision not to renew, and to attempt to become a freelance actress.[2]
She continued acting for another five years, still in small and often unbilled roles, until her retirement in 1941. Her final role was a small part in The Philadelphia Story.[7]
After film
Disappointed with her continuing to be cast in smaller roles, Chevret retired in 1941. Although she had left the film industry, she remained in show business during World War II, touring with the USO, finally retiring for good by the end of the war.[citation needed]
She lived in Palm Springs, California until her death in 2001 four days before her 93rd birthday.[citation needed]
Personal life
Chevret was married to Alfred Hickman[8] and Carlton Williams.[9]
Filmography
(Filmography based on the AFI database, with supplemental information from Media Bang)[5][7]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1929 | Fox Movietone Follies of 1929 | Chorine | |
| 1929 | The Locked Door | Girl on rumboat | |
| 1929 | Words and Music | Showgirl | |
| 1929 | Tanned Legs | Beach Girl | |
| 1929 | Rio Rita | Showgirl | |
| 1930 | The Pay-Off | Margy | |
| 1930 | The Cuckoos | Slot Machine Señorita | |
| 1931 | The Royal Bed | Lady-in-waiting | |
| 1931 | Laugh and Get Rich | Party Guest | |
| 1931 | Everything's Rosie | Madeline Van Dorn | |
| 1931 | Kept Husbands | Gwen | |
| 1931 | Three Who Loved | Party Girl | |
| 1932 | Symphony of Six Million | Birdie Klauber | |
| 1932 | Ladies of the Jury | Cynthia Tate | |
| 1932 | What Price Hollywood? | Actress | |
| 1932 | Girl Crazy | Mary | |
| 1932 | One Hour With You | Party Guest | |
| 1932 | Call Her Savage | Party Guest | |
| 1932 | Rockabye | Party Guest | |
| 1932 | After Tomorrow | Office Worker | |
| 1932 | Westward Passage | Woman at Party | |
| 1932 | Merry-Go-Round | Mary | |
| 1932 | The Big Flash | Nadine | |
| 1933 | The Man Who Dared: An Imaginative Biography | Miss Rainey | |
| 1933 | Daring Daughters | Gwen Moore | |
| 1933 | Goldie Gets Along | Marie Gardner | |
| 1933 | Only Yesterday | Uncredited | |
| 1934 | Charlie Chan's Courage | Chorus Girl | |
| 1934 | Glamour | Grassie | |
| 1934 | Romance in the Rain | Jennie | |
| 1934 | Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round | Countess de Marino | |
| 1934 | The Girl from Missouri | Miss Ulricks | |
| 1935 | Dante's Inferno | Mrs. Martin | |
| 1935 | Ship Cafe | Dancing teacher | |
| 1935 | Go into Your Dance | Angry Showgirl #1 | |
| 1935 | Escapade | Guest | |
| 1935 | Under the Pampas Moon | Beautiful Girl | |
| 1935 | The Murder Man | Clara | |
| 1936 | Champagne Charlie | Roulette player | |
| 1936 | Follow the Fleet | Woman in casino | |
| 1937 | Criminal Lawyer | Nora James | |
| 1937 | Sandflow | Rose Porter | Starring role |
| 1937 | Espionage | French secretary | |
| 1937 | Camille | Woman in theater box | |
| 1938 | Rebellious Daughters | Rita | |
| 1938 | The Road to Reno | Gladys | |
| 1939 | The Women | Woman under sunlamp | |
| 1940 | The Fatal Hour | Tanya Sarova | |
| 1940 | Midnight Limited | Mae Krantz | |
| 1940 | The Philadelphia Story | Manicurist |
References
- ^ a b "Lita Chevret". The Telegraph. May 25, 2001. Archived from the original on August 7, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ^ a b "Mae West: Lita Chevret". Mae West Blog. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
- ^ Thomas, Dan (July 6, 1931). "Hollywood Film Shop". The Pittsburgh Press. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. p. 17. Retrieved October 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Lita Chevet in 'Rio Rita'". California, Los Angeles. California, Los Angeles. December 15, 1929. p. Part III - 16. Retrieved October 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Lita Chevret profile". Media Bang. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
- ^ Jewell, Richard B.; Harbin, Vernon (1982). The RKO Story. New York: Arlington House. p. 20. ISBN 0-517-546566.
- ^ a b "Lita Chevret profile". American Film Institute. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
- ^ "All day she trills her A-E-I-O-U's". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. December 15, 1929. p. Part III - 15. Retrieved October 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Journalists' (sic) Wife Cast in Role". Kenosha News. Wisconsin, Kenosha. August 3, 1938. p. 11. Retrieved October 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
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