Mary Parker (American actress)
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Mary Parker (born Mary Frances Roberson; August 28, 1918, Fort Worth, Texas – died March 2, 1998, Fort Worth, Texas) was an American stage, television and screen actress/performer. Parker appeared in 17 films from 1938 to 1954, but was also known for her dance work with partner Billy Daniel.[1]
Life and career
Parker (also known as "Punkins" Parker), was a protégé of Mitchell Leisen. Leisen recruited Parker for various projects both on and off the screen starting in 1938. Parker was discovered while performing at the Casa Mañana Theatre in her native Fort Worth, Texas during the Texas Centennial celebrations and given a contract with Paramount Pictures.[2] She performed in several large budget films, and was chosen by Paramount and Max Factor Jr. as "The Real Miss America", yet her fame was short lived.[3]
She was married to Lt. Richard B. Dixson, a decorated fighter pilot, for only a little over a year during World War II, and never remarried. She returned from Hollywood in the late 1940s and would only be seen in a few movies from that point (all bit parts). Her television show Mary Parker Playtime was a show for children in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.[4]
Career
Selected filmography
- Music for Millions (1944) .... Anita
- Lady in the Dark (1944) .... Miss Parker
- Marie Green and Her Merry Men (1940/41)... aka "Melody Masters: Marie Green (Greene) and Her Merry (Merrie) Men"
- Ranch House Romeo (1939) .... Mitzi. Mary is a run away star that winds up on a ranch with Ray Whitley.
- Sudden Money (1939) .... Ellen
- Cafe Society (1939) (uncredited) .... Southern Girl
- St. Louis Blues (1939) .... Punkins
- Artists and Models Abroad (1938) .... Punkins
Stage
- Hit the Deck (1945 version); musical written by Vincent Youmans.
- Let's Face It (1941–43); wartime musical, written by Cole Porter.
- Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1939/40).
Television
- Mary Parker Playtime (Fort Worth, Texas) 1949/53 WBAP-5
- Dance Parade (Fort Worth, Texas) 1950/53 WBAP-5
References
- ^ Mitchell Leisen, Hollywood Director by David Chierichetti, c. 1995.
- ^ "Punkins Isn't Punkins Anymore In Hollywood"; The Hartford Courant, October 30, 1938, pg. 1
- ^ "The News - Google News Archive Search". Retrieved January 1, 2015.
- ^ Tim Hollis, Hi There, Boys and Girls! America’s Local Children's TV Programs, University Press of Mississippi; First Paperback Edition (October 29, 2001).
External links
- Mary Parker official website
- Profile, Turner Classic Movies website
- Profile, IBDb.com
- Profile, IMDb.com
- Photograph, digitalgallery.nypl.org