Martha Vickers

Martha Vickers
Martha Vickers in 1947
Born Martha MacVicar
(1925-05-28)May 28, 1925
Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
Died November 2, 1971(1971-11-02) (aged 46)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Cause of death esophageal cancer
Resting place Valhalla Memorial Park
Occupation Actress
Years active 1943–1960
Spouse(s)
A. C. Lyles
(m. 1948; div. 1949)

Mickey Rooney
(m. 1949; div. 1951)

Manuel Rojas
(m. 1954; div. 1965)
Children 3[1]

Martha Vickers (born Martha MacVicar, May 28, 1925 – November 2, 1971) was an American model and actress.

Early life

Born Martha MacVicar in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Martha Vickers began her career as a model[2] and cover girl. Her father was an automobile dealer, and the family moved to Hollywood when he assumed control of an agency in Burbank, California. Vickers was 15 at that time.[3]

Film

Martha Vickers pin-up in
Yank (1945)

Vickers' first film role was a small uncredited part in Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943).[4]

She played minor roles in several films during the early 1940s, working first at Universal Studios and then at RKO Pictures. She next went to Warner Bros., where "they gave her the star push, rearranging her surname to 'Vickers.'"[2] Her work there included the role of Carmen Sternwood, the promiscuous, drug-addicted younger sister of Lauren Bacall's character in The Big Sleep (1946). She also starred in a musical, The Time, the Place and the Girl, followed by two Warner Bros. comedies, Love and Learn and That Way with Women (both 1947).

During the 1950s, however, Vickers' film career stalled.[specify] She continued to act in television. One such appearance was in the 1959 Perry Mason episode, "The Case of the Jaded Joker," in which she played Sheila Hayes. Her final two performances, in 1960, were on The Rebel, starring Nick Adams.

Personal life

Vickers was married three times; to A. C. Lyles (March 15, 1948 – September 28, 1948),[5] Mickey Rooney (June 3, 1949 – September 25, 1951)[6] and actor Manuel Rojas (September 1, 1954 – May 5, 1965).[7] Each marriage ended in divorce. Vickers had one son with Mickey Rooney, and two daughters with Rojas.

Death

Vickers, 46, died of esophageal cancer at Valley Presbyterian Hospital, in Los Angeles, California, on November 2, 1971.[3] She is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California.

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
1943 Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man Margareta Uncredited
Captive Wild Woman Dorothy Colman Credited as Martha MacVicar
Top Man High school girl Uncredited
Alternative title: Man of the Family
Hi'ya, Sailor Hostess Uncredited
1944 This Is the Life Girl Uncredited
Marine Raiders Sally Parker Credited as Martha MacVicar
The Mummy's Ghost Miss McLean, a student Uncredited
The Falcon in Mexico Barbara Wade Credited as Martha MacVicar
1946 The Big Sleep Carmen Sternwood
The Time, the Place and the Girl Victoria Cassel
1947 The Man I Love Virginia "Ginny" Brown
That Way with Women Marcia Alden
Love and Learn Barbara Wyngate
1948 Ruthless Susan Duane
1949 Daughter of the West Lolita Moreno
Bad Boy Lila Strawn Alternative title: The Story of Danny Lester
Alimony Kitty Travers aka Kate Klinger
1955 The Big Bluff Valerie Bancroft Alternative title: Worthy Detectives
1957 The Burglar Della
1960 Four Fast Guns Mary Hoag
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1952 The Unexpected 1 episode
1953-1951 General Electric Theater Louise
Helen		 2 episodes
1954 Ford Theatre Nancy 2 episodes
The Whistler Louise 1 episode
1955 Fireside Theater Ellen Weston
Julie		 2 episodes
1956 The Millionaire Ruth Murdock 1 episode
1957 Playhouse 90 1 episode
1959 Perry Mason Sheila Hayes 1 episode
1960 The Rebel Bess Weed
Agnes Boley		 2 episodes
(final television appearance)

References

  1. ↑ http://www.glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com/show.php?id=278
  2. 1 2 Monush, Barry (2003). Screen World Presents the Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the silent era to 1965. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 759. ISBN 9781557835512. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Actress-Model Is Dead At Age Of 46". The Danville Register. Virginia, Danville. Associated Press. November 5, 1971. p. 3. Retrieved November 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ Mank, Gregory William (2014). The Very Witching Time of Night: Dark Alleys of Classic Horror Cinema. McFarland. p. 275. ISBN 9781476615431. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  5. ↑ "Martha Vickers, Movie Actress, Given Divorce". Joplin Globe. Missouri, Joplin. Associated Press. September 29, 1948. p. 3. Retrieved November 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ Marill, Alvin H. (2004). Mickey Rooney: His Films, Television Appearances, Radio Work, Stage Shows, and Recordings. McFarland. p. 13. ISBN 9780786420155. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  7. ↑ "Martha Vickers Wins Divorce". The San Bernardino County Sun. California, San Bernardino. Associated Press. May 6, 1965. p. 54. Retrieved November 20, 2016 – via Newspapers.com.


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