Nella Walker
Nella Walker | |
---|---|
from the trailer for the film Going Highbrow (1935) | |
Born |
Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | March 6, 1886
Died |
March 22, 1971 85) Los Angeles, California, U.S. | (aged
Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) |
Years active | 1929–1954 |
Spouse(s) | Wilbur Mack (b. 1873; d. 1964) (divorced) |
Nella Walker (March 6, 1886 – March 22, 1971) was an American film actress and vaudeville performer of the 1920s through the 1950s.
Walker was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, and in her teens became half of the husband and wife vaudeville team "Mack and Walker", with her husband Wilbur Mack. By 1929 she had launched a film acting career, her first film role being in Tanned Legs alongside Sally Blane, Dorothy Revier, June Clyde, and Arthur Lake. She appeared in three films in 1929, and easily transitioned to "talking films", appearing in another four films in 1930, possibly making the smooth transition because she was never an established silent film actress.
In 1931 her film career took off, with her appearing in ten films that year, five of which were uncredited. Her marriage ended not long after her film career was on the rise, and from 1932-33 she appeared in fifteen films, only five of which were uncredited. In 1935, her career improved, and between that year and 1938 she had 23 film appearances. Her biggest film appearance during that period was in Young Dr. Kildare alongside Lionel Barrymore and Lew Ayres. Throughout the 1930s her career was strong, and, despite her never being a premier "star", she repeatedly had solid acting roles. She finished that decade strong in 1939 with nine film roles, only three of which were uncredited.
The 1940s mirrored her success of the previous decade in many ways, with her appearing in 37 films from 1940 to 1947. Now later in her career, and over 60 years of age, she slowed her career for a time, not having another role until 1950 when she appeared in Nancy Goes to Rio alongside Ann Sothern and Carmen Miranda. She appeared in another two films in 1952, then had her last film acting role in 1954, in the film Sabrina alongside Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn.
Last years and death
She retired after that role, having appeared in 117 movies, settling in Los Angeles, where she was residing at the time of her death on March 22, 1971.
Partial filmography
- Chinatown Nights (1929; voice double)
- The Vagabond Lover (1929)
- Tanned Legs (1929)
- Seven Keys to Baldpate (1929)
- Rain or Shine (1930)
- What a Widow! (1930)
- Alias French Gertie (1930)
- Extravagance (1930)
- Their Mad Moment (1931)
- The Hot Heiress (1931)
- The Common Law (1931)
- The Public Defender (1931)
- The Bargain (1931)
- Indiscreet (1931)
- Lady with a Past (1932)
- They Call It Sin (1932)
- Reunion in Vienna (1933)
- Sensation Hunters (1933)
- Ever in My Heart (1933)
- Dangerously Yours (1933)
- The House on 56th Street (1933)
- Humanity (1933)
- Change of Heart (1934)
- Elmer and Elsie (1934)
- Four Frightened People (1934)
- The Ninth Guest (1934)
- Fugitive Lady (1934)
- All of Me (1934)
- Fashions of 1934 (1934)
- Big Hearted Herbert (1934)
- Madame Du Barry (1934)
- The Woman in Red (1935)
- Red Salute (1935)
- The Right to Live (1935)
- A Dog of Flanders (1935)
- McFadden's Flats (1935)
- Going Highbrow (1935)
- Coronado (1935)
- Don't Turn 'Em Loose (1936)
- Small Town Girl (1936)
- Captain January (1936)
- Small Town Girl (1936)
- Three Smart Girls (1936)
- Stella Dallas (1937)
- 45 Fathers (1937)
- The Rage of Paris (1938)
- Young Dr. Kildare (1938)
- The Crime of Doctor Hallet (1938)
- The Saint Strikes Back (1939)
- A Child Is Born (1939)
- Three Smart Girls Grow Up (1939)
- In Name Only (1939)
- Swanee River (1939)
- When Tomorrow Comes (1939)
- Irene (1940)
- The Saint Takes Over (1940)
- I Love You Again (1940)
- Blame It on Love (1940)
- Kitty Foyle (1940)
- Buck Privates (1941)
- A Girl, a Guy and a Gob (1941)
- Back Street (1941)
- Kathleen (1941)
- Hellzapoppin' (1941)
- Reaching for the Sun (1941)
- Repent at Leisure (1941)
- Kid Glove Killer (1942)
- We Were Dancing (1942)
- Air Raid Wardens (1943)
- Hers to Hold (1943)
- In Society (1944)
- Murder in the Blue Room (1944)
- Follow That Woman (1945)
- Two Sisters from Boston (1946)
- The Locket (1946)
- The Beginning or the End (1947)
- Variety Girl (1947)
- Big Town (1947)
- That Hagen Girl (1947)
- Undercover Maisie (1947)
- Nancy Goes to Rio (1950)
- Flesh and Fury (1952)
- Sabrina (1954)
References
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nella Walker. |