Ann E. Todd

Ann E. Todd (born Ann Todd Phillips,[1] later Ann Basart or Ann Phillips Basart; August 26, 1931 – February 7, 2020)[2] was an American child actress. As an adult, she became a music reference librarian at University of California, Berkeley.[1]

Ann E. Todd
Todd in Stronger Than Desire (1939)
Born
Ann Todd Phillips

(1931-08-26)August 26, 1931
Denver, Colorado, U.S.
DiedFebruary 7, 2020(2020-02-07) (aged 88)
Berkeley, California, U.S.
OccupationChild actress
Years active1939–1953
Spouse(s)Robert Basart (1951–1993; his death)
Children2

Early years

Todd was born in 1931 in Denver, Colorado, to Burrill L. and Alberta C. (née Mayfield) Phillips. She had a younger brother, Stephen (1937–1986). She was a distant relative of Mary Todd Lincoln. Due to the privations of the Great Depression, she was raised by her maternal grandparents,[3] Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ulysses Mayfield,[4] her adoptive name was Ann Todd Mayfield.[5] (A Newspaper Enterprise Association story published June 13, 1940, refers to Mrs. A.U. Mayfield as Todd's mother.)[6]

In 1942, Todd was hospitalized in critical condition when blood poisoning developed after she cut her foot playing a game in her backyard.[7]

Film career

Todd made her acting debut in Zaza (1939) directed by George Cukor. In a career spanning over 14 years, she appeared in almost 40 movies alongside such stars as Ingrid Bergman, Shirley Temple, James Stewart, John Garfield, Bette Davis, Barbara Stanwyck and Marlene Dietrich.

Due to the similarities between her name and the then already established British actress Ann Todd, she added the initial "E." to her name.[8] Todd was a regular in The Stu Erwin Show between 1950–53[9] before quitting show business for good. She became a teacher and librarian in her later life before retiring in California.[10]

Librarian and academic career

After graduating from the University of California, Los Angeles she attended the University of California, Berkeley where she obtained a master's degree in library science in 1958 and a Master of Arts in 1960.[11] She was a reference librarian at U.C. Berkeley from 1960–61 and 1970–90. Among her accomplishments was founding and editing Cum Notis Variorum, the library's newsletter which gained a substantial reputation.[11] Additionally Basart wrote reviews for the Music Library Association publication Notes as well as serving as its music review editor and book review editor.

She taught at the San Francisco College for Women and at the University of California, Berkeley.[11]

In 1984, Basart established Fallen Leaf Press, publishing reference books in music as well as scores of contemporary American chamber music. Basart closed the business in 2000.

In 1993, she was recognized by the Music Library Association with its Citation, the Association's tribute for lifetime achievement.[11]

Filmography
Year Title Role
1939 Zaza Toto
Calling Dr. Kildare Jenny
The Zero Hour Beth
Stronger Than Desire Susan Flagg
Intermezzo Ann Marie
Bad Little Angel Libbit Creighton, age 9
Tower of London Princess
Destry Rides Again Claggett girl
1940 The Blue Bird Child
Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet Marianne
Granny Get Your Gun Charlotte
Little Orvie Patsy Balliser
All This, and Heaven Too Berthe
Brigham Young Mary Kent
Keeping Company First stooge
1941 Blood and Sand Carmen, as a child
Bad Men of Missouri Amy Younger
Private Nurse Barbara Winton
How Green Was My Valley Ceinwen
The Men in Her Life Rose
Remember the Day Kate Hill
1942 Kings Row Randy Monaghan, as a child
On the Sunny Side Betty
Beyond the Blue Horizon Tama, as a child
That Other Woman Young girl
Over My Dead Body Tailor's little girl
1943 Dixie Dugan Imogene Dugan
1945 Roughly Speaking Louise Randall, as a child
Pride of the Marines Loretta Merchant
1946 My Reputation Gretchen Van Orman
The Jolson Story Ann Murray, as a child
Margie Joyce Fontayne
1947 Homesteaders of Paradise Valley Melinda Hill
Dangerous Years Doris Martin
1948 Three Daring Daughters Ilka Morgan
Arthur Takes Over Valarie Jeanne Bradford
1949 Cover Up Cathie Weatherby
1950 - 1953 The Stu Erwin Show Joyce Erwin (TV Series, main role)
1951 The Lion Hunters Jean Forbes

References
  1. "Ann E Todd obituary". The Times. London. March 6, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020. (subscription required)
  2. "Ann Basart". Legacy. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  3. She, but not her brother Steve, was raised by her maternal grandparents
  4. Kiley, Bill (January 8, 1940). "Air Notes and Anecdotes". Greenfield Daily Reporter. p. 2. Retrieved October 2, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. Joseph F. Clarke (1977). Pseudonyms. BCA. p. 161.
  6. Harrison, Paul (June 13, 1940). "At 6 (?), Ann Todd Looks Like Shirley Temple's Successor, But She Doesn't Look Like Shirley". Mount Carmel Item. Pennsylvania, Mount Carmel. Newspaper Enterprise Association. p. 3. Retrieved January 8, 2017 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "Child Film Star Is Critically Ill". Albuquerque Journal. May 28, 1942. p. 1. Retrieved October 2, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Ann E. Todd profile". Allmovie. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  9. Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010. McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7. P. 1109.
  10. "Little Orvie". TCM. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
  11. Mimi Tashiro, "Basart, Ann", Grove Music Online https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.A2083817 (accessed 18 November 2019).
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