Marla English

Marla English (January 4, 1935, San Diego, California – December 10, 2012, Tucson, Arizona) was an American film actress during the 1950s.

Marla English
Born
Marleine Gaile English

(1935-01-04)January 4, 1935
San Diego, California, U.S.
DiedDecember 10, 2012(2012-12-10) (aged 77)[1]
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1953–1957
Spouse(s)A. Paul Sutherland (1956–2012)

Early years

She was born Marleine Gaile English in San Diego, California. As a teenager, she worked as a model and performed locally.[2]

Film

Paramount

English was originally signed to a contract by Paramount Pictures in 1952[2] after winning a San Diego beauty pageant to be "Fairest of the Fair".[3] She was paid $150 per week to appear in such films as Red Garters (1954) and Rear Window (1954).[4] She was often cut out of these films.[5][6] Her contract went up to $200 a week.[7]

Her breakthrough role came when she was borrowed by Aubrey Schenck to appear in Shield for Murder (1954).[8]

The Mountain

She received a major break when she was cast opposite Spencer Tracy in The Mountain,[4] a film which was to be made in France.[9] English was given a smallpox vaccine before leaving to go on location. She quickly developed a raging fever and decided to pull out of the movie. Paramount suspended English and replaced her with Barbara Darrow. Parade Magazine questioned English about her decision in September 1955. She said it was a very dumb move and was unsure why she decided against making The Mountain. A close relative told the publication that English had fallen in love with Paramount actor Larry Pennell. She became enraged when the studio would not give Pennell a role in the film so they could travel to France together.[4]

B-movies

English made mostly B-movie films throughout her career in Hollywood. Some of these include Three Bad Sisters, Runaway Daughters, The She Creature, Flesh and the Spur, and Voodoo Woman. In 1955, she appeared with John Ireland and Pennell in Hell's Horizon.

Personal life

English gave up her acting career in 1956, aged 21, when she became engaged to San Diego businessman A. Paul Sutherland.[2][10]

Death

English died of cancer, aged 77, in Tucson, Arizona.[2]

Filmography

References
  1. "Marla English, 'Fairest of the Fair', actress, dead at 77". U-T San Diego. 2013-01-10. Retrieved 2013-01-23.
  2. Lentz, Harris M. III (2013). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2012. McFarland. pp. 89–90. ISBN 9781476603858. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  3. "COMMANDANT 34 YEARS IN ARMY RETIRES". Los Angeles Times. Aug 2, 1951. ProQuest 166268013.
  4. "Marla English: She chose love". St. Petersburg Times. September 18, 1955.
  5. Scott, J. L. (May 30, 1954). "GAMBLE PAYS OFF ON MARLA ENGLISH". Los Angeles Times. ProQuest 166625678.
  6. "Actress marla english wins contract approval". Los Angeles Times. Nov 9, 1953. ProQuest 166517635.
  7. "Court OKs contracts of two young actresses". Los Angeles Times. Nov 5, 1954. ProQuest 166709764.
  8. "Marla english joins the legion". The Washington Post and Times Herald. Dec 24, 1954. ProQuest 148420684.
  9. "The life story of MARLA ENGLISH". Picture show (65). Dec 24, 1955. p. 12. ProQuest 1879635068.
  10. "Marla english to quit film career to marry". The Washington Post and Times Herald. Jul 22, 1956. ProQuest 148761381.

Sources
  • Kannapolis, North Carolina Daily Independent, "Louella Parsons Reports From Hollywood", March 4, 1956, p. 22.
  • Lincoln, Nebraska Sunday Journal and Star, "People In The News", July 22, 1956, p. 6
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