| Mary Astor | |
|---|---|
 from the trailer for The Great Lie (1941) |
|
| Born | Lucile Vasconcellos Langhanke May 3, 1906 Quincy, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | September 25, 1987 (aged 81) Woodland Hills, California, U.S. |
| Years active | 1921-1964 |
| Spouse(s) | Kenneth Hawks (1928-1930) Franklin Thorpe (1931-1936) Manuel del Campo (1936-1941) Thomas Gordon Wheelock (1945-1955) |
Mary Astor (May 3, 1906 – September 25, 1987) was an Academy Award-winning American actress. The Great Lie is a 1941 film with Mary Astor, Bette Davis and George Brent. Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João Year 1906 ( MCMVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Quincy Illinois, known as the " Gem City " is a city on the Mississippi River in Adams County, Illinois, United States The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Woodland Hills is a district in the City of Los Angeles, California, United States. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1491 - Kongo monarch Nkuwu Nzinga is baptised by Portuguese missionaries adopting the baptismal name of João Year 1906 ( MCMVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works Most famous for her role as Brigid O'Shaughnessy in The Maltese Falcon (1941) opposite Humphrey Bogart, Astor began her long motion picture career as a teenager in the silent movies of the early 1920s. The Maltese Falcon is a 1941 Warner Bros film written and directed by John Huston, based on the novel of the same name The year 1941 in film involved some significant events in particular the release of a film consistently rated as one of the greatest films of all time Career is a term defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as an individual's "course or progress through life (or a distinct portion of life" The year 1920 in film involved some significant events Events November 27 - The Mark of Zorro, starring Douglas Fairbanks
She eventually made a successful transition to talkies, but almost saw her career destroyed due to public scandal in the mid-1930s. A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image as opposed to a Silent film. The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression. She was sued for support by her parents and was later branded an adulterous wife by her ex-husband during a custody fight over her daughter. Overcoming these stumbling blocks in her private life, Astor went on to even greater success on the screen, eventually winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Sandra Kovak in The Great Lie (1941). "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS The Great Lie is a 1941 film with Mary Astor, Bette Davis and George Brent. The year 1941 in film involved some significant events in particular the release of a film consistently rated as one of the greatest films of all time Director Lindsay Anderson said of her: ". Lindsay Gordon Anderson ( April 17 1923 — August 30 1994) was an Indian born English Feature film, Theatre . . that when two or three who love the cinema are gathered together, the name of Mary Astor always comes up, and everybody agrees that she was an actress of special attraction, whose qualities of depth and reality always seemed to illuminate the parts she played. " She continued to act in movies, on television and on stage into the 1960s. A television program (US television programme (UK or television show (U Theatre (or theater, see spelling differences) is the branch of the Performing arts defined by Bernard Beckerman as what "occurs when one The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 She retired from the screen in 1964. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar.
Astor was also the author of five novels. An author is defined both as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created A novel (from Italian novella, Spanish novela, French nouvelle for "new" "news" or "short story Her autobiography became a bestseller, as did her later book, A Life on Film, which was specifically about her career. An autobiography, from the Greek αὐτός autos "self" βίος bios "life" and γράφειν graphein "to write" A bestseller is a Book that is identified as extremely popular by its inclusion on lists of currently top selling titles that are based on publishing industry and book trade
Contents |
Early life
She was born Lucile de Vasconcellos Langhanke in Quincy, Illinois in May 3, 1906. Quincy Illinois, known as the " Gem City " is a city on the Mississippi River in Adams County, Illinois, United States The State of Illinois ( roughly ill-i-NOY is a state of the United States of America, the 21st to be admitted to the Union. Mary was the only child of Otto Ludwig Langhanke (October 2, 1871-February 3, 1943) and Helen Marie de Vasconcellos (April 19, 1881-January 18, 1947). Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 1871 ( MDCCCLXXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 1112 - Ramon Berenguer III of Barcelona and Douce I of Provence marry uniting the fortunes of those two states Year 1943 ( MCMXLIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Year 1881 ( MDCCCLXXXI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 350 - Generallus Magnentius deposes Roman Emperor Constans and proclaims himself Emperor Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Her father, who was born in Berlin, immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1891 and became a naturalized citizen; her mother was born in Jacksonville, Illinois, of Portuguese and Irish extraction. Berlin is the capital city and one of sixteen states of Germany. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Year 1891 ( MDCCCXCI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Naturalization is the acquisition of Citizenship or Nationality by somebody who was not a citizen or national of that country when he or she was born Jacksonville is a city in Morgan County, Illinois, United States. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Ireland (pronounced /ˈaɾlənd/ Éire) is the third largest island in Europe, and the twentieth-largest island in the world [1] They married on August 3, 1904 in Lyons, Kansas. Events 8 - Roman Empire General Tiberius defeats Dalmatians on the river Bathinus. Year 1904 ( MCMIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting on Lyons is a city in Rice County, Kansas, United States. The population was 3732 at the 2000 census. Otto was a German teacher at Quincy High School until the U. The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. S. entered World War I. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All He then began doing light farming. Helen, who had always wanted to be an actress, began teaching drama and elocution.
Lucile was homeschooled in academics and taught to play the piano by her father, who insisted she practice daily. In 1919, she sent a photograph of herself to a beauty contest in Motion Picture Magazine and became a semifinalist. Year 1919 ( MCMXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common A beauty contest or beauty pageant is a competition based mainly though not always entirely on the physical beauty of its contestants and often incorporating Personality Her father then moved the family to Chicago, where he took a position teaching German in public schools. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. Lucile took drama lessons and appeared in various amateur stage plays. Theatre (or theater, see spelling differences) is the branch of the Performing arts defined by Bernard Beckerman as what "occurs when one A play, or stageplay, is a form of Literature written by a Playwright, almost always consisting of Dialogue between Fictional characters
The following year, she sent another photograph to the magazine and this time became a finalist, this time being named runner-up in the national contest. Her father then moved the family to New York, in order for his pretty daughter to become an actress in motion pictures. The City of New York He managed all her affairs from September 1920 to June 1930. Year 1920 ( MCMXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920 of the Gregorian calendar Year 1930 ( MCMXXX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
A Manhattan photographer, Charles Albin, saw a photograph and asked the young girl with haunting eyes and long auburn hair, whose nickname was "Rusty," to pose for him. Manhattan Island, in New York Harbor, is much the largest part of the Borough of Manhattan, one of the Five Boroughs which form the City of New York A nickname is a Name of an entity or thing that is not its Proper name. The Albin photographs were seen by Harry Durant of Famous Players-Lasky and Lucile was signed to a six-month contract with Paramount Pictures. Famous Players-Lasky Corporation was an American Motion picture company formed in 1916 from the merger of Famous Players Film Company and the Jesse A contract is an exchange of promises between two or more parties to do or refrain from doing an act which is enforceable in a court of law Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and Distribution company, based in Hollywood California. Her name was changed to Mary Astor during a conference between Paramount chief Jesse Lasky, gossip columnist Louella Parsons, and producer Walter Wanger. Jesse Louis Lasky ( September 13, 1880 &ndash January 13, 1958) was a pioneer Hollywood film producer and also a key founder A gossip columnist is someone who writes a gossip column in a Newspaper or Magazine, especially a gossip magazine. Louella Parsons ( August 6, 1881 &ndash December 9, 1972) was an American Gossip columnist. A film producer is a person who creates the conditions for making movies. Walter Wanger ( July 11, 1894 – November 18, 1968) was an Academy Award -winning American Film producer
Silent movie career
At age 14, she debuted with her new stage name in the 1921 film Sentimental Tommy, but her small part in a dream sequence wound up on the cutting room floor. A stage name, also called a screen name, is a Pseudonym used by Performers and Entertainers such as Events February 20 - The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, starring Rudolph Valentino, premieres The term Cutting room floor is used in the entertainment industry in reference to footage taken and not used in final production Paramount let her contract lapse. She then appeared in some movie shorts with sequences based on famous paintings. She received critical recognition for the 1921 two-reeler The Beggar Maid. Events February 20 - The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, starring Rudolph Valentino, premieres Her first feature-length movie was John Smith (1922), which was followed that same year by The Man Who Played God. Events November 26 - The Toll of the Sea, starring Anna May Wong and Kenneth Harlan, debuts as the first general The Man Who Played God is a 1932 Film drama produced by Warner Brothers. In 1923, she and her parents moved to Hollywood. Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
After appearing in several larger roles at various studios, she was signed by Paramount again, this time to a one-year contract at $500 a week. She had appeared in several more movies when John Barrymore saw a photograph of her in a magazine and wanted her cast in his upcoming movie. John Sidney Blyth Barrymore ( February 15 1882 – May 29 1942) was an American Actor, frequently called the greatest On loan-out to Warner Bros., she starred with him in Beau Brummel (1924). Warner Bros Entertainment Inc (or Warner Bros, Warner Bros Pictures) is one of the world's largest producers of Film and Beau Brummell, né George Bryan Brummell (7 June 1778 London, England &ndash, Caen, France was the Arbiter of men's Events Entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B The older actor wooed the young actress, but their engagement ended when he became involved with Dolores Costello. Dolores Costello ( September 17, 1903 – March 1, 1979) was an American Film Actress who achieved her greatest
In 1925, Astor's parents bought a Moorish style mansion with one acre of land known as "Moorcrest" in the hills above Hollywood. Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. They lived lavishly on her earnings. Moorcrest is notable not only for its ornate style but its place as the most lavish residence associated with the Krotona Colony, a utopian society founded by the Theosophical Society in 1912. Built by Marie Russak Hotchener, a Theosophist with no formal architectural training, the house combines Moorish and Mission Revival styles and contains such Arts and Crafts features as art glass windows and Batchelder tiles. This article is about the philosophy introduced by Helena Petrovna Blavatsky Astor's parents were Theosophists, and Astor was undoubtably schooled in the philosophy, which combines elements of all the major religions with a particular emphasis on esoteric Buddhism from India. Moorcrest, which recently has undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation, is still standing. Before the Langhankes bought it, it was rented by Charlie Chaplin, whose tenure is memorialized by an art glass window featuring the Little Tramp. It was from this mansion that Astor, fed up with her father's constant badgering to practice the piano, climbed from her second floor bedroom window and walked down to Hollywood Boulevard, as recounted in her memoirs. Hollywood Boulevard is a boulevard in Hollywood Los Angeles California, United States, beginning at Sunset Boulevard in the east and running northwest
Astor went on appearing in movies at various studios. When her Paramount contract ended in 1925, she was signed at Warner Bros. Year 1925 ( MCMXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Among her assignments was another role with John Barrymore, this time in Don Juan (1926). Don Juan ( 1926) is a Warner Brothers film directed by Alan Crosland. Events August - Warner Brothers debuts the first Vitaphone film Don Juan. She was named one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars in 1926, along with Mary Brian, Dolores Costello, Joan Crawford, Dolores Del Rio, Janet Gaynor, and Fay Wray. The WAMPAS Baby Stars was a promotional campaign sponsored by the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers in the United States, which honored thirteen young Year 1926 ( MCMXXVI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Mary Brian ( February 17, 1906 – December 30, 2002) was an American Actress and Movie star who made the Dolores Costello ( September 17, 1903 – March 1, 1979) was an American Film Actress who achieved her greatest Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; ( March 23, 1905 - May 10, 1977) Crawford was signed to a motion picture Dolores del Río ( August 3, 1905 &ndash April 11, 1983) was a Mexican Film actress. Janet Gaynor ( October 6, 1906 &ndash September 14, 1984) was an American actress. Vina Fay Wray ( September 15, 1907 &ndash August 8, 2004) was a Canadian &ndash American actress and the first
On loan-out to Fox Film Corporation, Astor starred in Dressed To Kill (1928), which received good reviews. Events Although some movies released in 1928 had sound, most were still silent. That same year, she starred in the sophisticated comedy Dry Martini at Fox. She later said that, while working on the latter, she "absorbed and assumed something of the atmosphere and emotional climate of the picture. " She said it offered "a new and exciting point of view; with its specious doctrine of self-indulgence, it rushed into the vacuum of my moral sense and captivated me completely. " When her Warner Bros. contract ended, she signed a contract with Fox for $3,750 a week.
In 1928, she and director Kenneth Hawks were married at her family home, Moorcrest. Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A film director, or filmmaker, is a person who directs the making of a Film. He gave her a Packard automobile for a wedding gift and they moved into a home high up on Lookout Mountain in Los Angeles above Beverly Hills. Packard was an American luxury Automobile marque built by the Packard Motor Car Company of Detroit Michigan, and later by the Studebaker-Packard Corporation Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West
As the movie industry made the transition to talkies, Fox gave her a sound test, which she failed because the studio found her voice to be too deep. A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image as opposed to a Silent film. Though this was probably due to early sound equipment and the inexperience of technicians, the studio released her from her contract and she found herself out of work for eight months in 1929. Year 1929 ( MCMXXIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
New beginnings
Astor took voice training and singing lessons during her time off, but no roles were offered. Her acting career was then given a boost by her friend, Florence Eldridge (wife of Fredric March), whom she confided in. Florence Eldridge ( September 5, 1901 - August 1, 1988) was an American actress. Fredric March ( August 31, 1897 – April 14, 1975) was an American two-time Academy Award and Tony Award -winning Eldridge, who was to star in the stage play Among the Married at the Majestic Theatre in Downtown Los Angeles, recommended Astor for the second female lead. Downtown Los Angeles is the Central business district of Los Angeles, California, United States, located close to the geographic center The play was a success and her voice was deemed suitable, being described as low and vibrant.
She was happy to be back at work, but her happiness soon ended. On January 2, 1930, while filming sequences for the Fox movie Such Men Are Dangerous, Kenneth Hawks was killed in a mid-air plane crash over the Pacific. Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire. Year 1930 ( MCMXXX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth 's Oceanic divisions Astor had just finished a matinee performance at the Majestic when Florence Eldridge came to her with the news. She was rushed from the theatre and taken to Eldridge's apartment; a replacement, Doris Lloyd, stepped in for the next show. Hessy Doris Lloyd ( 3 July, 1896 &ndash 21 May, 1968) was an English actress Astor remained with her friend, Eldridge, at her apartment for some time, but she soon went back to work. Shortly after her husband's death, she debuted in her first "talkie", Ladies Love Brutes (1930) at Paramount, which co-starred friend Fredric March. Events Top grossing films Tom Sawyer Whoopee! Common Clay Check Fredric March ( August 31, 1897 – April 14, 1975) was an American two-time Academy Award and Tony Award -winning
While her career picked up, her private life remained troubled. After working on several more movies, she suffered delayed shock over her husband's death and had a nervous breakdown. During the months of her illness, she was attended to by Dr. Franklyn Thorpe, whom she later married.
Astor had four husbands, director Kenneth Hawks (married February 26, 1928-his death on January 2, 1930); physician and surgeon Franklyn Thorpe (married June 29, 1931-divorced 1936); insurance salesman Manuel del Campo (married February 1936-divorced 1941); and stockbroker Thomas Wheelock (married December 25, 1945-divorced 1955). A film director, or filmmaker, is a person who directs the making of a Film. Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire. Year 1930 ( MCMXXX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display 1930 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 512 - A Solar eclipse is recorded by a monastic chronicler in Ireland. Year 1931 ( MCMXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1936 ( MCMXXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Manuel del Campo (born 14 November 1913, Mexico City) was a Mexican Film editor working in Hollywood and British film Year 1936 ( MCMXXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1941 ( MCMXLI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (the link will display 1941 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 274 - Roman Emperor Aurelian Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) She and Thorpe had one daughter, Marylyn Hauoli Thorpe (born June 16, 1932); she and del Campo had one son, Anthony Paul "Tono" del Campo (born June 5, 1939). Events 1487 - Battle of Stoke Field, the last dying breath of the Wars of the Roses. Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 70 - Titus and his Roman Legions breach the middle wall of Jerusalem in the Siege of Jerusalem Year 1939 ( MCMXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
In May 1932, the Thorpes purchased a yacht and sailed to Hawaii. Year 1932 ( MCMXXXII) was a Leap year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. The State of Hawaii ( or həˈwaɪʔiː Hawaiian: Mokuāina o Hawaii) is a state in the United States located on an Archipelago in the Astor was pregnant, but the birth was scheduled for August. Other names In Arabic, the month is called أغسطسص ʾUġusṭuṣ or آب ʾĀb; usage varies from place to place and Her daughter was born in June in Honolulu, her name being a combination of the names of her parents. Honolulu is the Capital and most populous Census-designated place (CDP in the U Her middle name, Hauoli, means "To sing with joy. "
When they returned to Southern California, Astor began freelancing and accepted the pivotal role of Barbara Willis in Red Dust (1932) at MGM with Clark Gable and Jean Harlow. Southern California, or So Cal, is defined as the southern portion of the U Red Dust is an American 1932 romantic Drama film directed by Victor Fleming. Events Katharine Hepburn 's film career begins Shirley Temple 's film career begins Disney released Flowers Clark Gable (February 1 &ndashNovember 16) was an iconic American Actor nicknamed "The King of Hollywood" in his heyday Jean Harlow ( March 3, &ndash June 7,) was an American Film Actress and Sex symbol of the 1930s In late 1932, Astor signed a featured player contract with Warner Bros. Besides spending lavishly, her parents invested in the stock market, which turned out in many instances to be unprofitable. A stock market, or (equity market is a private or public market for the trading of company Stock and derivatives of company They still lived in Moorcrest, which Astor dubbed a "white elephant" and refused to maintain. She had to turn to the Motion Picture Relief Fund in 1933 to pay her bills. The Motion Picture & Television Fund is a charitable organization that offers assistance and care to those in the Motion picture and Television industries with limited Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
In 1933, she appeared as the female lead, Hilda Lake, the niece of the murder victims, in The Kennel Murder Case, co-starring with William Powell playing detective Philo Vance. The Kennel Murder Case is a 1933 murder mystery novel written by S Philo Vance is a Fictional character who starred in 12 Crime novels written by S Film critic William K. Everson pronounced it a "masterpiece" in the August 1984 issue of Films in Review. Unhappy with her marriage, she took a break from movie making in 1933 and went to New York by herself. While there, enjoying a whirlwind social life, she met the playwright George Kaufman and had an affair, which she documented in her diary. A playwright, also known as a dramatist, is a person who writes dramatic literature or Drama. George Simon Kaufman ( November 16 1889 - June 2 1961) was an American Playwright, Theatre director and Rumors circulated that the diary contained lurid details of affairs with male actors. She denied it contained any such details, an out-of-court settlement was made, and the court ordered the diary destroyed in 1952[2]. .
Scandals
In March 1934, Astor was sued by her parents for support and a public family feud burst out violently. Year 1934 ( MCMXXXIV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full 1934 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Langhankes said they did not have enough money for the necessities of life; the only money they had received from their daughter in the last six months was $60 in grocery coupons, and they had to sell some of their furniture to survive. They also cited a foreclosure notice on their home, saying their daughter would not help them pay the mortgage.
However, despite the Depression, Otto had continued to improve their estate. He then took out an $18,000 loan and had a swimming pool installed, which Astor said neither of them ever used and was a waste of money, and he could not afford to pay on the remaining $15,000 incumbrance. Astor said that all of her earnings went to her parents until 1930, being deposited by the studio directly into their bank account, and she received a small allowance. She then decided it was necessary for her to look out for her own future. She gave them the house in June of that year, and for a year thereafter gave them $1,000 per month. In addition, in March 1931, she loaned them $2,515. Events in March American Red Cross Month Fire Prevention month ( The Philippines) Women's History Month ( United Year 1931 ( MCMXXXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1931 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. 19, which they did not repay and she never asked for.
She said that she told them in March 1933 that she could not afford to support them in their expensive home, which cost more than the one she and her husband and daughter were living in. Events in March American Red Cross Month Fire Prevention month ( The Philippines) Women's History Month ( United Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. She offered them an allowance of $100 per month if they moved from the mansion; she also offered to set them up in a suitable house in San Mateo County, together with food and utilities, but they did not accept either offer. San Mateo County ( "san muh-TAY-o") ( Spanish for: St Their lawyer responded that a daughter could not dictate to her parents where they could or could not live.
The judge ruled that she should give her parents $100 per month. Moorcrest, now valued at $200,000, went on the auction block and sold for only $21,500. Otto was outraged and did not want to accept the bid, but the auctioneer said they had a signed contract, the buyer had deposited the proper deposit, and the sale was final.
In the meantime, Astor's marriage to Franklyn Thorpe continued to deteriorate. She learned from Kaufman that Thorpe had talked to him about their affair. When the inevitable confrontation came, Thorpe told her he would name Kaufman in a divorce suit. He said that if she would let him take their daughter, Marylyn, she could have her back after six months to keep for six months. She believed that later on she could get custody of Marylyn and avoid bad publicity.
In April 1935, Thorpe divorced her in an uncontested suit and gained sole custody of their daughter. April holidays and events National Poetry Month - in United States National Sexual Assault Awareness Month - in United Year 1935 ( MCMXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In July 1936, while working on Dodsworth with Walter Huston and Ruth Chatterton, Astor sued to gain sole custody, as well as for the recovery of stocks and property paid for by her movie earnings, or the monetary equivalent, and a vicious battle broke out that was also well documented by the press. Events in July The traditional period known as "fence month" (the closed season for deer in England ended July 9 (date varied Year 1936 ( MCMXXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Dodsworth is a 1936 American Drama film directed by William Wyler. Walter Huston ( April 6 1884 &ndash April 7 1950) was an Academy Award -winning Canadian -born American actor Ruth Chatterton ( December 24, 1893 - November 24, 1961) was a two-time Academy Award -nominated American actress
Thorpe cited her adultery with Kaufman and introduced excerpts of her diary as evidence of the affair. Astor said he had stolen her diary and that most of the passages submitted were forgeries. She said that she was intimidated into not contesting custody when he threatened to ruin her career. She said he assertedly threatened to deprive her of her daughter's companionship unless she transferred the securities to him, which she did shortly before the divorce. She further asserted that he was busy with his practice and unable to properly rear the child.
Excerpts of what she wrote about her marriage and affair with Kaufman were then released by Thorpe's lawyers to the press, who dubbed it the "purple diary," although it was actually penned in Aztec brown ink and not purple, and it became headline news. Although the excerpts in the papers were fairly harmless, with romantic and sentimental chatter and no intimate details, lurid tales of sexually explicit contents began to circulate. No one ever actually read the authentic diary, however, and such reports of its contents were purely speculative.
When Thorpe surrendered the diary to the court it was impounded and the full contents never revealed. The judge was only concerned with the welfare of the child. Astor wanted her diary back, while Thorpe asserted it should be returned to him. The judge ordered that the diary be stored in a safe deposit box, sealed against prying eyes. A safe deposit box (sometimes incorrectly called a safety deposit box) is a type of Safe usually located in groups inside a Bank vault or in the back of In April 1952, with no objection from Astor or Thorpe, the diary was destroyed, unread, by order of the court. April holidays and events National Poetry Month - in United States National Sexual Assault Awareness Month - in United Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Astor received joint custody of her daughter. Marylyn lived with her mother during the school year and with her father during summer vacation. She spent Christmas with both parents.
Career continues
Fortunately, the scandals caused no harm to Astor's career, which was actually revitalized because of the custody fight and the huge amount of publicity it generated; Dodsworth was released to rave revues, and the public's acceptance assured the studios that she was still a viable commercial property.
In 1937, she returned to the stage in well-received productions of Noel Coward's Tonight at 8:30, The Astonished Heart, and Still Life. Year 1937 ( MCMXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Sir Noël Peirce Coward ( 16 December 1899 26 March 1973) was an English Actor, Playwright Tonight at 830 (1936 is a unique cycle of short plays by Noel Coward, the first production of which was a bold experiment in the history of theatre She also began doing regular performances on radio. Radio programming is the content that is broadcast by Radio stations The original inventors of radio such as Nikola Tesla and Guglielmo Some of her best movies were still to come, including The Prisoner of Zenda (1937), John Ford's The Hurricane (1937), and Brigham Young (1940). The Prisoner of Zenda is a 1937 Black-and-white Adventure film based on the Anthony Hope 's this is considered by many to be the definitive The year 1937 in film involved some significant events Events April 16 - Way Out West premieres in The Hurricane ( 1937) is a Film, directed by John Ford and produced by Samuel Goldwyn, about a Tropical cyclone in the The year 1937 in film involved some significant events Events April 16 - Way Out West premieres in Brigham Young (also known as Brigham Young - Frontiersman) is a movie released in 1940 based upon a story by Lois Bromfield and screenplay by The year 1940 in film involved some significant events Events February 7 - Walt Disney 's animated Film
Astor is probably most famous for her role as Brigid O'Shaughnessy, the scheming temptress who murders Sam Spade's partner, Miles Archer, in John Huston's The Maltese Falcon (1941) opposite Humphrey Bogart, with Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet. John Marcellus Huston ( August 5 1906 &ndash August 28 1987) was an American Film director and Actor. The Maltese Falcon is a 1941 Warner Bros film written and directed by John Huston, based on the novel of the same name The year 1941 in film involved some significant events in particular the release of a film consistently rated as one of the greatest films of all time Peter Lorre ( June 26 1904 &ndash March 23 1964) born László Löwenstein, was a Hungarian - Austrian Sydney Hughes Greenstreet ( December 27 1879 &ndash January 18 1954) was an English Actor, best known for his work with
Although Spade is an amoral womanizer, something in Brigid causes him to let down his guard; he actually feels love for her. Despite his feelings, the climax of the movie is when he forces her to confess that she is the murderer. He loves her, but something in him is afraid that will weaken him.
Spade regrets sending her to jail, maybe to her death, but his fear about himself is stronger than his regret. As much as he cannot bear his loss, he "won't be played" and can bear that image of himself even less.
Another noteworthy performance was her Oscar-winning role as Sandra Kovak, the selfish, self-centered concert pianist, who willingly gives up her child, in The Great Lie (1941) starring Bette Davis and George Brent. The Great Lie is a 1941 film with Mary Astor, Bette Davis and George Brent. The year 1941 in film involved some significant events in particular the release of a film consistently rated as one of the greatest films of all time Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (April 5 1908 – October 6 1989 was an American actress of Film, Television and Theatre. George Brent ( March 15 1899 - May 26 1979) was an Irish film and television Actor in American cinema.
Davis wanted Astor cast in the role after watching her screen test and seeing her play Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1. For the BBC TV series see Screen Test. A screen test is a method of determining the suitability of an Actor or actress for The Piano Concerto No 1 in B-flat minor by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Op She then recruited Astor to collaborate with her on rewriting the script, which Davis felt was mediocre and needed work to make it more interesting. Astor further followed Davis's advice and sported a brazen bobbed hairdo for the role. The soundtrack of the movie during the scenes where she plays the concerto, with violent hand movements on the piano keys, was actually recorded with Max Rabinovitch playing. Astor let Davis run the show, with no objection, and they became good friends. Davis deliberately stepped back to allow Astor to shine in her key scenes. As a result of her performance, Astor won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, thanking Bette Davis and Tchaikovsky in her acceptance speech. "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (April 5 1908 – October 6 1989 was an American actress of Film, Television and Theatre.
Astor was not propelled into the upper echelon of movie stars by these successes, however. For other uses including various songs titled "Movie Star" see Movie star (disambiguation. She always declined offers of starring in her own right. Not wanting the responsibility of top billing and having to "carry the picture," she preferred the security of being a featured player.
In 1942 she was reunited with Humphrey Bogart and Sydney Greenstreet in John Huston's Across the Pacific. The year 1942 in film involved some significant events in particular the release of a film consistently rated as one of the greatest films of all time Sydney Hughes Greenstreet ( December 27 1879 &ndash January 18 1954) was an English Actor, best known for his work with John Marcellus Huston ( August 5 1906 &ndash August 28 1987) was an American Film director and Actor. Across the Pacific is a 1942 spy film set on the eve of the entry of the United States into World War II. She also played the Princess Centimillia in The Palm Beach Story. The Palm Beach Story is a romantic Screwball comedy film written and directed by Preston Sturges, and starring Claudette Colbert,
In February 1943, Otto Langhanke died in Cedars of Lebanon Hospital as a result of a heart attack complicated by influenza. Year 1943 ( MCMXLIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Myocardial infarction ( MI or AMI for acute myocardial infarction) also known as a heart attack, occurs when the blood supply His wife and daughter were both at his bedside.
That same year, Astor signed a seven-year contract with MGM, which turned out to be a regrettable mistake. Meet Me in St Louis is a 1944 romantic Musical film from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer which tells the story of four sisters living in She was kept busy playing what she considered mediocre mother roles. After Meet Me In St. Louis (1944), the studio allowed her to make her Broadway debut in Many Happy Returns (1945). Meet Me in St Louis is a 1944 romantic Musical film from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer which tells the story of four sisters living in The year 1944 in film involved some significant events Events July 20 - Since You Went Away is released Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar The play was a miserable failure, but Astor received good reviews.
On loan-out to 20th Century Fox, she played a wealthy widow in Claudia and David (1946). The year 1946 in film involved some significant events Events Top grossing films (U She was also loaned to Paramount to play Fritzi Haller in Desert Fury (1947) in which she played the tough owner of a saloon and casino in a small mining town. Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and Distribution company, based in Hollywood California. Desert Fury is a 1947 Paramount Pictures color Film noir drama Film starring Lizabeth Scott, John Hodiak The year 1947 in film involved some significant events Events May 22 - Great Expectations is premiered in New York
Before Helen Langhanke died of a heart ailment in January 1947, Astor said she sat in the hospital room with her mother, who was delirious and did not know her, and listened quietly as Helen told her all about terrible, selfish Lucile. Year 1947 ( MCMXLVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1947 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. After her death, Astor said she spent countless hours copying her mother's diary so she could read it and was surprised to learn how much she was hated.
Back at MGM, Astor went on being cast in undistinguished, colorless mother roles. One exception was when she played a prostitute in the film noir Act of Violence (1948). Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize moral ambiguity and sexual motivation Act of Violence is a 1948 Film noir directed by Fred Zinnemann and adapted for the screen by Robert L The year 1948 in film involved some significant events Events Laurence Olivier 's Hamlet becomes the The last straw came when she was cast as Marmee March in Little Women (1949). Little Women or Meg Jo Beth and Amy is a novel by American author Louisa May Alcott (1832&ndash1888 The year 1949 in film involved some significant events Events Top grossing films (U Astor found no redemption in playing what she considered another humdrum mother and became despondent. The studio wanted to renew her contract, promising to give her better roles, but she declined the offer.
Middle years
At the same time, Astor's drinking was getting much worse. She admitted to having a problem with alcohol as far back as the 1930s, but it had never interfered with her work schedule or performance. The 1930s were described as an abrupt shift to more radical and conservative lifestyles as countries were struggling to find a solution to the Great Depression. She hit bottom in 1949 and went into a sanitarium for alcoholics. Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions
In 1951, she made a frantic call to her doctor and told him she had taken too many sleeping pills. Year 1951 ( MCMLI) was a Common year starting on Monday. Events of 1951 January She was taken to a hospital and the police reported that she had attempted suicide, this being her third overdose in two years, and the story made headline news. She maintained it had been an accident.
That same year, she joined Alcoholics Anonymous and converted to Roman Catholicism. Alcoholics Anonymous ( AA) is an informal meeting society for recovering and recovered alcoholics, with the stated purpose to help its members "to stay sober and She credited her recovery to a priest, Peter Ciklic, also a practicing psychologist, who encouraged her to write about her experiences as part of therapy. Mental health professional A psychologist is a practitioner of Psychology, the systematic investigation of the mind including Behavior, Cognition, She also separated from her husband, Thomas Wheelock, but did not actually divorce him until 1955. Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar)
In 1952, she was cast in the leading role of the stage play Time of the Cuckoo, which was later made into the movie Summertime (1955), and subsequently toured with it. Year 1952 ( MCMLII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Summertime is a 1955 Film directed by David Lean and starring Katharine Hepburn and Rossano Brazzi. The year 1955 in film involved some significant events Events November 3 - The musical Guys and Dolls After the tour, Astor lived in New York for four years and worked in the theatre and on television. Television ( TV) is a widely used Telecommunication medium for sending ( Broadcasting) and receiving moving Images, either monochromatic
Her TV debut was in The Missing Years (1954) for Kraft Television Theatre. The year 1954 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1954. Kraft Television Theatre is an American drama / anthology television series that began May 7, 1947 on NBC, airing at She acted frequently in TV during the ensuing years and appeared on most of the big shows of the time, including The United States Steel Hour, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Rawhide, Dr. Kildare, Burke's Law, and Ben Casey. The United States Steel Hour (aka Theater Guild on the Air) was an American radio Anthology series which embarked on the ambitious Alfred Hitchcock Presents is an Anthology Television series hosted by Alfred Hitchcock. Rawhide was a television western series that aired on the US network CBS from 1959 to 1966. Dr James Kildare is a Fictional character, the primary character in a series of American theatrical Films in the late 1930s and early 1940s an early 1950s Burke's Law is a detective series which ran on ABC from 1963 to 1965 and was revived on CBS in the 1990s Ben Casey is a Medical Drama series which ran on ABC from 1961 to 1966. She also starred on Broadway in The Starcross Story (1954), which was another failure. Year 1954 ( MCMLIV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1954 Gregorian calendar)
She returned to Southern California in 1956. Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. She then went on a successful theatre tour of Don Juan in Hell directed by Agnes Moorehead and co-starring Ricardo Montalban. Man and Superman by George Bernard Shaw was written in 1903 as a four act drama responding to those who had questioned Shaw as to why he had never written a play Agnes Robertson Moorehead ( December 6 1900 – April 30 1974) was an American Actress. Ricardo Gonzálo Pedro Montalbán Merino KCSG (born November 25, 1920) is a Mexican Television, Theatre, and Film
Astor's memoir, My Story: An Autobiography, was published in 1959, becoming a sensation for its day and a bestseller. for other uses see Memoir (disambiguation As a literary Genre, a memoir (from the French: mémoire The year 1959 in literature involved some significant events and new books A bestseller is a Book that is identified as extremely popular by its inclusion on lists of currently top selling titles that are based on publishing industry and book trade It was the result of Father Ciklic urging her to write. Though she spoke of her troubled personal life, her parents, her marriages, the scandals, her battle with alcoholism, and other things about her life, she did not mention the movie industry or her career in any detail. Alcoholism is a term with multiple and sometimes conflicting definitions In 1971, another book was published, A Life on Film, where she discussed her career. The year 1971 in literature involved some significant events and new books It too became a bestseller. Astor also tried her hand at fiction, writing the novels The Incredible Charley Carewe (1960), The Image of Kate (1962), The O'Conners (1964), Jahre und Tage (1964) (a German translation of The Image of Kate), Goodbye, Darling, be Happy (1965), and A Place Called Saturday (1968). Fiction is the telling of stories which are not real More specifically fiction is an imaginative form of Narrative, one of the four basic Rhetorical modes. A novel (from Italian novella, Spanish novela, French nouvelle for "new" "news" or "short story The year 1960 in literature involved some significant events and new books The year 1962 in literature involved some significant events and new books The year 1964 in literature involved some significant events and new books The year 1964 in literature involved some significant events and new books The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. The year 1965 in literature involved some significant events and new books The year 1968 in literature involved some significant events and new books
She appeared in several movies during this time, including A Stranger in My Arms (1959). The year 1959 in film involved some significant events Events The Three Stooges make their 180th and last short film She made a comeback in Return to Peyton Place (1961) playing Roberta Carter, the domineering mother who insists the "shocking" novel written by Allison Mackenzie should be banned from the school library, and received good reviews for her performance. Return to Peyton Place is a 1959 novel by Grace Metalious. After the phenomenal success of her first novel the blockbuster hit Peyton Place The year 1961 in film involved some significant events Events Last Year at Marienbad ( L'année dernière
Later life
After taking a trip around the world in 1964, Astor was lured away from her Malibu home, where she was spending time gardening and working on her third novel, to make what she decided would be her final movie appearance. Year 1964 ( MCMLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the 1964 Gregorian calendar. Malibu is an incorporated city in western Los Angeles County, California, United States.
When she was offered the small role as a key figure in the murder mystery Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte, starring her friend, Bette Davis, Astor decided it would serve as her swan song in the movie business. Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte (also known as What Ever Happened to Cousin Charlotte?) is a 1964 American Horror film Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (April 5 1908 – October 6 1989 was an American actress of Film, Television and Theatre. The phrase " swan song " is a reference to an ancient belief that the Mute Swan ( Cygnus olor) is completely mute during its lifetime until the moment just After 109 movies during a career spanning 45 years, she turned in her Screen Actors Guild card and retired. The Screen Actors Guild ( SAG) is an American labor union representing over 120000 Film and television principal performers and background
She later moved to Fountain Valley, California, where she lived near her son, Tono del Campo, and his family until 1971. This article is for the city in California For the valley and rural community in British Columbia Canada see Fountain Valley (British Columbia. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. That same year, suffering from a chronic heart condition, she then moved to a small cottage on the grounds of the Motion Picture & Television Country House, the industry's retirement facility in Woodland Hills, where she had her own private table when she chose to eat in the resident dining room [2]. The Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital is a Retirement community, with individual cottages and a fully licensed acute-care hospital located at 23388 Woodland Hills is a district in the City of Los Angeles, California, United States.
In 1980, she appeared in the television documentary series 'Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film. Hollywood, also known as Hollywood A Celebration of the American Silent Film ( 1980) is a documentary series produced by Thames '[3] where she discussed her roles during the end of the silent cinema period.
Astor died on September 25, 1987, at age 81, of respiratory failure due to pulmonary emphysema while a patient in the hospital in the Motion Picture House complex, exactly one week before Prisoner of Zenda co-star Madeleine Carroll. Events 303 - On a voyage preaching the Gospel, Saint Fermin of Pamplona is beheaded in Amiens, France Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Respiratory failure is a medical term for inadequate Gas exchange by the Respiratory system. Emphysema is a chronic obstructive Pulmonary disease ( COPD) formerly termed a chronic obstructive Lung disease (COLD The Prisoner of Zenda is a 1937 Black-and-white Adventure film based on the Anthony Hope 's this is considered by many to be the definitive Madeleine Carroll ( February 26, 1906 &ndash October 2, 1987) was a British actress, immensely popular in the 1930s She is interred in Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City [2]. Holy Cross Cemetery is located at 5835 W Slauson Avenue in Culver City, California. Culver City is a city in western Los Angeles County California.
Mary Astor has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6701 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a Sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street in Hollywood Los Angeles California, USA, that
One of her famous quotes detailed the 5 stages of her career: “Who’s Mary Astor? Get me Mary Astor. Get me a Mary Astor type. Get me a young Mary Astor. Who’s Mary Astor?"
Filmography
Bibliography
- Paradise For Three Photo Still (1938)
- My Story: An Autobiography (1959)
- The Incredible Charlie Carewe (1963)
- The O'Conners (1964)
- Goodbye Darling, Be Happy (1965)
- The Image of Kate (1966)
- A Place Called Saturday (1968)
- Life On Film (1969)
References
- ^ Distinguished Americans & Canadians of Portuguese Descent
- ^ a b c Los Angeles Times (09/26/1987), "Mary Astor Dies at 81 - A 'Maltese Falcon' Star". Filmography for the actress Mary Astor: 1920s |-|rowspan="7"| 1921 |align="right"|1| Wings of the Border | Bit San Francisco Chronicle. Accessed on August 14, 2007.
- ^ Brownlow, Kevin; Gill, David. Hollywood: A Celebration of the American Silent Film. [video]. Thames Video Production.
External links
- Mary Astor at the Internet Movie Database
- Mary Astor at the Internet Broadway Database
- Mary Astor at the TCM Movie Database
- Mary Astor at Allmovie
- Mary Astor at Find A Grave
- AFI Catalog Silent Films entry for Mary Astor
- Mary Astor Photo Gallery
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jane Darwell for The Grapes of Wrath |
Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress 1941 for The Great Lie |
Succeeded by Teresa Wright for Mrs. Miniver |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Astor, Mary |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Langhanke, Lucile Vasconcellos |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Actress, author |
| DATE OF BIRTH | May 3, 1906 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Quincy, Illinois, U.S. |
| DATE OF DEATH | September 25, 1987 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Woodland Hills, California, U.S. |
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