Irene Ryan

Irene Ryan

Born: October 17, 1902
Died: April 26, 1973
in El Paso, Texas, USA
Before becoming known to millions as Granny on The Beverly Hillbillies (1962), Irene Ryan was already an established vaudeville, radio and movie actress, though not as famous prior to her television stint. She accompanied Bob Hope on his famous military tours and she was known as "the gal who makes Bob Hope laugh." After being cast as Granny, she became famous overnight. When the Hillbillies ended, she co-starred in the Broadway musical 'Pippin' with Ben Vereen. Unfortunately, despite wonderful reviews from critics, Ryan took ill, was discovered to have an inoperable brain tumor and died soon after at the age of 70.

Movies for Irene Ryan...

Title: The Don Knotts Show
Character: Self
Released: September 15, 1970
Type: TV
The Don Knotts Show was a variety program aired by NBC as part of its 1970-71 lineup. Long relegated to the role of sidekick, which he had portrayed for many years in several television series and films, Don Knotts was the headliner here. Each week, he and his guests put on standard TV variety fare of the era. Two recurring features were a skit about the effort involved in putting a weekly television series on the air, much in the spirit of The Jack Benny Show, and The Front Porch, in which Don and a guest would sit in rocking chairs and quietly discuss their philosophies of life. Notable regulars in his cast included Elaine Joyce and Gary Burghoff, who had previously portrayed "Radar O'Reilly" in the film version of M*A*S*H and was about to achieve his greatest fame in reprising that role for the television version of it.
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Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title
Title: Don't Worry, We'll Think of a Title
Character: Granny (uncredited)
Released: May 1, 1966
Type: Movie
A man is mistaken by foreign agents for a defecting cosmonaut and must prove his identity while evading capture.
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Title: The Dean Martin Show
Released: September 16, 1965
Type: TV
The Dean Martin Show, also known as The Dean Martin Variety Show, is a TV variety-comedy series that ran from 1965 to 1974 for 264 episodes. It was broadcast by NBC and hosted by entertainer Dean Martin. The theme song to the series was his 1964 hit "Everybody Loves Somebody."
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Title: The Hollywood Palace
Character: Self - Panelist
Released: January 4, 1964
Type: TV
The Hollywood Palace is an hour-long American television variety show that was broadcast weekly on ABC from January 4, 1964 to February 7, 1970. Originally titled The Saturday Night Hollywood Palace, it began as a mid-season replacement for The Jerry Lewis Show, another variety show which had lasted only three months. It was staged in Hollywood at the former Hollywood Playhouse on Vine Street, which was renamed The Hollywood Palace during the show's duration and is today known as Avalon Hollywood. A little-known starlet named Raquel Welch was cast during the first season as the "Billboard Girl", who placed the names of the acts on a placard.
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Title: The Danny Kaye Show
Character: Self
Released: September 25, 1963
Type: TV
The Danny Kaye Show is an American variety show hosted by Danny Kaye that aired on CBS from 1963 to 1967 on Wednesday nights. Directed by Robert Scheerer, the show premiered in black-and-white, but later switched to color broadcasts. At the time, Kaye was at the height of his popularity, having starred in a string of successful films in the 1940s and '50's, made successful personal appearances at such venues as the London Palladium, and appeared many times on television. His most recent films had been considered disappointing, but the television specials he starred in were triumphant, leading to this series. Prior to his television and film career, Kaye had made a name for himself with his own radio show, and numerous other guest appearances on other shows.
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Title: Petticoat Junction
Character: Granny
Released: September 24, 1963
Type: TV
The Bradley family are proud owners of the Shady Rest Hotel. Kate and her three young daughters do the job of running the hotel.
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Title: The Merv Griffin Show
Character: Self
Released: October 1, 1962
Type: TV
The Merv Griffin Show is an American television talk show, starring Merv Griffin. The series ran from October 1, 1962 to March 29, 1963 on NBC, September 20, 1965 to August 15, 1969 in first-run syndication, from August 18, 1969 to February 11, 1972 at 11:30 PM ET weeknights on CBS and again in first-run syndication from February 14, 1972 to September 5, 1986.
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Title: The Beverly Hillbillies
Character: Granny
Released: September 26, 1962
Type: TV
Jed Clampett's swamp is loaded with oil. When a wildcatter discovers the huge pool, Jed sells his land to the O.K. Oil Company and at the urging of cousin Pearl, moves his family to a 35-room mansion in Beverly Hills, California.
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Title: Mister Ed
Released: January 5, 1961
Type: TV
Wilbur Post and his wife Carol move into a beautiful new home. When Wilbur takes a look in his new barn, he finds that the former owner left his horse behind. This horse is no ordinary horse . . . he can talk, but only to Wilbur, which leads to all sorts of misadventures for Wilbur and his trouble-making sidekick Mister Ed.
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Desire in the Dust
Title: Desire in the Dust
Character: Nora Finney
Released: October 10, 1960
Type: Movie
Lonnie Wilson returns to small southern hometown after spending six years on the chain-gang for killing Colonel Ben Marquand's son in an automobile accident. He revives his love affair with Melinda Marquand........
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Title: Bringing Up Buddy
Released: October 10, 1960
Type: TV
Bringing Up Buddy is an American situation comedy which aired on CBS during the 1960–1961 season.
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Title: My Three Sons
Released: September 29, 1960
Type: TV
A widower and aeronautical engineer named Steven Douglas raises three sons with the help of his father-in-law, and later the boys' great-uncle. An adopted son, a stepdaughter, wives, and another generation of sons join the loving family in later seasons.
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Rockabilly Baby
Title: Rockabilly Baby
Character: Eunice Johnson
Released: October 30, 1957
Type: Movie
The mysterious Mrs. Eleanor Carter moves to Springville with her two teenage children Jimmy and Cathy. Eleanor makes friends with the town's social leader Mrs. Wellington, who supports her idea for a town youth center, and she is aided by Tom Griffith, the high school principal. At the town's annual picnic, to which Eleanor has bought a band, the town busy-body Eunice reveals what she had learned from Eleanor's past.
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Title: The Real McCoys
Released: October 3, 1957
Type: TV
The Real McCoys is an American situation comedy co-produced by Danny Thomas' "Marterto Productions", in association with Walter Brennan and Irving Pincus' "Westgate" company. The series aired for five seasons on the ABC-TV network from 1957 through 1962 and then for its final year on CBS from 1962 to 1963. The series, set in the San Fernando Valley of California, was filmed in Hollywood at Desilu studios.
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Title: Alcoa Theatre
Character: Martha Henderson
Released: September 30, 1957
Type: TV
Alcoa Theatre is a half-hour American anthology series telecast on NBC at 9:30 pm on alternate Monday nights from October 7, 1957 to September 16, 1960. The program also aired under the title Turn of Fate, with the stories depicting the difficulties faced by individuals who are suddenly thrust into unexpected and perilous dangers. Alcoa Theatre was syndicated together with Goodyear Theatre as Award Theatre. In 1955, The Alcoa Hour premiered in a one-hour format aired on Sunday nights, but it was reduced to 30 minutes, retitled Alcoa Theatre, and moved to Monday evening in 1957. The show employed an alternating rotating company of actors: David Niven, Robert Ryan, Jane Powell, Jack Lemmon and Charles Boyer. Each appeared in dramatic and light comedic roles through the first season.
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Spring Reunion
Title: Spring Reunion
Character: Miss Stapleton
Released: March 1, 1957
Type: Movie
A spinster finally finds the right man when she returns to her alma mater after 15 years for a class reunion.
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Title: Matinee Theater
Released: October 31, 1955
Type: TV
Matinee Theater is an American anthology series that aired on NBC during the Golden Age of Television, from 1955 to 1958. The series, which ran daily in the afternoon, was frequently live. It was produced by Albert McCleery, Darrell Ross, George Cahan and Frank Price with executive producer George Lowther. McCleery had previously produced the live series Cameo Theatre which introduced to television the concept of theater-in-the-round, TV plays staged with minimal sets. Jim Buckley of the Pewter Plough Playhouse recalled: When Al McCleery got back to the States, he originated a most ambitious theatrical TV series for NBC called Matinee Theater: to televise five different stage plays per week live, airing around noon in order to promote color TV to the American housewife as she labored over her ironing. Al was the producer. He hired five directors and five art directors. Richard Bennett, one of our first early presidents of the Pewter Plough Corporation, was one of the directors and I was one of the art directors and, as soon as we were through televising one play, we had lunch and then met to plan next week’s show. That was over 50 years ago, and I’m trying to think; I believe the TV art director is his own set decorator —yes, of course! It had to be, since one of McCleery’s chief claims to favor with the producers was his elimination of the setting per se and simply decorating the scene with a minimum of props. It took a bit of ingenuity.
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Ricochet Romance
Title: Ricochet Romance
Character: Miss Clay
Released: November 1, 1954
Type: Movie
Marjorie Main is the whole show in the Universal programmer Ricochet Romance. Playing the outspoken new cook at a rundown dude ranch, Marjorie forces everyone around her to pitch in and bring some life back into the place. She also sets her sights on old layabout Chill Wills, scheming to rope the critter into marriage. Veteran comedy director Charles W. Lamont moves the proceedings along with style, never missing an opportunity for a low-comedy slapstick turn. The most surprising aspect of Ricochet Romance is that it is not an entry in Marjorie Main's Ma and Pa Kettle series.
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Title: The Whistler
Released: July 13, 1954
Type: TV
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Title: General Electric Theater
Character: Mrs. Bryant
Released: February 1, 1953
Type: TV
General Electric Theater is an American anthology series hosted by Ronald Reagan that was broadcast on CBS radio and television. The series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations.
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Blackbeard, the Pirate
Title: Blackbeard, the Pirate
Character: Alvina, a lady in waiting
Released: December 24, 1952
Type: Movie
Honest Robert Maynard finds himself serving as ship's surgeon under the infamous pirate Blackbeard.
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The WAC From Walla Walla
Title: The WAC From Walla Walla
Character: WAC Sgt. Kearns
Released: October 10, 1952
Type: Movie
An unsophisticated country girl accidentally joins the army.
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Bonzo Goes to College
Title: Bonzo Goes to College
Character: Nancy
Released: September 1, 1952
Type: Movie
When Bonzo turns out to be the answer to the football teams troubles, the only solution is to enroll him college.
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Meet Me After the Show
Title: Meet Me After the Show
Character: Tillie
Released: August 15, 1951
Type: Movie
A Broadway star devises a scheme to win back her husband when she suspects he's being unfaithful.
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Half Angel
Title: Half Angel
Character: Nurse Kay
Released: May 5, 1951
Type: Movie
Nurse Nora Gilpin plans are to marry building contractor Tim McCarey and settle down. But one night a sleepwalking Nora slips into a provocative dress and goes to the home of startled lawyer John Raymond, for whom she doesn't care much during the day. She does not reveal her name and he cannot figure out where they have met, but they spend several hours together until she gets away before John notices.
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The Skipper Surprised His Wife
Title: The Skipper Surprised His Wife
Character: Mrs. O'Rourke (uncredited)
Released: June 29, 1950
Type: Movie
A captain tries to keep home as tight as his ship.
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Title: The Bob Hope Show
Character: Self
Released: April 9, 1950
Type: TV
The Bob Hope Show hosted by Bob Hope, debuted on April 9, 1950. During the 1952-1953 season, NBC rotated with other variety shows in a Sunday night block known as "The Colgate Comedy Hour" (Sept. 1950 to Dec. 1955). Also known as, "The Chevy Show with Bob Hope." When the first special debuted in October of 1950 it was the most expensive television program made up to that point - costing an astronomical $1,500 a minute to produce. Bob Hope had his own television show and radio show at the same time. For the next three seasons, The Bob Hope Show was broadcast once a month on Tuesday nights, giving Milton Berle a week off. Bob ended his radio show in April, 1956. Bob Hope also had another show by a similar name, "The Bob Hope Show (All Star Revue)". In addition, he performed in "Specials" for many years. It is the longest running variety program in television's history with a record of 45 years of televised entertainment.
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There's a Girl in My Heart
Title: There's a Girl in My Heart
Character: Mrs. Mullin
Released: December 19, 1949
Type: Movie
A Gay-Nineties musical set in NYC's Bowery and East-Side explores the life of its inhabitants---an Irish policeman and his tap-dancing daughter and music-hall wife; a German professor of music and his singing daughter; and an Italian café-owner, a kindly priest, a struggling young doctor and a saloon-keeper. And a political ward-heeler, Terrence Dowd, who has a deceptive and dishonest plan to sell them all out in order to build a fight arena. But he meets his match in property-owner Claire Adamson.
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Mighty Joe Young
Title: Mighty Joe Young
Character: Southern Belle at the Bar (uncredited)
Released: July 27, 1949
Type: Movie
A young woman, Jill Young, grew up on her father's ranch in Africa, raising a large gorilla named Joe from an infant. Years later, she brings him to Hollywood to become a star.
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An Old-Fashioned Girl
Title: An Old-Fashioned Girl
Character: Mrs. Shaw
Released: January 19, 1949
Type: Movie
A music teacher in 1870s Boston works hard to succeed, while her wealthy distant relatives find their fortunes turning.
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My Dear Secretary
Title: My Dear Secretary
Character: Mary
Released: November 5, 1948
Type: Movie
A budding young writer thinks it's her lucky day when she is chosen to be the new secretary for Owen Waterbury, famous novelist. She is soon disppointed, however, when he turns out to be an erratic, immature playboy. Opposites attract, of course, but not without sub-plots that touch on competitiveness within marriage and responsibility.
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Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
Title: Texas, Brooklyn & Heaven
Character: Opal Cheever
Released: July 16, 1948
Type: Movie
Eddie Tayloe's grandfather leaves him six thousand dollars and the money belt it came in, freeing Tayloe to leave his dull newspaper job in Texas and move to New York to become a playwright. Along the way, his car breaks down and a girl walking along the highway asks for a lift. It turns out she's a nice girl, named Perry, running away from a job at a gasoline station. Soon they're off to New York together, but part ways once they arrive. Time passes and Eddie is failing to sell his play; Perry is failing to find a job. Odd circumstances, involving an old pickpocket named Mandy, bring them together again.
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Arch of Triumph
Title: Arch of Triumph
Character: Irate Wife (uncredited)
Released: February 17, 1948
Type: Movie
In the winter of 1938, Paris is crowded with refugees from the Nazis, who live in the black shadows of night, trying to evade deportation. One such is Dr. Ravic, who practices medicine illegally and stalks his old Nazi enemy Haake with murder in mind. One rainy night, Ravic meets Joan Madou, a kept woman cast adrift by her lover's sudden death. Against Ravic's better judgment, they become involved in a doomed affair.
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Heading For Heaven
Title: Heading For Heaven
Character: Molly
Released: December 6, 1947
Type: Movie
A fake swami and his crooked business partner, hoping to buy the land that's targeted for a new airport, convince the property's owner that he hasn't long to live.
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The Woman on the Beach
Title: The Woman on the Beach
Character: Mrs. Mary Wernecke
Released: June 7, 1947
Type: Movie
A sailor suffering from post-traumatic stress becomes involved with a beautiful and enigmatic seductress married to a blind painter.
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Little Iodine
Title: Little Iodine
Character: Mrs. Tremble
Released: October 19, 1946
Type: Movie
Little Iodine does her best to break up the marriage of her parents, ruin a romance and cost her father his job.
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The Diary of a Chambermaid
Title: The Diary of a Chambermaid
Character: Louise
Released: February 15, 1946
Type: Movie
Celestine, the chamber-maid, has a new job in the country, at the Lanlaires. She has decided to use her beauty to seduce a wealthy man, but Mr. Lanlaire is not a right choice: the house is firmly controlled by Madame Lanlaire, helped by the strange valet Joseph. Then she tries the neighbour, former officer Mauger. This seems to work. But soon the son of the Lanlaires comes back. He is young, attractive and does not share his mother's antirepublican opinions. So Celestine's beauty attracts Captain Mauger, young Georges Lanlaire, and Joseph. Three men, from three different social classes, with three different conceptions of life. Will Celestine be able to convince Georges of her sincerity?
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That Night with You
Title: That Night with You
Character: Prudence
Released: September 28, 1945
Type: Movie
In this musical comedy, a young singer becomes so desperate to appear on Broadway that she goes to a prominent producer and tells him that she is the daughter who resulted from his day-long marriage to a young woman he knew years ago. The producer is delighted and soon puts his daughter up on stage. The trouble begins when the girl's "mother" suddenly pays a call. For her own reasons, the woman decides to play along with the girl's ruse. Fortunately, by the story's end, the truth is revealed, all differences are reconciled and happiness ensues.
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The Beautiful Cheat
Title: The Beautiful Cheat
Character: Miss Beatrice Kent
Released: July 20, 1945
Type: Movie
The title character, played by Bonita Granville, is the secretary at a boys' reformatory. Sociology professor Noah Beery Jr. shows up to study the juvenile-delinquent mindset. Not surprisingly, he ends up taking a post-grad course in amour from the winsome Ms. Granville.
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That's the Spirit
Title: That's the Spirit
Character: Bilson
Released: June 1, 1945
Type: Movie
A vaudeville performer returns from the dead to help his wife and daughter, who are being dominated by a greedy banker.
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San Diego I Love You
Title: San Diego I Love You
Character: Sheila Jones
Released: September 29, 1944
Type: Movie
A harried daughter tries to keep her wacky family together while trying to sell her eccentric father's latest invention, a collapsible life raft.
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Hot Rhythm
Title: Hot Rhythm
Character: Polly Kane (as Irene)
Released: April 22, 1944
Type: Movie
Jimmy O'Brien (Robert Lowery)and Sammy Rubin (Sidney Miller), write jingle commercials for radio, and meet Mary Adams (Dona Drake), who wants to break into radio as a soloist for a band.
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O, My Darling Clementine
Title: O, My Darling Clementine
Character: Irene (Princess Sheba)
Released: December 31, 1943
Type: Movie
"Dapper Dan" Franklin and his small troupe of actors become stranded in the small town of Harmony, Tennessee. The town is shackled by Blue Laws imposed upon it by a City Council under the influence of their domineering wives. Harry Cheshire is under the thumb of his sister Abigail Uppington. One look at "Pappy's" daughter Clementine, and Dan decides to stay in Harmony...Blue Laws or no.
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The Sultan's Daughter
Title: The Sultan's Daughter
Character: Irene
Released: December 16, 1943
Type: Movie
A sultan's lovely daughter finds herself courted by a handsome American.
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Melody Parade
Title: Melody Parade
Character: Gloria Brewster
Released: August 27, 1943
Type: Movie
The owner and staff of a Hollywood nightclub struggle to keep their establishment from closing.
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Sarong Girl
Title: Sarong Girl
Character: Irene Raynor
Released: June 11, 1943
Type: Movie
A dancer in a girlie show plots revenge when a judge orders her show closed.
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Hold Your Temper
Title: Hold Your Temper
Character: Edgar's Wife
Released: February 5, 1943
Type: Movie
When his wife threatens to leave him because of his notoriously bad temper, Edgar promises that there will be no more tantrums.
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Reveille with Beverly
Title: Reveille with Beverly
Character: Elsie (uncredited)
Released: February 4, 1943
Type: Movie
Beverly Ross, the switchboard operator at a local radio station, jumps at the chance to be the DJ for an early morning show before the soldiers at a nearby army camp assemble for reveille. Beverly, with her modern music, camp bulletins and chatter, is a hit with the soldiers. Beverly's younger brother and his two buddies are soldiers at the camp. The buddies vie for Beverly's attentions.
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Melody for Three
Title: Melody for Three
Character: Mrs. Veronica Higby (uncredited)
Released: June 19, 1941
Type: Movie
Dr. Christian takes an interest in a young boy, a violin prodigy, whose mother is a divorced music teacher. His interest isn't just in the boy's music career--he believes it would be best for the boy to have his parents back together, and sets out to do just that.
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Will You Stop?
Title: Will You Stop?
Character: Irene / Cleopatra
Released: September 10, 1937
Type: Movie
Tim (Tim Ryan) has written what he thinks is a great skit about Antony and Cleopatra for the department store's annual employee show, but the boss insists on his goofy daughter (Irene Ryan) playing Cleopatra opposite Tim's Antony.
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His Pest Girl
Title: His Pest Girl
Character: Irene
Released: April 30, 1937
Type: Movie
Tim Ryan teams with his wife, Irene, playing a salesman who runs into a saleswoman with an identical sales case.
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The Big Courtship
Title: The Big Courtship
Character: Irene Ryan
Released: February 19, 1937
Type: Movie
An Educational Pictures short starring Tim and Irene Ryan.
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The Wacky Family
Title: The Wacky Family
Released: September 4, 1936
Type: Movie
Tim has just been promoted to sales manager and his boss says he will be out to visit Tim and Irene in their new country home to see how his employees live. But Irene's wacky family----Ma, Pa and Brother---have moved in with them and converted the home into a hotel.
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Peaceful Relations
Title: Peaceful Relations
Character: Irene
Released: June 19, 1936
Type: Movie
An Educational Pictures comedy starring the husband and wife team of Tim and Irene Ryan.
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Just Plain Folks
Title: Just Plain Folks
Released: March 13, 1936
Type: Movie
In a burlesque of the radio program "One Man's Family", Tim pays a visit to his fiancée, Irene Carr, to meet her family. He is ignored, insulted and relieved of his cash for a raffle in which he is not allowed to participate, and is finally deserted when Irene and all of her family walk out of the house and leave him all alone. This happens after two of her cousins stage a wrestling match, and a food-fight at the dinner table.
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One Big Happy Family
Title: One Big Happy Family
Character: Irene
Released: November 15, 1935
Type: Movie
When Tim Ryan's leading lady walks out in a small hillbilly town, the leading lady he selects -- at gunpoint -- is dumb bell Irene Ryan.