Ruth Hussey

Ruth Hussey

Born: October 30, 1911
Died: April 19, 2005
in Providence, Rhode Island, USA
​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ruth Carol Hussey (October 30, 1911 – April 19, 2005) was an American actress best known for her Academy Award-nominated role as photographer Elizabeth Imbrie in The Philadelphia Story.

After working as an actress in summer stock, she returned to Providence and worked as a radio fashion commentator on a local station. She wrote the ad copy for a Providence clothing store and read it on the radio each afternoon. She was encouraged by a friend to try out for acting roles at the Providence Playhouse. The theater director there turned her down, saying the roles were cast only out of New York City. Later that week, she journeyed to New York City and on her first day there, she signed with a talent agent who booked her for a role in a play starting the next day back at the Providence Playhouse.

In New York City, she also worked for a time as a model. She then landed a number of stage roles with touring companies. Dead End toured the country in 1937 and the last theater on the road trip was at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, where she was spotted on opening night by MGM talent scout Billy Grady. MGM signed her to a players contract and she made her film debut in 1937. She quickly became a leading lady in MGM's "B" unit, usually playing sophisticated, worldly roles. For a 1940 "A" picture role, she was nominated for an Academy Award for her turn as Elizabeth Imbrie, the cynical magazine photographer and almost-girlfriend of James Stewart's character Macaulay Connor in The Philadelphia Story. In 1941, exhibitors voted her the third-most popular new star in Hollywood.

Hussey also worked with Robert Taylor in Flight Command (1940), Robert Young in Northwest Passage (1940) and H.M. Pulham, Esq. (1941), Van Heflin in Tennessee Johnson (1942), Ray Milland in The Uninvited (1944), and Alan Ladd in The Great Gatsby (1949).

In 1946, she starred on Broadway in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play State of the Union. Her 1949 role in Goodbye, My Fancy on Broadway caused a Billboard reviewer to write: "Miss Hussey brings a splendid aliveness and warmth to the lovely congresswoman...."

She filled in for Jean Arthur in the 1955 Lux Radio Theater presentation of Shane, playing Miriam Start, alongside original film stars Alan Ladd and Van Heflin.

In 1960, she co-starred in The Facts of Life with Bob Hope. Hussey was also active in early television drama.

Movies for Ruth Hussey...

My Darling Daughters' Anniversary
Title: My Darling Daughters' Anniversary
Character: Maggie Cartwright
Released: November 8, 1973
Type: Movie
In this sequel, the daughters' anniversary present is the news that their widowed father is about to get remarried.
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The Resurrection of Broncho Billy
Title: The Resurrection of Broncho Billy
Character: Voice Over
Released: June 11, 1970
Type: Movie
The story of a young man, a self-styled cowboy; His dreams of the Old West and its film heroes frequently crushed by the rhythms of modern, urban life.
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Title: Vacation Playhouse
Character: Nurse Edie Ramsey
Released: July 22, 1963
Type: TV
The concept of the series was the showing of unaired and unsold television pilots that did not make the television lineup for CBS. The show was successful during its first few seasons due to the fact that the show's concept, airing unsold and unaired television pilots, was a popular concept in the 1960s. But during its last two seasons on the air, the series did find some trouble due to the fact that the series were running out of pilots to air and, in their 4th season, they began airing repeats from the three seasons prior. During its 1966 summer run, the series aired eights new pilots and two repeats and during its last year airing five new pilots and four repeats.
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The Facts of Life
Title: The Facts of Life
Character: Mary Gilbert
Released: November 14, 1960
Type: Movie
Middle-class suburbanites Larry and Kitty grow bored with their lives and respective marriages. Although each always found the other's manner grating, they fall in love when thrown together--without their spouses--on vacation. On returning home they try to break things off, only to grow closer. A holiday together will finally settle whether they should end their marriages.
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Title: The Case of the Dangerous Robin
Character: Maid
Released: October 18, 1960
Type: TV
The Case of the Dangerous Robin is an American crime drama series which aired in syndication from October 1960, to July 1961. The series stars Rick Jason. It was produced by Ziv Television Productions, the company responsible for such hit series as Sea Hunt and Highway Patrol.
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Title: The DuPont Show with June Allyson
Character: Maia
Released: September 21, 1959
Type: TV
The DuPont Show with June Allyson is an American anthology drama series which aired on CBS from September 21, 1959 to April 3, 1961 with rebroadcasts continuing until June 12, 1961. The series was hosted by actress June Allyson.
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Title: Playwrights '56
Released: October 4, 1955
Type: TV
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Title: Alfred Hitchcock Presents
Character: Paula Hudson
Released: October 2, 1955
Type: TV
A television anthology series hosted by Alfred Hitchcock featuring dramas, thrillers, and mysteries.
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Title: Producers' Showcase
Character: Mary Haines
Released: October 18, 1954
Type: TV
Producers' Showcase is an American anthology television series that was telecast live during the 1950s in compatible color by NBC. With top talent, the 90-minute episodes, covering a wide variety of genres, aired under the title every fourth Monday at 8 p.m. ET for three seasons, beginning October 18, 1954. The final episode, the last of 37, was broadcast May 27, 1957. Showcase Productions, Inc., packaged and produced the series, which received seven Emmy Awards, including the 1956 award for Best Dramatic Series.
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Title: Climax!
Character: Alice Moore
Released: October 7, 1954
Type: TV
Climax! is an American anthology series that aired on CBS from 1954 to 1958. The series was hosted by William Lundigan and later co-hosted by Mary Costa. It was one of the few CBS programs of that era to be broadcast in color. Many of the episodes were performed and broadcast live.
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Title: Climax!
Character: Katherine Benson
Released: October 7, 1954
Type: TV
Climax! is an American anthology series that aired on CBS from 1954 to 1958. The series was hosted by William Lundigan and later co-hosted by Mary Costa. It was one of the few CBS programs of that era to be broadcast in color. Many of the episodes were performed and broadcast live.
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Title: Climax!
Character: Martha
Released: October 7, 1954
Type: TV
Climax! is an American anthology series that aired on CBS from 1954 to 1958. The series was hosted by William Lundigan and later co-hosted by Mary Costa. It was one of the few CBS programs of that era to be broadcast in color. Many of the episodes were performed and broadcast live.
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Title: The Christophers
Released: April 20, 1953
Type: TV
The weekly half-hour series featured individuals from various walks of life who used their gifts to make the world a better place.
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The Lady Wants Mink
Title: The Lady Wants Mink
Character: Nora Connors
Released: March 29, 1953
Type: Movie
A woman raises mink to get the coat she's always wanted.
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Title: General Electric Theater
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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Title: General Electric Theater
Character: Emma
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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Stars and Stripes Forever
Title: Stars and Stripes Forever
Character: Jennie Sousa
Released: December 22, 1952
Type: Movie
Marine bandmaster John Philip Sousa (Clifton Webb) becomes famous for his marches and inspires the sousaphone.
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Woman of the North Country
Title: Woman of the North Country
Character: Christine Powell
Released: July 23, 1952
Type: Movie
In 1890 Minnesota Christine Powell is the scheming head of the Powell dynasty, the richest mining empire of the era. But the Powell mine deposits are diminishing. The Mesabi range represents a whole new productive area but the rights to mine there are held by a young geological engineer, Kyle Ramlo. The latter reaches an impasse when he needs money to continue his experimentation with open-pit mining and goes to Miss Powell for financing. She displays great interest in both his inventive mining method and in him personally but secretly plots to destroy him and take over his Masabi rights. The gullible Ramlo falls into clutches while the girl he really loves, Cathy Norlund, tries desperately to open his eyes to Christine's scheme.
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That's My Boy
Title: That's My Boy
Character: Ann Jackson
Released: May 31, 1951
Type: Movie
Jack Jackson, the greatest football player in Ridgefield College history, is disappointed that his only son Junior is an uncoordinated, allergy-ridden bookworm. He uses his athletic reputation and standing as #1 alumni contributor to pressure the coach to take Junior onto the team. In addition, he pays the tuition of Junior's financially needy classmate Bill Baker, a potential all-American, with the understanding that he will room with Junior and mentor him athletically and socially. Junior's initial efforts as quarterback prove disastrous and further complications arise when the room mates both fall in love with the same co-ed.
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Hill Number One: A Story of Faith and Inspiration
Title: Hill Number One: A Story of Faith and Inspiration
Character: Mary
Released: March 25, 1951
Type: Movie
The story of the Crucifixion, set within the context of the Korean War.
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Mr. Music
Title: Mr. Music
Character: Lorna Marvis
Released: December 8, 1950
Type: Movie
A golf-crazy songwriter tries to avoid the long, solitary hours of concentration needed to produce a hit musical. His producer and his secretary conspire to get him back on track.
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Title: Lux Video Theatre
Character: Polly Baxter
Released: October 2, 1950
Type: TV
Lux Video Theatre is an American anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1959. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays.
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Title: Lux Video Theatre
Character: Kit Marlowe
Released: October 2, 1950
Type: TV
Lux Video Theatre is an American anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1959. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays.
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Title: Lux Video Theatre
Character: Linda Carson
Released: October 2, 1950
Type: TV
Lux Video Theatre is an American anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1959. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays.
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Title: Lux Video Theatre
Character: Harriet Craig
Released: October 2, 1950
Type: TV
Lux Video Theatre is an American anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1959. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays.
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Title: Lux Video Theatre
Character: Meg
Released: October 2, 1950
Type: TV
Lux Video Theatre is an American anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1959. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays.
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Title: Lux Video Theatre
Character: Irene
Released: October 2, 1950
Type: TV
Lux Video Theatre is an American anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1959. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays.
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Louisa
Title: Louisa
Character: Meg Norton
Released: May 31, 1950
Type: Movie
Architect Hal Norton and wife Meg invite his widowed mother Louisa to move in with them, only to discover the sweet elderly lady is romantically involved with what seems to be every old coot in town.
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The Great Gatsby
Title: The Great Gatsby
Character: Jordan Baker
Released: July 13, 1949
Type: Movie
Nick Carraway, a young Midwesterner now living on Long Island, finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifetyle of his landlord, the nouveau riche Jay Gatsby. He is drawn into Gatsby's circle, becoming a witness to obsession and tragedy.
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Title: Studio One
Character: Nancy Edison
Released: November 7, 1948
Type: TV
An American radio–television anthology series, created in 1947 by Canadian director Fletcher Markle, who came to CBS from the CBC. Studio One, presented by Westinghouse, was one of the first of the anthology TV programs. The episodes were often abridged remakes of movies from years gone by and many future well-known television and movie actors appeared in the productions.
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I, Jane Doe
Title: I, Jane Doe
Character: Eve Meredith Curtis
Released: May 25, 1948
Type: Movie
While stationed in France during World War II, an American fighter pilot marries a French girl but leaves her behind when he returns to the U.S. The French woman follows him to America only to discover he’s already married to a successful lawyer.
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Her Favorite Patient
Title: Her Favorite Patient
Character: Dr. Hedy Fredericks, MD
Released: June 22, 1945
Type: Movie
A beautiful female doctor visits her small hometown on her way back to Chicago. Her overworked uncle, who is the town's doctor, wants her to stay and help him, and he and a macho test pilot who's fallen for her come up with a plan that involves the pilot faking an illness and being treated by her, with her uncle's "help".
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Marine Raiders
Title: Marine Raiders
Character: Lt. Ellen Foster
Released: July 11, 1944
Type: Movie
A Marine major (Pat O'Brien) looks out for his captain (Robert Ryan) on Guadalcanal and in Australia.
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Tender Comrade
Title: Tender Comrade
Character: Barbara Thomas
Released: May 30, 1944
Type: Movie
Jo Jones, a young defense plant worker whose husband is in the military during World War II, shares a house with three other women in the same situation.
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The Uninvited
Title: The Uninvited
Character: Pamela Fitzgerald
Released: February 24, 1944
Type: Movie
A brother and sister move into an old seaside house that has been abandoned for many years on the Cornwellian coast only to soon discover that it is haunted by the ghost of the mother of their neighbor's granddaughter, with whom the brother has fallen in love.
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Tennessee Johnson
Title: Tennessee Johnson
Character: Eliza McCardle Johnson
Released: December 1, 1942
Type: Movie
The tumultuous presidency of 19th-president Andrew Johnson is chronicled in this biopic. The story begins with Johnson's boyhood and covers his early life. During the Civil War, Johnson stays a staunch Unionist and upon Lincoln's reelection in 1864, becomes his Vice President. After Lincoln's assassination, Johnson becomes the President and became the first U.S. president ever to be impeached.
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Pierre of the Plains
Title: Pierre of the Plains
Character: Daisy Denton
Released: July 29, 1942
Type: Movie
A French-Canadian trapper's adventures jeopardize his romance with an innkeeper.
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H.M. Pulham, Esq.
Title: H.M. Pulham, Esq.
Character: Cordelia 'Kay' Motford Pulham
Released: December 4, 1941
Type: Movie
A man who lived his life as he was told he should, not as he would have chosen to, is brought out of his shell by a beautiful young woman.
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Married Bachelor
Title: Married Bachelor
Character: Norma Haven
Released: October 16, 1941
Type: Movie
A man's marriage suffers when he pretends to be a bachelor while promoting "his" best-selling book about married life (actually written by an eccentric professor) in order to pay off a debt to a gangster.
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Our Wife
Title: Our Wife
Character: Professor Susan Drake
Released: August 20, 1941
Type: Movie
A musician's ex-wife wants him back after he finds love and success.
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Free and Easy
Title: Free and Easy
Character: Martha Gray
Released: February 28, 1941
Type: Movie
This MGM B-picture was adapted from Ivor Novello's play The Truth Game. Max and Florian Clemington pretend to be members of the landed gentry. Max romances the much-older Lady Joan Culver before finding true love in the form of pretty heiress Martha Gray.
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Flight Command
Title: Flight Command
Character: Lorna Gray
Released: December 27, 1940
Type: Movie
A rookie flyer, Ens. Alan Drake, joins the famous Hellcats Squadron right out of flight school in Pensacola. He doesn't make a great first impression when he is forced to ditch his airplane and parachute to safety when he arrives at the base but is unable to land due to heavy fog. On his first day on the job, his poor shooting skills results in the Hellcats losing an air combat competition. His fellow pilots accept him anyways but they think he's crossed the line when they erroneously conclude that while their CO Billy Gray is away, Drake has an affair with his wife Lorna. Drake is now an outcast and is prepared to resign from the Navy but his extreme heroism in saving Billy Gray's life turns things around.
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The Philadelphia Story
Title: The Philadelphia Story
Character: Elizabeth 'Liz' Imbrie
Released: December 5, 1940
Type: Movie
When a rich woman's ex-husband and a tabloid-type reporter turn up just before her planned remarriage, she begins to learn the truth about herself.
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A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound
Title: A New Romance of Celluloid: The Miracle of Sound
Character: Self
Released: October 24, 1940
Type: Movie
This short documentary, presented and directed by MGM sound engineer Douglas Shearer, goes behind the scenes to look at how the sound portion of a talking picture is created.
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Susan and God
Title: Susan and God
Character: Charlotte
Released: June 7, 1940
Type: Movie
A flighty socialite neglects her family to promote a new religious group.
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Northwest Passage
Title: Northwest Passage
Character: Elizabeth Browne
Released: February 23, 1940
Type: Movie
Based on the Kenneth Roberts novel of the same name, this film tells the story of two friends who join Rogers' Rangers, as the legendary elite force engages the enemy during the French and Indian War. The film focuses on their famous raid at Fort St. Francis and their marches before and after the battle.
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Another Thin Man
Title: Another Thin Man
Character: Dorothy Waters
Released: November 17, 1939
Type: Movie
Not even the joys of parenthood can stop married sleuths Nick and Nora Charles from investigating a murder on a Long Island estate.
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Fast and Furious
Title: Fast and Furious
Character: Lily Cole
Released: October 6, 1939
Type: Movie
Joel & Garda Sloan, a husband and wife detective team, who also sell rare books in New York, take a vacation to Seaside City. At Seaside, Joel's pal, Mike Stevens is managing and preparing for their beauty pageant. Joel is made one of the judges plus he has invested $5,000 in it, to Garda's dismay. Eric Bartell, promoter, arrives to dupe Stevens. When Ed Connors, New York racketeer arrives, Bartell is mysteriously murdered. Joel and Garda set out to investigate the murder.
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Blackmail
Title: Blackmail
Character: Helen Ingram
Released: September 8, 1939
Type: Movie
A fugitive from a chain gang becomes an oil-well firefighter and meets the man who framed him.
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The Women
Title: The Women
Character: Miss Wattson
Released: September 1, 1939
Type: Movie
A happily married woman lets her catty friends talk her into divorce when her husband strays.
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Maisie
Title: Maisie
Character: Sybil Ames
Released: June 22, 1939
Type: Movie
Wisecracking showgirl Maisie Ravier finds herself trapped in a Wyoming town when her new employer closes the show prematurely. She meets ranch foreman Charles "Slim" Martin when he accuses her of lifting his wallet and ends up being hired as a maid for ranch owners Cliff and Sybil, who are attempting to mend their rocky marriage after Sybil's infidelity with a cowboy.
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Within the Law
Title: Within the Law
Character: Mary Turner
Released: March 17, 1939
Type: Movie
A wrongly convicted woman studies law and seeks her revenge.
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Honolulu
Title: Honolulu
Character: Eve
Released: February 3, 1939
Type: Movie
Wanting a break from his overzealous fans, a famous movie star hires a Hawaiian plantation owner to switch places with him for a few weeks.
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Spring Madness
Title: Spring Madness
Character: Kate McKim
Released: November 11, 1938
Type: Movie
Harvard senior Sam Thatcher (Lew Ayres) and his best friend and roommate, known as "The Lippencott" (Burgess Meredith), plan to go to Russia after graduation, a decision Sam has kept from his girlfriend, Alexandra Benson (Maureen O'Sullivan).
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Time Out for Murder
Title: Time Out for Murder
Character: Peggy Norton, victim
Released: September 25, 1938
Type: Movie
A bank runner is accused of killing a woman for whom he deposited a large amount. Reporter and bank official investigate.
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Marie Antoinette
Title: Marie Antoinette
Character: Duchess de Polignac (uncredited)
Released: August 26, 1938
Type: Movie
The young Austrian princess Marie Antoinette is arranged to marry Louis XVI, future king of France, in a politically advantageous marriage for the rival countries. The opulent Marie indulges in various whims and flirtations. When Louis XV passes and Louis XVI ascends the French throne, his queen's extravagant lifestyle earns the hatred of the French people, who despise her Austrian heritage.
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Rich Man, Poor Girl
Title: Rich Man, Poor Girl
Character: Joan Thayer
Released: August 12, 1938
Type: Movie
A millionaire courts a working-class woman.
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Hold That Kiss
Title: Hold That Kiss
Character: Nadine Piermont
Released: May 13, 1938
Type: Movie
Two young people meet at a wedding and begin dating, each thinking the other is extremely wealthy. Comedy.
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Judge Hardy's Children
Title: Judge Hardy's Children
Character: Margaret Lee
Released: March 26, 1938
Type: Movie
Judge Hardy takes a business trip to Washington, DC, where Andy promptly falls for the French ambassador's daughter.
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Man-Proof
Title: Man-Proof
Character: Jane (dialogue scenes deleted)
Released: January 7, 1938
Type: Movie
A newspaper illustrator tries to remain best friends with the man she secretly loves, even though he recently married another woman.
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Madame X
Title: Madame X
Character: Annette
Released: October 1, 1937
Type: Movie
An alcoholic woman was charged and tried for murder and a young defense attorney, unaware that she is his mother, takes the assignment to defend her in court.
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Big City
Title: Big City
Character: Mayor's Secretary (uncredited)
Released: September 3, 1937
Type: Movie
Anna and Joe are newly married, playful and deeply in love. Joe is scraping by as cab driver in New York City during a period of corruption, mob control and violence between cab companies.