Mary Nolan

Mary Nolan
in 1930
Born	Mary Imogene Robertson (1902-12-18)December 18, 1902 Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	October 31, 1948(1948-10-31) (aged 45) Hollywood, California, U.S.
Cause of death	Barbiturate overdose
Resting place	Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Nationality	American
Other names	Imogene Robertson Imogen Robertson Mary Robertson Imogene Wilson
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1919–1937
Spouse(s)	Wallace T. Macrery (m. 1931–32)

Mary Nolan (December 18, 1902 – October 31, 1948) was an American film actress.

Nolan began her career as a Ziegfeld girl in the 1920s performing under the stage name Imogene "Bubbles" Wilson. She was fired from the Ziegfeld Follies in 1924 for her involvement in a tumultuous and highly publicized affair with comedian Frank Tinney. She left the United States shortly thereafter and began making films in Germany. She appeared in seventeen German films from 1925 to 1927 with a new stage name, "Imogene Robertson".

She returned to the United States in 1927 and, in an attempt to distance herself from her old life, adopted yet another stage name, "Mary Nolan". She was signed to Universal Pictures in 1928 where she found some success in films. By the 1930s, her acting career began to decline due to her drug abuse and reputation for being temperamental. After being bought out of contract with Universal, she was unable to secure film work with any major studios. Nolan spent the remainder of her acting career appearing in roles in low-budget films for independent studios. She made her final film appearance in 1933.

After her film career ended, Nolan appeared in vaudeville and took to performing in nightclubs and roadhouses around the country to earn money. Her later years were plagued by drug problems and frequent hospitalizations. She returned to Hollywood in 1939 and spent her remaining years living in obscurity.

Early life

Nolan was born Mary Imogene Robertson in Louisville, Kentucky,^[1] in 1902 (some sources state 1905).^[2] She was one of five children born to Africanus and Viola Robertson. Her mother died of cancer at the age of 46. Unable to care for five young children, Africanus Robertson placed Mary in a foster home. She eventually went to live in Catholic orphanage in Missouri where she earned the nickname "Bubbles".^[3]

In June 1912, she left the orphanage and traveled to New York City to be near her oldest sister, Mabel. She was later discovered by magazine illustrator Arthur William Brown and began working as an artists' model.^[3]

Career

Stage career

While working as a model, Nolan was discovered by Florenz Ziegfeld who hired her as a dancer in his Ziegfeld Follies. As a showgirl in New York, she performed under the name "Imogene "Bubbles" Wilson" (the first of three name changes she was to have). Her impact as a dancer was so profound that columnist Mark Hellinger once said of her in 1922, "Only two people in America would bring every reporter in New York to the docks to see them off. One is the President. The other is Imogene "Bubbles" Wilson."^[4]

in The Delineator (1922)

While working as a Follies girl, Nolan began a tumultuous and highly publicized affair with comedian Frank Tinney. Tinney, who was married to former singer and dancer Edna Davenport with whom he had a young son, reportedly assaulted Nolan on several occasions and drank heavily. On May 24, 1924, Tinney and Nolan got into a physical altercation in her apartment after he awoke to find her alone with a reporter. Afterwards, Nolan attempted suicide. On May 28, she appeared before New York City Magistrate Thomas McAndrews to report the assault that happened four days earlier. Nolan maintained that Tinney beat her and "chastised" her maid, Carrie Sneed. Nolan had bruises on her head and body while Sneed, who came along with her as a witness, was also bandaged. Tinney was arrested at his Long Island home the following day.^[5] In June 1924, the case went before a grand jury. Based on the evidence, the jury refused to indict Tinney. Afterwards, Tinney claimed the whole ordeal was a publicity stunt concocted by Nolan.^[6]

After the grand jury hearing, Tinney decided to leave New York to perform in vaudeville in England and booked a trip on the Columbus ocean liner.^[7] Before Tinney left, he and Nolan reconciled and were photographed outside of a Broadway theatre together. In order to avoid reporters, Tinney boarded the Columbus on August 5, 1924, the day before his scheduled departure. While waiting on the pier, he was served with papers informing him that his wife had filed for legal separation. At 8 a.m. the following morning, Nolan showed up to bid Tinney farewell.^[8] The two stayed in Tinney's cabin to avoid reporters.^[9] Nolan had to be escorted off the ship after ignoring the departure whistle.^[8] Nolan, who wept as she watched the Colombus back away from the dock, told reporters on hand that she was still in love with Tinney and that he was "the only thing in my life. I know it. You know it. So why should I beat around the bush?"^[10] Nolan's tearful goodbye to Tinney was covered by the media which prompted Florenz Ziegfeld to fire Nolan from The Ziegfeld Follies later that day.^[11] Ziegfeld said that he fired Nolan because she promised not to have anything to do with Tinney. He added, "She broke her promise and I discharged her on account of the notoriety and also to prevent a possible disruption of the morale of my cast."^[12]

On September 20, 1924, Nolan set sail for France where she was scheduled to appear in vaudeville. She made her way to London in October and reunited with Tinney. By December 1924, Tinney had resumed drinking and began to physically abuse her again. She finally left him after being offered a film role in Germany.^[13]

German films

While in Germany, she performed under the name "Imogene Robertson". Her first German film was Verborgene Gluten, released in 1925. Later that year, she appeared in Die Feuertänzerin for Universum Film AG. She received good reviews for her work in the film which prompted UFA to offer her a contract for $1500 a week.^[13]

Nolan worked steadily in Germany from 1925 to 1927, and continued to receive favorable reviews for her acting. While in Germany, she received offers from Hollywood producers to appear in American film but Nolan turned them down. She finally relented after Joseph M. Schenck offered her a contract with United Artists. She returned to the United States in January 1927.^[13]

Hollywood years and decline

Nolan's return to the United States was covered by the press who were still interested in "Bubbles" Wilson. Several women's groups protested her making films in the States while Will H. Hays also expressed doubts about her embarking on a career in Hollywood. To solve the problem of audiences connecting her with her scandalous past, United Artists suggested she change to "Mary Nolan". She made two films while under contract with United Artists; an uncredited bit part in Topsy and Eva (1927), and a supporting role in Sorrell and Son (1927).^[14]

In August 1927, she left United Artists and signed with Universal Pictures. Her first film for the company was Good Morning, Judge, starring Reginald Denny for which she received good reviews. In 1928, she was loaned out to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer for West of Zanzibar. The film stars Lon Chaney and Lionel Barrymore, with Nolan cast as Chaney's defiled daughter Maizie. The film was a hit and Nolan received favorable reviews for her work in the film. The following year, she was loaned to M-G-M again for the romantic drama Desert Nights, and cast opposite John Gilbert. The film was another financial success for M-G-M and served to boost Nolan's career.^[14]

Shortly after signing with Universal, Nolan began a relationship with another married man, studio executive Eddie Mannix. Mannix also reportedly abused Nolan. After one beating, she ended up in the hospital and required a series of operations. For her injuries, Nolan was prescribed pain medicine. This began her drug addiction which contributed to her career decline.^[15] By 1930, rumors of her drug use began to surface. In July 1930, she was the subject of a narcotics investigation after two nurses who had cared for Nolan when she was hospitalized for a severe sunburn signed affidavits claiming that she was injecting illegal drugs. Nolan denied the allegations and claimed they were lies created to ruin her reputation and career. An investigation later cleared her of the charges.^[16]

Her career declined further when she was working on the film What Men Want, directed by Ernst Laemmle in 1930. Nolan got into an argument with Laemmle when she learned she was the only cast member who hadn't received a close up shot. Nolan was banned from the set and subsequently fired. After threatening to file a lawsuit against Universal, the studio bought out her contract in January 1931.^[17] Due to her reputation for drug use and temperamental behavior, Nolan could not find work with any major studio. For the remainder of her career, she appeared in supporting roles in low-budget films. She made her final film appearances in the 1933 film File 113, for Allied Pictures Corporation.

Personal life

Marriage

Nolan married stock broker William T. Macrery on March 29, 1931.^[18] One week before the marriage, Macrery lost $3,000,000 when stocks he had invested in plummeted. After the marriage, the couple used Macrery's remaining money to open a dress shop in Beverly Hills. The shop eventually went out of business and Nolan filed for bankruptcy in August 1931.^[19]

In December 1931, the couple was arrested after thirteen employees of their dress shop filed charges against them for failing to pay them wages.^[20] In March 1932, Nolan and Macrery were convicted of violating seventeen labor laws and sentenced to 30 days in jail.^[21] Nolan divorced Macrery in July 1932.^[22]

Legal issues

During her lifetime, Nolan had several run-ins with police. In February 1931, petty theft charges were filed against her after L.H. Hillyer, a man whom Nolan had rented a house, accused her of stealing a $200 rug from the home. The rug later turned up at the home a doctor who claimed Nolan had given it to him in exchange for payment for medical care she had received.^[23] In November 1934, Nolan was arrested after theatrical agent Louis Kessman accused her of stealing $2,000 from his wallet. Kessman met Nolan while she was appearing in a show at the Green Gables Tavern in Hazleton, Pennsylvania and offered her a ride home. Kessman dropped the charges the following day.^[24][25]

In July 1935, Nolan filed a lawsuit against her former lover Eddie Mannix. In her suit, Nolan claimed the two had lived together from 1927 to 1931. During their relationship, Nolan said that Mannix frequently beat her and used his influence to get her fired from jobs. She asked for $500,000 in damages.^[26]

Later years

After her acting career ended, Nolan earned a living by appearing on the vaudeville circuit and singing in nightclubs and roadhouses. In March 1937, she was jailed in New York City for failing to pay a four-year old dress bill to The Wilma Gowns, Inc. for $405.87. At the time of her arrest, she was staying at a "cheap rooming house not far from Times Square."^[27] While in jail, she was transferred to the psychiatric ward at Bellevue Hospital. Upon her release, Nolan told reporters that the shock of her arrest caused her "severe nervous strain" which required hospitalization.^[28]

After her release from Bellevue, she returned to performing in clubs. In July 1937, the Actors Fund of America sent her to the Brunswick Home in Amityville, New York for psychiatric treatment.^[29] She was transferred from the Brunswick Home in October 1937 for overdosing on sedatives.^[30]

She remained hospitalized for a year and returned to Hollywood in 1939 where she changed her name to "Mary Wilson". She moved to a bungalow court which she later managed to earn money. In 1941, she sold her life story to The American Weekly, which was serialized and appeared in several issues. In Spring 1948, she was hospitalized for malnutrition and was also treated for a gall bladder disorder. In late 1948, she began working on her memoirs with the help of writer John Preston.^[31]

Death

On October 31, 1948, Nolan was found dead in her home at the age of 45.^[32] An autopsy later determined that Nolan had died of an overdose of Seconal. Her death is listed as an "accidental or suicide".^[33] Her funeral was held on November 4 at the Utter- McKinley & Strother Hollywood chapel in Hollywood.^[34] Nolan was buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.^[35]

Among Nolan's few possessions was an antique piano once owned by Rudolph Valentino. It was later sold off in an estate sale.^[36]

Filmography

Footnotes

References

• Ankerich, Michael G. (2010). Dangerous Curves Atop Hollywood Heels: The Lives, Careers, and Misfortunes of 14 Hard-Luck Girls of the Silent Screen. BearManor. ISBN 1-59393-605-2.
• Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. ISBN 0-786-40983-5

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mary Nolan.

• Mary Nolan at the Internet Movie Database
• "Portrait Of The Actress Imogene Robertson By Thomas Staedeli". Retrieved September 16, 2005. 
• "Films Of The Golden Age Article on Mary Nolan (preview)". Retrieved September 16, 2005. 
• Mary Nolan at Find a Grave
• Mary Nolan at Virtual History