Mary Parker (American actress)
Mary Parker, born Mary Frances Roberson, (August 28, 1918 in Fort Worth, Texas - March 2, 1998) was an American stage, television and screen actress/performer. Parker appeared in 17 films from 1938 to 1954, but was also known for her dance work with partner Billy Daniel.[1]
Life and career
Parker (also known as "Punkins" Parker), was a protégé of Mitchell Leisen. Leisen recruited Parker for various projects both on and off the screen starting in 1938. Parker was discovered while performing at the Casa Mañana Theatre in Fort Worth, Texas during the Texas Centennial celebrations and given a contract with Paramount Pictures.[2] Parker performed in several large budget films, and was chosen by Paramount and Max Factor Jr as one of the most beautiful girls in the world, yet her fame was short lived.[3] She was married to Lt. Richard B. Dixson, a decorated fighter pilot, for only a little over a year during World War II, and never remarried. Mary returned from Hollywood in the late 1940s and would only be seen in a few movies from that point (all bit parts). Her television show Mary Parker Playtime was a show for children in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.[4]
Career
Filmography
- The Great Diamond Robbery (1954) (uncredited) .... Drunk's Wife
- Million Dollar Mermaid (1952) (uncredited)
- Lure of the Wilderness (1952) (uncredited)
- Ziegfeld Follies (1945) (uncredited)
- Keep Your Powder Dry (1945) (uncredited)
- Music for Millions (1944) .... Anita.
- Lady in the Dark (1944) .... Miss Parker
- Marie Green and Her Merry Men (1940/41)... aka "Melody Masters: Marie Green (Greene) and Her Merry (Merrie) Men"
- Ranch House Romeo (1939) .... Mitzi. Mary is a run away star that winds up on a ranch with Ray Whitley.
- Sudden Money (1939) .... Ellen
- Cafe Society (1939) (uncredited) .... Southern Girl
- St. Louis Blues (1939) .... Punkins
- Artists and Models Abroad (1938) .... Punkins. According to the newspaper accounts of the day, Mary was supposed to play the lead, but was considered too young looking.)
- Campus Confessions (1938) (uncredited) .... Co-Ed
- Sing You Sinners (1938) (uncredited) .... Bit (Mary has one scene with Bing Crosby-He grabs her from a table in a club and the two of them jitterbug for a second, then waltz, then swing for a short bit
- Hunted Men (1938) (uncredited) .... Bit Part
- Cocoanut Grove (1938) (uncredited) .... Girl
- Beauty and the Beach (1938)....This film starring Betty Grable and featuring Mary along with several other notables was shelved after production began due to Paramount feeling that they had too many musical projects going at once.
Stage
- Hit the Deck (1945 version; Mary as heroine) Musical written by Vincent Youmans.
- Let's Face It (1941–43)Wartime musical by Cole Porter.
- Abe Lincoln in Illinois (1939/40).
Television
- Mary Parker Playtime (Fort Worth, Texas) 1949/53 WBAP-5
- Dance Parade (Fort Worth, Texas) 1950/53 WBAP-5
References
- ↑ Mitchell Leisen, Hollywood Director by David Chierichetti, c. 1995
- ↑ "Punkins Isn't Punkins Anymore In Hollywood"; The Hartford Courant, October 30, 1938, Start Page: A1
- ↑ "The News - Google News Archive Search". Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ↑ Hi There, Boys and Girls! America’s Local Children’s TV Programs,University Press of Mississippi; First Paperback Edition (October 29, 2001),Tim Hollis
External links
- Mary Parker Official Site
- Turner Classic Movies Mary Parker page
- IMDB Mary Parker Page
- New York Public Library Mary Parker Photo
- IBDB Broadway listing for Mary Parker