HOLLYWOOD ACTRESS MARIE WILSON
BORN 1916 AUGUST 19
Mini Bio (1)
Lovely, innocent-looking, well-endowed comedienne Marie Wilson was a featherbrained delight instantly reminiscent of the zany Gracie Allen. Unlike Allen, however, Marie was a knockout--with high cheekbones, a wide slash of a mouth and a figure that wouldn't quit.
She was born Katherine Elizabeth Wilson on August 19, 1916, in Anaheim, California. Her family moved to Hollywood after her businessman father's death and Marie set her sights on an entertainment career while quite young.
Educated at Miss Page School and the Hollywood Cumnock School for Girls, she found extra work in films upon graduation and made ends meet at one point by taking a job as a salesgirl in a department store. Her big break occurred after an "accidental" meeting with director Nick Grinde.
The relationship grew intimate, and he was instrumental in the formulation of her early Hollywood career. She appeared in his comedy
After the 18-year-old was cast (unbilled) as Mary, Quite Contrary in the Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy musical fantasy Babes in Toyland (1934), Marie started sharpening up her "dumb blonde" skills. It was Grinde who helped secure for her a contract at Warner Brothers in 1935.
She would stay with the studio for four years. After making her Warners debut in Broadway Hostess (1935),
Marie adroitly moved around and about the "B"-level chain (along with an intermittent "A" movie). As the quintessential dizzy, dim-witted foil, Marie scored in a number of Prohibition-styled entertainment showcases, including the comedy potboilers _
_Miss Pacific Fleet (1936)_,
Satan Met a Lady (1936),
Melody for Two (1937), Public Wedding (1937) (directed by Grinde), The Great Garrick (1937),
Fools for Scandal (1938),
Boy Meets Girl (1938) (one of her best),
Broadway Musketeers (1938) and
Sweepstakes Winner (1939). Her last film for Warners was the forgettable
The Cowboy Quarterback (1939).
Following the termination of her Warners contract in 1939, Marie had trouble securing film work. As compensation, she found great stage success as the sexy stooge for impresario Ken Murray in his extremely popular Los Angeles "Blackout" vaudeville-styled stage shows of the early 1940s.
Her mock striptease bit was a particular highlight and she stayed with the show for an incredible seven years. Intermixed were an array of film opportunities for various studios: Rookies on Parade (1941),
She's in the Army (1942),
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| SHE IS IN THE ARMY |
The Fabulous Joe (1947), A Girl in Every Port (1952), Never Wave at a WAC (1953),
Marry Me Again (1953)
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| MARRY ME AGAIN |
and her last, Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation (1962). She reached her "dumb blonde" zenith with the successful radio, film and TV versions of My Friend Irma (1949). Most of her subsequent kooky characterizations from then on were patterned on her Irma persona.
A smart, ambitious woman known to do crazy stunts for publicity, Marie took to the stage, nightclub and TV circuits once her film career bottomed out after the spectacular arrival of Marilyn Monroe. On the road in summer stock and dinner theater engagements, Marie appeared to fine advantage in such well-suited vehicles as "Bus Stop," "Born Yesterday and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes." One of her last roles was in animated form as a voice in the cartoon Where's Huddles? (1970).
Married twice, she had an adopted son, Gregson (Greg) via her second marriage to actor/TV producer Robert Fallon. Her first, to actor Allan Nixon, ended in divorce. Marie had undergone surgery several times for cancer by the time she died at age 56, surrounded by her family, in 1972.
Trivia (7)
Interred at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills -- Columbarium of Remembrance, Vault 61274.
She was awarded 3 Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Radio at 6301 Hollywood Boulevard; for Television at 6765 Hollywood Boulevard; and for Motion Pictures at 6601 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California.
Losing the dizzy Billie Dawn role to Judy Holliday in the film version of Born Yesterday (1950) was a particular disappointment. She, however, did the role in summer stock years later.
While several sources reveal that she was married to director Nick Grinde, who was largely responsible for Marie's early film career boost, the couple actually was at one time engaged and even announced a wedding date, but it never took place and they eventually parted, according to a Classic Images magazine article written by Marie's biographer Charles Tranberg.
Her parents divorced when she was only seven months old. Her father, Wally Wilson, died when she was five and left her $11,000 in a trust, which she eventually used to pursue her Hollywood career. It was her stepfather, Frank White, who raised Marie.
Marie and husband Bob Fallon adopted a four month old baby boy on December 1, 1955. She first saw the baby at a Memphis hospital while doing a benefit there.
Her first husband, actor Allan Nixon, was a bit part actor for the most part. Marie, the breadwinner, continued to try and find him work throughout their turbulent marriage. They worked together in her film _Linda Be Good (1947), in which he had a small role, and in the stage plays "The School for Scandal" and "Three Out of Four". In between Nixon was arrested numerous times for drunk and disorderly conduct. After a couple of separations, she finally divorced him after 8 years of marriage.
Personal Quotes (2)
Show business has been very good to me and I'm not complaining, but some day I just wish someone would offer me a different kind of role. My closest friends admit that whenever they tell someone they know me they have to convince them that I'm really not dumb. To tell you the truth I think people are disappointed that I'm not.
Irma had to be a virgin for the network. I guess if I noted any changes in television today it's the fact that a girl can work as a secretary in a series and not be cast as a virgin. That's progress. MW - referring to her famous "My Friend Irma" character
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