Alice Beatrice Roberts (March 7, 1905 – July 24, 1970) was an American film actress.

Early years

Roberts was born on March 7, 1905, in New York City. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Colin M. Roberts, and she attended

Winthrop High School Winthrop High School is a public four-year high school in Winthrop, Massachusetts, United States. It is a part of Winthrop Public Schools. The current school building, with of space, had a cost of $80.2 million, with about $42.5 million or 60% o ...

. She entered several beauty pageants, including the 1924 and 1925

Miss America Miss America is an annual competition that is open to women from the United States between the ages of 17 and 25. Originating in 1921 as a "bathing beauty revue", the contest is now judged on competitors' talent performances and interviews. As ...

pageants in

Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020, the city had a population of 38,497.

(as Miss Manhattan, 1924, and Miss Greater New York, 1925). She won the "Most Beautiful Girl in Evening Gown" award each time. In 1916, Roberts was selected as the most beautiful girl at an annual Movie Ball contest in Boston.

Career

Roberts went to Hollywood in 1933 and between then and 1946, she appeared in nearly 60 films, including the 1937 drama ''

Love Takes Flight ''Love Takes Flight'' is a 1937 American drama film directed by Conrad Nagel and written by Lionel Houser and Mervin J. Houser. The film stars Bruce Cabot, Beatrice Roberts, John Sheehan, Astrid Allwyn, Elliot Fisher and Wild Bill Elliott. The ...

'', in which she starred opposite Bruce Cabot. Many of her roles were small and uncredited. Her most notable role was that of Queen Azura in ''

Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars ''Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars'' is a 1938 Universal Pictures 15–chapter science-fiction movie serial based on the syndicated newspaper comic strip ''Flash Gordon''. It is the second of the three Flash Gordon serials made by Universal between 1 ...

'', a 1938 serial. Her last movie contract was with Universal, and her final appearances were in '' Criss-Cross'' and ''

Family Honeymoon ''Family Honeymoon'' is a 1949 domestic comedy film made by Universal International, directed by Claude Binyon, and written by Dane Lussier, based on novel by Homer Croy. It was shot in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Plot Katie Armstrong ...

''. Her acting career never becoming the success she had dreamed of, she left Hollywood in 1949.

Personal life

On October 31, 1919, Roberts married

Robert Ripley LeRoy Robert Ripley (February 22, 1890 – May 27, 1949) was an American cartoonist, entrepreneur, and amateur anthropologist, who is known for creating the '' Ripley's Believe It or Not!'' newspaper panel series, television show, and radio show ...

, owner of ''Ripley's Believe It or Not''. Their marriage was "a union that only lasted three months, but which wasn't dissolved officially until 1926." She married Robert A. Dillon in

Tijuana Tijuana ( ,"Tijuana"
(US) and < ...

, Mexico, on May 17, 1928. That marriage was annulled on September 8, 1933, because Dillon had another wife when they were wed. In the 1940s, Roberts married John Wesley Smith.

Death

Roberts died in

Plymouth, Massachusetts Plymouth (; historically known as Plimouth and Plimoth) is a town in Plymouth County, Massachusetts, United States. Located in Greater Boston, the town holds a place of great prominence in American history, folklore, and culture, and is known as ...

, from pneumonia, aged 65.

Selected filmography

* '' Fast Life'' (1932) - Guest (uncredited) * ''

Melody Cruise ''Melody Cruise'' is Slipping Stitches' first full-length release. Michael Monroe of Hanoi Rocks fame appears on the bonus tracks as producer, lyricist, and vocalist. Track listing Personnel Band * Cashmire Starz – vocals, guitar, keyboard ...

'' (1933) - Ship Passenger (uncredited) * ''

Pilgrimage A pilgrimage is a journey, often into an unknown or foreign place, where a person goes in search of new or expanded meaning about their self, others, nature, or a higher good, through the experience. It can lead to a personal transformation, aft ...

'' (1933) - Sick Nurse (uncredited) * '' My Weakness'' (1933) - Mannequin. Woman's Journal (uncredited) * '' My Woman'' (1933) - Party Girl (uncredited) * ''

The Worst Woman in Paris? ''The Worst Woman in Paris?'' is a 1933 American drama film directed by Monta Bell and written by Monta Bell and Marion Dix. The film stars Benita Hume, Adolphe Menjou, Harvey Stephens, Helen Chandler, Margaret Seddon and Adele St. Mauer. The ...

'' (1933) - Gossip at Club Bon Vivant (uncredited) * ''

The Return of Chandu ''The Return of Chandu'' is a 1934 American 12-episode fantasy film serial based on the radio series '' Chandu the Magician''. It was produced by Sol Lesser and directed by Ray Taylor, and starred Béla Lugosi as Frank Chandler (aka Chandu the M ...

'' (1934, Serial) - Party Guest h. 1(uncredited) * ''

The Captain Hates the Sea ''The Captain Hates the Sea'' is a 1934 comedy film directed by Lewis Milestone and released by Columbia Pictures. The film, which involves a ''Grand Hotel''-style series of intertwining stories involving the passengers on a cruise ship, is notab ...

'' (1934) - Passenger (uncredited) * ''

Night Life of the Gods ''Night Life of the Gods'' (also known as ''Thorne Smith's Night Life of the Gods'') is a 1935 American fantasy film released by Universal Pictures. Based on a 1931 novel by Thorne Smith, the film was directed by Lowell Sherman and starred Alan ...

'' (1935) - One of the 3 Graces (uncredited) * '' Naughty Marietta'' (1935) - Minor Role (uncredited) * ''

Times Square Lady ''Times Square Lady'' is a 1935 American crime drama film directed by George B. Seitz and starring Robert Taylor, Virginia Bruce and Helen Twelvetrees.Quirk p.36 It was produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Synopsis Toni Bradley com ...

'' (1935) - Casa Nova Patron (uncredited) * ''

West Point of the Air ''West Point of the Air'' is a 1935 American drama (film and television), drama film directed by Richard Rosson (filmmaker), Richard Rosson and starring Wallace Beery, Robert Young (actor), Robert Young, Lewis Stone, Maureen O'Sullivan, Rosalind ...

'' (1935) - Woman in Party at Night Club (uncredited) * ''

China Seas The China Seas consist of a series of marginal seas in the Western Pacific Ocean, around China. They are the major components signifying the transition from the continent of Asia to the Pacific Ocean.Pinxian Wang, Qianyu Li, Chun-Feng Li, ''Geolog ...

'' (1935) - Ship's Passenger (uncredited) * ''

Broadway Melody of 1936 ''Broadway Melody of 1936'' is a musical film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1935. In New York, the film opened at the Capitol Theatre, the site of many prestigious MGM premieres. In New York, the film opened at the Capitol Theatre, the site ...

'' (1935) - Showgirl (uncredited) * '' Wife vs. Secretary'' (1936) - Party Guest (uncredited) * '' We Went to College'' (1936) - Sightseeing Alumnus's Wife (uncredited) * ''

San Francisco San Francisco (; Spanish language, Spanish for "Francis of Assisi, Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the List of Ca ...

'' (1936) - Forrestal Guest (uncredited) * ''

Sinner Take All ''Sinner Take All'' is a 1936 murder mystery film directed by Errol Taggart and starring Bruce Cabot and Margaret Lindsay. Plot When millionaire New York City businessman Aaron Lampier (Charley Grapewin) receives a death threat in the mail, he ...

'' (1936) - Hat Check Girl (uncredited) * '' Park Avenue Logger'' (1937) - Peggy O'Shea * ''

Bill Cracks Down ''Bill Cracks Down'' is a 1937 American action romantic drama film directed by William Nigh and starring Grant Withers, Beatrice Roberts, Ranny Weeks and Judith Allen. It was produced and distributed by Republic Pictures. The film was released u ...

'' (1937) - Susan Bailey * ''

Outlaws of the Orient ''Outlaws of the Orient'' is a 1937 American adventure film directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack. Cast * Jack Holt ... Chet Eaton *Mae Clarke ... Joan Manning *Harold Huber ... Gen. Ho-Fang * Ray Walker ... Lucky Phelps * James Bush ... Johnny Eat ...

'' (1937) - Alice * ''

'' (1937) - Joan Lawson * ''

'' (1938, Serial) - Queen Azura * ''

The Devil's Party ''The Devil's Party'' is a 1938 American crime film directed by Ray McCarey based on the Borden Chase novel ''Hell's Kitchen Has a Pantry''. Plot Marty Malone is a member of a street gang called the "Death Avenue Cowboys", consisting of poor c ...

'' (1938) - Helen McCoy * ''

Pioneers of the West ''Pioneers of the West'' is a 1940 American Western " Three Mesquiteers" B-movie directed by Lester Orlebeck. Cast * Robert Livingston as Stony Brooke * Raymond Hatton as Rusty Joslin * Duncan Renaldo as Renaldo * Noah Beery as Judge Platt ...

'' (1940) - Anna Bailey * ''

Tight Shoes ''Tight Shoes'' is the ninth studio album by the band Foghat. It was released in 1980 on Bearsville Records. It was also the last release Rod Price participated on until 1994's '' Return of the Boogie Men''. Track listing All tracks by Dave Pe ...

'' (1941) - Waitress (uncredited) * ''

San Antonio Rose "San Antonio Rose" is a swing instrumental introduced in late 1938 by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys. Quickly becoming the band's most popular number, Wills and band members devised lyrics, which were recorded on April 16, 1940, and releas ...

'' (1941) - Diner (uncredited) * '' Mob Town'' (1941) - Bit Role (uncredited) * ''

Never Give a Sucker an Even Break ''Never Give a Sucker an Even Break'' (known in some international releases as ''What a Man!'') is a 1941 Universal Pictures comedy film starring W. C. Fields. Fields also wrote the original story, under the pseudonym "Otis Criblecoblis." Fields ...

'' (1941) - Stewardess (uncredited) * ''

Bombay Clipper ''Bombay Clipper'' is a 1942 aviation drama film directed by John Rawlins and starring William Gargan and Irene Hervey. The film features Maria Montez in an early role. Turhan Bey also appears. The film was based on the exploits of oceanic fl ...

'' (1942) - Miss Kane - Secretary (uncredited) * '' What's Cookin'?'' (1942) - Miss Lewis (uncredited) * ''

Gang Busters ''Gang Busters'' is an American dramatic radio program heralded as "the only national program that brings you authentic police case histories." It premiered on January 15, 1936, and was broadcast over 21 years through November 27, 1957. Histo ...

'' (1942, Serial) - O'Brien's Secretary (uncredited) * ''

The Mystery of Marie Roget ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' (1942) - Woman #2 Reading Newespaper (uncredited) * '' It Comes Up Love'' (1943) - Bernice * ''

Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man ''Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man'' is a 1943 American horror film directed by Roy William Neill and starring Lon Chaney Jr. as the Wolf Man and Bela Lugosi as Frankenstein's monster. This was the first of a series of later called "monster rallie ...

'' (1943) - Varja - Barmaid (uncredited) * ''

He's My Guy "He's My Guy" is the twenty-third single by Dutch girl group Luv', released in 1991 by RCA Records/ BMG. It appears on their 1991 album ''Sincerely Yours''. Song history Luv' experienced difficult career moves in the early 1990s. Its line-up had ...

'' (1943) - Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Phantom of the Opera ''The Phantom of the Opera'' (french: Le Fantôme de l'Opéra) is a novel by French author Gaston Leroux. It was first published as a serial in from 23 September 1909 to 8 January 1910, and was released in volume form in late March 1910 by Pierr ...

'' (1943) - Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Fired Wife ''Fired Wife'' is a 1943 comedy film directed by Charles Lamont and starring Robert Paige, Diana Barrymore and Louise Allbritton. It was produced and distributed by Universal Pictures. This was one of the final films in Barrymore's short-lived Uni ...

'' (1943) - Divorcee (uncredited) * ''

Adventures of the Flying Cadets ''Adventures of the Flying Cadets'' is a 13-episode 1943 Universal film serial directed by Ray Taylor and Lewis D. Collins. Plot Flying students Danny Collins (Johnny Downs), "Jinx" Roberts (Bobby Jordan), "Scrapper" McKay (Ward Wood) and "Zom ...

'' (1943, Serial) - Hill Aerial Secretary h. 1(uncredited) * '' Top Man'' (1943) - War Plant Worker (uncredited) * ''

Phantom Lady Phantom Lady is a Fictional character, fictional Superhero#Female superheroes and villains, superheroine, one of the first such characters to debut in the 1940s Golden Age of Comic Books. Originally published by Quality Comics, the character was ...

'' (1944) - Monteiro's Maid (uncredited) * '' Her Primitive Man'' (1944) - Maid (uncredited) * ''

Jungle Woman ''Jungle Woman'' is a 1944 American horror film directed by Reginald LeBorg. The film stars Evelyn Ankers, J. Carrol Naish, Samuel S. Hinds, Lois Collier, Milburn Stone, and Douglass Dumbrille. The film involves Dr. Carl Fletcher who is in court ...

'' (1944) - Inquest Juror (uncredited) * ''

The Invisible Man's Revenge ''The Invisible Man's Revenge'' is a 1944 American horror film directed by Ford Beebe and written by Bertram Millhauser. The film stars John Carradine as a scientist who tests his experiment on Jon Hall, a psychiatric hospital escapee who takes ...

'' (1944) - Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Allergic to Love ''Allergic to Love'' is a 1944 American comedy musical romance film directed by Edward C. Lilley and starring Martha O'Driscoll, Noah Beery Jr. and David Bruce. The film's plot centers on a bride (O'Driscoll) who appears to be allergic to her h ...

'' (1944) - Mrs. Walker (uncredited) * ''

Reckless Age ''Reckless Age'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Felix E. Feist and written by Gertrude Purcell and Henry Blankfort. The film stars Gloria Jean, Henry Stephenson, Kathleen Howard, Franklin Pangborn, Andrew Tombes, Marshall Thompson, Jan ...

'' (1944) - WAVE (uncredited) * ''

Dead Man's Eyes ''Dead Man's Eyes'' is a 1944 Inner Sanctum film noir mystery film directed by Reginald Le Borg, and starring Lon Chaney, Jr. and Jean Parker. The film was distributed by Universal Pictures. The "Inner Sanctum" franchise originated with a popula ...

'' (1944) - Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Hi, Beautiful ''Hi, Beautiful'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Leslie Goodwins and written by Dick Irving Hyland. The film stars Martha O'Driscoll, Noah Beery Jr., Hattie McDaniel, Walter Catlett, Tim Ryan, Florence Lake, Grady Sutton, Lou Lubin ...

'' (1944) - Hostess (uncredited) * ''

Song of the Sarong ''Song of the Sarong'' (1945) is a musical film starring Nancy Kelly and William Gargan. The film was written by Gene Lewis and directed by Harold Young. Plot There are valuable pearls worth millions of dollars being guarded by a formidable ...

'' (1945) - Radio Telephone Operator (uncredited) * ''

Strange Confession ''Strange Confession'' is a 1945 Inner Sanctum film noir mystery horror film, released by Universal Pictures and starring Lon Chaney Jr., J. Carrol Naish and Brenda Joyce. The film was directed by John Hoffman and was later rereleased unde ...

'' (1945) - Miss Rogers, Secretary (uncredited) * ''

This Love of Ours ''This Love of Ours'' is a 1945 American drama film directed by William Dieterle and starring Merle Oberon, Claude Rains, Charles Korvin and Carl Esmond. The film's composer, Hans J. Salter, was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original ...

'' (1945) - Surgical Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Scarlet Street ''Scarlet Street'' is a 1945 American film noir directed by Fritz Lang. The screenplay concerns two criminals who take advantage of a middle-aged painter in order to steal his artwork. The film is based on the French novel ''La Chienne'' (literal ...

'' (1945) - Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Because of Him ''Because of Him'' is a 1946 American romantic comedy film directed by Richard Wallace and starring Deanna Durbin, Charles Laughton and Franchot Tone. Plot Kim Walker (Deanna Durbin) is an ambitious waitress who dreams of being on the stage. ...

'' (1946) - Wife (uncredited) * ''

The Scarlet Horseman ''The Scarlet Horseman'' is a 1946 American Western film serial from Universal Pictures. It is directed by Lewis D. Collins and Ray Taylor. Paul Guilfoyle plays Jim Bannion, secret identity of The Scarlet Horseman, with Janet Shaw as Elise, hi ...

'' (1946) - Halliday's Maid (uncredited) * '' The Mysterious Mr. M'' (1946) - Dr. Walker (uncredited) * ''

The Killers The Killers are an American rock Rock most often refers to: * Rock (geology), a naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals or mineraloids * Rock music, a genre of popular music Rock or Rocks may also refer to: Places United Kingd ...

'' (1946) - Nurse (uncredited) * ''

White Tie and Tails ''White Tie and Tails'' is a 1946 American comedy drama film directed by Charles Barton and starring Dan Duryea, Ella Raines, William Bendix, and Frank Jenks. The film tagline is "Clothes Don't Make the Man ... a Gentleman!" The film is base ...

'' (1946) - Marie (uncredited) * ''

The Brute Man ''The Brute Man'' is a 1946 American horror thriller film starring Rondo Hatton as the Creeper, a murderer seeking revenge against the people he holds responsible for the disfigurement of his face. Directed by Jean Yarbrough, the film features ...

'' (1946) - Nurse (uncredited) * ''

The Egg and I ''The Egg and I'', first published in 1945, is a humorous memoir by American author Betty MacDonald about her adventures and travels as a young wife on a chicken farm on the Olympic Peninsula in the US state of Washington. The book is based on ...

'' (1947) - Nurse (uncredited) * '' Time Out of Mind'' (1947) - Mrs. Weber (uncredited) * ''

Ride the Pink Horse ''Ride the Pink Horse'' is a 1947 film noir crime film produced by Universal Studios. It was directed by Robert Montgomery, who also stars in it, from a screenplay by Ben Hecht and Charles Lederer, which was based on the 1946 novel of the s ...

'' (1947) - Shop Manager (uncredited) * ''

The Senator Was Indiscreet ''The Senator Was Indiscreet'' is a 1947 comedy film, the only movie directed by playwright, theatrical director/producer, humorist, and drama critic George S. Kaufman. Produced by Universal Pictures it starred William Powell as a dim-witted U.S. ...

'' (1947) - Woman (uncredited) * ''

Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid ''Mr. Peabody and the Mermaid'' is a 1948 American romantic fantasy film directed by Irving Pichel starring William Powell and Ann Blyth in the title roles. The film was based on the 1945 novel ''Peabody's Mermaid'' by Guy and Constance Jones. ...

'' (1948) - Mother * ''

For the Love of Mary ''For the Love of Mary'' is a 1948 American romantic comedy film directed by Frederick de Cordova and starring Deanna Durbin, Edmond O'Brien, Don Taylor, and Jeffrey Lynn. Written by Oscar Brodney, the film is about a young woman who takes a job ...

'' (1948) - Dorothy * ''

You Gotta Stay Happy ''You Gotta Stay Happy'' is a 1948 American romantic comedy film directed by H.C. Potter and starring Joan Fontaine, James Stewart and Eddie Albert. It was distributed by Universal-International and produced by Karl Tunberg. The film was writt ...

'' (1948) - Maid (uncredited) * ''

An Act of Murder ''An Act of Murder'' (also known as ''Live Today for Tomorrow'' and ''I Stand Accused'') is a 1948 American film noir directed by Michael Gordon and starring Fredric March, Edmond O'Brien, Florence Eldridge, and Geraldine Brooks. It was enter ...

'' (1948) - Nurse Coble (uncredited) * ''

'' (1948) - Belle (uncredited) * '' Criss-Cross'' (1949) - Nurse (uncredited) (final film role)

References

External links

*
The Music of Flash Gordon: Flash Gordon's Trip to Mars
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Beatrice 1905 births Actresses from New York City People from Plymouth, Massachusetts American film actresses 1970 deaths 20th-century American actresses