Barbara Bedford (born Violet May Rose; July 19, 1903 – October 25, 1981) was an American actress who appeared in dozens of silent movies. Her career declined after the introduction of sound, but she continued to appear in small roles until 1945.

Early life

Barbara Bedford was born Violet May Rose on July 19, 1903, the first child to Robert William Rose, a Scottish-American

interior decorator Interior design is the art and science of enhancing the interior of a building to achieve a healthier and more aesthetically pleasing environment for the people using the space. An interior designer is someone who plans, researches, coordin ...

, and Barbara Rose (née Fish), who was a first generation Czech-American. She had a brother, William Rose. The 1910 census lists the family as living in

Denver, Colorado Denver () is a consolidated city and county, the capital, and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. Its population was 715,522 at the 2020 census, a 19.22% increase since 2010. It is the 19th-most populous city in the Unit ...

. She was educated in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

and attended Lake View High School. According to Bedford, prior to becoming an actress, she taught swimming, dancing, and gymnastics and worked as an accountant.

Career

Film

Barbara Bedford In 1922 - from, Step on It! (SAYRE 14405) (cropped)

Bedford dropped out of high school after completing 10th grade to pursue a career in film. She, alongside her family, relocated to

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

. She had written many fan letters to actor

William S. Hart William Surrey Hart (December 6, 1864 – June 23, 1946) was an American silent film actor, screenwriter, director and producer. He is remembered as a foremost Western star of the silent era who "imbued all of his characters with honor and inte ...

, and he helped her get a small role in his 1920 movie ''The Cradle of Courage''. While working as an extra that same year on '' The White Circle'', she was noticed by fellow cast member John Gilbert, who recommended her to director Maurice Tourneur. Tourneur cast her alongside Gilbert in '' Deep Waters''. Tourneur also cast her in ''

The Last of the Mohicans ''The Last of the Mohicans: A Narrative of 1757'' is a historical romance written by James Fenimore Cooper in 1826. It is the second book of the ''Leatherstocking Tales'' pentalogy and the best known to contemporary audiences. '' The Pathfinder ...

'', where she was the love interest for Alan Roscoe, whom she later married in real life. In 1925, she appeared opposite Hart in his final film, ''

Tumbleweeds A tumbleweed is a kind of plant habit or structure. Tumbleweed, tumble-weed or tumble weed may also refer to: Films * ''Tumbleweeds'' (1925 film), William S. Hart film * ''Tumbling Tumbleweeds'' (1935 film), Gene Autry film * ''Tumbleweed'' (1 ...

'', a key western of the silent period. She starred in the 1926 silent film ''

Old Loves and New ''Old Loves and New'' is a 1926 American silent drama film directed by Maurice Tourneur in one of his final American films. The romance and adventure story has the virtuous Lord Carew and the good-for-nothing Lord Geradine competing for the a ...

'' and in ''

Mockery Mockery or mocking is the act of insulting or making light of a person or other thing, sometimes merely by taunting, but often by making a caricature, purporting to engage in imitation in a way that highlights unflattering characteristics. Mocker ...

'' with

Lon Chaney Leonidas Frank "Lon" Chaney (April 1, 1883 – August 26, 1930) was an American actor. He is regarded as one of the most versatile and powerful actors of cinema, renowned for his characterizations of tortured, often grotesque and affli ...

the following year.

Stage

Bedford played Andre in Ayn Rand's ''Woman on Trial'' (better known as ''

Night of January 16th ''Night of January 16th'' (sometimes advertised as ''The Night of January 16th'') is a theatrical play by Russian-American author Ayn Rand, inspired by the death of the "Match King", Ivar Kreuger. Set in a courtroom during a murder trial, an ...

'') when it opened at the Hollywood Playhouse on October 22, 1934.

Personal life

In 1921, she married

Irvin Willat Irvin V. Willat (November 18, 1890 – April 17, 1976) was an American film director of the silent film era. A short biography reprinted from ''Blue Book of the Screen'' (1923). He directed 39 films between 1917 and 1937. Early in his career ...

, who had directed her earlier that year in ''The Face of the World''. They divorced in less than a year. In August 1922 she married fellow actor Alan Roscoe. They divorced in 1928, but remarried in 1930. They had one daughter, Barbara Edith Roscoe. When her husband died in 1933, Bedford had a legal dispute with his friend

Wallace Beery Wallace Fitzgerald Beery (April 1, 1885 – April 15, 1949) was an American film and stage actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Bill in '' Min and Bill'' (1930) opposite Marie Dressler, as General Director Preysing in '' Grand Hotel'' ( ...

over life insurance money that Beery claimed was owed to him for debts, but which Bedford said was intended for her daughter's education. Bedford's third and longest marriage was to actor Terry Spencer. They were married from 1940 until his death in 1954.

Later years and death

After Spencer died, Bedford lived in

Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville is a city located on the Atlantic coast of northeast Florida, the most populous city proper in the state and is the List of United States cities by area, largest city by area in the contiguous United States as of 2020. It is the co ...

, using the name Violet Spencer as she worked in retail sales. She and her daughter, Barbara, moved to Shreveport, Louisiana in the 1970s. Bedford died in

, on October 25, 1981, aged 78.

Filmography

Features

Barbara Bedford-Alan Roscoe in The Last of the Mohicans

* ''

The Cradle of Courage ''The Cradle of Courage'' is a 1920 American silent drama film directed by Lambert Hillyer and written by Frederick Bradbury and Lambert Hillyer. The film stars William S. Hart, Ann Little, Tom Santschi, Gertrude Claire, Frank Thorwald, and Ge ...

'' (1920) as Nora * '' Deep Waters'' (1920) as Betty West * ''

'' (1920) as Cora Munro * '' Down Home'' (1920) as Minor Role (uncredited) * ''

The Big Punch ''The Big Punch'' is a 1921 American silent Western film directed by John Ford. No copy of the film is known to survive in either a public repository or private collection, so it is currently presumed to be a lost film. In France, the film was ...

'' (1921) as Hope Standish * ''

The Face of the World ''The Face of the World'' is a 1921 American silent drama film directed by Irvin Willat and starring Edward Hearn, Barbara Bedford and Lloyd Whitlock.Munden p.224 Cast * Edward Hearn as Harold Mark * Barbara Bedford as Thora * Harry Duffield ...

'' (1921) as Thora * '' Cinderella of the Hills'' (1921) as Norris Gradley * ''

The Unfoldment ''The Unfoldment'' is a lost 1922 silent film feature directed by George Kern and starring Florence Lawrence. It was produced by an independent company. Only a fragment of this film survives in the Library of Congress collection. Cast *Floren ...

'' (1922) as Martha Osborne * ''Gleam O'Dawn'' (1922) as Nini * ''Winning with Wits'' (1922) as Mary Sudan / Mary Wyatt * '' Arabian Love'' (1922) as Nadine Fortier * ''

Man Under Cover ''Man Under Cover'' is a 1922 American crime film directed by Tod Browning and starring Herbert Rawlinson and George Hernandez. A copy of ''Man Under Cover'' is housed at the Museum of Modern Art. Plot As described in a film magazine, Paul Port ...

'' (1922) as Margaret Langdon * '' Step on It!'' (1922) as Lorraine Leighton * ''

Out of the Silent North ''Out of the Silent North'' is a 1922 American silent drama film directed by William Worthington and written by Wallace C. Clifton and George C. Hull. The film stars Frank Mayo, Barbara Bedford, Frank Leigh, Harris Gordon, Christian J. Fran ...

'' (1922) as Marcette Vallois * '' Alias Julius Caesar'' (1922) as Helen * '' The Power of Love'' (1922) as Maria Almeda * ''

Tom Mix in Arabia ''Tom Mix in Arabia'' is a 1922 American silent adventure film directed by Lynn Reynolds and starring Tom Mix, Barbara Bedford and George Hernandez.Solomon p.280 Cast * Tom Mix as Billy Evans * Barbara Bedford as Janice Terhune * George ...

'' (1922) as Janice Terhune * '' Another Man's Shoes'' (1922) as Mercia Solano * ''

Romance Land ''Romance Land'' is a 1923 American silent film, silent Western (genre), Western film directed by Edward Sedgwick and written by Joseph F. Poland. It is based on the story "The Gun-Fanner" by Kenneth Perkins, published in Argosy (magazine), Argo ...

'' (1923) as Nan Harvess * '' The Tie That Binds'' (1923) as Mary Ellen Gray * '' The Power of Love'' (also called ''Forbidden Lover'') (1923) * '' The Spoilers'' (1923) as Helen Chester * '' The Acquittal'' (1923) as Edith Craig * ''The Whipping Boss'' (1924) as Grace Woodward * '' Women Who Give'' (1924) as Emily Swift * ''

Pagan Passions ''Pagan Passions'' is a 1924 American silent drama film directed by Colin Campbell and starring Wyndham Standing, June Elvidge, and Barbara Bedford. Plot As described in a film magazine review, when her husband commits suicide, Dreka Langley ...

'' (1924) as Shirley Dangerfield * '' Champion of Lost Causes'' (1925) as Beatrice Charles * '' The Mansion of Aching Hearts'' (1925) as Martha * ''

The Mad Whirl ''The Mad Whirl'' is a 1925 American jazz age black-and-white silent drama film about the "loosening of youth morals" that took place during the 1920s. Written by Edward T. Lowe Jr. and Lewis Milestone, and directed by William A. Seiter for U ...

'' (1925) as Margie Taylor * ''

Percy The English surname Percy is of Norman origin, coming from Normandy to England, United Kingdom. It was from the House of Percy, Norman lords of Northumberland, derives from the village of Percy-en-Auge in Normandy. From there, it came into use ...

'' (1925) as Imogene Chandler * ''

The Talker ''The Talker'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by Alfred E. Green and starring Anna Q. Nilsson, Lewis Stone Lewis Shepard Stone (November 15, 1879 – September 12, 1953) was an American film actor. He spent 29 years as a co ...

'' (1925) as Barbara Farley * ''

The Business of Love ''The Business of Love'' is a 1925 American silent comedy film directed by Irving Reis and Jess Robbins and starring Edward Everett Horton, Barbara Bedford, and Zasu Pitts Zasu Pitts (; January 3, 1894 – June 7, 1963) was an American ac ...

'' (1925) as Barbara Richmond * ''

Before Midnight ''Before Midnight'' is a 2013 American romantic drama film directed by Richard Linklater, who co-wrote the screenplay with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. The sequel to ''Before Sunrise'' (1995) and ''Before Sunset'' (2004), it is the third instal ...

'' (1925) as Helen Saldivar * ''

What Fools Men ''What Fools Men'' is a 1925 American silent drama film directed by George Archainbaud and starring Lewis Stone, Shirley Mason, and Ethel Grey Terry. Plot As described in a film magazine review, Joseph Greer has invented a new linen-making pr ...

'' (1925) as Jenny McFarlan * ''

'' (1925) as Molly Lassiter * ''

'' (1926) as Marny * '' The Sporting Lover'' (1926) as Lady Gwendolyn * ''

Devil's Dice ''Devil's Dice'' is a 1926 American silent romance film directed by Tom Forman and starring Barbara Bedford, Robert Ellis and Josef Swickard.Munden p.186 Cast * Barbara Bedford as Helen Paine * Robert Ellis as Larry Bannon * Josef Swicka ...

'' (1926) as Helen Paine * '' Sunshine of Paradise Alley'' (1926) as Sunshine O'Day * ''

Life of an Actress ''Life of an Actress'' is a 1927 American silent drama film directed by Jack Nelson and starring Barbara Bedford, Bert Sprotte and Lydia Knott.Munden p.432 Cast * Barbara Bedford as Nora Dowen * Bert Sprotte as John Dowen * Lydia Knott as ...

'' (1927) as Nora Dowen * '' The Notorious Lady'' (1927) as Mary Marlowe / Mary Brownlee * '' Backstage'' (1927) as Julia Joyce * ''

'' (1927) as Countess Tatiana Alexandrova * ''

The Girl from Gay Paree ''The Girl from Gay Paree'' is a 1927 silent film directed by Phil Goldstone and Arthur Gregor and starring Lowell Sherman and Barbara Bedford. It was produced and released by Tiffany Pictures. It is preserved at the BFI National Archive. Cas ...

'' (1927) as Mary Davis * '' A Man's Past'' (1927) as Yvonne Fontaine * ''

The Broken Mask ''The Broken Mask'' is a 1928 American silent drama film directed by James P. Hogan and starring Cullen Landis, Barbara Bedford and Wheeler Oakman.Munden p.93 It was made by the independent Morris R. Schlank's production company. A review in ' ...

'' (1928) as Caricia * '' Marry the Girl'' (1928) as Elinor * ''

The Port of Missing Girls ''The Port of Missing Girls'' is a 1928 silent film directed by Irving Cummings. It stars Barbara Bedford and Hedda Hopper, making it one of the rare occasions Hopper actually starred in a film. This film is preserved in the Library of Congre ...

'' (1928) as Ruth King * '' Manhattan Knights'' (1928) as Margaret * '' The City of Purple Dreams'' (1928) as Esther Strom * ''

Bitter Sweets ''Bitter Sweets'' is a 1928 American silent crime film directed by Charles Hutchison and starring Barbara Bedford, Ralph Graves and Crauford Kent.Munden p.62 Cast * Barbara Bedford as Bett Kingston * Ralph Graves as Ralph Horton * Crauford ...

'' (1928) as Bett Kingston * ''

The Cavalier ''Woodstock, or The Cavalier. A Tale of the Year Sixteen Hundred and Fifty-one'' (1826) is a historical novel by Sir Walter Scott, one of the Waverley novels. Set just after the English Civil War, it was inspired by the legend of the Good Devil ...

'' (1928) as Lucia D'Arquista * '' The Haunted House'' (1928) as Nancy * ''

Smoke Bellew ''Smoke Bellew'' is a 1929 American silent Western film directed by Scott R. Dunlap and starring Conway Tearle, Barbara Bedford and Alphonse Ethier.Langman, p. 534 It is based on the 1912 short story collection ''Smoke Bellew''. Cast * Conwa ...

'' (1929) as Joy Gastrell * ''The Heroic Lover'' (1929) * ''

Brothers A brother is a man or boy who shares one or more parents with another; a male sibling. The female counterpart is a sister. Although the term typically refers to a familial relationship, it is sometimes used endearingly to refer to non-familia ...

'' (1929) as Doris LaRue * ''

The Love Trader ''The Love Trader'' is an early talkie pre-Code American romantic drama film preserved at the Library of Congress.''Catalog of Holdings The American Film Institute Collection and The United Artists Collection at The Library of Congress'', pg. 1 ...

'' (1930) as Luane * '' Sunny'' (1930) as Margaret * ''

Tol'able David ''Tol'able David'' is a 1921 American silent film based on the 1917 Joseph Hergesheimer short story of the same name. It was adapted to the screen by Edmund Goulding and directed by Henry King for Inspiration Pictures. A rustic tale of violenc ...

'' (1930) as Rose Kinemon * '' The Lash'' (1930) as Lupe * ''

Desert Vengeance ''Desert Vengeance'' is a 1931 American western film directed by Louis King and starring Buck Jones, Barbara Bedford and Douglas Gilmore.Pitts p.86 It was produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures. Cast * Buck Jones as Jim Cardew (as Charles ...

'' (1931) as Anne Dixon * ''

The Lady from Nowhere ''The Lady from Nowhere'' is a 1931 American crime film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Alice Day, John Holland and Phillips Smalley.Pitts p.89 Cast * Alice Day as Marian * John Holland as John Conroy * Phillips Smalley We ...

'' (1931) as Mollie Carter * ''

Too Busy to Work Too Busy to Work may refer to: * ''Too Busy to Work'' (1932 film), an American drama film * ''Too Busy to Work'' (1939 film), an American comedy film {{disambiguation ...

'' (1932) as Molly Hardy (scenes deleted) * ''

The Death Kiss ''The Death Kiss'' is a 1933 American pre-Code mystery film starring David Manners as a crusading studio writer, Adrienne Ames as an actress, and Bela Lugosi as a studio manager. The thriller features three leading players from the previous yea ...

'' (1932) as Script Girl * '' Found Alive'' (1933) as Edith Roberts * '' A Girl of the Limberlost'' (1934) as Elvira Carney * ''

Tomorrow's Youth ''Tomorrow's Youth'' is a 1934 American film directed by Charles Lamont. Cast * Dickie Moore as Thomas Hall Jr *Martha Sleeper as Mrs. Hall *John Miljan as Tom Hall *Franklin Pangborn as Tutor * Paul Hurst as Detective * Gloria Shea as Janes Ho ...

'' (1934) as Miss Booth * ''

The World Accuses ''The World Accuses'' is a 1934 American drama film directed by Charles Lamont and starring Vivian Tobin, Dickie Moore and Cora Sue Collins Cora Susan Collins (born April 19, 1927) is an American former child actress who appeared in numerous ...

'' (1934) as Martha Rankin * '' Sons of Steel'' (1934) as Miss Peters * '' Circumstantial Evidence'' (1935) as Mrs. Goodwin (uncredited) * '' On Probation'' (1935) as Mable Gordon * '' The Keeper of the Bees'' (1935) as Nurse * ''

Condemned to Live ''Condemned to Live'' is a 1935 United States, American horror film starring Ralph Morgan and Maxine Doyle, and directed by Frank R. Strayer. The film is unusual for its time, as it approaches the topic of vampirism from a sympathetic standpoint ...

'' (1935) as Martha Kristan * '' The Spanish Cape Mystery'' (1935) as Mrs. Munn * ''

Three Kids and a Queen ''Three Kids and a Queen'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by Edward Ludwig, written by Samuel Ornitz and Barry Trivers, and starring May Robson, Henry Armetta, Herman Bing, Frankie Darro, Bill Burrud and William "Billy" Benedict. ...

'' (1935) as Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Midnight Phantom ''Midnight Phantom'' is a 1935 American film directed by Bernard B. Ray. Plot summary Cast * Reginald Denny as Prof. David Graham * Claudia Dell as Diana Sullivan (misspelled Diane Sullivan in opening credits) * Lloyd Hughes as Police Lt ...

'' (1935) as Kathleen Ryan * ''

Forced Landing A forced landing is a landing by an aircraft made under factors outside the pilot's control, such as the failure of engines, systems, components, or weather which makes continued flight impossible. For a full description of these, see article on ' ...

'' (1935) as Mrs. Margaret Byrd * '' Senor Jim'' (1936) as Mona Cartier * ''

Tango Tango is a partner dance and social dance that originated in the 1880s along the Río de la Plata, the natural border between Argentina and Uruguay. The tango was born in the impoverished port areas of these countries as the result of a combina ...

'' (1936) as Carver, Enright & Burt Receptionist (uncredited) * '' Ring Around the Moon'' (1936) as Carol Anderson * ''

Brilliant Marriage ''Brilliant Marriage'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Joan Marsh, Ray Walker and Inez Courtney.Pitts p.114 Cast * Joan Marsh as Madge Allison * Ray Walker as Garry Dane * Inez Courtney as Sally Patrick ...

'' (1936) as Brenda * '' The Mine with the Iron Door'' (1936) as Secretary * ''

Speed In everyday use and in kinematics, the speed (commonly referred to as ''v'') of an object is the magnitude Magnitude may refer to: Mathematics *Euclidean vector, a quantity defined by both its magnitude and its direction *Magnitude (ma ...

'' (1936) as Nurse (uncredited) * '' Easy Money'' (1936) as Mrs. Turner * ''

His Brother's Wife ''His Brother's Wife'' is a 1936 American romantic drama film directed by W. S. Van Dyke and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Robert Taylor. Written by Leon Gordon and John Meehan, based on a story by George Auerbach, the film is about a scienti ...

'' (1936) as Minor Role (uncredited) * '' Born to Dance'' (1936) as Hector's Secretary (uncredited) * '' A Day at the Races'' (1937) as Secretary (uncredited) * '' Between Two Women'' (1937) as Sarah - Patricia's Maid (uncredited) * '' Big City'' (1937) as Woman Who Screams (uncredited) * ''

Navy Blue and Gold "Navy Blue and Gold" is the alma mater of the United States Naval Academy The United States Naval Academy (US Naval Academy, USNA, or Navy) is a federal service academy in Annapolis, Maryland. It was established on 10 October 1845 during ...

'' (1937) as Hospital Nurse (uncredited) * ''

The First Hundred Years ''The First Hundred Years'' is the first ongoing TV soap opera in the United States that began as a daytime serial, airing on CBS from December 4, 1950 until June 27, 1952. A previous daytime drama on NBC, '' These Are My Children'', aired in 1 ...

'' (1938) as Sadie (uncredited) * '' Three Comrades'' (1938) as Rita - Singer Accompanied by Erich (uncredited) * ''

The Toy Wife ''The Toy Wife'' is a 1938 American drama film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Luise Rainer and Melvyn Douglas. The period film was produced by Merian C. Cooper and written by Zoë Akins. Plot Set before the American Civil War, ''The T ...

'' (1938) as Woman in Doctor's Office (uncredited) * ''

Woman Against Woman ''Woman Against Woman'' is a 1938 American drama film directed by Robert B. Sinclair and written by Edward Chodorov. The film stars Herbert Marshall, Virginia Bruce, Mary Astor, Janet Beecher and Marjorie Rambeau. The film was released on June ...

'' (1938) as Nurse Sherwood (uncredited) * ''

Fast Company ''Fast Company'' is a monthly American business magazine published in print and online that focuses on technology, business, and design. It publishes six print issues per year. History ''Fast Company'' was launched in November 1995 by Alan Web ...

'' (1938) as MacMillen's Secretary (uncredited) * ''

The Chaser The Chaser are an Australian satirical comedy group, best known for their television programmes and satirical news masthead. The group take their name from their satirical newspaper, a publication known to challenge conventions of taste. Th ...

'' (1938) as Brandon's Secretary (uncredited) * '' Rich Man, Poor Girl'' (1938) as Kate (uncredited) * '' Boys Town'' (1938) as Catholic Nun (uncredited) * '' Too Hot to Handle'' (1938) as MacArthur's Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Young Dr. Kildare ''Young Dr. Kildare'' is a 1938 film directed by Harold S. Bucquet and starring Lew Ayres as Dr. James Kildare, an idealistic, freshly graduated medical intern, who benefits greatly from the wise counsel of his experienced mentor, Dr. Leonard G ...

'' (1938) as Nurse (uncredited) * ''

The Girl Downstairs ''The Girl Downstairs'' is a 1938 American romantic comedy film directed by Norman Taurog and starring Franciska Gaal, Franchot Tone and Walter Connolly. It is a remake of the 1936 Austrian film ''Catherine the Last'' directed by Henry Koster, whi ...

'' (1938) as Anna (uncredited) * ''

Burn 'Em Up O'Connor ''Burn 'Em Up O'Connor'' is a 1939 race car film directed by Edward Sedgwick and starring Dennis O'Keefe, Cecilia Parker, Nat Pendleton and Harry Carey. The screenplay was written by Milton Merlin and Byron Morgan from the novel ''Salute to the ...

'' (1939) as Woman in Movie House (uncredited) * ''

Four Girls in White ''Four Girls in White'' is a 1939 drama film directed by S. Sylvan Simon, starring Florence Rice and Una Merkel. It follows the mostly comical exploits of four nursing students enrolled in a three-year training course. Plot Student nurses at a l ...

'' (1939) as Nurse Behind Counter (uncredited) * '' Idiot's Delight'' (1939) as Nurse #1 (uncredited) * '' Within the Law'' (1939) as Sarah - Gilder's Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Sergeant Madden ''Sergeant Madden'' is a 1939 film noir forerunner directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Wallace Beery. The supporting cast in this dark police crime drama, noted for its imaginative and evocative cinematography, includes Tom Brown, Lara ...

'' (1939) as Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Broadway Serenade ''Broadway Serenade'' (also known as ''Serenade'') is a 1939 musical drama film distributed by MGM, produced and directed by Robert Z. Leonard. The screenplay was written by Charles Lederer, based on a story by Lew Lipton, John Taintor Foote an ...

'' (1939) as Gracie (uncredited) * ''

Calling Dr. Kildare ''Calling Dr. Kildare'' is a 1939 film in the Dr. Kildare series. Directed by Harold S. Bucquet, it stars Lew Ayres as the young Dr. Kildare and Lionel Barrymore as Dr. Gillespie, his mentor. The second of MGM's series of Kildare films, it intro ...

'' (1939) as Dr. Carew's Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Stronger Than Desire ''Stronger Than Desire'' is a 1939 American drama film directed by Leslie Fenton and starring Virginia Bruce, Walter Pidgeon and Ann Dvorak. It is a remake of 1934 film ''Evelyn Prentice'', itself based on the 1933 novel '' Evelyn Prentice'' by ...

'' (1939) as Miss Watson - Flagg's Secretary (uncredited) * ''

On Borrowed Time ''On Borrowed Time'' is a 1939 film about the role death plays in life, and how humanity cannot live without it. It is adapted from Paul Osborn's 1938 Broadway hit play. The play, based on a novel by Lawrence Edward Watkin, has been revived twi ...

'' (1939) as Mrs. James Northrup (uncredited) * ''

Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever ''Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever'' is a 1939 American romantic comedy film directed by W. S. Van Dyke. The plot is about Andy Hardy having a crush on his high school drama teacher, Miss Rose Meredith. It is the seventh of sixteen Andy Hardy films s ...

'' (1939) as Miss Howard - Bank Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Dancing Co-Ed ''Dancing Co-Ed'' is a 1939 American romantic comedy film directed by S. Sylvan Simon and starring Lana Turner in the titular role, Richard Carlson as an inquisitive college reporter, and bandleader Artie Shaw as himself. Plot When a dancer's ...

'' (1939) as Secretary (voice, uncredited) * ''

Bad Little Angel ''Bad Little Angel'' is a 1939 inspirational drama film starring Virginia Weidler as an orphan named Patsy Sanderson, living in America around 1900. The film was based on the story "Looking After Sandy" by Margaret Turnbull. Plot Treated with c ...

'' (1939) as Mrs. Dodd (scenes deleted) * ''

Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President ''Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Robert B. Sinclair and written by Melville Baker. The film stars Ann Sothern, Lewis Stone, Walter Brennan, William Gargan, Marsha Hunt and Tom Neal. It was ...

'' (1939) as Neighbor (uncredited) * ''

The Earl of Chicago ''The Earl of Chicago'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Robert Montgomery, Edward Arnold, Reginald Owen and Edmund Gwenn. It is the first MGM film in the 1940s. Plot To remedy the ill doings of his past, Ro ...

'' (1940) as Martha Jackson (uncredited) * ''

Edison, the Man ''Edison, the Man'' is a 1940 biographical film depicting the life of inventor Thomas Edison, who was played by Spencer Tracy. Hugo Butler and Dore Schary were nominated for the Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Story for their work on t ...

'' (1940) as General Powell's Nurse (uncredited) * '' Florian'' (1940) as Kingston's Secretary (uncredited) * ''

We Who Are Young ''We Who Are Young'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by Harold S. Bucquet, written by Dalton Trumbo and starring Lana Turner, John Shelton and Gene Lockhart. Plot Cast * Lana Turner as Margy Brooks * John Shelton as William Brooks * ...

'' (1940) as Hospital Phone Operator (uncredited) * ''

Gold Rush Maisie ''Gold Rush Maisie'' is a 1940 drama film, the third of ten films starring Ann Sothern as Maisie Ravier, a showgirl with a heart of gold. In this entry in the series, she joins a gold rush to a ghost town. The film was directed by Edwin L. Marin. ...

'' (1940) as Mrs. Hartley (uncredited) * '' I Love You Again'' (1940) as Miss Stingecombe - Larry's Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Boom Town A boomtown is a community that undergoes sudden and rapid population and economic growth, or that is started from scratch. The growth is normally attributed to the nearby discovery of a precious resource such as gold, silver, or oil, although ...

'' (1940) as Nurse (uncredited) * '' Dr. Kildare Goes Home'' (1940) as Carew's Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Sky Murder ''Sky Murder'' is a 1940 detective film starring Walter Pidgeon as detective Nick Carter in his third and final outing for MGM as Nick Carter. The film was part of a trilogy based on original screen stories starring the popular literary series ch ...

'' (1940) as Grand's Maid (uncredited) * '' Third Finger, Left Hand'' (1940) as Woman at Railroad Station (uncredited) * ''

Little Nellie Kelly ''Little Nellie Kelly'' is a 1940 American musical-comedy film based on the stage musical of the same title by George M. Cohan which was a hit on Broadway in 1922 and 1923. The film was written by Jack McGowan and directed by Norman Taurog. It ...

'' (1940) as Miss Wilson - Nurse with Baby (uncredited) * '' Go West'' (1940) as Baby's Mother on Stagecoach (uncredited) * ''

Maisie Was a Lady ''Maisie Was a Lady'' is a 1941 American comedy-drama film directed by Edwin L. Marin and is the fourth in a series of ten films starring Ann Sothern as good-hearted showgirl Maisie Ravier. Plot When wealthy drunkard Bob Rawlston causes Maisie ...

'' (1941) as Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Men of Boys Town ''Men of Boys Town'' is a 1941 American drama film directed by Norman Taurog and written by James Kevin McGuinness. It is a sequel to the 1938 film '' Boys Town''. The film stars Spencer Tracy, Mickey Rooney, Bobs Watson, Larry Nunn, Darryl Hic ...

'' (1941) as Nun in Infirmary (uncredited) * ''

The People vs. Dr. Kildare ''The People vs. Dr. Kildare'' is a 1941 drama directed by Harold S. Bucquet, starring Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore, Bonita Granville, and Laraine Day. Dr. Kildare performs an emergency operation on a crash victim. Plot Ice skater Frances Marlo ...

'' (1941) as Dr. Carew's Secretary (uncredited) * '' Love Crazy'' (1941) as Renny's Secretary (uncredited) * '' The Getaway'' (1941) as Dr. Glass' Maid (uncredited) * ''

Whistling in the Dark Whistling without the use of an artificial whistle is achieved by creating a small opening with one's lips, usually after applying moisture (licking one's lips or placing water upon them) and then blowing or sucking air through the space. The a ...

'' (1941) as Cult Member / Telephone Operator (uncredited) * '' When Ladies Meet'' (1941) as Anna (uncredited) * ''

Honky Tonk A honky-tonk (also called honkatonk, honkey-tonk, or tonk) is both a bar that provides country music for the entertainment of its patrons and the style of music played in such establishments. It can also refer to the type of piano ( tack piano) ...

'' (1941) as Salvation Army Woman (uncredited) * ''

Babes on Broadway ''Babes on Broadway'' is a 1941 American musical film starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland and directed by Busby Berkeley, with Vincente Minnelli directing Garland's big solo numbers. The film, which features Fay Bainter and Virginia Weidler ...

'' (1941) as Juror at Radio Broadcast (uncredited) * ''

'' (1941) as Mrs. Crainen, the Matron (uncredited) * ''

Nazi Agent ''Nazi Agent'' is a 1942 American spy film directed by Jules Dassin, in his first feature-length film for MGM. It stars Conrad Veidt playing identical twins, one loyal to the United States (U.S.), the other a dedicated German Nazi. Plot The U. ...

'' (1942) as Woman (uncredited) * ''

The Vanishing Virginian ''The Vanishing Virginian'' is a 1942 American drama film directed by Frank Borzage and starring Frank Morgan and Kathryn Grayson. It is based on the memoirs of Rebecca Yancey Williams and set in Lynchburg, Virginia, from 1913 to 1929. Synopsis ...

'' (1942) as Mildred Simpson (uncredited) * ''

Mr. and Mrs. North ''Mr. and Mrs. North'' are fictional American amateur detectives. Created by Frances and Richard Lockridge, the couple was featured in a series of 26 Mr. and Mrs. North novels, a Broadway play, a motion picture and several radio and television ...

'' (1942) as Lucille, Mrs. Brent's Maid (uncredited) * '' Dr. Kildare's Victory'' (1942) as Dr. Carew's Secretary (uncredited) * '' Born to Sing'' (1942) as Woman at Accident Scene (uncredited) * ''

We Were Dancing ''We Were Dancing'' is a short comic play in two scenes by Noël Coward. It is one of ten short plays that make up '' Tonight at 8.30'', a cycle written to be performed in groups of three plays across three evenings. The original production, ...

'' (1942) as Tearful Courtroom Spectator (uncredited) * ''

The Courtship of Andy Hardy ''The Courtship of Andy Hardy'' is a 1942 film, part of the Andy Hardy series. It gave an early role to Donna Reed although Mickey Rooney had lobbied for his then-wife Ava Gardner to have her part. Within a few months of the film's release, she ...

'' (1942) as Elsa, Nesbit's Maid (uncredited) * ''

Ship Ahoy ''Ship Ahoy'' is a 1942 American musical-comedy film directed by Edward Buzzell and starring Eleanor Powell and Red Skelton. It was produced by MGM. Background ''Ship Ahoy'' was the first of two films in which Powell and Skelton co-starred. It ...

'' (1942) as Mrs. Loring (uncredited) * ''

Tortilla Flat ''Tortilla Flat'' (1935) is an early John Steinbeck novel set in Monterey, California. The novel was the author's first clear critical and commercial success. The book portrays a group of 'paisanos'—literally, countrymen—a small band of e ...

'' (1942) as Nun (uncredited) * ''

Calling Dr. Gillespie ''Calling Dr. Gillespie'' is a 1942 drama film directed by Harold S. Bucquet, starring Lionel Barrymore, Donna Reed and Philip Dorn. This was a continuation of the series that had starred Lew Ayres as Dr. Kildare. Ayres, however, had declared c ...

'' (1942) as Carew's Secretary Bringing Postcard (uncredited) * ''

Reunion in France ''Reunion in France'' is a 1942 American war film distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer starring Joan Crawford, John Wayne, and Philip Dorn in a story about a woman in occupied France who, learning her well-heeled lover has German connections, aids ...

'' (1942) as Mme. Vigouroux (uncredited) * '' The Human Comedy'' (1943) as Woman on Street (uncredited) * ''

Assignment in Brittany ''Assignment in Brittany'' is a 1943 war film directed by Jack Conway and starring French actor Jean-Pierre Aumont and Swedish actress Signe Hasso, both in their American film debuts. Also starring was American actress Susan Peters. The film w ...

'' (1943) as Surgical Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Slightly Dangerous ''Slightly Dangerous'' is a 1943 American romantic comedy film starring Lana Turner and Robert Young. The screenplay concerns a bored young woman in a dead-end job who runs away to New York City and ends up impersonating the long-lost daughter of ...

'' (1943) as Customer (uncredited) * ''

Presenting Lily Mars ''Presenting Lily Mars'' is a 1943 American musical comedy film directed by Norman Taurog, produced by Joe Pasternak, starring Judy Garland and Van Heflin, and based on the novel by Booth Tarkington. The film is often cited as Garland's first film ...

'' (1943) as Assistant Boardinghouse Manager (uncredited) * ''

Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case ''Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case'' is a 1943 film in the Dr. Kildare series. Based on characters created by Max Brand. The third of MGM's Dr. Gillespie series (6 in all) to dispense with the services of Dr. Kildare (Lew Ayres) (8 in all) after '' ...

'' (1943) as Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Du Barry Was a Lady ''Du Barry Was a Lady'' is a Broadway musical, with music and lyrics by Cole Porter, and the book by Herbert Fields and Buddy DeSylva.

'' (1943) as Ambrose's Wife (uncredited) * '' Best Foot Forward'' (1943) as Chaperon at Dance (uncredited) * ''

The Cross of Lorraine ''The Cross of Lorraine'' is a 1943 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer war film about French prisoners of war escaping a German prison camp and joining the French Resistance. Directed by Tay Garnett, starring Jean-Pierre Aumont and Gene Kelly, was partly base ...

'' (1943) as Village Woman (uncredited) * '' Lost Angel'' (1943) as Telephone Operator (uncredited) * '' Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble'' (1944) as Dean's Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Meet the People ''Meet the People'' (1944) is a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer musical film, musical comedy film made, and set, during World War II, and starring Lucille Ball and Dick Powell and featuring Virginia O'Brien, Bert Lahr, Rags Ragland and June Allyson. The film ...

'' (1944) as Ritz Patron (uncredited) * '' An American Romance'' (1944) as Hospitable Farm Woman (uncredited) * '' The Clock'' (1945) as USO Manager (uncredited) * ''

Girls of the Big House ''Girls of the Big House'' is a 1945 American drama film directed by George Archainbaud and starring Lynne Roberts, Virginia Christine and Marion Martin.LoBrutto p.449 The film's sets were designed by the art director Gano Chittenden. Plot A ...

'' (1945) as Visitors Matron (uncredited) (final film role)

Shorts

* ''Three on a Limb'' (1936) as Addie * ''The Public Pays'' (1936) as Markovitz's Secretary (uncredited) * ''The Grand Bounce'' (1937) as Doctor's Secretary (uncredited) * ''Song of Revolt'' (1937) as Peasant Woman (uncredited) * ''It May Happen to You'' (1937) as Nurse (uncredited) * ''Miracle Money'' (1938) as Miss Grant (uncredited) * ''That Mothers Might Live'' (1938) as Nun Reading Book (uncredited) * ''Come Across'' (1938) as Bank Employee (uncredited) * ''How to Read'' (1938) as Dental Patient (uncredited) * ''Nostradamus'' (1938) as Minor Role (uncredited) * ''Men in Fright'' (1938) as Sonny's Mother (uncredited) * ''Football Romeo'' (1938) as Alfalfa's Mother * ''

Alfalfa's Aunt ''Alfalfa's Aunt'' is a 1939 comedy short subject, the 176th entry in the ''Our Gang'' (''Little Rascals'') series originally created by Hal Roach. Produced by Jack Chertok for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and directed by George Sidney, the one-reel short ...

'' (1939) as Martha Switzer (uncredited) * ''Tiny Troubles'' (1939) as Alfalfa's mother * ''Radio Hams'' (1939) as Mrs. Crane (uncredited) * ''Angel of Mercy'' (1939) as Nurse (uncredited) * ''One Against the World'' (1939) as Townswoman (uncredited) * ''Think First'' (1939) as Saleslady (uncredited) * ''Miracle at Lourdes'' (1939) as Nurse (uncredited) * ''That Inferior Feeling'' (1940) as Bride (uncredited) * ''Alfalfa's Double'' (1940) as Alfalfa's mother * ''Pound Foolish'' (1940) as Mayor's Secretary (uncredited) * ''The Domineering Male'' (1940) as Party Hostess (uncredited) * ''All About Hash'' (1940) as Martha, Alfalfa's mother * ''Bubbling Troubles'' (1940) as Alfalfa's Mom * ''Women in Hiding'' (1940) as Miss Townsend - Head Nurse (uncredited) * ''A Way in the Wilderness'' (1940) as Sick Farmer's Wife (uncredited) * ''Soak the Old'' (1940) as Bogus Pension Office Employee (uncredited) * '' Good Bad Boys'' (1940) as Alfalfa's Mother (uncredited) * ''You, the People'' (1940) as Rooming House Diner (uncredited) * ''American Spoken Here'' (1940) as Corset Buyer (uncredited) * ''Respect the Law'' (1941) as Johnson's Maid (uncredited) * '' 1-2-3 Go!'' (1941) as Ann, nurse * ''Coffins on Wheels'' (1941) as First Nurse - at Desk (uncredited) * ''Sucker List'' (1941) as Secretary (uncredited) * ''Come Back, Miss Pipps'' (1941) as Angry Parent (uncredited) * ''Wedding Worries'' (1941) as Miss Douglas (uncredited) * ''Main Street on the March!'' (1941) as Nurse (uncredited) * ''Don't Talk'' (1942) as Beauty Shop Customer (uncredited) * ''The Lady or the Tiger?'' (1942) as Lady Behind Door in Arena (uncredited) * ''Mr. Blabbermouth!'' (1942) as Woman (uncredited) * ''Rover's Big Chance'' (1942) as Studio clerk * ''Inflation'' (1942) as Woman in Close-Out Sale Montage (uncredited) * ''Brief Interval'' (1943) as Nurse (uncredited) * ''Benjamin Franklin, Jr.'' (1943) as Janet's mother * ''Family Troubles'' (1943) as Mary Burston, Janet's mother * ''Who's Superstitious?'' (1943) as Wife (uncredited) * '' Seeing Hands'' (1943) as Ben's Mother (uncredited)

References

External links

* * *
''Last of the Mohicans'' (1920), starring Wallace Beery and Barbara Bedford, on YouTube

''Tumbleweeds'' (1925), starring William S. Hart and Barbara Bedford, on YouTube
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bedford, Barbara American film actresses American silent film actresses People from Crawford County, Wisconsin Actresses from Wisconsin 1903 births 1981 deaths 20th-century American actresses People from Jacksonville, Florida People from Shreveport, Louisiana People from Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin