Evalyn Knapp (born Evelyn Pauline Knapp; June 17, 1906 – June 12, 1981) was an American film actress of the late 1920s, 1930s and into the 1940s. She was a leading B-movie serial actress in the 1930s. She was the younger sister of the orchestra leader

Orville Knapp Orville Knapp (January 1, 1904 - July 16, 1936) was an American dance bandleader born in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the brother of Evalyn Knapp. Orville Knapp was an autodidact on saxophone, and moved to New York City in the early 1920s, where h ...

Life and career

Knapp started acting in silent films, her first role being in the 1929 film ''At the Dentist's''. She was cast as leading lady in '' Smart Money'' in 1931, the only film starring both Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney. In 1932, Knapp was one of 14 girls, along with

Ginger Rogers Ginger Rogers (born Virginia Katherine McMath; July 16, 1911 – April 25, 1995) was an American actress, dancer and singer during the Classical Hollywood cinema, Golden Age of Hollywood. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her starri ...

and

Gloria Stuart Gloria Frances Stuart (born Gloria Stewart; July 4, 1910 September 26, 2010) was an American actress, visual artist, and activist. She was known for her roles in Pre-Code films, and garnered renewed fame late in life for her portrayal of Rose ...

, selected as

WAMPAS Baby Stars The WAMPAS Baby Stars was a promotional campaign sponsored by the United States Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers, which honored 13 (15 in 1932) young actresses each year whom they believed to be on the threshold of movie stardom. ...

. She achieved success in

cliffhanger A cliffhanger or cliffhanger ending is a plot device in fiction which features a main character in a precarious or difficult dilemma or confronted with a shocking revelation at the end of an episode or a film of serialized fiction. A cliffhang ...

serials, which were popular at the time. She played the title character in the 1933 serial '' The Perils of Pauline''. The same year, she starred, with top billing, alongside 26-year-old John Wayne in ''

His Private Secretary ''His Private Secretary'' is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Phil Whitman and starring Evalyn Knapp and John Wayne. It is an early Wayne non-Western film appearance, made when he was 26 years old. Plot Dick Wallace (Wayne) h ...

'', a light comedy in which Wayne portrays a playboy determined to win her over. She also appeared in '' Corruption'' that year opposite

Preston Foster Preston Stratton Foster (August 24, 1900 – July 14, 1970), was an American actor of stage, film, radio, and television, whose career spanned nearly four decades. He also had a career as a vocalist. Early life Born in Ocean City, New Jersey ...

. One of her better known film roles was opposite Ken Maynard in the 1934 film ''

In Old Santa Fe ''In Old Santa Fe'' is a 1934 American Western film directed by David Howard, starring Ken Maynard, George "Gabby" Hayes and Evalyn Knapp and featuring the first screen appearance of Gene Autry, singing a bluegrass rendition of "Wyoming Wal ...

'' featuring Gene Autry in his first screen appearance, in which he sang with a bluegrass band. She worked through 1941, but her career slowed afterward. In 1943, she played her last role, uncredited, in ''Two Weeks to Live'', one of the ''

Lum and Abner ''Lum and Abner'' was an American network radio comedy program created by Chester Lauck and Norris Goff that was aired from 1931 to 1954. Modeled on life in the small town of Waters, Arkansas, near where Lauck and Goff grew up, the show proved ...

'' films starring

Chester Lauck Chester "Chet" Lauck (February 9, 1902 – February 21, 1980) was a comic actor who played the character of Lum Edwards on the classic American radio comedy ''Lum and Abner''. Early life and career Chester Lauck was born in Alleene, Arkansas ...

and

Norris Goff Norris Goff (May 30, 1906 – June 7, 1978) was an American comedian in radio and film best known for his portrayal of Abner Peabody on the rural comedy ''Lum and Abner''. Biography Nicknamed "Tuffy," Goff was born in Cove, Arkansas, but s ...

Personal life

In 1931, Knapp spent several months in the hospital after she fell from a cliff during a hike with her brother, Orville. Two vertebrae were fractured. Her brother, orchestra leader

, died in a plane crash while piloting the plane in 1936, smashing into the runway. He was 32 years old. He was married to film actress Gloria Grafton. She married Dr. George A. Snyder in 1934.

Retirement and death

Following her retirement, she concentrated on her family. She and Snyder remained married until his death in 1977. On June 12, 1981, Knapp died of heart disease at St. Vincent's Hospital in Los Angeles, California, five days before her 75th birthday.

Partial filmography

*''At the Dentist's'' (1929) *''

Sinners' Holiday ''Sinners' Holiday'' is a 1930 American pre-Code all-talking crime drama film starring Grant Withers and Evalyn Knapp, and featuring James Cagney (in his film debut), Lucille La Verne, and Joan Blondell. It is based on the 1930 play ''Penny ...

'' (1930) – Jennie Delano *'' River's End'' (1930) – Miriam McDowell *''

Mothers Cry ''Mothers Cry'' is a 1930 American pre-Code drama film released by First National Pictures, a subsidiary of Warner Bros., and directed by Hobart Henley. The movie stars Dorothy Peterson, Helen Chandler, David Manners, Evalyn Knapp and Sidney ...

'' (1930) – Jenny Williams *'' 50 Million Frenchmen'' (1931) – Miss Wheeler-Smith *'' The Millionaire'' (1931) – Barbara Alden *'' Smart Money'' (1931) – Irene Graham *'' The Bargain'' (1931) – Vorencia *''

Side Show In North America, a sideshow is an extra, secondary production associated with a circus, traveling carnival, carnival, fair, or other such attraction. Types There are four main types of classic sideshow attractions: *The Ten-in-One offers ...

'' (1931) – Irene *''

Taxi! ''Taxi!'' is a 1932 American pre-Code film directed by Roy Del Ruth and starring James Cagney and Loretta Young. The film includes a famous, and often misquoted, line with Cagney speaking to his brother's killer through a locked closet: "Co ...

'' (1931) – Actress in Movie Clip (uncredited) *''

High Pressure In science and engineering the study of high pressure examines its effects on materials and the design and construction of devices, such as a diamond anvil cell, which can create high pressure. By ''high pressure'' is usually meant pressures of th ...

'' (1932) – Helen Wilson *'' Fireman, Save My Child'' (1932) – Sally Toby *''

The Strange Love of Molly Louvain ''The Strange Love of Molly Louvain'' is a 1932 American pre-Code crime drama film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring Ann Dvorak and Lee Tracy. The script was based on the play ''Tinsel Girl'' by Maurine Dallas Watkins. Plot Molly Louva ...

'' (1932) – Doris *''

Madame Racketeer ''Madame Racketeer'' is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy film featuring Alison Skipworth, Richard Bennett and George Raft. The movie was directed by Harry Wagstaff Gribble and Alexander Hall.Everett Aaker, ''The Films of George Raft'', McFarla ...

'' (1932) – Alice Hicks *''

The Vanishing Frontier ''The Vanishing Frontier'' is a 1932 American pre-Code adventure film directed by Phil Rosen, written by Stuart Anthony, and starring Johnny Mack Brown, Evalyn Knapp, ZaSu Pitts, Raymond Hatton, Ben Alexander, J. Farrell MacDonald and Wallace ...

'' (1932) – Carol Winfield *''

The Night Mayor ''The Night Mayor'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by Benjamin Stoloff and starring Lee Tracy, Evalyn Knapp and Don Dillaway.Palmer, p. 132 Cast * Lee Tracy as Mayor Bobby Kingston * Evalyn Knapp as Doree Dawn * Don Dillaw ...

'' (1932) – Doree Dawn *'' Big City Blues'' (1932) – Jo-Jo (uncredited) * ''

This Sporting Age ''This Sporting Age'' is a 1932 American sports drama film directed by Andrew Bennison and A.F. Erickson and starring Jack Holt, Evalyn Knapp and Walter Byron.Dooley p.540 Synopsis A top polo player's daughter is in love with a worthy young m ...

'' (1932) – Mickey Steele *''

A Successful Calamity ''A Successful Calamity'' is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy film directed by John G. Adolfi and starring George Arliss, supported by Mary Astor and Evelyn Knapp. Based on the 1917 play ''A Successful Calamity'' by Clare Kummer, the film is ab ...

'' (1932) – Peggy Wilton *'' Slightly Married'' (1932) – Mary Smith *''

Bachelor Mother ''Bachelor Mother'' (1939) is an American romantic comedy film directed by Garson Kanin, and starring Ginger Rogers, David Niven, and Charles Coburn. The screenplay was written by Norman Krasna from an Academy Award-nominated story by Felix Jac ...

'' (1932) – Mary Somerset *''

Air Hostess A flight attendant, also known as steward/stewardess or air host/air hostess, is a member of the aircrew aboard commercial flights, many business jets and some government aircraft. Collectively called cabin crew, flight attendants are primar ...

'' (1933) – Kitty King *'' State Trooper'' (1933) – June Brady *''

'' (1933) – Marion Hall *'' Corruption'' (1933) – Ellen Manning *''

Dance Girl Dance ''Dance Girl Dance'' is a 1933 American pre-Code musical film directed by Frank Strayer from an original screenplay by Robert Ellis. The picture stars Alan Dinehart, Evalyn Knapp, and Edward Nugent, and premiered on September 1, 1933. Cast ...

'' (1933) – Sally Patter * ''

Police Car 17 ''Police Car 17'' is a 1933 American pre-Code crime film directed by Lambert Hillyer and starring Tim McCoy, Evalyn Knapp and Edwin Maxwell (actor), Edwin Maxwell.Fetrow, p. 511 Cast * Tim McCoy as Tim Conlon * Evalyn Knapp as Helen Regan * Edwi ...

'' (1933) – Helen Regan *'' The Perils of Pauline'' (1933, Serial) – Pauline Hargrave *''

Speed Wings ''Speed Wings'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code action film directed by Otto Brower and starring Tim McCoy, Evalyn Knapp, and William Bakewell. References External links''Speed Wings''
imdb.com 1934 films American action films 1930s action ...

'' (1934) – Mary Stuart *''

A Man's Game ''A Man's Game'' is a 1934 American drama film directed by D. Ross Lederman. Released by Columbia Pictures, the film stars Tim McCoy, Evalyn Knapp and Ward Bond. Plot A pair of firemen and friends, Tim Bradley and Dave Jordan, are both attract ...

'' (1934) – Judy Manners *''

'' (1934) – Lila Miller *''

One Frightened Night ''One Frightened Night'' is a 1935 American comedy mystery film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Charley Grapewin, Lucien Littlefield and Mary Carlisle. The film has entered the public domain. Plot Faced with an upcoming inheritance tax ...

'' (1935) – Fake Doris Waverly *''

Ladies Crave Excitement ''Ladies Crave Excitement'' is a 1935 American action–comedy drama film released by Mascot Pictures, directed by Nick Grinde and starring Norman Foster, Evalyn Knapp and Esther Ralston. Plot Don Phelan, the ace newsreel reporter, falls in lo ...

'' (1935) – Wilma Howell *''

Confidential Confidentiality involves a set of rules or a promise usually executed through confidentiality agreements that limits the access or places restrictions on certain types of information. Legal confidentiality By law, lawyers are often required ...

'' (1935) – Maxine Travers *''

The Fire Trap ''The Fire Trap'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by Burt P. Lynwood and starring Norman Foster, Evalyn Knapp and Sidney Blackmer.Pitts p.146 An insurance investigator goes on the trail of a gang of arsonists. Cast * Norman Foster as Bill ...

'' (1935) – Betty Marshall *''

Laughing Irish Eyes ''Laughing Irish Eyes'' is a 1936 American comedy film directed by Joseph Santley and written by Olive Cooper, Ben Ryan and Stanley Rauh. The film stars Phil Regan, Walter C. Kelly, Evalyn Knapp, Ray Walker, Mary Gordon and Warren Hymer. Th ...

'' (1936) – Peggy Kelly *'' Three of a Kind'' (1936) – Barbara Penfield *''

Bulldog Edition ''Bulldog Edition'' is a 1936 American film directed by Charles Lamont. The film is also known as ''Lady Reporter'' in the United Kingdom. Plot Newspaper editors Ken Dwyer (Ray Walker) and Evans ( Robert Warwick) compete for circulation, and t ...

'' (1936) – Randy Burns *''

Hawaiian Buckaroo ''Hawaiian Buckaroo'' is a 1938 American Western film directed by Ray Taylor and written by Daniel Jarrett. The film stars Smith Ballew, Evalyn Knapp, Harry Woods, Pat J. O'Brien, George Regas and Benny Burt. The film was released on January ...

'' (1938) – Paula Harrington *'' Rawhide'' (1938) – Peggy Gehrig *''

Wanted by the Police ''Wanted by the Police'' is a 1938 American crime film directed by Howard Bretherton and written by Wellyn Totman. The film stars Frankie Darro, Evalyn Knapp, Robert Kent (actor), Robert Kent, Matty Fain, Lillian Elliott and Don Rowan. The film wa ...

'' (1938) – Kathleen Murphy *'' Idiot's Delight'' (1939) – Nurse #4 (uncredited) *'' Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'' (1939) – Reporter Asking 'What Do You Think of the Girls in This Town?' (uncredited) *''Sauce for the Gander'' (1940) – Secretary *''

Girl in 313 ''Girl in 313'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by Ricardo Cortez and written by Barry Trivers and M. Clay Adams. The film stars Florence Rice, Kent Taylor, Lionel Atwill, Kay Aldridge, Mary Treen and Jack Carson. The film was released o ...

'' (1940) – Arrested Girl *''

The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance ''The Lone Wolf Takes a Chance'' is a 1941 American mystery film directed by Sidney Salkow, which stars Warren William, June Storey, and Henry Wilcoxon. Salkow also wrote the original screenplay, along with Earl Felton, and the film was released ...

'' (1941) – Evelyn Jordan *''

Roar of the Press ''Roar of the Press'' is a 1941 American comedy-drama crime film directed by Phil Rosen and starring Jean Parker and Wallace Ford. Plot Married only a few hours, small-town girl Alice makes her first visit to New York with new husband Wally W ...

'' (1941) – Evelyn *''

Two Weeks to Live ''Two Weeks to Live'' is a 1943 American Lum and Abner film directed by Malcolm St. Clair. Plot This time around, Abner Peabody, proud owner of the Jot 'Em Down general store in Pine Ridge, Arkansas, inherits railroad stock from his Uncle Ern ...

'' (1943) – Miss Morris, Dr. O'Brien's Secretary (uncredited) (final film role)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Knapp, Evalyn 1906 births 1981 deaths American people of German descent Actresses from Kansas City, Missouri American film actresses American silent film actresses 20th-century American actresses WAMPAS Baby Stars