Inez Courtney (October 12, 1897 – April 5, 1975) was an American actress on the

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

stage and in films.

Early years

Born in

Amsterdam, New York Amsterdam is a city in Montgomery County, New York, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 18,219. The city is named after Amsterdam in the Netherlands. The City of Amsterdam is surrounded on the northern, eastern ...

, Courtney came from a large Irish-American family. After her father's death when she was fifteen, she decided to go onto the stage.

Career

At age 16, Courtney was doing a specialty dance that earned her the nicknames of ''St Vitis'', ''Mosquito'' and ''Lightning''. Courtney's first role as a singer and dancer came in the musical ''The Little Whopper'' in 1919. She became known among New York theatrical audiences for her work in '' Good News'' (1927), a musical comedy about college life. Her other credits include ''Spring Is Here'' (1929) and '' America's Sweetheart'' (1931). In the early 1930s, she left Broadway and went to Hollywood. Courtney acted in 58 films between 1930 and 1940. She secured her first movie work by asking

Harry Cohn Harry Cohn (July 23, 1891 – February 27, 1958) was a co-founder, president, and production director of Columbia Pictures Corporation. Life and career Cohn was born to a working-class Jewish family in New York City. His father, Joseph Cohn, wa ...

Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the mu ...

for his assistance. She made her screen debut as Cousin Betty in ''

Loose Ankles ''Loose Ankles'' is a 1930 pre-Code romantic comedy with songs, produced and released by First National Pictures, which had become a subsidiary of Warner Bros. The film was directed by Ted Wilde and stars Loretta Young, Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. ...

'' (1930). Her movie credits include ''

The Raven "The Raven" is a narrative poem by American writer Edgar Allan Poe. First published in January 1845, the poem is often noted for its musicality, stylized language, and supernatural atmosphere. It tells of a distraught lover who is paid a myste ...

'' (1935), '' Suzy'' (1936), ''

The Shop Around the Corner ''The Shop Around the Corner'' is a 1940 American romantic comedy-drama film produced and directed by Ernst Lubitsch and starring Margaret Sullavan, James Stewart and Frank Morgan. The supporting cast included Joseph Schildkraut, Sara Haden, Fe ...

'' (1940), and '' Turnabout'' (1940), her last film.

Personal life and death

On June 20, 1931, Courtney married broker Howard S. Paschal in Rye, New York. They were divorced on May 10, 1933. Courtney was married to an Italian nobleman, whereby she acquired the title ''Marchesa'', but did not use it. On April 5, 1975, Courtney died at the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey.

Partial filmography

*''

'' (1930) as Betty *''

Spring is Here "Spring is Here" is a 1938 popular song composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart for the musical ''I Married an Angel'' (1938), where it was introduced by Dennis King and Vivienne Segal. Rodgers and Hart had previously written a s ...

'' (1930) as Mary Jane Braley *''

Not Damaged ''Not Damaged'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Chandler Sprague and written by Harold R. Atteridge and Frank Gay. The film stars Lois Moran, Walter Byron, Robert Ames, Inez Courtney, George Corcoran and Rhoda Cross. The fi ...

'' (1930) as Maude Graham *''

Song of the Flame ''Song of the Flame'' is a 1930 American pre-Code musical film photographed entirely in Technicolor. It was produced and distributed by First National Pictures. It was the first color film to feature a widescreen sequence, using a process called ...

'' (1930) as Grusha *'' Bright Lights'' (1930) as Peggy North *'' Sunny'' (1930) as 'Weenie' *''

The Hot Heiress ''The Hot Heiress'' is a 1931 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Clarence G. Badger and written by Herbert Fields, with three songs by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The film stars Ben Lyon, Ona Munson, Walter Pidgeon, Tom Dugan, Hol ...

'' (1931) as Margie *'' Big City Blues'' (1932) as Faun *''

The World Gone Mad ''The World Gone Mad'' (also released as ''The Public Be Hanged'') is a 1933 American pre-Code crime film directed by Christy Cabanne and starring Pat O'Brien, Evelyn Brent and Neil Hamilton. It was made on a low-budget by the independent M ...

'' (1933) as Susan Bibens, Telephone Operator (uncredited) *''

Cheating Blondes ''Cheating Blondes'' is a 1933 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Joseph Levering and starring Thelma Todd, Ralf Harolde and Inez Courtney.Handzo, p. 52 Cast * Thelma Todd as Anne Merrick / Elaine Manners * Ralf Harolde as Lawson Rolt * ...

'' (1933) as Polly *''

Hold Your Man ''Hold Your Man '' is a 1933 American pre-Code romantic drama film directed by an uncredited Sam Wood and starring Jean Harlow and Clark Gable, the third of their six films together.Landazuri, Margarit"Hold Your Man" (TCM article)/ref> The scre ...

'' (1933) as Maizie *''

I Love That Man ''I Love That Man'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by Harry Joe Brown and written by C. Graham Baker, Casey Robinson and Gene Towne. The film stars Edmund Lowe, Nancy Carroll, Robert Armstrong, Lew Cody, Warren Hymer, Grant M ...

'' (1933) as Public Stenographer (scenes deleted) *''

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) as Flo *''

Jealousy Jealousy generally refers to the thoughts or feelings of insecurity, fear, and concern over a relative lack of possessions or safety. Jealousy can consist of one or more emotions such as anger, resentment, inadequacy, helplessness or disgust. ...

'' (1934) as Penny *'' Broadway Bill'' (1934) as Nurse Mae (uncredited) *'' Sweepstake Annie'' (1935) as Marge *''

Carnival Carnival is a Catholic Christian festive season that occurs before the liturgical season of Lent. The main events typically occur during February or early March, during the period historically known as Shrovetide (or Pre-Lent). Carnival typi ...

'' (1935) as Girl (uncredited) *''Men of the Hour'' (1935) as Miss Allison (uncredited) *''

Air Hawks ''Air Hawks'' is a 1935 American aviation-themed science fiction film based on Ben Pivar's "Air Fury", an unpublished story. Director Albert Rogell who had moved from shorts to B-films, was interested in aviation and had already helmed ''The Fl ...

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

Break of Hearts ''Break of Hearts'' is a 1935 RKO film starring Katharine Hepburn and Charles Boyer. The screenplay was written by the team of Sarah Y. Mason and Victor Heerman, with Anthony Veiller, from a story by Lester Cohen, specifically for Hepburn. Ori ...

'' (1935) as Miss Wilson *''

Dizzy Dames ''Dizzy Dames'' is a 1935 American musical film directed by William Nigh and written by George Waggner. The film stars Marjorie Rambeau, Florine McKinney, Lawrence Gray, Inez Courtney, Berton Churchill and Fuzzy Knight. The film was released on ...

'' (1935) as Arlette *''

'' (1935) as Mary Burns *''

The Affair of Susan ''The Affair of Susan'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Kurt Neumann and starring Zasu Pitts, Hugh O'Connell and Walter Catlett.Lowe p.1968 It is a remake of the 1928 silent film '' Lonesome''. Two lonely people meet at an amusemen ...

'' (1935) as Mrs. Barnes *''

The Girl Friend ''The Girl Friend'' is a musical comedy with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart and book by Herbert Fields. This was the longest running show for the trio to that date.Secrest, Meryle. ''Somewhere for me:a biography of Richard Rodge ...

'' (1935) as Hilda *''

Ship Cafe ''Ship Cafe'' is a 1935 American musical film directed by Robert Florey. Cast * Carl Brisson as Chris Anderson * Arline Judge as Ruby * Mady Christians as Countess Boranoff * William Frawley as Briney O'Brien * Eddie Davis as Eddie Davis * I ...

'' (1935) as Molly *''

Another Face ''Another Face'' (released in the UK as ''It Happened in Hollywood'')''Another Face' ...

'' (1935) as Mamie, Joe's Secretary (uncredited) *''

Millions in the Air ''Millions in the Air'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Ray McCarey and written by Sig Herzig and Jane Storm. The film stars John Howard, Wendy Barrie, Willie Howard, George Barbier, Benny Baker, Eleanore Whitney and Robert Cummings. ...

'' (1935) as Miss Waterbury *''

Magnificent Obsession ''Magnificent Obsession'' is a 1929 novel by American author Lloyd C. Douglas. It was one of four of his books that were eventually made into blockbuster motion pictures, the other three being '' The Robe'', '' White Banners'' and ''The Big Fisher ...

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

The Reckless Way ''The Reckless Way'' is a 1936 American comedy film directed by Raymond K. Johnson and starring Marian Nixon, Kane Richmond and Inez Courtney.Pitts p.292 The film's sets were designed by the art director Vin Taylor. Synopsis A woman working as a ...

'' (1936) as Laura Jones *''

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 Sally Patrick *''

Let's Sing Again ''Let's Sing Again'' is a 1936 American film directed by Kurt Neumann. Plot An orphan (eight-year-old boy soprano Bobby Breen) gets a chance to sing opera in New York. Cast *Bobby Breen as Billy Gordon *Henry Armetta as Joe Pasquale * Ge ...

'' (1936) as Marge Wilkins *''

Three Cheers for Love ''Three Cheers for Love'' is a 1936 American musical film directed by Ray McCarey, written by George Marion, Jr., and starring Eleanore Whitney, Robert Cummings, William Frawley, Elizabeth Patterson, Roscoe Karns and John Halliday. It was rel ...

'' (1936) as Dorothy *'' Suzy'' (1936) as Maisie *''

It Couldn't Have Happened – But It Did ''It Couldn't Have Happened – But It Did'' is a 1936 American romantic crime film directed by Phil Rosen. The film is also known as ''It Couldn't Have Happened'' (American review title). Cast * Reginald Denny as Greg Stone *Evelyn Brent as ...

'' (1936) as Linda Sands *''

Two in a Crowd ''Two in a Crowd'' is a 1936 romantic comedy film directed by Alfred E. Green and starring Joan Bennett and Joel McCrea. It was released by Universal Pictures. The screenplay was written by Lewis R. Foster, Doris Malloy, and Earle Snell, based ...

'' (1936) as Mrs. Flynn (uncredited) *'' Wedding Present'' (1936) as Mary Lawson *''

Time Out for Romance ''Time Out for Romance'' is a 1937 American romantic comedy film directed by Malcolm St. Clair, written by Lou Breslow and John Patrick, and starring Claire Trevor, Michael Whalen, Joan Davis, Chick Chandler, Douglas Fowley and Benny Bartlett ...

'' (1937) as Mabel *''

Clarence Clarence may refer to: Places Australia * Clarence County, New South Wales, a Cadastral division * Clarence, New South Wales, a place near Lithgow * Clarence River (New South Wales) * Clarence Strait (Northern Territory) * City of Clarence, a l ...

'' (1937) as Della *'' The Hit Parade'' (1937) as Tillie *'' Armored Car'' (1937) as Blind Date *''

The 13th Man ''The 13th Man'', also known as ''The Thirteenth Man'', is a 1937 American mystery film directed by William Nigh and starring Weldon Heyburn, Inez Courtney and Selmer Jackson. It was the first film released by the relaunched Monogram Pictures af ...

'' (1937) as Julie Walters *'' Partners in Crime'' (1937) as Lillian Tate *'' The Hurricane'' (1937) as Girl on Ship (uncredited) *''

Having Wonderful Time ''Having Wonderful Time'' is a 1938 American romantic comedy film, based on the Broadway play of the same name, starring Ginger Rogers and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and directed by Alfred Santell. It was Red Skelton’s film debut. Plot summary Bo ...

'' (1938) as Emma *''

Crime Ring Organized crime (or organised crime) is a category of transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals to engage in illegal activity, most commonly for profit. While organized crime is generally th ...

'' (1938) as Kitty *''

Letter of Introduction ''Letter of Introduction'' is a 1938 American comedy-drama film directed by John M. Stahl. In 1966, the film entered the public domain in the United States because the claimants did not renew its copyright registration in the 28th year after pu ...

'' (1938) as Woman at Barry's Party (uncredited) *''

Five of a Kind Five of a kind may refer to: * Five of a kind (poker), a type of poker hand * ''Five of a Kind Five of a kind may refer to: * Five of a kind (poker) In poker, players form sets of five playing cards, called ''hands'', according to the rules ...

'' (1938) as Libby Long *''

Beauty for the Asking ''Beauty for the Asking'' is a 1939 film drama produced by RKO Pictures, and starring Lucille Ball and Patric Knowles. It tells the story of Jean Russell (Ball), a beautician who is jilted by her boyfriend (Knowles) so he can marry an older but ...

'' (1939) as Gwen Morrison *''

Blondie Meets the Boss ''Blondie Meets the Boss'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Frank R. Strayer and starring Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. Based on the Chic Young comic strip of the same name, the film is the second in the '' Blondie'' series, which ...

'' (1939) as Betty Lou Wood *''

When Tomorrow Comes "When Tomorrow Comes" is a song recorded by British pop music duo Eurythmics. It was written by group members Annie Lennox, David A. Stewart and guest keyboardist Pat Seymour. With this single and its parent album ''Revenge'', Lennox and Stewart ...

'' (1939) as Waitress (uncredited) *''

Missing Evidence ''Missing Evidence'' is a 1939 American drama film, directed by Phil Rosen. It stars Preston Foster, Irene Hervey, and Inez Courtney, and was released on December 15, 1939. Cast list * Preston Foster as Bill Collins * Irene Hervey as Linda Pa ...

'' (1939) as Nellie Conrad *''

'' (1940) as Ilona *'' The Farmer's Daughter'' (1940) as Emily French *'' Turnabout'' (1940) as Miss Edwards (final film role)

References

Bibliography

Albert Lea, Minnesota Albert Lea is a city in Freeborn County, in southern Minnesota. It is the county seat. Its population was 18,492 at the 2020 census. The city is at the junction of Interstates 35 and 90, about south of the Twin Cities. It is on the shores of ...

Evening Tribune, Friday, August 10, 1936, Page 6. *

Oakland, California Oakland is the largest city and the county seat of Alameda County, California, United States. A major West Coast of the United States, West Coast port, Oakland is the largest city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area, the third ...

Tribune, ''Smile!-It Pays'', Sunday, December 13, 1936. Page 72. *

Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is centred on the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers, near the longitudinal centre of North America. , Winnipeg had a city population of 749,6 ...

Free Press, Saturday, May 17, 1930, Page 23.

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Courtney, Inez 1897 births 1975 deaths 20th-century American actresses American film actresses American stage actresses American people of Irish descent Actresses from New York City