Joan Castle (February 26, 1914 – December 2, 2009) was an American actress in films, TV series and theatrical productions. She also used the name Yvonne Duval as an actress.

Early life

Castle was born in Chicago, the daughter of French parents. After studying ballet, she danced professionally.

Career

Castle started her career as a child in the 1920s. Using the name Yvonne Duval, she was under contract with Paramount for two years, but she said, "it didn't get me anywhere." After she signed with NBC Artists Bureau, she changed her name to Joan Castle. After a short stay in Hollywood during the 1930s, she returned to the stage. She auditioned for the science-fiction musical ''

Just Imagine ''Just Imagine'' is a 1930 American pre-Code science fiction musical-comedy film, directed by David Butler. The film is known for its art direction and special effects in its portrayal of New York City in an imagined 1980. ''Just Imagine'' st ...

'', but the part was eventually given to

Maureen O'Sullivan Maureen O'Sullivan (17 May 1911 – 23 June 1998) was an Irish-American actress, who played Jane in the ''Tarzan'' series of films during the era of Johnny Weissmuller. She performed with such actors as Laurence Olivier, Greta Garbo, William ...

. Eventually Castle became a contract player for Fox Films. She appeared in the films '' Young Sinners'', ''Hush Money'' and ''

Mr. Lemon of Orange ''Mr. Lemon of Orange'' is a 1931 American Pre-Code comedy film directed by John G. Blystone and starring El Brendel, Fifi D'Orsay and Ruth Warren. It was produced and distributed by the Fox Film Corporation. Plot El Brendel plays the dual ro ...

'' during the early 1930s. Her big break came with the Broadway comedy ''Sailor Beware''. She substituted for

Audrey Christie Audrey Christie (June 27, 1912 – December 19, 1989) was an American actress, singer and dancer. Early life and family She was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Charles Christie and Florence Ferguson. She attended a fine arts school in Chicago, ...

, who became ill. She played the part of Christie and established herself as a qualified actress. When the contract of Christie expired, she assumed the role until the closure of the show. She also toured in a touring company, appearing opposite

José Ferrer José Vicente Ferrer de Otero y Cintrón (January 8, 1912 – January 26, 1992) was a Puerto Rican actor and director of stage, film and television. He was one of the most celebrated and esteemed Hispanic American actors during his lifetime, w ...

in ''The Play's the Thing''. During

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

she toured for eight months in the USO show ''Nothing But The Truth'', travelling throughout South America, Africa, and Egypt. She had minor parts in Twentieth Century-Fox films during the late 1930s. Her most important role was playing Vera Grant opposite Allan Jones in the Universal film ''

Sing a Jingle ''Sing a Jingle'' is a 1944 American musical film directed by Edward C. Lilley and starring Allan Jones, June Vincent and Samuel S. Hinds.Taylor & Jackson p.274 Plot Partial cast * Allan Jones as Ray King * June Vincent as Muriel Crane * Sa ...

''. She also replaced Effie Afton in the comic part Violet Shelton in ''My Sister Eileen'' opposite

Shirley Booth Shirley Booth (born Marjory Ford; August 30, 1898October 16, 1992) was an American actress. One of only 24 performers to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting, Booth was the recipient of an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards and three Tony Awa ...

Personal life

On September 11, 1941, Castle married actor William Post Jr.; they were divorced in 1944. She later married William Sitwell.

Filmography

Film

* ''

'' (1931) - June Blake (uncredited) * '' Young Sinners'' (1931) - Sue * ''

Hush Money Hush money is a term for an arrangement in which one person or party offers another an attractive sum of money or other enticement, in exchange for remaining silent about some illegal, stigmatized, or shameful behavior, action, or other fact abo ...

'' (1931) - Miss Stockton (uncredited) * ''Here, Prince'' (1932) - Hazel Pepper (uncredited) * ''False Impressions'' (1932) - Minor Role (uncredited) * ''I Know Everybody and Everybody's Racket'' (1933) - Lancaster Lil (uncredited) * ''Wrongorilla'' (1933) - Mary Bray * ''Gold Bricks'' (1936) - Florence Hazbrook * '' Change of Heart'' (1938) - Secretary * ''

Kentucky Moonshine ''Kentucky Moonshine'' is a 1938 American comedy musical film directed by David Butler and released by 20th Century Fox. Plot Radio star Jerry Wade's program ratings are falling and he suggests to his sponsors a show that is different and he ...

'' (1938) - Telephone Operator * '' Always Goodbye'' (1938) - Minor Role (uncredited) * '' Gateway'' (1938) - Sob Sister (uncredited) * ''

'' (1944) - Vera Grant

Television

* ''

The Philco Television Playhouse ''The Philco Television Playhouse'' is an American television anthology series that was broadcast live on NBC from 1948 to 1955. Produced by Fred Coe, the series was sponsored by Philco. It was one of the most respected dramatic shows of the Golde ...

'' - The Beautiful Bequest (1949) TV Episode * ''

Colgate Theatre ''Colgate Theatre'' is a 30-minute dramatic television anthology series telecast on NBC during 1949 and 1958 for a total of 50 episodes in two different formats. The first edition, a live television anthology, was telecast on Monday nights from J ...

'' - Abby, Her Farm (1950) TV Episode * ''Girl Talk'' - (1966) TV Episode - self

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Castle, John 1914 births 2009 deaths American film actresses American television actresses American stage actresses 20th-century American actresses 21st-century American women