Joan Valerie (born Helen Vlahakis; July 15, 1911 – January 30, 1983) was an American actress, who appeared mainly in

B movies A B movie or B film is a low-budget commercial motion picture. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified films intended for distribution as the less-publicized bottom half of a double feature ...

in the late 1930s and 1940s.

Early years

Born in Sparta, Wisconsin, Valerie was the daughter of Michael Vlahakis. She was a 1931 graduate of

Rhinelander High School Rhinelander High School (RHS) is a high school in Rhinelander, Oneida County, Wisconsin United States. History The first Rhinelander High School was built in 1889. It was named Rhinelander Union High School (RUHS) and the building was commonly kn ...

. She participated in local play productions in her hometown and was active in theatrical productions at

Morningside College Morningside University is a private university affiliated with the United Methodist Church and located in Sioux City, Iowa. Founded in 1894 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, Morningside University has 21 buildings on a campus in Sioux City (ar ...

. In 1932, Vlahakis was runner-up for the title of "Miss Wisconsin." In 1934, Vlahakis was selected from a group of 44 women as Morningside College's "most beautiful girl," Miss Morningside.

Film

Valerie initially changed her name to "Helen Valkis" for acting purposes. She was discovered by

Darryl F. Zanuck Darryl Francis Zanuck (September 5, 1902December 22, 1979) was an American film producer and studio executive; he earlier contributed stories for films starting in the silent era. He played a major part in the Hollywood studio system as one of ...

on stage at the

Pasadena Playhouse The Pasadena Playhouse is a historic performing arts venue located 39 S. El Molino Avenue in Pasadena, California, United States. The 686-seat auditorium produces a variety of cultural and artistic events, professional shows, and community engage ...

. In 1928, she was the leading lady in ''Yukon Trails'', a Rex Pictures production that was filmed in Valerie's hometown, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, with an all-local cast. Vlahakis's performance as the lead in Edward Elsner's ''Not So Long Ago'' in Hollywood led to two film studios' giving her

screen test A screen test is a method of determining the suitability of an actor or actress for performing on film or in a particular role. The performer is generally given a scene, or selected lines and actions, and instructed to perform in front of a came ...

s, one of which resulted in a small part in '' Reckless'' (1935). After signing a contract (as Helen Valkis) with the Independent Productions film company in 1935, she received a contract from

Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California, and a subsidiary of Warner Bros. D ...

in 1936. She played ingenues in two musical westerns with

Dick Foran John Nicholas "Dick" Foran (June 18, 1910 – August 10, 1979) was an American actor, known for his performances in Western musicals and for playing supporting roles in dramatic pictures. Early years Foran was born in Flemington, New Jer ...

, and appeared in ''

Confession A confession is a statement – made by a person or by a group of persons – acknowledging some personal fact that the person (or the group) would ostensibly prefer to keep hidden. The term presumes that the speaker is providing information th ...

'', ''

The Prince and the Pauper ''The Prince and the Pauper'' is a novel by American author Mark Twain. It was first published in 1881 in Canada, before its 1882 publication in the United States. The novel represents Twain's first attempt at historical fiction. Set in 1547 ...

'', '' Day-Time Wife'', and '' Sergeant Murphy'', among others. Warners dropped her option after one year. In 1938 she freelanced, landing a role in a Gene Autry western and a lead in a low-budget animal adventure (for which she used the pseudonym Helen Hughes). That same year

Twentieth Century-Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Dis ...

chief

saw her in a play and offered her a contact. Under the new name Joan Valerie, she was featured in many of Fox's "A" and "B" pictures, including the

Charlie Chan Charlie Chan is a fictional Honolulu police detective created by author Earl Derr Biggers for a series of mystery novels. Biggers loosely based Chan on Hawaiian detective Chang Apana. The benevolent and heroic Chan was conceived as an alter ...

and Michael Shayne mysteries. Fox curtailed most of its "B" productions in 1942 and released Joan Valerie. She accepted two assignments at

RKO RKO Radio Pictures Inc., commonly known as RKO Pictures or simply RKO, was an American film production and distribution company, one of the "Big Five" film studios of Hollywood's Golden Age. The business was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orpheu ...

, and then withdrew from the screen temporarily. She resumed her movie career in 1947, freelancing again, and retired in 1953.

Personal life

She was married to Paris Methusis and, in 1940, to Grant Richards. She and Richards, with whom she had a daughter, Jo-Ellen Rose, were divorced September 9, 1942. A newspaper report said that Valerie "sued under her true name of Helen Jaffe." She also had a son, George.

Partial filmography

* '' Fighting Youth'' (1935) - Sorority Girl (uncredited) * '' Ready, Willing, and Able'' (1937) - Switchboard Operator (uncredited) * ''

'' (1937) - Lady Jane Seymour * ''

The Cherokee Strip ''The Cherokee Strip'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Noel M. Smith and written by Luci Ward and Joseph K. Watson. The film stars Dick Foran, Jane Bryan, Robert Paige, Joan Valerie, Edmund Cobb and Joseph Crehan. The film was ...

'' (1937) - Ruth Valley * '' The Go Getter'' (1937) - Skinner's Secretary * ''

Blazing Sixes ''Blazing Sixes'' is a 1937 American Western film directed by Noel M. Smith and written by John T. Neville. The film stars Dick Foran, Joan Valerie, Mira McKinney, John Merton, Glenn Strange and Kenneth Harlan. It was the 9th of 12 B-western ...

'' (1937) - Barbara Morgan * ''

Talent Scout In professional sports, scouts are experienced talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scou ...

'' (1937) - Ruth - Secretary * ''

'' (1937) - Wanda * ''

It's Love I'm After ''It's Love I'm After'' is a 1937 American screwball comedy film directed by Archie Mayo and starring Leslie Howard, Bette Davis, and Olivia de Havilland. Based on the story "Gentlemen After Midnight" by Maurice Hanline, with a screenplay by Casey ...

'' (1937) - Autograph Seeker (uncredited) * ''

Alcatraz Island Alcatraz Island () is a small island in San Francisco Bay, offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. The island was developed in the mid-19th century with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, and a military pri ...

'' (1937) - Drake's Secretary (uncredited) * ''

Missing Witnesses ''Missing Witnesses'' is a 1937 American crime film directed by William Clemens and written by Kenneth Gamet and Don Ryan. The film stars John Litel, Dick Purcell, Jean Dale, Sheila Bromley, Ben Welden and William Haade. The film was released ...

'' (1937) - Simpering Girl (uncredited) * ''

Hollywood Hotel The Hollywood Hotel was a famous hotel, society venue of early Hollywood, and landmark A landmark is a recognizable natural or artificial feature used for navigation, a feature that stands out from its near environment and is often visible fr ...

'' (1937) - Girl at Premiere (uncredited) * '' Sergeant Murphy'' (1938) - Bess Merrill * '' The Old Barn Dance'' (1938) - Sally Dawson * '' Topa Topa'' (1938) - Margaret Weston * ''

A Trip to Paris ''A Trip to Paris'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Malcolm St. Clair (filmmaker), Malcolm St. Clair and starring Jed Prouty, Shirley Deane and Spring Byington.Drew p.180 It was part of the Jones Family series of films. In the film, the ...

'' (1938) - Marguerite Varloff * ''

Safety in Numbers Safety in numbers is the hypothesis that, by being part of a large physical group or mass, an individual is less likely to be the victim of a mishap, accident, attack, or other bad event. Some related theories also argue (and can show statistica ...

'' (1938) - Toni Stewart (replaced by Iva Stewart) (uncredited) * ''

Submarine Patrol ''Submarine Patrol'' is a 1938 film directed by John Ford and starring Richard Greene, Nancy Kelly and Preston Foster. The supporting cast features George Bancroft, Elisha Cook, Jr., John Carradine, Maxie Rosenbloom, Jack Pennick, Ward Bond an ...

'' (1938) - Anne * ''

Road Demon ''Road Demon'' is a 1938 American crime drama film directed by Otto Brower and starring Henry Arthur, Joan Valerie, and Henry Armetta. Footage from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was included along with driver accidents. It is the second release ...

'' (1938) - Joan Rogers * ''

Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia ...

'' (1939) - Lucy Pemberton (uncredited) * ''

Tail Spin ''Tail Spin'' (also known as ''Tailspin'') is a 1939 aviation film. The screenplay was written by Frank Wead and directed by Roy Del Ruth. It was based on the book, "Women with Wings: A novel of the modern day aviatrix" (Ganesha Publishing, 193 ...

'' (1939) - Sunny * '' Day-Time Wife'' (1939) - Mrs. Dexter * '' The Man Who Wouldn't Talk'' (1940) - Miss Norton * '' Young as You Feel'' (1940) - Bonnie Jones * '' Free, Blonde and 21'' (1940) - Vickie * ''

Lillian Russell Lillian Russell (born Helen Louise Leonard; December 4, 1860 or 1861 – June 6, 1922), was an American actress and singer. She became one of the most famous actresses and singers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, known for her beauty ...

'' (1940) - Lillian Russell's Sister * ''

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) - Francine Edwards * ''

Pier 13 ''Pier 13'' is a 1940 American mystery film directed by Eugene Forde and starring Lynn Bari, Lloyd Nolan and Joan Valerie.Schlossheimer p.330 It is a remake of the 1932 film '' Me and My Gal'' with Spencer Tracy and Joan Bennett in which a wat ...

'' (1940) - Helen Kelly * ''

The Great Profile ''The Great Profile'' is a 1940 American comedy film directed by Walter Lang and starring John Barrymore, Mary Beth Hughes, Gregory Ratoff and John Payne. Synopsis Barrymore lampoons himself. A famous actor, given to drink, nearly destroys the ...

'' (1940) - Understudy * '' Charlie Chan at the Wax Museum'' (1940) - Lily Latimer * '' Murder Over New York'' (1940) - June Preston * ''

Michael Shayne, Private Detective ''Michael Shayne, Private Detective'' is a 1940 American mystery film directed by Eugene Forde and starring Lloyd Nolan, Marjorie Weaver and Joan Valerie.Backer p.106 It is based on Brett Halliday's novel ''The Private Practice of Michael Shay ...

'' (1940) - Marsha Gordon * '' Jennie'' (1940) - Clara Schermer * ''

Who Is Hope Schuyler? ''Who Is Hope Schuyler?'' is a 1942 American action film directed by Thomas Z. Loring and written by Arnaud d'Usseau. The film stars Joseph Allen, Mary Howard, Sheila Ryan, Ricardo Cortez, Janis Carter and Joan Valerie. The film was released on ...

'' (1942) - Phyllis Guerney * '' Rio Rita'' (1942) - Dotty * ''

Just Off Broadway ''Just Off Broadway'' is a 1942 Drama directed by Herbert I. Leeds, starring Lloyd Nolan and Marjorie Weaver. This is the sixth of a series of seven that Lloyd Nolan played Michael Shayne for Twentieth Century Fox films. Hugh Beaumont portrayed ...

'' (1942) - Rita Darling * ''

Government Girl ''Government Girl'' is a 1943 American romantic-comedy film, produced and directed by Dudley Nichols and starring Olivia de Havilland and Sonny Tufts. Based on a story by Adela Rogers St. Johns, and written by Dudley Nichols and Budd Schulberg, t ...

'' (1943) - Miss Jane MacVickers (uncredited) * '' Around the World'' (1943) - Countess Olga (uncredited) * ''

Lost Honeymoon ''Lost Honeymoon'' is a 1947 American screwball comedy film directed by Leigh Jason and starring Franchot Tone, Ann Richards and Tom Conway. The working title of the film was ''Amy Comes Across''.''AFI Catalog of Motion Pictures Produced in the ...

'' (1947) - Nurse (uncredited) * ''

The Hucksters ''The Hucksters'' is a 1947 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film directed by Jack Conway starring Clark Gable and Deborah Kerr, her debut in an American film. The supporting cast includes Sydney Greenstreet, Adolphe Menjou, Ava Gardner, Keenan Wynn, and ...

'' (1947) - Receptionist (uncredited) * ''

Three Daring Daughters ''Three Daring Daughters'' (UK title: ''The Birds and the Bees'') is a 1948 musical Technicolor film directed by Fred M. Wilcox and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The screenplay was written by Albert Mannheimer, Frederick Kohner, Sonya Levien ...

'' (1948) - Hostess (uncredited) * '' Any Number Can Play'' (1949) - Minor Role (uncredited) * '' The Skipper Surprised His Wife'' (1950) - Nurse (uncredited) * ''

A Life of Her Own ''A Life of Her Own'' is a 1950 American melodrama film directed by George Cukor and starring Lana Turner and Ray Milland. The screenplay by Isobel Lennart focuses on an aspiring model who leaves her small town in the Midwest to seek fame and ...

'' (1950) - Party Guest (uncredited) * ''

Mister 880 ''Mister 880'' is a 1950 American light-hearted romantic drama film directed by Edmund Goulding and starring Burt Lancaster, Dorothy McGuire and Edmund Gwenn, about an amateurish counterfeiter who counterfeits only one dollar bills, and manages ...

'' (1950) - Cashier (uncredited) * ''

Roaring City ''Roaring City'' is a 1951 American crime film produced and directed by William Berke for Spartan Productions and released by the low-budget Lippert Pictures. The film stars Hugh Beaumont, Edward Brophy and Richard Travis. It is a "dual purpos ...

'' (1951) - Irma Rand * ''

Father Takes the Air ''Father Takes the Air'' is a 1951 American comedy film directed by Frank McDonald and written by D.D. Beauchamp. The film stars Raymond Walburn, Walter Catlett, Gary Gray, Florence Bates, Barbara Brown, M'liss McClure and James Brown. The fil ...

'' (1951) - Blonde * ''

Westward the Women ''Westward the Women'' is a 1951 Western film directed by William A. Wellman and starring Robert Taylor, Denise Darcel and John McIntire. Plot In 1851, Roy Whitman wants to keep the lonely men who live in Whitman's Valley from leaving, so he ...

'' (1951) - Flashy Woman (uncredited) * ''

The Girl in White ''The Girl in White'' is a 1952 American drama film directed by John Sturges and starring June Allyson, Arthur Kennedy and Mildred Dunnock. It is based on the memoirs of the pioneering female surgeon Emily Dunning Barringer. Plot Her pregnan ...

'' (1952) - Nurse Hanson

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Valerie, Joan American film actresses 1911 births 1983 deaths American stage actresses Actresses from Wisconsin American people of Greek descent People from Rhinelander, Wisconsin 20th-century American actresses People from Sparta, Wisconsin Morningside University alumni