Janis Carter (born Janis Elinore Dremann, October 10, 1913 – July 30, 1994) was an American stage and film actress who performed throughout the 1940s and into the 1950s. During the mid-1950s, she began working regularly on television, co-hosting with

Bud Collyer Bud Collyer (born Clayton Johnson Heermance Jr., June 18, 1908 – September 8, 1969) was an American radio actor and announcer and game show host who became one of the nation's first major television game show stars. He is best remembered for ...

the

NBC The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an Television in the United States, American English-language Commercial broadcasting, commercial television network, broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Enterta ...

daytime game show ''Feather Your Nest''."Janis Carter; Actress Hosted TV Quiz Show", obituary, ''Los Angeles Times'', August 4, 1994, p. A16. ProQuest Historical Newspapers, Ann Arbor, Michigan; subscription access through the University of North Carolina Library at Chapel Hill.

Early years

Carter was born Janis Elinore Dremann in Cleveland, Ohio. When she started her professional career, Dremann changed her last name to Carter, because people had trouble pronouncing and spelling Dremann, so she chose her grandmother's maiden name as her new last name. After initial training as a pianist, Carter changed to singing when she was 8 years old. Her elementary and secondary education was provided by schools in

East Cleveland, Ohio East Cleveland is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States, and is the first suburb encountered when travelling east from Cleveland. The population was 13,792 at the United States Census 2020, 2020 census. East Clevela ...

. After that, she attended

Western Reserve University Western may refer to: Places *Western, Nebraska, a village in the US *Western, New York, a town in the US *Western Creek, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western Junction, Tasmania, a locality in Australia *Western world, countries that id ...

, graduating with two degrees — bachelor of arts and bachelor of music. She also participated in dramatics in college.

Career

After attending Mather College in

Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S. ...

, Carter headed to

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

in an attempt to start a career in

opera Opera is a form of theatre in which music is a fundamental component and dramatic roles are taken by singers. Such a "work" (the literal translation of the Italian word "opera") is typically a collaboration between a composer and a librett ...

. Although that goal was unsuccessful, when she was subsequently working on

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 ...

she was spotted on stage 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 ...

, who signed her to a movie deal. Her Broadway credits included ''Du Barry Was a Lady'' (1939), ''Virginia'' (1937), and ''

Panama Hattie ''Panama Hattie'' is a 1940 American musical with music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Herbert Fields and B. G. DeSylva. The musical is about a nightclub owner, Hattie Maloney, who lives in the Panama Canal Zone and ends up dealing with ...

'' (1940). After moving to

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywood, ...

, she appeared in over 30 films beginning in 1941 for

20th 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 ...

MGM Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., also known as Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures and abbreviated as MGM, is an American film, television production, distribution and media company owned by Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded on April 17, 1924 a ...

, Columbia, and

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 ...

. She appeared in the films ''

Night Editor ''Night Editor'' is a 1946 B-movie film noir directed by Henry Levin and based on a popular radio program of the same name. The script for the film was based on a previous radio program episode "Inside Story.". The movie was to be the first i ...

'' (1946) and '' Framed'' (1947) with

Glenn Ford Gwyllyn Samuel Newton "Glenn" Ford (May 1, 1916 – August 30, 2006) was a Canadian-American actor who often portrayed ordinary men in unusual circumstances. Ford was most prominent during Classical Hollywood cinema, Hollywood's Golden Age as ...

, and ''

Flying Leathernecks ''Flying Leathernecks'' is a 1951 American Technicolor action war film directed by Nicholas Ray, produced by Edmund Grainger, (who had produced ''Sands of Iwo Jima'') and starring John Wayne and Robert Ryan. The movie details the exploits and per ...

'' (1951) with

John Wayne Marion Robert Morrison (May 26, 1907 – June 11, 1979), known professionally as John Wayne and nicknamed The Duke or Duke Wayne, was an American actor who became a popular icon through his starring roles in films made during Hollywood's Gol ...

. After leaving

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...

, Carter returned to New York and found work in television in comedies and dramas and as hostess for the quiz show ''Feather Your Nest'' opposite

Personal life and death

Carter married Carl Prager, a musician and composer, in 1942, but they divorced nine years later. In 1956, she wed Julius Stulman, a New York lumber and shipping tycoon. After their marriage, she retired from show business. The couple remained together until 1994, when Carter, at age 80, died from a

heart attack A myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to the coronary artery of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. The most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may tr ...

Durham, North Carolina Durham ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the county seat of Durham County, North Carolina, Durham County. Small portions of the city limits extend into Orange County, North Carolina, Orange County and Wake County, North Carol ...

Partial filmography

*''

Cadet Girl ''Cadet Girl'' is a 1941 comedy film directed by Ray McCarey and written by Stanley Rauh and H.W. Hanemann. The film stars Carole Landis, George Montgomery, Shepperd Strudwick, William Tracy, Janis Carter and Robert Lowery. The film was release ...

'' (1941) - Mary Moore *''

Secret Agent of Japan ''Secret Agent of Japan'' is a 1942 film directed by Irving Pichel. It was the first American anti-Japanese war film produced by a major studio after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The film stars Preston Foster as a nightclub owner in Shanghai who b ...

'' (1942) - Doris Poole *''

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) - Vesta Hadden *''

I Married an Angel ''I Married An Angel'' is a 1938 musical comedy by Rodgers and Hart. It was adapted from a play by Hungarian playwright János Vaszary, entitled ''Angyalt Vettem Felesegul''. The book was by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, with music by Rodger ...

'' (1942) - Sufi *''

Just Off Broadway ''Just Off Broadway'' is a 1942 Drama (genre), 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 Bea ...

'' (1942) - Lillian Hubbard *'' Girl Trouble'' (1942) - Virginia *'' Thunder Birds'' (1942) - Blonde Red Cross Nurse Trainee *''

That Other Woman ''That Other Woman'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Ray McCarey, written by Jack Jungmeyer, and starring Virginia Gilmore, James Ellison, Dan Duryea, Janis Carter, Alma Kruger and Lon McCallister. It was released on November 13, 19 ...

'' (1942) - Constance Powell *''

Lady of Burlesque ''Lady of Burlesque'' (also known as ''The G-String Murders'' and in the UK, ''Striptease Lady'') is a 1943 American musical comedy-mystery film, produced by RKO Pictures and directed by William A. Wellman and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Micha ...

'' (1943) - Janine *''

Swing Out the Blues ''Swing Out the Blues'' is a 1944 American romantic comedy film directed by Malcolm St. Clair and starring Bob Haymes, Lynn Merrick, and Janis Carter. It was released on May 22, 1938. Plot Cast * Bob Haymes as Rich Cleveland * Lynn Merrick as ...

'' (1943) - Dena Marshall *''

The Ghost That Walks Alone ''The Ghost That Walks Alone'' is a 1944 American comedy mystery film directed by Lew Landers and starring Arthur Lake, Janis Carter and Lynne Roberts.Pitts p.88-89 Main cast * Arthur Lake as Eddie Grant * Janis Carter as Enid Turner * Lyn ...

'' (1944) - Enid Turner *'' The Girl in the Case'' (a.k.a. The Silver Key) (1944) - Myra Warner *''

The Mark of the Whistler ''The Mark of the Whistler'', (aka ''The Marked Man'') is a 1944 American mystery film noir based on the radio drama ''The Whistler''. Directed by William Castle, the production features Richard Dix, Porter Hall and Janis Carter. It is the second ...

'' ( The Marked Man) (1944) - Patricia Henley *''

One Mysterious Night ''One Mysterious Night'' is a 1944 crime film, the seventh in a Columbia Pictures series of fourteen starring Chester Morris as reformed crook Boston Blackie. It was preceded by '' The Chance of a Lifetime'' and followed by ''Boston Blackie Book ...

'' (1944) - Dorothy Anderson *''

The Missing Juror ''The Missing Juror'' is a 1944 American film noir mystery film directed by Budd Boetticher (as Oscar Boetticher Jr.) and starring Jim Bannon, Janis Carter, George Macready and Jean Stevens.Missing Juror, The Monthly Film Bulletin; London Vol. 1 ...

'' (1944) - Alice Hill *'' Together Again'' (1944) - Miss Thorn (uncredited) *''

The Power of the Whistler ''The Power of the Whistler'' is a 1945 film noir thriller film based on the radio drama ''The Whistler''. Directed by Lew Landers, the production features Richard Dix. It is the third of Columbia Pictures' eight " Whistler" films produced in ...

'' (1945) - Jean Lang *'' A Thousand and One Nights'' (1945) - Harem Girl (uncredited) *''

The Fighting Guardsman ''The Fighting Guardsman'' is a 1946 American adventure film directed by Henry Levin. It was a swashbuckler starring Willard Parker based on a novel by Alexander Dumas. Plot A French baron (Willard Parker) leads rebels like a Robin Hood, steal ...

'' (1946) - Christine Roualt *''

One Way to Love ''One Way to Love'' is a 1946 American comedy film starring Willard Parker and Chester Morris. It was directed by Ray Enright Ray Enright (March 25, 1896 – April 3, 1965) was an American film director. He directed 73 films between 1927 ...

'' (1946) - Josie Hart *''

The Notorious Lone Wolf ''The Notorious Lone Wolf'' (1946) is the twelfth Lone Wolf film produced by Columbia Pictures. The picture features Gerald Mohr in his inaugural performance as the protagonist detective Lone Wolf, Janis Carter, and Ian Wolfe as Adam Wainwright, ...

'' (1946) - Carla Winter *''

'' (a.k.a. The Trespasser) (1946) - Jill Merrill *'' Framed'' (1947) - Paula Craig *'' I Love Trouble'' (1948) - Ligia Caprillo aka Jane Breeger aka Janie Joy *''

Slightly French ''Slightly French'' is a 1949 American musical comedy film directed by Douglas Sirk and starring Dorothy Lamour, Don Ameche and Janis Carter.Stern p.59 The screenplay concerns a Hollywood director who recruits an American singer. Plot After cla ...

'' (1949) - Louisa Gayle *''Addio Mimí!'' (1949) - Jeanette *'' Her Wonderful Lie'' (1948) *''

Miss Grant Takes Richmond ''Miss Grant Takes Richmond'' is a 1949 comedy film starring Lucille Ball and William Holden, directed by Lloyd Bacon and released by Columbia Pictures. It was released under the title ''Innocence is Bliss'' in the UK. Plot For Ellen Grant, th ...

'' (1949) - Peggy Donato *''

I Married a Communist ''I Married a Communist'' is a Philip Roth novel concerning the rise and fall of Ira Ringold, known as "Iron Rinn." The story is narrated by Nathan Zuckerman, and is one of a trio of Zuckerman novels Roth wrote in the 1990s depicting the postwar ...

'' (a.k.a. ''The Woman on Pier 13'') (1949) - Christine Norman *''

And Baby Makes Three ''And Baby Makes Three'' is a 1949 American romantic comedy film directed by Henry Levin (film director), Henry Levin and starring Robert Young (actor), Robert Young and Barbara Hale. Plot Jackie Walsh, recently divorced from Vernon Walsh, is t ...

'' (1950) - Wanda York *''

A Woman of Distinction ''A Woman of Distinction'' is a 1950 American romantic comedy film directed by Edward Buzzell and starring Rosalind Russell and Ray Milland. Plot Susan Manning Middlecott is dean of a New England school called Benton College and it is her whole ...

'' (1950) - Teddy Evans *'' Santa Fe'' (1951) - Judith Chandler *''

My Forbidden Past ''My Forbidden Past'' is a 1951 American historical film, historical film noir directed by Robert Stevenson (director), Robert Stevenson and starring Robert Mitchum and Ava Gardner. Adapted by Leopold Atlas from Polan Banks' novel ''Carriage Ent ...

'' (1951) - Corinne Lucas *''

'' (1951) - Joan Kirby *''

The Half-Breed ''The Half-Breed'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Stuart Gilmore and written by Harold Shumate, Richard Wormser and Charles Hoffman. The film stars Robert Young, Janis Carter, Jack Buetel, Barton MacLane, Reed Hadley and Porter ...

'' (1952) - Helen Dowling *''

The Sergeant and the Spy ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

'' (1953) (in German) *'' Double Profile'' (1954) (in German)

References

External links

* * *
Photos of Janis Carter in 'A Thousand and One Nights'
by

Ned Scott Ned Scott (April 16, 1907 – November 24, 1964) was an American photographer who worked in the Hollywood film industry as a still photographer from 1935–1948. As a member of the Camera Club of New York from 1930–34, he was heavily influe ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Carter, Janis 1913 births 1994 deaths 20th-century American actresses 20th-century American singers 20th-century American women singers American film actresses American stage actresses American television personalities Actresses from Cleveland Case Western Reserve University alumni