Lois Collier (born Madelyn Earle Jones; March 21, 1919 – October 27, 1999) was an American actress born in

Salley, South Carolina Salley is a town in Aiken County, South Carolina, Aiken County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 398 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area. Salley is known for hosting the chitterlings, Chitlin St ...

. She was sometimes credited as Lois Collyer.

Early years

Collier's father was Ernest Jones, a pharmacist, of

. Chaperoned by her grandmother, she visited Hollywood when she was 15, later describing herself as "movie-struck" at the time. She attended

Limestone College Limestone University, formerly Limestone College, is a private Christian university in Gaffney, South Carolina. It was established in 1845 by Thomas Curtis, a distinguished scholar born and educated in England. Limestone was the first women's ...

Gaffney, South Carolina Gaffney is a city in and the seat of Cherokee County, South Carolina, United States, in the Upstate region of South Carolina. Gaffney is known as the "Peach Capital of South Carolina". The population was 12,539 at the 2010 census, with an esti ...

Film

Collier's acting career started at age 19 in 1938, when she had a small but credited role in ''A Desperate Adventure'', starring

Ramon Novarro José Ramón Gil Samaniego (February 6, 1899 – October 30, 1968), known professionally as Ramon Novarro, was a Mexican-American actor. He began his career in silent films in 1917 and eventually became a leading man and one of the top box ...

and

Marian Marsh Marian Marsh (born Violet Ethelred Krauth; October 17, 1913 – November 9, 2006) was a Trinidad-born American film actress and later an environmentalist. Early life Violet Ethelred Krauth was born on October 17, 1913, in Trinidad, British ...

. From 1940 through 1949, her career would be active and somewhat successful, with her playing mostly

heroine A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength. Like other formerly gender-specific terms (like ''actor''), ''hero ...

roles 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 ...

. Her best known film is probably ''

A Night in Casablanca ''A Night in Casablanca'' is a 1946 film starring the Marx Brothers: (Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx and Chico Marx). The picture was directed by Archie Mayo, and written by Joseph Fields and Roland Kibbee. ...

'' (1946) starring the

Marx Brothers The Marx Brothers were an American family comedy act that was successful in vaudeville, on Broadway, and in motion pictures from 1905 to 1949. Five of the Marx Brothers' thirteen feature films were selected by the American Film Institute (AFI) ...

. During the 1940s, she often starred opposite western stars Bob Steele,

Tom Tyler Tom Tyler (born Vincent Markowski; August 9, 1903 – May 1, 1954) was an American actor known for his leading roles in low-budget Western films in the silent and sound eras, and for his portrayal of superhero Captain Marvel in the 1941 ...

, and Dennis Moore. In 1950, she starred in the

sci-fi Science fiction (sometimes shortened to Sci-Fi or SF) is a genre of speculative fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel universe ...

serial ''The

Flying Disc Man from Mars ''Flying Disc Man from Mars'' is a 1950 Republic Pictures 12-chapter black-and-white science fiction adventure film serial, produced by Franklin Adreon, directed by Fred C. Brannon, that stars Walter Reed, Lois Collier, Gregory Gaye, James Crav ...

''. Collier was sometimes called the Fourth Mesquiteer because seven of Republic Pictures' ''

The Three Mesquiteers ''The Three Mesquiteers'' is the umbrella title for a Republic Pictures series of 51 American Western B-movies released between 1936 and 1943. The films, featuring a trio of Old West adventurers, was based on a series of Western novels by W ...

'' movies featured her as the female lead.

Radio

Collier played Carol in the soap opera ''Dear John'', which ran on

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainm ...

in the 1930s and 1940s. Beginning December 6, 1948, she was featured in ''You'', a program on KMGM in

Los Angeles, California 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' ...

Television

In 1949, Collier co-starred in ''City Desk'', a drama about activity in the newsroom of a newspaper. From 1950 through 1957, she starred mostly on

television series A television show – or simply TV show – is any content produced for viewing on a television set which can be broadcast via over-the-air, satellite television, satellite, or cable television, cable, excluding breaking news, television adverti ...

episodes. She played Mary, the hero's girlfriend and sidekick, in 58 episodes of the television series '' Boston Blackie'', which ran from 1951 to 1954. She retired from acting after 1957.

Personal life

Collier was married to bank executive Robert A. Duncan. She was granted a divorce from him on September 3, 1943. On August 4, 1945, Collier married to Robert Jackson Oakley, an agent for actors. They divorced in 1956.

Death

Collier died of

Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegeneration, neurodegenerative disease that usually starts slowly and progressively worsens. It is the cause of 60–70% of cases of dementia. The most common early symptom is difficulty in short-term me ...

on October 27, 1999, while living in a retired actors community in

Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California Woodland Hills is a neighborhood bordering the Santa Monica Mountains in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California. Geography Woodland Hills is in the southwestern region of the San Fernando Valley, which is located east of Ca ...

. She was 80 years old.

Filmography

Film

*''

Women Must Dress Women Must Dress is a 1935 American romantic comedy Romantic comedy (also known as romcom or rom-com) is a subgenre of comedy and slice of life fiction, focusing on lighthearted, humorous plot lines centered on romantic ideas, such as how tr ...

'' (1935) – Model *''A Desperate Adventure'', aka ''It Happened in Paris'' (UK) (1938) – Angela *''

Girls of the Road Girls of the Road is a 1940 American action film, based on an original screenplay by Robert Hardy Andrews, directed by Nick Grinde, and produced by Wallace MacDonald. The main characters of the 61–minute Columbia Pictures feature film were ten f ...

'' (1940) – Road Girl (uncredited) *''

Ice-Capades ''Ice-Capades'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Joseph Santley and starring James Ellison, Phil Silvers, and Barbara Jo Allen. Its score, composed by Cy Feuer, was nominated for the Best Scoring of a Musical Picture. The film's sets ...

'', aka ''Music in the Moonlight'' (US: reissue title) (1941) – Audition Girl (uncredited) *''

Outlaws of Cherokee Trail ''Outlaws of Cherokee Trail'' is a 1941 American Western "Three Mesquiteers" B-movie directed by Lester Orlebeck. Cast * Tom Tyler as Stony Brooke * Bob Steele as Tucson Smith * Rufe Davis as Lullaby Joslin * Lois Collier as Doris Sheldon ...

'' (1941) – Doris Sheldon *''Sailors on Leave'' (1941) – Pretty Brunette (uncredited) *''

Gauchos of El Dorado ''Gauchos of Eldorado'' is a 1941 American Western " Three Mesquiteers" B-movie directed by Lester Orlebeck. Cast * Bob Steele as Tucson Smith * Tom Tyler as Stony Brooke * Rufe Davis as Lullaby Joslin * Lois Collier as Ellen * Duncan Renal ...

'' (1941) – Ellen *''

West of Cimarron ''West of Cimarron'' is a 1941 American Western "Three Mesquiteers" B-movie directed by Lester Orlebeck and starring Bob Steele, Tom Tyler, and Rufe Davis. Cast * Bob Steele as Tucson Smith * Tom Tyler as Stony Brooke * Rufe Davis as Lu ...

'' (1941) – Doris Conway *''

Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case ''Mr. District Attorney in the Carter Case'' is a 1941 American crime film directed by Bernard Vorhaus and written by Sidney Sheldon and Ben Roberts. The film stars James Ellison, Virginia Gilmore, Franklin Pangborn, Paul Harvey, Lynne Carver ...

'' (1941) – Receptionist (uncredited) *''Blondie Goes to College'', aka ''The Boss Said 'No (UK) (1942) – Coed (uncredited) *''

A Tragedy at Midnight ''A Tragedy at Midnight'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Joseph Santley and written by Isabel Dawn. The film stars John Howard, Margaret Lindsay, Roscoe Karns, Mona Barrie, Keye Luke and Hobart Cavanaugh. The film was released on ...

'' (1942) – (uncredited) *''

The Man Who Returned to Life ''The Man Who Returned to Life'' is a 1942 American black-and-white drama film directed by Lew Landers, written by Gordon Rigby and released by Columbia Pictures. Plot David Jameson lives in a rural town in Maryland. He is forced to flee afte ...

'' (1942) – Mary Tuller (uncredited) *''

Yokel Boy ''Yokel Boy'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Joseph Santley and written by Isabel Dawn. It is based on the 1939 play ''Yokel Boy'' by Lew Brown. The film stars Albert Dekker, Joan Davis, Eddie Foy Jr., Alan Mowbray, Roscoe Karns an ...

'' (1942), aka ''Hitting the Headlines'' (UK) – Stewardess (uncredited) *''

Raiders of the Range ''Raiders of the Range'' is a 1942 American Western "Three Mesquiteers" B-movie directed by John English. Cast * Bob Steele as Tucson Smith * Tom Tyler as Stony Brooke * Rufe Davis as Lullaby Joslin * Lois Collier as Jean Travers * Frank ...

'' (1942) – Jean Travers *''The Affairs of Jimmy Valentine'', aka ''Unforgotten Crime'' (US: TV title) (1942) – Receptionist *''

The Courtship of Andy Hardy ''The Courtship of Andy Hardy'' is a 1942 film, part of the Andy Hardy series. It gave an early role to Donna Reed although Mickey Rooney had lobbied for his then-wife Ava Gardner to have her part. Within a few months of the film's release, she ...

'' (1942) – Cynthia, Girl at the Dance (uncredited) *'' Westward Ho'' (1942) – Anne Henderson *''

The Phantom Plainsmen ''The Phantom Plainsmen'' is a 1942 American Western "Three Mesquiteers" B-movie directed by John English and starring Bob Steele, Tom Tyler, and Rufe Davis. Cast * Bob Steele as Tucson Smith * Tom Tyler as Stony Brooke * Rufe Davis as Lul ...

'' (1942) – Judy Barrett *''My Son, the Hero'' (1943) – Nancy Cavanaugh *'' Santa Fe Scouts'' (1943) – Claire Robbins *''

Get Going ''Get Going'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Jean Yarbrough and written by Warren Wilson. The film stars Robert Paige, Grace McDonald, Barbara Jo Allen, Walter Catlett, Maureen Cannon, Lois Collier and Milburn Stone. The film was re ...

'' (1943) – Doris *''

Young Ideas ''Young Ideas'' is a 1943 American romantic comedy film directed by Jules Dassin and starring Susan Peters, Herbert Marshall and Mary Astor Mary Astor (born Lucile Vasconcellos Langhanke; May 3, 1906 – September 25, 1987) was an American ...

'' (1943) – Co-ed (uncredited) *''

She's for Me ''She's for Me'' is a 1943 American musical film directed by Reginald LeBorg and starring Grace McDonald and David Bruce. Plot Two attorneys are attracted to the same client Cast * Grace McDonald as Jan Lawton * David Bruce as Michael Ree ...

'' (1943) – Eileen Crane *''

Ladies Courageous ''Ladies Courageous'' (also called ''Fury in the Sky'' in a 1950 Realart re-release) is a 1944 war film based on the novel ''Looking For Trouble'' (1941) by Virginia Spencer Cowles. Directed by John Rawlins, the film stars Loretta Young and Gera ...

'' (1944) – Jill *''

Weird Woman ''Weird Woman'' is a 1944 Inner Sanctum film noir mystery and horror film directed by Reginald Le Borg and starring Lon Chaney Jr., Anne Gwynne, and Evelyn Ankers. The "Inner Sanctum" franchise originated with a popular radio series and all ...

'' (1944) – Margret Mercer *''Prices Unlimited'' (1944, Short) *'' Follow the Boys'' (1944) – Herself (uncredited) *''

Cobra Woman ''Cobra Woman'' is a 1944 American South Seas adventure film from Universal Pictures, directed by Robert Siodmak that stars Maria Montez, Jon Hall, and Sabu. Shot in Technicolor, this film is typical of Montez's career at Universal, and, altho ...

'' (1944) – Veeda *''

Jungle Woman ''Jungle Woman'' is a 1944 American horror film directed by Reginald LeBorg. The film stars Evelyn Ankers, J. Carrol Naish, Samuel S. Hinds, Lois Collier, Milburn Stone, and Douglass Dumbrille. The film involves Dr. Carl Fletcher who is in ...

'' (1944) – Joan Fletcher *'' Jungle Queen'' (1945, Serial) – Pamela Courtney *''

The Naughty Nineties ''The Naughty Nineties'' is a 1945 American film starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello. The film is noteworthy for containing a filmed version of the duo's famous " Who's on First?" routine. This version is shown at the National Baseba ...

'' (1945) – Miss Caroline Jackson *''

Penthouse Rhythm ''Penthouse Rhythm'' is a 1945 American comedy film directed by Edward F. Cline and written by Stanley Roberts and Howard Dimsdale. The film stars Kirby Grant, Lois Collier, Edward Norris, Maxie Rosenbloom, Eric Blore, Minna Gombell and Edwa ...

'' (1945) – Linda Reynolds, Junior's Secretary *''

The Crimson Canary ''The Crimson Canary'' is a 1945 American mystery film directed by John Hoffman and written by Henry Blankfort and Peggy Phillips. The film stars Noah Beery Jr., Lois Collier, John Litel, Steven Geray, Claudia Drake and Danny Morton. The film ...

'' (1945) – Jean Walker *'' Girl on the Spot'' (1946) – Kathy Lorenz *''

'' (1946) – Annette *'' The Cat Creeps'' (1946) – Gay Elliott *''Wild Beauty'' (1946) – Linda Gibson *'' Slave Girl'' (1947) – Aleta *'' Arthur Takes Over'' (1948) – Margaret Bixby *'' Out of the Storm'' (1948) – Ginny Powell *'' Miss Mink of 1949'' (1949) – Alice Forrester *''

Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes a Chance ''Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes a Chance'' is a 1950 American film directed by Jean Yarbrough. It was part of the '' Joe Palooka'' series. Plot Knobby Walsh manages the champ, but unless he agrees to promoter Gordon Rogers' demand for 30 percent ...

'' (1950) – Anne Howe Palooka *''

'' (1950, Serial) – Helen Hall *''

Rhythm Inn ''Rhythm Inn'' is a 1951 American film starring Jane Frazee. Plot A bandleader desperate to get his musicians' instruments out of hock promises a pawnbroker that his star singer will give him a private performance. Cast * Jane Frazee as Carol ...

'' (1951) – Betty Parker

Television

* '' Dick Tracy'' – Fluff (4 episodes, 1950) * ''Joe Palooka in Humphrey Takes a Chance'' (1950) – Anne Howe Palooka * ''Rhythm Inn'' (1951) – Betty Parker * ''The Unexpected'' – "Beyond Belief" (1952) * '' Boston Blackie'' – Mary Wesley (58 episodes, 1951–1953) * ''Letter to Loretta'' – "600 Seconds" (1955) (as Lois Collyer) Gloria Joy * ''Cavalcade of America'' – "Sunrise on a Dirty Face" (1955) – Marion * ''Damon Runyon Theater'' – "A Job for Macarone" (1955) – Mary Peering * ''

Cheyenne The Cheyenne ( ) are an Indigenous people of the Great Plains. Their Cheyenne language belongs to the Algonquian language family. Today, the Cheyenne people are split into two federally recognized nations: the Southern Cheyenne, who are enroll ...

'' – "West of the River" (1956) – Ruth McKeever * ''

Screen Directors Playhouse ''Screen Directors Playhouse'' (sometimes written as ''Screen Directors' Playhouse'') is an American radio and television anthology series which brought leading Hollywood actors to the NBC microphones beginning in 1949. The radio program broadcas ...

'' – " The Sword of Villon"'' (1956) – Elaine * '' It's a Great Life'' – "Operation for Earl" (1956) – Nurse * ''Strange Stories'' (1 episode, 1956) – "Con Game" (1956) * '' Broken Arrow'' (1 episode, 1957) – Johnny Flagstaff * ''

The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show ''The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show'', sometimes called ''The Burns and Allen Show'', was a half-hour television situation comedy broadcast from 1950 to 1958 on CBS. It starred George Burns and Gracie Allen, one of the most enduring acts in ...

'' **"Ronnie Gets an Agent" (1956) – Devlin's Secretary **"The Plumber's Union" (1957) – Julie Ames * ''

The Web The World Wide Web (WWW), commonly known as the Web, is an information system enabling documents and other web resources to be accessed over the Internet. Documents and downloadable media are made available to the network through web se ...

'' (1 episode, 1957) – Easy Money (final appearance) * ''Missile Monsters'' (1958) re-edited feature version of the 1950 serial ''Flying Disc Man from Mars''

References

External links

* * *
Lois Collier
at b-westerns.com {{DEFAULTSORT:Collier, Lois 1919 births 1999 deaths American film actresses American radio actresses American television actresses People from Aiken County, South Carolina 20th-century American actresses Western (genre) film actresses Limestone University alumni Film serial actresses