Louise Campbell Weisbecker (May 30, 1911 – November 5, 1997) was an American actress. Despite her success in Hollywood, she made it clear she preferred the stage. Campbell was a leading lady in the late 1930s films, notably ''

Bulldog Drummond Comes Back ''Bulldog Drummond Comes Back'' is a 1937 American adventure mystery film starring John Howard as the English adventurer/crime-solver Bulldog Drummond. John Barrymore plays Drummond's friend Colonel Nielsen and is actually Top-billed in the pict ...

'' (1937) and '' The Star Maker'' (1939).

Early years

Campbell was born Louise Weisbecker in Chicago, Illinois. She had a sister named Ottilia. Campbell attended St. Michael's School. Northwestern University] and DePaul University, studying dramatic arts at the latter. She gained additional dramatic training at the Chicago School of Expression. She said that when she was 6 years old, she decided to be an actress after she watched a production of ''Uncle Tom's Cabin''. At one point, she worked as a dental assistant, an experience which she said was "invaluable to me in my acting" as she observed changes in patients' facial expressions in the dentist's office, with their changing expressions displaying "their real character."

Stage

Campbell gained early theatrical experience by performing in stock theater. Her Broadway debut was in ''

Three Men on a Horse ''Three Men on a Horse'' is a three-act farce co-authored by John Cecil Holm and George Abbott. The comedy focuses on a man who discovers he has a talent for choosing the winning horse in a race as long as he never places a bet himself. Originally ...

'' (1935). Her other Broadway credits include ''Julie the Great'', ''Guest in the House'' (1941), ''A House in the Country'' (1936) and ''White Man'' (1936). A column in the June 13, 1942, issue of ''Billboard'' complimented "Louise Campbell, that fine actress, for a lovely, beautifully projected, altogether excellent performance in ''Guest in the House''."

Film

Campbell went to Hollywood in 1937 and made 13 films in the 1930s and 1940s. Her film debut was in ''

'' (1937). Her film credits included ''Bulldog Drummond'' sequels ''

Night Club Scandal ''Night Club Scandal'' is a 1937 American thriller film directed by Ralph Murphy and written by Lillie Hayward. The film stars John Barrymore, Lynne Overman, Louise Campbell (actress), Louise Campbell, Charles Bickford, Harvey Stephens, J. Carrol ...

'' (1937), ''

Men with Wings ''Men With Wings'' is a 1938 American Technicolor war film, directed by William A. Wellman and starring Fred MacMurray, Ray Milland, and Louise Campbell. Donald O'Connor also has a small part as the younger version of MacMurray's character. The ...

'' (1938), '' The Buccaneer'' (1938) with

Fredric March Fredric March (born Ernest Frederick McIntyre Bickel; August 31, 1897 – April 14, 1975) was an American actor, regarded as one of Hollywood's most celebrated, versatile stars of the 1930s and 1940s.Obituary ''Variety'', April 16, 1975, p ...

, and '' The Star Maker'' (1939).

Personal life

Campbell was married to actor

Horace McMahon Horace McMahon (May 17, 1906 – August 17, 1971) was an American actor. He was one of Hollywood's favorite heavies. McMahon began his acting career on Broadway, then appeared in many films and television series. In 1962, he received a P ...

, whom she met when they were both in the Broadway play ''Three Men on a Horse''. They wed in 1938 and remained married until his death in 1971.

Death

Campbell died November 5, 1997 in Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Connecticut. She is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery in Norwalk, Connecticut.

Filmography

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Campbell, Louise 1911 births American film actresses 1997 deaths American stage actresses Actresses from Chicago 20th-century American actresses