Verna Martha Wentworth (June 2, 1889 – March 8, 1974) was an American actress. Her vocal variety led to her being called the "Actress of 100 Voices".

Biography

Wentworth was born on June 2, 1889 in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

. After graduating from public school, she attended the National School of Expression. She was one of Minnie Maddern Fiske's proteges and appeared in several stage productions, beginning when she was 17 years old. Wentworth's long radio career began in the early 1920s. She played The Wintergreen Witch on ''

The Cinnamon Bear ''The Cinnamon Bear'' is an old-time radio program produced by Transco (Transcription Company of America), based in Hollywood, California. The series was specifically designed to be listened to six days a week between Thanksgiving and Christma ...

'' (1937) radio program, Annie Wood and Mrs. Littlefield on ''

Crime Classics ''Crime Classics'' is a United States radio docudrama which aired as a sustaining series over CBS Radio from June 15, 1953, to June 30, 1954. Production Produced and directed by radio actor and director Elliott Lewis, the program was a histor ...

'' (1953), and Ma Danields on ''The Gallant Heart'' (1944). She portrayed Joe Penner's mother on ''The Park Avenue Penners''. She also had semi-regular roles on ''

Broadway Is My Beat ''Broadway Is My Beat'', a radio crime drama, ran on CBS from February 27, 1949 to August 1, 1954. With Anthony Ross portraying Times Square Detective Danny Clover, the show originated from New York during its first three months on the air. For ...

'', '' On Stage'', '' The Witch's Tale'', ''

The Baby Snooks Show ''The Baby Snooks Show'' was an American radio program starring comedian and ''Ziegfeld Follies'' alumna Fanny Brice as a mischievous young girl who was 40 years younger than the actress who played her when she first went on the air. The series b ...

'', and ''

The Abbott and Costello Show ''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 ...

''. She voiced Mama Katzenjammer in the

Katzenjammer Kids ''The Katzenjammer Kids'' is an American comic strip created by Rudolph Dirks in 1897 and later drawn by Harold Knerr for 35 years (1914 to 1949).The Captain and the Kids ''The Katzenjammer Kids'' is an American comic strip created by Rudolph Dirks in 1897 and later drawn by Harold Knerr for 35 years (1914 to 1949).Red Ryder Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–740 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a seconda ...

Western 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 ...

films. She is in ''Lassie'' as neighbor Bertha, first aired on March 22, 1959's season 5 episode 29. She voiced roles in two

Walt Disney Productions The Walt Disney Company, commonly known as Disney (), is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered at the Walt Disney Studios complex in Burbank, California. Disney was originally founded on October ...

: Nanny, Queenie the Cow and Lucy the Goose in ''

One Hundred and One Dalmatians ''One Hundred and One Dalmatians'' (also simply known as ''101 Dalmatians'') is a 1961 American animated adventure comedy film produced by Walt Disney Productions and based on the 1956 novel ''The Hundred and One Dalmatians'' by Dodie Smith. The ...

'' (1961) and Madame Mim in '' The Sword in the Stone'' (1963), her final credited film appearance. Wentworth died on March 8, 1974, aged 84.

Selected filmography

*''Poor Little Me'' (1935, short) - Singer (voice, uncredited) *'' Who Killed Cock Robin?'' (1935, short) - Jenny Wren (voice, uncredited) *'' Broken Toys'' (1935, short) -

ZaSu Pitts Zasu Pitts (; January 3, 1894 – June 7, 1963) was an American actress who starred in many silent dramas, including Erich von Stroheim's epic 1924 silent film ''Greed'', and comedies, transitioning successfully to mostly comedy films with the ...

Mae West Mae West (born Mary Jane West; August 17, 1893 – November 22, 1980) was an American stage and film actress, playwright, screenwriter, singer, and sex symbol whose entertainment career spanned over seven decades. She was known for her breezy ...

(voice, uncredited) *''

Bottles A bottle is a narrow-necked container made of an impermeable material (such as glass, plastic or aluminium) in various shapes and sizes that stores and transports liquids. Its mouth, at the bottling line, can be sealed with an internal stopp ...

'' (1936, short) - Witch Hazel (voice, uncredited) *''

The Blow Out ''The Blow Out'' is a 1936 Warner Bros. ''Looney Tunes'' animated short film directed by Tex Avery. The short was released on April 4, 1936, and is the first Porky Pig solo cartoon. Plot As the cartoon opens, a hooded figure appears at the doorw ...

'' (1936, ''

Looney Tunes ''Looney Tunes'' is an American Animated cartoon, animated comedy short film series produced by Warner Bros. starting from 1930 to 1969, concurrently with its partner series ''Merrie Melodies'', during the golden age of American animation.

'' short) - The Mad Bomber (voice, uncredited) *''

Prison Shadows ''Prison Shadows'' is a 1936 American crime film directed by Robert F. Hill and starring Edward J. Nugent, Lucille Lund and Joan Barclay.Pitts p.440 Plot Gene Harris, a prizefighter, is sentenced to five years in prison after killing an opp ...

'' (1936) - Mrs. Murphy (uncredited) *''

I Love to Singa ''I Love to Singa'' is a 1936 Warner Bros. ''Merrie Melodies'' animated cartoon directed by Tex Avery. The short was released on July 18, 1936. Plot ''I Love to Singa'' depicts the story of an owlet (singing voice of Jackie Morrow, speaking voic ...

'' (1936, ''

Merrie Melodies ''Merrie Melodies'' is an American animation, animated series of comedy short films produced by Warner Bros. starting in 1931, during the golden age of American animation, and ending in 1969. Then some new cartoons were produced from the late 197 ...

'' short) - Mother Owl (voice, uncredited) *''The Old House'' (1936, short) - Radio Witch (voice, uncredited) *''

Toby Tortoise Returns ''Toby Tortoise Returns'' is a 1936 animated Technicolor cartoon in Walt Disney's ''Silly Symphonies'' series. It was directed by Wilfred Jackson. It is a sequel to the 1935 short ''The Tortoise and the Hare'', and premiered on August 22, 1936. ...

'' (1936, short) - Jenny Wren (voice, uncredited) *'' At Your Service Madame'' (1936, ''Merrie Melodies'' short) - Mrs. Hamhock (voice, uncredited) *''

Don't Look Now ''Don't Look Now'' ( it, A Venezia... un Dicembre rosso shocking, lit=In Venice... a shocking red December) is a 1973 English-language film in the thriller genre directed by Nicolas Roeg, adapted from the 1971 short story by Daphne du Mauri ...

'' (1936, ''Merrie Melodies'' short) - Lady Woodpecker (voice, uncredited) *''

The CooCoo Nut Grove ''The CooCoo Nut Grove'' is a 1936 Warner Bros. '' Merrie Melodies'' short animated film, set in the famed Cocoanut Grove of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. The cartoon was directed by Friz Freleng, with animation by Robert McKimson and ...

'' (1936, ''Merrie Melodies'' short) - Mae West (voice, uncredited) *''Little Cheeser'' (1936, short) - Mother (voice, uncredited) *''

Pigs Is Pigs "Pigs Is Pigs" is a story by American writer Ellis Parker Butler. First published as a short story in '' American Illustrated Magazine'' in September 1905, "Pigs Is Pigs" went on to dozens of printings as a book and in anthologies over the next ...

'' (1937, ''Merrie Melodies'' short) - Mrs. Hamhock (voice, uncredited) *''The Masque Raid'' (1937, short) - Witch (voice, uncredited) *''Cleaning House'' (1938, short) - Mama (voice, uncredited) *''Blue Monday'' (1938, short) - Mama (voice, uncredited) *''The Captain's Pup'' (1938, short) - Mama (voice, uncredited) *''A Day at the Beach'' (1938, short) - Mama (voice, uncredited) *''Old Smokey'' (1938, short) - Mama (voice, uncredited) *''The Kangaroo Kid'' (1938, short) - Mother Kangaroo (voice, uncredited) *''Petunia Natural Park'' (1939, short) - Mama (voice, uncredited) *''The Bookworm'' (1939, short) - Witch (voice, uncredited) *'' Peace on Earth'' (1939, short) - Mother Squirrel (voice, uncredited) *''

A Rainy Day ''A Rainy Day'' is an American animated short from 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 ...

'' (1940, short) - Mama Bear (voice, uncredited) *''

Waterloo Bridge Waterloo Bridge () is a road and foot traffic bridge crossing the River Thames in London, between Blackfriars Bridge and Hungerford Bridge and Golden Jubilee Bridges. Its name commemorates the victory of the British, Dutch and Prussians at the ...

'' (1940) - Tart on Bridge at the End (uncredited) *''

Wildcat Bus ''Wildcat Bus'' is a 1940 American action film directed by Frank Woodruff and written by Lou Lusty. The film stars Fay Wray, Charles Lang, Paul Guilfoyle, Don Costello and Paul McGrath. The film was released on August 23, 1940, by RKO Pictures. ...

'' (1940) - Mrs. Waters (uncredited) *''Papa Gets the Bird'' (1940, short) - Mama Bear (voice, uncredited) *''

Who Killed Aunt Maggie? ''Who Killed Aunt Maggie?'' is a 1940 American mystery film directed by Arthur Lubin and starring John Hubbard, Wendy Barrie and Mona Barrie. It was produced and distributed by Republic Pictures. Plot Radio-mystery script writer Sally Ambler is ...

'' (1940) - Housekeeper (uncredited) *''

Bowery Blitzkrieg ''Bowery Blitzkrieg'' is a 1941 film and the sixth installment of the East Side Kids series. The film "introduced" Huntz Hall in his first of the East Side Kids film series. It was released in the United Kingdom under the title ''Stand and Deliv ...

'' (1941) - Mrs. Brady *'' Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde'' (1941) - Landlady (uncredited) *''The Field Mouse'' (1941, short) - Ma Mouse (voice, uncredited) *'' Fraidy Cat'' (1942, ''

Tom and Jerry ''Tom and Jerry'' is an American Animated cartoon, animated media franchise and series of comedy short films created in 1940 by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera. Best known for its 161 theatrical short films by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the series c ...

'' short) - woman in "witching hour" radio program (voice, uncredited) *''

The Hungry Wolf The following list is a filmography of all animated short subjects distributed by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) motion picture studio through Loew's Incorporated between 1930 and 1958 and between 1961 and 1967. Between 1937 and 1957, MGM ran an ...

'' (1942, short) - Mother Rabbit (voice, uncredited) *''

The Adventures of Martin Eden ''The Adventures of Martin Eden'' is a 1942 black-and-white adventure film directed by Sidney Salkow and starring Glenn Ford and Claire Trevor. It is based on Jack London's novel ''Martin Eden'' (1909). Premise Martin Eden (Glenn Ford) wants ...

'' (1942) - Proprietress (uncredited) *''

Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book ''Jungle Book'' is a 1942 independent Technicolor action-adventure film by the Korda brothers, loosely adapted from Rudyard Kipling's ''The Jungle Book'' (1894). The story centers on Mowgli, a feral young man who is kidnapped by villagers who ar ...

'' (1942) - White Hood (voice, uncredited) *''

Clancy Street Boys ''Clancy Street Boys'' is a 1943 comedy film directed by William Beaudine and starring the East Side Kids. It is Beaudine's first film with the team; he would direct several more in the series and many in the Bowery Boys canon. Leo Gorcey marrie ...

'' (1943) - Mrs. Molly McGinnis *'' Strange Affair'' (1944) - Proprietress (uncredited) *'' A Tree Grows in Brooklyn'' (1945) - Sheila's Mother (uncredited) *''

Fallen Angel In the Abrahamic religions, fallen angels are angels who were expelled from heaven. The literal term "fallen angel" never appears in any Abrahamic religious texts, but is used to describe angels cast out of heaven"Mehdi Azaiez, Gabriel Said R ...

'' (1945) - Hotel Maid (uncredited) *''

Adventure An adventure is an exciting experience or undertaking that is typically bold, sometimes risky. Adventures may be activities with danger such as traveling, exploring, skydiving, mountain climbing, scuba diving, river rafting, or other extreme spo ...

'' (1945) - Woman (uncredited) *'' The Stranger'' (1946) - Sara *'' Santa Fe Uprising'' (1946) - The Duchess *''

Stagecoach to Denver ''Stagecoach to Denver'' is a 1946 American Western film and one of the Republic Pictures Red Ryder film series directed by R. G. Springsteen. Plot Red is working as a stagecoach driver with one of his passengers being Dickie, a recently orphan ...

'' (1946) - The Duchess (Red's Aunt) *''

Vigilantes of Boomtown ''Vigilantes of Boomtown'' is a 1947 American Western film in the Red Ryder film series directed by R. G. Springsteen, written by Earle Snell, and starring Allan Lane, Robert Blake, Martha Wentworth, Roscoe Karns, Roy Barcroft and Peggy Stewa ...

'' (1947) - Duchess Wentworth *''

Oregon Trail Scouts ''Oregon Trail Scouts'' is a 1947 American Western film in the Red Ryder film series directed by R. G. Springsteen and written by Earle Snell. The film stars Allan Lane, Robert Blake, Martha Wentworth, Roy Barcroft, Emmett Lynn and Edmund Cob ...

'' (1947) - The Duchess *'' Rustlers of Devil's Canyon'' (1947) - The Duchess *'' Marshal of Cripple Creek'' (1947) - The Duchess *''

His Bitter Half ''His Bitter Half'' is a 1950 Warner Bros. ''Merrie Melodies'' short, directed by Friz Freleng with a story by Tedd Pierce. The cartoon was released on May 20, 1950, and stars Daffy Duck. The voices are performed by Mel Blanc and Martha Wentworth ...

'' (1950, ''Merrie Melodies'' short) - Daffy Duck's wife (voice, uncredited) *''

Love Nest ''Love Nest'' is a 1951 American comedy-drama film directed by Joseph Newman and starring June Haver, William Lundigan, Frank Fay, and Marilyn Monroe. The post-World War II comedy features an early supporting role for Monroe. It is one of th ...

'' (1951) - Mrs. Thompson (uncredited) *'' She Couldn't Say No'' (1952) - Mrs. Holbert (uncredited) *''

Young Man with Ideas ''Young Man with Ideas'' is a 1952 romantic comedy film directed by Mitchell Leisen and starring Ruth Roman and Glenn Ford. It was released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The screenplay concern a young small-town lawyer, who moves his family from Monta ...

'' (1952) - Mrs. Hammerty *''Willie the Kid'' (1952, short) - Myrtle Smith (voice, uncredited) *'' You for Me'' (1952) - Lucille's Mother (uncredited) *''

O. Henry's Full House ''O. Henry's Full House'' is a 1952 American anthology film made by 20th Century Fox, consisting of five films, each based on a story by O. Henry. The film was produced by André Hakim and directed by five directors from five screenplays with di ...

'' (1952) - Mrs. O'Brien (segment "The Last Leaf") (uncredited) *''

My Man and I ''My Man and I'' is a 1952 American drama film directed by William Wellman, about an ambitious Mexican immigrant farm laborer ( Ricardo Montalban), who falls in love with an alcoholic waitress (Shelley Winters) despite being pursued by the beautif ...

'' (1952) - Nancy's Landlady (uncredited) *'' The Clown'' (1953) - Neighbor (uncredited) *''

One Girl's Confession ''One Girl's Confession'' is a 1953 low-budget film noir released by Columbia Pictures. The movie stars Cleo Moore and was written, produced, and directed by Hugo Haas who also plays a supporting part in the film. This film was released on DVD ...

'' (1953) - Old Lady *'' The Human Jungle'' (1954) - Marcy, Janitress (uncredited) *''

Jupiter's Darling ''Jupiter's Darling'' is a 1955 American Eastman Color musical film, musical romance film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, MGM and directed by George Sidney filmed in CinemaScope. It starred Esther Williams as the Roman woman Amytis, Howard Keel ...

'' (1955) - Widow Titus *''

Blackboard Jungle ''Blackboard Jungle'' is a 1955 American social drama film about an English teacher in an interracial inner-city school, based on the 1954 novel ''The Blackboard Jungle'' by Evan Hunter and adapted for the screen and directed by Richard Brooks. I ...

'' (1955) - Mrs. Lucy Brophy (uncredited) *''

Artists and Models ''Artists and Models'' is a 1955 American musical romantic comedy film in VistaVision directed by Frank Tashlin, marking Martin and Lewis's 14th feature together as a team. The film co-stars Shirley MacLaine and Dorothy Malone, with Eva Gabor ...

'' (1955) - Fat Lady (uncredited) *''

Good Morning, Miss Dove ''Good Morning, Miss Dove'' is a 1955 DeLuxe Color and CinemaScope film that tells the sentimental story of a beloved schoolteacher who reflects back on her life and former students when she is hospitalized. It stars Jennifer Jones, Robert Stack, ...

'' (1955) - Annie Holloway (uncredited) *''

The Man with the Golden Arm ''The Man with the Golden Arm'' is a 1955 American drama film with elements of film noir directed by Otto Preminger, based on the novel of the same name by Nelson Algren. Starring Frank Sinatra, Eleanor Parker, Kim Novak, Arnold Stang and Darre ...

'' (1955) - Vangie (uncredited) *'' The Killer Is Loose'' (1956) - Apartment House Manager's Wife (uncredited) *''

Rock Around the Clock "Rock Around the Clock" is a rock and roll song in the 12-bar blues format written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers (the latter being under the pseudonym "Jimmy De Knight") in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was record ...

'' (1956) - Miss Anna Dunlap - Chaperone (uncredited) *''

The Desperados Are in Town ''The Desperados Are in Town'' is a 1956 American Western film directed by Kurt Neumann and starring Robert Arthur and Kathleen Nolan. It was a B movie made for the bottom half of double bills. It was known as ''The Outlaws are in Town''. K ...

'' (1956) - Mrs. Joan Tawson (uncredited) *'' Monkey on My Back'' (1957) - Landlady (uncredited) *''

The Daughter of Dr. Jekyll ''Daughter of Dr. Jekyll'' is a low-budget black-and-white 1957 American horror film produced by Jack Pollexfen, directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and released by Allied Artists. The film is a variation on the 1886 gothic novella '' Strange Case of D ...

'' (1957) - Mrs. Felicity Merchant *''

Go, Johnny, Go! ''Go, Johnny, Go!'' is a 1959 rock and roll film starring Alan Freed as a talent scout searching for a future rock and roll star. Co-starring in the film are Jimmy Clanton, Sandy Stewart, and Chuck Berry. The film has also been released as ''Joh ...

'' (1959) - Mrs. Kimberley McGillicuddy *'' The Beatniks'' (1960) - Nadine *''

'' (1961) - Nanny / Queenie / Lucy (voice) *'' The Sword in the Stone'' (1963) - Old Lady Squirrel / Madam Mim / Scullery Maid (voice) *''

Mary Poppins It may refer to: * ''Mary Poppins'' (book series), the original 1934–1988 children's fantasy novels that introduced the character. * Mary Poppins (character), the nanny with magical powers. * ''Mary Poppins'' (film), a 1964 Disney film sta ...

'' (1964) - Cockney Cow (voice) (final film role)

References

* Wollstein, Hans J., ''

AllMovie AllMovie (previously All Movie Guide) is an online database with information about films, television programs, and screen actors. , AllMovie.com and the AllMovie consumer brand are owned by RhythmOne. History AllMovie was founded by popular-cult ...

''.

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Wentworth, Martha 1889 births 1974 deaths 20th-century American actresses Actresses from New York City American film actresses American radio actresses American television actresses Warner Bros. Cartoons voice actors