Marion Suplee (born June 7, 1909 – August 13, 1985) known professionally as Marion Martin was an American film and stage actress.

Biography

Martin was born in

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Sinc ...

, the daughter of a

Bethlehem Steel The Bethlehem Steel Corporation was an American steelmaking company headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. For most of the 20th century, it was one of the world's largest steel producing and shipbuilding companies. At the height of its succe ...

executive. She became an actress after her family fortune was lost in the

Wall Street Crash of 1929 The Wall Street Crash of 1929, also known as the Great Crash, was a major American stock market crash that occurred in the autumn of 1929. It started in September and ended late in October, when share prices on the New York Stock Exchange colla ...

, and appeared in the

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 ...

productions ''Lombardi Ltd.'' and '' Sweet Adeline''. She made her film debut in ''She's My Lillie, I'm Her Willie'' and subsequently played minor roles, often as showgirls. Several of her early roles were in musicals and she achieved some success as a singer. By the end of the decade she had played leading female roles in several "B" pictures, playing one of her most notable roles in

James Whale James Whale (22 July 1889 – 29 May 1957) was an English film director, theatre director and actor, who spent the greater part of his career in Cinema of the United States, Hollywood. He is best remembered for several horror films: ''Fran ...

's ''

Sinners in Paradise ''Sinners in Paradise'' is a 1938 American south seas adventure film directed by James Whale and starring Madge Evans, John Boles, Bruce Cabot, Marion Martin and Gene Lockhart. In 1966, the film entered the public domain in the United States b ...

'' (1938). Despite her success she was often cast in minor roles in more widely seen films such as ''

His Girl Friday ''His Girl Friday'' is a 1940 American screwball comedy directed by Howard Hawks, starring Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell and featuring Ralph Bellamy and Gene Lockhart. It was released by Columbia Pictures. The plot centers on a newspaper edito ...

'' (1940). The majority of her roles were in comedies but she also appeared in dramas such as ''

Boom Town A boomtown is a community that undergoes sudden and rapid population and economic growth, or that is started from scratch. The growth is normally attributed to the nearby discovery of a precious resource such as gold, silver, or oil, although ...

'' (1940) in which she played a dance hall singer who is briefly romanced by

Clark Gable William Clark Gable (February 1, 1901November 16, 1960) was an American film actor, often referred to as "The King of Hollywood". He had roles in more than 60 motion pictures in multiple genres during a career that lasted 37 years, three decades ...

. She played secondary roles in three

Lupe Vélez María Guadalupe Villalobos Vélez (July 18, 1908 – December 13, 1944), known professionally as Lupe Vélez, was a Mexican actress, singer and dancer during the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema. Vélez began her career as a performer in Mexican ...

Mexican Spitfire ''Mexican Spitfire'' refers to a series of eight comedy films released by RKO Pictures between 1940 and 1943 starring Lupe Vélez and Leon Errol. The movies featured the character of ''Carmelita Lindsay'' (Lupe Vélez), a sympathetic and tempera ...

" films in the early 1940s, and was a comic foil for 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) ...

in ''

The Big Store ''The Big Store'' is a 1941 American comedy film starring the Marx Brothers (Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx and Chico Marx) that takes place in a large department store. Groucho appears as private detective Wolf J. Flywheel (a character name originatin ...

'', where the back of her skirt is cut away by Harpo. MarionMartinLadyofBurlesque

She played a ghost in ''Gildersleeve's Ghost'', and was the subject of a legendary fistfight between Gildersleeve star

Harold Peary Harold "Hal" Peary (July 25, 1908 – March 30, 1985) was an American actor, comedian and singer in radio, films, television, and animation. His most memorable role is as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve, which began as a supporting character on r ...

and Warner Bros studio mogul Bud Stevens at the Mocambo nightclub in 1943. Her more substantial roles included Alice Angel, a dizzy showgirl, in the murder mystery ''

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 Mich ...

'' with

Barbara Stanwyck Barbara Stanwyck (; born Ruby Catherine Stevens; July 16, 1907 – January 20, 1990) was an American actress, model and dancer. A stage, film, and television star, during her 60-year professional career she was known for her strong, realistic sc ...

and '' Angel on My Shoulder''. She also appeared in ''

The Big Street ''The Big Street'' is a 1942 American drama film starring Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball, based on the 1940 short story "Little Pinks" by Damon Runyon, who also produced it. It was directed by Irving Reis from a screenplay by Leonard Spigelgass. ...

'' (1942) with

Lucille Ball Lucille Désirée Ball (August 6, 1911 – April 26, 1989) was an American actress, comedienne and producer. She was nominated for 13 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning five times, and was the recipient of several other accolades, such as the Golden ...

, in the western ''

The Woman of the Town ''The Woman of the Town'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by George Archainbaud and written by Aeneas MacKenzie. The film stars Claire Trevor, Albert Dekker, Barry Sullivan, Henry Hull, Porter Hall, Percy Kilbride and Clem Bevans. ...

'' with

Claire Trevor Claire Trevor ( Wemlinger; March 8, 1910April 8, 2000) was an American actress. She appeared in 65 feature films from 1933 to 1982, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in ''Key Largo'' (1948), and received nomina ...

and in ''

The Great Mike ''The Great Mike'' is a 1944 American film directed by Wallace Fox. The film is also known as ''Great Mike Wins'' (American TV title). Plot summary Young Jimmy Dolan, who sounds like he's about to burst into tears any minute throughout the film ...

'' at PRC in 1944. By the late 1940s, her roles were often minor.

Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical farce and slapstick. Six Stooges appeared ...

fans will remember her as western cowgirl Gladys in ''

Merry Mavericks ''Merry Mavericks'' is a 1951 short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). It is the 133rd entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures Col ...

''. She played "Belle Farnol" in a 1950 episode of ''

The Lone Ranger The Lone Ranger is a fictional masked former Texas Ranger who fought outlaws in the American Old West with his Native American friend Tonto. The character has been called an enduring icon of American culture. He first appeared in 1933 in ...

'' entitled "Pardon for Curley". Shortly afterward, she made her final film appearance in 1952. Married to a physicist, Martin retired, and although she expressed the desire to return to show business, suitable roles were not offered to her.

Personal

She was awarded a star at 6915 Hollywood Boulevard on the

Hollywood Walk of Fame The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historic landmark which consists of more than 2,700 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks along 15 blocks of Hollywood Boulevard and three blocks of Vine Street in Hollywood, Californ ...

for her contributions to motion pictures. She died of cardiac arrest in 1985 in Los Angeles, California, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in

Culver City Culver City is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,779. Founded in 1917 as a "whites only" sundown town, it is now an ethnically diverse city with what was called the "third-most ...

, California.

Partial filmography

* ''

Crime Without Passion ''Crime Without Passion'' is a 1934 American drama film directed by Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur and starring Claude Rains. It is the first of four pictures written, produced and directed by Hecht and MacArthur for Paramount Pictures. Sixt ...

'' (1934) as Theatre Cashier (uncredited) * ''

'' (1938) as Iris Compton * ''

Personal Secretary ''Personal Secretary'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Otis Garrett and written by Betty Laidlaw, Robert Lively and Charles Grayson. The film stars William Gargan, Joy Hodges, Andy Devine, Ruth Donnelly, Samuel S. Hinds and Fran ...

'' (1938) as Girl in Office (uncredited) * ''

Youth Takes a Fling ''Youth Takes a Fling'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Archie Mayo and starring Joel McCrea. McCrea plays Joe Meadows, whose only ambition as a Kansas farm boy was a life at sea. He moves to New York to try to get a job as a sailo ...

'' (1938) as Girl on Beach * '' The Storm'' (1938) as Jane, Bar Girl * ''

His Exciting Night ''His Exciting Night'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by Gus Meins and written by Pat C. Flick, Edward Eliscu and Morton Grant. It is based on the 1934 play ''Adam's Evening'' by Katharine Kavanaugh. The film stars Charlie Ruggles, Ric ...

'' (1938) as Gypsy McCoy * ''

Pirates of the Skies ''Pirates of the Skies'' (aka ''Plane 66'') is a 1939 American action film directed by Joseph A. McDonough and written by Lester Cole and Ben Grauman Kohn. The film stars Kent Taylor, Rochelle Hudson, Regis Toomey, Marion Martin, Samuel S. Hinds ...

'' (1939) as Kitty * ''

Sergeant Madden ''Sergeant Madden'' is a 1939 film noir forerunner directed by Josef von Sternberg and starring Wallace Beery. The supporting cast in this dark police crime drama, noted for its imaginative and evocative cinematography, includes Tom Brown, Lara ...

'' (1939) as Charlotte LePage * ''

Invitation to Happiness Invitation or The Invitation may refer to: Films * ''Invitation'' (1952 film), an MGM film starring Dorothy McGuire and Van Johnson * ''The Invitation'' (1973 film), a Swiss film * ''The Invitation'' (2003 film), an American film starring Lance H ...

'' (1939) as Lola Snow * '' The Man in the Iron Mask'' (1939) as Mlle. de la Valliere * ''

Invisible Stripes ''Invisible Stripes'' is a 1939 Warner Bros. crime film starring George Raft as a gangster unable to go straight after returning home from prison. The movie was directed by Lloyd Bacon and also features William Holden, Jane Bryan and Humphrey ...

'' (1939) as Blonde (uncredited) * ''

'' (1940) as Evangeline (uncredited) * ''

Women in War ''Women in War'' is a 1940 American war film about the nurses of the British Voluntary Aid Detachment during the Battle of France. Directed by John H. Auer and starring Wendy Barrie, Elsie Janis and Patric Knowles, it was nominated for an Osc ...

'' (1940) as Starr's Date (uncredited) * '' Untamed'' (1940) as 2nd Girl in Limousine (uncredited) * '' Scatterbrain'' (1940) (uncredited) * ''

'' (1940) as Whitey * ''

Ellery Queen, Master Detective ''Ellery Queen, Master Detective'' is a 1940 American mystery film directed by Kurt Neumann (director), Kurt Neumann and written by Eric Taylor (screenwriter), Eric Taylor. The film stars Ralph Bellamy, Margaret Lindsay, Charley Grapewin, James Bu ...

'' (1940) as Cornelia * ''

Tall, Dark and Handsome "Tall, dark, and handsome" is a phrase that refers to an appealing man, often found in romantic fiction aimed at women. History The term came to prominent use in the early 1900s and was commonly used in Hollywood during the 1920s to describe Ru ...

'' (1941) as Dawn * ''

Blonde Inspiration ''Blonde Inspiration'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Busby Berkeley and written by Marion Parsonnet. The film stars John Shelton, Virginia Grey, Albert Dekker, Charles Butterworth, and Donald Meek. The film was released on February ...

'' (1941) as Wanda * ''

The Lady from Cheyenne ''The Lady from Cheyenne'' is a 1941 American comedy western film directed by Frank Lloyd and starring Loretta Young, Robert Preston and Edward Arnold. Plot In the 1860s, after receiving an inheritance a Philadelphia Quaker school teacher h ...

'' (1941) as Gertie (uncredited) * ''

'' (1941) as Peggy Arden * '' Cracked Nuts'' (1941) as Flashy Blonde in Corridor (uncredited) * ''

Lady Scarface ''Lady Scarface'' is a 1941 American crime drama film that was directed by Frank Woodruff and starred Dennis O'Keefe, Judith Anderson, and Frances Neal. Plot The scar-faced gangster Slade is on the loose. Lieutenant Bill Mason travels to a ho ...

'' (1941) as Ruby, aka Mary Jordan * ''

New Wine New Wine is a not-for-profit Christian evangelical organization based in the United Kingdom, that assists Christian churches with organizational leadership training and fundraising. The organization also holds its own annual summer conferences, ...

'' (1941) as Mitzi * ''

Weekend for Three ''Week-End for Three'' is a 1941 comedy film directed by Irving Reis and starring Dennis O'Keefe and Jane Wyatt. Cast *Dennis O'Keefe as Jim Craig *Jane Wyatt as Ellen *Phillip Reed as Randy *Edward Everett Horton as Stonebraker *ZaSu Pitts as An ...

'' (1941) as Mrs. Weatherby * '' The Mexican Spitfire's Baby'' (1941) as Fifi * '' Harvard, Here I Come!'' (1941) as Oomphie (uncredited) * '' Fly-by-Night'' (1942) as Blond Nurse * '' Call Out the Marines'' (1942) as Pretty Blonde on Tour (uncredited) * '' Mexican Spitfire at Sea'' (1942) as Fifi Russell * '' Powder Town'' (1942) as Sue, Blonde Piano Player * ''

Tales of Manhattan ''Tales of Manhattan'' is a 1942 American anthology film directed by Julien Duvivier. Thirteen writers, including Ben Hecht, Alan Campbell, Ferenc Molnár, Samuel Hoffenstein, and Donald Ogden Stewart, worked on the six stories in this film. Ba ...

'' (1942) as 'Squirrel' * ''

'' (1942) as Mimi Venus * ''

Mexican Spitfire's Elephant ''Mexican Spitfire's Elephant'' is a 1942 American comedy film directed by Leslie Goodwins and written by Charles E. Roberts. It is the sequel to the 1942 film '' Mexican Spitfire Sees a Ghost''. The film stars Lupe Vélez, Leon Errol, Walter Re ...

'' (1942) as Diana De Corro * ''

Star Spangled Rhythm ''Star Spangled Rhythm'' is a 1942 American all-star cast musical film made by Paramount Pictures during World War II as a morale booster. Many of the Hollywood studios produced such films during the war, generally musicals, frequently with flims ...

'' (1942) as Wife, Bob Hope Skit (uncredited) * '' The McGuerins from Brooklyn'' (1942) as Myrtle, Marcia's friend * ''

They Got Me Covered ''They Got Me Covered'', also known as ''Washington Story'' and ''The Washington Angle'', is a 1943 comedy film directed by David Butler and starring Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour. Otto Preminger appears in a supporting role. Plot In mid 1941, ac ...

'' (1943) as Gloria * ''

'' (1943) as Alice Angel * ''

Swingtime Johnny ''Swingtime Johnny'' is a 1944 American comedy film, comedy musical film directed by Edward F. Cline and starring The Andrews Sisters, Patty Andrews, The Andrews Sisters, Maxene Andrews and The Andrews Sisters, Laverne Andrews. Plot A factory tha ...

'' (1943) as Flashy Blonde * ''

'' (1943) as Daisy Davenport * ''

Sweethearts of the U.S.A. ''Sweethearts of the U.S.A.'' is a 1944 American musical comedy film directed by Lewis D. Collins and starring Una Merkel, Harry Parke, and Donald Novis.Taylor & Jackson p.276 In Britain, it was released under the alternative title of ''Sweethear ...

'' (1944) as Ghost of Josephine * ''

It Happened Tomorrow ''It Happened Tomorrow'' is a 1944 American fantasy film directed by René Clair, starring Dick Powell, Linda Darnell and Jack Oakie, and featuring Edgar Kennedy and John Philliber. It is based on the one-act play "The Jest of Haha Laba" by L ...

'' (1944) as Nurse (uncredited) * ''

Gildersleeve's Ghost ''Gildersleeve's Ghost'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Gordon Douglas from an original screenplay by Robert E. Kent. It is the fourth and final film in the Gildersleeve's series, all of which were produced and distributed by RKO R ...

'' (1944) as Terry Vance * '' The Merry Monahans'' (1944) as Soubrette * ''

Irish Eyes Are Smiling ''Irish Eyes Are Smiling'' is a 1944 United States musical film which chronicles the life of popular Irish song composer Ernest R. Ball. The screenplay by Earl Baldwin and John Tucker Battle is based on a story by E. A. Ellington. The film was di ...

'' (1944) as Prima Donna (uncredited) * ''

Mystery of the River Boat ''Mystery of the River Boat'' is a 1944 Universal movie serial directed by Lewis D. Collins and Ray Taylor. It co-starred Lyle Talbot, Robert Lowery and Mantan Moreland. Cast * Robert Lowery as Steve Langtry * Eddie Quillan as Jug Jenks * Ma ...

'' (1944, Serial) as Celeste Eltree * ''

'' (1944) as Kitty Tremaine * ''

Eadie Was a Lady ''Eadie Was a Lady'' is a 1945 American musical comedy. Plot Eadie Allen is a student at Glen Moor College and the niece of a wealthy Boston socialite (Aunt Priscilla) in Back Bay. She has secretly taken a new job as a dancer in a seedy burlesq ...

'' (1945) as Rose Allure * ''

The Phantom Speaks ''The Phantom Speaks'' is a 1945 American supernatural film noir directed by John English and written by John K. Butler. The film stars Richard Arlen, Stanley Ridges, Lynne Roberts, Tom Powers, Charlotte Wynters and Jonathan Hale. The film ...

'' (1945) as Betty Hanzel * ''

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) as Irma King * ''

Gangs of the Waterfront ''Gangs of the Waterfront'' is a 1945 American crime drama film directed by George Blair, and based on an original story by Samuel Fuller. Robert Armstrong has a dual role as Dutch Malone, a gang leader, and a taxidermist Peter Winkly who is i ...

'' (1945) as Rita * ''

On Stage Everybody ''On Stage Everybody'' is a 1945 film starring Jack Oakie, Peggy Ryan, and Johnny Coy. Also appearing are Otto Kruger, Esther Dale, Milburn Stone, Wallace Ford, Julie London, and The King Sisters, who sang " Stuff Like That There", written by ...

'' (1945) as Bubbles (uncredited) * ''

Abbott and Costello in Hollywood ''Abbott and Costello in Hollywood'' is a 1945 American black-and-white comedy film directed by S. Sylvan Simon and starring the comedy team of Abbott and Costello alongside Frances Rafferty. Made by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it was produced by Martin ...

'' (1945) as Miss Milbane * ''

Girls of the Big House ''Girls of the Big House'' is a 1945 American drama film directed by George Archainbaud and starring Lynne Roberts, Virginia Christine and Marion Martin.LoBrutto p.449 The film's sets were designed by the art director Gano Chittenden. Plot A c ...

'' (1945) as Dixie * ''

Cinderella Jones ''Cinderella Jones'' is a 1946 American musical comedy film directed by Busby Berkeley and written by Charles Hoffman. The film stars Joan Leslie, Robert Alda, Julie Bishop, William Prince, S. Z. Sakall, and Edward Everett Horton. The film w ...

'' (1946) as Burlesque Queen * ''

Suspense Suspense is a state of mental uncertainty, anxiety, being undecided, or being doubtful. In a dramatic work, suspense is the anticipation of the outcome of a plot or of the solution to an uncertainty, puzzle, or mystery, particularly as it aff ...

'' (1946) as Shooting Gallery Blond (uncredited) * '' Deadline for Murder'' (1946) as Laura Gibson * ''

Queen of Burlesque ''Queen of Burlesque'' is a 1946 American mystery thriller film directed by Sam Newfield and starring Evelyn Ankers, Carleton G. Young and Marion Martin. The film was distributed by the low-budget Producers Releasing Corporation. Rose La Rose, w ...

'' (1946) as Lola Cassell * '' Black Angel'' (1946) as Millie * '' Angel on My Shoulder'' (1946) as Mrs. Bentley * '' Nobody Lives Forever'' (1946) as Lou, Blonde (uncredited) * ''

That Brennan Girl ''That Brennan Girl'', also known as ''Tough Girl'', is a 1946 Melodrama#Film, melodrama film produced and directed by Alfred Santell and starring James Dunn (actor), James Dunn, Mona Freeman, William Marshall (bandleader), William Marshall, and J ...

'' (1946) as Marion, Natalie's Girl Friend * ''Lighthouse'' (1947) as JoJo, The Blonde * ''

New Orleans New Orleans ( , ,New Orleans
Merriam-Webster. ; french: La Nouvelle-Orléans , es, Nuev ...

'' (1947) as Blonde Cashier (uncredited) * '' That's My Gal'' (1947) as Pepper * ''

State of the Union The State of the Union Address (sometimes abbreviated to SOTU) is an annual message delivered by the president of the United States to a joint session of the United States Congress near the beginning of each calendar year on the current conditio ...

'' (1948) as Blonde Girl (uncredited) * ''

Thunder in the Pines ''Thunder in the Pines'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by Robert Edwards and starring George Reeves and Ralph Byrd. The film was shot in sepia tone. It was executive produced by Robert L. Lippert. Plot Production Reeves and Byrd a ...

'' (1948) as Pearl * ''

My Dream Is Yours ''My Dream Is Yours'' is a 1949 Technicolor musical romantic comedy film starring Jack Carson, Doris Day, and Lee Bowman. Plot The film opens in Los Angeles, where Doug Blake is dumped as a manager by Gary Mitchell. He goes to New York City to ...

'' (1949) as Blonde at Club Babita (uncredited) * ''

Come to the Stable ''Come to the Stable'' is a 1949 American comedy drama film that tells the story of two French religious sisters who come to a small New England town and involve the townsfolk in helping them to build a children's hospital. It stars Loretta Young ...

'' (1949) as Rossi's Manicurist (uncredited) * ''

Oh, You Beautiful Doll "Oh, You Beautiful Doll" is a ragtime love song published in 1911 with words by Seymour Brown and music by Nat D. Ayer. The song was one of the first with a twelve-bar opening. The tune has been recorded hundreds of times by many artists from ...

'' (1949) as Big Blonde (uncredited) * ''

Key to the City The Freedom of the City (or Borough in some parts of the UK) is an honour bestowed by a municipality upon a valued member of the community, or upon a visiting celebrity or dignitary. Arising from the medieval practice of granting respected ...

'' (1950) as Emmy * ''

Dakota Lil ''Dakota Lil'' is a 1950 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander and written by Maurice Geraghty. The film stars George Montgomery, Rod Cameron, Marie Windsor, John Emery, Wallace Ford and Jack Lambert. The film was released on Fe ...

'' (1950) as Blonde Singer * '' Journey Into Light'' (1951) as Diana * ''

Oklahoma Annie ''Oklahoma Annie'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by R. G. Springsteen and written by Jack Townley and Charles E. Roberts. The film stars Judy Canova, John Russell, Grant Withers, Roy Barcroft, Emmett Lynn and Frank Ferguson. The film ...

'' (1952) as La Belle La Tour (uncredited) (final film role)

References

External links

* * *
''Allmovie'' biography from the ''New York Times''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, Marion 1909 births 1985 deaths American film actresses American stage actresses Burials at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City Actresses from Philadelphia 20th-century American actresses