Mary Boland (born Marie Anne Boland; January 28, 1882 – June 23, 1965) was an American stage and film actress.

Early years

Born in

Philadelphia 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 ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

, Boland was the daughter of repertory actor William Augustus Boland, and his wife Mary Cecilia Hatton. She had an older sister named Sara. The family later moved to

Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...

. Boland went to school at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Detroit. By age fifteen she had left school and was performing on stage. In 1901, she began acting on stage with a local stock theater company.

Career

She debuted 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 ...

in 1907 in the play ''The Ranger'' with

Dustin Farnum Dustin Lancy Farnum (May 27, 1874 – July 3, 1929) was an American singer, dancer, and actor on the stage and in silent films. Although he played a wide variety of roles, he tended toward westerns and became one of the biggest stars of the genre ...

and had appeared in eleven Broadway productions, notably with John Drew, becoming his "leading lady in New York and on the road." She made her

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, when ...

debut for

Triangle A triangle is a polygon with three Edge (geometry), edges and three Vertex (geometry), vertices. It is one of the basic shapes in geometry. A triangle with vertices ''A'', ''B'', and ''C'' is denoted \triangle ABC. In Euclidean geometry, an ...

Studios in 1915. She entertained soldiers in France during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

and then returned to America. After appearing in nine movies, she left filmmaking in 1920, returning to the stage and appearing in several Broadway productions, including ''

The Torch-Bearers ''The Torch-Bearers'' is a 1922 stage play by George Kelly (playwright), George Kelly about a housewife who becomes an actress (the original actress became a widow and withdrew) while her husband is away on business, with Act I being the rehearsal ...

'' (1922). She became famous as a comedian. Mary Boland in The Women trailer

Boland's greatest success on the stage in the 1920s was the comedy ''

The Cradle Snatchers ''Cradle Snatchers'' is a 1927 American silent comedy film directed by Howard Hawks. The picture is based on the 1925 Russell Medcraft and Norma Mitchell stage play of the same name that starred Mary Boland, Edna May Oliver, Raymond Hackett, Ge ...

'' (1925–26), in which she,

Edna May Oliver Edna May Oliver (born Edna May Nutter, November 9, 1883 – November 9, 1942) was an American stage and film actress. During the 1930s, she was one of the better-known character actresses in American films, often playing tart-tongued spinsters. ...

, and Margaret Dale, having been abandoned by their husbands, take on young lovers. Roy Liebman notes this play helped establish the persona that would be associated with her for the rest of her career. Boland's paramour was

Humphrey Bogart Humphrey DeForest Bogart (; December 25, 1899 – January 14, 1957), nicknamed Bogie, was an American film and stage actor. His performances in Classical Hollywood cinema films made him an American cultural icon. In 1999, the American Film In ...

in one of his first roles. She had previously performed with Bogart in the 1923 comedy '' Meet the Wife'' at the

Klaw Theatre The Klaw Theatre was a Broadway theatre located at 251–257 West 45th Street (now a part of George Abbott Way) in Midtown Manhattan. Built in 1921 for producer Marcus Klaw, the theater was designed by Eugene De Rosa. Rachel Crothers' '' Nice Pe ...

as Gertrude Lennox. After an eleven-year absence, in 1931, she returned 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, ...

under contract to

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...

. She achieved far greater film success with her second try, becoming one of the most popular character actresses of the 1930s, always playing major roles in her films and often starring, notably in a series of comedies opposite

Charles Ruggles Charles Sherman Ruggles (February 8, 1886 – December 23, 1970) was an American comic character actor. In a career spanning six decades, Ruggles appeared in close to 100 feature films, often in mild-mannered and comic roles. He was also the e ...

. Boland appeared in numerous films, including ''

Ruggles of Red Gap ''Ruggles of Red Gap'' is a 1935 American comedy western film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Charles Laughton, Mary Boland, Charlie Ruggles, and ZaSu Pitts and featuring Roland Young and Leila Hyams. It was based on the best-selling 1915 ...

'', ''

The Big Broadcast of 1936 ''The Big Broadcast of 1936'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Norman Taurog, and is the second in the series of ''Big Broadcast'' movies. The musical comedy starred Jack Oakie, Bing Crosby, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Ethel Merman, Nic ...

'', ''

Danger - Love at Work Danger is a lack of safety and may refer to: Places * Danger Cave, an archaeological site in Utah * Danger Island, Great Chagos Bank, Indian Ocean * Danger Island, alternate name of Pukapuka Atoll in the Cook Islands, Pacific Ocean * Danger Islan ...

'', '' Nothing but Trouble'', and ''

Julia Misbehaves ''Julia Misbehaves'' is a 1948 American romantic comedy film starring Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon as a married couple who are separated by the man's snobbish family. They meet again many years later, when the daughter whom the man has raised ...

''. She is likely best remembered for her portrayals of Countess DeLave in '' The Women'' (1939) and Mrs. Bennet in ''

Pride and Prejudice ''Pride and Prejudice'' is an 1813 novel of manners by Jane Austen. The novel follows the character development of Elizabeth Bennet, the dynamic protagonist of the book who learns about the repercussions of hasty judgments and comes to appreci ...

'' (1940). For the remainder of her career, Boland combined films and, later, television productions, with appearances on stage, including starring in the 1935

Cole Porter Cole Albert Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American composer and songwriter. Many of his songs became standards noted for their witty, urbane lyrics, and many of his scores found success on Broadway and in film. Born to ...

musical ''

Jubilee A jubilee is a particular anniversary of an event, usually denoting the 25th, 40th, 50th, 60th, and the 70th anniversary. The term is often now used to denote the celebrations associated with the reign of a monarch after a milestone number of y ...

'' and appearing in the play "One Fine Day" with

Charlie Ruggles Charles Sherman Ruggles (February 8, 1886 – December 23, 1970) was an American comic character actor. In a career spanning six decades, Ruggles appeared in close to 100 feature films, often in mild-mannered and comic roles. He was also the e ...

in 1948. Her last Broadway appearance was in 1954 at the age of seventy-two. That play, ''

Lullaby A lullaby (), or cradle song, is a soothing song or piece of music that is usually played for (or sung to) children (for adults see music and sleep). The purposes of lullabies vary. In some societies they are used to pass down cultural knowled ...

'', was unsuccessful. Her last acting was in the 1955 television adaptation of ''The Women'' recreating her film role.

Personal life and death

Boland never married or had children. On June 23, 1965, she died of 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 ...

at her home in New York. She was interred in the Great Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Vespers in

Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries is an American corporation that owns and operates a chain of cemeteries and mortuaries in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties in Southern California. History The company was founded by a group o ...

Glendale, California Glendale is a city in the San Fernando Valley and Verdugo Mountains regions of Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County, California, United States. At the 2020 United States Census, 2020 U.S. Census the population was 196,543, up from ...

. Boland was a practicing

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD *Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...

and a

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

who supported the campaign of

Dwight Eisenhower Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (born David Dwight Eisenhower; ; October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an American military officer and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. During World War II, ...

during the 1952 presidential election.

Recognition

For her contribution to the film industry, Boland has a motion pictures star 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 ...

at 6150

Hollywood Boulevard Hollywood Boulevard is a major east–west street in Los Angeles, California. It begins in the east at Sunset Boulevard in the Los Feliz district and proceeds to the west as a major thoroughfare through Little Armenia and Thai Town, Hollywoo ...

Filmography

Silent *'' The Edge of the Abyss'' (1915) - Alma Clayton *'' The Price of Happiness'' (1916) - Bertha Miller *''

The Stepping Stone ''The Stepping Stone'' is a 1916 American silent drama film, directed by Reginald Barker and Thomas H. Ince. It is a lost film.Mountain Dew Mountain Dew, stylized as Mtn Dew, is a carbonated soft drink brand produced and owned by PepsiCo. The original formula was invented in 1940 by Tennessee beverage bottlers Barney and Ally Hartman. A revised formula was created by Bill Brid ...

'' (1917) - Lily Bud Raines *''

A Woman's Experience ''A Woman's Experience'' is a 1919 silent film drama directed by Perry N. Vekroff and starring Sam Hardy and Mary Boland. It was filmed in 1918 and released in early 1919. This film is preserved by the Library of Congress. Plot As described in a ...

'' (1918, Extant; Library of Congress) - Agnes Roydant *''

The Prodigal Wife ''The Prodigal Wife'' is a lost 1918 American silent drama film directed by Frank Reicher and starring Mary Boland. It is based on a short story by Edith Barnard Delano that appeared in ''Harper's Magazine''. The film may have been rereleased in 1 ...

'' (1918) - Marion Farnham *'' The Perfect Lover'' (1919) - Mrs. Whitney *''

His Temporary Wife ''His Temporary Wife'' is a lost 1920 American silent comedy film directed by Joseph Levering. It was released by W. W. Hodkinson. Plot As described in a film magazine, Annabelle Rose (De Remer) is employed as a nurse by aged millionaire Howard ...

'' (1920) - Verna Devore Sound *''

Secrets of a Secretary ''Secrets of a Secretary'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by George Abbott, and starring Claudette Colbert and Herbert Marshall. The film was stage actress Mary Boland's first role in a talkie. Premise Society girl becomes a so ...

'' (1931) - Mrs. Merritt *''

Personal Maid ''Personal Maid'' is a 1931 American Pre-Code drama film directed by Monta Bell and Lothar Mendes and written by Adelaide Heilbron and Grace Perkins. The film stars Nancy Carroll, Pat O'Brien (actor), Pat O'Brien, Gene Raymond, Mary Boland, and ...

'' (1931) - Mrs. Otis Gary *''

The Night of June 13 ''The Night of June 13'' is a 1932 American pre-Code mystery film directed by Stephen Roberts. The film stars Clive Brook, Frances Dee, Charlie Ruggles, Gene Raymond, Lila Lee, Mary Boland and Adrianne Allen. The film was released on September 2 ...

'' (1932) - Mazie Strawn *''

Evenings for Sale The evening is the period of the day between afternoon and night. Evening may also refer to: * ''Evening'' (magazine), a Japanese magazine * ''Evening'' (novel), a 1998 novel by Susan Minot ** ''Evening'' (film), a 2007 film * ''Evenings'' (fi ...

'' (1932) - Jenny Kent *''

If I Had a Million ''If I Had a Million'' is a 1932 American pre-Code Paramount Studios anthology film starring Gary Cooper, George Raft, Charles Laughton, W.C. Fields, Jack Oakie, Frances Dee and Charlie Ruggles, among others. There were seven directors: Ernst L ...

'' (1932) - Mrs. Peabody *'' Mama Loves Papa'' (1933) - Jessie Todd *''

Three-Cornered Moon ''Three Cornered Moon'' is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Elliott Nugent, written by Ray Harris and S.K. Lauren, and starring Claudette Colbert, Richard Arlen, Mary Boland, and Wallace Ford. Based on a 1933 play by Gertrude Ton ...

'' (1933) - Mrs. Nellie Rimplegar *''

The Solitaire Man ''The Solitaire Man'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by Jack Conway and starring Herbert Marshall and Mary Boland. Plot summary After a job in Monte Carlo, an English jewel theft ring returns to Paris. Suave cat burglar Olive ...

'' (1933) - Mrs. Hopkins *''

Four Frightened People ''Four Frightened People'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code adventure film directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Claudette Colbert, Herbert Marshall, Mary Boland, and William Gargan. It is based on the 1931 novel by E. Arnot Robertson. Plot The ...

'' (1934) - Mrs. Mardick *''

Six of a Kind ''Six of a Kind'' is an American 1934 pre-Code comedy film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Charles Ruggles, Mary Boland, W.C. Fields, George Burns, and Gracie Allen. It is a whimsical and often absurd road movie about two couples who decid ...

'' (1934) - Flora Whinney *''

Melody in Spring ''Melody in Spring'' is a 1934 American pre-Code musical film directed by Norman Z. McLeod and written by Benn W. Levy, Frank Leon Smith, and Jane Storm. The film stars Lanny Ross, Charlie Ruggles, Mary Boland, Ann Sothern, George Meeker, and He ...

'' (1934) - Mary Blodgett *''

Stingaree The Stingaree was a neighborhood of San Diego between the boom of the 1880s and the demolition and vice eradication campaign of 1916. The reason for the neighborhood's fame was its role as the home to the city's "undesirables", including prostitut ...

'' (1934) - Mrs. Clarkson *''

Here Comes the Groom ''Here Comes the Groom'' is a 1951 American musical romantic comedy film produced and directed by Frank Capra and starring Bing Crosby and Jane Wyman. Based on a story by Robert Riskin and Liam O'Brien, the film is about a foreign correspondent w ...

'' (1934) - Mrs. Widden *''

Down to Their Last Yacht ''Down to Their Last Yacht'' is a 1934 comic adventure produced and distributed by RKO Pictures. Plot After the stock market crash of 1929, the Colt-Stratton family is forced to rent their yacht to the nouveau riche at the behest of Nella Fitzg ...

'' (1934) - Queen of Malakamokalu, 'Queenie' *'' The Pursuit of Happiness'' (1934) - Comfort Kirkland *''

'' (1935) - Effie Floud *''

People Will Talk ''People Will Talk'' is a 1951 American romantic comedy/drama film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck from a screenplay by Mankiewicz, based on the German play by Curt Goetz, which was made into a movie in Germany ...

'' (1935) - Clarice Wilton *''

Two for Tonight ''Two for Tonight'' is a 1935 American musical comedy film directed by Frank Tuttle and starring Bing Crosby, Joan Bennett, and Mary Boland. Based on the play ''Two for Tonight'' by J. O. Lief and Max Lief, the film is about a songwriter who compo ...

'' (1935) - Mrs. Smythe *''

'' (1935) - Mrs. Sealingsworth *''

Early to Bed Early may refer to: History * The beginning or oldest part of a defined historical period, as opposed to middle or late periods, e.g.: ** Early Christianity ** Early modern Europe Places in the United States * Early, Iowa * Early, Texas * Early ...

'' (1936) - Tessie Weeks *''

A Son Comes Home ''A Son Comes Home'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by E.A. Dupont and starring Mary Boland, Julie Haydon and Donald Woods (actor), Donald Woods. It was one of three films made by Dupont for Paramount Pictures.St. Pierre p.23 Plot Partia ...

'' (1936) - Mary Grady *''

Wives Never Know ''Wives Never Know'' is a 1936 American black-and-white comedy film directed by Elliott Nugent. Written by Frederick Hazlitt Brennan, Edwin Justus Mayer and Keene Thompson, the film stars Charlie Ruggles, Mary Boland, and Adolphe Menjou, and wa ...

'' (1936) - Marcia Bigelow *''

College Holiday ''College Holiday'' is a 1936 Paramount comedy. The film stars Jack Benny, George Burns, Gracie Allen, and Martha Raye. It was directed by Frank Tuttle. Plot A woman hotelier with an interest in eugenics invites some young men to spend the summe ...

'' (1936) - Carola P. Gaye *'' Marry the Girl'' (1937) - Ollie Radway *''

Danger – Love at Work ''Danger – Love at Work'' is a 1937 American screwball comedy film directed by Otto Preminger. The screenplay by James Edward Grant and Ben Markson focuses on an attorney's frustrating efforts to deal with a wildly eccentric family. Plot Henry ...

'' (1937) - Mrs. Alice Pemberton *'' There Goes the Groom'' (1937) - Mrs. Russell *''

Mama Runs Wild ''Mama Runs Wild'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Ralph Staub and written by Gordon Kahn and Hal Yates. The film stars Mary Boland, Ernest Truex, William "Bill" Henry, Lynne Roberts, Max Terhune and Joseph Crehan. The film was releas ...

'' (1937) - Alice Summers *''

Little Tough Guys in Society ''Little Tough Guys in Society'' is a 1938 Universal Studios film that starred several of the ''Dead End Kids''. It was the second film that Universal made in their series and the first of three that they made without any of the original ''Dead E ...

'' (1938) - Mrs. Berry *''

Artists and Models Abroad ''Artists and Models Abroad'' (UK title: ''Stranded in Paris'') is a 1938 comedy film directed by Mitchell Leisen and starring Jack Benny and Joan Bennett. It was made by Paramount Pictures. The screenplay was written by Ken Englund, Howard Lin ...

'' (1938) - Mrs. Isabel Channing *''

Boy Trouble ''Boy Trouble'' is a 1939 American film starring Charles Ruggles, Mary Boland, Donald O'Connor, and Billy Lee. Plot In the story, Sybil Fitch (Boland) adopts two orphan boys (O'Connor, Lee). Her husband (Ruggles) is infuriated. However, when the ...

'' (1939) - Sybil Fitch *''

The Magnificent Fraud ''The Magnificent Fraud'' is a 1939 American crime film directed by Robert Florey and starring Akim Tamiroff, Lloyd Nolan, Mary Boland and Patricia Morison. Plot Akim Tamiroff plays an actor performing in a nameless Latin American country who ...

'' (1939) - Mme. Geraldine Genet *'' Night Work'' (1939) - Sybil Fitch *'' The Women'' (1939) - The Countess De Lave - Flora *''

He Married His Wife ''He Married His Wife'' is a 1940 film about a race horse owner (Joel McCrea) who wants his ex-wife (Nancy Kelly) to remarry so he'll no longer have to pay alimony. This movie is a black-and-white comedy released 19 January 1940, directed by Roy D ...

'' (1940) - Ethel *''

New Moon In astronomy, the new moon is the first lunar phase, when the Moon and Sun have the same ecliptic longitude. At this phase, the lunar disk is not visible to the naked eye, except when it is silhouetted against the Sun during a solar eclipse. ...

'' (1940) - Valerie de Rossac *''

'' (1940) - Mrs. Bennet *''Hit Parade of 1941'' (1940) - Emily Potter *''

One Night in the Tropics ''One Night in the Tropics'' is a 1940 comedy film which was the film debut of Abbott and Costello. They are listed as supporting actors but have major exposure with five of their classic routines, including an abbreviated version of "Who's On Fi ...

'' (1940) - Aunt Kitty Marblehead *''

In Our Time In Our Time may refer to: * ''In Our Time'' (1944 film), a film starring Ida Lupino and Paul Henreid * ''In Our Time'' (1982 film), a Taiwanese anthology film featuring director Edward Yang; considered the beginning of the "New Taiwan Cinema" * ''In ...

'' (1944) - Mrs. Bromley *'' Nothing but Trouble'' (1944) - Mrs. Hawkley *'' Forever Yours'' (1945) - Aunt Mary *''

'' (1948) - Ma Ghenoccio *''

Guilty Bystander ''Guilty Bystander'' is a 1950 American crime drama directed by Joseph Lerner, and starring Zachary Scott and Faye Emerson. The film was shot on location entirely in New York City. It also marked the last motion picture screen appearances for ch ...

'' (1950) - Smitty

References

External links

*
allmovie/bio
*
New York Public Library
collection of Mary Boland photographs.
Boland and costars from ''The Women''Mary on the cover of ''The Theater'' magazine in the 1910 play ''Smith''
costarring John Drew
Mary Boland along with several other actors on Orson Welles's Radio Almanac 1944young beautiful Mary Boland1918 passport photoportrait gallery
University of Washington, Sayre)
Mary Boland: Broadway Photographs
Univ. of South Carolina)
Mary on the cover of The Theatre Jan. 1913
archived) {{DEFAULTSORT:Boland, Mary 1882 births 1965 deaths American film actresses American silent film actresses American stage actresses Actresses from Philadelphia 20th-century American actresses Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) Paramount Pictures contract players American television actresses American Roman Catholics Pennsylvania Republicans California Republicans New York (state) Republicans Actresses from Pennsylvania