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Patricia Farr (born Arleine Rutledge Farr; January 15, 1913 – February 23, 1948) was an American film actress who appeared in films of the 1930s and 1940s. Despite being billed as leading lady in at least one ('' Lady Luck'') of the films in which she appeared, very few details of her life are available.


Early years

Farr was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Farr. She grew up in Ogden, Utah, where her great-great-grandfather had been mayor.


Personal

The '' St. Maurice Valley Chronicle'' reported that her personal hobby was the collecting of "hot" swing
phonograph record A phonograph record (also known as a gramophone record, especially in British English), or simply a record, is an analog sound storage medium in the form of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove. The groove usually starts nea ...
s, and at the time of her appearing with
Charles Quigley Charles Quigley (February 12, 1906 – August 5, 1964) was an American actor. Early years Born in New Britain, Connecticut, Quigley was the son of Charles P. Quigley, who was sales manager for a hardware business. He was a 1924 graduate o ...
and Dorothy Wilson in ''Speed to Spare'', she had two cabinets full of such records, many of them privately made original recordings. Farr was married to Robert Mayo, a casting director with
Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the mu ...
.


Career

She was working as a movie theater usherette in
Los Angeles 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' ...
when she was first signed by
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 had a number of smaller roles before being cast as lead in the 12-part
Universal Pictures Universal Pictures (legally Universal City Studios LLC, also known as Universal Studios, or simply Universal; common metonym: Uni, and formerly named Universal Film Manufacturing Company and Universal-International Pictures Inc.) is an Ameri ...
serial ''Tailspin Tommy''. She received training at a company school at
Fox Studios 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Dis ...
for their stock actors. Farr was one of 14 young women "launched on the trail of film stardom" August 6, 1935, when they each received a six-month contract with
20th Century Fox 20th Century Studios, Inc. (previously known as 20th Century Fox) is an American film production company headquartered at the Fox Studio Lot in the Century City area of Los Angeles. As of 2019, it serves as a film production arm of Walt Dis ...
after spending 18 months in the company's training school. The contracts included a studio option for renewal for as long as seven years. Farr's film debut came in ''
The Secret Call ''The Secret Call'' is a 1931 American drama film directed by Stuart Walker and written by Arthur Kober, Eve Unsell and William C. deMille. The film stars Richard Arlen, Peggy Shannon, William B. Davidson, Charles Trowbridge, Jane Keithley, Se ...
'' (1931). As a young actress in 1936, Farr was speaking about Friday the 13th when she chose that day to sign a long-term contract with
Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production studio that is a member of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, a division of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which is one of the Big Five studios and a subsidiary of the mu ...
, being quoted as saying it "is my lucky day".


Recognition

''
The Sydney Morning Herald ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' (''SMH'') is a daily compact newspaper published in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, and owned by Nine. Founded in 1831 as the ''Sydney Herald'', the ''Herald'' is the oldest continuously published newspaper ...
'' reported on her work in ''
Lady Behave! ''Lady Behave!'' is a 1938 American film directed by Lloyd Corrigan. The sophisticated comedy was released by Republic Pictures. Plot Prior to leaving for Haiti, two sisters and their godfather/legal advisor are having a holiday in New Orl ...
'', writing, "Patricia Farr has the makings of first-class comedienne." They praised her for extracting more out of her role than was expected.


Filmography

* ''
The Secret Call ''The Secret Call'' is a 1931 American drama film directed by Stuart Walker and written by Arthur Kober, Eve Unsell and William C. deMille. The film stars Richard Arlen, Peggy Shannon, William B. Davidson, Charles Trowbridge, Jane Keithley, Se ...
'' (1931) as Ellen * ''Silence'' (1931) (uncredited) * ''
What Price Hollywood? ''What Price Hollywood?'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by George Cukor and starring Constance Bennett with Lowell Sherman. The screenplay by Gene Fowler, Rowland Brown, Jane Murfin and Ben Markson is based on a story by Adela ...
'' (1932) (uncredited) * ''
I Loved You Wednesday ''I Loved You Wednesday'' is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy drama film directed by Henry King and William Cameron Menzies and written by Philip Klein and Horace Jackson, adapted from the 1932 play of the same title by Molly Ricardel and Wil ...
'' (1933) (uncredited) * '' My Weakness'' (1933) (uncredited) * ''
Footlight Parade ''Footlight Parade'' is a 1933 American pre-Code musical film starring James Cagney, Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell and featuring Frank McHugh, Guy Kibbee, Hugh Herbert and Ruth Donnelly. The film was written by Manuel Seff and Ja ...
'' (1933) as Chorus Girl (uncredited) * '' I Am Suzanne!'' (1933) as Chorine (uncredited) * ''
Stand Up and Cheer! ''Stand Up and Cheer!'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code musical film directed by Hamilton MacFadden. The screenplay by Lew Brown and Ralph Spence was based upon a story idea by Will Rogers and Philip Klein. The film is about efforts undertaken du ...
'' (1934) (uncredited) * ''
Tailspin Tommy ''Tailspin Tommy'' was an air adventure comic strip about a youthful pilot, "Tailspin" Tommy Tomkins (sometimes spelled Tompkins). Originally illustrated by Hal Forrest and initially distributed by John Neville Wheeler's Bell Syndicate and the ...
'' (1934) as Betty Lou Barnes * ''Helldorado'' (1935) as Flo (uncredited) * ''
Orchids to You ''Orchids to You'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by William A. Seiter and starring John Boles (actor), John Boles, Jean Muir (actress), Jean Muir and Charles Butterworth (actor), Charles Butterworth.Solomon p.379 The screenplay concerns ...
'' (1935) as Polly * ''
Metropolitan Metropolitan may refer to: * Metropolitan area, a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories * Metropolitan borough, a form of local government district in England * Metropolitan county, a typ ...
'' (1935) as Chorus Girl (uncredited) * ''
The Lady in Scarlet ''The Lady in Scarlet'' is a 1935 American comedy drama film directed by Charles Lamont. It was made by Chesterfield Motion Pictures Corporation. Plot In New York City, Dr. Phillip Boyer purchases an antique clock at the premises of antique d ...
'' (1935) as Ella Carey * ''
Everybody's Old Man ''Everybody's Old Man'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by James Flood and written by Patterson McNutt and A.E. Thomas. The film stars Irvin S. Cobb, Rochelle Hudson, Johnny Downs, Norman Foster, Alan Dinehart, Sara Haden, Donald Mee ...
'' (1936) as Telephone Girl (uncredited) * '' Three of a Kind'' (1936) as Prudence Cornelius * '' Lady Luck'' (1936) as Mamie Murphy * ''
Criminals of the Air ''Criminals of the Air'' (aka ''Guardians of the Air'' and ''Honeymoon Pilot'') is a 1937 American action film, directed by Charles C. Coleman. It stars Rosalind Keith, Charles Quigley and Rita Hayworth.Mavis 2011, p. 119. The film marked "Rita ...
'' (1937) as Maimie * ''Speed to Spare'' (1937) as Peaches OBrien * ''
Girls Can Play ''Girls Can Play'' is a 1937 American drama film, directed by Lambert Hillyer. It stars Julie Bishop (actress), Julie Bishop, Charles Quigley, and Rita Hayworth. Plot Ann Casey, a softball player, responds to a newspaper advertisement looking for ...
'' (1937) as Peanuts O'Malley * ''
All American Sweetheart ''All American Sweetheart'' is a 1937 American crime film directed by Lambert Hillyer and written by Grace Neville, Fred Niblo Jr. and Michael L. Simmons. The film stars Patricia Farr, Scott Kolk, Gene Morgan, James Eagles, Arthur Loft and Jo ...
'' (1937) as Connie Adams * ''
Lady Behave! ''Lady Behave!'' is a 1938 American film directed by Lloyd Corrigan. The sophisticated comedy was released by Republic Pictures. Plot Prior to leaving for Haiti, two sisters and their godfather/legal advisor are having a holiday in New Orl ...
'' (1937) as Clarice Kendall Andrews Cormack * ''
Trade Winds The trade winds or easterlies are the permanent east-to-west prevailing winds that flow in the Earth's equatorial region. The trade winds blow mainly from the northeast in the Northern Hemisphere and from the southeast in the Southern Hemisph ...
'' (1938) as Peggy (uncredited) * '' Mr. & Mrs. Smith'' (1941) as Gloria * ''
West Point Widow ''West Point Widow'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Anne Shirley (actress), Anne Shirley, Richard Carlson (actor), Richard Carlson and Richard Denning.Greco, Joseph. ''The File on Robert Siodmak in Hollywood ...
'' (1941) as Miss Hinkle * ''
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 Miss LaRue - gigolo's companion (framing sequences) * ''
Three Girls About Town ''Three Girls About Town'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Leigh Jason and starring Joan Blondell, Binnie Barnes and Janet Blair (in her film debut). It was produced and distributed by Columbia Pictures. The story was written by Rich ...
'' (1941) as Telephone Operator (uncredited) * ''
Skylark ''Alauda'' is a genus of larks found across much of Europe, Asia and in the mountains of north Africa, and one of the species (the Raso lark) endemic to the islet of Raso in the Cape Verde Islands. Further, at least two additional species are ...
'' (1941) as Lil - Waitress at Hamburger Stand (uncredited) * ''
To the Shores of Tripoli ''To the Shores of Tripoli'' is a 1942 American Technicolor film directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and starring John Payne, Maureen O'Hara and Randolph Scott. The film was produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. Its cinematography was nominated for an Ac ...
'' (1942) as Girl (uncredited) * ''
This Gun for Hire ''This Gun for Hire'' is a 1942 American film noir crime film directed by Frank Tuttle and starring Veronica Lake, Robert Preston, Laird Cregar, and Alan Ladd. It is based on the 1936 novel ''A Gun for Sale'' by Graham Greene (published in Amer ...
'' (1942) as Ruby * ''
Highways by Night ''Highways by Night'' is a 1942 American crime drama film directed by Peter Godfrey from a screenplay by Lynn Root and Frank Fenton, based on the story ''Silver Spoon'', by Clarence Budington Kelland. The film stars Richard Carlson and Jane ...
'' (1942) as Phyllis (uncredited) * ''National Barn Dance'' (1942) as Secretary (uncredited) * '' Incendiary Blonde'' (1945) as Bill's Receptionist (uncredited)


References


External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Farr, Patricia 1913 births 1948 deaths 20th-century American actresses Actresses from Kansas City, Missouri American film actresses