Phyllis Barry (born Gertrude Phyllis Hillyard; 7 December 1908 – 1 July 1954) was an English film actress. Born in

Leeds Leeds () is a city and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds district in West Yorkshire, England. It is built around the River Aire and is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. It is also the third-largest settlement (by populati ...

West Riding of Yorkshire The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. From 1889 to 1974 the administrative county County of York, West Riding (the area under the control of West Riding County Council), abbreviated County ...

, England, to Seth Henry and Bertha (née Giles) Hillyard, Barry appeared in over 40 films between 1925 and 1947.

Career

Barry trained as a dancer in a

John Tiller John Thomas Ibbotson Tiller (13 June 1854 in Blackburn, Lancashire – 22 October 1925 in New York) was a musical theatre director who was credited with inventing precision dance and was the originator of the ' Tiller Girls'. Biography John Til ...

troupe. In August 1923, when she was 12, her mother brought her to Australia, where she was known as Phyllis du Barry.All the Australian events are documented in contemporary newspapers published in digital form by the National Library of Australi

/ref> By September, she was the lead dancer in a cabaret troupe at the Wentworth Cafe, until May 1925, when she made her first film, '' Painted Daughters''. Engagements followed with the Frances Scully Pony Ballet and as a dancer at the Ambassadors' Club. In July 1926, she joined the

Fuller Brothers Sir Benjamin John Fuller (20 March 1875 – 10 March 1952) was an English-born Australian theatrical entrepreneur. Biography Benjamin John Fuller was born on 20 March 1875 in Shoreditch, London to compositor John Fuller (senior) and Harriett, ' ...

, touring with Chefalo and Palmer, the Moon and Morris Revue Company and the Zig Zag Revue Company. Her second film, ''

Sunrise Sunrise (or sunup) is the moment when the upper rim of the Sun appears on the horizon in the morning. The term can also refer to the entire process of the solar disk crossing the horizon and its accompanying atmospheric effects. Terminology A ...

'', was made in 1926. In 1927, she appeared as a specialty dancer in the musicals ''

No, No, Nanette ''No, No, Nanette'' is a musical comedy with lyrics by Irving Caesar and Otto Harbach, music by Vincent Youmans, and a book by Otto Harbach and Frank Mandel, based on Mandel's 1919 Broadway play ''My Lady Friends''. The farcical story involves t ...

'' and Gershwin's '' Lady Be Good'', both starring Elsie Prince. She then joined the

Jim Gerald Jim Gerald (1 January 1891 – 2 March 1971) born James Fitzgerald was an Australian comedian, circus clown, acrobat, writer, director and troupe leader and filmmaker. Theatre Historian Frank Van Straten has described Gerald as "the quintessen ...

Revue Company. Her mother was an accomplished dress designer, both for the Empire Theatre in Sydney and on her own account, under the name "Madame du Barry." In February 1928, her mother married Jim Gerald's brother, Lance Vane. In March, Phyllis accompanied her newly acquired uncle and aunt, Jim Gerald and Essie Jennings, on an extensive tour of America, returning in November. On her return, Phyllis remained with Jim Gerald's company, then other Fullers' companies, until April 1929, when she joined the cast of '' Rio Rita'', starring

Gladys Moncrieff Gladys Moncrieff (13 April 1892 – 8 February 1976) was an Australian singer who was so successful in musical theatre and recordings that she became known as 'Australia's Queen of Song' and 'Our Glad'. Life and career Early years Moncrieff ...

, as a dancer. In March 1930, Phyllis went to America and, under the name of Phyllis du Barry, toured the coast with the Fanchon and Marco Company. After arriving in Hollywood, she was given a film part when director

King Vidor King Wallis Vidor (; February 8, 1894 – November 1, 1982) was an American film director, film producer, and screenwriter whose 67-year film-making career successfully spanned the silent and sound eras. His works are distinguished by a vivid, ...

selected Barry to co-star as "the other woman" in the 1932

Samuel Goldwyn Samuel Goldwyn (born Szmuel Gelbfisz; yi, שמואל געלבפֿיש; August 27, 1882 (claimed) January 31, 1974), also known as Samuel Goldfish, was a Polish-born American film producer. He was best known for being the founding contributor an ...

film '' Cynara'' opposite Ronald Coleman and

Kay Francis Kay Francis (born Katharine Edwina Gibbs; January 13, 1905 – August 26, 1968) was an American stage and film actress. After a brief period on Broadway in the late 1920s, she moved to film and achieved her greatest success between 1930 an ...

. In 1933, she starred alongside Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante in the comedy ''

What! No Beer? ''What - No Beer?'' is a 1933 Pre-Code comedy film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer directed by Edward Sedgwick and starring Buster Keaton and Jimmy Durante. MGM had also paired Keaton and Durante as a comedy team during this period in ''The Pa ...

'' for MGM. Her career did not include other major productions. Modern viewers will remember Barry for her role as a foreign spy who seduces

Curly Howard Jerome Lester Horwitz (; October 22, 1903 – January 18, 1952), known professionally as Curly Howard, was an American actor and comedian. He was best known as a member of the American comedy team the Three Stooges, which also featured his elder ...

in the

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 appeare ...

short subject A short film is any motion picture that is short enough in running time not to be considered a feature film. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as "an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes ...

Three Little Sew and Sews ''Three Little Sew and Sews'' is a 1939 short subject directed by Del Lord starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Curly Howard). It is the 36th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starri ...

''. Other films include ''

The Prince and the Pauper ''The Prince and the Pauper'' is a novel by American author Mark Twain. It was first published in 1881 in Canada, before its 1882 publication in the United States. The novel represents Twain's first attempt at historical fiction. Set in 1547 ...

'', ''

One Rainy Afternoon ''One Rainy Afternoon'' is a 1936 American romantic comedy film directed by Rowland V. Lee, starring Francis Lederer and Ida Lupino, and featuring Hugh Herbert, Roland Young and Erik Rhodes. It also marked the last film appearance by actress ...

'', ''

Bonnie Scotland ''Bonnie Scotland'' is a 1935 American film directed by James W. Horne and starring Laurel and Hardy. It was produced by Hal Roach for Hal Roach Studios. Although the film begins in Scotland, a large part of the action is set in British India. ...

''. Barry married the vaudevillian Abner Nordlund in March 1932, divorcing him in April 1934, then shortly after married the painter/decorator Gilbert M. Caldwell, living in West Hollywood. Her mother had joined her in America in July 1930, and lived with the couple.

Death

Barry died of barbiturate poisoning caused by the ingestion of

phenobarbital Phenobarbital, also known as phenobarbitone or phenobarb, sold under the brand name Luminal among others, is a medication of the barbiturate type. It is recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for the treatment of certain types of ep ...

on 1 July 1954.

Filmography

* '' Painted Daughters'' (1925) as Saharab * ''

'' (1926) as Hope Stuart * '' Cynara'' (1932) as Doris Emily Lea * ''

Blind Adventure ''Blind Adventure'' is a 1933 American Pre-Code film directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack and starring Robert Armstrong, Helen Mack, Ralph Bellamy, and Roland Young. It was released by RKO Radio Pictures.Diplomaniacs ''Diplomaniacs'' is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy film starring Wheeler and Woolsey. The film in noted for its absurdist political satire, somewhat in the manner of '' Million Dollar Legs'' or '' Duck Soup'', both of which were released within ...

'' (1933) as Fifi * '' Goodbye Love'' (1933) as Dorothy Blaine * ''

Marriage on Approval ''Marriage on Approval'' is a 1933 pre-Code American drama film directed by Howard Higgin and starring Barbara Kent, Don Dillaway and William Farnum.Pitts p.162 It was released in the United Kingdom by British Lion under the alternative title of ...

'' (1933) as Dorothy * ''

'' (1933) as Hortense * '' Long Lost Father'' (1934) as Party guest * ''

Hips, Hips, Hooray! ''Hips, Hips, Hooray!'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code slapstick comedy starring Bert Wheeler, Robert Woolsey, Ruth Etting, Thelma Todd, and Dorothy Lee. During its initial theatrical run, it was preceded by the two-color Technicolor short ''Not ...

'' (1934) as Madame Irene * ''

Where Sinners Meet ''Where Sinners Meet'' is a 1934 American pre-Code romantic comedy film directed by J. Walter Ruben and starring Diana Wynyard, Clive Brook and Billie Burke. It was adapted by writer Henry William Hanemann from Clara Beranger's 1927 movie ''The L ...

'' (1934) as Brunette Chambermaid * '' Love Past Thirty'' (1934) as Beth Ramsden * ''

The Moonstone ''The Moonstone'' (1868) by Wilkie Collins is a 19th-century British epistolary novel. It is an early example of the modern detective novel, and established many of the ground rules of the modern genre. The story was serialised in Charles Di ...

'' (1934) as Anne Verinder * ''

Forbidden Heaven ''Forbidden Heaven'' is a 1935 American drama film directed by Reginald Barker and written by Sada Cowan and Jefferson Parker. The film stars Charles Farrell, Charlotte Henry, Beryl Mercer, Fred Walton (actor), Fred Walton, Eric Wilton and Phylli ...

'' (1935) as Sybil Radford * ''

'' (1935) as Gossip * ''

'' (1936) as Felice * '' To Mary with Love'' (1937) as Guest * ''

Step Lively, Jeeves! ''Step Lively, Jeeves!'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Eugene Forde, written by Frank Fenton and Lynn Root, and starring Arthur Treacher as P. G. Wodehouse's Jeeves alongside Patricia Ellis, Robert Kent, Alan Dinehart, George Gi ...

'' (1937) as Mrs. Tremaine * ''

'' (1937) as Barmaid * ''

Damaged Goods Damaged goods or Damaged Goods may refer to: * Goods that have been damaged, where goods are items that satisfy human wants and provide utility * A person considered to be less than perfect psychologically, as a result of a traumatic experience ...

'' (1937) as Margie * ''

Affairs of Cappy Ricks ''Affairs of Cappy Ricks'' is a 1937 American comedy-drama film directed by Ralph Staub and starring Walter Brennan, Mary Brian, Lyle Talbot, Frank Shields, and Frank Melton. The plot is about a captain who returns home from a long voyage and ...

'' (1937) as Ellen Ricks Peasely * '' Bulldog Drummond Comes Back'' (1937) as Hortense, barmaid * ''

The Invisible Menace ''The Invisible Menace'' is a 1938 American mystery film directed by John Farrow and starring Boris Karloff. It was also known as ''Without Warning''. Plot An army private (Craven) and his new bride (Wilson) are trying to honeymoon on an island ...

'' (1938) as Mrs. Aline Dolman * ''

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 Hemisp ...

'' (1938) as Ruth * ''

The Jones Family in Hollywood ''The Jones Family in Hollywood'' is a 1939 American comedy film directed by Malcolm St. Clair and written by Harold Tarshis. The film stars Jed Prouty, Spring Byington, Kenneth Howell, George Ernest, June Carlson and Florence Roberts. It was ...

'' (1939) as Actress * ''

The Witness Vanishes ''The Witness Vanishes'' is a 1939 American mystery film directed by Otis Garrett and starring Edmund Lowe, Wendy Barrie, and Bruce Lester. Cast list Production In 1937, Universal Pictures made a deal with Crime Club, who were published of w ...

'' (1939) as Miss Carson * ''

Kid Nightingale ''Kid Nightingale'' is a 1939 American musical comedy film directed by George Amy and written by Charles Belden and Raymond L. Schrock. The film stars John Payne, Jane Wyman, Walter Catlett, Edward Brophy, Charles D. Brown, Max Hoffman Jr., ...

'' (1939) as First Girl with Mrs. Reynolds * '' We Are Not Alone'' (1939) as First Chorus Girl * ''

Secrets of a Model ''Secrets of a Model'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by Sam Newfield and starring Cheryl Walker, Harold Daniels and Phyllis Barry. It was made as an independent exploitation film on Poverty Row.Pitts p.196 Synopsis In order to raise mo ...

'' (1940) as Sally Adams * ''

I Was an Adventuress ''I Was an Adventuress'' is a 1940 American drama film directed by Gregory Ratoff, starring Vera Zorina, Richard Greene, Erich von Stroheim, and Peter Lorre. Actress/ballerina Countess Tanya Vronsky (Vera Zorina) works as decoy for two internati ...

'' (1940) as Englishwoman at Exhibit * ''

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 t ...

'' (1940) as Second Girl at Estate Dance * ''

The Case of the Black Parrot ''The Case of the Black Parrot'' is a 1941 American crime film directed by Noel M. Smith and written by Robert E. Kent. The film stars William Lundigan, Maris Wrixon, Eddie Foy, Jr., Luli Deste, Paul Cavanagh and Charles Waldron. The film w ...

'' (1941) as Julia * ''

Shadows on the Stairs ''Shadows on the Stairs'' is a 1941 American mystery film directed by D. Ross Lederman. It is based on Frank Vosper's play '' Murder on the Second Floor''. The British subsidiary of Warner Brothers had previously produced a film adaptation of ...

'' (1941) as Lucy Timson, the Maid * ''

Gentleman from Dixie ''Gentleman from Dixie'' is a 1941 American drama film directed by Albert Herman and starring Jack La Rue, Marian Marsh and Clarence Muse.Berry & Berry p.239 Cast * Jack La Rue as Thad Terrill * Marian Marsh as Margaret Terrill * Clarence M ...

'' (1941) as Secretary * '' Unfinished Business'' (1941) as Sheila * ''

The Mysterious Doctor ''The Mysterious Doctor'' is a 1943 American horror film directed by Benjamin Stoloff and written by Richard Weil. The film stars John Loder, Eleanor Parker, Bruce Lester, Lester Matthews and Forrester Harvey. The film was released by Warner ...

'' (1943) as Ruby * '' Frenchman's Creek'' (1944) as Woman in Gaming House * '' Kitty'' (1945) as Guest * '' Love from a Stranger'' (1947) as Waitress

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Barry, Phyllis 1908 births 1954 deaths English film actresses British actresses Actresses from London 20th-century English actresses British emigrants to the United States Barbiturates-related deaths Drug-related deaths in California