Theresa Harris (December 31, 1906 – October 8, 1985) was an American television and film actress, singer and dancer.

Early life

Harris was born on New Year's Eve 1906 (some sources indicate 1909) in

Houston, Texas Houston (; ) is the most populous city in Texas, the most populous city in the Southern United States, the fourth-most populous city in the United States, and the sixth-most populous city in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in ...

, to Isaiah and Mable Harris, both of whom were former

sharecroppers Sharecropping is a legal arrangement with regard to agricultural land in which a landowner allows a tenant to use the land in return for a share of the crops produced on that land. Sharecropping has a long history and there are a wide range ...

from Louisiana. Harris' family relocated to Southern California when she was 11 years old. After graduating Jefferson High School, she studied at the UCLA Conservatory of Music and Zoellner's Conservatory of Music. She then joined the Lafayette Players, an African American musical comedy theatre troupe.

Career

She made her film debut in 1929 in ''

Thunderbolt A thunderbolt or lightning bolt is a symbolic representation of lightning when accompanied by a loud thunderclap. In Indo-European mythology, the thunderbolt was identified with the 'Sky Father'; this association is also found in later Hell ...

'', singing the song "Daddy Won't You Please Come Home". As she entered the 1930s, she played, often without credit, maids to characters acted by

Ginger Rogers Ginger Rogers (born Virginia Katherine McMath; July 16, 1911 – April 25, 1995) was an American actress, dancer and singer during the Classical Hollywood cinema, Golden Age of Hollywood. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her starri ...

Bette Davis Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (; April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress with a career spanning more than 50 years and 100 acting credits. She was noted for playing unsympathetic, sardonic characters, and was famous for her pe ...

Sylvia Sidney Sylvia Sidney (born Sophia Kosow; August 8, 1910 – July 1, 1999) was an American stage, screen and film actress whose career spanned over 70 years. She rose to prominence in dozens of leading roles in the 1930s. She was nominated for the Aca ...

Frances Dee Frances Marion Dee (November 26, 1909 – March 6, 2004) was an American actress. Her first film was the musical ''Playboy of Paris'' (1930). She starred in the film ''An American Tragedy'' (1931). She is also known for starring in the 1943 Va ...

Myrna Loy Myrna Loy (born Myrna Adele Williams; August 2, 1905 – December 14, 1993) was an American film, television and stage actress. Trained as a dancer, Loy devoted herself fully to an acting career following a few minor roles in silent films. ...

Jean Harlow Jean Harlow (born Harlean Harlow Carpenter; March 3, 1911 – June 7, 1937) was an American actress. Known for her portrayal of "bad girl" characters, she was the leading sex symbol of the early 1930s and one of the defining figures of the ...

Thelma Todd Thelma Alice Todd (July 29, 1906 – December 16, 1935) was an American actress and businesswoman who carried the nicknames "The Ice Cream Blonde" and "Hot Toddy". Appearing in about 120 feature films and shorts between 1926 and 1935, she ...

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 ...

, and

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 ...

. She also floated around studios doing bit-parts, usually at

Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (commonly known as Warner Bros. or abbreviated as WB) is an American film and entertainment studio headquartered at the Warner Bros. Studios complex in Burbank, California, and a subsidiary of Warner Bros. D ...

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer 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 amazon (company), Amazon through MGM Holdings, founded o ...

, variously as a blues singer, waitress, tribal woman, prostitute, and hat check girl. Harris had a featured role as a friend of star

in MGM's ''

Hold Your Man ''Hold Your Man '' is a 1933 American pre-Code romantic drama film directed by an uncredited Sam Wood and starring Jean Harlow and Clark Gable, the third of their six films together.Landazuri, Margarit"Hold Your Man" (TCM article)/ref> The scre ...

'' (1933), co-starring

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 ...

. In 1933, she appeared as Chico in the Warner Bros.

pre-Code Pre-Code Hollywood was the brief era in the Cinema of the United States, American film industry between the widespread adoption of sound in film in 1929LaSalle (2002), p. 1. and the enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code censorshi ...

production of ''

Baby Face Babyface or Baby Face can refer to: Nicknames * Lester Joseph Gillis a.k.a. Baby Face Nelson, an infamous 1930s bank robber * Roosevelt "Baby Face" Willette (1933–1971), an American hard bop and soul-jazz musician * "Baby Face", Jimmy McLarnin ...

'', starring

. That same year, Harris starred in a substantial role opposite

in ''

Professional Sweetheart ''Professional Sweetheart'' is a 1933 American pre-Code romantic comedy directed by William A. Seiter from a screenplay by Maurine Watkins. It stars Ginger Rogers in her first film for RKO Radio Pictures, with Norman Foster, ZaSu Pitts and Fran ...

''. As Rogers's character's maid, Harris's character subs for Rogers's character as a singer on the radio. Despite the fact that Harris's character was a major point for the story's plot development, she was uncredited for the role. Throughout the 1930s, Harris played many uncredited parts in films such as ''

Horse Feathers ''Horse Feathers'' is a 1932 pre-Code comedy film starring the Marx Brothers. It stars the Four Marx Brothers (Groucho, Harpo, Chico, and Zeppo), Thelma Todd and David Landau. It was written by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, S. J. Perelman, and W ...

'' (1932), ''

Gold Diggers of 1933 ''Gold Diggers of 1933'' is a pre-Code Warner Bros. musical film directed by Mervyn LeRoy with songs by Harry Warren (music) and Al Dubin (lyrics), staged and choreographed by Busby Berkeley. It stars Warren William, Joan Blondell, Aline ...

'' (1933), ''Mary Stevens, M.D.'' (1933) and ''

Morning Glory Morning glory (also written as morning-glory) is the common name for over 1,000 species of flowering plants in the family Convolvulaceae, whose current taxonomy and systematics are in flux. Morning glory species belong to many genera, some of ...

'' (1933). She also played

's maid Zette in the film ''

Jezebel Jezebel (;"Jezebel"
(US) and ) was the daughte ...

'' (1938). In 1937, she appeared in the

race film The race film or race movie was a genre of film produced in the United States between about 1915 and the early 1950s, consisting of films produced for black audiences, and featuring black casts. Approximately five hundred race films were produce ...

Bargain with Bullets ''Bargain with Bullets'' is a 1937 American film. The first film produced by Million Dollar Productions Million Dollar Productions was a movie studio in the United States active from 1937 until 1940. It was established to produce films with Afric ...

'' opposite

Ralph Cooper Ralph Cooper (January 16, 1908 – August 4, 1992), was an American actor, screenwriter, dancer and choreographer. Cooper is best known as the original master of ceremonies and founder of amateur night at the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New Yo ...

for

Million Dollar Productions Million Dollar Productions was a movie studio in the United States active from 1937 until 1940. It was established to produce films with African American casts. It was a partnership between Harry M. Popkin, Leo C. Popkin and Ralph Cooper. Histo ...

, co-owned by Cooper. While doing promotion for the film, Harris spoke about her frustration over the difficulty African American actors faced in the film industry stating,

I never had the chance to rise above the role of maid in Hollywood movies. My color was against me anyway you looked at it. The fact that I was not "hot" stamped me either as uppity or relegated me to the eternal role of stooge or servant. ..My ambition is to be an actress. Hollywood had no parts for me.

She also praised Ralph Cooper for starting a production company that produced films starring African American actors. She said,

We have nothing to lose in the development of an all-colored motion picture company. The competition will make Hollywood perk up and produce better films with our people in a variety of roles.

Harris continued to lobby for better parts within Hollywood but found few opportunities. In the 1939 movie ''Tell No Tales'' she was credited for playing Ruby, the wife of a murdered man. Harris played an emotional scene with Melvin Douglas at the funeral. She appears in a small but vivid role as Kathie Moffat's ex-maid Eunice Leonard in

Jacques Tourneur Jacques Tourneur (; November 12, 1904 – December 19, 1977) was a French film director known for the classic film noir ''Out of the Past'' and a series of low-budget horror films he made for RKO Studios, including ''Cat People (1942 film), Cat ...

1947 ''

Out of the Past ''Out of the Past'' (billed in the United Kingdom as ''Build My Gallows High'') is a 1947 film noir directed by Jacques Tourneur and starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, and Kirk Douglas. The film was adapted by Daniel Mainwaring (using the pseu ...

''. In addition to films, Harris also performed in many radio programs, including ''

Hollywood Hotel The Hollywood Hotel was a famous hotel, society venue of early Hollywood, and landmark, formerly located at 6811 Hollywood Boulevard, on the north side, extending from Highland Avenue to Orchid Avenue, in central Hollywood, Los Angeles, Califor ...

''. Harris was often paired with Eddie Rochester Anderson, who portrayed her on-screen boyfriend. They appeared together in ''

Buck Benny Rides Again ''Buck Benny Rides Again'' is a 1940 American Western comedy film from Paramount Pictures starring Jack Benny and Ellen Drew. The film featured regulars from Benny's radio show including Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson, Andy Devine, Phil Harris, and D ...

'' (1940) and ''

What's Buzzin' Cousin What or WHAT may refer to: * What, an interrogative word, interrogative pronoun and adverb * "What?", one of the Five Ws used in journalism Film and television * What! (film), ''What!'' (film) or ''The Whip and the Body'', a 1963 Italian film ...

'' (1943). In ''Buck Benny Rides Again'', Harris and Anderson performed the musical number "My, My," where they sing and dance tap, classical, Spanish, and swing. She also appeared in several prominent roles for

RKO Pictures RKO Radio Pictures Inc., commonly known as RKO Pictures or simply RKO, was an American film production and distribution company, one of the "Big Five" film studios of Hollywood's Golden Age. The business was formed after the Keith-Albee-Orphe ...

as she was a favorite of producer

Val Lewton Val Lewton (May 7, 1904 – March 14, 1951) was a Russian-American novelist, film producer and screenwriter best known for a string of low-budget horror films he produced for RKO Pictures in the 1940s. His son, also named Val Lewton, was a paint ...

who routinely cast African American actors in non-stereotypical roles. In 1942, Lewton cast Harris as a sarcastic waitress in '' Cat People'', followed by roles in ''

I Walked with a Zombie ''I Walked with a Zombie'' is a 1943 American horror film directed by Jacques Tourneur and produced by Val Lewton for RKO Pictures. It stars James Ellison (actor), James Ellison, Frances Dee, and Tom Conway, and follows a Canadian nurse who trave ...

'' (1943), ''

Phantom Lady Phantom Lady is a Fictional character, fictional Superhero#Female superheroes and villains, superheroine, one of the first such characters to debut in the 1940s Golden Age of Comic Books. Originally published by Quality Comics, the character was ...

'' (1944), and ''

Strange Illusion ''Strange Illusion'' is a 1945 film noir version of Hamlet, envisioned as a modern crime film. It was directed by Edgar G. Ulmer and starred Jimmy Lydon, Warren William and Sally Eilers. According to noir historian Spencer Selby the film is "a st ...

'' (1945). During the 1950s, Harris appeared several times on television on such shows as ''

Lux Video Theatre ''Lux Video Theatre'' is an American television anthology series that was produced from 1950 until 1957. The series presented both comedy and drama in original teleplays, as well as abridged adaptations of films and plays. Overview The ''Lux Vid ...

'', ''

Alfred Hitchcock Presents ''Alfred Hitchcock Presents'' is an American television anthology series created, hosted and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, aired on CBS and NBC between 1955 and 1965. It features dramas, thrillers and mysteries. Between 1962 and 1965 it was ren ...

'', and ''

Letter to Loretta ''The Loretta Young Show'' (originally known as ''Letter to Loretta'') is an American anthology drama television series broadcast on Sunday nights from September 2, 1953, to June 4, 1961, on NBC for a total of 165 episodes. The series was hosted ...

''. She made her last film appearance in an uncredited role in ''

The Gift of Love ''The Gift of Love'' is a 1958 American CinemaScope drama romance film directed by Jean Negulesco and starring Lauren Bacall and Robert Stack. The film's screenplay was based on the short story "The Little Horse" by Nelia Gardner White, origi ...

'' in 1958.

Personal life

Harris married George Robinson, a doctor, in 1933. She retired from acting in the late 1950s, living comfortably off careful investments made during her career. Harris was a

Methodist Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a group of historically related denominations of Protestant Christianity whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's b ...

. A

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

, she supported the presidential campaign of Adlai Stevenson in 1952. On October 8, 1985, Harris died of undisclosed causes in Inglewood, California. She was buried in

Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery is a cemetery in Los Angeles at 1831 West Washington Boulevard in the Pico-Union district, southwest of Downtown. It was founded as Rosedale Cemetery in 1884, when Los Angeles had a population of approximately 28,000, ...

in Los Angeles, California.

Legacy

The title character in

Lynn Nottage Lynn Nottage (born November 2, 1964) is an American playwright whose work often focuses on the experience of working-class people, particularly working-class people who are Black. She has received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice: in 2009 for he ...

's 2011 play ''

By the Way, Meet Vera Stark ''By the Way, Meet Vera Stark'' is a play by Lynn Nottage. The play concerns an African-American maid in the 1930s who becomes a film star. Background Nottage received the 2010 Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award for this play. Producti ...

'' is based in part on Theresa Harris.

Selected filmography

*''

'' (1929) as Black Cat Cafe Singer (uncredited) *''

Morocco Morocco (),, ) officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the westernmost country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, and has land borders with Algeria to ...

'' (1930) as Camp Follower (uncredited) *'' The Road to Reno'' (1931) as Maid at Dude Ranch (uncredited) *'' Arrowsmith'' (1931) as Native Mother (uncredited) *'' Union Depot'' (1932) as Black Woman (uncredited) *''

Merrily We Go to Hell ''Merrily We Go to Hell'' is a 1932 pre-Code film directed by Dorothy Arzner, and starring Fredric March and Sylvia Sidney. Its title is an example of the sensationalistic titles that were common in the pre-Code era. Many newspapers refused to p ...

'' (1932) as Powder Room Attendant (uncredited) *''

Week Ends Only ''Week Ends Only'' is a 1932 American pre-Code film directed by Alan Crosland and starring Joan Bennett, Ben Lyon and John Halliday. It was made by Fox Film Corporation. The screenplay was written by William M. Conselman and Samuel Hopkins Adam ...

'' (1932) as Chloë (uncredited) *''

'' (1932) as Laura, Connie's maid (uncredited) *''

Free Wheeling ''Free Wheeling'' is a 1932 '' Our Gang'' short comedy film directed by Robert F. McGowan. It was the 117th (29th talking episode) ''Our Gang'' short that was released. Plot Confined to a neck brace, poor little rich boy Dickie would like to ...

'' (1932, Short) as Maid *''

Faithless Faithless are an English band that formed in 1995, with its core members being Rollo, Sister Bliss and Maxi Jazz. Their first album, '' Reverence'', was released in 1996 and their most recent, ''All Blessed'', in 2020. They have sold millions ...

'' (1932) as Amanda (uncredited) *'' Night After Night'' (1932) as Ladies' Room Attendant (uncredited) *''

The Sport Parade ''The Sport Parade'' is a 1932 American pre-Code film directed by Dudley Murphy and starring Joel McCrea, Marian Marsh, William Gargan, Robert Benchley, and Richard "Skeets" Gallagher. It was released by RKO Radio Pictures. Benchley also co-wrote ...

'' (1932) as Nightclub Dancer (uncredited) *''

The Half-Naked Truth ''The Half-Naked Truth'' is a 1932 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Gregory La Cava. The plot involves Lee Tracy as a carnival pitchman who finagles his girlfriend, a fiery hoochie dancer played by Lupe Vélez, into a major Broadw ...

'' (1932) as Emily, Teresita's Maid (uncredited) *''

Grand Slam Grand Slam most often refers to: * Grand Slam (tennis), one player or pair winning all four major annual tournaments, or the tournaments themselves Grand Slam or Grand slam may also refer to: Games and sports * Grand slam, winning category te ...

'' (1933) as Ladies' Room Attendant (uncredited) *''

'' (1933) as Black Woman in 'Pettin' in the Park' Number (uncredited) *''

'' (1933) as Vera, Glory's Maid (uncredited) *''

Private Detective 62 ''Private Detective 62'' is a 1933 American pre-Code detective film directed by Michael Curtiz and starring William Powell as a private detective who falls for a woman whom he has been hired to frame in a scandal. Plot In France, United States ...

'' (1933) as Janet's Maid (uncredited) *''

'' (1933) as Lily Mae Crippen, reformatory inmate (uncredited) *''

'' (1933) as Chico *''

Mary Stevens, M.D. ''Mary Stevens, M.D.'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film starring Kay Francis, Lyle Talbot and Glenda Farrell. The film was directed by Lloyd Bacon and based on the story by Virginia Kellogg. It was released by Warner Bros. on July 22, 193 ...

'' (1933) as Alice, Andrews' Maid (uncredited) *''

'' (1933) as Minor Role (uncredited) *''

Penthouse Penthouse most often refers to: *Penthouse apartment, a special apartment on the top floor of a building *Penthouse (magazine), ''Penthouse'' (magazine), a British-founded men's magazine *Mechanical penthouse, a floor, typically located directly u ...

'' (1933) as Lili, Mimi's Maid (uncredited) *''

Broadway Through a Keyhole ''Broadway Through a Keyhole'', also billed as ''Broadway Thru a Keyhole'', is a 1933 American pre-Code musical film produced by Twentieth Century Pictures and released by United Artists. New York City speakeasy proprietress Texas Guinan appear ...

'' (1933) as Joan's Maid (uncredited) *''

Blood Money Blood money may refer to: * Blood money (restitution), money paid to the family of a murder victim Films * Blood Money (1917 film), ''Blood Money'' (1917 film), a film starring Harry Carey * Blood Money (1921 film), ''Blood Money'' (1921 film ...

'' (1933) as Jessica (uncredited) *''

The Worst Woman in Paris? ''The Worst Woman in Paris?'' is a 1933 American drama film directed by Monta Bell and written by Monta Bell and Marion Dix. The film stars Benita Hume, Adolphe Menjou, Harvey Stephens, Helen Chandler, Margaret Seddon and Adele St. Mauer. The fil ...

'' (1933) as Lily, the Maid *''

Roman Scandals ''Roman Scandals'' is a 1933 American black-and-white pre-Code musical film starring Eddie Cantor, Ruth Etting, Gloria Stuart, Edward Arnold and David Manners. It was directed by Frank Tuttle. The film features a number of intricate production ...

'' (1933) as Handmaiden (uncredited) *''

Flying Down to Rio ''Flying Down to Rio'' is a 1933 American pre-Code RKO musical film famous for being the first screen pairing of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, although Dolores del Río and Gene Raymond received top billing and the leading roles. Among the fe ...

'' (1933) as Dancer (uncredited) *''

Success at Any Price ''Success at Any Price'' is a 1934 sound film starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Genevieve Tobin, Frank Morgan and silent film star Colleen Moore. It is based on the 1932 play '' Success Story'' by John Howard Lawson. Plot Joe, an amoral capitali ...

'' (1934) as Marie, Agnes' Maid (uncredited) *''

A Modern Hero ''A Modern Hero'' is a 1934 American pre-Code romance drama film starring Richard Barthelmess and directed by G. W. Pabst. It is based on the novel with the same title by Louis Bromfield. It was Pabst's only American talking film and the next-t ...

'' (1934) as Leah's Maid (uncredited) *''

Sleepers East ''Sleepers East'' is a 1934 American crime film directed by Kenneth MacKenna and written by Lester Cole. It is based on the 1933 novel ''Sleepers East'' by Frederick Nebel. The film stars Wynne Gibson, Preston Foster, Mona Barrie, Harvey Steph ...

'' (1934) as Gloria Washington (uncredited) *''

Finishing School A finishing school focuses on teaching young women social graces and upper-class cultural rites as a preparation for entry into society. The name reflects that it follows on from ordinary school and is intended to complete the education, wit ...

'' (1934) as Evelyn, Mrs Radcliff's maid (uncredited) *'' Drums O' Voodoo'' (1934) *''

Operator 13 ''Operator 13'' is a 1934 American pre-Code romance film directed by Richard Boleslawski and starring Marion Davies, Gary Cooper, and Jean Parker. Based on stories written by Robert W. Chambers, the film is about a Union spy who impersonates a ...

'' (1934) as Slave at Medicine Show (uncredited) *''

Black Moon Black Moon may refer to: * Black moon, one of four astronomical events involving new or dark moons * Black Moon (person) (c. 1821–1893), Lakota (American Indian) headman * Black Moon or Lilith (hypothetical moon), a hypothetical natural satelli ...

'' (1934) as Sacrificed Girl (uncredited) *'' Desirable'' (1934) as Ladies Room Maid at Party (uncredited) *''

Go Into Your Dance ''Go into Your Dance'' is a 1935 American musical drama film starring Al Jolson, Ruby Keeler, and Glenda Farrell. The film was directed by Archie Mayo and is based on the novel of the same name by Bradford Ropes. It was released by Warner Bros. ...

'' (1935) as Luana's Maid (uncredited) *''

Broadway Melody of 1936 ''Broadway Melody of 1936'' is a musical film released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1935. In New York, the film opened at the Capitol Theatre, the site of many prestigious MGM premieres. In New York, the film opened at the Capitol Theatre, the site ...

'' (1935) as Theresa (uncredited) *'' In Person'' (1935) as Carol's Maid (uncredited) *''

Strike Me Pink "Strike Me Pink" is a song by American singer-songwriter Debbie Harry, released in 1993 as the second single from her fourth solo album, ''Debravation'' (1993). The song was written by Harry, Anne Dudley and Jonathan Bernstein, and produced by D ...

'' (1936) as Dancer / Singer in 'First You Have Me High (Then You Have Me Low)' (uncredited) *''

The Green Pastures ''The Green Pastures'' is a play written in 1930 by Marc Connelly adapted from ''Ol' Man Adam an' His Chillun'' (1928), a collection of stories written by Roark Bradford. The play was the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1930. It had th ...

'' (1936) as Angel (uncredited) *''

15 Maiden Lane ''15 Maiden Lane'' is a 1936 American crime film directed by Allan Dwan and starring Claire Trevor, Cesar Romero, and Lloyd Nolan. The plot involves an insurance investigator (Trevor) who infiltrates a gang who had stolen jewels from the eponymou ...

'' (1936) as Ladies Room Maid (uncredited) *'' Banjo On My Knee'' (1936) as Black Blues Singer (uncredited) *''

Charlie Chan at the Olympics ''Charlie Chan at the Olympics'' (1937) is possibly the most topical Charlie Chan film, as it features actual footage from the 1936 Berlin Olympics. There is also a scene where Charlie crosses the Atlantic in the '' Hindenburg.'' This is the 14th ...

'' (1937) as Black US Team Member On Sidelines Rooting for Jesse Owens (uncredited) *''

The Lady Escapes ''The Lady Escapes'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Eugene Forde and starring Gloria Stuart, Michael Whalen, George Sanders and Cora Witherspoon. It is based on a Hungarian play. Plot summary A newly married couple argue constantly ...

'' (1937) as Maid (uncredited) *''

Big Town Girl ''Big Town Girl'' is a 1937 American drama film directed by Alfred L. Werker and written by Lou Breslow, Robert Ellis, Helen Logan and John Patrick. The film stars Claire Trevor, Donald Woods, Alan Dinehart, Alan Baxter, Murray Alper and Spen ...

'' (1937) as Maid (uncredited) *''Gangsters on the Loose'' (1937) as Grace Foster *''

Jezebel Jezebel (;"Jezebel"
(US) and ) was the daughte ...

'' (1938) as Zette *''

The Toy Wife ''The Toy Wife'' is a 1938 American drama film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Luise Rainer and Melvyn Douglas. The period film was produced by Merian C. Cooper and written by Zoë Akins. Plot Set before the American Civil War, ''The Toy ...

'' (1938) as 'Pick' *''

Passport Husband ''Passport Husband'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by James Tinling and written by Karen DeWolf and Robert Chapin. The film stars Stuart Erwin, Pauline Moore, Douglas Fowley, Joan Woodbury, Robert Lowery (actor), Robert Lowery and Harol ...

'' (1938) as Maid (uncredited) *''

Tell No Tales ''Tell No Tales'' is the third studio album by the Norwegian hard rock band TNT. It was the best-selling TNT album in the U.S., according to their bass guitarist Morty Black. This album diverted from the power metal style of ''Knights of the New ...

'' (1939) as Ruby *'' The Women'' (1939) as Olive (uncredited) *''One Hour to Live'' (1939) as High Yaller girl *''

City of Chance ''City of Chance'' is a 1940 American crime drama film directed by Ricardo Cortez and written by John Larkin and Barry Trivers. The film stars Lynn Bari, C. Aubrey Smith, Donald Woods and Amanda Duff. The film was released on January 13, 1940, b ...

'' (1940) as Beulah, Powder Room Attendant (uncredited) *''

'' (1940) as Josephine *''

Santa Fe Trail The Santa Fe Trail was a 19th-century route through central North America that connected Franklin, Missouri, with Santa Fe, New Mexico. Pioneered in 1821 by William Becknell, who departed from the Boonslick region along the Missouri River, th ...

'' (1940) as Maid (uncredited) *'' Love Thy Neighbor'' (1940) as Josephine *''

The Flame of New Orleans ''The Flame of New Orleans'' is a 1941 comedy film directed by René Clair and starring Marlene Dietrich and Bruce Cabot in his first comedy role. The supporting cast features Roland Young, Andy Devine and Franklin Pangborn. It was the last of t ...

'' (1941) as Clementine *''

Blossoms in the Dust ''Blossoms in the Dust'' is a 1941 American biographical film directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon, Felix Bressart, Marsha Hunt, Fay Holden and Samuel S. Hinds. It tells the true story of Edna Gladney, who helped o ...

'' (1941) as Cleo *''

Our Wife Our Wife may refer to: * Our Wife (1931 film) ''Our Wife'' is a 1931 American pre-Code Hal Roach comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy. It was directed by James W. Horne and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Plot Oliver is making plans to be ma ...

'' (1941) as Hattie *'' Here Comes Mr. Jordan'' (1941) as Mother Listening to Hurdy-gurdy (uncredited) *''

Sing Your Worries Away ''Sing Your Worries Away'' is a 1942 musical film directed by A. Edward Sutherland and starring Buddy Ebsen, June Havoc, Patsy Kelly, Bert Lahr, Dorothy Lovett and Sam Levene. Cast * Buddy Ebsen as Tommy Jones * Patsy Kelly as Bebe McGuire * B ...

'' (1942) as Hat Check Girl (uncredited) *'' Tough as They Come'' (1942) as Bessie Mae *'' Cat People'' (1942) as Minnie (uncredited) *''

'' (1943) as Alma, Maid *''

What's Buzzin', Cousin? ''What's Buzzin', Cousin?'' is a 1943 American musical film directed by Charles Barton and written by Harry Sauber and John P. Medbury. The film stars Ann Miller, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, John Hubbard, Freddy Martin, Leslie Brooks and Jeff ...

'' (1943) as Blossom (uncredited) *''

'' (1944) *''

'' (1945) as Maid (uncredited) *''

Men in Her Diary ''Men in Her Diary'' is a 1945 American comedy film. It stars Peggy Ryan and Jon Hall and was written by Lester Cole and directed by Charles Barton. It followed from the success of ''San Diego, I Love You''. Cast *Jon Hall *Peggy Ryan *Louise ...

'' (1945) as Violet (uncredited) *'' The Dolly Sisters'' (1945) as Ellabelle (uncredited) *''

Miss Susie Slagle's ''Miss Susie Slagle's'' is a 1946 American drama film directed by John Berry. It was based on the popular novel by Augusta Tucker. The film was Berry's directorial debut and first starring role for Joan Caulfield. Plot summary A nursing student ...

'' (1946) as Maid (uncredited) *''

Smooth as Silk ''Smooth as Silk'' is a 1946 American noir film directed by Charles Barton and starring Kent Taylor, Virginia Grey, and Milburn Stone. The film is also known as ''Notorious Gentleman'' as it is a version of 1935 film ''A Notorious Gentleman''. T ...

'' (1946) as Louise *''

Three Little Girls in Blue ''Three Little Girls in Blue'' is a 1946 Technicolor musical film directed by H. Bruce Humberstone and starring June Haver along with George Montgomery, Vivian Blaine, Celeste Holm, and Vera-Ellen. The 20th Century-Fox film was adapted from St ...

'' (1946) as Maid (uncredited) *''Swingtime Jamboree'' (1946) *''

Hit Parade of 1947 ''Hit Parade of 1947'' is a 1947 American comedy film directed by Frank McDonald and written by Mary Loos. The film stars Eddie Albert, Constance Moore, Joan Edwards, Gil Lamb, Bill Goodwin and William Frawley. The film was released on March 2 ...

'' (1947) as Maid (uncredited) *''

Miracle on 34th Street ''Miracle on 34th Street'' (initially released as ''The Big Heart'' in the United Kingdom) is a 1947 American List of Christmas films, Christmas comedy-drama film released by 20th Century Fox, written and directed by George Seaton and based on ...

'' (1947) as Cleo, the Walkers' maid / housekeeper (uncredited) *'' Merton of the Movies'' (1947) as Beulah's Maid (uncredited) *''

'' (1947) as Eunice Leonard (uncredited) *''

The Lady from Shanghai ''The Lady from Shanghai'' is a 1947 American film noir directed by Orson Welles (uncredited) and starring Welles, his estranged wife Rita Hayworth, and Everett Sloane. It is based on the novel ''If I Die Before I Wake'' by Sherwood King. Altho ...

'' (1947) as Spectator in Courtroom (uncredited) *''

The Big Clock ''The Big Clock'' is a 1946 novel by Kenneth Fearing. Published by Harcourt Brace, the thriller was Fearing's fourth novel, following three for Random House (''The Hospital'', ''Dagger of the Mind'', ''Clark Gifford's Body'') and five collections ...

'' (1948) as Daisy, Strouds' Maid (uncredited) *''

The Velvet Touch ''The Velvet Touch'' is a 1948 American film noir drama directed by Jack Gage and starring Rosalind Russell, Leon Ames, Leo Genn and Claire Trevor. Plot Broadway leading lady Valerie Stanton (Russell) accidentally kills her producer and former l ...

'' (1948) as Nancy *''

Alias Nick Beal ''Alias Nick Beal'' is a 1949 American film noir mystery film retelling of the Faust myth directed by John Farrow and starring Ray Milland, Audrey Totter and Thomas Mitchell (although third-billed, Mitchell plays the leading role). The picture ...

'' (1949) as Opal, Donna's Maid (uncredited) *'' Neptune's Daughter'' (1949) as Matilda the Maid (uncredited) *''

Tension Tension may refer to: Science * Psychological stress * Tension (physics), a force related to the stretching of an object (the opposite of compression) * Tension (geology), a stress which stretches rocks in two opposite directions * Voltage or el ...

'' (1949) as Woman in Drugstore (uncredited) *''

And Baby Makes Three ''And Baby Makes Three'' is a 1949 American romantic comedy film directed by Henry Levin (film director), Henry Levin and starring Robert Young (actor), Robert Young and Barbara Hale. Plot Jackie Walsh, recently divorced from Vernon Walsh, is t ...

'' (1949) as Wanda's Maid (uncredited) *''

The File on Thelma Jordon ''The File on Thelma Jordon'' is a 1950 American film noir drama film directed by Robert Siodmak and starring Barbara Stanwyck and Wendell Corey. The screenplay by Ketti Frings, based on an unpublished short story by Marty Holland, concerns a woma ...

'' (1950) as Esther *'' Grounds for Marriage'' (1951) as Stella *''

Al Jennings of Oklahoma ''Al Jennings of Oklahoma'' is a 1951 American Western film directed by Ray Nazarro and starring Dan Duryea and Gale Storm. It is based on the story of Al Jennings, a former train robber turned attorney. Premise Ex-lawyer becomes leader of not ...

'' (1951) as Terese *''

The Company She Keeps ''The Company She Keeps'' is a 1951 drama film starring Lizabeth Scott, Jane Greer and Dennis O'Keefe. The film was directed by John Cromwell, whose film the previous year, '' Caged'', also concerned a woman sent to prison. It marked Jeff Bri ...

'' (1951) as Lilly Johnson (uncredited) *'' Angel Face'' (1953) as Nurse Theresa (uncredited) *'' Small Town Girl'' (1953) as Backstage Maid (uncredited) *'' Here Come the Girls'' (1953) as Josie, Irene's Maid (uncredited) *''

The French Line ''The French Line'' is a 1953 American musical film starring Jane Russell made by RKO Radio Pictures, directed by Lloyd Bacon and produced by Edmund Grainger, with Howard Hughes as executive producer. The screenplay was by Mary Loos and Richard ...

'' (1953) as Clara, Mame's Maid (uncredited) *''

Back from Eternity ''Back from Eternity'' is a 1956 American drama film about a planeload of people stranded in the South American jungle and subsequently menaced by headhunters. The film stars Robert Ryan, Rod Steiger, Anita Ekberg and Gene Barry. The film is a ...

'' (1956) as Mamie (uncredited) *''

Spoilers of the Forest ''Spoilers of the Forest'' is a 1957 American drama film directed by Joseph Kane, written by Bruce Manning, and starring Rod Cameron, Vera Ralston, Ray Collins, Hillary Brooke, Edgar Buchanan and Carl Benton Reid. It was released on April 5, ...

'' (1957) as Nancy the Maid (uncredited) *''

'' (1958) as Dora, Sam's Wife (uncredited) (final film role)

References

External links

* * * *
TCM Fan biography for Theresa Harris
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harris, Theresa 1906 births 1985 deaths African-American actresses African-American women singers American female dancers American film actresses American stage actresses American television actresses Burials at Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery Actresses from Houston Actresses from Inglewood, California 20th-century American actresses 20th-century American singers 20th-century American women singers 20th-century American dancers California Democrats Texas Democrats African-American Methodists 20th-century Methodists