Rose Constance Gilchrist (July 17, 1895 – March 3, 1985) was an American stage, film, and television actress. Among her screen credits are her roles in the Hollywood productions '' Cry 'Havoc''' (1943), ''

A Letter to Three Wives ''A Letter to Three Wives'' is a 1949 American romantic comedy-drama which tells the story of a woman who mails a letter to three women, telling them she has left town with the husband of one of them, but not saying which one. It stars Jeanne Cr ...

'' (1949), '' Little Women'' (1949), '' Tripoli'' (1950), '' Houdini'' (1953), ''

Some Came Running ''Some Came Running'' is a novel by James Jones, published in 1958. It was Jones's second published novel, following his award-winning debut '' From Here to Eternity''. It is the story of a war veteran with literary aspirations who returns in ...

'' (1958), and '' Auntie Mame'' (1958).

Early years

Gilchrist was born in

Brooklyn, New York Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

and attended Assumption Academy. Her mother, Martha Daniels, was an actress.

Career

Gilchrist made her stage debut in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

at age 22 in 1917. She eventually made her way to Hollywood, where she was signed by

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 through MGM Holdings, founded on April 17, 1924 ...

to a 10-year contract in 1939. After playing Purity Pinker in the 1954 film ''

Long John Silver Long John Silver is a Character (arts), fictional character and the main antagonist in the novel ''Treasure Island'' (1883) by Robert Louis Stevenson. The most colourful and complex character in the book, he continues to appear in popular cult ...

'', Gilchrist reprised her role, as did

Robert Newton Robert Guy Newton (1 June 1905 – 25 March 1956) was an English actor. Along with Errol Flynn, Newton was one of the more popular actors among the male juvenile audience of the 1940s and early 1950s, especially with British boys. Known for h ...

, in the television series '' The Adventures of Long John Silver''. She is perhaps best known today for her role as Norah Muldoon in the 1958 film '' Auntie Mame'', and her role in the 1949 film ''

'', in which she exclaims the iconic line "Bingo" while fainting. She was also seen on television's ''

General Electric Theater ''General Electric Theater'' was an American anthology series hosted by Ronald Reagan that was broadcast on CBS radio and television. The series was sponsored by General Electric's Department of Public Relations. Radio After an audition show ...

''. Gilchrist's

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 ...

credits include '' Ladies and Gentlemen'', ''Work Is for Horses'', ''Excursion'', and ''Mulato''.

Personal life

Gilchrist married Edward O'Hanlon in 1922. Their daughter, Dorothy, was also an actress. She was involved in a lawsuit in 1961, charging that a hair dresser had permanently damaged her scalp when tinting her hair. A news report said, "She contended that she is now confined to grandmotherly roles because her scalp will stand no more dyeing." She sought $50,000 in damages but received $5,000 ($ today) in a settlement. Gilchrist was of the

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 let ...

faith and a lifelong Democrat who supported Adlai Stevenson's campaign during the 1952 presidential election.

Death

Connie Gilchrist died on March 3, 1985, aged 89, in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Her husband died on December 13, 1983. She is buried at Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Complete filmography

*'' Hullabaloo'' (1940) as Arline Merriweather *'' The Wild Man of Borneo'' (1941) as Mrs. Diamond *'' Barnacle Bill'' (1941) as Mamie *''

A Woman's Face ''A Woman's Face'' is a 1941 American drama film directed by George Cukor and starring Joan Crawford, Melvyn Douglas and Conrad Veidt. It tells the story of Anna Holm, a facially disfigured blackmailer, who because of her appearance, despises eve ...

'' (1941) as Christina Dalvik *''

Billy the Kid Billy the Kid (born Henry McCarty; September 17 or November 23, 1859July 14, 1881), also known by the pseudonym William H. Bonney, was an outlaw and gunfighter of the American Old West, who killed eight men before he was shot and killed at th ...

'' (1941) as Mildred (uncredited) *'' Down in San Diego'' (1941) as Proprietress (uncredited) *''

Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day ''Dr. Kildare's Wedding Day'' is a 1941 American drama film directed by Harold S. Bucquet, starring Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore, and Laraine Day. It is the eighth of a total of nine Dr. Kildare pictures made by the MGM studios. When MGM decided ...

'' (1941) as Jennie the Maid (uncredited) *'' Married Bachelor'' (1941) as Mother with Baby on Train (uncredited) *'' H. M. Pulham, Esq.'' (1941) as Tillie, Elevator Operator (uncredited) *''

Johnny Eager ''Johnny Eager'' is a 1941 film noir directed by Mervyn LeRoy and starring Robert Taylor, Lana Turner and Van Heflin. Heflin won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film was one of many spoofed in ''Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid'' (19 ...

'' (1941) as Peg *'' Born to Sing'' (1942) as Welfare Worker *''

This Time for Keeps ''This Time for Keeps'' is a 1947 American romantic musical film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Esther Williams, Jimmy Durante, Johnnie Johnston and opera singer Lauritz Melchior. Produced by MGM, it is about a soldier, returning home ...

'' (1942) as Miss Nichols *'' We Were Dancing'' (1942) as Olive Ransome *'' Sunday Punch'' (1942) as Ma Galestrum *'' Tortilla Flat'' (1942) as Mrs. Torrelli *''

Grand Central Murder ''Grand Central Murder'' is a comedy/mystery film released in 1942. It was based on Sue MacVeigh's 1939 novel of the same name, and stars Van Heflin as a private investigator who is one of the suspects in a murder on a private train car in Gran ...

'' (1942) as Pearl Delroy *''

Apache Trail The Apache Trail in Arizona was a stagecoach trail that ran through the Superstition Mountains. It was named the Apache Trail after the Apache Indians who originally used this trail to move through the Superstition Mountains. The historic A ...

'' (1942) as Señora Martinez *''

The War Against Mrs. Hadley ''The War Against Mrs. Hadley'' is a 1942 American drama film directed by Harold S. Bucquet and starring Fay Bainter and Edward Arnold. The plot depicts how wealthy society matron Stella Hadley selfishly refuses to sacrifice her family or materi ...

'' (1942) as Cook *'' The Human Comedy'' (1943) (listed in the cast, but did not appear onscreen) *'' Presenting Lily Mars'' (1943) as Frankie *'' Thousands Cheer'' (1943) *'' Swing Shift Maisie'' (1943) as Maw Lustvogel *'' Cry 'Havoc''' (1943) as Sadie *'' See Here, Private Hargrove'' (1944) (listed in the cast, but did not appear onscreen) *'' The Heavenly Body'' (1944) as Beulah - 'Delia Murphy' *''

Rationing Rationing is the controlled distribution of scarce resources, goods, services, or an artificial restriction of demand. Rationing controls the size of the ration, which is one's allowed portion of the resources being distributed on a particular ...

'' (1944) as Mrs. Porter *''Patrolling the Ether'' (1944, Short) as Phillip's Mother (uncredited) *''Important Business'' (1944, Short) as Miss Larkin (uncredited) *'' Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble'' (1944) as Mrs. Gordon (uncredited) *'' The Seventh Cross'' (1944) as Frau Binder (uncredited) *'' The Thin Man Goes Home'' (1944) as Woman on Train with Baby (uncredited) *'' Nothing but Trouble'' (1944) as Mrs. Flannigan *'' Music for Millions'' (1944) as Travelers Aid Woman *''

The Valley of Decision ''The Valley of Decision'' is a 1945 film directed by Tay Garnett, based on Marcia Davenport's 1942 novel of the same name. Set in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the 1870s, it stars Greer Garson and Gregory Peck. It tells the story of a young Iri ...

'' (1945) as The Scotts' Cook (uncredited) *'' Junior Miss'' (1945) as Hilda *''

Up Goes Maisie ''Up Goes Maisie'' is a 1946 American comedy film directed by Harry Beaumont. Produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, it is the ninth of 10 films starring Ann Sothern as ex-showgirl Maisie Ravier, characterized as "that double trouble doll with the sa ...

'' (1946) as Cleaning Lady (uncredited) *'' Young Widow'' (1946) as Aunt Cissie *''

Bad Bascomb Wilbur D. Bascomb Jr. is an American bass guitarist. He is the son of jazz trumpeter Wilbur "Dud" Bascomb, who played with Erskine Hawkins and Duke Ellington. Career In the 1970s, Bascomb worked with James Brown(1974),Faithful in My Fashion'' (1946) as Mrs. Murphy *''A Really Important Person'' (1947, Short) as Mrs. Reilly *'' The Hucksters'' (1947) as Betty as Switchboard Operator *''

Song of the Thin Man ''Song of the Thin Man'' is a 1947 murder mystery-comedy directed by Edward Buzzell. The sixth and final film in MGM's '' Thin Man'' series, starring William Powell and Myrna Loy as Nick and Nora Charles, characters created by Dashiell Hammett ...

'' (1947) as Bertha *'' The Unfinished Dance'' (1947) as Josie's Mother (uncredited) *'' Good News'' (1947) as Cora, the cook *''

Tenth Avenue Angel ''Tenth Avenue Angel'' is a 1948 American film directed by Roy Rowland and starring Margaret O'Brien, Angela Lansbury, and George Murphy. It chronicles the life and family of Flavia Mills (Margaret O'Brien) in the late 1930s. Filming took place 1 ...

'' (1948) as Mrs. Murphy *'' The Bride Goes Wild'' (1948) as Nurse Tooker (uncredited) *'' The Big City'' (1948) as Martha *'' Luxury Liner'' (1948) as Bertha *''

Chicken Every Sunday ''Chicken Every Sunday'' is a 1949 American comedy film directed by George Seaton. The screenplay by Seaton and Valentine Davies is based on the 1944 play of the same title by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G. Epstein, which was based on the memo ...

'' (1949) as Millie Moon *''

'' (1949) as Mrs. Ruby Finney *''

Act of Violence ''Act of Violence'' is a 1949 American film noir starring Van Heflin, Robert Ryan and featuring Janet Leigh, Mary Astor and Phyllis Thaxter. Directed by Fred Zinnemann and adapted for the screen by Robert L. Richards from a story by Collier Yo ...

'' (1949) as Martha Finney *'' Little Women'' (1949) as Mrs. Kirke *''

The Story of Molly X ''The Story of Molly X'' is a 1949 American film noir crime film directed by Crane Wilbur and starring June Havoc, John Russell and Dorothy Hart. The screenplay concerns a woman who tries to reform after being sent to prison, but faces obstacles ...

'' (1949) as Dawn *'' Buccaneer's Girl'' (1950) as Vegetable Woman *'' Stars in My Crown'' (1950) as Sarah Isbell *'' A Ticket to Tomahawk'' (1950) as Madame Adelaide *'' Louisa'' (1950) as Housekeeper Gladys *'' Peggy'' (1950) as Miss Zim *'' The Killer That Stalked New York'' (1950) as Belle *''

Undercover Girl ''Undercover Girl'' is a 1950 American film noir crime film directed by Joseph Pevney and starring Alexis Smith and Scott Brady. This was the second movie for Joseph Pevney as a director. Plot A young woman joins the police, and tries to track ...

'' (1950) as Capt. Sadie Parker *'' Tripoli'' (1950) as Henriette *'' Thunder on the Hill'' (1951) as Sister Josephine *'' Chain of Circumstance'' (1951) as Mrs. Mullins *'' Here Comes the Groom'' (1951) as Ma Jones *''

One Big Affair ''One Big Affair'' is a 1952 American comedy film directed by Peter Godfrey and written by Leo Townsend and Francis Swann. The film stars Evelyn Keyes, Dennis O'Keefe, Mary Anderson, Connie Gilchrist, Thurston Hall and Gus Schilling. The film ...

'' (1952) as Miss Marple *'' Flesh and Fury'' (1952) as Mrs. Richardson *''

The Half-Breed ''The Half-Breed'' is a 1952 American Western film directed by Stuart Gilmore and written by Harold Shumate, Richard Wormser and Charles Hoffman. The film stars Robert Young, Janis Carter, Jack Buetel, Barton MacLane, Reed Hadley and Porter ...

'' (1952) as Ma Higgins *'' Houdini'' (1953) as Mrs. Shultz *''

The Great Diamond Robbery ''The Great Diamond Robbery'' is a 1954 American comedy film directed by Robert Z. Leonard and starring Red Skelton, James Whitmore, Cara Williams and Reginald Owen. It was produced and distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Plot A diamond potential ...

'' (1954) as Blonde *'' It Should Happen to You'' (1954) as Mrs. Riker *''

The Far Country ''The Far Country'' is a 1954 American Technicolor Western film directed by Anthony Mann and starring James Stewart, Ruth Roman, Walter Brennan, John McIntire and Corinne Calvet. Written by Borden Chase, the film is about a self-minded advent ...

'' (1954) as Hominy *''

'' (1954) as Purity Pinker *''

The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit ''The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit'' is a 1956 American drama film based on the 1955 novel '' The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit'' by Sloan Wilson. The film focuses on Tom Rath, a young World War II veteran trying to balance his marriage and fami ...

'' (1956) as Mrs. Manter *'' Machine-Gun Kelly'' (1958) as "Ma" Becker *'' Auntie Mame'' (1958) as Norah Muldoon *''

'' (1958) as Jane Barclay *'' Say One for Me'' (1959) as Mary *''

Swingin' Along ''Swingin' Along'' is a 1961 American comedy film directed by Charles Barton. The film, which was released by 20th Century Fox, marked the final appearance of the comedy team of Tommy Noonan and Peter Marshall. The film focuses on Noonan as a ...

'' (1961) as Aunt Sophie *'' The Interns'' (1962) as Nurse Connie Dean *'' The Misadventures of Merlin Jones'' (1964) as Mrs. Gossett *'' A Tiger Walks'' (1964) as Liddy Lewis *'' A House Is Not a Home'' (1964) as Hattie Miller *'' Two on a Guillotine'' (1965) as Ramona Ryerdon *'' Sylvia'' (1965) as Molly Baxter (uncredited) *''

The Monkey's Uncle ''The Monkey's Uncle'' is a 1965 American comedy film starring Tommy Kirk as genius college student Merlin Jones and Annette Funicello (former Mouseketeer from ''The Mickey Mouse Club'') as his girlfriend, Jennifer. The title plays on the idiom ...

'' (1965) as Mrs. Gossett *'' Fluffy'' (1965) as Maid *''

Tickle Me ''Tickle Me'' is a 1965 American musical comedy western film directed by Norman Taurog and starring Elvis Presley as a champion rodeo bull rider and bronco buster. Presley won a 1966 Golden Laurel Award as best male actor in a musical film fo ...

'' (1965) as Hilda *'' Some Kind of a Nut'' (1969) as Mrs. Boland (uncredited) (final film role)

Television credits

*'' Leave It to Beaver'' (1957) as Minerva, a maid, in the episode "Captain Jack" *''

The Restless Gun ''The Restless Gun'' is an American Western television series that appeared on NBC between 1957 and 1959, with John Payne in the role of Vint Bonner, a wandering cowboy in the era after the American Civil War. A skilled gunfighter, Bonner is a ...

'' (1958) as Aunt Emma in Episode "Aunt Emma" *''

The Real McCoys ''The Real McCoys'' is an American situation comedy starring Walter Brennan, Richard Crenna, and Kathleen Nolan. Co-produced by Danny Thomas's Marterto Productions in association with Walter Brennan and Irving Pincus's Westgate Company, ...

'' (1961) as Mrs. Jensen *'' The Tall Man'' as Big Mamacita in the episode "The Great Western" (1961) *'' Going My Way'', as Mrs. Reardon in "Blessed Are the Meek" (1963) *'' The Alfred Hitchcock Hour'', two appearances in 1963 *''

The Twilight Zone ''The Twilight Zone'' is an American media franchise based on the anthology television series created by Rod Serling. The episodes are in various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, absurdism, dystopian fiction, suspense, horror, sup ...

'', as Mrs. Feeney in " In Praise of Pip" (1963) *Perry Mason as Natasha in “The Case of the Scarlet Scandal” (1966)

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Gilchrist, Connie 1895 births 1985 deaths 20th-century American actresses Actresses from New York City American film actresses American stage actresses American television actresses Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract players People from Brooklyn American Roman Catholics New Mexico Democrats California Democrats New York (state) Democrats