Jane Darwell (born Patti Woodard; October 15, 1879 – August 13, 1967) was an American actress of stage, film, and television. With appearances in more than 100 major movies spanning half a century, Darwell is perhaps best remembered for her poignant portrayal of the matriarch and leader of the Joad family in the film adaptation of

John Steinbeck John Ernst Steinbeck Jr. (; February 27, 1902 – December 20, 1968) was an American writer and the 1962 Nobel Prize in Literature winner "for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humor and keen social ...

's ''

The Grapes of Wrath ''The Grapes of Wrath'' is an American realist novel written by John Steinbeck and published in 1939. The book won the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize for fiction, and it was cited prominently when Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Priz ...

'', for which she received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She has a 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, Calif ...

Early life

Born to William Robert Woodard, president of the

Louisville Southern Railroad The Louisville Southern Railroad (abbreviated: LS) was a 19th-century railway company in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It operated from until , when it was incorporated into the Southern Railway in Kentucky. Originally incorporated as the Loui ...

, and Ellen Booth Woodard in Palmyra, Missouri, Darwell originally intended to become a circus rider, then later an opera singer. Her father, however, objected to those career plans, so she compromised by becoming an actress, changing her name to Darwell to avoid sullying the family name. The Jane Darwell Birthplace was added to the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic ...

in 1984.

Woodard vs. Woodward

Some sources give Darwell's birth name as Patti Woodward. They include ''Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia'', ''Screen World Presents the Encyclopedia of Hollywood Film Actors: From the silent era to 1965'', ''Missouri Biographical Dictionary'', ''Screen World 1968'', ''The New Biographical Dictionary of Film'', and ''Dictionary of Missouri Biography''.

Career

Grapes of Wrath, The - (Original Trailer) - 02

Darwell studied voice culture and the piano, followed by dramatics. At one point, she decided to enter a convent, then changed her mind and became an actress. She began acting in theater productions in Chicago and made her first film appearance in 1913. She appeared in almost 20 films over the next two years, then returned to the stage. After a 15-year absence from films, she appeared in ''

Tom Sawyer Thomas Sawyer () is the titular character of the Mark Twain novel ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' (1876). He appears in three other novels by Twain: ''Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' (1884), ''Tom Sawyer Abroad'' (1894), and ''Tom Sawyer, Dete ...

'' (1930), and her career as a Hollywood character actress began. Short, stout and plain, she was quickly cast in a succession of films, usually as the mother of one of the main characters. She also appeared in five

Shirley Temple Shirley Temple Black (born Shirley Jane Temple;While Temple occasionally used "Jane" as a middle name, her birth certificate reads "Shirley Temple". Her birth certificate was altered to prolong her babyhood shortly after she signed with Fox in ...

films, usually as the housekeeper or grandmother. Best supporting actor and actress 1940

She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress as Ma Joad in ''

'' (1940), a role she was given at the insistence of

Henry Fonda Henry Jaynes Fonda (May 16, 1905 – August 12, 1982) was an American actor. He had a career that spanned five decades on Broadway and in Hollywood. He cultivated an everyman screen image in several films considered to be classics. Born and ra ...

, the film's star. A contract player 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 Disn ...

, Darwell was memorably cast in ''

The Ox-Bow Incident ''The Ox-Bow Incident'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by William A. Wellman, starring Henry Fonda, Dana Andrews and Mary Beth Hughes, with Anthony Quinn, William Eythe, Harry Morgan and Jane Darwell. Two cowboys arrive in a ...

'', and occasionally starred in

B movies A B movie or B film is a low-budget commercial motion picture. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified films intended for distribution as the less-publicized bottom half of a double feature ...

and played featured parts in scores of major films. Darwell had noted appearances on the stage as well; in 1944, she was popular in the stage comedy ''Suds in Your Eye'', in which she played an Irishwoman who had inherited a junkyard. By the end of her career, she had appeared in more than 170 films, including ''

Huckleberry Finn Huckleberry "Huck" Finn is a fictional character created by Mark Twain who first appeared in the book ''The Adventures of Tom Sawyer'' (1876) and is the protagonist and narrator of its sequel, ''Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'' (1884). He is 12 ...

'' (1931), ''

Jesse James Jesse Woodson James (September 5, 1847April 3, 1882) was an American outlaw, bank and train robber, guerrilla and leader of the James–Younger Gang. Raised in the " Little Dixie" area of Western Missouri, James and his family maintained st ...

'' (1939), ''

Gone with the Wind Gone with the Wind most often refers to: * ''Gone with the Wind'' (novel), a 1936 novel by Margaret Mitchell * ''Gone with the Wind'' (film), the 1939 adaptation of the novel Gone with the Wind may also refer to: Music * ''Gone with the Wind'' ...

'' (1939), ''

The Devil and Daniel Webster "The Devil and Daniel Webster" (1936) is a short story by American writer Stephen Vincent Benét. He tells of a New Hampshire farmer who sells his soul to the devil and is later defended by Daniel Webster, a fictional version of the noted 19th-c ...

'' (1941), ''

'' (1943), and ''

My Darling Clementine ''My Darling Clementine'' is a 1946 American Western film directed by John Ford and starring Henry Fonda as Wyatt Earp during the period leading up to the gunfight at the O.K. Corral. The ensemble cast also features Victor Mature (as Doc Hol ...

'' (1946). On the television front, Darwell was among the guest stars on an episode of ''

Faye Emerson's Wonderful Town ''Faye Emerson's Wonderful Town'', also known as ''Wonderful Town, USA'', is a half-hour variety television series that aired on CBS from June 16, 1951, to April 19, 1952, in which Faye Emerson visits various cities. Episodes of the program were ...

'', a variety series that aired on CBS from 1951 to 1952 in which hostess

Faye Emerson Faye Margaret Emerson (July 8, 1917 – March 9, 1983) was an American film and stage actress and television interviewer who gained fame as a film actress in the 1940s before transitioning to television in the 1950s and hosting her own talk show ...

visits a different city each week to accent the local music. In 1954, Darwell appeared with

Andy Clyde Andrew Allan Clyde (March 25, 1892 – May 18, 1967) was a Scottish-born American film and television actor whose career spanned more than four decades. In 1921 he broke into silent films as a Mack Sennett comic, debuting in ''On a Summer ...

in the episode "Santa's Old Suit" of the series '' The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse''. This same episode was re-run the following Christmas 1955 on '' Studio 57''. In 1959, she appeared with child actor Roger Mobley in the episode "Mr. Rush's Secretary" on '' Buckskin'', starring Tom Nolan and

Sally Brophy Sally Cullen Brophy (December 14, 1928 – September 18, 2007) was a Broadway and television actress and college theatre-arts professor. Early years Brophy was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Cullen Brophy. Her father was a rancher; Brophy ...

. That same year she appeared in the TV Western series ''

Wagon Train ''Wagon Train'' is an American Western series that aired 8 seasons: first on the NBC television network (1957–1962), and then on ABC (1962–1965). ''Wagon Train'' debuted on September 18, 1957, and became number one in the Nielsen ratings ...

'' as “Mrs. Anderson” in the S2E23 episode “The Vivian Carter Story”. She guest starred on

John Bromfield John Bromfield (born Farron Bromfield; June 11, 1922 – September 19, 2005) was an American actor and commercial fisherman. Early years Farron Bromfield was born in South Bend, Indiana. He played football and was a boxing champion at Saint Mar ...

's crime drama ''Sheriff of Cochise''. On July 27, 1961, Darwell appeared as Grandmother McCoy in an episode of the sitcom ''

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 Compan ...

''. In the story, the series characters played by

Walter Brennan Walter Andrew Brennan (July 25, 1894 – September 21, 1974) was an American actor and singer. He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performances in '' Come and Get It'' (1936), ''Kentucky'' (1938), and '' The Westerner ...

Richard Crenna Richard Donald Crenna (November 30, 1926 – January 17, 2003) was an American film, television and radio actor. Crenna starred in such motion pictures as '' The Sand Pebbles'', ''Wait Until Dark'', ''Un Flic'', '' Body Heat'', the first three ...

, and

Kathleen Nolan Kathleen Nolan (born Joycelyn Schrum, September 27, 1933) is an American actress and former president of the Screen Actors Guild. From 1957 to 1962, she played Kate McCoy, a housewife, on the television series ''The Real McCoys''. Early years B ...

return to fictitious Smokey Corners, West Virginia for Grandmother McCoy's 100th birthday gathering. Darwell was 15 years older than "son" Walter Brennan.

Pat Buttram Maxwell Emmett "Pat" Buttram (June 19, 1915 – January 8, 1994) was an American character actor. Buttram was known for playing the sidekick of Gene Autry and for playing the character of Mr. Haney in the television series ''Green Acres''. He had ...

and Henry Jones appeared in this episode as Cousin Carl and Jed McCoy, respectively. On February 8, 1960, Darwell received a star on the

for her contributions to the motion-picture industry; it is located at 6735 Hollywood Boulevard. In her mid-eighties, Darwell was semi-retired from acting, other than a rare television guest appearance. She had recently moved into the Motion Picture Country Home because of her advanced age and feebleness. When Disney offered her the role of the Bird Woman in ''

Mary Poppins It may refer to: * ''Mary Poppins'' (book series), the original 1934–1988 children's fantasy novels that introduced the character. * Mary Poppins (character), the nanny with magical powers. * ''Mary Poppins'' (film), a 1964 Disney film star ...

'' (1964), Darwell declined the role. Walt Disney, still insistent, personally drove to the retirement home to plead with her and she agreed to take the part. It was her last acting role. In this pivotal scene in the movie, the Bird Woman at the steps of

St Paul's Cathedral St Paul's Cathedral is an Anglicanism, Anglican cathedral in London and is the seat of the Bishop of London. The cathedral serves as the mother church of the Diocese of London. It is on Ludgate Hill at the highest point of the City of London ...

Square sells bags of bread crumbs to passers-by to feed the pigeons. The "poignant" song "

Feed the Birds "Feed the Birds" is a song written by the Sherman Brothers ( Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman) and featured in the 1964 motion picture '' Mary Poppins''. The song speaks of an old beggar woman (the "Bird Woman") who sits on the steps of St Pa ...

" was sung by Julie Andrews, as a

hymn A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hymn ...

-like

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 knowledg ...

Death

During her last years, Darwell was in poor health. She died August 13, 1967, at the

Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital In physics, motion is the phenomenon in which an object changes its position with respect to time. Motion is mathematically described in terms of displacement, distance, velocity, acceleration, speed and frame of reference to an observer and me ...

from a

myocardial infarction 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 ma ...

at the age of 87 and her body was interred at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in

Glendale, California Glendale is a city in the San Fernando Valley and Verdugo Mountains regions of Los Angeles County, California, United States. At the 2020 U.S. Census the population was 196,543, up from 191,719 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth-larges ...

Partial filmography

*''

Brewster's Millions ''Brewster's Millions'' is a comedic novel written by George Barr McCutcheon in 1902, originally under the pseudonym of Richard Greaves. The plot concerns a young man whose grandfather leaves him $1 million in a will, but a competing will from a ...

'' (1914) as Mrs. Dan De Mille *'' The Master Mind'' (1914) as Milwaukee Sadie *'' The Only Son'' (1914) as Mrs. Brainerd *''

The Man on the Box ''The Man on the Box'' is a 1914 American silent comedy-drama film directed by Oscar Apfel and co-directed by Cecil B. DeMille. It was based on the 1904 novel of the same name by Harold MacGrath and stars Horace B. Carpenter. Max Figman had ...

'' (1914) as Mrs. Chadwick *'' Ready Money'' (1914) as Mrs. Tyler *'' Rose of the Rancho'' (1914) as Senora Castro Kenton / Juanita's Mother *'' The Hypocrites'' (1915) as Madam (uncredited) *''

The Goose Girl "The Goose Girl" (german: Die Gänsemagd) is a German fairy tale collected by the Brothers Grimm and first published in ''Grimm's Fairy Tales'' in 1815 (KHM 89). It is of Aarne-Thompson type 533. The story was first translated into English b ...

'' (1915) as Irma *''

After Five ''After Five'' is a 1915 American silent thriller comedy film directed by Cecil B. DeMille and Oscar Apfel. Based on the play of the same name by DeMille and his brother William, the film stars Edward Abeles. Plot Ted Ewing (Edward Abeles) i ...

'' (1915) as Mrs. Russell - Aunt Diddy *''

The Rug Maker's Daughter ''The Rug Maker's Daughter'' is a 1915 American adventure silent film directed by Oscar Apfel and written by Julia Crawford Ivers. The film stars Maud Allan, Forrest Stanley, Jane Darwell, Howard Davies, Herbert Standing and Laura Woods Cushing. ...

'' (1915) as Mrs. Van Buren *'' The Reform Candidate'' (1915) as Mrs. Haggerty *''

Little Church Around the Corner The Church of the Transfiguration, also known as the Little Church Around the Corner, is an Episcopal parish church located at 1 East 29th Street, between Madison and Fifth Avenues in the NoMad neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City. The con ...

'' (1923) as Anxious Woman at Mine Disaster (uncredited) *''

'' (1930) as Widow Douglas *'' Fighting Caravans'' (1931) as Pioneer Woman (uncredited) *''

'' (1931) as Widow Douglas *''

Ladies of the Big House ''Ladies of the Big House'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by Marion Gering and written by Ernest Booth, William Slavens McNutt and Grover Jones. The film stars Sylvia Sidney, Gene Raymond, Wynne Gibson, Earle Foxe, Rockl ...

'' (1931) as Mrs. Turner *''

No One Man ''No One Man'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film starring Carole Lombard and Ricardo Cortez, and directed by Lloyd Corrigan. It is based on a novel by Rupert Hughes. Plot Penelope Newbold is a wealthy divorcée looking to remarry. She fall ...

'' (1932) as Patient (uncredited) *'' Young America'' (1932) as Schoolteacher (uncredited) *''

The Strange Case of Clara Deane ''The Strange Case of Clara Deane'' is a 1932 American pre-Code drama film directed by Louis J. Gasnier and Max Marcin, written by Max Marcin, and starring Wynne Gibson, Pat O'Brien, Dudley Digges, Frances Dee, George Barbier, Russell Gleason ...

'' (1932) as Mortimer's Wife (uncredited) *'' Back Street'' (1932) as Mrs. Adolph Schmidt *'' Washington Merry-Go-Round'' (1932) as Alice's Aunt (uncredited) *''

Hot Saturday ''Hot Saturday'' is a 1932 American pre-Code "programmer" drama film directed by William A. Seiter and starring Cary Grant, Nancy Carroll, and Randolph Scott. This was Grant's first role as a leading man. Based on the novel ''Hot Saturday'' by H ...

'' (1932) as Mrs Ida Brock *''

Women Won't Tell ''Women Won't Tell'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code drama film directed by Richard Thorpe and starring Sarah Padden, Otis Harlan and Gloria Shea. It was written by Lela E. Rogers, mother of Ginger Rogers.Pitts p. 91 Main cast * Sarah Padden as Ag ...

'' (1932) as Mrs. Walter Robinson *''

Air Hostess A flight attendant, also known as steward/stewardess or air host/air hostess, is a member of the aircrew aboard commercial flights, many business jets and some government aircraft. Collectively called cabin crew, flight attendants are primar ...

'' (1933) as Ma Kearns *''

The Past of Mary Holmes ''The Past of Mary Holmes'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film, directed by Harlan Thompson and Slavko Vorkapich, and released by RKO. The film is a remake of the silent film ''The Goose Woman'' (1925), which is based on a short story by Re ...

'' (1933) *'' Child of Manhattan'' (1933) as Mrs. McGonegle *''

Murders in the Zoo ''Murders in the Zoo'' is 1933 pre-Code horror film directed by A. Edward Sutherland, written by Philip Wylie and Seton I. Miller. Particularly dark, even for its time, film critic Leonard Maltin called the film "astonishingly grisly." Plot Bi ...

'' (1933) as Banquet Guest (uncredited) *''

Bondage Bondage may refer to: Restraints *Physical restraints **Bondage (BDSM) Bondage in the BDSM subculture, is the practice of consensually tying, binding, or restraining a partner for erotic, aesthetic, or somatosensory stimulation. A partn ...

'' (1933) as Mrs. Elizabeth Wharton *''

The Girl in 419 ''The Girl in 419'' is a 1933 American pre-Code drama film directed by Alexander Hall and George Somnes and written by Allen Rivkin, Manuel Seff and P.J. Wolfson. The film stars James Dunn, Gloria Stuart, David Manners, William Harrigan, ...

'' (1933) as Nurse Esmond (uncredited) *''

Emergency Call Most public switched telephone networks have a single emergency telephone number (sometimes known as the universal emergency telephone number or the emergency services number) that allows a caller to contact local emergency services for assista ...

'' (1933) as Head Nurse Brown (uncredited) *''

Jennie Gerhardt ''Jennie Gerhardt'' is a 1911 novel by Theodore Dreiser. Plot summary Jennie Gerhardt is a destitute young woman. While working in a hotel in Columbus, Ohio, Jennie meets George Brander, a United States Senator, who becomes infatuated with her. ...

'' (1933) as Boardinghouse Keeper (uncredited) *'' Bed of Roses'' (1933) as Mrs. Webster - Head Prison Matron (uncredited) *'' Before Dawn'' (1933) as Mrs. Marble *''

He Couldn't Take It ''He Couldn't Take It'' is a 1933 American comedy film directed by William Nigh and starring Ray Walker, Virginia Cherrill and George E. Stone.Fetrow p.263 The script was written by Dore Schary and George Waggner and was made for Monogram Pict ...

'' (1933) as Mrs. Case *'' One Sunday Afternoon'' (1933) as Mrs. Lind *'' Ann Vickers'' (1933) as Mrs. Gage (uncredited) *''

Aggie Appleby, Maker of Men ''Aggie Appleby, Maker of Men'' is a 1933 American pre-Code comedy film directed by Mark Sandrich and written by Humphrey Pearson and Edward Kaufman. The film stars Charles Farrell, Wynne Gibson, William Gargan, ZaSu Pitts, Betty Furness and Bl ...

'' (1933) as Mrs. Spence - Landlady (uncredited) *'' Only Yesterday'' (1933) as Mrs. Lane *''

Design for Living ''Design for Living'' is a comedy play written by Noël Coward in 1932. It concerns a trio of artistic characters, Gilda, Otto and Leo, and their complicated three-way relationship. Originally written to star Lynn Fontanne, Alfred Lunt and Cowa ...

'' (1933) as Curtis' Housekeeper *''

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 Roman Spa Proprietress (uncredited) *''

King for a Night ''King for a Night'' is a 1933 American pre-Code crime film directed by Kurt Neumann starring Chester Morris and Helen Twelvetrees.Quinlan p.470 Plot A prizefighter is convicted of a murder that was actually committed by his sister. Cast * Ch ...

'' (1933) as Mrs. Williams (uncredited) *''

Cross Country Cruise ''Cross Country Cruise'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code romance film directed by Edward Buzzell and written by Elmer Blaney Harris. The film stars Lew Ayres, June Knight, Alice White, Alan Dinehart, Minna Gombell, and Eugene Pallette. The film was r ...

'' (1934) as Mrs. O'Hara (uncredited) *''

Fashions of 1934 ''Fashions of 1934'' is a 1934 American pre-Code musical comedy film directed by William Dieterle with musical numbers created and directed by Busby Berkeley. The screenplay by F. Hugh Herbert and Carl Erickson was based on the story ''The Fash ...

'' (1934) as Customer at Maison Elegance (uncredited) *'' Wonder Bar'' (1934) as Baroness (uncredited) *''

Heat Lightning Heat lightning, also known as silent lightning, summer lightning, or dry lightning (not to be confused with dry thunderstorms, which are also often called dry lightning), is a misnomer used for the faint flashes of lightning on the horizon or o ...

'' (1934) as Gladys *''

David Harum ''David Harum; A Story of American Life'' is a best-selling novel of 1898 by Edward Noyes Westcott, whose principal legacy is the colloquial use of the term ''horse trading''. Literary significance and criticism Written by retired Syracuse, N ...

'' (1934) as Mrs. Woolsey (uncredited) *'' Journal of a Crime'' (1934) as Dinner Guest (uncredited) *'' Once to Every Woman'' (1934) as Mrs. Wood *''

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, wi ...

'' (1934) as Maude - interns' Receptionist (uncredited) *''

The Scarlet Empress ''The Scarlet Empress'' is a 1934 American historical drama film starring Marlene Dietrich and John Lodge about the life of Catherine the Great. It was directed and produced by Josef von Sternberg from a screenplay by Eleanor McGeary, loosely ba ...

'' (1934) as Miss Cardell, Sophia's Nurse (uncredited) *'' Change of Heart'' (1934) as Mrs. McGowan *''

Let's Talk It Over ''Let's Talk It Over'' is a 1934 American pre-Code comedy-drama film directed by Kurt Neumann and starring Chester Morris, Mae Clarke and Frank Craven.Dick p.81 Plot summary A sailor rescues a young heiress who is apparently drowning. Little ...

'' (1934) as Mrs. O'Keefe *''

The Most Precious Thing in Life ''The Most Precious Thing in Life'' is a 1934 American pre-Code film directed by Lambert Hillyer and starring Richard Cromwell, Jean Arthur, Donald Cook, Anita Louise, and Mary Forbes. The film tells a story about secret and selfless maternal d ...

'' (1934) as Mrs. O'Day *''

Blind Date A blind date is a social engagement between two people who have not met, usually arranged by a mutual acquaintance. Structure A blind date is arranged for by a mutual acquaintance of both participants. The two people who take part in the blind ...

'' (1934) as Ma Taylor *'' Million Dollar Ransom'' (1934) as Ma McGarry (uncredited) *'' Embarrassing Moments'' (1934) as Mrs. Stuckelberger *'' One Night of Love'' (1934) as Mrs. Barrett - Mary's Mother (uncredited) *'' Desirable'' (1934) as Frederick's Mother (uncredited) *'' Wake Up and Dream'' (1934) as Landlady *'' Happiness Ahead'' (1934) as Mrs. Davis - the Landlady *''

Tomorrow's Youth ''Tomorrow's Youth'' is a 1934 American film directed by Charles Lamont. Cast * Dickie Moore as Thomas Hall Jr *Martha Sleeper as Mrs. Hall *John Miljan as Tom Hall *Franklin Pangborn as Tutor *Paul Hurst as Detective *Gloria Shea as Janes Hols ...

'' (1934) as Mary O'Brien *''

The Firebird ''The Firebird'' (french: L'Oiseau de feu, link=no; russian: Жар-птица, Zhar-ptitsa, link=no) is a ballet and orchestral concert work by the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. It was written for the 1910 Paris season of Sergei Diaghilev' ...

'' (1934) as Mrs. Miller - Apartment House Tenant (uncredited) *''

The White Parade ''The White Parade'' is a 1934 film directed by Irving Cummings and starring Loretta Young and John Boles. It was written by Rian James, Jesse Lasky Jr., Sonya Levien and Ernest Pascal, from the novel by Rian James. Dedicated to "the memory of ...

'' (1934) as Miss 'Sailor' Roberts *'' Gentlemen Are Born'' (1934) as Landlady (uncredited) *'' Bright Eyes'' (1934) as Elizabeth Higgins *'' One More Spring'' (1935) as Mrs. Mary Sweeney *'' McFadden's Flats'' (1935) as Nora McFadden *'' Life Begins at 40'' (1935) as Ida Harris *''

Curly Top Curly Top is a 1935 American musical romantic comedy film starring Shirley Temple, John Boles and Rochelle Hudson. Plot A bachelor wants to adopt an orphan, but she refuses to leave behind her older sister, so he adopts them both. The man eventu ...

'' (1935) as Mrs. Henrietta Denham *'' Navy Wife'' (1935) as Mrs. Louise Keats *''

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 Grandma (uncredited) *'' We're Only Human'' (1935) as Mrs. Walsh *''

Paddy O'Day ''Paddy O'Day'' is a 1936 American comedy-drama film directed by Lewis Seiler and released by 20th Century Fox. It stars Jane Withers, Pinky Tomlin, and Rita Hayworth (credited as Rita Cansino). The story follows the adventures of a plucky Iri ...

'' (1936) as Dora *'' The Country Doctor'' (1936) as Mrs. Graham *''

The First Baby ''The First Baby'' is a 1936 American comedy film directed by Lewis Seiler and written by Lamar Trotti. The film stars Johnny Downs, Shirley Deane, Jane Darwell, Dixie Dunbar, Marjorie Gateson and Gene Lockhart. The film was released on April 2, ...

'' (1936) as Mrs. Ellis *'' Captain January'' (1936) as Mrs. Eliza Croft *'' Private Number'' (1936) as Mrs. Meecham *'' Little Miss Nobody'' (1936) as Martha Bradley *'' The Poor Little Rich Girl'' (1936) as Woodward *''

White Fang ''White Fang'' is a novel by American author Jack London (1876–1916) — and the name of the book's eponymous character, a wild wolfdog. First serialized in ''Outing'' magazine between May and October 1906, it was published in book form in Oc ...

'' (1936) as Maud Mahoney *'' Star for a Night'' (1936) as Mrs. Martha Lind *''

Ramona ''Ramona'' is a 1884 American novel written by Helen Hunt Jackson. Set in Southern California after the Mexican–American War, it portrays the life of a mixed-race Scottish– Native American orphan girl, who suffers racial discrimination and ...

'' (1936) as Aunt Ri Hyar *''

Craig's Wife ''Craig's Wife'' is a 1925 play written by American playwright George Kelly. It won the 1926 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and has been adapted for three feature films. Production ''Craig's Wife'' premiered on Broadway at the Morosco Theatre on O ...

'' (1936) as Mrs. Harold *'' Laughing at Trouble'' (1936) as Glory Bradford *''

Love Is News ''Love Is News'' is a 1937 romantic comedy film starring Tyrone Power, Loretta Young, and Don Ameche. The movie was directed by Tay Garnett and was the first film for which Power had top billing. The picture was remade in 1947 as '' That Wonder ...

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

Nancy Steele Is Missing! ''Nancy Steele Is Missing!'' is a 1937 American drama film directed by George Marshall and Otto Preminger and starring Victor McLaglen, Walter Connolly and Peter Lorre.Thomas p.83 The film's sets were designed by the British art director Hans ...

'' (1937) as Mrs. Mary Flaherty *'' The Great Hospital Mystery'' (1937) as Miss Sarah Keats *'' Fifty Roads to Town'' (1937) as Mrs. Henry *''

Slave Ship Slave ships were large cargo ships specially built or converted from the 17th to the 19th century for transporting slaves. Such ships were also known as "Guineamen" because the trade involved human trafficking to and from the Guinea coast ...

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

The Singing Marine ''The Singing Marine'' is a 1937 American musical film directed by Ray Enright and Busby Berkeley and starring Dick Powell. It was the last of Powell's trio of service-related Warners films: 1934's ''Flirtation Walk'' paid tribute, of sorts, to ...

'' (1937) as "Ma" Marine *''

Wife, Doctor and Nurse ''Wife, Doctor and Nurse'' is a 1937 American comedy film directed by Walter Lang and starring Loretta Young. Plot Cast * Loretta Young as Ina Heath Lewis * Warner Baxter as Dr. Judd Lewis * Virginia Bruce as Miss Stephens aka Steve * Jane D ...

'' (1937) Mrs. Krueger *'' Dangerously Yours'' (1937) as Aunt Cynthia Barton *'' Change of Heart'' (1938) as Mrs. Thompson *''

The Jury's Secret ''The Jury's Secret'' is a 1938 American drama film directed by Edward Sloman and starring Kent Taylor, Fay Wray, and Jane Darwell. Cast *Kent Taylor as Walter Rusell *Fay Wray as Linda Ware *Jane Darwell as Mrs. Sheldon *Nan Grey as Mary Norris ...

'' (1938) as Mrs. Sheldon *''

Battle of Broadway ''Battle of Broadway'' is a 1938 American comedy film directed by George Marshall and written by Lou Breslow and John Patrick. The film stars Victor McLaglen, Brian Donlevy, Gypsy Rose Lee, Raymond Walburn, Lynn Bari and Jane Darwell. The film w ...

'' (1938) as Mrs. Rogers *'' Three Blind Mice'' (1938) as Mrs. Killan *''

Little Miss Broadway ''Little Miss Broadway'' is a 1938 American musical drama film directed by Irving Cummings. The screenplay was written by Harry Tugend and Jack Yellen. The film stars Shirley Temple in a story about a theatrical boarding house and its occupants ...

'' (1938) as Miss Hutchins *''

Time Out for Murder ''Time Out for Murder'' is a 1938 American crime film directed by H. Bruce Humberstone, written by Jerome Cady, and starring Gloria Stuart, Michael Whalen, Chick Chandler, Douglas Fowley, Robert Kellard, Jane Darwell and Jean Rogers. It was rel ...

'' (1938) as Polly - Helen's Supervisor *''

Five of a Kind Five of a kind may refer to: * Five of a kind (poker) In poker, players form sets of five playing cards, called ''hands'', according to the rules of the game. Each hand has a rank, which is compared against the ranks of other hands participati ...

'' (1938) as Mrs. Waldron *''

Up the River ''Up the River'' is a 1930 American pre-Code comedy film directed by John Ford, and starring Claire Luce, Spencer Tracy and Humphrey Bogart. The plot concerns escaped convicts, as well as a female convict. It was the feature film debut role of ...

'' (1938) as Mrs. Graham *''

'' (1939) as Mrs. Samuels *'' Inside Story'' (1939) as Aunt Mary Perkins *'' The Zero Hour'' (1939) as Sophie *''

Unexpected Father ''Unexpected Father'' is a 1939 American comedy drama film directed by Charles Lamont and starring Baby Sandy, Shirley Ross and Dennis O'Keefe.Rowan p.199 Plot When a former dancing partner is killed, an entertainer looks after his baby son wi ...

'' (1939) as Mrs. Callahan *''

Grand Jury Secrets ''Grand Jury Secrets'' is a 1939 American mystery film directed by James P. Hogan and written by Irving Reis, Maxwell Shane and Robert Yost. The film stars John Howard, Gail Patrick, William Frawley, Jane Darwell, Porter Hall and Harvey Stephens ...

'' (1939) as Mrs. Keefe *''

The Rains Came ''The Rains Came'' is a 1939 20th Century Fox film based on an American novel by Louis Bromfield (published in June 1937 by Harper & Brothers). The film was directed by Clarence Brown and stars Myrna Loy, Tyrone Power, George Brent, Brenda ...

'' (1939) as Aunt Phoebe - Mrs. Smiley *''

20,000 Men a Year ''20,000 Men a Year'' (aka ''Air Story'' and ''Aviation Story'') is a 1939 American action film directed by Alfred E. Green and written by Lou Breslow and Owen Francis. The film stars Randolph Scott, Preston Foster, Margaret Lindsay, Mary Healy ...

'' (1939) as Mrs. Allen *''

'' (1939) as Mrs. Merriwether *''

Miracle on Main Street ''Miracle on Main Street'' is a 1939 American drama film directed by Steve Sekely and written by Frederick J. Jackson. The film stars Margo, Walter Abel, William Collier Sr., Jane Darwell, Lyle Talbot and Wynne Gibson. The film was released on D ...

'' (1939) as Mrs. Herman *''

'' (1940) as Ma Joad *'' Untamed'' (1940) as Mrs. Maggie Moriarty *''

Brigham Young Brigham Young (; June 1, 1801August 29, 1877) was an American religious leader and politician. He was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), from 1847 until his death in 1877. During his time as chu ...

'' (1940) as Eliza Kent *''

Youth Will Be Served ''Youth Will Be Served'' is a 1940 American musical film directed by Otto Brower and starring Jane Withers and Jane Darwell. Plot A southern girl (Withers) goes to a National Youth Association camp after her father goes to jail for bootlegging. Wh ...

'' (1940) as Supervisor Stormer *''

Chad Hanna ''Chad Hanna'' is a 1940 American drama romance film directed by Henry King, and was adapted from a bestseller of sorts that was published that same year. The novel was written by Walter Dumaux Edmonds (after it had first been published in seri ...

'' (1940) as Mrs. Huguenine *''

Thieves Fall Out ''Thieves Fall Out'' is a 1941 American comedy film directed by Ray Enright, written by Charles Grayson and Ben Markson, and starring Eddie Albert, Joan Leslie, Jane Darwell, Alan Hale, Sr., William T. Orr and John Litel. It was released by Wa ...

'' (1941) as Grandma Allen *''

Private Nurse ''Private Nurse'' is a 1941 American drama film directed by David Burton and written by Samuel G. Engel. The film stars Jane Darwell, Brenda Joyce, Sheldon Leonard, Robert Lowery, Ann E. Todd and Kay Linaker. The film was released on August ...

'' (1941) as Miss Adams *''

'' (1941) as Ma Stone *'' All Through the Night'' (1942) as Mrs. 'Ma' Donahue *'' Young America'' (1942) as Grandmother Nora Campbell *'' On the Sunny Side'' (1942) as Annie *''

Small Town Deb ''Small Town Deb'' is a 1941 teenage comedy by 20th Century Fox directed by Harold Schuster and starring Jane Withers and Jane Darwell. Withers had a story credit on the film under the pseudonym Jerrie Walters and costumes were made by Herschel ...

'' (1942) as Katie *''

It Happened in Flatbush ''It Happened in Flatbush'' is a 1942 American sports film directed by Ray McCarey and starring Lloyd Nolan, Carole Landis and Sara Allgood. The film is a baseball comedy inspired by the 1941 Brooklyn Dodgers' pennant win. This film's sets we ...

'' (1942) as Mrs. Maguire *''

Men of Texas ''Men of Texas'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by Ray Enright and starring Robert Stack and Broderick Crawford. Plot Chicago newspaper employees Sam Sawyer and Barry Conovan have been assigned to track down Sam Houston in Huntsvill ...

'' (1942) as Mrs.Scott aka Aunt Hattie *'' The Loves of Edgar Allan Poe'' (1942) as Mrs. Mariah Clemm *''

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 Grandma Fogarty *''

The Great Gildersleeve ''The Great Gildersleeve'' is a radio situation comedy broadcast in the United States from August 31, 1941 to 1958. Initially written by Leonard Lewis Levinson, it was one of broadcast history's earliest spin-off programs. The series was built a ...

'' (1942) as Aunt Emma Forrester *''

Gildersleeve's Bad Day ''Gildersleeve's Bad Day'' is a 1943 American comedy film directed by Gordon Douglas from a screenplay by Jack Townley. The picture was the second in the Gildersleeve's series produced and distributed by RKO Radio Pictures, based on the popular ...

'' (1943) as Aunt Emma Forrester *''

'' (1943) as Ma Grier *''

Stage Door Canteen The Stage Door Canteen was an entertainment venue for American and Allied servicemen that operated in the Broadway theatre district of New York City throughout World War II. Founded by the American Theatre Wing (ATW) in 1942, the entertainers we ...

'' (1943) as Herself *'' Government Girl'' (1943) as Miss Trask (uncredited) *''

Tender Comrade ''Tender Comrade'' is a 1943 black-and-white film released by RKO Radio Pictures, showing women on the home front living communally while their husbands are away at war. The film stars Ginger Rogers, Robert Ryan, Ruth Hussey, and Kim Hunter and ...

'' (1943) as Mrs. Henderson *''

Reckless Age ''Reckless Age'' is a 1944 American comedy film directed by Felix E. Feist and written by Gertrude Purcell and Henry Blankfort. The film stars Gloria Jean, Henry Stephenson, Kathleen Howard, Franklin Pangborn, Andrew Tombes, Marshall Thompson, Ja ...

'' (1944) as Mrs. Connors *'' The Impatient Years'' (1944) as Minister's Wife *''

Music in Manhattan ''Music in Manhattan'' is a 1944 American musical film directed by John H. Auer. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Sound Recording (Stephen Dunn). Cast * Anne Shirley as Frankie Foster * Dennis Day as Stanley Benson * Philli ...

'' (1944) as Mrs. Pearson *'' She's a Sweetheart'' (1944) as Mom *''

Sunday Dinner for a Soldier ''Sunday Dinner for a Soldier'' is a 1944 American drama romance war film directed by Lloyd Bacon and starring Anne Baxter and John Hodiak. It is based on a novelette by Martha Cheavens. Plot A poor family in Florida saves all the money they c ...

'' (1944) as Mrs. Helen Dobson *''

I Live in Grosvenor Square ''I Live in Grosvenor Square'' is a British comedy-drama romance war film directed and produced by Herbert Wilcox. It was the first of Wilcox's "London films" collaboration with his wife, actress Anna Neagle. Her co-stars were Dean Jagger and ...

'' (1945) as Mrs. Patterson *''

Captain Tugboat Annie ''Captain Tugboat Annie'' is a 1945 second sequel to the classic ''Tugboat Annie'' (1933), this time starring Jane Darwell as Annie and Edgar Kennedy as Horatio Bullwinkle. The movie was directed by Phil Rosen, and is also known as ''Tugboat Ann ...

'' (1945) as Tugboat Annie *'' The Dark Horse'' (1946) as Aunt Hattie *'' Three Wise Fools'' (1946) as Sister Mary Brigid *''

'' (1946) as Kate Nelson *'' Keeper of the Bees'' (1947) as Mrs. Ferris *''

The Red Stallion ''The Red Stallion'' is a 1947 American Western film directed by Lesley Selander shot in Cinecolor. It is about a young boy who trains his beloved pet horse to be a racehorse in order to save his grandmother's farm from foreclosure. It was filme ...

'' (1947) as Mrs. Aggie Curtis *''

Train to Alcatraz ''Train to Alcatraz'' is a 1948 American prison film directed by Philip Ford and starring Don Barry, Janet Martin, William Phipps, Roy Barcroft, and June Storey. Plot Criminals on a train bound for an infamous supermax prison plan to escape, a ...

'' (1948) as Aunt Ella *''

3 Godfathers ''3 Godfathers'' is a 1948 American Western film directed by John Ford and filmed (although not set) primarily in Death Valley, California. The screenplay, written by Frank S. Nugent and Laurence Stallings, is based on the 1913 novelette '' T ...

'' (1948) as Miss Florie *'' Red Canyon'' (1949) as Aunt Jane *''

The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady ''The Daughter of Rosie O'Grady'' is a 1950 American musical film directed by David Butler. It stars June Haver and Gordon MacRae. The story is mostly about the lives of musical performers in New York in the closing years of the 19th century. M ...

'' (1950) as Mrs. Murphy *''

Wagon Master ''Wagon Master'' is a 1950 American Western film produced and directed by John Ford and starring Ben Johnson, Harry Carey Jr., Joanne Dru, and Ward Bond. The screenplay concerns a Mormon pioneer wagon train to the San Juan River in Utah. The ...

'' (1950) as Sister Ledyard *''

Caged In music, a barre chord (also spelled bar chord) is a type of chord on a guitar or other stringed instrument played by using one finger to press down multiple strings across a single fret of the fingerboard (like a bar pressing down the strin ...

'' (1950) as Isolation Matron *''

Surrender Surrender may refer to: * Surrender (law), the early relinquishment of a tenancy * Surrender (military), the relinquishment of territory, combatants, facilities, or armaments to another power Film and television * ''Surrender'' (1927 film), an ...

'' (1950) as Molly Hale *'' Redwood Forest Trail'' (1950) as Hattie Hickory *''

Three Husbands ''Three Husbands'' is a 1951 American comedy film directed by Irving Reis and starring Eve Arden, Ruth Warrick, and Emlyn Williams. Plot When a recently deceased playboy, Max, gets to heaven, he is granted a wish. His request: to watch his ...

'' (1950) as Mrs. Wurdeman *''

The Second Face ''The Second Face'' is a 1950 romantic drama film directed by Jack Bernhard and starring Ella Raines as a plain woman whose life is drastically changed by plastic surgery. Plot Claire Elwood runs to her car and speeds away. Phyllis Holmes chases ...

'' (1950) as Mrs. Lockridge *''

Father's Wild Game ''Father's Wild Game'' is a 1950 American comedy film directed by Herbert I. Leeds and written by D.D. Beauchamp. The film stars Raymond Walburn, Walter Catlett, Gary Gray, Jane Darwell, Barbara Brown and M'liss McClure. The film was released ...

'' (1950) as Minverva Bobbin *'' The Lemon Drop Kid'' (1951) as Nellie Thursday *'' Excuse My Dust'' (1951) as Mrs. Belden *'' Journey into Light'' (1951) as Mack *'' We're Not Married!'' (1952) as Mrs. Bush *''

The Sun Shines Bright ''The Sun Shines Bright'' is a 1953 American Comedy-Drama Western film directed by John Ford, based on material taken from a series of Irvin S. Cobb "Judge Priest" short stories featured in ''The Saturday Evening Post'' in the 1910s, specifica ...

'' (1953) as Mrs. Aurora Ratchitt *'' It Happens Every Thursday'' (1953) as Mrs. Eva Spatch *''

Affair with a Stranger ''Affair with a Stranger'' is a 1953 American comedy-drama directed by Roy Rowland and starring Jean Simmons and Victor Mature. It was originally to be released as ''Kiss and Run''. The film centres on the rumoured marital troubles of a successf ...

'' (1953) as Ma Stanton *'' The Bigamist'' (1953) as Mrs. Connelley *'' Hit the Deck'' (1955) as Jenny *'' There's Always Tomorrow'' (1955) as Mrs. Rogers *''

A Life at Stake ''A Life at Stake'' is a 1955 American film noir directed by Paul Guilfoyle and starring Angela Lansbury, Keith Andes and Claudia Barrett. It was an independent production, made and distributed outside the Hollywood studio system. Plot summar ...

'' (1955) as Landlady *'' Girls in Prison'' (1956) as Matron Jamieson *'' The Last Hurrah'' (1958) as Delia Boylan *''

Hound-Dog Man ''Hound-Dog Man'' is a 1959 film directed by Don Siegel, based on the 1947 novel by Fred Gipson, and starring Fabian, Carol Lynley, and Stuart Whitman. Plot In 1912, Clint McKinney and his younger brother Spud talk their father Aaron into lettin ...

'' (1959) as Grandma Wilson *''

'' (1964) as The Bird Woman (final film role)

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Darwell, Jane 1879 births 1967 deaths Actresses from Missouri American film actresses American stage actresses Best Supporting Actress Academy Award winners People from Marion County, Missouri Actresses from Los Angeles Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) 20th-century American actresses 20th Century Studios contract players