Mary Boland (born Marie Anne Boland; January 28, 1882 – June 23, 1965) was an American stage and film actress.

Early years

Born in

Philadelphia Philadelphia, often called Philly, is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the sixth-largest city in the U.S., the second-largest city in both the Northeast megalopolis and Mid-Atlantic regions after New York City. Since ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

, Boland was the daughter of repertory actor William Augustus Boland, and his wife Mary Cecilia Hatton. She had an older sister named Sara. The family later moved to

Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at t ...

. Boland went to school at the Convent of the Sacred Heart in Detroit. By age fifteen she had left school and was performing on stage. In 1901, she began acting on stage with a local stock theater company.

Career

She debuted on Broadway in 1907 in the play ''The Ranger'' with Dustin Farnum and had appeared in eleven Broadway productions, notably with John Drew, becoming his "leading lady in New York and on the road." She made her

silent film A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, w ...

debut for

Triangle A triangle is a polygon with three edges and three vertices. It is one of the basic shapes in geometry. A triangle with vertices ''A'', ''B'', and ''C'' is denoted \triangle ABC. In Euclidean geometry, any three points, when non- colline ...

Studios in 1915. She entertained soldiers in France during

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was List of wars and anthropogenic disasters by death toll, one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, ...

and then returned to America. After appearing in nine movies, she left filmmaking in 1920, returning to the stage and appearing in several Broadway productions, including ''

The Torch-Bearers ''The Torch-Bearers'' is a 1922 stage play by George Kelly about a housewife who becomes an actress (the original actress became a widow and withdrew) while her husband is away on business, with Act I being the rehearsal at their home, Act II is ...

'' (1922). She became famous as a comedian. Mary Boland in The Women trailer

Boland's greatest success on the stage in the 1920s was the comedy '' The Cradle Snatchers'' (1925–26), in which she, Edna May Oliver, and Margaret Dale, having been abandoned by their husbands, take on young lovers. Roy Liebman notes this play helped establish the persona that would be associated with her for the rest of her career. Boland's paramour was

Humphrey Bogart Humphrey DeForest Bogart (; December 25, 1899 – January 14, 1957), nicknamed Bogie, was an American film and stage actor. His performances in Classical Hollywood cinema films made him an American cultural icon. In 1999, the American Film In ...

in one of his first roles. She had previously performed with Bogart in the 1923 comedy '' Meet the Wife'' at the Klaw Theatre as Gertrude Lennox. After an eleven-year absence, in 1931, she returned to

Hollywood Hollywood usually refers to: * Hollywood, Los Angeles, a neighborhood in California * Hollywood, a metonym for the cinema of the United States Hollywood may also refer to: Places United States * Hollywood District (disambiguation) * Hollywoo ...

under contract to

Paramount Pictures Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American film and television production company, production and Distribution (marketing), distribution company and the main namesake division of Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS). It is the fifth-oldes ...

. She achieved far greater film success with her second try, becoming one of the most popular character actresses of the 1930s, always playing major roles in her films and often starring, notably in a series of comedies opposite Charles Ruggles. Boland appeared in numerous films, including '' Ruggles of Red Gap'', ''

The Big Broadcast of 1936 ''The Big Broadcast of 1936'' is a 1935 American comedy film directed by Norman Taurog, and is the second in the series of ''Big Broadcast'' movies. The musical comedy starred Jack Oakie, Bing Crosby, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Ethel Merm ...

'', '' Danger - Love at Work'', '' Nothing but Trouble'', and '' Julia Misbehaves''. She is likely best remembered for her portrayals of Countess DeLave in '' The Women'' (1939) and Mrs. Bennet in ''

Pride and Prejudice ''Pride and Prejudice'' is an 1813 novel of manners by Jane Austen. The novel follows the character development of Elizabeth Bennet, the dynamic protagonist of the book who learns about the repercussions of hasty judgments and comes to appreci ...

'' (1940). For the remainder of her career, Boland combined films and, later, television productions, with appearances on stage, including starring in the 1935

Cole Porter Cole Albert Porter (June 9, 1891 – October 15, 1964) was an American composer and songwriter. Many of his songs became standards noted for their witty, urbane lyrics, and many of his scores found success on Broadway and in film. Born to ...

musical '' Jubilee'' and appearing in the play "One Fine Day" with Charlie Ruggles in 1948. Her last Broadway appearance was in 1954 at the age of seventy-two. That play, '' Lullaby'', was unsuccessful. Her last acting was in the 1955 television adaptation of ''The Women'' recreating her film role.

Personal life and death

Boland never married or had children. On June 23, 1965, she died of a

heart attack 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 her home in New York. She was interred in the Great Mausoleum, Sanctuary of Vespers in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery 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 ...

. Boland was a practicing

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 ...

and a Republican who supported the campaign of

Dwight Eisenhower Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower (born David Dwight Eisenhower; ; October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969) was an American military officer and statesman who served as the 34th president of the United States from 1953 to 1961. During World War I ...

during the 1952 presidential election.

Recognition

For her contribution to the film industry, Boland has a motion pictures 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 ...

at 6150 Hollywood Boulevard.

Filmography

Silent *''

The Edge of the Abyss ''The Edge of the Abyss'' is a lost 1915 silent drama film directed by Walter Edwards and distributed by Triangle Film Corporation. It stars Mary Boland, then a stage comedic actress, in her film debut. Thomas H. Ince, one of the three key found ...

'' (1915) - Alma Clayton *'' The Price of Happiness'' (1916) - Bertha Miller *''

The Stepping Stone ''The Stepping Stone'' is a 1916 American silent drama film, directed by Reginald Barker and Thomas H. Ince. It is a lost film.Mountain Dew Mountain Dew, stylized as Mtn Dew, is a carbonated soft drink brand produced and owned by PepsiCo. The original formula was invented in 1940 by Tennessee beverage bottlers Barney and Ally Hartman. A revised formula was created by Bill Brid ...

'' (1917) - Lily Bud Raines *'' A Woman's Experience'' (1918, Extant; Library of Congress) - Agnes Roydant *''

The Prodigal Wife ''The Prodigal Wife'' is a lost 1918 American silent drama film directed by Frank Reicher and starring Mary Boland. It is based on a short story by Edith Barnard Delano that appeared in '' Harper's Magazine''. The film may have been rereleased i ...

'' (1918) - Marion Farnham *'' The Perfect Lover'' (1919) - Mrs. Whitney *''

His Temporary Wife ''His Temporary Wife'' is a lost 1920 American silent comedy film directed by Joseph Levering. It was released by W. W. Hodkinson. Plot As described in a film magazine, Annabelle Rose (De Remer) is employed as a nurse by aged millionaire Howard ...

'' (1920) - Verna Devore Sound *'' Secrets of a Secretary'' (1931) - Mrs. Merritt *'' Personal Maid'' (1931) - Mrs. Otis Gary *'' The Night of June 13'' (1932) - Mazie Strawn *'' Evenings for Sale'' (1932) - Jenny Kent *''

If I Had a Million ''If I Had a Million'' is a 1932 American Pre-Code Hollywood, pre-Code Paramount Pictures, Paramount Studios anthology film starring Gary Cooper, George Raft, Charles Laughton, W.C. Fields, Jack Oakie, Frances Dee and Charlie Ruggles, among oth ...

'' (1932) - Mrs. Peabody *'' Mama Loves Papa'' (1933) - Jessie Todd *'' Three-Cornered Moon'' (1933) - Mrs. Nellie Rimplegar *'' The Solitaire Man'' (1933) - Mrs. Hopkins *''

Four Frightened People ''Four Frightened People'' is a 1934 American Pre-Code adventure film directed by Cecil B. DeMille and starring Claudette Colbert, Herbert Marshall, Mary Boland, and William Gargan. It is based on the 1931 novel by E. Arnot Robertson. Plot The ...

'' (1934) - Mrs. Mardick *''

Six of a Kind ''Six of a Kind'' is an American 1934 pre-Code comedy film directed by Leo McCarey and starring Charles Ruggles, Mary Boland, W.C. Fields, George Burns, and Gracie Allen. It is a whimsical and often absurd road movie about two couples wh ...

'' (1934) - Flora Whinney *'' Melody in Spring'' (1934) - Mary Blodgett *''

Stingaree The Stingaree was a neighborhood of San Diego between the boom of the 1880s and the demolition and vice eradication campaign of 1916. The reason for the neighborhood's fame was its role as the home to the city's "undesirables", including prostitut ...

'' (1934) - Mrs. Clarkson *'' Here Comes the Groom'' (1934) - Mrs. Widden *'' Down to Their Last Yacht'' (1934) - Queen of Malakamokalu, 'Queenie' *'' The Pursuit of Happiness'' (1934) - Comfort Kirkland *'' Ruggles of Red Gap'' (1935) - Effie Floud *'' People Will Talk'' (1935) - Clarice Wilton *'' Two for Tonight'' (1935) - Mrs. Smythe *''

'' (1935) - Mrs. Sealingsworth *''

Early to Bed Early may refer to: History * The beginning or oldest part of a defined historical period, as opposed to middle or late periods, e.g.: ** Early Christianity ** Early modern Europe Places in the United States * Early, Iowa * Early, Texas * Early ...

'' (1936) - Tessie Weeks *''

A Son Comes Home ''A Son Comes Home'' is a 1936 American drama film directed by E.A. Dupont and starring Mary Boland, Julie Haydon and Donald Woods. It was one of three films made by Dupont for Paramount Pictures.St. Pierre p.23 Plot Partial cast * Mary Boland ...

'' (1936) - Mary Grady *''

Wives Never Know ''Wives Never Know'' is a 1936 American black-and-white comedy film directed by Elliott Nugent. Written by Frederick Hazlitt Brennan, Edwin Justus Mayer and Keene Thompson, the film stars Charlie Ruggles, Mary Boland, and Adolphe Menjou, and w ...

'' (1936) - Marcia Bigelow *'' College Holiday'' (1936) - Carola P. Gaye *'' Marry the Girl'' (1937) - Ollie Radway *'' Danger – Love at Work'' (1937) - Mrs. Alice Pemberton *'' There Goes the Groom'' (1937) - Mrs. Russell *'' Mama Runs Wild'' (1937) - Alice Summers *''

Little Tough Guys in Society ''Little Tough Guys in Society'' is a 1938 Universal Studios film that starred several of the ''Dead End Kids''. It was the second film that Universal made in their series and the first of three that they made without any of the original ''Dead E ...

'' (1938) - Mrs. Berry *''

Artists and Models Abroad ''Artists and Models Abroad'' (UK title: ''Stranded in Paris'') is a 1938 comedy film directed by Mitchell Leisen and starring Jack Benny and Joan Bennett. It was made by Paramount Pictures. The screenplay was written by Ken Englund, Howard Lin ...

'' (1938) - Mrs. Isabel Channing *''

Boy Trouble ''Boy Trouble'' is a 1939 American film starring Charles Ruggles, Mary Boland, Donald O'Connor, and Billy Lee. Plot In the story, Sybil Fitch (Boland) adopts two orphan boys (O'Connor, Lee). Her husband (Ruggles) is infuriated. However, when th ...

'' (1939) - Sybil Fitch *'' The Magnificent Fraud'' (1939) - Mme. Geraldine Genet *'' Night Work'' (1939) - Sybil Fitch *'' The Women'' (1939) - The Countess De Lave - Flora *'' He Married His Wife'' (1940) - Ethel *''

New Moon In astronomy, the new moon is the first lunar phase, when the Moon and Sun have the same ecliptic longitude. At this phase, the lunar disk is not visible to the naked eye, except when it is silhouetted against the Sun during a solar ecl ...

'' (1940) - Valerie de Rossac *''

'' (1940) - Mrs. Bennet *''Hit Parade of 1941'' (1940) - Emily Potter *'' One Night in the Tropics'' (1940) - Aunt Kitty Marblehead *''

In Our Time In Our Time may refer to: * ''In Our Time'' (1944 film), a film starring Ida Lupino and Paul Henreid * ''In Our Time'' (1982 film), a Taiwanese anthology film featuring director Edward Yang; considered the beginning of the "New Taiwan Cinema" * ''In ...

'' (1944) - Mrs. Bromley *'' Nothing but Trouble'' (1944) - Mrs. Hawkley *'' Forever Yours'' (1945) - Aunt Mary *'' Julia Misbehaves'' (1948) - Ma Ghenoccio *'' Guilty Bystander'' (1950) - Smitty

References

External links

*
allmovie/bio
*
New York Public Library
collection of Mary Boland photographs.
Boland and costars from ''The Women''Mary on the cover of ''The Theater'' magazine in the 1910 play ''Smith''
costarring John Drew
Mary Boland along with several other actors on Orson Welles's Radio Almanac 1944young beautiful Mary Boland1918 passport photoportrait gallery
University of Washington, Sayre)
Mary Boland: Broadway Photographs
Univ. of South Carolina)
Mary on the cover of The Theatre Jan. 1913
archived) {{DEFAULTSORT:Boland, Mary 1882 births 1965 deaths American film actresses American silent film actresses American stage actresses Actresses from Philadelphia 20th-century American actresses Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale) Paramount Pictures contract players American television actresses American Roman Catholics Pennsylvania Republicans California Republicans New York (state) Republicans Actresses from Pennsylvania