Doris Nolan
Doris Nolan | |
|---|---|
 Nolan in 1937 | |
| Born | July 14, 1916 New Rochelle, New York, U.S. |
| Died | July 29, 1998 (aged 82) Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland, England |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1936–1981 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Doris Nolan (July 14, 1916 – July 29, 1998) was an American actress best known for her Broadway roles and her appearance in the 1938 movie Holiday. She appeared in plays and films during the 1930s and 1940s. Later she moved to the UK, where she made guest appearances on British television shows.
Early years
Nolan was the daughter of Frank J. Nolan, who was a woolen goods importer. She began acting in high school in New Rochelle, New York. After graduation, she joined the
Career
Nolan's first professional acting contract was with
She then switched to Broadway, where she achieved greater success. Although she was just 17, Nolan was cast as the female lead in
When Nolan left the play, Woods sent her back to Hollywood, getting her a contract with Universal Pictures.[5] She continued to move back and forth between movies and theater throughout the 1930s and 1940s. Her most prominent film appearance was in the 1938 version of Holiday, where she played alongside Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant. Her subsequent film roles went downhill, but she reinvigorated her Broadway career with an 18-month stint in The Doughgirls, a popular comedy play about the difficulties of life during World War II.[6] It was made into a film. Her final Broadway appearance was in The Closing Door, alongside her husband, who had written the play. It got poor reviews and closed after a few weeks.[7]
After moving to the UK in the early 1950s, Nolan worked in regional stage productions and took guest parts on television series, such as
Personal life
Nolan married Canadian actor Alexander Knox in a civil ceremony on December 30, 1944. The judge presiding over the wedding almost mistakenly pronounced her married to Knox's best man, but they stopped him and redid the vows.[8] They had a son, Andrew Joseph Knox, who became an actor and appeared in the sitcom Doctor on the Go. Andrew was briefly married to actress Imogen Hassall; he died by suicide in 1987.[9] Alexander Knox's political activity caused him trouble during the Hollywood blacklist, and the couple moved to the UK so he could continue working. Nolan stayed in the UK until her own death on July 29, 1998.[10]
Credits
Broadway
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Night of January 16th | Karen Andre | Broadway debut |
| 1936 | Arrest that Woman | Marie Smith | |
| 1937 | Tell Me Pretty Maiden | Margo Dare | |
| 1938 | Lorelei | Karen Von Singall | |
| 1940 | Cue for Passion | Vivienne Ames | |
| 1942 | The Cat Screams | Gwen Reid | |
| 1942 | The Doughgirls | Nan | |
| 1949 | The Closing Door | Norma Trahern |
Film
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1936 | The Man I Marry | Rena Allen | Film debut |
| 1937 | As Good as Married | Sylvia Parker | |
| Top of the Town | Diana Borden | ||
| 1938 | Holiday | Julia Seton | |
| 1939 | One Hour to Live | Muriel Vance | |
| 1940 | Moon Over Burma | Cynthia Harmon | |
| Irene | Lillian | ||
| 1943 | Follies Girl | Francine La Rue | |
| 1966 | Bindle (One of Them Days) | American tourist | |
| 1974 | Juggernaut | Mrs. Corrigan | |
| 1975 | The Romantic Englishwoman | 2nd Mealticket Lady |
Television
| Year | Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Sunday Night Theatre | Mrs. Chisholm | |
| 1954 | Colonel March of Scotland Yard ("The Abominable Snowman") | Mary Gray | |
| 1956 | The Adventures of Aggie | Mrs. de Witt | |
| 1956 | The Adventures of Robin Hood | Prince John's Wife | |
| 1956 | Colonel March of Scotland Yard ("The Case of the Kidnapped Poodle") | Mrs. Linda Brewster | |
| 1958 | ITV Play of the Week ("The Myth Makers") |
Mrs. Brawley | |
| 1959 | The Third Man | Miss Nolan | |
| 1959 | ITV Play of the Week ("The Last Hours") |
Eleanor | |
| 1959 | ITV Play of the Week ("The Winner") | Irma Mahler | |
| 1959 | Armchair Theatre | ||
| 1962 | The Saint | Maude Inverest | |
| 1964 | Emergency – Ward 10 |
Lydia Stock | 5 episodes |
| 1966 | Play of the Month | Mrs. Markham | |
| 1968 | Boy Meets Girl | Mrs. Bloemendal | |
| 1969 | Strange Report | Miss Gray | |
| 1981 | Brideshead Revisited |
Mrs. Stuyvesant-Oglander |
References
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ Slide 1999, pp. 88–89
- ^ Slide 1999, pp. 90–91
- ^ Baker 1987, p. 34
- ^ Slide 1999, p. 90
- ^ Slide 1999, pp. 93–101
- ^ Slide 1999, pp. 106–107
- ^ Slide 1999, pp. 103–104.
- ^ Donnelley 2005, pp. 451–453.
- ^ Slide 1999, p. 113.
Works cited
- Baker, James T. (1987). Ayn Rand. Boston, Massachusetts: Twayne Publishers. ISBN 0-8057-7497-1.
- Donnelley, Paul (2005). Fade to Black: A Book of Movie Obituaries (3rd ed.). Omnibus Press. ISBN 1-84449-430-6.
- ISBN 0-8108-3649-1.
External links
- Doris Nolan at IMDb
- Doris Nolan at the Internet Broadway Database
- Doris Nolan papers, 1930-1944, held by the Billy Rose Theatre Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |