Cathleen Cordell

Cathleen Cordell (May 21, 1915 – August 19, 1997) was an American film and television actress. She was described as "a lass born in Brooklyn with an Irish name and an English accent; educated in India and France."[1]

Cathleen Cordell
Born(1915-05-21)May 21, 1915
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedAugust 19, 1997(1997-08-19) (aged 82)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationFilm, television actress
Years active1938–1985

Early years

Cordell was born in Brooklyn, New York. She moved to England, then France, in order to begin her childhood education. "My father's business took him to India when I was a baby," she said, "Then we went to France, and when I was 7 years old I was thrust into a French boarding school."[1] She later attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.[1]

Stage

Cordell's stage debut came in It's You I Want, presented by Seymour Hicks' company in England.[2] Her "first important role" in the United States came in Never Trouble Trouble at the Brighton Theater in Brooklyn, New York, August 17, 1937. A Brooklyn newspaper described Cordell as "a 'discovery' of John Golden" and said the actress "has appeared abroad previously."[3]

Cordell went on to appear on Broadway in Love of Women (1937), Romantic Mr. Dickens (1940), Golden Wings (1941), Yesterday's Magic (1942), Sheppey (1944), While the Sun Shines (1944), and The Linden Tree (1948).[4]

Film

Cordell began her film career in 1938 playing in Who Killed Cock Robin?. (Another source says she "made her film debut in the British version of Gaslight.")[5] She starred in Gaslight (1940) with Anton Walbrook, as Nancy, the housemaid.

She made numerous film and television appearances during her nearly 50-year career.

Radio

Cordell was a member of the casts of Hilltop House (playing Vicky McLain),[6] Amanda (playing Eve Fuller),[7] Valiant Lady (playing Monica Brewster)[8] and Counterspy and appeared in other programs, such as Quiet Please, Grand Central Station and The March of Time.[2]

During World War II, Cordell lived in England and worked for the BBC.[5]

Television

Cordell appeared in two episodes of Perry Mason and Family Affair, and three times in Dragnet 1967, starring Jack Webb. In 1970 she played Mrs. Beamish in “The Housekeeper” - Season 1 / Episode 1 of Rod Serling's, American anthology television series, Night Gallery.

Later years

Cordell retired from acting in 1985 after appearing in the movie The Return of the Living Dead.

Death

Cordell died on August 19, 1997, in Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, at age 82.

Radio appearances
YearProgramEpisode/source
1948Quiet Please "Adam and the Darkest Day"
1948Grand Central StationNA[6]
1950Playhouse of FavoritesThe School for Scandal[9]
1952The FBI in Peace and WarThe Trouble Shooter[10]
1953Theatre of TodayThe Props[11]

Film appearances
YearTitleRoleNotes
1938Hey! Hey! USASusan, Johnson's girlfriendUncredited
1940GaslightNancy, parlour maid
1941Major BarbaraMog Habbijam
1964The Unsinkable Molly BrownPassengerUncredited
1968Star!VendeuseUncredited
1970MASHCapt. Peterson - Nurse CorpsUncredited
1970AirportMrs. William Donovan, passengerUncredited
1974Oliver TwistVoice
1980The Gong Show MovieLady in Elevator
1985The Return of the Living DeadColonel's Wife(final film role)

Television appearances
YearProgramEpisode/source
1950Armstrong Circle TheatreHappy Ending[12]
1967 I Dream of Jeannie The Mod Party

1967 Batman The Unkindest Tut of All Librarian

References
  1. "Cathleen Cordell of France, England, India and Brooklyn". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle: Newspapers.com. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. May 17, 1942. p. 38. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  2. Francis, Robert (October 5, 1944). "Candid Close-ups". New York, Brooklyn: Newspapers.com. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. p. 23. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  3. "Stage News". New York, Brooklyn: Newspapers.com. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. August 5, 1937. p. 8. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  4. "Cathleen Cordell". Playbill Vault. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  5. "Cathleen Cordell made her mark on stage and TV". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. August 29, 1997. p. 78. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  6. "Janney, Rowe 'Station' Stars". Harrisburg Telegraph. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg: Newspapers.com. March 20, 1948. p. 22. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  7. "Eve of 'Amanda'". Harrisburg Telegraph. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg: Newspapers.com. November 3, 1945. p. 17. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  8. "Menace". Harrisburg Telegraph. Pennsylvania, Harrisburg: Newspapers.com. February 17, 1945. p. 17. Retrieved December 20, 2015.
  9. "Radio Programs". New York, Brooklyn: Newspapers.com. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. April 22, 1950. p. 13. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  10. "Radio Highlights". New York, Brooklyn: Newspapers.com. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. June 26, 1952. p. 17. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  11. "Humorous Romance of Summer Drama Group on 'Theatre of Today'". Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh: Newspapers.com. The Pittsburgh Courier. June 27, 1953. p. 16. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
  12. "(television listing)". New York, Brooklyn: Newspapers.com. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. December 5, 1950. p. 23. Retrieved December 21, 2015.
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