Juanita Quigley
Encyclopedia
Juanita Quigley is a former child actress in American motion pictures of the 1930s and 1940s.
in several early roles. She first attracted major attention as Claudette Colbert
's three-year-old daughter in Imitation of Life
(1934). She went on to play featured parts in several films, including The Man Who Reclaimed His Head (1934) and was Jean Harlow
's niece in Riffraff
(1936). Quigley became a familiar face to moviegoers of the era, but major roles for children so young were few and she often played bits as well as featured roles. She was one of the most popular child stars of her day, and was Universal Pictures' youngest star in 1934.
Quigley was briefly involved in the Our Gang
film series. In 1940, she was the guest-starring lead in The New Pupil
when cast as Sally, who briefly takes Alfalfa (Carl Switzer
) away from Darla Hood
. Two years later, she reprised the character in Going to Press
(1942), the only time in the MGM era where the female lead was played by someone other than Darla Hood (who had recently left the series) or Janet Burston
.
Quigley acted alongside her older sister, Rita Quigley, in Whispering Footsteps
(1943). Her last major role was in National Velvet
(1944), in which she played Elizabeth Taylor
's sister.
Inaccurate documentation exists that Juanita made an uncredited appearance as an extra in the locally filmed Porky's II: The Next Day
but these rumors and citations are inaccurate. At the time of this filming, Juanita lived in Pennsylvania pursuing her post-convent career full time. Juanita is now retired and is an intensely private person with regard to her past. Most who know her as a friend are unaware of her previous life as an actress. Juanita currently continues to live a peaceful retired life with her husband and keeps in close contact with her two children and three grandchildren.
Career
Juanita Quigley was billed as Baby JaneBaby Jane
Baby Jane may refer to:* What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, a 1960 novel by Henry Farrell** What Ever Happened to Baby Jane , a film based on the novel, starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford** Baby Jane Hudson, a character from the above work...
in several early roles. She first attracted major attention as Claudette Colbert
Claudette Colbert
Claudette Colbert was a French-born American-based actress of stage and film.Born in Paris, France and raised in New York City, Colbert began her career in Broadway productions during the 1920s, progressing to film with the advent of talking pictures...
's three-year-old daughter in Imitation of Life
Imitation of Life (1934 film)
Imitation of Life is a 1934 American drama film directed by John M. Stahl. The screenplay by William Hurlbut, based on Fannie Hurst's 1933 novel of the same name, was augmented by eight additional uncredited writers, including Preston Sturges and Finley Peter Dunne...
(1934). She went on to play featured parts in several films, including The Man Who Reclaimed His Head (1934) and was Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow was an American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. Known as the "Blonde Bombshell" and the "Platinum Blonde" , Harlow was ranked as one of the greatest movie stars of all time by the American Film Institute...
's niece in Riffraff
Riffraff (1936 film)
Riffraff is a 1936 film starring Jean Harlow and Spencer Tracy. The movie was written by Frances Marion, Anita Loos, and H. W. Hannaford, and directed by J. Walter Ruben.-Plot:...
(1936). Quigley became a familiar face to moviegoers of the era, but major roles for children so young were few and she often played bits as well as featured roles. She was one of the most popular child stars of her day, and was Universal Pictures' youngest star in 1934.
Quigley was briefly involved in the Our Gang
Our Gang
Our Gang, also known as The Little Rascals or Hal Roach's Rascals, was a series of American comedy short films about a group of poor neighborhood children and the adventures they had together. Created by comedy producer Hal Roach, the series is noted for showing children behaving in a relatively...
film series. In 1940, she was the guest-starring lead in The New Pupil
The New Pupil
The New Pupil is a 1940 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Edward Cahn. It was the 190th Our Gang short that was released.-Plot:...
when cast as Sally, who briefly takes Alfalfa (Carl Switzer
Carl Switzer
Carl Dean "Alfalfa" Switzer was an American child actor, professional dog breeder and hunting guide, most notable for appearing in the Our Gang short subjects series as Alfalfa, one of the series' most popular and best-remembered characters.-Early life and family:Switzer was born in Paris,...
) away from Darla Hood
Darla Hood
Darla Jean Hood was an American child actress, best known as the leading lady in the Our Gang series from 1935 to 1941. She was born in Leedey, Oklahoma, the only child of James Claude Hood and Elizabeth Davner...
. Two years later, she reprised the character in Going to Press
Going to Press
Going to Press is a 1942 Our Gang short comedy film directed by Edward Cahn. It was the 204th Our Gang short that was released.-Synopsis:...
(1942), the only time in the MGM era where the female lead was played by someone other than Darla Hood (who had recently left the series) or Janet Burston
Janet Burston
Janet Burston was an American child actress who was the final leading lady in the Our Gang short subjects series, replacing Darla Hood in 1942.-Career:...
.
Quigley acted alongside her older sister, Rita Quigley, in Whispering Footsteps
Whispering Footsteps
Whispering Footsteps is an American crime film noir directed by Howard Bretherton. The drama features John Hubbard, Rita Quigley, Joan Blair.-Cast:* John Hubbard as Marcus Aurelius 'Mark' Borne* Rita Quigley as Brook Hammond...
(1943). Her last major role was in National Velvet
National Velvet (film)
National Velvet is a 1944 drama film, in Technicolor, based on the novel by Enid Bagnold, published in 1935. It stars Mickey Rooney, Donald Crisp and a young Elizabeth Taylor....
(1944), in which she played Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor
Dame Elizabeth Rosemond "Liz" Taylor, DBE was a British-American actress. From her early years as a child star with MGM, she became one of the great screen actresses of Hollywood's Golden Age...
's sister.
Later career
Quigley made only a handful of small appearances after National Velvet, her last being in 1950. She became a nun in the order of the Daughters of Mary and Joseph, but after several years in her convent, left the vocation, and married.Inaccurate documentation exists that Juanita made an uncredited appearance as an extra in the locally filmed Porky's II: The Next Day
Porky's II: The Next Day
Porky's II: The Next Day is the 1983 sequel to the 1982 film Porky's. The film is written and directed by Bob Clark.-Plot:After dealing to Porky the "fatal" blow that was coming to him, the gang from Angel Beach is ready for a new challenge: The High School Drama Club is producing a Shakespeare...
but these rumors and citations are inaccurate. At the time of this filming, Juanita lived in Pennsylvania pursuing her post-convent career full time. Juanita is now retired and is an intensely private person with regard to her past. Most who know her as a friend are unaware of her previous life as an actress. Juanita currently continues to live a peaceful retired life with her husband and keeps in close contact with her two children and three grandchildren.