Lilian Bond
Encyclopedia
Lilian Bond was a British film actress of the late 1920s through the 1940s, with most of her films being B-movies.
. In 1932 she was named a WAMPAS Baby Star
, alongside future Hollywood legends Gloria Stuart
and Ginger Rogers
.
From 1932 to 1953, she would have roles in 39 films, some of which were uncredited, with others having her in the lead heroine role. Bond played Gladys DuCane in The Old Dark House
, a chorus girl who falls in love with Roger Penderel (played by Melvyn Douglas). Possibly her best-known film role was in the 1940 film The Westerner, in which she played legendary stage actress Lillie Langtry
, and which starred Gary Cooper
, Walter Brennan
, and Doris Davenport
. By the 1950s her career had slowed, with her having mostly television series appearances. She retired from acting at the age of 50 in 1958.
Life and career
Bond was born in London, England and made her first public appearance at the age of fourteen when she was in the pantomime, Dick Whittington. Later she joined the chorus of Piccadilly Revels and continued on the stage when she went to America. She began her film career in the 1929 film No More Children. Between 1929 and 1931 she starred in nine films, most notably the 1931 western Rider of the Plains opposite Tom TylerTom Tyler
Tom Tyler was an American actor in silent and sound motion pictures, best known for his portrayal of superhero Captain Marvel in the acclaimed 1941 movie serial The Adventures of Captain Marvel.-Biography:...
. In 1932 she was named a WAMPAS Baby Star
WAMPAS Baby Stars
The WAMPAS Baby Stars was a promotional campaign sponsored by the Western Association of Motion Picture Advertisers in the United States which honored thirteen young women each year whom they believed to be on the threshold of movie stardom. They were selected from 1922 to 1934, and annual...
, alongside future Hollywood legends Gloria Stuart
Gloria Stuart
Gloria Frances Stuart was an American actress, activist, painter, bonsai artist and fine printer. Over a Hollywood career which spanned, with a long break in the middle, from 1932 until 2004, she appeared on stage, television, and film, for which she was best-known...
and Ginger Rogers
Ginger Rogers
Ginger Rogers was an American actress, dancer, and singer who appeared in film, and on stage, radio, and television throughout much of the 20th century....
.
From 1932 to 1953, she would have roles in 39 films, some of which were uncredited, with others having her in the lead heroine role. Bond played Gladys DuCane in The Old Dark House
The Old Dark House
The Old Dark House is an American comedy horror film directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff, produced just one year after their success with Frankenstein, also released by Universal Studios.-Background:...
, a chorus girl who falls in love with Roger Penderel (played by Melvyn Douglas). Possibly her best-known film role was in the 1940 film The Westerner, in which she played legendary stage actress Lillie Langtry
Lillie Langtry
Lillie Langtry , usually spelled Lily Langtry when she was in the U.S., born Emilie Charlotte Le Breton, was a British actress born on the island of Jersey...
, and which starred Gary Cooper
Gary Cooper
Frank James Cooper, known professionally as Gary Cooper, was an American film actor. He was renowned for his quiet, understated acting style and his stoic, but at times intense screen persona, which was particularly well suited to the many Westerns he made...
, Walter Brennan
Walter Brennan
Walter Brennan was an American actor. Brennan won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor on three separate occasions, which is currently the record for most wins.-Early life:...
, and Doris Davenport
Doris Davenport
Doris Davenport, also known as Doris Jordan was an American film actress during the 1930s and early 1940s.Davenport was born in Moline, Illinois, but raised in Hollywood, California...
. By the 1950s her career had slowed, with her having mostly television series appearances. She retired from acting at the age of 50 in 1958.
Personal life
She married three times, her first marriage being at the height of her career, to Sidney Smith. She married Smith in 1935, and the two divorced in 1944. Lilian later married Michael Fessier, a successful writer and producer. The two remained married until his death in 1988.Selected filmography
- The Old Dark HouseThe Old Dark HouseThe Old Dark House is an American comedy horror film directed by James Whale and starring Boris Karloff, produced just one year after their success with Frankenstein, also released by Universal Studios.-Background:...
(1932) - Dirty WorkDirty Work (1934 film)Dirty Work is a 1934 British comedy crime film directed by Tom Walls and starring Ralph Lynn, Gordon Harker, Robertson Hare and Basil Sydney...
(1934)
External links
- Lilian Bond at Find A GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...
- Lilian Bond at Virtual History Film