Her first film was the silent Ladies Must Dress (1927). Between 1928 and 1929 she made thirteen films including her first talkie, Shopworn Angel, where she says only two words and is heard singing the film's theme song, and Easy Come, Easy Go (1928), co-starring Richard Dix, the film that helped make her a star. In 1930 she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for The Devil's Holiday. Among her other well liked films are Hot Saturday (1932) with Cary Grant and Randolph Scott, Broken Lullaby (1932) directed by Ernst Lubitsch, and The Kiss Before the Mirror (1933), directed by James Whale.
Nancy was reported to have received more fan mail than any of her Hollywood peers of the same era. However, while under contract to Paramount, Nancy earned a reputation as difficult and temperamental, usually not agreeing with the roles being offered. Consequently, in spite of her ability to successfully handle comedy, melodrama and musicals, as well as garnering considerable praise by the critics and public, she was released by the studio. She joined Columbia in the mid-thirties, but was unable to regain the momentum she had earlier in the decade.
Though I'm certainly not sure her private live shaped her aforementioned attitude, this news item that appeared in the New York Times for September 5 1935, would indicate things were far from stable on the home front.
NANCY CARROLL SUES.
Asks Own Divorce in Nevada From Mallory, Already Re-wed.
CARSON CITY, Nev., Sept. 5 Nancy Carroll, motion-picture star, filed suit for a Nevada divorce here today, charging the already re-married Bolton Mallory with non-support and cruelty. Apparently not completely satisfied as to the legality of the Mexican divorce obtained by Mr. Mallory prior to his recent marriage to 14-year-old Carlota Lobato in Mexico, the actress has resided on a guest ranch south of Reno for the last six weeks, determined to obtain her own divorce decree. Miss Carroll and Mr. Mallory, to whom she was married in January, 1931, have been separated for about a year and a half. Mr. Mallory, former editor of Life, started his divorce proceedings against Miss Carroll in Ometepec, State of Guerrero, Mexico. He alleged incompatibility. He met the present Mrs. Mallory about three months ago in a restaurant owned by her father.
What a charmer he was.
Nancy retired from Hollywood in 1938 after 37 films, returned to the stage, and starred in the early television series The Aldrich Family in 1950. While performing on Broadway in 1965, she was found dead of a heart attack after failing to arrive at the theater for a performance.
She has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1719 Vine Street.
Photoplay - September, 1929
Motion Picture Classic - April, 1930
Among the elephants.
They appeared together in five films.
11 comments:
I loved reading that, I will have to watch some of her films - if they are available?
Dulcette, Glad you enjoyed the post. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any readily available performances of Ms. Carroll, but I am on the hunt.
Adorable. I am still trying to figure out the elephant pose. Some of these publicity shots are enigmatic indeed.
I've read a bit about her, but have never seen a single movie of hers. She has a vivid quality in still photos that makes me wish I had.
Campaspe,
No idea why those elephants are on the table, maybe she had no pets to pose with her :-)
I think in that shot she looks a little like a young Angela Lansbury - Gaslight era, but it may just be my imagination.
She should have posed with chameleons! She appears to be a redhead, a brunette, and a blonde.
I agree - she does look like a young Angela Langsbury in that photo.
I think she is completely adorable.
I agree with most of the comments.
I have a few of her films.
"Paramount on Parade" - she comes
out of a big shoe and sings and
dances to Gus Arnheims band ???
"Dancing to Save Your Soul". It is
obvious from that film that in 1930
she was their top star - apart from
Maurice Chevalier. Just lately I
have bought "The Devil's Holiday"
and "Stolen Heaven". I also saw
"Laughter" about 25 years ago and
can remember enjoying it.
I should have said Abe Lyman's
Band.
What a cutie! Gene Kelly mentions her in a book on musicals and how truly adorable looking she was. My late mother told me she thought Nancy Carroll was the prettiest actress in Hollywood during the late 20s and early 30s. There was a story that a producer wanted to take her to bed and she refused so he blackballed her career with other studios. Don't know if that's fact or not, but have often wondered. She was adorable looking. I have two of her films and wish they would show more on TCM. Tommy Kelly
I was named after her, my mother just loved her.
For more information about the delectable Nancy Carroll, visit her website. http://www.childofmanhattan.com
or http://hollybee.org
I'm sure I was named after her as my Mother was a huge movie fan. I've been able to catch a couple of her movies on TCM
Nancy Carol
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