Glenda Farrell

Glenda Farrell was born June 30, 1904, in Enid, Oklahoma. With a stage and Broadway background, and after one uncredited film role and and one comedy short, Glenda was signed with Warner Brothers in July, 1930. For her first role she was given the female lead in Little Caesar (1931), opposite Edward G. Robinson and Douglas Fairbanks,Jr. In 1932 she received another female lead role in I Am A Fugitive From A Chain Gang (1932), opposite Paul Muni. Both films are classics, but Glenda was generally not given roles of that magnitude going forward. That said, she became one of Warner's busiest actresses throughout the 1930s, appearing in 53 films prior to 1940.

A hard boiled, sassy personality, was Glenda's strength. The films she appeared in were mostly "A pictures", and headed by leading stars of the day. They included The Match King (1932), Mystery Of The Wax Museum (1933), Lady For A Day (1933), The Keyhole (1933) starring Kay Francis, Bureau of Missing Persons (1933), starring Bette Davis, and Hi, Nellie (1934), in the female lead role, again paired with Paul Muni. Her popularity was such that eventually she was starred in her own series as Torchy Blane, "Girl Reporter", and portrayed Torchy in seven films from 1937 to 1939.

When her Warner's contract expired she concentrated on her stage career once again. However, in the 50's she returned to the camera, but this time on television, and in 1963, won an Emmy Award for her work on TV's Ben Casey. In 1971, Glenda died from lung cancer, aged 66, at her home in New York City.

Glenda has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6524 Hollywood Boulevard.

Double click on the images for a larger view.

Frame captures from Little Caesar.

Nominated for a best picture Oscar, strong female performances were
provided by both Glenda and Noel Francis.

Glenda sings and dances as Missouri Martin in this
Capra Oscar nominated film.

Glenda appeared in nine films with Allen Jenkins.

Glenda and Joan Blondell were together in eight films.

Fay La Rue is Glenda's name in this film and you can guess she is not the shy and retiring miss, that is left to Loretta Young.

Publicity still from Man's Castle.

Film still from The Personality Kid (1934)

Publicity still from Hi, Nellie.

Glenda and Allen Jenkins again, along with Joan Blondell and Pat O'Brien.

The picture belongs to Aline McMahon and Ann Dvorak, but Glenda holds her own.

Glenda shared the screen with Guy Kibbee in five films and Hugh Herbert in eight films.

Publicity still from Merry Wives of Reno.


Here is Hugh again.


I've got them all, except Fly Away Baby, hence the lobby card.

Publicity still from Smart Blonde.

Glenda Farrell - What do you think - Allure?