Helen Francell Coutts (1925–2013),[1] known professionally as M'liss McClure, was an American actress who starred in films and television in the 1940s and 1950s. Originally starring under the name Helen Francell, she chose her official stage name as M'liss McClure in 1948 before featuring in primary roles in films such as the Father's Wild Game series and White Goddess. She appeared as a guest for a number of promotional events and contests for foodstuffs and the US military.[2]
M'liss McClure | |
|---|---|
| Born | Helen Francell Coutts 1925 |
| Died | 2013 |
| Alma mater | University of the Pacific University of California |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1948–1954 |
| Notable credit(s) | Father's Wild Game Father Takes the Air White Goddess |
| Television | Ramar of the Jungle |
| Spouse(s) | Marvin A. Finch (m. 1949) Harry S. Rothschild (m. 1952–1954) Vincent Fotre (m. 1966–1970) |
Early life and education
editHelen Coutts was born to Francella and Warren L. Coutts[3][4] in Alameda, California.[5] She had an interest in dance from a young age, practicing ballet and tap dancing. She attended Alameda High School before studying dramatics at the University of the Pacific and art at the University of California.[4][6] In 1951, she told an interviewer that if her acting career ended, she intended to be a portrait painter.[6]
Career
editStarring in theatre performances at the Pasadena Playhouse for two years, she was noticed in 1948 by film producers and cast in productions including April Showers, For the Love of Mary, and Stage Struck.[4] She also acted as Deanna Durbin's double during the production of Washington Girl.[7] Originally choosing a shortened stage name of Helen Francell, she later settled on M'liss McClure after suggestions from her friends.[8] In order to get more major roles in films starting in November 1948, McClure hired a publicity agency that promoted the beauty of her eyes and her "almost telescopic vision".[9]
During this same time period, she began acting on stage while applying for film roles. While not obtaining a stage role in White Fury, she was accepted for a place in Telluride's Silver Belle in December of that year.[10]
McClure also made appearances at various company and organization shows as the guest of honor for publicity purposes, such as being crowned "Miss Air Fair" at the California Air Freight Fair in August 1950[11] and "Miss Heavenly Peach" at the "Hunt For Heavenly Peach" contest for Hunt Foods.[12] She was also featured in promotions for ranching performances[13] and acted as a party companion for the winner of the "All American Infantryman" competition.[2]
Filmography
edit- April Showers (1948)[4]
- Stage Struck (1948)[4]
- For the Love of Mary (1948)[4]
- Operation Haylift (1950) as Mary[14]
- Father's Wild Game (1950) as Barbara Latham[15]
- Insurance Investigator (1951) as Cigarette girl[16]
- Father Takes the Air (1951) as Barbara Latham[17]
- White Goddess (1953) as Trudy Van Dyne[18]
TV series
edit- The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok (1 episode - 1951) as Alice Cameron[19]
- Ramar of the Jungle (7 episodes - 1953-1954) as Trudy Van Dyne[20]
Personal life and death
editMcClure married Marvin A. Finch, a jewelry manufacturer, on March 3, 1949; they had met on a blind date the previous year.[3] They later divorced. She remarried to oilman Harry S. Rothschild on September 23, 1952, but accused him of mental cruelty and had a default divorce from him approved on February 18, 1954.[21] In 1966 she remarried to Vincent Fotre.[22] She divorced him in 1970, and subsequently lived in Palm Desert, California, where she died in 2013, aged 88.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b "M'liss McClure (Helen F. Coutts)". Glamour Girls of the Silver Screen. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ a b "Treat Awaiting Lucky Recruit". The Los Angeles Times. June 11, 1948. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "'Blind Date' Will Marry Actress M'liss McClure". Los Angeles Times. February 17, 1949. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f Post, Pete (January 16, 1950). "Pete Post says". The Oakland Post Enquirer. Retrieved December 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Daily Knave". Oakland Tribune. May 23, 1949. Retrieved December 3, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Majestic". Shamokin News-Dispatch. February 7, 1951. Retrieved December 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Granddaughter Of Parowan Lady Wins Recognition In Movies". Parowan Times. May 7, 1948. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Clary, Patricia (September 22, 1948). "Thumbnail Sketch". The Terre Haute Tribune. Retrieved December 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "M'liss Uses Vision In Quest of Career". The Buffalo News. November 20, 1948. Retrieved December 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Schallert, Edwin (December 16, 1948). "M'liss McClure Will Act In Stage Play". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "State Air Freight Clinic Holds First Meeting Here". The Oakland Post Enquirer. August 20, 1950. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Miss Heavenly Peach". Oakdale Leader. September 1, 1949. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Charming The Bull Is Her Business". Star Weekly. May 27, 1950. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Blum, Daniel (1969). Daniel Blum's Screen World. Biblo and Tannen. p. 192.
- ^ "'Father's Wild Game' and 'San Francisco Docks' to Open Showing Tomorrow". Shamokin News-Dispatch. February 6, 1951. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Blum, Daniel (1969). Daniel Blum's Screen World. Biblo and Tannen. p. 130.
- ^ "At The Visulite". The Daily News Leader. August 25, 1951. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Adventure at the Wysor". The Star Press. August 30, 1953. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Playing Cowboy". The Los Angeles Times. June 6, 1950. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Ames, Walter (September 13, 1952). "KTTV Plans Video 'Big Night' Next Month; Sen. Nixon Faces Meet the Press Panelists". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 2, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "M'Liss McClure Granted Divorce From Oilman". Los Angeles Times. February 19, 1954. Retrieved November 29, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Carroll, Harrison (December 9, 1966). "It's A Woman's World". Republican and Herald. Retrieved December 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.