Sondra Rodgers (born Fenella Jewell Rodgers; 1903–1997) was an American film and television actress.[1]
Sondra Rodgers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Fenella Jewell Rodgers February 3, 1903 Trimble County, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | July 22, 1997 |
| Other names | Sondra Arleaux |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1944 - 1970 (film) |
Early years edit
Born Fenella Jewell Rodgers,[2] she grew up on the family farm in Trimble County, Kentucky.[3] She was the daughter of J.L. Rodgers[4] and his wife, Lacy Rodgers. When she was 17, she moved to New York and began modeling for a commercial photographer.[3]
Radio edit
Rodgers left the stage to work in radio in 1934.[4] She was heard often in the United States on broadcasts of Miniature Theater of the Air and on a number of soap operas.[3]
She also worked in radio in Europe. Although she was employed by Radio Luxembourg, she was based in London. Her programs were recorded and shipped to Luxembourg for broadcast.[4] After concluding her work in Europe, she returned to Kentucky and wrote scripts for WLAP in Lexington.[4]
Stage edit
Rodgers' early acting experience came in New York when she worked (using the name Sondra Arleaux)[4] in stock theater with Jessie Bonstelle. She appeared on Broadway in Riddle Me This (1933).[5]
Rodgers spent time in Europe studying with playwrights, then returned to the United States, where she directed plays at the Pasadena Playhouse with Gilmour Brown as her supervisor.[4]
Later, in Los Angeles, Rodgers acted in plays, including No Time for Comedy, Heaven Can Wait, Cry Havoc, an dFamily Portrait.[3]
Film edit
Rodgers signed her first film contract, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, in May 1944.[6] Her film debut came in Marriage Is a Private Affair (1944).[7]
Television edit
Rodgers portrayed Mrs. Appleby in the 1961 episode "A Doctor Comes to Town" of the television series Window on Main Street.[citation needed]. She played the prudish (unnamed) mother of daughters Elmira and Dodie on "Wagon Train" in S1 E18 "The Gabe Carswell Story" which aired 1/14/1958.
Filmography edit
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | Marriage Is a Private Affair | Nurse | Uncredited |
| 1944 | Lost in a Harem | Zaida | Uncredited |
| 1945 | Keep Your Powder Dry | WAC Hodgekins | |
| 1945 | Anchors Aweigh | Jean | Uncredited |
| 1945 | The Hidden Eye | Helen Roberts | |
| 1946 | Up Goes Maisie | Uncredited | |
| 1946 | Easy to Wed | Attendant | |
| 1946 | Boys' Ranch | Mrs. O'Neill | Uncredited |
| 1948 | Tap Roots | Shellie Dabney | |
| 1951 | As You Were | WAC Captain | |
| 1963 | Tammy and the Doctor | First Nurse | |
| 1966 | Country Boy | Mrs. Byrd | |
| 1970 | Airport | Margaret Rogers - Passenger | Uncredited, (final film role) |
References edit
- ^ Erickson p.385
- ^ McCollum, Konnie (July 2007). "Trimble County native found fame in Hollywood". RoundAbout. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ a b c d Ransdell, Gail M. (October 2, 1949). "An Old Kentucky Home Is The Setting". The Courier-Journal. Kentucky, Louisville. p. 77. Retrieved February 11, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f "Cabins for 300 Negro slaves used to ring the homestead". The Courier-Journal. Kentucky, Louisville. October 2, 1949. p. 78. Retrieved February 11, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "("Sondra Arleaux" search results)". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ "Lure of Hollywood Proves Too Strong". The Pittsburgh Press. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. May 12, 1944. p. 29. Retrieved February 11, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Screen Newcomer". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. August 2, 1944. p. 20. Retrieved February 11, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
Bibliography edit
- Erickson, Hal. Military Comedy Films: A Critical Survey and Filmography of Hollywood Releases Since 1918. McFarland, 2012.
External links edit
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