Full Name Violet May Rose Role Actress Occupation Actress Education Lake View High School | Years active 1920–1945 Children Barbara Edith Roscoe Name Barbara Bedford | |
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Born July 19, 1903 ( 1903-07-19 ) Eastman, Wisconsin, United States Died October 25, 1981, Jacksonville, Florida, United States Spouse Terry Spencer (m. 1940–1954), Alan Roscoe (m. 1930–1933), Alan Roscoe (m. 1922–1928), Irvin Willat (m. 1921) Movies The Last of the Mohicans, Tumbleweeds, Mockery, The Power of Love, Arabian Love Similar People Maurice Tourneur, King Baggot, Clarence Brown, William S Hart, Irvin Willat | ||
Last of the mohicans 1920 wallace beery barbara bedford dir by m tourneur clarence brown
Barbara Bedford (born Violet May Rose, July 19, 1903 – October 25, 1981) was an American actress who appeared in dozens of silent movies. Her career declined after the introduction of sound, but she continued to appear in small roles until 1945.
Contents
- Last of the mohicans 1920 wallace beery barbara bedford dir by m tourneur clarence brown
- Film
- Stage
- Personal life
- Later years
- Death
- Filmography
- References
Film
After high school she set out for Hollywood. She had written many fan letters to actor William S. Hart, and he helped her get a small role in his 1920 movie The Cradle of Courage. While working as an extra that same year on The White Circle, she was noticed by fellow cast member John Gilbert, who recommended her to director Maurice Tourneur. Tourneur cast her alongside Gilbert in Deep Waters. Tourneur also cast her in The Last of the Mohicans, where she was the love interest for Alan Roscoe, whom she later married in real life.
In 1925 she appeared opposite Hart in his final film, Tumbleweeds, a key western of the silent period. She starred in the 1926 silent film Old Loves and New and in Mockery with Lon Chaney the following year.
When her career declined after the switch to sound, she signed with MGM in 1936 to play bit and extra parts. Her last known film appearance was in 1945.
Stage
Bedford played Andre in Ayn Rand's Woman on Trial (better known as Night of January 16th) when it opened at the Hollywood Playhouse on October 22, 1934.
Personal life
Bedford was born Violet May Rose in Eastman, Wisconsin, and was educated in Chicago, where she graduated from Lake View High School.
Before she began her career as an actress, Bedford taught swimming, dancing, and gymnastics and worked as an accountant.
In 1921 she married Irvin Willat, who had directed her earlier that year in The Face of the World. They divorced in less than a year. In August 1922 she married fellow actor Alan Roscoe. They divorced in 1928, but remarried in 1930. They had one daughter, Barbara Edith Roscoe. When her husband died in 1933, Bedford had a legal dispute with his friend Wallace Beery over life insurance money that Beery claimed was owed to him for debts, but which Bedford said was intended for her daughter's education.
Bedford's third and longest marriage was to actor Terry Spencer. They were married from 1940 until his death in 1954.
Later years
After Spencer died, Bedford lived in Jacksonville, Florida, using the name Violet Spencer as she worked in retail sales. She and her daughter moved to Shreveport in the 1970s.
Death
Bedford died in Jacksonville, Florida, on October 25, 1981.
Filmography
Actress
1945
Girls of the Big House as
Visitors Matron (uncredited)
1945
The Clock as
USO Manager (uncredited)
1944
An American Romance as
Hospitable Farm Woman (uncredited)
1944
Meet the People as
Ritz Patron (uncredited)
1944
Andy Hardy's Blonde Trouble as
Dean's Secretary (uncredited)
1943
Sucker Bait (Documentary short) as
Dr. Marford's Nurse
1943
Lost Angel as
Telephone Operator (uncredited)
1943
The Cross of Lorraine as
Village Woman (uncredited)
1943
Seeing Hands (Short) as
Ben's Mother (uncredited)
1943
Best Foot Forward as
Chaperon at Dance (uncredited)
1943
Inflation (Short) as
Woman in Close-Out Sale Montage (uncredited)
1943
Du Barry Was a Lady as
Ambrose's Wife (uncredited)
1943
Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case as
Secretary (uncredited)
1943
Who's Superstitious? (Short) as
Wife (uncredited)
1943
Presenting Lily Mars as
Assistant Boardinghouse Manager (uncredited)
1943
Family Troubles (Short) as
Mary Burston, Janet's mother
1943
Slightly Dangerous as
Customer (uncredited)
1943
Assignment in Brittany as
Surgical Nurse (uncredited)
1943
The Human Comedy as
Woman on Street (uncredited)
1943
Benjamin Franklin, Jr. (Short) as
Janet's mother
1943
Brief Interval (Short) as
Nurse (uncredited)
1942
Reunion in France as
Mme. Vigouroux (uncredited)
1942
Rover's Big Chance (Short) as
Studio clerk
1942
Calling Dr. Gillespie as
Carew's Secretary Bringing Postcard (uncredited)
1942
Tortilla Flat as
Nun (uncredited)
1942
Ship Ahoy as
Mrs. Loring (uncredited)
1942
The Courtship of Andy Hardy as
Elsa, Nesbit's Maid (uncredited)
1942
The Lady or the Tiger? (Short) as
Lady Behind Door in Arena (uncredited)
1942
Don't Talk (Short) as
Beauty Shop Customer (uncredited)
1942
We Were Dancing as
Tearful Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
1942
Born to Sing as
Woman at Accident Scene (uncredited)
1942
Dr. Kildare's Victory as
Dr. Carew's Secretary (uncredited)
1942
Mr. and Mrs. North as
Lucille (uncredited)
1942
The Vanishing Virginian as
Mildred Simpson (uncredited)
1942
Nazi Agent as
Woman (uncredited)
1941
Babes on Broadway as
Mrs. Crainen, the Matron (uncredited)
1941
Main Street on the March! (Short) as
Nurse (uncredited)
1941
Wedding Worries (Short) as
Miss Douglas (uncredited)
1941
Come Back, Miss Pipps (Short) as
Angry Parent (uncredited)
1941
Married Bachelor as
Juror at Radio Broadcast (uncredited)
1941
Honky Tonk as
Salvation Army Woman (uncredited)
1941
When Ladies Meet as
Anna (uncredited)
1941
Whistling in the Dark as
Cult Member / Telephone Operator (uncredited)
1941
Sucker List (Short) as
Secretary (uncredited)
1941
The Getaway as
Dr. Glass' Maid (uncredited)
1941
Coffins on Wheels (Short) as
First Nurse - Hospital Desk (uncredited)
1941
Love Crazy as
Renny's Secretary (uncredited)
1941
The People vs. Dr. Kildare as
Dr. Carew's Secretary (uncredited)
1941
1-2-3-Go! (Short) as
Ann, nurse
1941
Men of Boys Town as
Nun in Infirmary (uncredited)
1941
Maisie Was a Lady as
Nurse (uncredited)
1941
Respect the Law (Short) as
Johnson's Maid (uncredited)
1940
Go West as
Baby's Mother on Stagecoach (uncredited)
1940
American Spoken Here (Short) as
Corset Buyer (uncredited)
1940
You, the People (Short) as
Rooming House Diner (uncredited)
1940
Little Nellie Kelly as
Miss Wilson - Nurse with Baby (uncredited)
1940
Third Finger, Left Hand as
Woman at Railroad Station (uncredited)
1940
Sky Murder as
Grand's Maid (uncredited)
1940
Good Bad Boys (Short) as
Alfalfa's Mother (uncredited)
1940
Dr. Kildare Goes Home as
Carew's Secretary (uncredited)
1940
Soak the Old (Short) as
Bogus Pension Office Employee (uncredited)
1940
Boom Town as
Nurse (uncredited)
1940
I Love You Again as
Miss Stingecombe - Larry's Secretary (uncredited)
1940
Gold Rush Maisie as
Mrs. Hartley (uncredited)
1940
We Who Are Young as
Hospital Phone Operator (uncredited)
1940
A Way in the Wilderness (Short) as
Sick Farmer's Wife (uncredited)
1940
Women in Hiding (Short) as
Miss Townsend - Head Nurse (uncredited)
1940
Florian as
Kingston's Secretary (uncredited)
1940
Bubbling Troubles (Short) as
Alfalfa's Mom
1940
Edison, the Man as
General Powell's Nurse (uncredited)
1940
All About Hash (Short) as
Martha, Alfalfa's mother
1940
The Domineering Male (Short) as
Party Hostess (uncredited)
1940
Pound Foolish (Short) as
Mayor's Secretary (uncredited)
1940
Alfalfa's Double (Short) as
Alfalfa's Mother
1940
That Inferior Feeling (Short) as
Bride (uncredited)
1940
The Earl of Chicago as
Martha Jackson (uncredited)
1939
Miracle at Lourdes (Short) as
Nurse (uncredited)
1939
Joe and Ethel Turp Call on the President as
Neighbor (uncredited)
1939
Bad Little Angel as
Mrs. Dodd (scenes deleted)
1939
Dancing Co-Ed as
Secretary (voice, uncredited)
1939
Think First (Short) as
Saleslady (uncredited)
1939
One Against the World (Short) as
Townswoman (uncredited)
1939
Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever as
Miss Howard - Bank Secretary (uncredited)
1939
On Borrowed Time as
Mrs. James Northrup (uncredited)
1939
Stronger Than Desire as
Miss Watson - Flagg's Secretary (uncredited)
1939
Angel of Mercy (Short) as
Nurse (uncredited)
1939
Radio Hams (Short) as
Mrs. Crane (uncredited)
1939
Calling Dr. Kildare as
Dr. Carew's Secretary (uncredited)
1939
Broadway Serenade as
Gracie (uncredited)
1939
Sergeant Madden as
Nurse (uncredited)
1939
Within the Law as
Sarah - Gilder's Secretary (uncredited)
1939
Tiny Troubles (Short) as
Alfalfa's mother
1939
Four Girls in White as
Nurse Behind Counter (uncredited)
1939
Idiot's Delight as
Nurse #1 (uncredited)
1939
Burn 'Em Up O'Connor as
Woman in Movie House (uncredited)
1939
Alfalfa's Aunt (Short) as
Martha Switzer (uncredited)
1938
The Girl Downstairs as
Anna (uncredited)
1938
The Miracle of Salt Lake (Documentary short) as
Pioneer Woman (uncredited)
1938
Football Romeo (Short) as
Alfalfa's Mother
1938
Men in Fright (Short) as
Sonny's Mother (uncredited)
1938
Young Dr. Kildare as
Nurse (uncredited)
1938
Nostradamus (Short) as
Bit Role (uncredited)
1938
Too Hot to Handle as
MacArthur's Secretary (uncredited)
1938
Boys Town as
Catholic Nun (uncredited)
1938
How to Read (Short) as
Dental Patient (uncredited)
1938
Rich Man, Poor Girl as
Kate (uncredited)
1938
The Chaser as
Brandon's Secretary (uncredited)
1938
Fast Company as
MacMillen's Secretary (uncredited)
1938
Woman Against Woman as
Nurse Sherwood (uncredited)
1938
The Toy Wife as
Woman in Doctor's Office (uncredited)
1938
Three Comrades as
Rita - Singer Accompanied by Erich (uncredited)
1938
Come Across (Short) as
Bank Employee (uncredited)
1938
That Mothers Might Live (Short) as
Nun Reading Book (uncredited)
1938
Miracle Money (Short) as
Miss Grant (uncredited)
1938
Paradise for Three as
Toblers Secretary (uncredited)
1937
Navy Blue and Gold as
Hospital Nurse (uncredited)
1937
The First Hundred Years as
Sadie (uncredited)
1937
Big City as
Woman Who Screams (uncredited)
1937
Between Two Women as
Sarah - Patricia's Maid (uncredited)
1937
A Day at the Races as
Secretary (uncredited)
1937
It May Happen to You (Short) as
Nurse (uncredited)
1937
Song of Revolt (Short) as
Peasant Woman (uncredited)
1937
The Grand Bounce (Short) as
Doctor's Secretary (uncredited)
1937
A Family Affair as
Minor Role (uncredited)
1936
Born to Dance as
Hector's Secretary (uncredited)
1936
The Public Pays (Short) as
Markovitz's Secretary (uncredited)
1936
His Brother's Wife as
Minor Role (uncredited)
1936
Easy Money as
Mrs. Turner
1936
Speed as
Nurse (uncredited)
1936
The Mine with the Iron Door as
Secretary
1936
Brilliant Marriage as
Brenda
1936
Ring Around the Moon as
Carol Anderson
1936
Tango as
Carver, Enright & Burt Receptionist (uncredited)
1936
Senor Jim as
Mona Cartier
1936
Three on a Limb (Short) as
Addie
1935
Forced Landing as
Mrs. Margaret Byrd
1935
Midnight Phantom as
Kathleen Ryan
1935
3 Kids and a Queen as
Nurse (uncredited)
1935
The Spanish Cape Mystery as
Mrs. Munn
1935
Condemned to Live as
Martha Kristan
1935
The Keeper of the Bees as
Nurse
1935
On Probation as
Mable Gordon
1935
Circumstantial Evidence as
Mrs. Goodwin (uncredited)
1934
Sons of Steel as
Miss Peters
1934
The World Accuses as
Martha Rankin
1934
A Girl of the Limberlost as
Elvira Carney
1934
Tomorrow's Youth as
Miss Booth
1933
Found Alive as
Edith Roberts
1932
The Death Kiss as
Script Girl
1932
Too Busy to Work as
Molly Hardy (scenes deleted)
1931
The Lady from Nowhere as
Mollie Carter
1931
Desert Vengeance as
Anne Dixon
1930
The Lash as
Lupe
1930
Tol'able David as
Rose Kinemon
1930
Sunny as
Margaret
1930
The Love Trader as
Luane
1929
The Heroic Lover
1929
Brothers as
Doris LaRue
1929
Smoke Bellew as
Joy Gastrell
1928
The Haunted House as
Nancy
1928
The Cavalier as
Lucia D'Arquista
1928
Bitter Sweets as
Bett Kingston
1928
The City of Purple Dreams as
Esther Strom
1928
Manhattan Knights as
Margaret
1928
The Port of Missing Girls as
Ruth King
1928
Marry the Girl as
Elinor
1928
The Broken Mask as
Caricia
1927
A Man's Past as
Yvonne Fontaine
1927
The Girl from Gay Paree as
Mary Davis
1927
Mockery as
Countess Tatiana Alexandrova
1927
Backstage as
Julia Joyce
1927
The Notorious Lady as
Mary Marlowe / Mary Brownlee
1927
Life of an Actress as
Nora Dowen
1926
Sunshine of Paradise Alley as
Sunshine O'Day
1926
Devil's Dice as
Helen Paine
1926
The Sporting Lover as
Lady Gwendolyn
1926
Old Loves and New as
Marny
1925
Tumbleweeds as
Molly Lassiter
1925
What Fools Men as
Jenny McFarlan
1925
Before Midnight as
Helen Saldivar
1925
The Business of Love as
Barbara Richmond
1925
The Talker as
Barbara Farley
1925
Percy as
Imogene Chandler
1925
The Mad Whirl as
Margie Taylor
1925
The Mansion of Aching Hearts as
Martha
1925
The Champion of Lost Causes as
Beatrice Charles
1924
Women Who Give as
Emily Swift
1924
Pagan Passions as
Shirley Dangerfield
1924
The Whipping Boss as
Grace Woodward
1923
The Acquittal as
Edith Craig
1923
The Spoilers as
Helen Chester
1923
The Forbidden Lover as
Maria Almada
1923
Souls for Sale as
Barbara Bedford
1923
The Tie That Binds as
Mary Ellen Gray
1923
Romance Land as
Nan Harvess
1922
Another Man's Shoes as
Mercia Solano
1922
Tom Mix in Arabia as
Janice Terhune
1922
The Power of Love as
Maria Almeda
1922
Alias Julius Caesar as
Helen
1922
Out of the Silent North as
Marcette Vallois
1922
Step on It! as
Lorraine Leighton
1922
Man Under Cover as
Margaret Langdon
1922
Arabian Love as
Nadine Fortier
1922
Winning with Wits as
Mary Sudan / Mary Wyatt
1922
Gleam O'Dawn as
Nini
1922
The Unfoldment as
Martha Osborne
1921
Cinderella of the Hills as
Norris Gradley
1921
The Face of the World as
Thora
1921
The Big Punch as
Hope Standish
1920
Down Home as
Undetermined Role (unconfirmed)
1920
The Last of the Mohicans as
Cora Munro
1920
Deep Waters as
Betty West
1920
The Cradle of Courage as
Nora
Soundtrack
1938
Three Comrades (performer: "Ach, wie ist's möglich dann" - uncredited)
Self
-
Maurice Tourneur, tisseur de rêve (Documentary) (post-production)
1942
Mr. Blabbermouth! (Documentary short) as
Woman (uncredited)
Archive Footage
2003
Inside the Marx Brothers (Video documentary) as
Baby's mother on stagecoach (clip from Go West (1940)) (uncredited)
1956
MGM Parade (TV Series documentary) as
Lady Behind Door in 'The Lady or the Tiger?'
- Episode #1.21 (1956) - Lady Behind Door in 'The Lady or the Tiger?'
1942
Flag of Mercy (Short) as
Nurse (uncredited)
References
Barbara Bedford (actress) Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA