This page will contain discussion groups about Billie Burke, as they become available.Billie BurkeMary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke (7 August 1885 - 14 May 1970) was an actress primarily known to modern audiences for her role as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North in The Wizard of Oz. To earlier audiences she was the feather-brained Clara Topper in a series of popular movies about a man haunted by two alcoholic ghosts and their pet St. Bernard. Known as Billie Burke, she was born in Washington, D.C. to the famous English clown Billy Burke. She spent much of her youth travelling with her family as her father played Europe in Barnum and Bailey's Circus. In 1903 she began acting on stage, making her debut in London, and eventually returning to America to become the toast of Broadway as a musical comedy star. There she caught the eye of theatre producer Florenz Ziegfeld, marrying him in 1914. In 1916, they had one daughter, Patricia Ziegfeld. According to some sources, Burke reportedly had an affair with the silent-film director Dorothy Arzner. She was quickly signed for the movies, with her first movie, in the starring role, in Peggy in 1916. She continued to appear on both stage and screen, but when the family's savings were wiped out in the Crash of 1929, she began to concentrate on the movies. Ziegfeld died in 1932, worsening her financial situation. That same year, she starred in Dinner at Eight. This was shortly thereafter followed by the Topper series of films and The Wizard of Oz. Another successful series followed with Father of the Bride and Father's Little Dividend. She died in Los Angeles, California, and was interred at Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, New York. Broadway
Films
This page about Billie Burke includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about Billie Burke News stories about Billie Burke External links for Billie Burke Videos for Billie Burke Wikis about Billie Burke Discussion Groups about Billie Burke Blogs about Billie Burke Images of Billie Burke |
|
She died in Los Angeles, California, and was interred at Kensico Cemetery, Valhalla, New York. Fay Compton died on December 12, 1978, in London, England, UK. Another successful series followed with Father of the Bride and Father's Little Dividend. One of her last major roles was as Aunt Ann in the BBC's 1967 television adaptation of The Forsyte Saga. This was shortly thereafter followed by the Topper series of films and The Wizard of Oz. Also, distinguished figures like Sir Alec Guinness, John Le Mesurier, Jan Sterling, Sally Gray, Joe Mitcheson and Elton Hayes, developed their acting career in her Fay Compton School of Dramatic Arts. That same year, she starred in Dinner at Eight. Lawrence's The Rocking Horse Winner (1950) and Somerset Maugham's Encore (1950). Her grandaughter is the actress, Tracy Reed. Ziegfeld died in 1932, worsening her financial situation. Polly (1949), D.H. She continued to appear on both stage and screen, but when the family's savings were wiped out in the Crash of 1929, she began to concentrate on the movies. Wells' The History of Mr. She was quickly signed for the movies, with her first movie, in the starring role, in Peggy in 1916. Compton is the mother of British director Anthony Pélisser, whose most significant films were H.G. According to some sources, Burke reportedly had an affair with the silent-film director Dorothy Arzner. In addition to her resume, she lead a successful career in the radio, television and gramophone recordings. In 1916, they had one daughter, Patricia Ziegfeld. Her most popular performances in films are Odd Man Out (1947), Laughter in Paradise (1951) Orson Welles' Othello (1952) and The Haunting (1963). There she caught the eye of theatre producer Florenz Ziegfeld, marrying him in 1914. Compton's film work is not as well known or as highly regarded as her stage appearances, but she managed to squeeze many solvent screen roles in more than forty movies between 1914 and 1970. In 1903 she began acting on stage, making her debut in London, and eventually returning to America to become the toast of Broadway as a musical comedy star. Active in the classics as well as contemporary material, Compton had the distinction of playing Ophelia opposite two of the most celebrated Hamlets, John Barrymore and John Gielgud. She spent much of her youth travelling with her family as her father played Europe in Barnum and Bailey's Circus. Barrie (of Peter Pan fame) introducing him to London audiences, notably in the title role of Mary Rose in 1920. Known as Billie Burke, she was born in Washington, D.C. to the famous English clown Billy Burke. She made her mark in the several plays of J. M. Bernard. Compton made her first professional appearances in between 1911 and 1913 with The Follies under the leadership of H.G. Pélissier, her future husband. To earlier audiences she was the feather-brained Clara Topper in a series of popular movies about a man haunted by two alcoholic ghosts and their pet St. Fay Compton was born as Virginia Lilian Emeline Mackenzie Compton, in London, England, UK, on September 18, 1894. Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke (7 August 1885 - 14 May 1970) was an actress primarily known to modern audiences for her role as Glinda, the Good Witch of the North in The Wizard of Oz. Her grandfather was 19th-century theatrical luminary, Henry Compton. Pepe - 1960. British actress Fay Compton came from a notable acting lineage; her father was actor/manager Edward Compton; her mother, Virginia Bateman, was a distinguished member of the profession, as were his brother the novelist Sir Compton Mackenzie, her sister, the actress Viola Compton, and her uncles and aunts. Sergeant Rutledge - 1960. The Young Philadelphians - 1959. Small Town Girl - 1953. Father's Little Dividend - 1951. Father of the Bride - 1950. The Barkleys of Broadway - 1949. Billie Gets Her Man - 1948. The Bachelor's Daughters - 1946. Breakfast in Hollywood - 1946. The Cheaters - 1945. Swing Out, Sister - 1945. The Laramie Trail - 1944. Gildersleeve on Broadway - 1943. Smith - 1943. You're a Lucky Fellow, Mr. So's Your Uncle - 1943. Hi Diddle Diddle - 1943. Girl Trouble - 1942. They All Kissed the Bride - 1942. In This Our Life - 1942. What's Cookin'? - 1942. The Man Who Came to Dinner - 1942. One Night in Lisbon - 1941. Topper Returns - 1941. The Wild Man of Borneo - 1941. And One Was Beautiful - 1940. Hullabaloo - 1940. Dulcy - 1940. The Captain Is a Lady - 1940. Irene - 1940. The Ghost Comes Home - 1940. Remember? - 1939. Eternally Yours - 1939. The Wizard of Oz - 1939. Bridal Suite - 1939. Zenobia - 1939. Topper Takes a Trip - 1939. The Young in Heart - 1938. Merrily We Live - 1938. Everybody Sing - 1938. Navy Blue and Gold - 1937. The Bride Wore Red - 1937. Topper - 1937. Parnell - 1937. Craig's Wife - 1936. Piccadilly Jim - 1936. My American Wife - 1936. Splendor - 1935. A Feather in Her Hat - 1935. She Couldn't Take It - 1935. Doubting Thomas - 1935. Becky Sharp - 1935. After Office Hours - 1935. Society Doctor - 1935. Forsaking All Others - 1934. We're Rich Again - 1934. Finishing School - 1934. Where Sinners Meet - 1934. Only Yesterday - 1933. Dinner at Eight - 1933. Christopher Strong - 1933. A Bill of Divorcement - 1932. The Education of Elizabeth - 1921. Johnson - 1920. The Frisky Mrs. Away Goes Prudence - 1920. Wanted: A Husband - 1919. Sadie Love - 1919. The Misleading Widow - 1919. Good Gracious, Annabelle - 1919. The Make-Believe Wife - 1918. In Pursuit of Polly - 1918. Let's Get a Divorce - 1918. Eve's Daughter - 1918. The Land of Promise - 1917. Arms and the Girl - 1917. The Mysterious Miss Terry - 1917. Gloria's Romance - 1916. Peggy - 1916. X - 1944. Mrs. January and Mr. Ziegfeld Follies of 1943 - 1943. This Rock - 1943. Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 - 1936. Ziegfeld Follies of 1934 - 1934. The Truth Game - 1930. Family Affairs - 1929. The Happy Husband - 1928. The Marquise - 1927. Annie Dear - 1924. Rose Briar - 1922. The Intimate Strangers - 1921. Caesar's Wife - 1919. A Marriage of Convenience - 1918. The Rescuing Angel - 1917. Jerry - 1914. The Land of Promise - 1913. The Amazons - 1913. The Runaway - 1911. The Philosopher in the Apple Orchard - 1911. Suzanne - 1910. Dot - 1910. Mrs. Love Watches - 1908. My Wife - 1907. |