Joi Lansing

She died of breast cancer. She died in Los Angeles, California, of lung cancer. Some of these films, particularly "The Web of Love," have gone on to become camp classics. Her near-pathological fear of germs did not interfere with her career. She starred in short musical films for the Scopitone video-jukebox system, which anticipated MTV by decades. She was nominated for an Academy Award for the role, and repeated it in nine more films. Later movie roles included a part in 1967's "Hillbillies in a Haunted House.". She played Ma Kettle in The Egg and I in 1947 opposite Percy Kilbride as Pa Kettle.

In 1952, she played a uncredited role in the MGM blockbuster "Singing in the Rain." On television she appeared on "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok," "I Love Lucy," and "The Beverly Hillbillies" in a recurring role. She made six comedies with Wallace Beery in the 1940s. Her earliest work was as a model, and she began her film career in 1948. She again transferred a strong stage performance, as a dude ranch operator in The Women, to film in 1939. A buxom blonde model and actress, Lansing was often cast in roles similar to those played by contemporaries Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Doren. She repeated her stage role in Dead End in the movie version of 1937, and was subsequently cast repeatedly as the mother of gangsters. Joi Lansing was the screen name of Joyce Wassmansdoff, born in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 6, 1928. She married Stanley LeFevre Krebs, who died in 1935.

She began playing upper class dowagers, but was ultimately typecast in abrasive, domineering, salty roles: her distinct voice was like chalk upon a blackboard. Her first film was A House Divided in 1931. She worked in vaudeville on the Chautauqua and Orpheum circuits, and debuted on Broadway in 1916. Born in Acton, Indiana as Mary Tomlinson, she attended Franklin College, in Franklin, Indiana. She adopted a stage name to avoid embarrassing her father, who was a minister.

Marjorie Main (24 February 1890-10 April 1975) was an American character actress who was best known for her role as Ma Kettle in a series of ten Ma and Pa Kettle movies. The Kettles on Old MacDonald's Farm - 1957- Ma Kettle. Friendly Persuasion - 1956. The Kettles in the Ozarks - 1956 - Ma Kettle.

Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki - 1955 - Ma Kettle. Ricochet Romance - 1954. Rose Marie - 1954. Ma and Pa Kettle at Home - 1954 - Ma Kettle.

The Long, Long Trailer - 1954. Fast Company - 1953. Ma and Pa Kettle on Vacation - 1953 - Ma Kettle. Ma and Pa Kettle at the Fair - 1952 - Ma Kettle.

The Belle of New York - 1952. A Letter from a Soldier - 1951. It's a Big Country - 1951. The Law and the Lady - 1951.

Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm - 1951 - Ma Kettle. Imperium - 1951. Mr. Malone - 1951.

O'Malley and Mr. Mrs. Summer Stock - 1950. Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town - 1950 - Ma Kettle.

The Harvey Girls - 1946. Murder, He Says - 1945. Gentle Annie - 1944. Louis - 1944.

Meet Me in St. Rationing - 1944. Johnny Come Lately - 1943. Heaven Can Wait - 1943.