Doris Davenport, also known as Doris Jordan[2] (January 1, 1917 – June 18, 1980) was an American actress in movies of the 1930s and early 1940s.

Doris Davenport
Davenport in a Japanese advertisement from the 1940 film The Westerner
Born(1917-01-17)January 17, 1917
DiedJune 18, 1980(1980-06-18) (aged 63)
Other namesDoris Jordan (model)
OccupationActress
Years active1934–1940
Notable workThe Westerner
Spouse
Garland Weaver
(m. 1938; div. 1941)
[1]

Early years

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Davenport was born in Moline, Illinois, and lived in Davenport, Iowa, before she and her mother moved to Los Angeles, California.[3] She wanted to be an actress when she was five years old, and her parents supported that desire by providing voice training and classes in drama.[4]

Career

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Davenport's first film was Kid Millions (1934). After that, however, she said, "It looked as if my career had begun and ended all at once."[4] A stock contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer disappointed her after she realized "it wasn't any better than extra work".[5] Over a span of approximately four years she applied her acting abilities on radio and in little theater.[5]

From 1934 to 1939, she appeared in five films[citation needed] and worked in New York City as a model between films. When she was interviewed under the screen name Doris Jordan for the role of Scarlett O'Hara for Gone with the Wind, she received a short-term contract with Warner Bros.[5] She did well enough to become one of the finalists for the role.[citation needed]

Despite not winning that major role, Davenport impressed studio head Samuel Goldwyn. In 1940, he gave a lead role to Davenport in the film The Westerner, starring opposite Gary Cooper[5] and Walter Brennan. The same year, she starred in the movie Behind the News opposite Lloyd Nolan. It was her last role. With no other offers following that film, she retired from acting.[citation needed]

Personal life and death

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When she worked as a model, Davenport met photographer V. G. Weaver, Jr.[4] They were married on April 12, 1938, in Fordston, Arizona, and they were divorced on July 18, 1941.[6]

Davenport lived in Santa Cruz, California, for 10 years prior to her death[7] on June 18, 1980, age 63.[8]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1934 Kid Millions Nora aka Toots
1935 George White's 1935 Scandals Chorine uncredited
1935 The Girl Friend Chorus Girl in Play uncredited
1936 Born to Dance Chorus Girl uncredited
1937 Thin Ice Member of Girls Band uncredited
1939 Sorority House Neva Simpson
1940 The Westerner Jane Ellen Mathews
1940 Behind the News Barbara Shaw

References

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  1. ^ "Rhinelander Daily News Archives, Jul 18, 1941, p. 6". newspaperarchive.com. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  2. ^ Porter, Darwin (2004). Katharine the Great (1907-1950): Secrets of a Lifetime--revealed. Blood Moon Productions, Ltd. p. 332. ISBN 978-0-9748118-0-2. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  3. ^ Graham, Sheilah (September 9, 1940). "From Extra Girl to Star in a Year". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. North America Newspaper Alliance. p. 21. Retrieved October 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c Lindeman, Edith (May 13, 1940). "Film Actress Pays Visit To Richmond". Richmond Times Dispatch. p. 7. Retrieved October 7, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c d Harrison, Paul (September 13, 1940). "Actress Comes East To Get 'Discovered'". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 24. Retrieved October 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Divorce for Doris Davenport Ends Row Over Her Career". Los Angeles Times. July 19, 1941. p. 17. Retrieved October 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Doris Davenport". The San Francisco Examiner. June 26, 1980. p. 29. Retrieved October 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Doris Davenport". Santa Cruz Sentinel. June 24, 1980. p. 26. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
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