Elizabeth Bryan Allen (December 26, 1904 – June 28, 1992) was an American actress.
Elizabeth Bryan Allen | |
---|---|
Born | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | December 26, 1904
Died | June 28, 1992 | (aged 87)
Occupation | Actress |
Spouse | |
Children | 3, including Elizabeth Montgomery |
Relatives | Martha-Bryan Allen (sister) |
Her married name was Elizabeth Montgomery.
Early life
editAllen was born in Louisville, Kentucky.[1]
Career
editIn 1925, she appeared in Fred Wall and Ralph Murphy's The Handyman. Variety wrote, "Elizabeth Allen in a role that meant but little was decidedly in character as the small town kid".[2] Don Carle Gillette in The Billboard wrote, "Elizabeth Allen gives a natural and neat performance".[3]
In 1926, she appeared in the comedy Applesauce at the Morosco Theatre in Los Angeles. Katherine Lipke of The Los Angeles Times wrote, "Little Elizabeth Allen, the new ingenue, is from Louisville, Ky., and this fact is revealed in every word she speaks. She has been on the stage but a few years but has been fortunate in appearing in excellent parts in The Handy Man and The Holy Terror."[4] Allen performed in Dancing Mothers, A Family Upstairs and Ladies of the Evening with the Morosco Theatre, where she was a principal actress, in 1926.[5][6] In 1927, she appeared in Easy Come, Easy Go. Lipke wrote, "Elizabeth Allen is very funny as a liver patient whose disposition may come from her complaint or may be a natural one. It is hard to recognize pretty Elizabeth in the funny make-up".[7]
Personal life
editAllen met actor Robert Montgomery in 1924 when they appeared in the Broadway play Dawn.[8] They were married on April 14, 1928[9] and divorced in 1950, when Allen was granted a divorce on grounds of "mental cruelty".[10] They had three children: Martha, Elizabeth, and Robert Jr. Her sister, Martha-Bryan Allen, was also an actress.[1]
Broadway appearances
edit- Dawn (November 24, 1924 – January 1925; Sam H. Harris Theatre) as Ann Perkins
- The Handy Man (March 9, 1925 – March 1925; 39th Street Theatre) as Winnie Weller
- A Holy Terror (September 28, 1925 – October 1925; George M. Cohan's Theatre) as Judy Kirkpatrick
- Revolt (October 31, 1928 – November 1928; Vanderbilt Theatre) as Hope
References
edit- ^ a b Pilato, Herbie J. (November 5, 2012). Twitch Upon a Star: The Bewitched Life and Career of Elizabeth Montgomery. Taylor Trade Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58979-750-5.
- ^ "Legitimate: The Handy Man". Variety. March 18, 1925. p. 24 – via Proquest.
- ^ Gillette, Don Carle (March 21, 1925). "The New Plays on Broadway: "The Handy Man"". The Billboard. p. 50 – via Proquest.
- ^ Lipke, Katherine (August 22, 1926). "World Likes 'Applesauce': Fifth of September Brings New Play and New Faces to Morosco Stock Company". Los Angeles Times. p. C23 – via Proquest.
- ^ "New Principals in Morosco Stock Company". Los Angeles Times. September 5, 1926. p. C17 – via Proquest.
- ^ Lipke, Katherine (November 28, 1926). "Little Elizabeth Allen Likes Playing 'Toughs' and Children". Los Angeles Times. p. C25 – via Proquest.
- ^ Lipke, Katherine (January 17, 1927). "Lovely Leading Lady: It's a Mirth Provoker". Los Angeles Times. p. A7 – via Proquest.
- ^ Sher, Jack (March 2, 1947). "How to Win An Argument". Los Angeles Times. p. E17 – via Proquest.
- ^ "Elizabeth Allen a Bride: Actress Wed to Robert Montgomery, Also of the Stage". The New York Times. April 15, 1928. p. 27 – via Proquest.
- ^ "Mrs. Robert Montgomery Wins Divorce". Los Angeles Times. December 6, 1950. p. 28 – via Proquest.