Winnie Baldwin (April 7, 1894 – October 7, 1969) was an American vaudevillian, film actress, and playwright.
Winnie Baldwin | |
|---|---|
 1927 Variety advertisement | |
| Born | April 7, 1894 Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | October 7, 1969 (aged 75) |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, vaudevillian, writer |
Early life and career
editBaldwin was born in Kentucky on April 7, 1894.[1]
In 1913, Baldwin was described as having "a sort of Howard Chandler Christy girl plus vaudeville sprightliness, the delightful American type we all fall for every time."[2]
Baldwin and her first husband Percy Bronson performed together in an act known as "Bronson and Baldwin."[3] They performed together in the play So Long Letty at the Shubert Theatre, singing "Pass around the Apples Once Again."[4]
Baldwin performed in Mercenary Mary at the Longacre Theatre in 1925. Don Carle Gillette wrote that Baldwin "helps the comedy along and puts over a couple of song numbers well."[5]
She later partnered with Joe Morris; their act was called Morris and Baldwin.[6]
Baldwin performed at Loew's American Theatre in 1928. A review in The Billboard stated, "Her easy, winning manner suggests that Miss Baldwin with a newly written act would go over big. She is capable of rising to the summit, but never quite reaches the heights."[7]
Baldwin wrote two plays, including House of Mander, also referred to as Mander's Sons, which played at the Apollo in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in October 1929. A review read, "Despite its faults, the play has some dramatic force, and with the lustful emotions of its chief character, may have a chance, providing it gets by New York's equivalent to 'the watch and ward' society."[8] It was staged by Lawrence Marston.[9][10]
Her comedy Divided Honors played Belmont, New York. Some of her vaudeville gags were employed in the show.[11] It was reviewed in Variety: "In vaude you've got to give it to them snappy. Maybe that's why Miss Baldwin was at her best in the first act."[12] The Morning News of Wilmington, Delaware, wrote, "The play has all the fluva of a very palpable hit".[13]
Personal life and death
editIn 1914, she married performer Percy V. Raisbeck,[14] known professionally as Percy Bronson, with whom she had three children: Edna, Douglas, and Hazel.[15] She and Raisbeck divorced in 1923;[16] Baldwin retained custody of the children.[17] After Raisbeck died in 1927,[18] Baldwin was named "administratrix" of his estate.[19]
Baldwin married William Franks in 1935.[20]
Baldwin died on October 7, 1969, in San Bernardino County, California.[1]
Theatre credits
edit- So Long Letty (October 23, 1916 – January 13, 1917) as Sadie McQuiggle
- Mercenary Mary (April 13, 1925 – August 8, 1925) as Mary Skinner
- Divided Honors (September 30, 1929 – November 1929) – writer
- House of Mander (October 1929) – writer
Filmography
edit- In the Ranks (1913) (short) as Hazel Story, the Colonel's daughter
- The Great Sacrifice (1913) (short) as Helen
- For the Cause (1912) (short) as Helen
- The Lieutenant's Last Fight (1912) (short)
- The Deserter (1912) (short)
References
edit- ^ a b Ancestry.com. California, Death Index, 1940–1997 [database on-line] Provo, Utah, U.S.: Ancestry Operations Inc., 2000.
- ^ "In Review: Favorites on the Orpheum Bill. Percy Bronson and Winnie Baldwin Are Here; Crack-a-Jack Dancers Seen at Pantages; Fine Girl Show at Century; in Film Land". Los Angeles Times. 1913-07-08 – via Proquest.
- ^ "Vaudeville: Winnie Baldwin Divorces P. Bronson". Variety. 1924-11-19. p. 5 – via Proquest.
- ^ Sime (1916-11-03). "Show Reviews: So Long Letty". Variety. p. 16 – via Proquest.
- ^ Gillette, Don Carle (1925-04-25). "The New Plays on Broadway". The Billboard. p. 38 – via Proquest.
- ^ "Plays and Players". Brooklyn Life. 1926-04-17. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "New Turns and Returns: Winnie Baldwin". The Billboard. 1928-03-03. p. 20 – via Proquest.
- ^ Weintraub (1929-10-16). "Legitimate: Out-of-Town Reviews - House of Mander". Variety. p. 60 – via Proquest.
- ^ "Gossip of the Broadway Sector". New York Times. 1929-10-06. p. X1 – via Proquest.
- ^ "Local Premiere: The Domineering Father". The Brooklyn Citizen. 1920-10-22. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Moran, Charles (1929-10-12). "New Plays on Broadway: Forrest". The Billboard. p. 45 – via Proquest.
- ^ Edba (1929-10-23). "Legitimate: Plays On Broadway - Divided Honors". Variety. p. 71 – via Proquest.
- ^ "'Divided Honors' Wins Approval". The Morning News. 1929-09-17. p. 2. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
- ^ Colorado, County marriage records and state index, 1862–2006. Via Ancestry.com.
- ^ "Untitled". San Francisco Chronicle. 1921-08-07 – via Ancestry.com.
- ^ "Exits and Entrances". Oakland Tribune. 1923-12-13. p. 25 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ "Vaudeville: Winnie Baldwin Marrying". Variety. 1925-06-10. p. 8 – via Proquest.
- ^ "Vaudeville: "I've Had a Lot of Laughs" Said Percy Bronson, Kisses Wife, Dies". Variety. 1927-12-28. p. 24 – via Proquest.
- ^ "Vaudeville: Percy Bronson's Est". Variety. 1928-07-18. p. 35 – via Proquest.
- ^ California, County Birth, Marriage, and Death Records, 1849–1980. Los Angeles. Marriage. 1935. Via Ancestry.com.
External links
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