Ann Richards (actress)
Encyclopedia
Ann Richards was an Australian actress, who achieved notability in Australian films as Shirley Ann Richards before moving to the United States where she continued her career as a film actress, mainly as an MGM starlet.
Edgecliff
, Richards began her career as a lead actress in It Isn't Done
(1937) for Cinesound Productions
and director Ken G. Hall
. Hall put Richards under long-term contract and starred her in several more films, most notably Dad and Dave Come to Town
(1938). In 1940 she appeared in a production of Charley's Aunt
at the Minerva Theatre.
and with whom Richards was to stay when he arrived, but it had gone missing. Nonetheless, Dudley invited Fred Finkleberg to dinner to meet Richards; he recommended her to top agent Leland Hayward
. Within her first week in Hollywood Richards was cast in a short, The Woman in the House (1942), which led to a contract with MGM
.
MGM insisted that she change her name to avoid confusion with the actress Anne Shirley. After a number of supporting roles, including Random Harvest with Ronald Colman
and Greer Garson
, she was groomed by MGM for leading roles, including parts in both Gaslight
(1944) and The Picture of Dorian Gray
(1945) but they seemed to lose enthusiasm after the box office failure of An American Romance (1944).
She was scheduled to star opposite Barry Sullivan
in Love Letters
), but the studio instead chose to use Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotten
in the lead roles, and Richards was given a supporting part. She did star in The Searching Wind (1946) with Robert Young
. After being dropped from MGM, Richards finished out her career with supporting roles in films such as Sorry, Wrong Number
(1948). She retired following the unsuccessful film noir
Breakdown (1952).
Early life
Born Shirley Ann Richards in Sydney, Australia and educated at Ascham SchoolAscham School
Ascham School is an independent, non-denominational, day and boarding school for girls', located in Edgecliff, an Eastern Suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia....
Edgecliff
Edgecliff, New South Wales
Edgecliff is a small suburb in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Edgecliff is located 4 kilometres east of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the Municipality of Woollahra. The postcode is 2027.Edgecliff is surrounded by...
, Richards began her career as a lead actress in It Isn't Done
It Isn't Done
It Isn't Done is a 1937 comedy about an Australian grazier who inherits a baronacy.-Production:The film was based on an original story by Kellaway which he had written in between acts while performing in White Horse Inn on stage. Hall liked the basic idea but said Kellaway was unable to put it...
(1937) for Cinesound Productions
Cinesound Productions
Cinesound Productions Pty Ltd was one of Australia's first feature film production companies. Established in June 1932, Cinesound developed out of a group of companies centred around Greater Union Theatres, that covered all facets of the film process, from production, to distribution and...
and director Ken G. Hall
Ken G. Hall
Kenneth George Hall, AO OBE , better known as Ken G. Hall, was an Australian film director, considered one of the most important figures in the history of the Australian film industry.-Early years:...
. Hall put Richards under long-term contract and starred her in several more films, most notably Dad and Dave Come to Town
Dad and Dave Come to Town
Dad and Dave Come to Town is a 1938 Australian comedy film directed by Ken G. Hall, the third in the 'Dad and Dave' comedy series starring Bert Bailey.-Synopsis:...
(1938). In 1940 she appeared in a production of Charley's Aunt
Charley's Aunt
Charley's Aunt is a farce in three acts written by Brandon Thomas. It broke all historic records for plays of any kind, with an original London run of 1,466 performances....
at the Minerva Theatre.
American film career
Richards left Australia for Hollywood on December 11, 1941.. Ken G. Hall had sent on some film featuring her to Carl Dudley, an American-based writer who had worked on the script for It Isn't DoneIt Isn't Done
It Isn't Done is a 1937 comedy about an Australian grazier who inherits a baronacy.-Production:The film was based on an original story by Kellaway which he had written in between acts while performing in White Horse Inn on stage. Hall liked the basic idea but said Kellaway was unable to put it...
and with whom Richards was to stay when he arrived, but it had gone missing. Nonetheless, Dudley invited Fred Finkleberg to dinner to meet Richards; he recommended her to top agent Leland Hayward
Leland Hayward
Leland Hayward was a Hollywood and Broadway agent and theatrical producer. He produced the original Broadway stage productions of Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific and The Sound of Music.-Early years:...
. Within her first week in Hollywood Richards was cast in a short, The Woman in the House (1942), which led to a contract with MGM
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. is an American media company, involved primarily in the production and distribution of films and television programs. MGM was founded in 1924 when the entertainment entrepreneur Marcus Loew gained control of Metro Pictures, Goldwyn Pictures Corporation and Louis B. Mayer...
.
MGM insisted that she change her name to avoid confusion with the actress Anne Shirley. After a number of supporting roles, including Random Harvest with Ronald Colman
Ronald Colman
Ronald Charles Colman was an English actor.-Early years:He was born in Richmond, Surrey, England, the second son and fourth child of Charles Colman and his wife Marjory Read Fraser. His siblings included Eric, Edith, and Marjorie. He was educated at boarding school in Littlehampton, where he...
and Greer Garson
Greer Garson
Greer Garson, CBE was a British-born actress who was very popular during World War II, being listed by the Motion Picture Herald as one of America's top ten box office draws in 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, and 1946. As one of MGM's major stars of the 1940s, Garson received seven Academy Award...
, she was groomed by MGM for leading roles, including parts in both Gaslight
Gaslight (1944 film)
Gaslight is a 1944 mystery-thriller film adapted from Patrick Hamilton's play, Gas Light, performed as Angel Street on Broadway in 1941. It was the second version to be filmed; the first, released in the United Kingdom, had been made a mere four years earlier...
(1944) and The Picture of Dorian Gray
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945 film)
The Picture of Dorian Gray is an American horror-drama film based on Oscar Wilde's 1891 novel of the same name. Released in March 1945 by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the film is directed by Albert Lewin and stars George Sanders as Lord Henry Wotton and Hurd Hatfield as Dorian Gray...
(1945) but they seemed to lose enthusiasm after the box office failure of An American Romance (1944).
She was scheduled to star opposite Barry Sullivan
Barry Sullivan (actor)
Barry Sullivan was an American movie actor who appeared in over 100 movies from the 1930s to the 1980s.Born in New York City, Sullivan fell into acting when in college playing semi-pro football...
in Love Letters
Love Letters (1945 film)
Love Letters is a 1945 film adapted by Ayn Rand from the novel Pity My Simplicity by Christopher Massie. It was directed by William Dieterle and stars Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotten, Ann Richards, Cecil Kellaway, Gladys Cooper and Anita Louise...
), but the studio instead chose to use Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotten
Joseph Cotten
Joseph Cheshire Cotten was an American actor of stage and film. Cotten achieved prominence on Broadway, starring in the original productions of The Philadelphia Story and Sabrina Fair...
in the lead roles, and Richards was given a supporting part. She did star in The Searching Wind (1946) with Robert Young
Robert Young (actor)
Robert George Young was an American television, film, and radio actor, best known for his leading roles as Jim Anderson, the father of Father Knows Best and as physician Marcus Welby in Marcus Welby, M.D. .-Early life:Born in Chicago, Illinois, Young was the son of an Irish immigrant father...
. After being dropped from MGM, Richards finished out her career with supporting roles in films such as Sorry, Wrong Number
Sorry, Wrong Number
Sorry, Wrong Number is a 1948 American suspense film noir directed by Anatole Litvak. It tells the story of a woman who overhears a plot for murder. It stars Barbara Stanwyck, Burt Lancaster, Ann Richards, Wendell Corey, Ed Begley, Leif Erickson and William Conrad.The film was adapted by Lucille...
(1948). She retired following the unsuccessful film noir
Film noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...
Breakdown (1952).
Personal life
Richards married the producer-director Edmond Angelo in 1949, and together they raised three children. After her retirement, Richards ventured into poetry, publishing several well-received volumes including The Grieving Senses in 1971 and Odyssey for Edmond in 1991. She also wrote the verse play Helen of Troy in the 1970s, which she and Angelo presented on college campuses. They remained married until Angelo's death in 1983.Selected Filmography
- It Isn't DoneIt Isn't DoneIt Isn't Done is a 1937 comedy about an Australian grazier who inherits a baronacy.-Production:The film was based on an original story by Kellaway which he had written in between acts while performing in White Horse Inn on stage. Hall liked the basic idea but said Kellaway was unable to put it...
(1937) - Tall TimbersTall Timbers (1937 film)-Production:It was based on an original story by Frank Hurley which was rewritten by Frank Harvey. Hall claims it had no connection with the 1926 film Tall Timber, which he had never seen. He also said the resulting movie was "weak as hell"....
(1937) - Lovers and LuggersLovers and LuggersLovers and Luggers is a 1937 adventure melodrama about a pianist who goes to Thursday Island to retrieve a valuable pearl.-Production:The script was based on a novel by Gurney Slade which was set in Broome and adapted by Frank Harvey...
(1937) - Dad and Dave Come to TownDad and Dave Come to TownDad and Dave Come to Town is a 1938 Australian comedy film directed by Ken G. Hall, the third in the 'Dad and Dave' comedy series starring Bert Bailey.-Synopsis:...
(1938) - Come Up SmilingCome Up SmilingCome Up Smiling is a 1939 Australian comedy starring popular US stage comedian Will Mahoney.-Synopsis:Barney O'Hara is a performer in a touring carnival who tries to raise money to save the voice of his talented singer daughter Pat Come Up Smiling is a 1939 Australian comedy starring popular US...
(1939) - 100,000 Cobbers100,000 Cobbers100,000 Cobbers is a 1942 dramatised documentary made by director Ken G. Hall for the Australian Department of Information during World War II to boost recruitment into the armed forces. It was filmed at Liverpool Military camp in 1941 using national servicemen...
(1942) - short - The Woman in the House (1942) - short
- Dr. Gillespie's New Assistant (1942)
- Random Harvest (1942)
- Three Hearts for Julia (1943)
- An American Romance (1944)
- Love LettersLove Letters (1945 film)Love Letters is a 1945 film adapted by Ayn Rand from the novel Pity My Simplicity by Christopher Massie. It was directed by William Dieterle and stars Jennifer Jones, Joseph Cotten, Ann Richards, Cecil Kellaway, Gladys Cooper and Anita Louise...
(1945) - Badman's Territory (1946)
- The Searching Wind (1946)
- Lost HoneymoonLost Honeymoon- Cast :*Franchot Tone as Johnny Gray*Ann Richards as Amy Atkins / Tillie Gray*Tom Conway as Dr. Robert "Bob" Davis*Frances Rafferty as Lois Evans*Clarence Kolb as Mr. Evans *Una O'Connor as Mrs. Tubbs*Winston Severn as Johnny Gray Jr....
(1947) - Love from a StrangerLove from a Stranger (1947 film)Love from a Stranger is a 1947 American film directed by Richard Whorf and starring John Hodiak and Sylvia Sidney.The film is also known as A Stranger Walked In in the United Kingdom.- Cast :*John Hodiak as Manuel Cortez...
(1947) - Sorry, Wrong NumberSorry, Wrong NumberSorry, Wrong Number is a 1948 American suspense film noir directed by Anatole Litvak. It tells the story of a woman who overhears a plot for murder. It stars Barbara Stanwyck, Burt Lancaster, Ann Richards, Wendell Corey, Ed Begley, Leif Erickson and William Conrad.The film was adapted by Lucille...
(1948) - Breakdown (1952)
External links
- Shirley Ann Richards at the National Film and Sound ArchiveNational Film and Sound ArchiveThe National Film and Sound Archive is Australia’s audiovisual archive, responsible for developing, preserving, maintaining, promoting and providing access to a national collection of audiovisual materials and related items...
- Ann Richards at TCMDB