Gertrude Messinger
Encyclopedia
Gertrude Emma Messinger, (April 28, 1911 – November 8, 1995), sometimes spelled Gertrude Messenger and also known as Gertie Messinger, was a B-movie
film actress of the 1930s through the 1950s. Born in Spokane, Washington
, she began acting early, playing child roles in silent films as early as 1917, when she had a role in the film Babes in the Woods.
During the 1930s her career took off, with her often starring alongside Bob Steele
, Lane Chandler
, and Harry Carey
. Her earliest starring roles were in 1932, when she starred opposite Bob Steel in Riders of the Desert, and opposite Lane Chandler in Lawless Valley. For the remainder of the 1930s she was fairly active in films. In 1934 she starred in arguably her biggest movie, with a part in the film Anne of Green Gables
, with the starring role being played by actress Dawn O'Day. Her most active year was 1935, when she starred in nine films, most notably The Fighting Pilot with Richard Talmadge
and Wagon Trail opposite Harry Carey.
She was married, briefly, to stuntman
Dave Sharpe
in the late 1930s. She would later marry cameraman Schyler Sanford, who would eventually win an Oscar for his work on the film Around the World in 80 Days. Her career slowed considerably in the 1940s, but she continued to act through the 1950s, mostly in uncredited roles. Her last credited role was in the 1949 film Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch. In 1952 she played in her last film, The Greatest Show on Earth
, which was uncredited. She starred in a total of 52 films in her career, 11 of which were westerns, for which she would be best known. She died of pneumonia on November 8, 1995.
B-movie
A B movie is a low-budget commercial motion picture that is not definitively an arthouse or pornographic film. In its original usage, during the Golden Age of Hollywood, the term more precisely identified a film intended for distribution as the less-publicized, bottom half of a double feature....
film actress of the 1930s through the 1950s. Born in Spokane, Washington
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
, she began acting early, playing child roles in silent films as early as 1917, when she had a role in the film Babes in the Woods.
During the 1930s her career took off, with her often starring alongside Bob Steele
Bob Steele (actor)
Bob Steele was an American actor. He was born Robert Adrian Bradbury in Portland, Oregon, into a vaudeville family. After years of touring, the family settled down in Hollywood in the late 1910s, where his father, Robert N...
, Lane Chandler
Lane Chandler
Lane Chandler was an American actor specializing in Westerns.-Early life:He was born as Robert Chandler Oakes on a ranch near Culbertson, Montana, the son of a horse rancher. At an early age, the family relocated to Helena, Montana, where he graduated from high school...
, and Harry Carey
Harry Carey
Harry Carey was an American actor and one of silent film's earliest superstars. He was the father of Harry Carey Jr., who was also a prominent actor.-Early life and career:...
. Her earliest starring roles were in 1932, when she starred opposite Bob Steel in Riders of the Desert, and opposite Lane Chandler in Lawless Valley. For the remainder of the 1930s she was fairly active in films. In 1934 she starred in arguably her biggest movie, with a part in the film Anne of Green Gables
Anne of Green Gables (1934 film)
Anne of Green Gables is a 1934 film directed by George Nichols Jr., based upon the novel, Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery...
, with the starring role being played by actress Dawn O'Day. Her most active year was 1935, when she starred in nine films, most notably The Fighting Pilot with Richard Talmadge
Richard Talmadge
Richard Talmadge was a Swiss-born American actor, stuntman and film director....
and Wagon Trail opposite Harry Carey.
She was married, briefly, to stuntman
Stuntman
A stuntman or stunt performer is someone who performs dangerous stunts.Stuntman may also refer to:*The Stunt Man, a 1980 film starring Peter O'Toole*Stuntman , a 2002 video game**Stuntman: Ignition, its sequel...
Dave Sharpe
Dave Sharpe
Dave Sharpe was an American actor and stunt performer.He was called the "Crown Prince of Daredevils" and ranks alongside Yakima Canutt as one of Hollywood's all time greatest stuntmen...
in the late 1930s. She would later marry cameraman Schyler Sanford, who would eventually win an Oscar for his work on the film Around the World in 80 Days. Her career slowed considerably in the 1940s, but she continued to act through the 1950s, mostly in uncredited roles. Her last credited role was in the 1949 film Joe Palooka in the Counterpunch. In 1952 she played in her last film, The Greatest Show on Earth
The Greatest Show on Earth
The Greatest Show on Earth is a 1952 drama film set in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The film was produced, directed, and narrated by Cecil B. DeMille, and won the Academy Award for Best Picture...
, which was uncredited. She starred in a total of 52 films in her career, 11 of which were westerns, for which she would be best known. She died of pneumonia on November 8, 1995.