Helena Carter
Encyclopedia
Helena Carter was an American
film actress in the 1940s and 1950s.
Carter was born Helen Rickerts in New York City
, and her family was of Scottish
descent. She attended Columbia University
, studying for a teaching degree. During this period she worked as a fashion model, which led to her becoming a cover girl
. She was offered a film acting contract by producer
Leonard Goldstein, which led to a brief acting career. Her first film role was Time Out of Mind in 1947, which starred Ella Raines
, Eddie Albert
, and Phyllis Calvert
. From 1947 to 1953 she would appear in thirteen films, during which time she also worked as a model. In 1948 she appeared on the cover of Life Magazine.
One of her most recognizable film roles was opposite Randolph Scott
in the 1951 western Fort Worth. Her final film role was in 1953 when she starred in William Cameron Menzies
' sci-fi thriller Invaders from Mars
. She married twice, the first ending in divorce. Her second marriage was to Michael Meshekoff, with whom she would remain until his death. She was living in Culver City, California
at the time of her death at age 76 on January 11, 2000.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film actress in the 1940s and 1950s.
Carter was born Helen Rickerts in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, and her family was of Scottish
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
descent. She attended Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, studying for a teaching degree. During this period she worked as a fashion model, which led to her becoming a cover girl
Cover girl
A cover girl is a woman whose photograph features on the front cover of a magazine. She may be a model, celebrity or entertainer. The term would generally not be used to describe a casual, once-off appearance by a person on the cover of a magazine....
. She was offered a film acting contract by producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
Leonard Goldstein, which led to a brief acting career. Her first film role was Time Out of Mind in 1947, which starred Ella Raines
Ella Raines
Ella Wallace Raines was an American film and television actress.-Life and career:Born Ella Wallace Raubes near Snoqualmie Falls, Washington, Raines studied drama at the University of Washington and was appearing in a play there when she was seen by Howard Hawks...
, Eddie Albert
Eddie Albert
Edward Albert Heimberger , known professionally as Eddie Albert, was an American actor and activist. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1954 for his performance in Roman Holiday, and in 1973 for The Heartbreak Kid.Other well-known screen roles of his include Bing...
, and Phyllis Calvert
Phyllis Calvert
Phyllis Calvert was an English film, stage and television actress. She was one of the leading stars of the Gainsborough melodramas of the 1940s....
. From 1947 to 1953 she would appear in thirteen films, during which time she also worked as a model. In 1948 she appeared on the cover of Life Magazine.
One of her most recognizable film roles was opposite Randolph Scott
Randolph Scott
Randolph Scott was an American film actor whose career spanned from 1928 to 1962. As a leading man for all but the first three years of his cinematic career, Scott appeared in a variety of genres, including social dramas, crime dramas, comedies, musicals , adventure tales, war films, and even a few...
in the 1951 western Fort Worth. Her final film role was in 1953 when she starred in William Cameron Menzies
William Cameron Menzies
William Cameron Menzies was an Academy Award-winning American film production designer and art director who also worked as a director, producer, and screenwriter during a career spanning five decades...
' sci-fi thriller Invaders from Mars
Invaders from Mars (1953 film)
Invaders From Mars is a science fiction film directed by William Cameron Menzies, taken from a scenario by Richard Blake, and based on a story treatment by John Tucker Battle who was inspired by a dream recounted by his wife. It was produced independently by Edward L. Alperson Jr. and starred...
. She married twice, the first ending in divorce. Her second marriage was to Michael Meshekoff, with whom she would remain until his death. She was living in Culver City, California
Culver City, California
Culver City is a city in western Los Angeles County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 38,883, up from 38,816 at the 2000 census. It is mostly surrounded by the city of Los Angeles, but also shares a border with unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. Culver...
at the time of her death at age 76 on January 11, 2000.
Filmography
- Time Out of Mind (1947)
- Something in the WindSomething in the WindSomething in the Wind is an American feature film directed by Irving Pichel, released by Universal Studios, and starring Donald O'Connor and Deanna Durbin....
(1947) - Intrigue (1947)
- River Lady (1948)
- The Fighting O'FlynnThe Fighting O'FlynnThe Fighting O'Flynn is a 1949 American film that was directed by Arthur Pierson. The film's screenplay by Douglas Fairbanks Jr. is based on the novel of the same name by Justin Huntly McCarthy. The film starred Douglas Fairbanks Jr. as The O'Flynn, Helena Carter as Lady Benedetta, Richard Greene...
(1949) - Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye (1950)
- South Sea Sinner (1950)
- Double CrossbonesDouble CrossbonesDouble Crossbones is a 1951, American, Technicolor film starring Donald O'Connor, Helena Carter, and Will Geer.-Plot:After being accused falsely of dishonesty, Davey Crandall decides to become a pirate.-Cast:...
(1951) - Fort WorthFort Worth (1951 film)Fort Worth is a 1951 western film directed by Edwin L. Marin and starring Randolph Scott.-Plot synopsis:Former gunfighter Ned Britt sets up shop in Fort Worth, Texas as a newspaper man. He falls in love with Flora Talbot , who is the fiancée of a former friend, Blair Lunsford...
(1951) - Bugles in the Afternoon (1952)
- The Golden Hawk (1952)
- The Pathfinder (1952)
- Invaders from MarsInvaders from Mars (1953 film)Invaders From Mars is a science fiction film directed by William Cameron Menzies, taken from a scenario by Richard Blake, and based on a story treatment by John Tucker Battle who was inspired by a dream recounted by his wife. It was produced independently by Edward L. Alperson Jr. and starred...
(1953)