Mae Clarke
Encyclopedia
Mae Clarke was an American actress most noted for playing Frankenstein's bride, chased by Boris Karloff
in Frankenstein
, and having a grapefruit smashed into her face by James Cagney
in The Public Enemy
, both released in 1931.
. Her father was a theatre organist. She studied dancing as a child and began on stage in vaudeville
and in night clubs.
She started her professional career as a dancer sharing a room with Barbara Stanwyck
, and subsequently starred in many films for Universal Studios
, including the original screen version of The Front Page
(1931) and the first sound version of Frankenstein
(1931) with Boris Karloff
. Clarke played the role of Henry Frankenstein
's fiancee Elizabeth in Frankenstein, who was attacked by the Monster
(Karloff) on her wedding day.
The Public Enemy
, released that same year, contained one of cinema's most famous (and frequently parodied) scenes, in which James Cagney
pushed a half grapefruit into Clarke's face, then went out and picked up Jean Harlow
. The film was so popular that it ran 24 hours a day at a theatre in Times Square
upon its initial release, and Clarke's ex-husband had the grapefruit scene timed and would frequently buy a ticket, enter the theatre to enjoy that sequence, then leave the theatre.
She appeared as Myra Deauville, in the 1931 Pre-Code version of Waterloo Bridge
. In the film, she portrays a young American woman who is forced by circumstance into a life of prostitution in World War I
London. Both the film and Clarke's performance were well received by the critics.
She also appeared in the modest pre-code Universal
film Night World
(1932), with Lew Ayres
, Boris Karloff
, and Hedda Hopper
.
By the mid-1930s, Clarke was no longer a leading lady and was only featured in small parts through to the 1960s. In the early 1930s, Clark's face had been left scarred as a result of a car crash, recounts G Mank in his Frankenstien film saga book It's Alive. He also writes that Mae would attend Frankenstien fan club events during her senior years.
She died on April 29, 1992, at age 81, from cancer
, in Woodland Hills, California. She is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery
.
Boris Karloff
William Henry Pratt , better known by his stage name Boris Karloff, was an English actor.Karloff is best remembered for his roles in horror films and his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in Frankenstein , Bride of Frankenstein , and Son of Frankenstein...
in Frankenstein
Frankenstein (1931 film)
Frankenstein is a 1931 Pre-Code Horror Monster film from Universal Pictures directed by James Whale and adapted from the play by Peggy Webling which in turn is based on the novel of the same name by Mary Shelley. The film stars Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles and Boris Karloff, and features...
, and having a grapefruit smashed into her face by James Cagney
James Cagney
James Francis Cagney, Jr. was an American actor, first on stage, then in film, where he had his greatest impact. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth...
in The Public Enemy
The Public Enemy
The Public Enemy is a 1931 American Pre-Code crime film starring James Cagney and directed by William A. Wellman. The film relates the story of a young man's rise in the criminal underworld in prohibition-era urban America...
, both released in 1931.
Early life and career
Clarke was born Violet Mary Klotz in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. Her father was a theatre organist. She studied dancing as a child and began on stage in vaudeville
Vaudeville
Vaudeville was a theatrical genre of variety entertainment in the United States and Canada from the early 1880s until the early 1930s. Each performance was made up of a series of separate, unrelated acts grouped together on a common bill...
and in night clubs.
She started her professional career as a dancer sharing a room with Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyck
Barbara Stanwyck was an American actress. She was a film and television star, known during her 60-year career as a consummate and versatile professional with a strong screen presence, and a favorite of directors including Cecil B. DeMille, Fritz Lang and Frank Capra...
, and subsequently starred in many films for Universal Studios
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
, including the original screen version of The Front Page
The Front Page (1931 film)
The Front Page is a 1931 American comedy film, directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Adolphe Menjou and Pat O'Brien. Based on a Broadway play of the same name, the film was produced by Howard Hughes, written by Bartlett Cormack and Charles Lederer, and distributed by United Artists. The...
(1931) and the first sound version of Frankenstein
Frankenstein (1931 film)
Frankenstein is a 1931 Pre-Code Horror Monster film from Universal Pictures directed by James Whale and adapted from the play by Peggy Webling which in turn is based on the novel of the same name by Mary Shelley. The film stars Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles and Boris Karloff, and features...
(1931) with Boris Karloff
Boris Karloff
William Henry Pratt , better known by his stage name Boris Karloff, was an English actor.Karloff is best remembered for his roles in horror films and his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in Frankenstein , Bride of Frankenstein , and Son of Frankenstein...
. Clarke played the role of Henry Frankenstein
Victor Frankenstein
Victor Frankenstein was born in Napoli, is a Swiss fictional character and the protagonist of the 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, written by Mary Shelley...
's fiancee Elizabeth in Frankenstein, who was attacked by the Monster
Frankenstein's monster
Frankenstein's monster is a fictional character that first appeared in Mary Shelley's novel, Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus. The creature is often erroneously referred to as "Frankenstein", but in the novel the creature has no name...
(Karloff) on her wedding day.
The Public Enemy
The Public Enemy
The Public Enemy is a 1931 American Pre-Code crime film starring James Cagney and directed by William A. Wellman. The film relates the story of a young man's rise in the criminal underworld in prohibition-era urban America...
, released that same year, contained one of cinema's most famous (and frequently parodied) scenes, in which James Cagney
James Cagney
James Francis Cagney, Jr. was an American actor, first on stage, then in film, where he had his greatest impact. Although he won acclaim and major awards for a wide variety of performances, he is best remembered for playing "tough guys." In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him eighth...
pushed a half grapefruit into Clarke's face, then went out and picked up Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow was an American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. Known as the "Blonde Bombshell" and the "Platinum Blonde" , Harlow was ranked as one of the greatest movie stars of all time by the American Film Institute...
. The film was so popular that it ran 24 hours a day at a theatre in Times Square
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
upon its initial release, and Clarke's ex-husband had the grapefruit scene timed and would frequently buy a ticket, enter the theatre to enjoy that sequence, then leave the theatre.
She appeared as Myra Deauville, in the 1931 Pre-Code version of Waterloo Bridge
Waterloo Bridge (1931 film)
Waterloo Bridge is a 1931 American drama film directed by James Whale. The screenplay by Benn Levy and Tom Reed is based on the 1930 play of the same title by Robert E. Sherwood....
. In the film, she portrays a young American woman who is forced by circumstance into a life of prostitution in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
London. Both the film and Clarke's performance were well received by the critics.
She also appeared in the modest pre-code Universal
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
film Night World
Night World (1932 film)
Night World is a pre-Code drama film featuring Lew Ayres, Mae Clarke, and Boris Karloff.-Production background:The movie was directed by Hobart Henley and features an early Busby Berkeley music number, "Who's Your Little Who-Zis".-Plot:...
(1932), with Lew Ayres
Lew Ayres
Lew Ayres was an American actor, best known for starring as Paul in All Quiet on the Western Front and for playing Dr...
, Boris Karloff
Boris Karloff
William Henry Pratt , better known by his stage name Boris Karloff, was an English actor.Karloff is best remembered for his roles in horror films and his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster in Frankenstein , Bride of Frankenstein , and Son of Frankenstein...
, and Hedda Hopper
Hedda Hopper
Hedda Hopper was an American actress and gossip columnist, whose long-running feud with friend turned arch-rival Louella Parsons became at least as notorious as many of Hopper's columns.-Early life:...
.
By the mid-1930s, Clarke was no longer a leading lady and was only featured in small parts through to the 1960s. In the early 1930s, Clark's face had been left scarred as a result of a car crash, recounts G Mank in his Frankenstien film saga book It's Alive. He also writes that Mae would attend Frankenstien fan club events during her senior years.
Personal life and death
Clarke was married and divorced three times, to Lewis Brice, Stevens Bancroft and Herbert Langdon. She did not have children.She died on April 29, 1992, at age 81, from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, in Woodland Hills, California. She is buried in Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery
Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery
Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery is located at 10621 Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood, California.The cemetery has a special section called the Portal of the Folded Wings Shrine to Aviation that is the final resting place for a number of aviation pioneers — barnstormers, daredevils and...
.
Features
- Big Time (1929)
- Nix on Dames (1929)
- The Fall Guy (1930)
- The Dancers (1930)
- Men on Call (1930)
- The Front PageThe Front Page (1931 film)The Front Page is a 1931 American comedy film, directed by Lewis Milestone and starring Adolphe Menjou and Pat O'Brien. Based on a Broadway play of the same name, the film was produced by Howard Hughes, written by Bartlett Cormack and Charles Lederer, and distributed by United Artists. The...
(1931) - The Public EnemyThe Public EnemyThe Public Enemy is a 1931 American Pre-Code crime film starring James Cagney and directed by William A. Wellman. The film relates the story of a young man's rise in the criminal underworld in prohibition-era urban America...
(Uncredited, 1931) - The Good Bad Girl (1931)
- Waterloo BridgeWaterloo Bridge (1931 film)Waterloo Bridge is a 1931 American drama film directed by James Whale. The screenplay by Benn Levy and Tom Reed is based on the 1930 play of the same title by Robert E. Sherwood....
(1931) - Reckless Living (1931)
- FrankensteinFrankenstein (1931 film)Frankenstein is a 1931 Pre-Code Horror Monster film from Universal Pictures directed by James Whale and adapted from the play by Peggy Webling which in turn is based on the novel of the same name by Mary Shelley. The film stars Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles and Boris Karloff, and features...
(1931) - Three Wise GirlsThree Wise GirlsThree Wise Girls is a 1932 romantic drama film featuring Jean Harlow in her first starring role. A young small-town woman heads to New York City, where she and her two friends have romantic troubles.-Cast:*Jean Harlow as Cassie Barnes...
(1932) - Final Edition (1932)
- Impatient MaidenImpatient MaidenImpatient Maiden is a drama film directed by James Whale, starring Lew Ayres and Mae Clarke, and released by Universal Pictures. The screenplay was written by Richard Schayer and Winifred Dunn, based on the novel The Impatient Virgin by Donald Henderson Clarke.-Cast:*Lew Ayres as Dr...
(1932) - Night WorldNight World (1932 film)Night World is a pre-Code drama film featuring Lew Ayres, Mae Clarke, and Boris Karloff.-Production background:The movie was directed by Hobart Henley and features an early Busby Berkeley music number, "Who's Your Little Who-Zis".-Plot:...
(1932) - Breach of Promise (1932)
- Penguin Pool MurderPenguin Pool MurderPenguin Pool Murder is a comedy/mystery film starring Edna May Oliver as Hildegarde Withers, a witness in a murder case at the New York Aquarium, James Gleason as the police inspector in charge of the case, who investigates with her unwanted help, and Robert Armstrong as an attorney representing...
(1932) - Parole Girl (1933)
- Fast WorkersFast WorkersFast Workers, also known as Rivets, is a 1933 drama film starring John Gilbert and Robert Armstrong as construction workers and romantic rivals for the character played by Mae Clarke. The film was based on the unproduced play Rivets by John W...
(1933) - Turn Back the ClockTurn Back the Clock (film)Turn Back the Clock is an MGM comedy drama film directed by Edgar Selwyn, written by Edgar Selwyn and Ben Hecht, and starring by Lee Tracy and Mae Clarke...
(1933) - As the Devil Commands (1933)
- PenthousePenthouse (film)Penthouse is a 1933 black-and-white crime film starring Warner Baxter as a lawyer whose clients are less than upright and Myrna Loy as a call girl who helps him with a murder case....
(1933) - Flaming Gold (1933)
- Lady KillerLady Killer (1933 film)Lady Killer is a 1933 film starring James Cagney, Mae Clarke, and Margaret Lindsay, based on the story "The Finger Man" by Rosalind Keating Shaffer.-Cast:*James Cagney as Dan Quigley*Mae Clarke as Myra Gale*Margaret Lindsay as Lois Underwood...
(1933) - Nana (1934)
- This Side of Heaven (1934)
- Let's Talk It Over (1934)
- The Man with Two Faces (1934)
- Silk Hat Kid (1935)
- The Daring Young Man (1935)
- Hitch Hike Lady (1935)
- The House of a Thousand Candles (1936)
- Hearts in BondageHearts in Bondage- Cast :*James Dunn as Lieutenant Kenneth Reynolds*Mae Clarke as Constance Jordan*David Manners as Raymond Jordan*Charlotte Henry as Julie Buchanan*Henry B. Walthall as Captain Buchanan*Fritz Leiber as Captain John Ericsson*George Irving as Commodore Jordan...
(1936) - Wild Brian Kent (1936)
- Hats Off (1936)
- Great GuyGreat GuyGreat Guy is a crime film starring James Cagney and Mae Clarke. An honest inspector for the New York Department of Weights and Measures takes on corrupt merchants and politicians.-Cast:*James Cagney as Johnny Cave*Mae Clarke as Janet Henry...
(1936) - Trouble in Morocco (1937)
- Outlaws of the Orient (1937)
- Women in War (1940)
- Sailors on Leave (1941)
- Flying TigersFlying Tigers (film)Flying Tigers is a 1942 black-and-white war film, starring John Wayne and John Carroll as mercenary fighter pilots fighting the Japanese in China prior to the U.S. entry into World War II....
(1942) - Lady from Chungking (1942)
- And Now TomorrowAnd Now TomorrowAnd Now Tomorrow is a 1944 film based on the bestselling novel, published in 1942 by Rachel Field, directed by Irving Pichel and written by Raymond Chandler. Both center around one doctor's attempt for curing deafness. The film stars Alan Ladd and Susan Hayward. Its tagline was Who are you that a...
(1944) - Here Come the Waves (1944)
- Kitty (1945)
- Reaching from Heaven (1948)
- King of the Rocket Men (Serial, 1949)
- Singin' in the RainSingin' in the RainSingin' in the Rain is a 1952 American comedy musical film starring Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor and Debbie Reynolds and directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, with Kelly also providing the choreography...
(1952) - Not as a StrangerNot as a StrangerNot as a Stranger was a 1954 novel written by Morton Thompson. The romantic melodrama became widely popular, topping that year's list of bestselling novels in the United States. The novel was adapted into a 1955 film of the same name by United Artists Pictures...
(1955) - Women's Prison (1955)
- Ask Any GirlAsk Any Girl (film)Ask Any Girl is a 1959 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer romantic comedy film starring David Niven, Shirley MacLaine and Gig Young.-Plot:A wide-eyed Meg Wheeler comes to New York City and takes a job in market research for a large firm...
(1959) - A Big Hand for the Little LadyA Big Hand for the Little LadyA Big Hand for the Little Lady is a 1966 western film, made by Eden Productions Inc. and released by Warner Bros...
(1966) - Watermelon ManWatermelon Man (film)Watermelon Man is a 1970 American comedy-drama film directed by Melvin Van Peebles and based on the book The Night the Sun Came Out on Happy Hollow Lane by Herman Raucher...
(1970)
Further reading
- Clarke, Mae. Featured Player - An Oral Autobiography of Mae Clarke. Edited With An Introduction by James Curtis. Santa Barbara/Lanham: Santa Teresa Press/Scarecrow Press, 1996.
- Halliwell's Filmgoers Companion