Frances Helm(October 14, 1923 - December 30, 2006)[1]was an American stage, film, and television actress whose performing career spanned nearly fifty years.
Frances Helm | |
|---|---|
 Frances Helm andPernell Robertsin the play Welcome Home, 1972 | |
| Born | Mary Frances Helm October 14, 1923 Panama City, Florida,U.S. |
| Died | December 30, 2006(aged 83) New York City, U.S. |
| Education | Richmond Professional Institute |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1946–1995 |
| Spouses |
|
Early life
editShe was born Mary Frances Helm inPanama City, Florida.[1]Her parents were Thomas William Helm II and Grace Spencer.[1]Her father started as a bookkeeper for the railroad industry then became an accountant for the state ofVirginia,moving the family toRichmondwhen Helm was very young. She had one older brother. Helm graduated fromJ. A. C. Chandler Junior High Schoolin June 1937.[2]She graduated fromJohn Marshall High Schoolin June 1940.[3]
From the age of ten Helm took piano and voice lessons.[4]Later she studied with Mary Barbour Dixon, who would remain her drama teacher and coach all through secondary school and college.[5]Helm attended theRichmond Professional Institute(RPI) from Fall 1940 through Spring 1942, majoring in Speech and Dramatics. Helm was a member of RPI's Theater Associates, which mounted productions at the school using students and the occasional visiting professional actor. Helm and other RPI drama students also did broadcasts of play readings on the school's radio station. While at the school, Helm dropped her first name for stage billing.
During her last term at RPI, her brother returned to Richmond after being wounded atPearl Harbor.[6]A Radioman 2/C in theUSN,Thomas W. Helm had kept firing an antiaircraft gun during the attack despite being severely wounded; the Navy credited him with bringing down aJapaneseaircraft.[fn 1][7]Invalided out of the service in April 1942, he was used for recruiting and bond drives, with his sister accompanying him.[8][7]She was pictured at Red Cross events and dances with her brother and other servicemen.[9][6]Frances Helm also joined other volunteer actors to perform a parody of an old-fashioned melodrama,Ten Nights in a Bar-Room,at military bases in Virginia and Maryland.[10]
Early stage career
editAfter graduating from RPI, Helm moved to New York City, where she took additional drama training atColumbia Universitywhile modeling in fashion shows for thePowers Agency.[11]She also worked in radio, both as a voice actress and a personality for variety shows. For one radio show called "Blind Date", hosted byArlene Francis,Helm was matched with a G.I. for an evening at theStork Club.[12]
During late 1945 Helm signed up for a theatrical trial by fire, a six-month stint with one of theClare Tree MajorTouring Companies.[fn 2][13]She performed inThe Golden ApplebyLady Gregory,a short play based on an Irish fairy story.[11][13]
Come September 1946 Helm joined a more traditional touring company with a revival ofLife with Father.[14]Cast as "Mary Skinner", the primary love interest, Helm had a lot of publicity during the tour of the Eastern United States.[11][15][16]The tour traveled by a large private bus with an attached trailer for sets and props, enabling it to play small towns without train service.[17]The tour finished up in Texas during early March 1947.[18]
From April thru May 1947 Helm made an independent color film calledThe Clam-digger's Daughter,which was never distributed to theaters for exhibition.[19]Helm credited the film, shot on location inCape Charles, Virginia,with restoring her Southern accent.[20]
Living up North has made me lose my accent twice. I got it back the first time by moving in with six Mississippi girls who lived in New York, and the second time by appearing in a "made-in-Virginia" movie.
She performed in summer stock during 1947 at the Green Mountain Playhouse inMiddlebury, Vermont.[fn 3][21]From June 1948 Helm appeared in summer stock onLong IslandinParlor Story,which had a short run on Broadway the year before.[22][23]She then starred inYears Ago,a much more successful recent Broadway comedy.[24][25]
Mister Roberts
editBy August 1948 Helm had joined the national touring company forMister Roberts,while the original was then in its sixth month on Broadway.[26]Helm was the only female in the large cast, which included her then husbandRobert Keith Jr,who was still using his birth name for billing at the time. The play starredRichard Carlson,James Rennie,Murray Hamilton,and Robert Burton, with a youngCliff Robertson.[27] After several weeks in Detroit, the play went to Chicago for a two-week run that turned into twelve months.[28]
While playing Chicago, Helm and other cast members ofMister Robertsput on free plays at veteran's homes in the area.[29]The local newspaper printed photos of Helm with different members of the cast nearly every month, emphasizing her as the only woman in the play. At eleven months into the run theChicago Tribunepublished a photo of Helm with her husband in their roles as "Lt. Ann Girard" and "Mannion".
From Chicago the touring company forMister Robertsmoved to Pittsburgh'sNixon Theaterin September 1949, withJohn Forsythetaking over the titular role andJackie Cooperplaying "Ensign Pulver".[30]As with critics in Detroit and Chicago, the Pittsburgh reviewer praised Helm for her delivery while noting the brevity of her part.[30]The tour then went to one and two week runs at smaller cities, finally finishing up with a three-month booking in Boston that ended in April 1950. Helm was so reliable in playing every show that the tour finally dispensed with having an understudy for her three minutes on stage.
Early television
editHelm's first television appearance was for a program calledHollywood Screen Testduring October 1950.[31]She did an episode ofPhilco Television Playhousein May 1951 followed by an episode ofKraft Television Theatrein November.[32][33]All of these programs were originally broadcast live from New York City, though the latter program was apparently recorded bykinescopeand re-broadcast to the West Coast the following month.[34]
The following year she guest starred in episodes ofAdventures of Ellery QueenandThe Web,both thirty minute live broadcasts.[35][36]The latter was also recorded by kinescope and re-broadcast in March 1952. Her third program in as many months was forArmstrong Circle Theater,another New York live broadcast.[37]She did anotherThe Webepisode in March 1952, her first TV work alongside her then husband.[38]
Her 1952 performing year having been front-loaded with TV work during the first quarter, Helm did four weekly summer stock plays inBangor, Maineduring June, then one moreTelevision Playhouseepisode in November.[39]
She had little performing work in 1953: an uncredited bit part inNever Wave at a WAC,followed by a highly praised week playing "Stella Kowalski" in a stage production ofA Streetcar Named Desire,another television episode, then four weeks reprising her roles inDetective StoryandMister Roberts.[40][41][42][43]
Valiant Lady
editDuring 1954 Helm toured withJoe E. Brownfrom July through October inThe Show-Off.Discovering in December 1954 that she had been secretly divorced by her husband five months earlier, Helm was forced to take whatever performing work she could find.[44]Since she was still maintaining residency in New York, Helm took on a soap opera role, as "Linda Kendall" inValiant Lady.This fifteen minute television program was broadcast live daily from CBS studios inManhattan.Helm played a woman with mental issues, which years later her mother said was the hardest role to watch her daughter perform.[45]
Helm's exact tenure on the show is difficult to verify. Credited with 246 episodes during calendar year 1955, the only reliable reference date is a newspaper photo from July 17, 1955, showing her,Sue Randall,andFlora Campbellwearing shorts in Central Park while being rehearsed by directorHerb Kenwith.[46]It was certainly over by early November 1955, when Helm did a series of plays at thePaper Mill Playhousefor producerFrank Carringtonand an episode ofRobert Montgomery Presents.[47][48][49]Whatever the dates were, it was Helm's longest recurring television role, and a measure of her determination to remain on the East Coast so long as it was professionally possible.
Coastal commuter
edit1956-1958
editBy 1956 the great majority of television work was in Southern California, and Helm would have to commute between the coasts. She made an episode ofMatinee Theaterin April 1956 that producerAubrey Schencksaw; he cast her in the filmRevolt at Fort Laramieas a result.[50]After two more episodes ofMatinee Theater,she returned to New York to take overBethel Leslie'srole of "Rachel Brown" in the original Broadway production ofInherit the Wind.[51]Helm joined the production in November 1956 and remained with it until its closing in June 1957.
The remainder of 1957 saw her doing two minor plays.Careerwas already anoff-Broadwaysuccess when Helm joined it for a week in Philadelphia.[52]One Foot in the Door,withJune HavocandDavid White,had its premiere with a ten-day tryout in Philadelphia followed by one week in Boston. Critics in both cities panned it.[53][54]
With the flop ofOne Foot in the Door,Helm had to return to the West Coast for more television in late spring 1958. She did three episodes of two different series, but returned to New York later that year for two episodes of a new show calledNew York Confidential.This show was mainly filmed in New York, but one episode Helm did was made inJacksonville, Florida.[45]
1959-1960
editShe spent late spring and summer of 1959 in acenter stagedroad company production ofLook Homeward, Angel,playing engagements in Miami, Philadelphia, and San Diego.[55][56][57]While on the West Coast, she filmed an episode ofThe Millionaire.[3]
Helm returned to the East Coast for trial runs ofThe Deadly Game,an adaption ofA Dangerous Game,during January 1960.[58]After the short tryouts, the play moved to Broadway but lasted only 39 performances from February thru March 1960.[59]As withMister Roberts,Helm was the only woman in the cast, and appeared only briefly on stage in the final scene.[60]She took advantage of this situation to see the opening acts of other plays then performing on Broadway, telling a columnist "I'm waiting for the book versions so I can see how these plays end".[61]
1961-1963
editFor 1961 Helm did episodes of six television shows, five of them on the West Coast and one in New York. Early 1962 saw her do two episodes ofEverglades!on location in her native Florida.
She then took the female lead in the West Coast premiere ofCritic's Choice,which opened mid-May 1962 in Los Angeles.[62]Meant for a short run, the production was a hit, running so long the original leading manEdward Binnshad to be replaced byTed Knightdue to prior performing commitments.[63]As a contrast, a columnist mentioned that while performing the play at nights, Helm went to theWarner Brothers Studioto make an episode of77 Sunset Stripduring the day.[64]During its tenth week the production was converted from front staging to center staging; it closed two weeks later.[65]
Helm also took part in filmingThe Ugly Americanin 1962, playing secretary toMarlon Brando'sambassador.
Later that year, Helm temporarily took over the role of "Nancy Pollock" onThe Edge of Nightwhen actressAnn Floodtook three months maternity leave.[66]
In February 1963 Helm reprised her role inCritic's ChoicewithHans Conriedfor a one-week run inLouisville, Kentucky.[67]A month later she married for the second time.
Later career
editAfter the birth of her daughter in late spring 1964, Helm resumed working in October of that year. She temporarily took on the role of "Susan Dunbar" onThe Secret Storm,replacing Mary Foskett, who had moved to the West Coast.[68]The show, like many soaps, was still made in New York City at the time.Judy Lewistook over the character on January 7, 1965.[69]
Helm would let a couple of years go by between performing engagements for the rest of her career. She did two TV episodes in 1967, and a set of playlets in 1969, before resuming a fuller schedule in 1972.[70]That year saw her join a touring company for the summer season, playing a small role inRemember Me,a comedy byRonald Alexander.[71][72][73]She then had a starring role inWelcome Home,playing oppositePernell Roberts,in an original play byEdmund Hartmann.[74]The production ran three weeks at Chicago's Ivanhoe Theater.
During 1976 Helm did an episode ofKojakthen she andDanny Aiellostarred in a Broadway flop calledWheelbarrow Closers,which lasted for only 7 previews and 8 performances.[75]She had a smaller role in the original production ofMannyin 1979, which lasted for about a month on Broadway.[76]She had better luck with Broadway revivals, albeit in understudy positions, forMorning's at Sevenin 1980-81 andYou Can't Take It With Youin 1983–84.[77]
As her stage career wound down, Helm continued doing screen work, making an episode of an obscure TV series and the filmA Little Sexin 1982. She did two more films, a bit part inShakedown(1988) and larger role inElectric Moon(1992). Her final performing work was for a TV movie,Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Storyin 1995.
Personal life
editHelm marriedRobert Alba Keithon January 3, 1948, in Richmond.[78][79]They were inMister Robertsfor eighteen months, did at least one television episode together, but separated on July 28, 1953.[44]On December 8, 1954, Helm charged Keith with "introducing another woman as his wife", without naming her.[80]Newspapers reported in January 1955 that Keith had already obtained aMexican divorcesix months earlier and remarried to dancer Judy Landon.[81]At a settlement hearing, Helm agreed to accept the divorce and receive $250 monthly alimony from Keith.[81]However, a few weeks later the alimony was set aside on a "quirk" of California law wherein only the party filing for divorce could claim alimony.[82]
In April 1963 Helm married Walter C. Wallace, a former assistant Secretary of Labor in the Eisenhower administration.[83]He was the personnel director for a New York paper company. The couple had one child, a daughter Laura Wallace, born in late spring 1964. They remained married until Helm's death in 2006.
According to her obituary inVariety,Helm was a long-time member ofThe Player's Cluband had served on its board of directors.[84]
Stage performances
edit| Year | Play | Role | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | The Golden Apple | Princess of Spain | Clare Tree MajorTouring Company | Helm did a six-month run with this Irish fairy story byLady Gregory |
| Life with Father | Mary Skinner | Touring Company | Another six-month run for Helm finished up in early March 1947 | |
| 1947 | The Curtain Rises | Elsa Karling | Green Mountain Playhouse | This was a 1933 Broadway comedy, not the1938 French Crime film.[21][85] |
| 1948 | Parlor Story | Old Town Theatre[fn 4] | Helm co-starred withNeil Hamiltonand Peggy French[22] | |
| Years Ago | Ruth Gordon Jones | Old Town Theatre | Helm starred in thisRuth Gordonautobiographical play.[24] | |
| Mister Roberts | Lt. Ann Girard | Cass Theatre (1948)[fn 5] Erlanger Theatre (1948–49)[fn 6] Nixon Theater(1949) Colonial Theatre |
Two weeks in Detroit were followed by 54 weeks in Chicago, three weeks in Pittsburgh, one week stands in smaller towns then 12 weeks in Boston[27][28][30] | |
| 1950 | The Shadow of a Gunman | Minnie Powell | Old Town Theatre | Helm plays an unfortunate would-be Irish patriot in thistragicomedy[86] |
| 1951 | The Royal Family | Casino Theatre[fn 7] | [87] | |
| Detective Story | Mary McLeod | Brighton Theatre[fn 8] | Edward Binnsstarred with Helm as his wife[88] | |
| 1952 | My Only Love | Lakewood Players[fn 9] | Weeklong summer stock run for this comedy of identities[89] | |
| Apron Strings | Lakewood Players | Another weekly summer stock run for Helm[90] | ||
| Lo and Behold | Daisy Durdie | Lakewood Players | Helm is reduced to playing a housekeeper[91] | |
| Ramshackle Inn | Lakewood Players | Zazu Pittswas the star of this farce[92] | ||
| 1953 | A Streetcar Named Desire | Stella Kowalski | Mountain Playhouse | Helm co-starred with Lee Sanders, Joel Thomas, and Robert Drew[40] |
| Detective Story | Mary McLeod | Empress Playhouse[fn 10] | Helm reprised her role withRobert Aldaas her husband[42] | |
| Mister Roberts | Lt. Ann Girard | Empress Playhouse | Another reprise, withWayne Morrisand Robert Shawley[43] | |
| 1954 | The Show-Off | Amy | Touring Company | Joe E. Brownstarred with Helm as his young wife[93] |
| 1955 | I Killed the Count | Polly | Paper Mill Playhouse | Helm appeared withIan Keithand Alexander Clarke[47] |
| Harvey | Paper Mill Playhouse | Joe E. Brownwas the star[48] | ||
| 1956 | Inherit the Wind | Rachel Brown | National Theatre | Helm's first Broadway role lasted seven months[51] |
| 1957 | Career | Playhouse in the Park[fn 11] | One week run withCharles Aidman,Alfred RyderandConstance Ford[52] | |
| One Foot in the Door | Dorann | Locust Street Theatre Schubert Theatre |
New play was called flat in Philly and a turkey in Beantown[53][54] | |
| 1959 | Look Homeward, Angel | Laura James | Coconut Grove Playhouse Playhouse in the Park La Jolla Playhouse |
Miriam Hopkins,Ed Begley,andAndrew Prinestarred[55][53][57] |
| 1960 | The Deadly Game | A Visitor | Schubert Theatre Ford's Theatre[fn 12] Longacre Theatre |
Max Adrian,Claude Dauphin,andPat Hinglestarred[58][60] |
| 1962 | Critic's Choice | Angela Ballantine | Player's Ring Theatre[fn 13] | Helm originally starred withEdward Binns,laterTed Knight[62] |
| 1963 | Critic's Choice | Angela Ballantine | Brown Theatre | Hans Conriedand Helm did a one-week run[67] |
| 1969 | Pets | Lesbian Painter/Redhead | Provincetown Playhouse | Helm was in two of three dismal one act playlets by Richard Reich[70] |
| 1972 | Remember Me | Grace White | Lakewood Players Westport Country Playhouse Pocono Playhouse |
Robert Stack,Eileen Heckart,andMarian Seldesstar in play byRonald Alexander[71][72][73] |
| Welcome Home | Mother/Son's Wife | Ivanhoe Theatre | Pernell Robertsand Helm starred in comedy byEdmund Hartmann[74] | |
| 1976 | Wheelbarrow Closers | Beatrice Grant | Bijou Theatre | Helm andDanny Aiellostarred in original comedy during October on Broadway[75] |
| 1979 | Manny | Gladys | Century Theatre | Raymond Serrastarred; it had 5 previews and 31 performances on Broadway during April–May |
| 1980 | Morning's at Seven | Understudy: Esther Crampton | Lyceum Theatre | Highly successful revival; Helm was replacement understudy forMaureen O'Sullivan[77] |
| 1983 | You Can't Take It With You | Understudy | Plymouth Theatre | Helm was understudy for four female roles during the 312 performances of this revival[94] |
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | The Clam-digger's Daughter[fn 14] | Timmy Hobbs | Independent color production filmed inCape Charles, Virginianever had any theatrical distribution[19] |
| 1950 | Trader Thorne | Charlotte | A short film likely commissioned by the Ford Motor Company as a motivator for salesmen |
| 1953 | Never Wave at a WAC | Lt. Green | Uncredited minor role |
| 1957 | Revolt at Fort Laramie | Melissa Bradner | Helm had second billing afterJohn Dehner |
| 1963 | The Ugly American | TadRed, Ambassador's Secretary | Filmed in 1962, Helm playedMarlon Brando'ssecretary[95] |
| 1982 | A Little Sex | Ellie Donovan | |
| 1988 | Shakedown | Guest | |
| 1992 | Electric Moon | Emma Lane |
| Year | Series | Episode | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Hollywood Screen Test | (1950-10-16) | Herself | Helm and Margaret Garland were the guests for this day's episode[31] |
| 1951 | Philco Television Playhouse | The Visitor | Adapted by Kenneth White from original play byCarl RandauandLeane Zugsmith[32] | |
| Kraft Television Theatre | The Fair-Haired Boy | Helm co-starred withDick Foran,Richard Carlyle,andNelson Olmsted[33] | ||
| 1952 | Adventures of Ellery Queen | Death in the Sorority House | Lee BowmanplayedEllery Queen[35] | |
| The Web | Friends of the Devil | Helm starred withHenry Beckman,Paul Ford,andEdgar Stehli[36] | ||
| Armstrong Circle Theatre | The Man in 308 | Nurse Casey | Helm starred withLeslie Nielsen,Grace Valentine,Janet Fox,andMichael Howard[37] | |
| The Web | Nemesis | Girl Reporter | Edmon Ryan,Robert Keith Jr,and Edwin Jerome star with Helm[38] | |
| Television Playhouse | The Old Beginning | James Broderickstarred with Helm, J.S. Dudley, andCarmen Mathews[39] | ||
| 1953 | Ford Theatre | Tomorrow's Men | Judy Essex | John Derek,Pat O'Brien,andAnn Doranstarred with Helm[41] |
| 1954 | Fireside Theatre | The Farnsworth Case | ||
| The Secret Storm | Unknown episodes | Helm had an unknown role on this show's first year[45] | ||
| 1955 | Valiant Lady | 246 Episodes | Linda Kendall | |
| Robert Montgomery Presents | Lucifer | Gina Keyes | [49] | |
| 1956 | Matinee Theater | One of the Family | Olivia Dunne | |
| Matinee Theater | The Catamaran | (Young wife) | Mary Astorstarred with Helm andPatrick O'Neal[96] | |
| Matinee Theater | Sound of Fear | Helm starred withJerry Paris,Helen Wallis, andLewis Martin[97] | ||
| 1958 | Perry Mason | The Case of the Lazy Lover | Bernice Archer | [98] |
| Mike Hammer | A Detective Tail | Ann Cooper Tilton | ||
| Perry Mason | The Case of the Married Moonlighter | Linda Kennedy | ||
| 1959 | New York Confidential | Come Home to Death | Helen | |
| New York Confidential | Crosseyed Camera | Professor | ||
| The Millionaire | The Doctor John Frye Story | Nurse Julia Frye | [3] | |
| 1960 | Perry Mason | The Case of the Nine Dolls | Helene Osborne | Her third and last episode, all as hostile witnesses[99] |
| 1961 | True Story | Friends Before Freud | Dr. Leslie Barrett | Helm is an analyst whose patient (Bill Hayes) falls in love with her[100] |
| The Deputy | Spoken in Silence | Laura Rogers | US Marshall (Henry Fonda) is aided by deaf-mute lady (Helm)[101] | |
| The New Breed | Death of a Ghost | Lois McHenry | Helm plays a hit and run victim[102] | |
| Gunsmoke | All That | Clara | ||
| Surfside 6 | The Old School Tie | Helen Todd | [103] | |
| Hazel | Dorothy's Obsession | Peggy Baldwin | ||
| 1962 | Everglades! | The Hostage | Susanna Duncan | |
| Everglades! | Fatal Information | Dorothea Swan | ||
| 77 Sunset Strip | The Raiders | Janet Lovell | Helm played the wife of a senator (Lee Bowman)[104] | |
| The Edge of Night | (~65 episodes) | Nancy Pollock | Helm temporarily replacedAnn Floodwhile latter was on maternity leave[66] | |
| 1964 | Route 66 | Like This It Means Father | Edith Wilcox | |
| The Secret Storm | (~65 episodes) | Susan Dunbar | This was Helm's second role on the series[68][69] | |
| 1967 | Dark Shadows | 2 episodes | Nurse | Episodes of May 19 and May 22 |
| 1976 | Kojak | Birthday Party | Travel Agent | |
| 1982 | One of the Boys | Double Date | Grace Morrison | |
| 1995 | Love and Betrayal: The Mia Farrow Story | (TV Movie) | Maureen O'Sullivan | Broadcast as two 2-hour segments; Helm was well-acquainted with Maureen O'Sullivan |
Notes
edit- ^Navy doctors found 17 shrapnal wounds on Helm and had to amputate three fingers of his left hand. He later became a magazine writer and author ofThe Sea Lark.
- ^These companies performed plays for children at amateur venues across the country. To minimize expenses, the company traveled with only costumes and a few vital hand-held props. All other items for a stage production were to be provided by the sponsoring organization (usually aPTA) at each venue along the way. Sponsor compliance with the pre-production instructions varied from competent to abysmal. An actor really had to be dedicated to the theatre to perform in this setup for months at a time.
- ^The playhouse was owned by Raymond Hodges, the head of Dramatics at RPI, and included a number of its alumni (besides Helm) among its players.
- ^This was a venue inSmithtown, Long Island
- ^This venue was located in Detroit
- ^This venue was located in Chicago
- ^This venue was inNewport, Rhode Island
- ^This venue was an off-Broadway house in New York City, part of what was called the "Subway Circuit"
- ^Their venue was inBangor, Maine
- ^This venue was located in St. Louis, Missouri
- ^This was located in Philadelphia'sFairmount Park
- ^This was located inBaltimore
- ^This theatre was located on Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood
- ^When the film turned up in London in 1988 the British National Film Archive called itThe Story of Mr. Hobbs.
References
edit- ^abcFrances Helm Wallace in the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claim Index, 1936-2007, retrieved fromAncestry.com
- ^"403 Students Are Graduated at Chandler".Richmond Times-Dispatch.Richmond, Virginia. June 13, 1937. p. 45 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^abc"Jayem, RPI Alumna Gets 'Millionaire' Role".Richmond News Leader.Richmond, Virginia. October 17, 1959. p. 35 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"South Richmond Society Attends Bridge Shower".The Times Dispatch.Richmond, Virginia. June 25, 1933. p. 41 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Centenary Circle to Give 3 Plays".Richmond News Leader.Richmond, Virginia. September 9, 1940. p. 23 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^ab"Navy Mothers Entertain Sailors".Richmond News Leader.Richmond, Virginia. March 9, 1942. p. 3 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^ab"Helm Is Honored in Ceremony Here".Richmond Times Dispatch.Richmond, Virginia. July 18, 1942. p. 6 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Federal Workers to Hear Ruddock at Victory Rally".Richmond Times Dispatch.Richmond, Virginia. April 5, 1942. p. 11 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Sister of Naval Radioman Gives to Red Cross".Richmond News Leader.Richmond, Virginia. December 19, 1941. p. 18 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"'Ten Nights In a Barroom'".Richmond Times Dispatch.Richmond, Virginia. July 5, 1942. p. 44 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^abc"Richmond Girl in Ingenue Role".Richmond Times-Dispatch.January 19, 1947 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"KWNO News Notes".Winona Daily News.Winona, Minnesota. October 19, 1945. p. 4 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^abDrillette, Pat (January 13, 1946). "Golden Apple Proves Tasty for Children".Dayton Daily News.Dayton, Ohio. p. 10 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"'Life with Father' Company To Be Seen In Bangor ".Bangor Daily News.Bangor, Maine. September 17, 1946. p. 2 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^""Life with Father" Family Is Real, in America 300 Years ".The Marion Star.Marion, Ohio. November 5, 1946. p. 9 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^""Life with Father" Seen By 7 Million; Still Going Strong ".Janesville Daily Gazette.Janesville, Wisconsin. November 13, 1946. p. 2 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^""Life with Father" Splendid Comedy Staged By Good Cast, Delights Crowd ".The Owensboro Messenger.Owensboro, Kentucky. December 12, 1946. p. 14 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^Quill, Gynter (March 8, 1947). "Wacoans Forget Troubles at 'Life with Father' Play".Waco News-Tribune.Waco, Texas. p. 5 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^abSaunders, Mark K. (April 27, 1996). "Long-lost film made in 1947 premiers today".The Daily Times.Salisbury, Maryland. p. 3 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"'Mister Roberts' Adds Rank to Cast Leaders ".Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph.Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. September 25, 1949. p. 54 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^ab"Hodges Heads Summer Unit".The Times Dispatch.Richmond, Virginia. June 8, 1947. p. 76 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^ab"Two New Boys Find Theatre Financing Is The Easiest of All".The Daily News.New York City, New York. June 3, 1948. p. 766 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Parlor Story – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB".
- ^ab"Play 'Years Ago' At Smithtown".Newsday (Suffolk Edition).Melville, New York. July 6, 1948. p. 4 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Years Ago – Broadway Play – Original | IBDB".
- ^"Only Girl".Detroit Free Press.Detroit, Michigan. August 15, 1948. p. 47 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^abBower, Helen (August 24, 1948). "Critic Joins Crew in Respect for 'Mister Roberts'".Detroit Free Press.Detroit, Michigan. p. 15 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^abCassidy, Claudia (September 9, 1948). "Crack Company of 'Mister Roberts' Wins Its Own Order of the Playgoing Palm".Chicago Tribune.Chicago, Illinois. p. 35 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Highlight Activities on Theater and Music Scene".Chicago Tribune.Chicago, Illinois. February 20, 1949. p. 71 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^abcKrug, Karl (September 20, 1949). "Nixon Gets Big Hit in 'Roberts'".Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph.Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. p. 26 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^ab"Today's Television Features and Programs".The Herald News.Passaic, New Jersey. October 16, 1950. p. 43 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^ab"Violinists Kreisler, Spalding, Conductor Mitropolous Appear on Invitation to Music Program".The Times Dispatch.Richmond, Virginia. May 13, 1951. p. 64 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^ab"Hope and Cantor Head Shows This Evening".St. Louis Post-Dispatch.St. Louis, Missouri. November 25, 1951. p. 93 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^"Program Hi-Lites".San Francisco Examiner.San Francisco, California. December 19, 1951. p. 24 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^ab"Today's Television".Nashua Telegraph.Nashua, New Hampshire. January 26, 1952. p. 9 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^abStretch, Bud (February 27, 1952). "Air Waves".Courier-Post.Camden, New Jersey. p. 19 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^abStretch, Bud (March 11, 1952). "Air Waves".Courier-Post.Camden, New Jersey. p. 17 – viaNewspapers.com.
- ^ab"Television and Radio".The Rock Island Argus.Rock Island, Illinois. March 26, 1952. p. 26 – viaNewspapers.com.
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