Virginia Davis

Not to be confused withGeena Davis,an American actress born Virginia Elizabeth Davis.

Virginia Davis
Davis in 1924
Born	(1918-12-31)December 31, 1918 Kansas City,Missouri,U.S.
Died	August 15, 2009(2009-08-15)(aged 90) Corona,California,U.S.
Burial place	Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1923–1946
Spouse	Robert McGhee ​ ​ (m.1943; died 2002)​
Children	2
Awards	Disney Legends(1998)

Virginia Davis(December 31, 1918 – August 15, 2009) was an American child actress in films. She is best known for working withWalt DisneyandUb Iwerkson the animated short seriesAlice Comedies,in which she portrayed the protagonist Alice.

Biography

Davis was born on December 31, 1918, inKansas City, Missouri.Her father, a furniture salesman, was often away on business.

Alice Comedies

Davis began working forWalt Disney's Kansas City company,Laugh-O-Gram Studio,in 1923.She was hired to act in a film calledAlice's Wonderland,which combined live action with animation. When Laugh-O-Gram failed and Disney moved to Los Angeles, on the basis ofAlice's WonderlandWinkler Picturessigned Disney for a series known as theAlice Comedies,orAlice in Cartoonland.Disney convinced Davis' family to bring her from Missouri to Los Angeles to star in the series.During this time, Davis resided at theLa BreaApartments in Hollywood, California.

The Greater Glory

In 1925, Davis played the role of Resi inThe Greater Glory,aFirst National Picturesproduction. The film's director, Curt Rehfeld, remarked that Davis "... has the technique of a finished artist, the unusual ability to follow direction and the disposition of an angel. Not once during the picture was it necessary for me to explain any angle twice and, with all of her mature understanding, the youthful charm still remains, making a rare and appreciated combination."

While filmingThe Greater Glory,Davis signed a contract withHarry Careyand the two actors worked together inThe Man From Red Gulch(1925).

The Blue Bird

In December 1929, Davis was in the cast ofThe Blue Birdat thePasadena Playhouse.The fairy play included Janet Horning, a child actress who was only two years old. The cast included 150 children.

Retirement

Recalling her work on theAlice Comedies,Davis said, "It was a great time – full of fun, adventure, and 'let's pretend.' I adored and idolized Walt, as any child would. He would direct me in a large manner with great sweeping gestures. One of my favorite pictures wasAlice's Wild West Show.I was always the kid with the curls, but I was really a tomboy, and that picture allowed me to act tough. I took great joy in that. "

Over the next 20 years, she went on to work at other Hollywood studios as a child actress and, later, as a supporting actress. She sang, danced, and acted in such films asFlying Down to Rio(1933),Young and Beautiful(1934),College Holiday(1936),Vivacious Lady(1938),Three on a Match(1932),Week-End in Havana(1941),Song of the Islands(1942) andThe Harvey Girls(1946) among others. On several occasions, she used the screen name Mary Daily,and appeared in such films asHands Across the Rockies(1941) with cowboy starBill Elliott.During her Hollywood tenure, she also occasionally worked for her old boss,Walt Disney,did a vocal test forSnow White,voiced some supporting characters inPinocchioand served a short stint in the Disney Studio's Ink-and-Paint department.

Personal life

In 1943, she married Navy aviator Robert McGhee, and the couple had two daughters. During their 59-year marriage, they resided in New Jersey, Connecticut, Southern California, and Idaho. Over a 25-year period, Davis worked as a real estate agent mostly in theIrvine, CaliforniaandBoise, Idahoareas.

Death

After a year of failing health, Davis-McGhee died of natural causes in her home inCorona, Californiaon August 15, 2009, aged 90.

Awards

In 1998, Davis received aDisney Legendsaward for Animation.

Partial filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1925	The Dark Angel	Flower Girl	Uncredited
1925	The Man from Red Gulch	Cissy Falloner
1926	The Greater Glory	Resi
1931	Street Scene	Mary Hildebrand	Uncredited
1932	Three on a Match	Mary Keaton as a Child
1934	Murder at the Vanities	Earl Carroll Girl	Uncredited
1936	College Holiday	Dancer	Uncredited
1941	You'll Never Get Rich	Chorus Girl	Uncredited
1941	Week-End in Havana	Dancer	Uncredited
1942	Song of the Islands	Islander	Uncredited
1942	My Gal Sal	Minor Role	Uncredited
1942	Footlight Serenade	Chorus Girl	Uncredited
1942	Iceland	Dancer	Uncredited
1946	The Harvey Girls	Harvey Girl	Uncredited (final film role)

Further reading

• Los Angeles Times,"New Members of Players' Club", April 20, 1924, p. J3
• Los Angeles Times,"Older Sisters' Art Emulated", August 23, 1925, p. 20
• Los Angeles Times,"Tiny Actress in Blue Bird", December 29, 1929, p. 20
• Los Angeles Times,"Around And About in Hollywood", March 24, 1934, p. 7

External links

• Virginia DavisatIMDb