Claudette Colbert - Movies - http://maxpages.com/classicfilmfan/Claudette

Claudette Colbert, born Lily Claudette Colbert, was born in Paris, France on September 13, 1903. Her family came to America when Claudette was six years old. She attended Washington Irving High School and the Arts Student League, intending to be a fashion designer. She gave French lessons and worked in dress shops as a means for making money. Her very first acting part was in "As You Like It." Also, while in high school, she was in "The Widow's Veil" at age fifteen.

A chance meeting at a party in 1923 is when she met playwright Anne Morrison. Her play at the time was "The Wild Westcotts." This was Claudette's Broadway debut. Claudette had a three line bit part. It was then when she decided theatrical life was for her.

She did ingenue roles on Broadway from 1923 through 1929. Her screen debut in 1927, was a silent shot in Paramount's Astoria in Queens, New York Studios. Also in 1927, Claudette accepted an offer by First National to make her first film, "For the Love of Mike." When Claudette was twenty four, she did a play called "The Barker." She worked with Norman Foster. They fell in love in real life and were married on March 13, 1928. The marriage would last until 1935. Her screen career started in earnest in 1929, after the arrival of sound. At first, she played a mixture of roles. Early in 1929, Claudette was in her first talkie, "The Hole in the Wall." In the early thirties, Claudette was in two pictures directed by Cecil B. DeMille, "The Sign of the Cross" and "Cleopatra."

In 1934, Claudette starred in a film called "It Happened One Night."

She won the 1934 Best Actress Academy Award. Harry Haun wrote in the New York Daily News: "Colbert's comedic flair came to full flower..... She, the director[Frank Capra] and Clark Gable were all oscar winners that year, and their success set off - the screen cycle of 'screwball comedies.'" It was this film where Claudette found her niche in sophisticated comedy.

In 1935, Claudette married Dr. Joel Pressman. They would be married for thirty two years, until his death in 1968. As far as her films go for 1935, her first was "Gilded Lily." She was paired with Fred MacMurray for the first time. It was this film that established stardom for Fred. "I'll never forget how kind [Claudette] was. I didn't have the slightest idea what I was doing, but she was so patient with me. She worked and worked with me and got me through it." Fred MacMurray
Claudette and Fred would do seven films together over thirteen years. She also starred in "Private Worlds" in 1935, for which she was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

From 1936 to 1944, Claudette starred in numerous Cecil B. DeMille's Lux Radio Theatres, which were one of the most popular dramatic radio shows around. "Those Lux radio programs were fun and I always enjoyed doing them." Claudette Colbert
She also continued making films during this time. In 1939, Claudette and Henry Fonda starred in "Drums Along the Mohawk." It was her first film in technicolor. "Colbert was the kind of professional it is always a joy to work with - never lets you down." Henry Fonda

In 1944, "Since You Went Away" earned Claudette her third Academy Award nomination.
During 1945, Claudette began the free-lance period in her career. She started with "Guest Wife" with Don Ameche. "Tomorrow Is Forever" was released in 1946. In 1947, Claudette made only one film, "The Egg and I," which was her last big money maker. In 1952, Claudette went over to England and France. She wanted new challenges and was interested in seeing how foreign artists and technicians made films.

She returned to Hollywood in 1955. Her first film was "Texas Lady." This was Claudette's last starring role in Hollywood for six years, until she did "Parrish." Claudette went back to Broadway in 1958 doing "The Marriage Go -Round" with Charles Boyer. It ran for over 450 performances. She earned a 1959 Tony nomination for her work. In 1963 she was doing "The Irregular Verb to Love," 1978 "The Kingfisher," with Rex Harrison and in 1981 she was doing "A Talent For Murder." In 1984, Rex Harrison asked Claudette to return to London for the play "Aren't We All? Later, Rex Harrison would present Claudette with the Sarah Siddons Award as Best Actress to play Chicago for the season 1979-1980 for her work in "The Kingfisher."

In 1960, Claudette played Troy Donahue's mother in "Parrish." This film was released in 1961. This would be her final movie. She was fifty six years old. "She is one wonderful lady - a great lady indeed." "I've played with the best - Vivien Leigh, Jennifer Jones - and Claudette is right up there in that league. In fact, in a league of her own." Karl Malden

In 1984, the Film Society of Lincoln Center honored Claudette with a special tribute. In 1987, she did a TV mini-series called "The Two Mrs. Grenvilles," with Ann-Margret. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Mini-series or a Special. In 1988, she won a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture made for TV. Claudette Colbert did a total of sixty five films in her career.

On and off screen, Claudette always looked alot younger than she was. She took good care of herself. "I try to live sensibly. I sleep well, eat well, and have only one drink a day. I have managed to stay at 108 pounds - which is what I weighed years ago. I eat three meals a day, but if I'm working in a play, I need four meals a day for additional energy." Claudette Colbert
Claudette was best known for her classic portrayals in the screwball comedies which she starred in during the late thirties and during the forties. She was also considered a shrewd business woman. She had a long lasting career in both Hollywood and on Broadway. On July 30, 1996, Claudette passed away in Speightstown, Barbados. She was ninety two. She was a silver screen star who will always be remembered and loved.

Barb Melloh

Cincinnati

45240

USA

Barb@classicfilmfan.net

Page Updated Mon Aug 5, 2002 7:55pm EDT