Dorothy Hart ( born Dorothy Hart ; April 4, 1922 - July 11, 2004 ) is an American film and television actress in the late 1940s and first half of the 1950s.
| Dorothy hart | |
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| Dorothy hart | |
 Dorothy Hart. Advertising photo (1951) | |
| Birth name | Dorothy J. Hart |
| Date of Birth | April 4, 1922 |
| Place of Birth | Cleveland Ohio USA |
| Date of death | July 11, 2004 (82 years old) |
| Place of death | Asheville , North Carolina , USA |
| Citizenship |  USA |
| Profession | actress |
| Career | 1947-1955 |
| IMDb | ID 0366253 |
The most significant films featuring Hart include Sky To Earth (1947), Arrows (1947), The Naked City (1948), Theft (1948), The Story of Molly X (1949), “ Support ” (1949), “ Take One Wrong Step ” (1949), “ Behind the Wall ” (1950), “ Inside Folsom Prison ” (1951), “ I was a Communist for the FBI ” (1951) and “ Credit Shark ” ( 1952).
The Early Years and Early Careers
Dorothy Hart was born April 4, 1922 in Cleveland , Ohio [1] [2] [3] in the family of the head of an insurance company [4] .
In 1944, Hart received a bachelor of arts degree from Keyes University in the Western Reserve Region , and after graduation she was elected queen of the ball [5] [1] [3] . After that, a friend from the newspaper sent her photo to the National Cinderella Cover Girl National Photo Contest, which was conducted by the Columbia Pictures film studio [1] [3] . Having become the winner among 20 thousand contestants, Hart received a contract proposal from Columbia [1] [3] [6] .
However, as Hart herself said in 1950: “I knew that I was not ready for this. Instead of signing a contract, I went to New York and began to learn dramatic skills ” [1] . Initially, for the sake of earning, she worked for a dental surgeon, but she soon signed a contract with the modeling agency Harry Conover, so she began to appear on the covers of Cosmopolitan , McCall's and Esquire [1] [3] . Soon her photographs began to “appear in fashion magazines around the world” [7] . Having also gained some acting experience at the Cleveland Theater, Hart finally decided that she was ready for Hollywood [1] [3] . In 1946, Hart signed a contract with Columbia , which provided for the filming of "only in category A films" [3] [6] .
Movie career
According to film historian Hans Wollstein, Dorothy Hart “flashed” already in his first film, “a very decent western” with Randolph Scott “ Shooters ” (1947) [6] .
The main female role in this picture was played by Barbara Britton , and Hart "led the cast of supporting actors." In February 1947, during an on-site shoot in Painted Desert , Arizona , Hart fell from her horse and was injured, after which she underwent a minor corrective operation in a Los Angeles hospital [3] [1] . Until the end of the year, the actress played small roles in the musical " From Heaven to Earth " (1947) with Rita Hayworth in the title role and in the adventure melodrama with Douglas Fairbanks Jr. " Exile " (1947) [8] .
In 1948, Hart was leased to Universal Pictures , where she played in three films. In March 1948, the classic Noir film directed by Jules Dassin 's Naked City (1948) with Barry Fitzgerald as a police detective in New York investigating the murder of a young girl was released. The film was a great success with both critics and the public thanks to an innovative semi-documentary narrative style. In this film, Hart played the brief but memorable role of the petty criminal innocent bride ( Howard Duff ), who “remained the most memorable of her career” [1] [6] [3] . This was followed by supporting roles in the film Noir “ Theft ” (1948) with John Payne and Shelley Winters , as well as in the musical with Sonia Heny “ Countess of Monte Cristo ” (1948) [3] .
In 1949, at Universal Hart, she played the second major female role in the Western Calamity Jane and Sam Bass (1949) with Yvonne de Carlo and Howard Duff in the lead roles, as well as supporting roles in the three film Noir - Support (1949) , “ Take One Wrong Step ” (1949) and “ The Story of Molly X ” (1949). In the film "Support" (1949), Hart played the role of Sally Lee, the insidious niece of the influential mafia boss from Chicago. Despite the engagement with the positive protagonist Tony Regan ( Scott Brady ), Sally starts an affair with his best friend, and then tries to substitute Tony in the murder of his uncle. Modern film expert Michael Keeni praised the play of leading actors, including Hart, “who plays the niece of the murdered criminal lord and the fatal woman of this picture” [9] . In the film “ Make One Wrong Step ” (1949), Hart played the faithful wife of a respectable professor ( William Powell ), who is forced to independently investigate the disappearance of her former girlfriend ( Shelley Winters ), in order to avoid making unpleasant details of her life public. Bosley Krauser in the New York Times did not appreciate the picture, calling it "pretty gray" [10] . On the other hand, the modern film historian Leonard Moltin considered her a “good detective drama” [11] . The film Noir “ The Story of Molly X ” (1949) tells the story of Molly, the widow of the murdered gangster ( June Havok ), who becomes the head of a gang of robbers, but eventually ends up in jail. Hart played a significant role in this picture, Anne, the girlfriend of one of the gang members who was killed by Molly. Vengeful Ann is ready to do anything to plant Molly for the longest possible time [12] .
In her next film, Universal Noir, “ Beyond the Wall ” (1950), Hart played a pretty nurse for a tuberculosis sanatorium, with which a former prisoner working there ( Richard Beyshart ) exposes a gang of criminals. According to film critic Hal Erickson, "although the film is inexpensive, it nevertheless benefits greatly from carefully selected cast members" [13] .
Warner Bros political film Noir “ I was a Communist for the FBI ” (1951) spoke about the FBI agent Matt Svetich ( Frank Lovejoy ), secretly embedded in the cell of the US Communist Party , which plans to carry out a series of provocations that destabilize state power in the country. In this picture, Hart played the main female role of an attractive school teacher and a member of the Communist Party, Eva Merrick, who is disappointed in her views and saves Matt from failure. After she openly declares her position, the party leadership gives the order to kill her, but with the help of Matt she manages to escape from the killers and hide in another city. According to Bosley Krauser of The New York Times, in this film, “Dorothy Hart is beautiful and adequate as an honest American school teacher who fell for a communist bait, but who runs with the help of a hero when her comrades expose them” [14 ] .
In the Warner Bros prison noir Beyond the Walls of Folsom Prison (1951), Hart played a small but notable role for the wife of one of the prisoners [15] . In the same year, in the good Warner Bros Western “ Raton Pass ” (1951), Hart played the second most important female role of a settlement in love with the protagonist ( Dennis Morgan ), who is in mortal conflict over a piece of land with her treacherous and unfaithful wife ( Patricia Neal ) [6] .
A year later, Hart became the 10th actress to play the role of Jane in the epic about Tarzan , this time she played with Lex Barker in the movie “ Wild Fury of Tarzan ” (1952) [3] . Hart's latest film was yet another Noir Credit Shark (1952) [1] , where at the last moment she replaced the sick Gail Russell [5] . In this picture, Hart played Anne Nelson, a beautiful and decent friend of the sister of the protagonist Joe Gargan ( George Raft ), who began a romantic relationship with him. However, a conflict arises between them when Joe enters the gang of credit sharks, since Ann does not know that Joe works undercover. Ultimately, when everything is resolved, Anne and Joe renew their relationship. The film received moderate reviews of criticism, which drew attention mainly to the game of Raft, with whom “Hart is developing an affair” [16] .
Television career
In 1952, Hart left Hollywood , after which she spent a couple of years playing the role of a guest star in such television series as Broadway Television Theater (1953), Armstrong Theater (1953), Danger (1953), Suspence (1953), Robert Montgomery Presents (1953), Four Star Theater (1954) and Goodyear Television Theater (1954), Almanac (1955) and I am a Spy (1955) [1 ] , and later participated in such popular television games as “Try Guess” and “Pantomime Quiz” [6] [1] .
Acting Role and Evaluation of Creativity
Dorothy Hart was a tall attractive brunette with green eyes, who in the early 1940s, thanks to her "radiant beauty", became a model and cover girl [3] [1] [5] .
In 1946, Hart signed a contract with Columbia Pictures , where a year later she switched to Universal Pictures , and then worked for Warner Bros. [1] [6] . In total, from the late 1940s to the early 1950s, Hart played in more than 15 films, including Strelki (1947), Naked City (1948), Support (1949), and Take One Wrong Step ”(1949),“ I was a Communist for the FBI ”(1951) and“ Credit Shark ”(1952), after which she starred in several TV shows [2] [1] . Although she was considered one of the best supporting actresses of her time, Hart often played in category B films. [3] Most of all she is remembered for her roles in the classic film Noir “Naked City”, as well as for the role of Jane in the adventure film “The Wild Fury of Tarzan ” (1952) [1] [3] .
However, as film experts say, “the studio system could not find a place for the woman with her article and grace, and she dropped to the level of westerns, costumed dramas, prison sagas, films about Tarzan and such nonsense as“ I was a communist for the FBI "(1951)" [5] . According to Hans Wallstein, “Hart was probably too ambitious to work in secondary studios” [6] . In 1948, she said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times : “I can’t tolerate mediocrity. As long as I feel that I am learning and progressing, everything is fine. But if at some point I realize that I can’t be a really good actress, I will leave the business and try something else. There are so many wonderful things that you can do in life ” [1] .
Community Activities
In the late 1950s, Hart finally left show business and moved to New York [6] . Eleanor Roosevelt , who was one of the founders of the World Federation of United Nations Assistance Associations , appointed Hart to the American Association, and in 1959 she participated as an observer in the Federation Congress, which was held in Geneva [1] [7] . Hart also participated in UN projects for children and worked as part of the Red Cross [5] .
Personal life
In 1954, Hart married former military pilot and test pilot Frederick Pitter, married to the son of Douglas Hart Pitter (1961) [3] [1] . In 1965, they divorced, and in 1966, Hart moved to her parents in Asheville , North Carolina [5] [17] .
Death
Dorothy Hart died July 11, 2004 at the age of 82 from complications of Alzheimer's after prolonged treatment at a clinic in Arden , North Carolina [1] [3] [2] .
She left a son, as well as three grandchildren [3] [1] .
Filmography
| Year | Russian name | original name | Role | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | f | From heaven to earth | Down to earth | New Terpsichore (uncredited as Dorothy Brady) |
| 1947 | f | Exile | The exile | expecting lady (uncredited) |
| 1947 | f | Arrows | Gunfighters | Jane banner |
| 1948 | f | Nude city | The naked city | Ruth Morrison |
| 1948 | f | Theft | Larceny | Madeleine |
| 1948 | f | Countess Monte Cristo | The countess of monte cristo | Peg Manning |
| 1949 | f | Take one wrong step | Take One False Step | Helen Gentling |
| 1949 | f | Calamity Jane and Sam Bass | Calamity jane and sam bass | Katherine "Katie" Egan |
| 1949 | f | Support | Undertow | Sally Lee |
| 1949 | f | The story of Molly X | The story of molly x | Ann |
| 1950 | f | Behind the wall | Outside the wall | Anne Taylor |
| 1951 | f | Pass Raton | Raton pass | Lena Casamayor |
| 1951 | f | I was a communist for the FBI | I Was a Communist for the FBI | Yves Merrick |
| 1951 | f | Within the walls of the Folsom Prison | Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison | Jane Purdue (uncredited) |
| 1952 | f | The wild fury of Tarzan | Tarzan's savage fury | Jane |
| 1952 | f | Credit shark | Loan shark | Ann nelson |
| 1953 | with | Man Against Crime | Man against crime | different roles (2 episodes) |
| 1953 | with | Danger | Danger | (1 episode) |
| 1953 | with | Theater "Medallion" | Medallion theater | (1 episode) |
| 1953 | with | Armstrong Theater | Armstrong circle theater | Helen (1 episode) |
| 1953 | with | Broadway Television Theater | Broadway Television Theater | Helena Glory (1 episode) |
| 1953 | with | Suspense | Suspense | Miss Barry (1 episode) |
| 1953 | with | Robert Montgomery Presents | Robert Montgomery Presents | (1 episode) |
| 1954 | with | Television Theater "Kraft" | Kraft Television Theater | (1 episode) |
| 1954 | with | Theater of four stars | Four star playhouse | Vivian (1 episode) |
| 1954 | with | Mask | The mask | (1 episode) |
| 1954 | with | Goodyear Television Theater | Goodyear Television Playhouse | (1 episode) |
| 1955 | with | Almanac | Omnibus | Helen (1 episode) |
| 1955 | with | I'm a spy | I spy | Martha Sorell (1 episode) |
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Dennis McLellan. Dorothy Hart, 82; actress began career as cover girl . Los Angeles Times (July 17, 2004). Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
- ↑ 1 2 3 Lentz, 2008 , p. 159.
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Dorothy Hart. American actress Up / Closed. Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
- ↑ Associated Press. 'Cinderella' Takes Film Offer After 2-Year Holdout . Detroit Free Press . Detroit Free Press (26 August 1946). Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dorothy Hart. Mini Bio Internet Movie Database. Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Hans J. Wollstein. Dorothy Hart. Biography AllMovie. Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
- ↑ 1 2 Tina Hilton. A gallant lady may make a comeback . Asheville Citizen-Times (April 15, 1988). Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
- ↑ Earliest Feature Films With Dorothy Hart . Internet Movie Database. Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
- ↑ Keaney, 2003 , p. 447.
- ↑ Bosley Crowther. 'Take One False Step,' Mystery Starring William Powell, Feature at the Rivoli . The New York Times (23 June 1949). Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
- ↑ Leonard Maltin. Take One False Step (1949). Review Turner Classic Movies. Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
- ↑ The Story of Molly X (1949). Synopsis Turner Classic Movies. Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
- ↑ Hal Erickson. Outside the Wall (1949). Synopsis AllMovie. Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
- ↑ Bosley Crowther. 'Communist for FBI' New Picture at Strand Theater . The New York Times (3 May 1951). Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
- ↑ Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison (1951). Synopsis Turner Classic Movies. Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
- ↑ Keaney, 2003 , p. 255.
- ↑ Dorothy Hart . Glamor Girls of the Silver Screen. Date of treatment July 22, 2019.
Literature
- Harris M. Lentz III. Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2004: Film, Television, Radio, Theater, Dance, Music, Cartoons and Pop Culture . - McFarland, 2008 .-- ISBN 9780786452095 .
- Michael F. Keaney. Film Noir Guide: 745 Films of the Classic Era, 1940–1959 . - Jefferson, North Carolina, and London: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers, 2003. - ISBN 978-0-7864-1547-2 .
Links
- Dorothy Hart at IMDb
- Dorothy Hart on AllMovie
- Dorothy Hart at Turner Classic Movies