Betty Bryson
Betty Bryson | |
|---|---|
Bryson in 1934 | |
| Born | Elizabeth Meiklejohn October 5, 1911 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Died | February 18, 1984 (aged 72) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Actress, dancer |
| Years active | 1933–1944 |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
| Relatives | Warner Baxter (uncle) |
Betty Bryson (born Elizabeth Meiklejohn; October 5, 1911 – February 18, 1984) was an American film actress and dancer active during the 1930s and early 1940s.
She appeared primarily in musical and comedy films and was selected as one of the WAMPAS Baby Stars in 1934. While many of her roles were uncredited, Bryson was part of several major studio productions during Hollywood's Golden Age. She was the niece of actor Warner Baxter.[1]
Early life
Bryson was born in Los Angeles, California, on October 5, 1911.[2] Raised by her grandmother in the house where she was born, she attended Fairfax High School and later studied at finishing schools and the Pasadena Community Playhouse.[2] She also trained at the Fox Film Corporation’s dramatic school.[3]
Bryson was frequently noted in the press for her resemblance to actress Janet Gaynor, a comparison she described as both flattering and professionally limiting.[3]
Career
WAMPAS Baby Star
In 1934, Bryson was named one of the year’s WAMPAS Baby Stars, a promotional campaign recognizing young actresses with potential for stardom.[2] She appeared in the film Young and Beautiful (1934), which featured that year’s WAMPAS honorees, and took part in publicity tours and studio engagements tied to the program.
Film work
Bryson's screen career included primarily minor and uncredited roles, most often as a dancer or supporting actress in musicals and comedies produced by major studios. Her earliest appearances were in 1933 in films such as Doctor Bull and It’s Great to Be Alive.[4] She also had roles in Kiss and Make-Up (1934), 365 Nights in Hollywood (1934), The Great Hotel Murder (1935), and Fiesta (1941), one of her few credited performances.
She appeared in the short promotional film Hollywood on Parade No. B-13 (1934) as herself, and her later credits include uncredited roles in Shine on Harvest Moon (1944) and Hollywood Canteen (1944).[4]
Outside of acting, Bryson wrote a syndicated beauty column in 1934 titled My Beauty Hint, which offered personal grooming tips and appeared in newspapers such as the Green Bay Press-Gazette.[5]
Personal life
On June 21, 1936, Bryson married choreographer and film director LeRoy Prinz in Yuma, Arizona.[1][6][7] The couple’s elopement received national media coverage. Prinz, known for his choreography on major studio musicals, had previously served in the French Foreign Legion and had a colorful early career.[1]
The couple remained married until Prinz’s death in 1983 and had one child, LeRoy Prinz Jr.[8]
Later years and death
After her final screen appearances in the mid-1940s, Bryson retired from the film industry and lived privately. She died on February 18, 1984, in Los Angeles, aged 72.[4]
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | Doctor Bull | Actress | Uncredited |
| 1933 | It's Great to Be Alive | Dancer – Dutch Girl | Uncredited |
| 1933 | I Loved You Wednesday | Dancer | Uncredited |
| 1934 | Kiss and Make-Up | Salon Client | Uncredited |
| 1934 | Young and Beautiful | Herself | WAMPAS Baby Star |
| 1934 | Hollywood on Parade | Herself | Short film |
| 1934 | 365 Nights in Hollywood | Showgirl | Uncredited |
| 1935 | The Great Hotel Murder | Irene Harvey | Uncredited |
| 1939 | The Great Victor Herbert | Ballerina | Uncredited |
| 1941 | Fiesta | Pancho’s Wife | |
| 1944 | Shine On, Harvest Moon | Soubrette | Uncredited |
| 1944 | Hollywood Canteen | Dancer | Uncredited |
References
- ^ a b c "Betty Bryson, Film Actress, Weds an Ex-Legionnaire". Evening Standard. June 23, 1936. p. 18.
- ^ a b c "Betty Bryson in Good Start". Waukegan News-Sun. March 23, 1934. p. 9.
- ^ a b "Janet Gaynor's Double Stands On Own". The Birmingham Post. March 28, 1934. p. 12.
- ^ a b c "Here is LeRoy Prinz with wife Betty Bryson". The Plain Dealer. October 22, 1939. p. 69.
- ^ Betty Bryson (May 30, 1934). "My Beauty Hint". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 12.
- ^ "Latest Hollywood Newlyweds". Los Angeles Times. June 23, 1936.
- ^ "Elopement Good Enough Excuse". Omaha Evening Bee-News. June 23, 1936. p. 8.
- ^ "LeRoy Prinz Jr. Wins Divorce Suit". Stockton Evening and Sunday Record. October 6, 1961. p. 18.
External links
- Betty Bryson at IMDb