Grace McDonald

Grace McDonald
McDonald in Gung Ho! (1943)
Born(1918-06-15)June 15, 1918
New York City, U.S.
DiedOctober 30, 1999(1999-10-30) (aged 81)
Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1936–1967
Spouse
Lt. Ralph Green
​
(m. 1944)​
Children3
RelativesRay McDonald (brother)

Grace McDonald Green (June 15, 1918 – October 30, 1999) was an American actress who appeared in films in the early 1940s, mostly B movies.

Early life

Born in New York City, she and her brother Ray McDonald had their Broadway debut in 1937 in Babes in Arms as part of the dance team and singing "I Wish I Were in Love Again".[1] Other Broadway plays in which she performed included One for the Money (1939), Very Warm for May (1939), and The More the Merrier (1941).[2]

Career

Pin-up photo of McDonald for Yank, the Army Weekly in 1943

McDonald's work in Babes in Arms led to a film contract with Universal Pictures.[3] She made her screen debut in 1940's Dancing on a Dime,[1][4] and appeared in Give Out, Sisters (1942), It Ain't Hay (1943), Destiny (1944), See My Lawyer (1945),[5] and Strictly in the Groove in 1942.

McDonald also performed in vaudeville.[6] During World War II, she participated in publicity campaigns related to gasoline rationing, donations of books for military personnel, saving cooking fat for military use, rag salvage, and other public-service activities. She also worked as a hostess at the Hollywood Canteen and entertained troops during tours of Army camps.[3]

Personal life

In late 1944 she married Lt. Ralph Green and moved to Minneapolis in 1967, leaving Hollywood behind, and eventually having three children. She died of pneumonia in Scottsdale, Arizona on October 30, 1999.[7][8]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1940 Dancing on a Dime Lorie Fenton
1942 What's Cookin'? Angela
Give Out, Sisters Gracie Waverly
Strictly in the Groove Dixie
Behind the Eight Ball Babs
Mug Town Norene Steward
1943 How's About It Marion Bliss
It Ain't Hay Kitty McGloin
Get Going Judy King
Gals, Incorporated Molly
Always a Bridesmaid Linda Mae Perkins
Crazy House Herself Uncredited
Flesh and Fantasy Gaspar's Partner Uncredited
She's for Me Jan Lawton
Gung Ho Kathleen Corrigan
1944 Hat Check Honey Susan Brent
Follow the Boys Kitty West
Murder in the Blue Room Peggy
My Gal Loves Music Judy Mason
Destiny Betty
1945 See My Lawyer Betty Wilson
Honeymoon Ahead Evelyn (final film role)

References

  1. ^ a b (4 October 1940). Screen Debut Archived 2020-04-10 at the Wayback Machine, Milwaukee Journal
  2. ^ "Grace McDonald". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 30, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Johnson, Erskine (May 9, 1943). "'Rag Salvage Girl' Doesn't Mind Posing For Stunts For at 20 She's Well on Her Way to Film Stardom". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 54. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ (27 January 1943). Theater Gossip, Evening Independent
  5. ^ "Grace McDonald; Dancer, Actress of the 1940s". The Los Angeles Times. November 4, 1999. p. 45. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Grace McDonald at Loew's State". The New York Times. January 7, 1944. p. 14. ProQuest 107053656. Retrieved October 30, 2020 – via ProQuest.
  7. ^ Hischak, Thomas S. The Oxford companion to the American musical: theatre, film, and television, p. 481 (2008)
  8. ^ (3 November 1999). Obituaries: Grace McDonald Green, 81, performer Archived 2012-10-18 at the Wayback Machine, Star Tribune
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