Jane Randolph

This article is about the actress. For the mother of American president Thomas Jefferson, see Jane Randolph Jefferson.

Jane Randolph
Randolph c. 1940s
Born
Jane Roemer

(1914-10-30)October 30, 1914
Youngstown, Ohio, U.S.
DiedMay 4, 2009(2009-05-04) (aged 94)
Gstaad, Switzerland
Alma materDePauw University
Years active1941–1955
Spouses
Bert D'Armand
​
(div. 1949)​
Jaime del Amo
​
(m. 1949⁠–⁠1966)​

Jane Randolph (née Roemer; October 30, 1914 – May 4, 2009), was an American film actress. She is best known for her portrayals of Alice Moore in the 1942 horror film Cat People, and its sequel, The Curse of the Cat People (1944).

Biography

Early life

Randolph was born October 30, 1914[a] in Youngstown, Ohio,[2] and grew up in Kokomo, Indiana, where her hobbies included playing golf and flying airplanes. She attended DePauw University, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She also studied at an acting school operated by Max Reinhardt.[4]

Randolph is the first cousin once removed of the writer John McPhee.[5]

Film career

Randolph moved to Hollywood in 1939 in an attempt to start a movie career. She was eventually picked up by Warner Bros. and appeared in bit movie roles in 1941. Her screen debut came in Manpower in 1941.[6]

In 1942, RKO picked up the contract of the poised actress and she received a leading lady role in Highways by Night (1942). She became known for her roles in film noir, which included Jealousy (1945) and Railroaded! (1947), and in two of Val Lewton's now well regarded B-picture horror films, Cat People (1942) and The Curse of the Cat People (1944). Her last credited film role was Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948).[7]

Later life

Randolph was married to Bert D'Armand, an agent. They divorced in 1949.[8] In 1949, Randolph married Jaime del Amo (grandson of Manuel Dominguez), retired to Spain and became a socialite. In later years she returned to Los Angeles periodically, but maintained a home in Gstaad.[9]

The trade publication Billboard reported that Randolph and del Amo were married April 20, 1948, in Las Vegas, Nevada.[10] An additional source says that she and Del Amo were married in Las Vegas in 1948, and that it was her second marriage.[11]

Death

Randolph died in Gstaad from complications of a broken hip, aged 94.[12]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1941 Manpower Hat Check Girl Uncredited
Dive Bomber Singer (song "What's New") Uncredited
One Foot in Heaven Mother Uncredited
1942 The Male Animal Secretary Uncredited
The Falcon's Brother Marcia Brooks [13]
Highways by Night Peggy Fogarty [13]
Cat People Alice Moore
1943 The Falcon Strikes Back Marcia Brooks
1944 The Curse of the Cat People Alice Reed
In the Meantime, Darling Mrs. Jerry Armstrong
1945 A Sporting Chance Pamela Herrick
Jealousy Janet Urban
1946 In Fast Company Marian McCormick
The Mysterious Mr. M Marina Lamont
Fool's Gold Jessie Dixon
1947 Railroaded! Clara Calhoun
T-Men Diana Simpson
1948 Open Secret Nancy Lester
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein Joan Raymond
1955 That Lady Extra Uncredited, (final film role)

Notes

  1. ^ Obituaries for Randolph state she was born October 30, 1915,[1][2] but the United States Social Security Death Index lists her birth year as 1914.[3]

References

  1. ^ "Jane Randolph". The Telegraph. May 28, 2009. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Bergan, Ronald (August 16, 2009). "Jane Randolph obituary". The Guardian. Archived from the original on September 7, 2013.
  3. ^ United States Social Security Death Index database (May 20, 2014). Jane Del Amo, 04 May 2009; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
  4. ^ Boesen, Vic (August 22, 1942). "Meet the Stars". Alton Evening Telegraph. Illinois, Alton. Alton Evening Telegraph. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ McPhee, John (January 6, 2020). "Tabula Rasa: Volume One". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  6. ^ Mank 2005, p. 137.
  7. ^ Mank 2005, p. 136.
  8. ^ "Jane Randolph". The Telegraph. May 28, 2009. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  9. ^ Mank 2005, p. 146.
  10. ^ "Marriages". Billboard. May 1, 1948. Retrieved October 17, 2016.
  11. ^ "Actress Weds Socialite". Independent. California, Long Beach. Long Beach Independent. April 21, 1948. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Actress Jane Randolph dies at 94". Variety. May 26, 2009. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017.
  13. ^ a b Vale, Virginia (January 29, 1943). "Star Dust". The Brookshire Times. Texas, Brookshire. The Brookshire Times. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.

Sources

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