Mary Parker (born Mary Frances Roberson; August 28, 1918 – March 2, 1998) was an American stage, television and screen actress/performer. Parker appeared in 17 films from 1938 to 1954, but was also known for her dance work with partner Billy Daniel.

Life and career

Born in

Fort Worth, Texas Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Texas and the 13th-largest city in the United States. It is the county seat of Tarrant County, covering nearly into four other counties: Denton, Johnson, Parker, and Wise. Accord ...

, Parker (also known as "Punkins" Parker), was a protégé of

Mitchell Leisen James Mitchell Leisen (October 6, 1898 – October 28, 1972) was an American director, art director, and costume designer. Film career He entered the film industry in the 1920s, beginning in the art and costume departments. He directed his f ...

. Leisen recruited Parker for various projects both on and off the screen starting in 1938. Parker was discovered while performing at the Casa Mañana Theatre in her native Fort Worth, Texas during the Texas Centennial celebrations and given a contract with Paramount Pictures. She performed in several large budget films, and was chosen by Paramount and Max Factor Jr. as "The Real Miss America", yet her fame was short lived. In 1943, Parker signed a contract with MGM. Courtesy of MGM, in April 1944 Parker starred in a production of ''

The Desert Song ''The Desert Song'' is an operetta with music by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Otto Harbach and Frank Mandel. It was inspired by the 1925 uprising of the Riffs, a group of Moroccan fighters, against French colo ...

'' for the troops at

Camp Roberts, California Camp Roberts is a California National Guard post in central California, located on both sides of the Salinas River in Monterey and San Luis Obispo counties, now run by the California Army National Guard. It was opened in 1941 and is named af ...

. Parker and Daniels also performed in nightclubs. In those engagements, they specialized in "ballroom fairy tales", in which the dances told stories and each step of each dance was a component of the story that the dance told. In 1944, Parker wed Lt. Richard B. Dixson, a decorated fighter pilot. They remained married a little over a year during World War II, and never remarried. She returned from Hollywood in the late 1940s and only made a few movies from that point (all bit parts). Her television show ''Mary Parker Playtime'' was a show for children in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.Tim Hollis, ''Hi There, Boys and Girls! America’s Local Children's TV Programs'', University Press of Mississippi; First Paperback Edition (October 29, 2001). She died in

in 1998.

Career

Selected filmography

* '' Music for Millions'' (1944) as Anita * ''

Lady in the Dark ''Lady in the Dark'' is a musical with music by Kurt Weill, lyrics by Ira Gershwin and book and direction by Moss Hart. It was produced by Sam Harris. The protagonist, Liza Elliott, is the unhappy female editor of a fictional fashion magazine ...

'' (1944) as Miss Parker * ''Marie Green and Her Merry Men'' (1940/41) * ''Ranch House Romeo'' (1939) as Mitzi * '' Sudden Money'' (1939) as Ellen * ''Cafe Society'' (1939) (uncredited) as Southern Girl * ''

St. Louis Blues The St. Louis Blues are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Louis. The Blues compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the ...

'' (1939) as Punkins * ''

Artists and Models Abroad ''Artists and Models Abroad'' (UK title: ''Stranded in Paris'') is a 1938 comedy film directed by Mitchell Leisen and starring Jack Benny and Joan Bennett. It was made by Paramount Pictures. The screenplay was written by Ken Englund, Howard Lin ...

'' (1938) as Punkins

Stage

* '' Hit the Deck'' (1945 version); musical written by Vincent Youmans * ''

Let's Face It '' Let's Face It'' is the fifth studio album by American ska punk band The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. It was released on March 11, 1997 by Mercury Records and Big Rig Records. The album sold very well due to the success of its single " The Impres ...

'' (1941–43); wartime musical, written by Cole Porter * '' Abe Lincoln in Illinois'' (1939/40)

Television

* ''Mary Parker Playtime'' ( Fort Worth, Texas) 1949/53 WBAP-5 * ''Dance Parade'' (Fort Worth, Texas) 1950/53 WBAP-5

References

External links

Mary Parker official website

Profile
Turner Classic Movies website * *
Photograph
digitalgallery.nypl.org {{DEFAULTSORT:Parker, Mary 1918 births 1998 deaths American stage actresses American film actresses American television actresses Actresses from Fort Worth, Texas 20th-century American actresses