Christine Cecilia McIntyre (April 16, 1911 – July 8, 1984) was an American actress and singer who appeared in various films in the 1930s and 1940s. She is mainly remembered as the beautiful blonde actress who appeared in many of

The Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short-subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical, farce, and slapstick comedy. Six total ...

shorts Shorts are a garment worn over the pelvic area, circling the waist and splitting to cover the upper part of the legs, sometimes extending down to the knees but not covering the entire length of the leg. They are called "shorts" because they ar ...

produced by

Columbia Pictures Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc., Trade name, doing business as Columbia Pictures, is an American film Production company, production and Film distributor, distribution company that is the flagship unit of the Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group ...

Early career

A native of

Nogales, Arizona Nogales (; English: or ) is a city in and the county seat of Santa Cruz County, Arizona. The population was 20,837 at the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census and estimated 20,103 in 2019. Nogales forms part of the larger Tucson–Nogales L ...

, McIntyre was one of five children. A classically trained singer, McIntyre received a

Bachelor of Music A Bachelor of Music (BMus; sometimes conferred as Bachelor of Musical Arts) is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of a program of study in music. The degree may be awarded for performance, music ed ...

degree at

Chicago Musical College Chicago Musical College is a division of the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University in Chicago, Illinois, United States. History Founding Dr. Florenz Ziegfeld Sr (1841–1923), founded the college in 1867 as the Chicag ...

in 1933. It was here that she developed her

operatic soprano A soprano () is a type of classical singing voice and has the highest vocal range of all voice types. The soprano's vocal range (using scientific pitch notation) is from approximately middle C (C4) = 261 Hz to A5 in choral music, or to ...

voice, which would be put to good use in several

Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short-subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical, farce, and slapstick comedy. Six total ...

films in the 1940s. McIntyre began singing in feature films at

RKO Pictures RKO Radio Pictures Inc., commonly known as RKO Pictures or simply RKO, is an American film production and distribution company, historically one of the major film studios, "Big Five" film studios of Cinema of the United States, Hollywood's Clas ...

, and made her film debut in 1937's '' Swing Fever''. She then appeared in a series of B-westerns featuring the likes of Ray Corrigan and

Buck Jones Buck Jones (born Charles Frederick Gebhart; December 12, 1891 – November 30, 1942) was an American actor, known for his work in many popular Western movies. In his early film appearances, he was credited as Charles Jones. Early life, milit ...

. She appeared with dark hair in these early roles, and also appeared occasionally in "mainstream" feature films (like 1939's '' Blondie Takes a Vacation''). She sang songs such as "The Blue Danube" and "Voices of Spring" in a Vienna-themed short

Soundies A soundie is a three-minute American film displaying both the audio and video of a musical performance. Over 1,850 soundies were produced between 1940 and 1946, regarded today as "precursors to music videos". Soundies exhibited a variety of mu ...

musical film, and her performance was singled out as the best of the inaugural series. Her singing in this soundie may have given the Three Stooges the idea of using "Voices of Spring" in their short film '' Micro-Phonies''.

The Three Stooges and Columbia Pictures

In 1944,

producer

Hugh McCollum Hugh McCollum (March 9, 1900March 16, 1968) was an American film producer best known for his credits on Three Stooges short subject comedies. Career McCollum was born in the Philadelphia suburb of Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, Ridley Park, Pennsyl ...

signed McIntyre to a decade-long contract. At Columbia, she appeared in many short subjects starring

Shemp Howard Shemp Howard (born Samuel Horwitz; March 11, 1895 – November 22, 1955) was an American comedian and actor. He is best known as the third Stooge in The Three Stooges, a role he played when the act began in the early 1920s (1923–1932), while i ...

Harry Langdon Henry Philmore "Harry" Langdon (June 15, 1884 – December 22, 1944) was an American actor and comedian who appeared in vaudeville, silent films (where he had his greatest fame), and talkies.Obituary ''Variety Obituaries, Variety'', December 27 ...

Andy Clyde Andrew Allan Clyde (March 25, 1892 – May 18, 1967), was a Scottish-born American film and television actor whose career spanned some 45 years. In 1921 he broke into silent films as a Mack Sennett comic, debuting in ''On a Summer Day''. H ...

Joe Besser Joe Besser (born Jessel Besser, August 12, 1907 – March 1, 1988) was an American actor and comedian known for his impish humor and wimpy characters. He is best known for his brief stint as a member of The Three Stooges in movie short subject ...

Bert Wheeler Bert Wheeler (April 7, 1895 – January 18, 1968) was an American comedian who performed in vaudeville acts, Broadway theatre, American comedy feature films, and television. He was teamed with Broadway comic Robert Woolsey, and they went on to ...

, and

Hugh Herbert Hugh Herbert (August 10, 1885 – March 12, 1952) was an American motion picture comedian. He began his career in vaudeville and wrote more than 150 plays and sketches. Career Born in Binghamton, New York, Herbert attended Cornell Univers ...

. The Herbert comedy ''Wife Decoy'' is actually a showcase for McIntyre, who is the principal character. In this film, she appears as a brunette who dyes her hair blonde. From then on in her screen appearances, she remained a blonde. In all of her Columbia comedies she played charming heroines, scheming villains, and flighty socialites. Her debut appearance with the Three Stooges was in '' Idle Roomers'', followed by a solo

short, '' Open Season for Saps''. McIntyre's singing voice was featured prominently in 1945's '' Micro-Phonies'', as she sang both " Voices of Spring" and " Lucia Sextet" and was also featured in 1947’s '' Out West'' (made after Shemp Howard replaced his ailing brother,

Curly Howard Jerome Lester Horwitz (October 22, 1903 – January 18, 1952), better known by his stage name Curly Howard, was an American comedian and actor. He was a member of The Three Stooges comedy team, which also featured his elder brothers Moe and ...

, in the act) and its 1954 remake '' Pals and Gals.'' She again sang "Lucia Sextet" in 1948’s ''

Squareheads of the Round Table ''Squareheads of the Round Table'' is a 1948 short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges ( Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). It is the 106th entry in the series released by Columbia Pi ...

'' and its 1954 remake, '' Knutzy Knights''. Her performance as Miss Hopkins in ''

Brideless Groom ''Brideless Groom'' is a 1947 short film, short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). It is the 101st entry in the series released by Columbia Pictu ...

'' featured an acclaimed knockabout scene in which she repels suitor Shemp Howard—right through a door. Director

Edward Bernds Edward Bernds (July 12, 1905May 20, 2000) was an American screenwriter and director, born in Chicago, Illinois. Career While in his junior year in Lake View High School, he and several friends formed a small radio clique and obtained amateur li ...

remembers: McCollum and Bernds recognized McIntyre's abilities and often tailored material especially for her, allowing her to improvise as she saw fit. McIntyre also won a feature-film contract with

Monogram Pictures Monogram Pictures Corporation was an American film studio that produced mostly low-budget films between 1931 and 1953, when the firm completed a transition to the name Allied Artists Pictures Corporation. Monogram was among the smaller studios i ...

. After playing a newspaper publisher in '' News Hounds'', a comedy with

The Bowery Boys The Bowery Boys are fictional New York City characters, portrayed by a company of New York actors, who were the subject of 48 feature films released by Monogram Pictures and its successor Allied Artists Pictures Corporation from 1946 through 1 ...

, she usually played opposite Monogram's cowboy stars in low-budget Westerns. McIntyre married radio personality John Donald Wilson in 1953. By this time, McCollum and Bernds had left Columbia, leaving

Jules White Jules White (born Julius Weiss; 17 September 1900 – 30 April 1985) was an American film director and producer best known for his short-subject comedies starring The Three Stooges. Early years White began working in motion pictures in the ...

in charge of short subjects. White favored strenuous, extremely physical humor, and forced the ladylike McIntyre to submit to low comedy; in a single film, her character was tackled, hit with messy projectiles, covered with cake batter, and knocked into a cross-eyed stupor. When her contract at Columbia expired in 1954, she was all too happy to retire from show business, eventually developing a career in real estate. Columbia continued to use old footage of McIntyre through 1957, which is why she received billing in films made after her retirement.

Ted Okuda Ted Okuda (born December 8, 1953) is an American non-fiction author and film historian. He has many books and magazine features to his credit, under his own name and in collaboration with others. Career Okuda's long-held interest in movie comedies ...

with Edward Watz. ''The Columbia Comedy Shorts'', McFarland, 1986

Filmography

with The Three Stooges, Andy Clyde, El Brendel, Joe DeRita, Joe Besser and Shemp Howard

* ''His Tale is Told'' (1944, Short) – Mrs. A.S. Steele * ''Defective Detectives'' (1944, Short) – Mrs. Rodney Boodle * '' Idle Roomers'' (1944, Short) – Mrs. Leander * ''Open Season for Saps'' (1944, Short) – Irene * '' No Dough Boys'' (1944, Short) – Celia Zweiback * '' Three Pests in a Mess'' (1945, Short) – Cheatham's Secretary * ''Off Again, On Again'' (1945, Short) – Edith * ''Pistol Packin' Nitwits'' (1945, Short) – Queenie Lynch * ''Where the Pest Begins'' (1945, Short) – Annie Batts * '' Micro-Phonies'' (1945, Short) – Alice Andrews – aka Alice Van Doren * ''The Blonde Stayed On'' (1946, Short) – Maisie * ''Jiggers, My Wife!'' (1946, Short) – Trixie * '' The Three Troubledoers'' (1946, Short) – Nell the Blacksmith * ''Society Mugs'' (1946, Short) – Muriel Allen * ''Slappily Married'' (1946, Short) – Mrs. Bates * '' Three Little Pirates'' (1946, Short) – Rita Yolanda * ''Bride and Gloom'' (1947, Short) – Maisie Keeler * ''Two Jills and a Jack'' (1947, Short) – Betty * '' Out West'' (1947, Short) – Nell * ''

'' (1947, Short) – Miss Lulu Hopkins * ''Wife to Spare'' (1947, Short) – Honey Jackson * ''Wedlock Deadlock'' (1947, Short) – Betty * '' All Gummed Up'' (1947, Short) – Mrs. Serena Flint * '' Shivering Sherlocks'' (1948, Short) – Gladys Harmon * ''

'' (1948, Short) – Princess Elaine * ''Jitter Bughouse'' (1948, Short) – Myrtle * ''

The Hot Scots ''The Hot Scots'' is a 1948 short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges ( Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). It is the 108th entry in the series released by Columbia Pictures starring ...

'' (1948, Short) – Lorna Doone * ''

Crime on Their Hands ''Crime on Their Hands'' is a 1948 short film, short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). It is the 112th entry in the series released by Columbia ...

'' (1948, Short) – Bea * '' Who Done It?'' (1949, Short) – Goodrich's Niece * '' Fuelin' Around'' (1949, Short) – Hazel Sneed * ''Waiting in the Lurch'' (1949, Short) – Mae Knott * '' Vagabond Loafers'' (1949, Short) – Mrs. Ethel Allen * '' Punchy Cowpunchers'' (1950, Short) – Nell * '' Hugs and Mugs'' (1950, Short) – Lily * '' Dopey Dicks'' (1950, Short) – Louise * ''

Love at First Bite ''Love at First Bite'' is a 1979 American comedy horror film directed by Stan Dragoti and written by Robert Kaufman, using characters originally created by Bram Stoker. It stars George Hamilton, Susan Saint James, Richard Benjamin, and Art ...

'' (1950, Short) – Katrina * '' Three Hams on Rye'' (1950, Short) – Janiebelle * ''

Studio Stoops ''Studio Stoops'' is a 1950 short film, short subject directed by Edward Bernds starring American slapstick comedy team The Three Stooges (Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp Howard). It is the 126th entry in the series released by Columbia Picture ...

'' (1950, Short) – Dolly Devore * '' Bubble Trouble'' (1953, Short) – (

archive footage Stock footage, and similarly, archive footage, library pictures, and file footage is film or video footage that can be used again in other films. Stock footage is beneficial to filmmakers as it saves shooting new material. A single piece of stock ...

) * '' Pals and Gals'' (1954, Short) – Nell * '' Knutzy Knights'' (1954, Short) – Princess Elaine * '' Scotched in Scotland'' (1954, Short) – Lorna Doone * '' Of Cash and Hash'' (1955, Short) – Gladys Harmon (final film role) * '' Hot Ice'' (1955, Short) – Bea (archive footage) * '' Husbands Beware'' (1956, Short) – Lulu Hopkins (archive footage) * '' For Crimin' Out Loud'' (1956, Short) – Delores – Goodrich's Niece (archive footage) * '' Hot Stuff'' (1956, Short) – Hazel Sneed (archive footage) * '' Scheming Schemers'' (1956, Short) – Mrs. Allen (archive footage) * '' Fifi Blows Her Top'' (1958, Short) – Katrina (archive footage) * '' Stop! Look! and Laugh!'' (1960, Short) – Alice Andrews (Van Doren) (uncredited) (archive footage)

Other films

* '' Sea Racketeers'' (1937) – Mrs. Wilbur Crane * '' The Rangers' Round-Up'' (1938) – Mary * '' Missing Daughters'' (1939) – Ruth (uncredited) * '' Blondie Takes a Vacation'' (1939) – Resort Singer (of 'Love in Bloom') (uncredited) * '' The Gunman from Bodie'' (1941) – Alice Borden * ''

Forbidden Trails ''Forbidden Trails'' is a 1941 American Western (genre), Western film directed by Robert North Bradbury, Robert N. Bradbury and written by Adele Buffington. This is the third film in Monogram Pictures' ''Rough Riders'' series, and stars Buck Jo ...

'' (1941) – Mary Doran * '' Man from Headquarters'' (1942) – Telegraph Girl * ''The Power of God'' (1942) – Charlotte Hale * ''

Rock River Renegades ''Rock River Renegades'' is a 1942 American Western film directed by S. Roy Luby. The film is the thirteenth in Monogram Pictures' " Range Busters" series, and it stars Ray "Crash" Corrigan as Crash, John "Dusty" King as Dusty and Max "Alibi ...

'' (1942) – Grace Ross * '' Riders of the West'' (1942) – Hope Turner * '' Dawn on the Great Divide'' (1942) – Mary Harkins * '' Cinderella Swings It'' (1943) – Secretary * '' Border Buckaroos'' (1943) – Betty Clark * ''

The Stranger from Pecos ''The Stranger from Pecos'' is a 1943 American Western film directed by Lambert Hillyer and written by Adele Buffington. This is the second film in the "Marshal Nevada Jack McKenzie" series, and stars Johnny Mack Brown as Jack McKenzie and R ...

'' (1943) – Ruth Martin * '' Beautiful But Broke'' (1944) – Telephone Operator (uncredited) * '' Partners of the Trail'' (1944) – Kate Hilton * ''

Louisiana Hayride ''Louisiana Hayride'' is a radio and later television country music show that was broadcast from the Shreveport Municipal Memorial Auditorium in Shreveport, Louisiana; during its heyday from 1948 to 1960, it helped to launch the careers of some ...

'' (1944) – Christine – Female Star (uncredited) * '' West of the Rio Grande'' (1944) – Alice Darcy * '' Kansas City Kitty'' (1944) – Hat Check Girl (uncredited) * '' Men in Her Diary'' (1945) – Ms. Simmons (uncredited) * '' The Crimson Canary'' (1945) – Anita's Roommate (uncredited) * '' Frontier Feud'' (1945) – Blanche Corey * '' Behind the Mask'' (1946) – Minor Role (uncredited) * '' The Gentleman from Texas'' (1946) – Flo Vickert * '' Valley of Fear'' (1947) – Joan Travers * '' Land of the Lawless'' (1947) – Kansas City Kate * ''

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" (1939) is a short story by James Thurber. The most famous of Thurber's stories, it first appeared in ''The New Yorker'' on March 18, 1939, and was first collected in his book ''My World and Welcome to It'' ( Ha ...

'' (1947) – Miss Blair – Lingerie Dept. Manager (uncredited) * '' News Hounds'' (1947) – Jane P. Connelly * '' Gun Talk'' (1947) – Daisy Cameron * '' A Modern Marriage'' (1950) – Nurse * '' Corky of Gasoline Alley'' (1951) – Myrtle * '' Colorado Ambush'' (1951) – Mae Star * '' Dead or Alive'' (1951) – Spangles Calhoun

References

External links

*
Christine McIntyre
at threestooges.net
My Search for Christine McIntyre
with writer Bill Capello in 1976 {{DEFAULTSORT:McIntyre, Christine American film actresses American operatic sopranos 1911 births 1984 deaths Actresses from Arizona Burials at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City Columbia Pictures contract players Deaths from cancer in California People from Nogales, Arizona People from Van Nuys, Los Angeles 20th-century American actresses 20th-century American women opera singers 20th-century American comedians American women comedians Actors from Santa Cruz County, Arizona Comedians from Arizona