Judith Barrett

[COP11]

Judith Barrett (February 2, 1909 – March 10, 2000), also known as Nancy Dover, was an American film actress of the late 1920s and through the 1930s, up until 1940.

Born Lucille Kelley and raised in Arlington, Texas,one of three children and the daughter of a cattle rancher-whom she later claimed as being a "dirt" farmer who died of a broken heart. From these humble beginings she knew, even from a young age the "she" was different from those around her. She loved to laugh, to entertain the adults by singing,dancing and playing "drum" on a turned over metal wash tub. Barrett made several appearances at The Palace Theatre, Dallas while still at school. She did modeling at a department store for ladies tea/fashion shows. At sixteen leaving everything behind, she got on a train to Hollywood knowing she had what it took to be a star. With hard work and dedication her first big chance came to her, when she started in a lavish commercial film in 1928, The Stock Exchange opposite Bobby Vernon. In 1929 she went to Hollywood, starred in five films, and made a successful transition to "talking films". From 1928 to 1933 she was billed as "Nancy Dover", and from 1930 to 1933 she appeared in nine films, all credited. In 1933 she only appeared in one film, Marriage Humor opposite Harry Langdon and Vernon Dent, while doing stage work. She would not have another role until 1936, when she starred in the crime drama Yellowstone opposite Henry Hunter, and alongside Ralph Morgan and Alan Hale. It was the first film that she was billed as "Judith Barrett". She appeared in two films that year, and five in 1937, one of which was her first uncredited role.

From 1938 to 1940 Barrett appeared in ten films, all credited. Barrett retired from film acting following her appearance in the 1940 film Those Were the Days!, starring William Holden and Bonita Granville.

Noted for her beauty, the October 16, 1939 edition of the Baltimore Sun said of her: "Judith Barrett, pretty and blonde actress, is the first Telegenic Girl to go on record. In other words, she is the perfect type of beauty for television. ... She is slated for the first television motion picture."

She eventually settled in Palm Desert, California, where she was residing at the time of her death on March 10, 2000.

Filmography

1928 The Sock Exchange June Credited as Nancy Dover

1929 Happy Heels Credited as Nancy Dover

1929 Scandal Janet Credited as Nancy Dover

1929 Skirt Shy Nancy, the maid Credited as Nancy Dover

1929 Dynamite Good Mixer Credited as Nancy Dover

1929 Romance De Luxe Credited as Nancy Dover

1930 The Head Guy Nancy Credited as Nancy Dover

1930 Oh Darling Credited as Nancy Dover

1930 The Fighting Parson The Brunette Dance Hall Girl Credited as Nancy Dover

1930 The Big Kick Harry's Girl Credited as Nancy Dover

1930 The Thoroughbred Colleen Riley Credited as Nancy Dover

1931 Cimarron Donna Cravat Credited as Nancy Dover

1931 Big Business Girl Sarah Ellen Credited as Nancy Dover

1931 Hollywood Halfbacks Kay Credited as Nancy Dover

1933 Marriage Humor Credited as Nancy Dover

1936 Yellowstone Ruth Foster

1936 Flying Hostess Helen Brooks

1937 The Good Old Soak Ina Heath

1937 Let Them Live Rita Johnson

1937 Armored Car Ella Logan

1937 Vogues of 1938 Model Uncredited

1937 Behind the Mike Jane Arledge

1938 Illegal Traffic Marie Arden

1939 Persons in Hiding Blase Blonde

1939 I'm from Missouri Lola Pike

1939 The Gracie Allen Murder Case Dixie Del Marr

1939 Television Spy Gwen Lawson

1939 Disputed Passage Winifred Bane

1939 The Great Victor Herbert Marie Clark

1940 Road to Singapore Gloria Wycott

1940 Women Without Names Peggy Athens

1940 Those Were the Days! Mirabel Allstairs

[COP11]