Marian Nixon

Marian Nixon (born Marja Nissinen;[1] October 20, 1904 – February 13, 1983) was a Finnish-American film actress. Sometimes credited as Marion Nixon, she appeared in more than 70 films.[2]

Marian Nixon
Born
Marian Nissinen

(1904-10-20)October 20, 1904
DiedFebruary 13, 1983(1983-02-13) (aged 78)
Other namesMarian Nixon
Occupations
Years active1922–1936
Spouses
Joseph Benjamin
(m. 1925; div. 1927)
    Edward Hillman, Jr.
    (m. 1929; div. 1933)
      (m. 1934; died 1964)
        (m. 1972; died 1979)
        Children5, including Barbara Lyon (stepdaughter)

        Career

        Born in Superior, Wisconsin, to parents of Finnish descent,[1][3] Nixon began her career as a teen dancing in choruses in vaudeville.[2] She began appearing in bit part in films in 1922 and landed her first substantial role in the 1923 film Cupid's Fireman opposite Buck Jones. The following year, she was named a WAMPAS Baby Star.[4] Nixon continued to work steadily throughout the mid to late 1920s appearing in Riders of the Purple Sage (1925), Hands Up! (1926), and The Chinese Parrot (1927). In 1929, she made her talkie debut as the lead in Geraldine. Later that same year, Nixon appeared opposite Al Jolson in Say It with Songs followed by General Crack in 1930. In 1931, Nixon's Beauty Arts Institute moved into the Equitable Building of Hollywood; Nixon was president of the company.[5]

        In 1932, she starred as Rebecca in the film adaption of Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm with Ralph Bellamy.[6] Following the release of Rebecca, Nixon co-starred in Winner Take All with James Cagney. The next year she had a supporting role in John Ford's Pilgrimage. In 1934, Nixon attempted to change her wholesome image with a role in the comedy We’re Rich Again. The film was not a success and, after appearing in eight more films, Nixon retired from acting in 1936. She made her last film, Captain Calamity, at the age of 32.

        Personal life

        Nixon was married four times. She married boxer Joseph Benjamin in 1925, but they divorced two years later. Then, on August 11, 1929, Nixon married Chicago department store heir Edward Hillman Jr. at his parents' home. That union ended in 1933. The following year, Nixon wed director William A. Seiter with whom she had worked on the film We're Rich Again. Their marriage lasted until Seiter's death in 1964 and produced three children: Christopher Seiter, Selena, and Jessica. Finally, on April 1, 1972, in Los Angeles, she married actor/producer Ben Lyon, although her obituary in the Chicago Tribune reports that she married Lyon in 1971.[7]

        Her grandsons are the screenwriters Ted Griffin and Nicholas Griffin, the sons of a daughter Nixon had with husband William Seiter.[8][2]

        Death

        Nixon died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center[7] of complications following open heart surgery on February 13, 1983.[9] and is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California.[10]

        Recognition

        For her contribution to the motion picture industry, Nixon has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1724 Vine Street in Los Angeles, California. It was dedicated on February 8, 1960.[11]

        Filmography

        Year Title Role Notes
        1923 Rosita Undetermined Bit Role Uncredited; Survives
        The Shriek of Araby Minor Role Uncredited; Survives; from Gosfilmofond-to-MOMA
        Big Dan Dora Allen Survives
        Cupid's Fireman Agnes Evans Lost
        1924 The Vagabond Trail Lou Macon Lost
        The Circus Cowboy Bird Taylor Lost
        Just Off Broadway Jean Lawrence Lost
        The Last of the Duanes Ruth Survives
        1925 The Hurricane Kid Joan Langdon Credited as Marion Nixon; Survives
        Durand of the Bad Lands Molly Gore Lost
        Riders of the Purple Sage Bess Erne
        The Saddle Hawk Rena Newhall Lost
        I'll Show You the Town Hazel Deeming Survives
        Let 'er Buck Jacqueline McCall Credited as Marion Nixon; Lost
        Where Was I? Alicia Stone Survives
        The Sporting Life Nora Cavanaugh Lost
        1926 Hands Up! Mae preserved by the U.S. Library of Congress; Survives
        What Happened to Jones Lucille Bigbee
        Rolling Home Phyllis Lost
        Devil's Island Rose Marie Survives
        Spangles Spangles Delancy Survives
        1927 Heroes of the Night Mary Allen
        Down the Stretch Katie Kelly
        Out All Night Molly O'Day
        The Chinese Parrot Sally Phillmore
        Taxi! Taxi! Rose Zimmerman Lost film
        The Auctioneer Ruth Levi Lost film
        1928 The Fourflusher June Allen Survives
        Out of the Ruins Yvonne Gilbert Lost film
        How to Handle Women Beatrice Fairbanks Lost film
        Jazz Mad Elsa Hausmann Survives; Library of Congress
        Red Lips Cynthia Day Lost
        1929 The Rainbow Man Mary Lane Survives; Library of Congress
        In the Headlines Anna Lou Anderson Lost film
        Young Nowheres Annie Jackson Lost film
        Geraldine Geraldine
        Man, Woman and Wife Bella Rogers / Helen Brandon
        Silks and Saddles Lucy Calhoun Lost
        The Red Sword Vera Lost
        Say It with Songs Katherine Lane
        Show of Shows Performer Survives
        General Crack Archduchess Maria Luisa Survives;(*only silent cut)
        1930 Scarlet Pages Nora Mason Survives
        Ex-Flame Lady Catherine Lost film
        The Pay-Off Annabelle Survives
        The Lash Dona Dolores Delfino Survives
        Courage Muriel Colbrook Lost
        College Lovers Madge Hutton Lost
        1931 Sweepstakes Babe Ellis Survives
        Women Go on Forever Betty Lost
        A Private Scandal Mary Gate Survives
        1932 Charlie Chan's Chance Shirley Marlowe
        After Tomorrow Sidney Taylor
        Winner Take All Peggy Harmon
        Amateur Daddy Sally Smith
        Too Busy to Work Rose
        Madison Square Garden Bee
        Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm Rebecca
        1933 Best of Enemies Lena Schneider
        Chance at Heaven Glory Franklyn Credited as Marion Nixon
        Face in the Sky Madge
        Doctor Bull May Tupping
        Pilgrimage Mary Saunders
        1934 Strictly Dynamite Sylvia Montgomery
        We're Rich Again Arabella Sykes
        By Your Leave Andree
        Embarrassing Moments Jane
        Once to Every Bachelor Natalie Stuart
        The Line-Up Peggy Arnold
        1935 Sweepstake Annie Annie Foster Alternative title: Annie Doesn't Live Here Anymore
        1936 Tango Treasure McGuire
        The Drag-Net Katherine 'Kit' van Buren
        The Reckless Way Helen Rogers
        Captain Calamity Madge Lewis

        References

        1. Glödstaf, Kari (2018). 1000 mykkäelokuvaa: Sirpaleita elokuvan kulta-ajalta.
        2. Meuel, David (2014-02-20). Women in the Films of John Ford. McFarland. pp. 156–157. ISBN 9780786477890.
        3. "Tämä kuosi on taas ajankohtainen – toimii täydellisesti myös asusteissa" (in Finnish). Archived from the original on 2018-08-09. Retrieved 2018-08-08.
        4. Lowe, Denise (2004). An Encyclopedic Dictionary of Women in Early American Films, 1895-1930. Haworth Press. p. 404. ISBN 0-7890-1842-X.
        5. https://planning.lacity.org/StaffRpt/CHC/2-5-15/chc-2015-333.pdf
        6. L.N. (July 30, 1932). ""Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" Sings Her Simple Song Again at the Paramount Theatre". The New York Times.
        7. "Marian Nixon, Debuted in Tom Mix's 'Riders'". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL. February 16, 1983. p. 12. Retrieved November 30, 2022 via Newspapers.com. open access
        8. Marian Nixon, Finnish Hollywood Archived 2012-04-22 at the Wayback Machine, 25.brinkster.com
        9. Lamparski, Richard (1989). Whatever Became Of ...? All New Eleventh Series. Crown Publishers. p. 135. ISBN 0-517-57150-1.
        10. Ellenberger, Allan R. (2001). Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemeteries: A Directory. McFarland. p. 64. ISBN 9780786450190. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
        11. "Marian Nixon". Hollywood Walk of Fame. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
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