Sondra Rodgers

Sondra Rodgers (born Fenella Jewell Rodgers; 1903–1997) was an American film and television actress.[1]

Sondra Rodgers
Born
Fenella Jewell Rodgers

February 3, 1903
DiedJuly 22, 1997
Other namesSondra Arleaux
OccupationActress
Years active1944 - 1970 (film)

Early years

Born Fenella Jewell Rodgers,[2] she grew up on the family farm in Trimble County, Kentucky.[3] She was the daughter of J.L. Rodgers[4] and his wife, Lacy Rodgers. When she was 17, she moved to New York and began modeling for a commercial photographer.[3]

Radio

Rodgers left the stage to work in radio in 1934.[4] She was heard often in the United States on broadcasts of Miniature Theater of the Air and on a number of soap operas.[3]

She also worked in radio in Europe. Although she was employed by Radio Luxembourg, she was based in London. Her programs were recorded and shipped to Luxembourg for broadcast.[4] After concluding her work in Europe, she returned to Kentucky and wrote scripts for WLAP in Lexington.[4]

Stage

Rodgers' early acting experience came in New York when she worked (using the name Sondra Arleaux)[4] in stock theater with Jessie Bonstelle. She appeared on Broadway in Riddle Me This (1933).[5]

Rodgers spent time in Europe studying with playwrights, then returned to the United States, where she directed plays at the Pasadena Playhouse with Gilmour Brown as her supervisor.[4]

Later, in Los Angeles, Rodgers acted in plays, including No Time for Comedy, Heaven Can Wait, Cry Havoc, an dFamily Portrait.[3]

Film

Rodgers signed her first film contract, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, in May 1944.[6] Her film debut came in Marriage Is a Private Affair (1944).[7]

Television

Rodgers portrayed Mrs. Appleby in the 1961 episode "A Doctor Comes to Town" of the television series Window on Main Street.. She played the prudish (unnamed) mother of daughters Elmira and Dodie on "Wagon Train" in S1 E18 "The Gabe Carswell Story" which aired 1/14/1958.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1944Marriage Is a Private AffairNurseUncredited
1944Lost in a HaremZaidaUncredited
1945Keep Your Powder DryWAC Hodgekins
1945Anchors AweighJeanUncredited
1945The Hidden EyeHelen Roberts
1946Up Goes MaisieUncredited
1946Easy to WedAttendant
1946Boys' RanchMrs. O'NeillUncredited
1948Tap RootsShellie Dabney
1951As You WereWAC Captain
1963Tammy and the DoctorFirst Nurse
1966Country BoyMrs. Byrd
1970AirportMargaret Rogers - PassengerUncredited, (final film role)

References

  1. Erickson p.385
  2. McCollum, Konnie (July 2007). "Trimble County native found fame in Hollywood". RoundAbout. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  3. Ransdell, Gail M. (October 2, 1949). "An Old Kentucky Home Is The Setting". The Courier-Journal. Kentucky, Louisville. p. 77. Retrieved February 11, 2018 via Newspapers.com. open access
  4. "Cabins for 300 Negro slaves used to ring the homestead". The Courier-Journal. Kentucky, Louisville. October 2, 1949. p. 78. Retrieved February 11, 2018 via Newspapers.com. open access
  5. "("Sondra Arleaux" search results)". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  6. "Lure of Hollywood Proves Too Strong". The Pittsburgh Press. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. May 12, 1944. p. 29. Retrieved February 11, 2018 via Newspapers.com. open access
  7. "Screen Newcomer". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. August 2, 1944. p. 20. Retrieved February 11, 2018 via Newspapers.com. open access

Bibliography

  • Erickson, Hal. Military Comedy Films: A Critical Survey and Filmography of Hollywood Releases Since 1918. McFarland, 2012.


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