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 Trimble County, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | July 22, 1997 |
| Other names | Sondra Arleaux |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1944 - 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | Marriage Is a Private Affair | Nurse | Uncredited |
| 1944 | Lost in a Harem | Zaida | Uncredited |
| 1945 | Keep Your Powder Dry | WAC Hodgekins | |
| 1945 | Anchors Aweigh | Jean | Uncredited |
| 1945 | The Hidden Eye | Helen Roberts | |
| 1946 | Up Goes Maisie | Uncredited | |
| 1946 | Easy to Wed | Attendant | |
| 1946 | Boys' Ranch | Mrs. O'Neill | Uncredited |
| 1948 | Tap Roots | Shellie Dabney | |
| 1951 | As You Were | WAC Captain | |
| 1963 | Tammy and the Doctor | First Nurse | |
| 1966 | Country Boy | Mrs. Byrd | |
| 1970 | Airport | Margaret Rogers - Passenger | Uncredited, (final film role) |
References
- Erickson p.385
- McCollum, Konnie (July 2007). "Trimble County native found fame in Hollywood". RoundAbout. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- 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.
- "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.
- "("Sondra Arleaux" search results)". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- "Lure of Hollywood Proves Too Strong". The Pittsburgh Press. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. May 12, 1944. p. 29. Retrieved February 11, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Screen Newcomer". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. August 2, 1944. p. 20. Retrieved February 11, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
Bibliography
- Erickson, Hal. Military Comedy Films: A Critical Survey and Filmography of Hollywood Releases Since 1918. McFarland, 2012.