Madge Evans

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Born

July 1, 1909

Died

April 26, 1981 (age 71)

Place of Birth

New York City, New York, USA

Also Known As

Margherita Evans

Madge Evans Kingsley

Margherita "Madge" Evans

Madge Evans

Biography

Lovely Madge Evans was the perennial nice girl in films of the 1930s. By then, she had been in front of the camera for many years, starting with Fairy Soap commercials at the age of two (she sat on a bar of soap holding a bunch of violets with the tag line reading "have you a little fairy in your home?"). 'Baby Madge' also lent her name to a children's hat company. In 1914, aged five, she was picked out by talent scouts to appear in the William Farnum movie The Sign of the Cross (1914), followed by The Seven Sisters (1915) with Marguerite Clark. By the end of the following year, she had amassed some twenty film credits, appearing with such noted contemporary stars as Pauline Frederick or Alice Brady. All of her early films were made on the East Coast, at studios in Ft.Lee, New Jersey. In 1917 (aged eight), Madge made her Broadway debut in 'Peter Ibbetson' with John Barrymore and Lionel Barrymore. She resumed her stage career in 1926 as an ingenue with 'Daisy Mayme' and the following year appeared with Billie Burke in Noel Coward's costume drama 'The Marquise' (1927). Her pleasing looks and personality soon attracted the attention of Hollywood and she was eventually signed by MGM in 1931. During the next decade, she appeared in several A-grade productions, notably as Lionel Barrymore's daughter in MGM's Dinner at Eight (1933) and as the dependable Agnes Wickfield in one of the best-ever filmed versions of David Copperfield (1935). She co-starred opposite James Cagney in the gangster movie The Mayor of Hell (1933), Spencer Tracy in The Show-Off (1934) and listened to Bing Crosby crooning the title song in Pennies from Heaven (1936). Madge received praise for her performance as the star of Beauty for Sale (1933) and The New York Times review of January 13 1934 described her acting in Fugitive Lovers (1934) (opposite Robert Montgomery ) as 'spontaneous and captivating'. Many of her 'typical American girl' roles did not allow her to express aspects of the greater acting range she undoubtedly possessed. Too often she was cast as the 'nice girl' - and those rarely make much of a dramatic impact. On the few occasions she was assigned the role of 'other woman' , such as the Helen Hayes-starrer What Every Woman Knows (1934), audiences found her character difficult to believe and disassociate from her all-round wholesome image. When her contract with MGM expired in 1937, Madge wound down her film career and, following her 1939 marriage, concentrated on being the wife of celebrated playwright Sidney Kingsley. She last appeared on stage in one of his plays, "The Patriots", in 1943.

Known For

Filmography

1975FilmBrother, Can You Spare a Dime?as Self (archive footage)1955TVMatinee Theater1955TVThe Alcoa Hour1951TVHallmark Hall of Fame1950TVLux Video Theatreas Sylvia1950TVYour Show of Shows1948TVStudio One1948TVThe Philco Television Playhouseas Elizabeth Bennet1938FilmArmy Girlas Julie Armstrong1938FilmSinners in Paradiseas Anne Wesson1937FilmThe Thirteenth Chairas Helen "Nell" O'Neill1937FilmEspionageas Patricia Booth1936FilmPennies from Heavenas Susan Sprague1936FilmPiccadilly Jimas Ann Chester1936FilmMoonlight Murderas Toni Adams1936FilmExclusive Storyas Ann Devlin1935FilmThe Tunnelas Ruth McAllan1935FilmMen Without Namesas Helen Sherwood1935FilmCalm Yourselfas Rosalind Rockwell1935FilmAge of Indiscretionas Maxine Bennett1935FilmDavid Copperfieldas Agnes Wickfield as a Woman1935FilmHelldoradoas Glenda Wynant1934FilmWhat Every Woman Knowsas Lady Sybil Tenterden1934FilmDeath on the Diamondas Frances Clark1934FilmParis Interludeas Julie1934FilmGrand Canaryas Lady Mary Fielding1934FilmStand Up and Cheer!as Mary Adams1934FilmThe Show-Offas Amy Fisher Piper1934FilmFugitive Loversas Letty Morris1933FilmDinner at Eightas Paula Jordan1933FilmDay of Reckoningas Dorothy Day1933FilmBroadway to Hollywoodas Anne Ainsley1933FilmBeauty for Saleas Letty Lawson1933FilmThe Mayor of Hellas Dorothy Griffith1933FilmHell Belowas Joan1933FilmThe Nuisanceas Dorothy Mason1933FilmMade on Broadwayas Claire1933FilmHallelujah, I'm a Bumas June Marcher1932FilmFast Lifeas Shirley1932FilmHuddleas Rosalie1932FilmAre You Listening?as Laura O'Neil1932FilmThe Greeks Had a Word for Themas Polaire1932FilmLovers Courageousas Mary Blayne1931FilmWest of Broadwayas Anne1931FilmHeartbreakas Countess Vima Walden1931FilmGuilty Handsas Barbara 'Babs' Grant1931FilmSporting Bloodas Miss 'Missy' Ruby1931FilmSon of Indiaas Janice1930FilmEnvyas Helen1930FilmThe Bard of Broadway1924FilmClassmatesas Sylvia1923FilmOn the Banks of the Wabashas Lisbeth1919FilmHome Wantedas Madge Dow1919FilmThree Green Eyesas Child1918FilmLove Netas Patty Barnes1918FilmThe Power and the Gloryas Deanie Consadine1918FilmNeighborsas Clarissa Leigh1918FilmThe Golden Wallas Madge Lathrop1918FilmStolen Ordersas Ruth Le Page - as a child1918FilmTrue Blueas Ruth, as a Child1918FilmWanted, A Motheras Eileen Homer1917FilmThe Volunteeras Self1917FilmThe Burglaras Editha1917FilmThe Corner Groceras Mary Brian, age 81917FilmBeloved Adventuressas Francine - Age 71917FilmMaternityas Constance1917FilmThe Web of Desireas Marjorie1916FilmThe New Southas Georgia Gwynne, as a girl1916FilmSeventeenas Jane Baxter1916FilmThe Hidden Scaras Dot1916FilmThe Revoltas Nannie Stevens1916FilmHusband and Wifeas Bessie1916FilmSudden Richesas Little Emily1916FilmThe Devil's Toyas Betty1915FilmThe Master Handas Jean as a Child1915FilmThe Seven Sistersas Clara

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