Frances Dade was an American actress known for her roles in “Dracula”, “He Knew Women”, and “Grumpy”. She gained fame in the early 1930s, particularly for portraying Lucy Weston in the 1931 film version of “Dracula”.
Personal and Family Life
Frances Dade was born on February 14, 1910, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents were Francis Cadwallader Dade, Jr. and Frances Rawle Pemberton. She had notable family connections, including being a grandniece of Confederate General John Pemberton and a first cousin of ice hockey player Hobey Baker. Dade started her career in theater, performing from a young age and later transitioning to films.
Career
Dade began her film career in the late 1920s, making her debut in “The Constant Nymph” (1928). She gained attention with her role as Monica Grey in “He Knew Women” (1930), where she portrayed a character with complicated feelings for a young poet. Dade’s breakthrough came when she starred as Lucy Weston in “Dracula” (1931), which established her as one of the first on-screen vampires. After appearing in several films, she married Brock Van Avery in 1932 and retired from acting.
Death and Legacy
Frances Dade passed away on January 21, 1968, in her hometown of Philadelphia. Despite her brief career, she is remembered for her role in classic horror cinema. Dade holds a special place in Hollywood history as one of the first actresses to depict a female vampire in film.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Dracula | 1931-02-12 | Lucy Weston |
| Raffles | 1930-07-11 | Ethel Crowley |
| Grumpy | 1930-08-01 | Virginia Bullivant |
| Big Town | 1932-12-19 | Patricia Holman |
| Pleasure | 1931-09-01 | Joan Channing |
| Seed | 1931-05-14 | Nancy |
| Range Law | 1931-10-10 | Ruth Warren |
| He Knew Women | 1930-04-21 | Monica Grey |
| Daughter of the Dragon | 1931-09-05 | Joan Marshall |
| The Devil to Pay! | 1930-12-18 | Bidder for Bed (uncredited) |
| The She-Wolf | 1931-05-01 | |
| Scandal for Sale | 1932-04-01 |