Phyllis Barry was an American actress known for her roles in “Cynara,” “What! No Beer?,” and “The Prince and the Pauper.” Born on December 7, 1908, in London, England, she became a recognized figure in the film industry during the 1930s.
Personal and Family Life
Phyllis Barry, originally named Gertrude Hillyard, began her performing career at a young age, joining an Australian cabaret troupe by the age of fourteen. She was married twice; first to vaudeville performer Albert Nordlund from 1932 to 1936, and then to decorator Gilbert M. Caldwell until her death in 1954. Throughout her career, she faced challenges in her personal life, particularly with her first marriage which ended in divorce.
Career Highlights
Barry started as a dancer and made her film debut in the 1925 Australian movie “Painted Daughters.” She gained prominence after moving to the U.S. and worked in several films, including notable performances in “What! No Beer?” and “Blind Adventure.” However, her career declined over the years, leading to fewer roles and eventual withdrawal from acting.
Death and Legacy
Phyllis Barry died on July 1, 1954, in Los Angeles, California, from an accidental overdose of phenobarbital, at the age of 45. She was buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, California. Despite her struggles, her work remains a part of early cinematic history, especially for her performances during the 1930s.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Prince and the Pauper | 1937-04-30 | Barmaid |
| Bulldog Drummond Comes Back | 1937-09-24 | Hortense |
| What! No Beer? | 1933-02-10 | Hortense |
| The Case of the Black Parrot | 1941-01-09 | Julia |
| Three Little Sew and Sews | 1939-01-06 | Spy |
| Good-bye Love | 1933-11-09 | Dorothy Blaine |
| The Moonstone | 1934-08-20 | Ann Verinder |
| Cynara | 1932-12-24 | Doris Emily Lea |
| Diplomaniacs | 1933-04-28 | Fifi |
| Long Lost Father | 1934-01-19 | Party Guest |
| The Invisible Menace | 1938-01-11 | Aline Dolman |
| Shadows on the Stairs | 1941-03-01 | Lucy Timson |
| Trade Winds | 1938-12-28 | Ruth (Uncredited) |
| Damaged Goods | 1937-05-22 | Margie |
| We Are Not Alone | 1939-11-25 | First Chorus Girl |
| Kid Nightingale | 1939-11-04 | First Girl with Mrs. Reynolds (uncredited) |
| Where Sinners Meet | 1934-05-17 | The Brunette Chambermaid |
| Secrets of a Model | 1940-04-10 | Sally Adams |
| Forbidden Heaven | 1935-10-04 | Sybil Radford, Politician’s Daughter |
| To Mary – with Love | 1936-08-01 | Guest |
| Waterloo Bridge | 1940-05-17 | Second Girl at Estate Dance (uncredited) |
| I Was an Adventuress | 1940-05-10 | Englishwoman at Exhibit (uncredited) |
| Gentleman from Dixie | 1941-09-02 | Secretary |
| Bonnie Scotland | 1935-08-23 | Gossip (uncredited) |
| The Mysterious Doctor | 1943-03-03 | Ruby |
| Unfinished Business | 1941-08-27 | Sheila |
| The Infernal Triangle | 1935-08-17 | |
| Hollywood Premiere | 1933-02-04 | |
| Hips, Hips, Hooray! | 1934-02-02 | Madame Irene |
| Frenchman’s Creek | 1944-09-20 | Woman in Gaming House (uncredited) |
| One Rainy Afternoon | 1936-05-13 | Felice |
| Kitty | 1945-10-16 | Guest (uncredited) |
| The Nightshirt Bandit | 1938-10-27 | Mrs. Chase |
| Step Lively, Jeeves! | 1937-06-30 | Mrs. Tremaine (uncredited) |
| Reckless Decision | 1933-01-01 | Dorothy |
| The Jones Family in Hollywood | 1939-06-02 | Actress (uncredited) |
| Love Past Thirty | 1934-02-14 | Beth Ramsden |
| The Witness Vanishes | 1939-09-22 | Miss Carson (uncredited) |