Cora Witherspoon: A Life on Stage and Screen

Cora Bell Witherspoon was an orphan by the age of 10 and a professional actress by 15. She was a popular character actress in Hollywood between 1931 and 1954, playing roles like Sallie McBride in Daddy Long Legs, Josephine Trent in The Awful Truth, Martha Culver in The Constant Wife, Prudence in Camille, and Mrs. Grant in The Front Page. She portrayed a range of stereotypes of older women, creating her own type, incarnating the fashionable, frivolous, flighty, and fawning society woman.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 30 July 2022
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

Cora Bell Witherspoon, born into an upper-crust family in New Orleans in 1890, faced a challenging childhood. Orphaned by the age of 10, she embarked on a remarkable journey to become a professional actress by the age of 15. Her remarkable career spanned from 1910 to 1946, during which she graced the Broadway stage in 36 productions. Witherspoon's talent and versatility were evident as she portrayed a diverse range of characters, including Sallie McBride in Daddy Long Legs, Josephine Trent in The Awful Truth, Martha Culver in The Constant Wife, Prudence in Camille, and Mrs. Grant in The Front Page. Despite her limited screen time, Witherspoon made the most of every opportunity, showcasing her remarkable acting skills in films such as The Bank Dick, Dark Victory, Quality Street, and The Mating Season.

Witherspoon's portrayal of older women on both stage and screen was captivating and multifaceted. She deftly inhabited a range of stereotypes, from the shrewish wife to the fair-weather friend, the earthy maid to the overbearing dowager. However, what set Witherspoon apart was her ability to create her own unique type, embodying the fashionable, frivolous, flighty, and fawning society woman. Often with a thinly veiled libidinous quality, her characters resonated with audiences, capturing the essence of a bygone era.

In addition to her theatrical and film achievements, this groundbreaking biography delves into Witherspoon's upbringing and family background. It sheds light on her struggles with substance abuse, which resulted in two highly publicized arrests and one conviction. Despite the challenges she faced, Witherspoon remained resilient and continued to pursue her passion for acting until her passing in 1957.

Cora Bell Witherspoon's legacy as an actress and a woman continues to inspire and captivate audiences to this day. Her remarkable journey from a humble beginning to a celebrated Hollywood icon serves as a testament to the power of determination, talent, and resilience. Her ability to portray a wide range of characters with depth and authenticity has left an indelible mark on the world of theater and film, and her impact on the portrayal of older women is particularly noteworthy.

Weight: 186g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476685106