The Underdog Series Part 4

Once again, I kept delaying this but I'm back again with another candidate for the series. I felt this time around, it should be a woman because of the past candidates all being men. So the lucky lady that I will be writing about today is Miss Glenda Farrell. Each time I learn more and more about her, I like her more and more. She came off to me anyway as a feisty wise cracking lady who was able to hang with the boys but that's what I get from watching her movies. Warner Bros, often cast her in these roles were she was feisty. I don't think anyone was quite like Glenda and that's why I like her. So I hope you'll enjoy my blog post about her as much as I enjoyed finding stuff out about her.

Glenda Farrell was born on January 30th(though I have read June 30th as her birthday as well) 1904 in Enid, Oklahoma. I haven't found any information on her parents or if she had siblings but if I find anything soon, I'll let you know. At the age of 7, Glenda had begun her career with acting with a theatrical production of "Uncle Tom's Cabin".


Naturally with brown hair and brown eyed, Glenda dyed her hair into what would later be her signature color- blonde.

Glenda's education was at the Mount Carmel Academy Catholic boarding school for girls in Wichita, Kansas. Before reaching it to Hollywood, Glenda was a young actress in a stock company, where she became interested in Broadway.


Glenda's stage work during that period includes "Skidding", "Life Begins", and On the Spot". In the late 1920's, Glenda had a bit part in the film "Lucky Boy". In 1931, Glenda had the opportunity to really shine when she starred opposite Edward G. Robinson and Douglas Fairbanks Jr in "Little Caesar". In the 1930's, Glenda was signed with Warner Bros and would appear in many of their films about women with a little bit more than an attitude going on.

In 1930's, Glenda became friends with Joan Blondell. The two had appeared in several Warner Bros pictures together.

At the young age of 17, Glenda had married Thomas Richards(no info about him). The union lasted 8 years and she married one last time after that to a Dr. Henry Ross from 1941 to her death in 1971. During her marriage to Thomas Richards, they had a son together, whom would later change his last name to Farrell after his mother.

In the 1930's and 1940's, Glenda continued to work in films but as she got older, she became less interested.

When television came around in the 1940's and 1950's, Glenda appeared on several shows including CBS Prudential Family Playhouse program Ruggles of Red Gap. Glenda found it more interesting to be on the stage and throughout her life, she would appear on the stage more often than in the movies.


At the age of 66, after suffering for quite some time from lung cancer Miss Farrell passed away. 8 years later, her friend Joan Blondell would die from leukemia at the age of 73.



Best Films-
"I am a Fugitive from a Chain Gang"
"Lady for a Day"
"Smart Blonde"
"Man's Castle"
"Johnny Eager"


So I'm not sure who I want to do next, so I'll be putting up a poll within a couple of days. I hope you guys and gals are enjoying the rest of your week! :)

Glenda and her son Tommy






Glenda and the cast of "Lady for a Day"



Alvy Moore and Glenda in "Susan Slept Here"