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Joan Blaine
American actress (1900–1949) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Joan Blaine (April 20, 1900 - April 18, 1949) was an American actress best known for her work in soap operas on old-time radio.
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Early years
Blaine was born April 20, ca. 1900 [1] in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and was a descendant of James G. Blaine, a 19th-century American politician who twice was the Republican candidate for president of the United States.[2] Her father was a lawyer.[3]
She graduated from Northwestern University and practiced law in Chicago for a year after receiving her degree.[4] She also attended Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.[5]
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Radio
A 1938 newspaper article described Blaine as "one of radio's leading actresses,"[6] and one in 1943 reported, "Joan was acclaimed the most popular daytime radio actress in the country."[2] She was described in one old-time radio reference book as "one of the first real stars of the [soap opera] form, getting billing up front before the title."[7]
One of Blaine's earliest roles on radio was playing the title character in The Story of Mary Marlin, beginning in 1934.[8] She left the program March 26, 1937, "to fulfill a movie contract."[9] She was featured in The House by the Side of the Road in 1934-1935[10] and had a role called "mysterious guest" in the Edgar Guest Welcome Valley program in 1936.[11]
In 1937, she was featured in We Are Four, a "dramatic serial" on the Mutual Broadcasting System.[12]
She starred in Valiant Lady, beginning March 7, 1938, on CBS,[6] and continued in the lead role of Joan Barrett for most of the program's nine years on the air.[13]
Blaine was also featured in A Tale of Today and Welcome Valley[14] and was the "narrator and reader of prose selections" on Music Magic.[15]
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Stage
Blaine had an apprenticeship with the Chicago Theater Guild.[16] She had roles in two Broadway theatre productions -- Mystery Square and The Ghost Parade[17] and appeared in the New York productions Spitfire, And So to Bed, and Winter's Tale.[16] She also portrayed the lead character, Selena Peake, in summer stock theatre productions of So Big.[18]
Film
Blaine appeared in a movie, The Knife.[19]
Personal life
Blaine was married to William Pitts.[20]
Death
Blaine died April 18, 1949, in New York Hospital.[20]
Radio appearances
References
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