Betty Compson
Biography
Betty Compson was an American actress and producer whose screen career began in the silent era and continued into the 1940s. Born in Beaver, Utah, she played violin at a Salt Lake City theater as a teenager before touring in vaudeville, where producer Al Christie spotted her and signed her. She made her silent debut in 1915 with Wanted, a Leading Lady, and appeared in numerous shorts for Christie. Her profile grew with The Miracle Man (1919), leading Paramount to sign her to a five-year contract. She later formed her own production company and produced Prisoners of Love (1921). In 1928 she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress as a carnival girl in The Barker and also starred in Josef von Sternberg's The Docks of New York (1928). She worked steadily in sound films, including a small role in Alfred Hitchcock's Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941), and retired after Here Comes Trouble in 1948. She died in 1974.
77years old at death
- Born Beaver
- Died Glendale
- Star sign: PiscesThe sign runs February 19 to March 20
- Also credited as Eleanor Luicime Compson
Movie Career
- Films
- 5
- Career span
- 13 years1928 to 1941
Every film, newest first
- 1941Mr. & Mrs. SmithIMDb rating 6.3
- 1940Strange CargoIMDb rating 6.9
- 1938A Slight Case of MurderIMDb rating 7.0
- 1931The Lady RefusesIMDb rating 5.9
- 1928The Docks of New YorkIMDb rating 7.5
Genres
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A first
In the 1928 silent film Court-Martial, Compson was the first actress to portray Belle Starr, the Old West outlaw, on film.
A role that slipped away
Compson made a Technicolor screen test for Belle Watling in Gone with the Wind (1939), but Ona Munson got the role instead.
Big break
While touring in vaudeville sketches, Compson was noticed by Hollywood producers. Comedic producer Al Christie discovered her during that touring and she signed a contract with him.
A role that slipped away
Compson was put forward to take over from Greta Garbo in the MGM movie Flesh and the Devil, playing opposite John Gilbert.
Beyond film
Compson was not a singer, yet she still appeared in a number of early musicals, and in those films her singing voice was dubbed.
A role that slipped away
Chaney wanted Compson for the female lead in The Unholy Three, his first talkie, but she was too busy, so she suggested her friend Lila Lee instead.
Betty Compson movies on Netflix
Worked with
Betty Compson shares two films with Richard Alexander, and one with each of the others. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Richard Alexander's page
Edward G. Robinson's page
Peter Lorre's page
Joan Crawford's page
Clark Gable's page
John Litel's page
All films by Alfred Hitchcock
Josef von SternbergDirector, 1 film, 1928
All films by Josef von Sternberg
Frank BorzageDirector, 1 film, 1940
All films by Frank Borzage
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame | Honored | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.