Rita Johnson

Biography

Rita Johnson was an American actress who started on the stage in 1933 and later worked in radio and film. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, she attended the New England Conservatory of Music before joining stock troupes like the Louise Galloway Players. After drawing notice in Fulton of Oak Falls, a comedy by George M. Cohan, she was signed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1937 and made her screen debut in London By Night. Radio kept her busy, including the leading role in Joyce Jordan, M.D. At MGM she played opposite Spencer Tracy in Edison, the Man (1940), then asked to be released after objecting to a minor part in Maisie Was a Lady (1941). As a freelance player she became known as the Other Woman and showed her range in Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941), The Major and the Minor (1942), My Friend Flicka (1943), and They Won't Believe Me (1947).

52years old at death

Born August 13, 1913Worcester
Died October 31, 1965Hollywood
Star sign: LeoThe sign runs July 23 to August 22
Also credited as Rita Ann Johnson

Movie Career

Films: 13
Career span: 18 years1939 to 1957

Genres

Drama62%, 8 films
Comedy54%, 7 films
Romance38%, 5 films
Family15%, 2 films
Action8%, 1 film

First and latest

Did you know?!

First role
Rita Johnson's high school drama teacher said she had no talent, but she still chose to become a stage actress starting in 1933. She worked for several years with stock companies, including the Louise Galloway Players.
A role that slipped away
Johnson objected to a minor part she was offered in Maisie Was a Lady (1941) and requested that Metro release her from her contract.
Beyond film
Rita Johnson was busy in radio, appearing in ten radio shows a week by 1936 and playing the leading role in Joyce Jordan, M.D.

Rita Johnson movies on Netflix

All Mine to Give1957IMDb rating 7.2as Katie Tyler
Susan Slept Here1954IMDb rating 6.4as Dr. Rawley
An Innocent Affair1948IMDb rating 6.1as Eve Lawrence
Sleep, My Love1948IMDb rating 6.8as Barby
The Big Clock1948IMDb rating 7.6as Pauline York
They Won't Believe Me1947IMDb rating 7.2as Greta Ballentine
The Naughty Nineties1945IMDb rating 7.0as Bonita Farrow
My Friend Flicka1943IMDb rating 6.5as Nell McLaughlin
The Major and the Minor1942IMDb rating 7.3as Pamela Hill
Here Comes Mr. Jordan1941IMDb rating 7.5as Julia Farnsworth
Maisie Was a Lady1941IMDb rating 6.7as (scenes deleted)
Edison, the Man1940IMDb rating 7.0as Mary Stilwell
Honolulu1939IMDb rating 6.5as Cecelia Grayson

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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The Major and the Minor1942 Comedy, Romanceas Pamela Hill
IMDb rating 7.38.6K votes
The Big Clock1948 Crime, Drama, Film-Noiras Pauline York
IMDb rating 7.611K votes
Here Comes Mr. Jordan1941as Julia Farnsworth
IMDb rating 7.58.2K votes
They Won't Believe Me1947as Greta Ballentine
IMDb rating 7.23.6K votes
Sleep, My Love1948as Barby
IMDb rating 6.82.6K votes
The Naughty Nineties1945as Bonita Farrow
IMDb rating 7.02.3K votes
Edison, the Man1940as Mary Stilwell
IMDb rating 7.02.0K votes
My Friend Flicka1943as Nell McLaughlin
IMDb rating 6.51.1K votes

Most often with

Bess Flowers appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Bess Flowers

Ellen Corby

Byron Foulger

Ray Milland

Steve Carruthers

Maureen O'Sullivan

Films together

Bess Flowers3 films together, 1939 to 1948
Bess Flowers's page
- An Innocent Affair1948IMDb rating 6.1Johnson as Eve LawrenceFlowers as Rocket Roof Diner
- Sleep, My Love1948IMDb rating 6.8Johnson as BarbyFlowers as Miss Miller
- Honolulu1939IMDb rating 6.5Johnson as Cecelia GraysonFlowers as Grayson's Party Guest
Ellen Corby2 films together, 1954 to 1957
Ellen Corby's page
- All Mine to Give1957IMDb rating 7.2Johnson as Katie TylerCorby as Mrs. Raiden
- Susan Slept Here1954IMDb rating 6.4Johnson as Dr. RawleyCorby as Coffee Shop Waitress
Byron Foulger2 films together, 1940 to 1947
Byron Foulger's page
- They Won't Believe Me1947IMDb rating 7.2Johnson as Greta BallentineFoulger as Henry Bascombe
- Edison, the Man1940IMDb rating 7.0Johnson as Mary StilwellFoulger as Edwin Hall
Ray Milland2 films together, 1942 to 1948
Ray Milland's page
- The Big Clock1948IMDb rating 7.6Johnson as Pauline YorkMilland as George Stroud
- The Major and the Minor1942IMDb rating 7.3Johnson as Pamela HillMilland as Major Philip Kirby
Steve Carruthers2 films together, 1947 to 1948
Steve Carruthers's page
- An Innocent Affair1948IMDb rating 6.1Johnson as Eve LawrenceCarruthers as Nightclub Patron
- They Won't Believe Me1947IMDb rating 7.2Johnson as Greta BallentineCarruthers as Theatre Patron
Maureen O'Sullivan2 films together, 1941 to 1948
Maureen O'Sullivan's page
- The Big Clock1948IMDb rating 7.6Johnson as Pauline YorkO'Sullivan as Georgette Stroud
- Maisie Was a Lady1941IMDb rating 6.7Johnson as (scenes deleted)O'Sullivan as Abby Rawlston
Also two films together5 more actors
- Edgar DearingMaisie Was a Lady (1941) and Honolulu (1939)
- Edward GarganThe Naughty Nineties (1945) and Honolulu (1939)
- Henry TraversThe Naughty Nineties (1945) and Edison, the Man (1940)
- Robert YoungThey Won't Believe Me (1947) and Honolulu (1939)
- Lillian BronsonSleep, My Love (1948) and They Won't Believe Me (1947)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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