Personal Info
Birth date
1896-05-17 (129 Years)
Day of death
1982-11-17
Gender
Female
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
North Trenton - New Jersey - USA
Also known as
-Ruth Donnelly
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Ruth Donnelly (May 17, 1896 – November 17, 1982) was an American stage and film actress. Her father was the mayor of Trenton, New Jersey. She began her stage career at the age of 17 in 1913, in The Quaker Girl. Her Broadway debut brought her to the attention of George M. Cohan, who proceeded to cast her in numerous comic-relief roles in such musicals as Going Up (1917). Though she made her first film appearance in 1913, her Hollywood career began in earnest in 1931 and lasted until 1957. In her films she often played the wife of Guy Kibbee (Footlight Parade, Wonder Bar, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington). Among her roles was the part of Sister Michael in The Bells of St. Mary's, starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman.
Filmography
Cavalcade of America
3.5
Overview:
Cavalcade of America is an anthology drama series that was sponsored by the DuPont Company, although it occasionally presented a musical, such as an adaptation of Show Boat, and condensed biographies of popular composers. It was initially broadcast on radio from 1935 to 1953, and later on television from 1952 to 1957. Originally on CBS, the series pioneered the use of anthology drama for company audio advertising. Cavalcade of America documented historical events using stories of individual courage, initiative and achievement, often with feel-good dramatizations of the human spirit's triumph against all odds. This was consistent with DuPont's overall conservative philosophy and legacy as an American company dating back to 1802. The company's motto, "Maker of better things for better living through chemistry," was read at the beginning of each program, and the dramas emphasized humanitarian progress, particularly improvements in the lives of women, often through technological innovation.Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
7.849
Overview:
After the death of a United States Senator, idealistic Jefferson Smith is appointed as his replacement in Washington. Soon, the naive and earnest new senator has to battle political corruption.This Is the Army
5.773
Overview:
In WW I dancer Jerry Jones stages an all-soldier show on Broadway, called Yip Yip Yaphank. Wounded in the War, he becomes a producer. In WW II his son Johnny Jones, who was before his fathers assistant, gets the order to stage a knew all-soldier show, called THIS IS THE ARMY. But in his pesonal life he has problems, because he refuses to marry his fiancée until the war is over.Mr. Deeds Goes to Town
7.5
Overview:
Longfellow Deeds lives in a small town, leading a small town kind of life. When a relative dies and leaves Deeds a fortune, Longfellow moves to the big city where he becomes an instant target for everyone. Deeds outwits them all until Babe Bennett comes along. When small-town boy meets big-city girl anything can, and does, happen.Where the Sidewalk Ends
7.185
Overview:
A police detective's violent nature keeps him from being a good cop.The Snake Pit
7.1
Overview:
Virginia Cunningham is confused upon finding herself in a mental hospital, with no memory of her arrival at the institution. Tormented by delusions and unable to even recognize her husband, Robert, she is treated by Dr. Mark Kik, who is determined to get to the root of her mental illness. As her treatment progresses, flashbacks depict events in Virginia's life that may have contributed to her instability.Housewife
7.7
Overview:
Nan Reynolds encourages her copywriter husband Bill to open his own agency. Nearly out of business, he finally gets a client. Former girlfriend Patricia Berkeley writes a very successful commercial for the client and neats up their old romance. Wife and girlfriend struggle over Bill.Footlight Parade
6.902
Overview:
A fledgling producer finds himself at odds with his workers, financiers and his greedy ex-wife when he tries to produce live musicals for movie-going audiences.The Bells of St. Mary's
6.78
Overview:
Father O'Malley is sent to St. Mary's, a run-down parochial school on the verge of condemnation. He and Sister Benedict work together in an attempt to save the school, though their differing methods often lead to good-natured disagreements.A Slight Case of Murder
6.2
Overview:
Former bootlegger Remy Marco has a slight problem with foreclosing bankers, a prospective son-in-law, and four hard-to-explain corpses.Thank Your Lucky Stars
6.147
Overview:
An Eddie Cantor look-alike organizes an all-star show to help the war effort.Female
6.328
Overview:
Alison Drake, the tough-minded executive of an automobile factory, succeeds in the man's world of business until she meets an independent design engineer.A Lawless Street
5.4
Overview:
A Marshal must face unpleasant facts about his past when he attempts to run a criminal gang out of town.Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
6.5
Overview:
Out-takes (mostly from Warner Bros.), promotional shorts, movie premieres, public service pleas, wardrobe tests, documentary material, and archival footage make up this star-studded voyeuristic look at the Golden age of Hollywood during the 30s, 40, and 50.Jewel Robbery
6.5
Overview:
A gentleman thief charms a Viennese baron's wife and also conducts a daring daylight robbery of a jeweller's shop.Bureau of Missing Persons
5.8
Overview:
Butch Saunders has been transferred to Missing Persons because he was too brutal in other police work...Blessed Event
6.5
Overview:
A New York gossip columnist feuds with a singer and enjoys the power of the press.Cain and Mabel
6.1
Overview:
A chorus girl and a heavyweight boxer are paired romantically as a publicity stunt.The Secret of Convict Lake
6.6
Overview:
After a group of convicts escapes from prison, they take refuge in the wilderness. While most of the crew are ruthless sociopaths, Jim Canfield is an innocent man who was jailed under false pretenses. When Canfield and his fellow fugitives reach an isolated farming settlement where the men are all away, it creates tension with the local women. Things get direr when rumors of hidden money arise, and Canfield discovers that the man who framed him is part of the community.Ladies They Talk About
6.1
Overview:
A moll, imprisoned after participating in a bank robbery, helps with a breakout plot.My Little Chickadee
6.438
Overview:
While on her way by stagecoach to visit relatives out west, Flower Belle Lee is held up by a masked bandit who also takes the coach's shipment of gold. When he abducts Flower Belle and they arrive in town, Flower Belle is suspected of being in collusion with the bandit.More Than a Secretary
6.4
Overview:
When the co-owner of a secretarial school visits a magazine editor to find out why he runs through secretaries, she's mistaken for an applicant. Drawn to him, she accepts the position.Happiness Ahead
6
Overview:
Society heiress Joan Bradford rebels against her mother's choice of a future husband by masquerading as a working class girl and dating a window washer.The Amazing Mr. Williams
5.8
Overview:
Kenny Williams, a lieutenant on the homicide squad, is engaged to Maxine Carroll, the Mayor's secretary. Or isn't he rather married with his job? For each time he has a date with his longtime fiancée, he is prevented from keeping it by his devotion to duty. Maxine, in desperation, decides to take action and bring Kenny to the altar. Who will win, Maxine's curves or the glorious fight against crime?Red Salute
5.625
Overview:
The rebellious daughter of an army general gets involved with a Communist agitator, mainly to annoy her father. He arranges to have her kidnapped and taken to Mexico--hoping that she will forget her "Red" boyfriend--by a young, handsome soldier named Jeff who, while somewhat of a goof-up, the general believes is still better for her.You Belong to Me
5.8
Overview:
A playboy marries a woman doctor then grows jealous of her male patients.Hands Across the Table
6.8
Overview:
A manicurist and an engaged loafer, both planning to marry money, meet and fall in love.Employees' Entrance
6.3
Overview:
Kurt Anderson is the tyrannical manager of a New York department store in financial straits. He thinks nothing of firing an employee of more than 20 years or of toying with the affections of every woman he meets. One such victim is Madeline, a beautiful young woman in need of a job. Anderson hires her as a salesgirl, but not before the two spend the night together. Madeline is ashamed, especially after she falls for Martin West, a rising young star at the store. Her biggest fear is that Martin finds out the truth about her "career move."Acting
1983Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1957The Way to the Gold as Mrs. Williams
1956Autumn Leaves as Liz Eckhart
1955The Spoilers as Duchess
1955A Lawless Street as Molly Higgins
1952Cavalcade of America (1 Episode) as Ma Dolan
1951The Wild Blue Yonder as Maj. Ida Winton
1951The Secret of Convict Lake as Mary Fancher
1951I'd Climb the Highest Mountain as Glory White
1950Where the Sidewalk Ends as Martha
1948The Snake Pit as Ruth
1948Fighting Father Dunne as Kate Mulvey
1947The Fabulous Texan as Utopia Mills
1947The Ghost Goes Wild as Aunt Susan Beecher
1947Little Miss Broadway as Minerva Van Dorn
1947Millie's Daughter as Helen Reilly
1946Cross My Heart as Eve Harper
1946In Old Sacramento as Zebby Booker
1946Cinderella Jones as Cora Elliot
1945The Bells of St. Mary's as Sister Michael
1945Pillow to Post as Mrs. Grace Wingate
1944Breakdowns of 1944 as Self
1943Thank Your Lucky Stars as Nurse Hamilton
1943Sleepy Lagoon as Sarah Rogers
1943This Is the Army as Mrs. O'Brien
1942Johnny Doughboy as Biggy Biggsworth
1941Rise and Shine as Mame Bacon
1941You Belong to Me as Emma
1941Sailors on Leave as Aunt Navy
1941The Gay Vagabond as Kate Dixon
1941Model Wife as Mrs. Milo Everett
1941The Roundup as Polly Hope
1941Petticoat Politics as Lil Higgins
1940Meet the Missus as Lil Higgins
1940Scatterbrain as Miss Stevens
1940My Little Chickadee as Aunt Lou
1939The Amazing Mr. Williams as Effie Perkins
1939Mr. Smith Goes to Washington as Emma Hopper
1939The Family Next Door as Mrs. Rose Pierce
1938Annabel Takes a Tour as Josephine
1938Meet the Girls as Daisy Watson
1938The Affairs of Annabel as Josephine
1938Personal Secretary as Grumpy
1938Army Girl as Leila Kennett
1938A Slight Case of Murder as Nora Marko
1937Portia on Trial as Jane Wilkins
1937Roaring Timber as Aunt Mary
1936More Than a Secretary as Helen Davis
1936Cain and Mabel as Aunt Mimi
1936Fatal Lady as Melba York
193613 Hours by Air as Vi Johnson
1936Mr. Deeds Goes to Town as Mabel Dawson
1936Song and Dance Man as Patsy O'Madigan
1936Behind the Scenes of Cain and Mabel as Self
1935Personal Maid's Secret as Lizzie
1935Hands Across the Table as Laura
1935Red Salute as Mrs. Edith Rooney
1935Alibi Ike as Bess
1935Traveling Saleslady as Mrs. Twitchell
1935The White Cockatoo as Mrs. Byng
1935Maybe It's Love as Florrie Sands
1934Happiness Ahead as Anna
1934Romance in the Rain as Miss Sparks
1934Housewife as Dora Wilson
1934Merry Wives of Reno as Lois
1934Wonder Bar as Emma Simpson
1934Heat Lightning as Mrs. Ashton-Ashley
1934Mandalay as Mrs. George Peters
1933Convention City as Mrs. Ellerbe
1933Havana Widows as Mrs. Emily Jones
1933Female as Miss Frothingham
1933Ever in My Heart as Lizzie
1933Footlight Parade as Mrs. Harriet Gould
1933Bureau of Missing Persons as Gwendolyn 'Pete' Harris
1933Goodbye Again as Richview Hotel Maid
1933Sing, Sinner, Sing as Margaret 'Maggie' Flannigan
1933How to Break 90 #6: Fine Points as Herself
1933Private Detective 62 as Amy Moran
1933Lilly Turner as Edna Yokum
1933Employees' Entrance as Miss Hall, Anderson's secretary
1933Ladies They Talk About as Noonan
1933Hard to Handle as Lil Waters
1933Just Around the Corner as Mrs. Sears
1932Blessed Event as Miss Stevens
1932Jewel Robbery as Berta, Teri's Maid (uncredited)
1932Make Me a Star as The Countess
1932The Rainbow Trail as Widow Abigail
1931Wicked as Fanny
1931The Spider as Mrs. Wimbledon
1927Rubber Heels as Fanny Pratt