Yolande Donlan
Encyclopedia
Yolande Donlan is an American
actress who has worked extensively in the United Kingdom
.
She is the daughter of James Donlan
, who was a hard working character actor in Hollywood films of the 1930s. It is thought that she had some uncredited roles in films including Pennies From Heaven
and Love Finds Andy Hardy
immediately following her father's death in 1938, but these have not been confirmed.
Her early credited roles include Frenchy the maid in the horror film The Devil Bat
in 1940 and she followed this up with several small roles, generally as similar French-accented maid characters.
A notable stage success as Billie Dawn in a Boston production of Born Yesterday
by Garson Kanin
was the start of bigger things for Donlan. The production transferred to London
's West End
for a long run. Donlan was initially denied a work permit to star in the lead in Peter Pan
due to complaints from Actors Equity who felt that a British star should have the lead.
After it ended, Donlan remained in the United Kingdom
and began accepting film work. After Traveller's Joy in 1949, Donlan worked for the director Val Guest
in several films including Mister Drake's Duck
, Penny Princess
(in the title role) and The Body Said No.
Donlan married Guest in 1954 and afterwards her film work included many of her husband's films such as Expresso Bongo
and 80,000 Suspects
, as well as a small number of films for other directors. In 1955 she penned the autobiographical travelogue, Sand in my Mink an amusing tale of adventures taken with her husband, across Europe, which makes a light hearted read of how travel used to be.
A further stage success came in 1959 in Jack Popplewell
's And Suddenly It's Spring opposite Margaret Lockwood.
Her most recent film credit is Seven Nights in Japan
from 1976. The same year saw publication of her autobiography, Shake the Stars Down, which concentrates on her childhood years growing up in the Hollywood of the 1930s.
Guest retired from directing in 1985 and the couple moved back to the United States of America
in the late 1980s, where they resided in Palm Springs
until his death in 2006. Donlan now lives in Belgravia, London.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actress who has worked extensively in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
.
She is the daughter of James Donlan
James Donlan
James Donlan was an American actor.Born in San Francisco, California, Donlan appeared in 107 films between 1929 and 1939.He died in Hollywood, California, aged 49, from a heart attack...
, who was a hard working character actor in Hollywood films of the 1930s. It is thought that she had some uncredited roles in films including Pennies From Heaven
Pennies from Heaven (1936 film)
Pennies from Heaven is a 1936 musical comedy film starring Bing Crosby and featuring Louis Armstrong in a supporting role. The movie was directed by Norman Z. McLeod and the screenplay was written by Jo Swerling from a story by William Rankin based on the novel The Peacock Feather by Katherine...
and Love Finds Andy Hardy
Love Finds Andy Hardy
Love Finds Andy Hardy is a 1938 romantic comedy film which tells the story of a teenage boy who becomes entangled with three different girls all at the same time. It stars Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Fay Holden, Cecilia Parker, Judy Garland, Lana Turner, Ann Rutherford, Mary Howard and Gene...
immediately following her father's death in 1938, but these have not been confirmed.
Her early credited roles include Frenchy the maid in the horror film The Devil Bat
The Devil Bat
The Devil Bat is a black-and-white comedy-horror movie which was produced by Producers Releasing Corporation and directed by Jean Yarbrough...
in 1940 and she followed this up with several small roles, generally as similar French-accented maid characters.
A notable stage success as Billie Dawn in a Boston production of Born Yesterday
Born Yesterday
Born Yesterday is a play written by Garson Kanin which premiered on Broadway in 1946, starring Judy Holliday as Billie Dawn. The play was adapted intoa successful 1950 film of the same name.- Plot :...
by Garson Kanin
Garson Kanin
Garson Kanin was a prolific American writer and director of plays and films.-Film and stage career:...
was the start of bigger things for Donlan. The production transferred to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
for a long run. Donlan was initially denied a work permit to star in the lead in Peter Pan
Peter Pan
Peter Pan is a character created by Scottish novelist and playwright J. M. Barrie . A mischievous boy who can fly and magically refuses to grow up, Peter Pan spends his never-ending childhood adventuring on the small island of Neverland as the leader of his gang the Lost Boys, interacting with...
due to complaints from Actors Equity who felt that a British star should have the lead.
After it ended, Donlan remained in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and began accepting film work. After Traveller's Joy in 1949, Donlan worked for the director Val Guest
Val Guest
Val Guest was a British film director, best known for his science-fiction films for Hammer Film Productions in the 1950s, but who also enjoyed a long, varied and active career in the film industry from the early 1930s up until the early 1980s.-Early life and career:He was born Valmond Maurice...
in several films including Mister Drake's Duck
Mister Drake's Duck
Mister Drake's Duck is a 1951 British science fiction comedy film directed by Val Guest and starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Yolande Donlan, Jon Pertwee, Wilfrid Hyde-White and Reginald Beckwith. Mr Drake, a farmer, discovers that his hens have started laying radioactive eggs.-Cast:* Douglas...
, Penny Princess
Penny Princess
Penny Princess is a 1952 British Technicolor comedy written and directed by Val Guest for his own production company, Conquest Productions. The film stars his future wife Yolande Donlan, who was Guest's production company partner, and features Reginald Beckwith, the other partner in Conquest...
(in the title role) and The Body Said No.
Donlan married Guest in 1954 and afterwards her film work included many of her husband's films such as Expresso Bongo
Expresso Bongo
Expresso Bongo, a 1958 West End musical and a 1959 film, was a satire of the music industry. It was first produced on the stage at the Saville Theatre, London on 23 April 1958. Its book was written by Wolf Mankowitz and Julian More, with music by David Heneker and Monty Norman, also the...
and 80,000 Suspects
80,000 Suspects
80,000 Suspects is a 1963 British film, directed by Val Guest which concerns an outbreak of smallpox in Bath, England.-Plot:A romantic melodrama set against the backdrop of a smallpox epidemic which features Richard Johnson as the diligent doctor in control and Claire Bloom as his outwardly serene...
, as well as a small number of films for other directors. In 1955 she penned the autobiographical travelogue, Sand in my Mink an amusing tale of adventures taken with her husband, across Europe, which makes a light hearted read of how travel used to be.
A further stage success came in 1959 in Jack Popplewell
Jack Popplewell
Jack Popplewell was an English writer and playwright.-Life:Popplewell was born and grew up in Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire. He published his first song in 1940, and his first play, Blind Alley was staged in London in 1953...
's And Suddenly It's Spring opposite Margaret Lockwood.
Her most recent film credit is Seven Nights in Japan
Seven Nights in Japan
Seven Nights in Japan is a 1976 drama film directed by Lewis Gilbert....
from 1976. The same year saw publication of her autobiography, Shake the Stars Down, which concentrates on her childhood years growing up in the Hollywood of the 1930s.
Guest retired from directing in 1985 and the couple moved back to the United States of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the late 1980s, where they resided in Palm Springs
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
until his death in 2006. Donlan now lives in Belgravia, London.
Selected filmography
- Dark Streets of CairoDark Streets of CairoDark Streets of Cario is a 1940 American mystery film directed by László Kardos and starring Sigrid Gurie, Ralph Byrd, Eddie Quillan, George Zucco and Katherine DeMille.-Cast:* Sigrid Gurie - Ellen Stephens* Ralph Byrd - Dennis Martin...
(1940) - Under AgeUnder Age (1941 film)-Cast:* Nan Grey as Jane Baird* Alan Baxter as Tap Manson* Mary Anderson as Edie Baird* Tom Neal as Rocky Stone* Leona Maricle as Mrs. Burke aka The Widow* Don Beddoe as Albert Ward* Yolande Donlan as Lily Fletcher...
(1941) - JigsawJigsaw (1962 film)Jigsaw is a 1962 British crime drama film written and directed by Val Guest and starring Jack Warner and Ronald Lewis.-Plot:After a murder is committed in Brighton, two detectives comb the South Coast of England for the killer.-Cast:...
(1962)