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Jan Sterling
1921-2004
Updated 7/20/2007 with more films available on DVD.
biography
Born Jane Sterling Adriance in New York in April 1921, Jan Sterling's wealthy family afforded her a private education. In the late 1930s, Sterling went to England to study acting and quickly secured roles in the London theatre. Sterling married actor John Merivale (who can be seen in Circus of Horrors) in 1941, but by the time she began doing films, the marriage was over and the couple divorced in 1948. That same year, Sterling landed her first significant film role in the 1948 tearjerker Johnny Belinda, as the wife of the man who rapes deaf mute Belinda.
Beautiful cheesecake shots of Jan Sterling
Sterling's first film appearance of note came in the 1947 John Wayne film Tycoon, but she was not listed in the credits. After noting her excellent performance in the Warner Bros. film Johnny Belinda the following year, Paramount executives eventually signed Sterling to a long-term contract and began casting her in a string of film-noir thrillers. A woman of culture, ironically she was at her best playing 'B' girls. In 1950, with her film career assured, Sterling married character actor Paul Douglas.
the films of jan sterling
Union Station (1950)
Paramount promotional photo from the film-noir thriller Union Station
The Mating Season (1951)
Paramount promotional photo for The Mating Season, taken at Lake Gregory
Flesh and Fury (1952)
From the Universal film Flesh and Fury. The photos on the right also include Tony Curtis
The Vanquished (1953)
With Coleen Gray and John Payne in the Paramount western The Vanquished
Alaska Seas (1954)
With Brian Keith in Alaska Seas
The Human Jungle (1954)
With Chuck Connors in the crime drama The Human Jungle
The Incident (1967)
Scenes from the crime drama The Incident. LEFT: Sterling is hassled by Tony Musante. RIGHT: With Mike Kellin
later years
In 1955, Jan Sterling won a Golden Globe for her performance in The High and the Mighty (1954; with John Wayne) and was also nominated for an Academy Award for her role in the film. She and husband Paul Douglas welcomed the birth of their son during the same year, but Paul Douglas passed away suddenly in early 1959. Afterward, Sterling's film appearances became fewer and farther between as she concentrated on her stage career and television work.
In the early 1970s, Sterling abandoned films and television to act in the legitimate theater, but she returned to the screen again in the late 1970s, acting in a few films and TV movies. Her final theatrically released film was First Monday In October (1981). Sterling retired from the screeen in the mid 1980s and in her later years suffered failing health. She passed away at the age of 82 on March 26, 2004, after a series of strokes. She was preceded in death by her son, who passed away in 2003.
Bonanza: The Blood Line/Death At Dawn [DVD] DVD
Ben faces off against the son of a violent drunk he shot in self-defense, in "The Blood Line." Then, the Cartwrights become deputies and set out to stop a gang selling protection to Virginia City in "Death at Dawn."
Bonanza, Vol. 15 VHS
In "The Blood Line," Ben faces off against the son of a violent drunk he shot in self-defense. Jan Sterling guest stars. And Hoss has a crush on a beautiful widow who is a Cartwright family friend in "The Courtship." 100 min.
Johnny Belinda [DVD](1948) DVD
Jane Wyman, in her Oscar-winning role, is a deaf-mute girl in a small town who learns to communicate with the help of a dedicated teacher, but later is raped by a local villager. Moving drama of human emotions also stars Lew Ayres, Agnes Moorehead and Charles Bickford. 102 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital mono, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish, French; bonus short "The Little Archer" (1948); theatrical trailer.
Cult Camp Classics, Vol. 2: Women In Peril [DVD] DVD
Three-disc set includes "Caged!," "The Big Cube" and "Trog."
Caged! [DVD](1950) DVD
Unjustly sentenced to serve time for her supposed role in an armed robbery, innocent 19-year-old Marie winds up in an Illinois penitentiary. Once there, she tries to adjust to life behind bars with the help of a kindly prison official. Brutalized by her fellow inmates and guards, Marie soon becomes pregnant--and her existence becomes a living nightmare. Eleanor Parker, Agnes Moorehead, Ellen Corby, and Hope Emerson star. 96 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish; theatrical trailer.
Act Of Violence (1948)/Mystery Street [DVD](1950) DVD
A decorated WWII veteran finds his quiet civilian life thrown into turmoil when he's relentlessly pursued by a fellow former soldier out for revenge after all their buddies were killed while being held in a Nazi prison camp, in "Act of Violence." Van Heflin, Robert Ryan, Janet Leigh, Mary Astor, Phyllis Thaxter star. Then, when a female skeleton is discovered in Cape Cod, a Boston detective (Ricardo Montalban) must race against time to find the killer before an innocent man is sent to prison, in "Mystery Street." With Marshall Thompson, Sally Forrest, Bruce Bennett, Elsa Lanchester, Jan Sterling. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French.
Film Noir Classic Collection, Vol. 4 [DVD] DVD
Five-disc boxed set includes the double features "Act of Violence/Mystery Street," "Crime Wave/Decoy," "Illegal/The Big Steal," "They Live by Night/Side Street," and "Where Danger Lives/Tension."
Ace In The Hole [DVD](1951) DVD
Billy Wilder's biting, ahead-of-its-time commentary on the sensationalized nature of the news media stars Kirk Douglas as a struggling and unscrupulous Albuquerque reporter who eyes a chance at fame when he breaks the story of a man trapped in a mine. Teaming with the local sheriff, Douglas schemes to prolong the rescue effort until the story gains national notoriety. Jan Sterling, Robert Arthur, Ray Teal also star. AKA: "The Big Carnival." 111 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; audio commentary; featurette; photo gallery; theatrical trailer.
Rhubarb [VHS](1951) VHS
Wonderful comedy about a stray cat who is taken in by an eccentric millionaire and named Rhubarb. After the man dies, Rhubarb inherits the bulk of his estate, including a cellar-dwelling pro baseball team, the Brooklyn Loons. But when the Loons start winning under their feline owner, some local gangsters plot to steal the kitty. Ray Milland, Jan Sterling, Gene Lockhart, and William Frawley star; look quickly for a young Leonard Nimoy among the ballplayers. 94 min.
The High And The Mighty (Special Collector's Edition) [DVD](1954) DVD
The Oscar-winning progenitor of the airborne disaster film genre features a memorable turn by John Wayne as a veteran airline pilot unable to overcome surviving a crash which killed his wife and child. Serving as co-pilot to brash rival Robert Stack on a Honolulu-San Francisco passenger flight that sustains a midair emergency, Wayne must try to safely land the damaged plane before the fuel runs out. Among the passengers, whose personal crises are shown in flashbacks, are unhappily married couple Laraine Day and John Howard, playboy David Brian, mail-order bride Jan Sterling, and world-weary Claire Trevor; William Wellman directs. 148 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital stereo Surround; Surround; Subtitles: English; audio commentary; featurettes; theatrical trailers; premiere footage; photo gallery. Two-disc set.
1984 [DVD](1956) DVD
George Orwell's landmark novel is the basis of this eerie, darkly satiric tale whose futuristic world is divided into three sections following an atomic war. London, capital of the Oceania sector, is where Edmond O'Brien is a clerk for "Big Brother," the totalitarian government that keeps a close watch with all of its subjects. When O'Brien carries on a forbidden love affair with Jan Sterling, officials try to brainwash the couple into abandoning their free will. With Donald Pleasence, Michael Redgrave; directed by Michael Anderson ("Around the World in 80 Days"). 91 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
1984(1956) VHS
George Orwell's landmark novel is the basis of this eerie, darkly satiric tale whose futuristic world is divided into three sections following an atomic war. London, capital of the Oceania sector, is where Edmond O'Brien is a clerk for "Big Brother," the totalitarian government that keeps a close watch with all of its subjects. When O'Brien carries on a forbidden love affair with Jan Sterling, officials try to brainwash the couple into abandoning their free will. With Donald Pleasence, Michael Redgrave; directed by Michael Anderson ("Around the World in 80 Days"). 91 min.
High School Confidential! [DVD](1958) DVD
This teen exploitation classic stars Russ Tamblyn as an undercover cop posing as a student, out to uncover drug dealer "Mr. A." Sex kitten Mamie Van Doren and Jerry Lee Lewis are joined by Jackie Coogan and a young Michael Landon in a school that is a teacher's nightmare! Produced by B-movie mogul Albert Zugsmith. 85 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby mono.
The Angry Breed [VHS](1968) VHS
A Vietnam veteran has trouble selling a screenplay he wrote until he saves a Hollywood producer's daughter from a gang of murderous motorcyclists. The producer gets the vet an agent, but then decides to use the motorcycle gang's leader as the movie's lead. There's LSD, a bizarre Halloween party and Jan Murray, Melody Patterson, James MacArthur, Jan Sterling, William Windom and Murray McLeod. 89 min.
The Minx [DVD](1969) DVD
Sex, lies and corruption in the corporate world, as a group of executives try to blackmail the officers of another company with photos depicting their promiscuity. The wife of the mastermind of the blackmailing scheme hires a detective to find her hubby in uncompromising positions, too. With Jan Sterling, Robert Rodan and music by The Cyrkle.
The Minx [VHS](1969) VHS
Sex, lies and corruption in the corporate world, as a group of executives try to blackmail the officers of another company with photos depicting their promiscuity. The wife of the mastermind of the blackmailing scheme hires a detective to find her hubby in uncompromising positions, too. With Jan Sterling, Robert Rodan and music by The Cyrkle.
Little House On The Prairie: Journey In The Spring [DVD](1976) DVD
Pa brings his father, despondent after his wife's death, to live with the family in Walnut Grove, but when an accident leads to the mercy killing of Laura's beloved horse a guilt-stricken Grandfather Ingalls leaves town. Jan Sterling guest stars. 95 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English stereo; biographies.
Backstairs At The White House [DVD](1979) DVD
Life inside the White House--through five decades and eight presidential administrations--is seen through the eyes of seamstress Lillian Rogers Parks, her daughter, and other laborers who served First Families from Taft to Eisenhower. This award-winning miniseries, based partially on Parks' own memoirs, boasts an all-star cast, including Leslie Uggams, Olivia Cole, Louis Gossett, Jr., George Kennedy, Ed Flanders, Harry Morgan, Robert Vaughn, and Estelle Parsons. 7 1/3 hrs. total on four discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English; filmographies; photo gallery.
First Monday In October [DVD](1981) DVD
The appointment of the first woman to the U.S. Supreme Court is the basis for this comedy, released just before Sandra O'Connor earned the job in real life. Jill Clayburgh stars as the ultra-conservative justice who goes toe to toe with veteran liberal Walter Matthau, the only one of her new colleagues who opposes her assignment to the bench. Barnard Hughes, Jan Sterling co-star. 98 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English.
filmography
FILM
Dangerous Company (1982) with Beau Bridges and Ralph Macchio
First Monday in October (1981) with Walter Matthau and Jill Clayburgh
My Kidnapper, My Love (1980) with Mickey Rooney, Glynnis O'Connor, and James Stacy
Sammy Somebody (1976)
Having Babies (1976) with Desi Arnaz Jr., Adrienne Barbeau, Ronny Cox, Richard Masur, Greg Mullavy, Linda Purl, Karen Valentine, Abe Vigoda, and Jessica Walter
The Minx (1969)
The Angry Breed (1968) with James MacArthur, Melody Patterson, Suzie Kaye, William Windom, and Jan Murray
The Incident (1967) with Martin Sheen, Thelma Ritter, Beau Bridges, Ruby Dee, Mike Kellin, Ed McMahon, Gary Merrill, Donna Mills, Tony Musante, Brock Peters, and Diana Van der Vlis
Love in a Goldfish Bowl (1961) with Fabian and Denny Miller
High School Confidential! (1958) with Russ Tamblyn, Mamie Van Doren, John Drew Barrymore, Ray Anthony, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jackie Coogan, Lyle Talbot, William Wellman Jr., Michael Landon, Norman Grabowski, and William Smith
Kathy O' (1958) with Dan Duryea, Patty McCormack, and Mary Jane Croft
The Female Animal (1957) with George Nader, Hedy Lamarr, Jane Powell, Jerry Paris, Gregg Palmer, Mabel Albertson, Ann Doran, and Max Showalter
Slaughter on Tenth Avenue (1957) with Richard Egan, Julie Adams, Mickey Hargitay, Dan Duryea, Walter Matthau, and Charles McGraw
1984 (1956) with Edmund O'Brien, Michael Redgrave, and Donald Pleasence
The Harder They Fall (1956) with Humphrey Bogart and Rod Steiger
Man with the Gun (1955) with Robert Mitchum, Karen Sharpe, Henry Hull, John Lupton, and Barbara Lawrence
Female on the Beach (1955) with Joan Crawford, Jeff Chandler, and Charles Drake
Women's Prison (1955) with Cleo Moore, Ida Lupino, Audrey Totter, Phyllis Thaxter, Howard Duff, and Warren Stevens
Alaska Seas (1954) with Robert Ryan, Brian Keith, and Gene Barry
The Human Jungle (1954) with Gary Merrill, Paula Raymond, and Chuck Connors
Return From the Sea (1954) with Neville Brand, Lloyd Corrigan, Alvy Moore, and James Best
The High and the Mighty (1954) with John Wayne, Claire Trevor, Laraine Day, Robert Stack, Phil Harris, David Brian, Paul Kelly, Julie Bishop, John Howard, and William Campbell
Pony Express (1953) with Rhonda Fleming, Charlton Heston, and Forrest Tucker
The Vanquished (1953) with John Payne, Coleen Gray, and Lyle Bettger
Split Second (1953) with Keith Andes, Richard Egan, Stephen McNally, Alexis Smith, Arthur Hunnicutt, and Paul Kelly
Sky Full of Moon (1952) with Keenan Wynn, Carleton Carpenter, and Elaine Stewart
Flesh and Fury (1952) with Tony Curtis and Mona Freeman
Rhubarb (1951) with Ray Milland, Gene Lockhart, and William Frawley
Ace in the Hole (1951) with Kirk Douglas and Frank Cady
Appointment with Danger (1951) with Alan Ladd, Jack Webb, Phyllis Calvert, Stacy Harris, and Harry Morgan
The Mating Season (1951) with Gene Tierney, John Lund, Miriam Hopkins, Thelma Ritter, and Larry Keating
Caged (1950) with Agnes Moorehead, Eleanor Parker, Ellen Corby, Hope Emerson, Jane Darwell, and Sheila MacRae
The Skipper Surprised His Wife (1950) with Robert Walker, Joan Leslie, Edward Arnold, Spring Byington, and Leon Ames
Union Station (1950) with William Holden, Nancy Olsen, Barry Fitzgerald, Lyle Bettger, and Parley Baer
Mystery Street (1950) with Ricardo Montalban, Sally Forrest, Bruce Bennett, Elsa Lanchester, and Marshall Thompson
Johnny Belinda (1948) with Jane Wyman, Lew Ayres, Charles Bickford, Agnes Moorehead, and Stephen McNally
TELEVISION SERIES
Backstairs at the White House, 1979 TV miniseries. Sterling portrayed Lou Hoover
The Guiding Light, 1952-present daytime TV series. Sterling portrayed Mildred Foss from 1969-1970
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This page premiered March 19, 2002.
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