Virginia Field (1917-1992)

biography

Born Margaret Field in London on November 4, 1917, actress Virginia Field was the daughter of a judge and was educated in Paris and Vienna. She returned to England in the early 1930s to embark on a stage career, and after a couple of appearances in British films and a move to New York, she was signed to a film contract by 20th Century Fox in 1936. She was loaned out to David Selznick for her first Hollwood film appearance in the drama Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936; with Freddie Bartholomew and Mickey Rooney). Afterward, Fox often cast Field in programmers, including Think Fast, Mr. Moto (1937; with Peter Lorre), Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo (1937; with Warner Oland), and Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation (1939; with Peter Lorre and Lionel Atwill). Field left Fox in 1941 and freelanced for awhile, until her first marriage in April 1942 radio announcer-turned-actor Paul Douglas. The couple welcomed a daughter, Margaret, in 1945 but divorced a year later. During her marriage to Douglas, Field made no films but acted in Broadway plays, including The Doughgirls. After her divorce, she returned to films and married composer Howard Grode, but that union ended in 1948. In October 1951, Field married again, this time to actor Willard Parker. The two would remain together for the rest of her life.

the films of virginia field

Thank You, Jeeves! (1936)

Eternally Yours (1939)

The Cisco Kid and the Lady (1939)

Mr. Moto's Last Warning (1939)

Christmas Eve (1947)

Dial 1119 (1950)

The Lady Pays Off (1951)

Week-End With Father (1951)

The Veils of Bagdad (1953)

Rockabilly Baby (1957)

The Explosive Generation (1961)

The Earth Dies Screaming (1964)

later years

In the early 1950s, film roles began drying up for Virginia Field, so she turned to the new medium of television, where she found many roles on such television shows as Perry Mason, Adventures in Paradise, and The Rebel. But with the exception of a 1975 Adam 12 episode, Virginia Field retired from acting in 1967, at the age of 50. Sadly, Field died of cancer on January 2, 1992, at the age of 74. She was survived by her husband, Willard Parker (1912-1996), and a daughter, Margaret.

virginia field films available from movies unlimited

Thank You, Jeeves! (1936)/Step Lively, Jeeves! [DVD](1937) DVD
Adapted from the works of P.G. Wodehouse, this collection of comedy classics chronicles the adventures of manservant Jeeves. First, in "Thank You, Jeeves!," the valiant valet (Arthur Treacher) gets mixed up with enemy spies who are out to steal aeronautical secrets and, joined by his bumbling master, Bertie Wooster (David Niven), tries to stop their dastardly plans. Virginia Field co-stars. Next, in "Step Lively, Jeeves!," Treacher is duped into thinking that he has inherited Sir Francis Drake's fortune. After traveling to America to claim his legacy, he learns of the scam and decides to turn the tables on the crooks. With Patricia Ellis, Robert Kent. 126 min. total. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; featurettes.
Little Lord Fauntleroy [DVD](1936) DVD
Frances Hodgson Burnett's famous story of a New York street urchin who finds out he is the heir to a fortune and a British title, and must travel to Victorian England to claim them. Freddie Bartholomew, Mickey Rooney, and Guy Kibbee star in this family favorite. 100 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Charlie Chan At Monte Carlo [DVD](1937) DVD
In his last turn as Charlie Chan, Warner Oland stars in this fast-paced mystery as the Asian sleuth finds his vacation cut short thanks to the death of a casino worker and $1,000,000 in missing cash. Chan and his Number One Son (Keye Luke) investigate, uncovering a sinister blackmail scheme and yet another murder. Virginia Field, Sidney Blackmer, Harold Huber also star. 72 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; featurette; photo gallery; more. Also includes the bonus feature "Behind That Curtain" (1929).
Charlie Chan, Vol. 3 [DVD] DVD
Five Charlie Chan classics are included in this collection. First, in "Behind That Curtain" (1929), Chan's investigation of a private dick's murder gets him involved in a romantic mystery that spans from India to San Francisco. E.L. Park, Warner Baxter, Lois Moran star. Next, "The Black Camel" (1931) has Chan trying to find out who killed a beautiful starlet and uncover if the crime is related to another slaying three years earlier. Warner Oland, Bela Lugosi and Robert Young star. Then, "Charlie Chan's Secret" (1936) concerns the killing of a young heir, and his attempts to prevent any additional deaths from happening. With Oland, Rosina Lawrence, Charles Quigley. In "Charlie Chan on Broadway" (1937), our hero races to locate the gangsters who gave a nightclub singer her final bow. Features Oland, Keye Luke, Joan Marsh. Finally, in "Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo" (1937), the detective's vacation is cut short by the deaths of a casino worker and a former gangster. With Oland, Luke and Virginia Field. 4 3/4 hrs. total on four discs. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; audio commentary; featurettes; photo gallery; lost Chan film re-creation.
The Mr. Moto Collection, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
John P. Marquand's Asian detective tackles some of his toughest cases in a four-disc collection starring Peter Lorre in the title role. A freighter bound for Shanghai from San Francisco is the setting for a mystery involving a shadowy woman, an important letter, and a murder in the series's first entry, "Think Fast, Mr. Moto" (1937). Virginia Field co-stars. The mannerly Moto tries to stop unscrupulous treasure hunters from acquiring seven scrolls that form a map leading to the tomb of Genghis Khan, in "Thank You, Mr. Moto" (1937), with Pauline Frederick, Thomas Peck. Next, "Mr. Moto Takes a Chance" (1938) in the jungles of Indochina, where he joins a beautiful American pilot (Rochelle Hudson) in an effort to foil a rebellion staged by an evil high priest. And while on assignment for Scotland Yard, the "Mysterious Mr. Moto" (1938) goes undercover in Devil's Island prison to infiltrate a band of international assassins. Mary Maguire, Henry Wilcoxon co-star. 4 1/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; interview; featurettes; theatrical trailers.
Eternally Yours [DVD](1939) DVD
Lovely Loretta Young discovers that being a magician's wife can be tricky. She's jealous of hubby David Niven's professional status, and believes that he had more than rabbits in his hat. Directed by Tay Garnett; with Broderick Crawford, ZaSu Pitts. 91 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Mr. Moto's Last Warning [DVD](1939) DVD
It's a warning the folks running the Suez Canal should heed, because wily detective Mr. Moto (Peter Lorre) has uncovered a plot to blow up the waterway and start an international incident. With George Sanders, Virginia Field, John Carradine. 71 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English mono. Plays All Regions.
The Mr. Moto Collection, Vol. 2 [DVD] DVD
Peter Lorre returns as the self-effacing Japanese sleuth in this four-disc collection of mysteries. Originally intended as a Charlie Chan adventure, "Mr. Moto's Gamble" (1938) finds the detective trying to find out who poisoned a boxer. Keye Luke co-stars as Lee Chan. In "Mr. Moto in Danger Island" (1939), he's sent by the U.S. government to Puerto Rico to bust up some diamond smugglers who've already killed one investigator. "Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation" (1939) but must go to work anyway, guarding the recently discovered crown of the Queen of Sheba from a group of criminals out to steal it. Lionel Atwill also stars. Finally, in "Mr. Moto's Last Warning" (1939), he must foil a plot to sabotage the French fleet as it passes through the Suez Canal. With John Carradine. 4 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, Spanish; audio commentary; featurettes. Also includes the 1965 feature "The Return of Mr. Moto," with Henry Silva in the title role.
Dance, Girl, Dance [DVD](1940) DVD
Would-be ballerina Maureen O'Hara takes her high-brow dance routines to a low-brow burlesque house, where she competes with stripper Lucille Ball for the affections of playboy Louis Hayward. Offbeat musical tale, helmed by Dorothy Arzner, also stars Ralph Bellamy, Maria Ouspenskaya. 89 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French; bonus shorts "Just a Cute Kid" (1940), "Malibu Beach Party" (1940).
Lucille Ball Film Collection [DVD] DVD
Would-be ballerina Maureen O'Hara takes her high-brow dance routines to a low-brow burlesque house, where she competes with stripper Lucille Ball for the affections of playboy Louis Hayward, in "Dance, Girl, Dance" (1940). A shy busboy (Henry Fonda) devotes himself to a disinterested nightclub singer (Ball) who only dates wealthy men. When Ball is injured by a gangster, she's deserted by all of her friends and finds Fonda is the only person willing to take care of her, in "The Big Street" (1942). There's fun and frolicking in "Du Barry Was a Lady" (1943), with Red Skelton as a hat check man who gets knocked on the head and wakes up in 17th-century France where he, as King Louis XV, courts Madame DuBarry (Ball), who looks remarkably like the nightclub star he loves back home. Gene Kelly co-stars. And, "Critic's Choice" (1963) is a spirited theatrical farce featuring Bob Hope as a drama critic who faces a professional crisis when his wife (Ball) writes a play and he must decide whether or not to review it. Based on the play by Ira Levin. Five-disc set also includes "Mame." 8 1/2 hrs. total. Standard/Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French.
John Loves Mary [DVD](1949) DVD
Based on Norman Krasna's popular Broadway play, this spry romantic comedy stars Ronald Reagan as a returning G.I. who agrees to help buddy Jack Carson, who saved his life during the war, by marrying Carson's English girlfriend so she can join Reagan on the trip to America. Things get complicated when it's learned that Carson is already married...news that doesn't sit well with Reagan's girlfriend, Patricia Neal. With Edward Arnold, Virginia Field. 96 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
A Connecticut Yankee In King Arthur's Court (1949)/The Emperor Waltz [DVD](1948) DVD
Bing Crosby stars in this fanciful musical version of Mark Twain's immortal classic, as a blacksmith is thrown back in time to 6th-century Camelot. He's immediately pegged a wizard by Merlin and forced to joust Sir Lancelot for the hand of King Arthur's niece (Rhonda Fleming). Co-stars Sir Cedric Hardwicke and William Bendix. Songs include "If You Stub Your Toe on the Moon," "When Is Sometime?," more. Next up is fluffy entertainment from writer-director Billy Wilder, featuring Crosby as a phonograph salesman in Austria who tries to pitch his product to the country's ruler while attempting to woo the emperor's niece (Joan Fontaine). Tunes include "I Kiss Your Hand, Madame," "Friendly Mountains" and the title song. 214 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: Spanish, French.
Film Noir Classic Collection, Vol. 5 [DVD] DVD
"Cornered" (1945) finds Dick Powell in Buenos Aires chasing Nazi collaborators. With Walter Slezak, Nina Vale. "Deadline at Dawn" (1946) follows a sailor out to clear his name after a girl is killed. With Susan Hayward, Paul Lukas. A "Desperate" (1947) trucker gets mixed up in murder. Steve Brodie, Audrey Long star. A master criminal (William Talman) pulls off an "Armored Car Robbery" (1950) at Los Angeles' Wrigley Field. Charles McGraw, Adele Jergens co-star. Wounded vet Gordon MacRae hunts for a friend with his nurse in tow, but will the search "Backfire" (1950)? With Virginia Mayo, Ed Begley. "Dial 1119" (1950) to get the story of a killer who takes a bar full of patrons hostage. Marshall Thompson, Virginia Field star. "The Phenix City" (1955) is one of violence as an Alabama lawyer (John McIntire) aims to get his dad elected to office. With Richard Kiley, Kathryn Grant. Director Don Siegel chronicles "Crime in the Streets" (1956) as a social worker tries to deal with a teen gang. James Whitmore, John Cassavetes star. 11 1/3 hrs. total on four discs. Standard/Widescreen (Enhanced) Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French, Spanish; theatrical trailers.
The Explosive Generation [DVD](1961) DVD
Thoughtful drama concerns a teacher who asks his high school students to write their questions about sex for him to cover in the next class. When parents and members of the school board find out about his plans to teach sex education, he is suspended-and his pupils rally to his defense. William Shatner, Patty McCormack, Beau Bridges star. 89 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.

virginia field photos and posters available

filmography

FILM
The Earth Dies Screaming (1964) with Willard Parker and Dennis Price
The Explosive Generation (1961) with William Shatner, Patty McCormack, Lee Kinsolving, Billy Gray, Phillip Terry, Edward Platt, Jocelyn Brando, and Beau Bridges
Rockabilly Baby (1957) with Irene Ryan and Ellen Corby
Appointment with a Shadow (1957) with George Nader, Joanna Moore, and Brian Keith
The Veils of Bagdad (1953) with Victor Mature, Mari Blanchard, Guy Rolfe, James Arness, Gregg Palmer, Leon Askin, and Glenn Strange
Week-End with Father (1951) with Van Heflin, Patricia Neal, Gigi Perreau, and Richard Denning
The Lady Pays Off (1951) with Linda Darnell, Stephen McNally, and Gigi Perreau
Dial 1119 (1950) with Marshall Thompson, Andrea King, Sam Levene, Keefe Brasselle, and William Conrad
A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court (1949) with Bing Crosby, Rhonda Fleming, Cedric Hardwicke, and William Bendix
John Loves Mary (1949) with Ronald Reagan, Jack Carson, Wayne Morris, Edward Arnold, and Patricia Neal
Dream Girl (1948) with Betty Hutton, Macdonald Carey, and Patric Knowles
Christmas Eve (1947) with George Raft, George Brent, Randolph Scott, Joan Blondell, Ann Harding, Reginald Denny, Douglass Dumbrille, and Molly Lamont
Repeat Performance (1947) with Louis Hayward, Joan Leslie, Tom Conway, Richard Basehart, and Natalie Schafer
The Imperfect Lady (1947) with Ray Milland, Teresa Wright, Cedric Hardwicke, Anthony Quinn, Melville Cooper, and George Zucco
The Perfect Marriage (1947) with Loretta Young, David Niven, Eddie Albert, Charles Ruggles, and Zasu Pitts
Ladies' Man (1947) with Eddie Bracken, Cass Daley, and Spike Jones
The Crystal Ball (1943) with Ray Milland, Paulette Goddard, Cecil Kellaway, and William Bendix
Atlantic Convoy (1942) with Bruce Bennett, John Beal, Larry Parks, and Lloyd Bridges
Singapore Woman (1941) with Brenda Marshall, David Bruce, and Jerome Cowan
Knockout (1941) with Arthur Kennedy, Anthony Quinn, and Cornel Wilde
Hudson's Bay (1941) with Paul Muni, Gene Tierney, Laird Cregar, and Vincent Price
Dance, Girl, Dance (1940) with Maureen O'Hara, Louis Hayward, Lucille Ball, Ralph Bellamy, and Maria Ouspenskaya
Waterloo Bridge (1940) with Vivien Leigh, Robert Taylor, Maria Ouspenskaya, Janet Waldo, and Virginia Carroll
The Cisco Kid and the Lady (1939) with Cesar Romero, Marjorie Weaver, George Montgomery, and Ward Bond
Eternally Yours (1939) with Loretta Young, David Niven, Hugh Herbert, Billie Burke, Zasu Pitts, Broderick Crawford, and Eve Arden
Mr. Moto Takes a Vacation (1939) with Peter Lorre, Lionel Atwill, and John 'Dusty' King
The Sun Never Sets (1939) with Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Basil Rathbone, Lionel Atwill, and Melville Cooper
Captain Fury (1939) with Brian Aherne, Victor McLaglen, John Carradine, George Zucco, Douglass Dumbrille, and Charles Middleton
Bridal Suite (1939) with Annabella, Robert Young, Reginald Owen, Gene Lockhart, Arthur Treacher, and Billie Burke
Mr. Moto's Last Warning (1939) with Peter Lorre, Ricardo Cortez, John Carradine, and George Sanders
Charlie Chan at Monte Carlo (1937) with Warner Oland and Keye Luke
Ali Baba Goes to Town (1937) with Eddie Cantor, Tony Martin, Roland Young, Gypsy Rose Lee, John Carradine, and Douglass Dumbrille
Lancer Spy (1937) with Dolores del Rio, George Sanders, Peter Lorre, and Lionel Atwill
London by Night (1937) with George Murphy, Rita Johnson, Leo G. Carroll, and George Zucco
Think Fast, Mr. Moto (1937) with Peter Lorre and J. Carrol Naish
Career Woman (1936) with Claire Trevor, Michael Whalen, Isabel Jewell, Gene Lockhart, Guinn 'Big Boy' Williams, Sterling Holloway, and Charles Middleton
Lloyd's of London (1936) with Freddie Bartholomew, Madeleine Carroll, Tyrone Power, and George Sanders
Ladies in Love (1936) with Janet Gaynor, Loretta Young, Constance Bennett, Simone Simon, Don Ameche, Tyrone Power, and Alan Mowbray
Thank You, Jeeves! (1936) with Arthur Treacher and David Niven
Little Lord Fauntleroy (1936) with Freddie Bartholomew, Dolores Costello, and Mickey Rooney
The Lady Is Willing (1934) with Leslie Howard, Cedric Hardwicke, Binnie Barnes, and George Zucco
The Primrose Path (1934)

TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
Adam-12, episode Something Worth Dying For: Part 2, originally aired May 20, 1975
Felony Squad, episode The Desperate Silence, originally aired February 13, 1967
T.H.E. Cat, episode Curtains for Miss Winslow, originally aired December 2, 1966
Iron Horse, episode No Wedding Bells for Tony, originally aired November 6, 1966
Perry Mason, episode The Case of the Tsarina's Tiara, originally aired March 20, 1966
Perry Mason, episode The Case of the Simple Simon, originally aired April 2, 1964
Perry Mason, episode The Case of the Polka Dot Pony, originally aired December 20, 1962
Adventures in Paradise, episode Policeman's Holiday, originally aired January 28, 1962
The New Breed, episode I Remember Murder, originally aired December 26, 1961
Tales of Wells Fargo, episode Kelly's Clover Girls, originally aired December 9, 1961
Perry Mason, episode The Case of the Meddling Medium, originally aired October 21, 1961
The Rebel, episode The Actress, originally aired February 5, 1961
Perry Mason, episode The Case of the Provocative Protege, originally aired November 12, 1960
The Comedy Spot, episode Meet the Girls, originally aired August 30, 1960
Johnny Midnight, episode Beyond Infamy, originally aired January 1, 1960
Alcoa Theatre, episode Girls About Town, originally aired November 2, 1959
The Millionaire, episode Millionaire Bill Franklin, originally aired May 13, 1959
Man with a Camera, episode The Last Portrait, originally aired January 2, 1959
Perry Mason, episode The Case of the Prodigal Parent, originally aired June 7, 1958
Schlitz Playhouse, episode A Light in the Desert, originally aired December 21, 1956
Screen Directors Playhouse, episode White Corridors, originally aired July 11, 1956
The 20th Century-Fox Hour, episode The Empty Room, originally aired May 30, 1956
The Ford Television Theatre, episode Autumn Fever, originally aired April 5, 1956
Chevron Hall of Stars, episode Happy New Year, originally aired January 1, 1956
The Ford Television Theatre, episode A Kiss for Santa, originally aired December 22, 1955
Damon Runyon Theater, episode A Star Lights Up, originally aired November 5, 1955
The Ford Television Theatre, episode The Mumbys, originally aired June 23, 1955
The Whistler, episode The First Year, originally aired May 8, 1955
Fireside Theatre, episode No Time for Susan, originally aired March 15, 1955
The Whistler, episode Stranger in the House, originally aired March 2, 1955
G.E. True Theater, episode The Bachelor's Bride, originally aired February 20, 1955
The Ford Television Theatre, episode Slide, Darling, Slide, originally aired December 23, 1954
Fireside Theatre, episode Three Missions West, originally aired November 30, 1954
Fireside Theatre, episode Second Elopement, originally aired September 21, 1954
The Ford Television Theatre, episode Kiss and Forget, originally aired December 3, 1953
The Revlon Mirror Theater, episode Award Performance, originally aired November 7, 1953
Hollywood Opening Night, episode False Witness, originally aired February 9, 1953
The Ford Television Theatre, episode So Many Things Happen, originally aired December 18, 1952
Schlitz Playhouse, episode Mr. and Mrs. Trubble, originally aired August 22, 1952

virginia field film now showing

Watch Virginia Field in the 1939 mystery Mr. Moto's Last Warning