RAMBEAU, MARJORIE

(1889-1970)

Born in San Francisco, Marjorie Rambeau worked in stock companies there and in Los Angeles before scoring a Broadway hit in the title role ofSadie Love(1915). The following year, she consolidated her success as detective Nan Carey inMax Marcin's hitCheating Cheaters. Critics commented on Rambeau's beauty and strong stage presence, which served her well in her most critically acclaimed role, Gina Ashland in Marcin's comedy-dramaEyes of Youth(1917). She rejected the leading role inRain(1922), instead appearing in modest successes likeDaddy's Gone A-Hunting(1921),The Goldfish(1922),The Valley of Content(1925), andAntonia(1925), and failures includingThe Road Together(1924),The Night Duel(1926), and her 1923 performance as Rosalind inAs You Like it. When her looks faded, Rambeau became a successfulcharacter actressin motion pictures, often playing hard-boiled old women.