Inez Courtney (March 12, 1908 – April 5, 1975) was an American actress on the Broadway stage and in films. Born in New York City, New York, she came from a large Irish-American family. Her father died when she was fifteen so she decided to go onto the stage. A year later she was doing a specialty dance which earned her the nicknames of St Vitis, Mosquito and Lightning.Courtney's first role as a singer and dancer came in the musical The Wild Rose in 1926. She became well-known among New York theatrical audiences for her work in Good News (1927), a musical comedy about college life. Her other credits include Spring Is Here in 1929 and America's Sweetheart in 1931. In the early 1930s, Miss Courtney left Broadway and went to Hollywood. Courtney acted in 58 films between 1930 and 1940. She secured her first movie work by asking Harry Cohn of Columbia Pictures for his assistance. The red-headed comedienne made her screen debut as Cousin Betty in Loose Ankles (1930). The film co-starred Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. and Loretta Young. Her many movie credits include The Raven (1935), Suzy (1936), The Shop Around the Corner (1940), and Turnabout (1940), her last film.Courtney was married to an Italian nobleman, whereby she acquired the title Marchessa, but did not use it. She died at the Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, New Jersey in 1975 of undisclosed causes at the age of 67.
March 12, 1908, New York City, New York, United States
Died
April 5, 1975, Neptune City, New Jersey, United States
Place Of Birth
New York City, New York, USA
Profession
Actress, Soundtrack
Spouse
Howard S. Paschal (m. 1931–1933), Luigi Filiesi
Star Sign
Pisces
#
Fact
1
After leaving school while young she became a milliner.
2
Retired in 1940.
3
Was married to an Italian nobleman and could have used the title Marchessa, but didn't.
4
Kicky, flashy Irish redhead and comedienne with vaudeville experience who first co-starred in Broadway musical comedies ("Good News") before turning to motion picture acting and playing amusing and tuneful supporting roles.
5
Second lead actress who often provided comedy relief in her 1930s and 1940s films.
Actress
Title
Year
Status
Character
Broadway Bill
1934
Nurse Mae (uncredited)
Jealousy
1934
Penny
The Captain Hates the Sea
1934
Flo
It's the Cats
1934
Short
May
Hollywood Here We Come
1934
Short
I Love That Man
1933
Public Stenographer (scenes deleted)
Hold Your Man
1933
Maizie
Cheating Blondes
1933
Polly
The World Gone Mad
1933
Susan Bibens - Telephone Operator (uncredited)
Big City Blues
1932
Faun
The Hot Heiress
1931
Margie
Sunny
1930
'Weenie'
Bright Lights
1930
Peggy North
Not Damaged
1930
Maude Graham
The Song of the Flame
1930
Grusha
Spring Is Here
1930
Mary Jane Braley
Loose Ankles
1930
Betty
Turnabout
1940
Miss Edwards
The Farmer's Daughter
1940
Emily French
The Shop Around the Corner
1940
Ilona
Missing Evidence
1939
Nellie Conrad
When Tomorrow Comes
1939
Waitress (uncredited)
Blondie Meets the Boss
1939
Betty Lou Wood
Beauty for the Asking
1939
Gwen Morrison
Five of a Kind
1938
Libby Long
Letter of Introduction
1938
Woman at Barry's Party (uncredited)
Crime Ring
1938
Kitty
Having Wonderful Time
1938
Emma
The Hurricane
1937
Girl on Ship (uncredited)
Partners in Crime
1937
Lillian Tate
The 13th Man
1937
Julie Walters
Armored Car
1937
Blind Date
The Hit Parade
1937
Tillie
Some Time Soon
1937
Short
Patsy
Clarence
1937
Della
Time Out for Romance
1937
Mabel
Wedding Present
1936
Mary Lawson
Two in a Crowd
1936
Mrs. Flynn (uncredited)
It Couldn't Have Happened (But It Did)
1936
Linda Sands
Suzy
1936
Maisie
Three Cheers for Love
1936
Dorothy
Let's Sing Again
1936
Marge Wilkins
Brilliant Marriage
1936
Sally Patrick
The Reckless Way
1936
Laura Jones
Magnificent Obsession
1935
Nurse May (uncredited)
Millions in the Air
1935
Miss Waterbury
Another Face
1935
Mamie - Joe's Secretary (uncredited)
Ship Cafe
1935
Molly
The Girl Friend
1935
Hilda
The Affair of Susan
1935
Mrs. Barnes
The Raven
1935
Mary Burns
Dizzy Dames
1935
Arlette
Break of Hearts
1935
Miss Wilson
Air Hawks
1935
Second Nurse (uncredited)
Men of the Hour
1935
Miss Allison (uncredited)
Carnival
1935
Girl (uncredited)
I'm a Father
1935
Short
Secretary
Sweepstake Annie
1935
Marge
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Suzy
1936
performer: "Under the Bamboo Tree" 1902 - uncredited
Dizzy Dames
1935
performer: "Let's Be Frivolous"
The Hot Heiress
1931
"Like Ordinary People Do", uncredited
Bright Lights
1930
performer: "Hey! Hey! He's Not So Dumb" - uncredited
The Song of the Flame
1930
performer: "The Goose Hangs High"
Spring Is Here
1930
performer: "Spring Is Here" 1929, "Bad Baby" 1929, "What's the Big Idea?" 1929 - uncredited
Loose Ankles
1930
"The Wedding March" 1843, uncredited / performer: "Loose Ankles" 1930