Image of Frances Dade

Frances Dade

From Wikipedia Frances Dade, also known early in her career as Lorelei Lee, (February 14, 1910 – January 21, 1968) was an American film actress of the late 1920s and 1930s. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dade moved to Hollywood, California in the late 1920s to pursue an acting career. She first caught the attention of Samuel Goldwyn as a member of the touring company of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. He gave her a contract though she later went free lance. Her first film role was in 1928, when she had an uncredited role alongside stars Dorothy Boyd and Mabel Poulton in The Constant Nymph. In 1930 she appeared in four films, including Grumpy. In 1931 Dade was cast in the biggest role of her career, Lucy Weston in Dracula, which starred Bela Lugosi and Helen Chandler. The scene with Bela Lugosi hovering over her prostrate body remains an indelible part of pop culture. That role would catapult her to brief notoriety, and would result in her being selected one of thirteen WAMPAS Baby Stars, including Marian Marsh, Karen Morley, and Marion Shilling, that same year. Despite her performance in Dracula, Dade's film role offers dwindled. She starred in six films in 1931, three of which were horror films. In 1932, she was featured in only one film, Big Town, and she appeared on Broadway in the play Collision. Shortly thereafter, she retired from acting and married wealthy socialite Brock Van Avery. She eventually moved back home to Philadelphia, and went into nursing. She died there in 1968 at the age of 57. She was grandniece to Confederate General John Clifford Pemberton and first cousin to athlete Hobey Baker.


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Born:
Feb 14, 1910
Movie/TV Credits:
11
First Appeared:
In the movie He Knew Women 1930-04-21
Latest Project:
Movie Big Town 1932-12-19
Known For
Poster of Big Town
Poster of Range Law
Poster of Pleasure
Poster of He Knew Women
Filmography
Movie Big Town Patricia Holman 1932-12-19
Movie Scandal for Sale 1932-04-01
Movie Pleasure Joan Channing 1931-09-01
Movie Dracula Lucy Weston 1931-02-12
Movie Seed Nancy 1931-05-14
Movie Daughter of the Dragon Joan Marshall 1931-09-24
Movie Range Law Ruth Warren 1931-10-10
Movie He Knew Women Monica Grey 1930-04-21
Movie Raffles Ethel Crowley 1930-07-11
Movie The Devil to Pay! Bidder for Bed (uncredited) 1930-12-18
Movie Grumpy Virginia Bullivant 1930-08-01