Mary Kathleen O'Malley (March 31, 1924 – February 25, 2019) was an American film and television actress, who was the daughter of vaudevillian and actor Pat O'Malley. Her screen debut came during the silent film era as a thirteen month old baby in 1926, when she appeared alongside her father and her sister Sheila in the western My Old Dutch.
O'Malley went on to appear in several films and television shows during a seven decade career, including Cover Girl, Lady on a Train, Two Tickets to Broadway, Gunsmoke, Maverick, Rawhide, Leave it to Beaver and General Hospital. O'Malley also appeared in the second season of Barnaby Jones; episode titled, "Blind Terror" (09/16/1973). Her last acting credit came in 1998 when she appeared in the short-lived American crime drama Buddy Faro.
Early life O'Malley was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, to vaudevillian, stage and film actor Pat O'Malley. She made her screen debut at age 13 months in the film My Old Dutch, starring her father and including her older sister Sheila. It was released the following year in 1926. All three sisters (Eileen, Sheila & Kathleen) worked in show business as children.
Career 1940s In 1943, she played the part of a college girl in the Vincent Sherman-directed film Old Acquaintance which starred Bette Davis, Miriam Hopkins and Gig Young.Turner Classic Movies. Old Acquaintance, Overview, Cast & Crew The following year she was in the Charles Vidor directed Cover Girl, a film about a night club owner who was in love with a dancing girl who has other ambitions. In it she played the cigarette girl. The main stars of the film were Rita Hayworth and Gene Kelly.Hollywood's Miracles of Entertainment By John Howard Reid Pages 60–61 Cover Girl In November 1944, she appeared in the November 23 issue of the Sarasota Herald Tribune, pictured with a small caption "The Most Delightful Target for Our Bomb Sights." She was chosen by bombardiers of the US Army Air Forces.Sarasota Herald-Tribune November 23, 1944 Page 2 Teasing Target In 1947 she played the part of Dolly in the Alexander Hall-directed musical fantasy Down to Earth, which again starred Hayworth and Roland Culver.Columbia Pictures Horror, Science Fiction and Fantasy Films, 1928–1982 Page 63 Down to Earth, Cast: In 1949 she played the part of Nita in Ladies of the Chorus which starred Marilyn Monroe, Adele Jergens and Rand Brooks.Turner Classic Movies. Ladies of the Chorus, Cast & Crew
1950s O'Malley had a prominent role in John Ford's 1950 film, Wagon Master. She played the part of pretty Mormon girl Prudence Perkins.Western Film Highlights: The Best of the West, 1914–2001 By Henryk Hoffmann Page 161 90. Wagon MasterMusic in the Western: Notes From the Frontier – By Kathryn Kalinak Page 44 Her character Prudence creates an issue due to presumably marrying Sandy instead of young Mormon man Jackson.The great book of movie villains: a guide to the screen's meanies, tough guys, and bullies – Jan Stacy, Ryder Syvertsen Page 54The Western Reader – Jim Kitses, Gregg Rickman Page 99 Prudence is also the probable cause of a fight between the two men who are both pursuing her.Three Bad Men: John Ford, John Wayne, Ward Bond By Scott Allen Nollen Page 206 In 1952, she appeared as Mrs. Norton, a pilot's wife in the Tay Garnett Korean war film One Minute to Zero which starred Robert Mitchum and Ann Blyth.Turner Classic Movies One Minute to Zero, Overview, Cast & Crew
Death O'Malley died of Alzheimer's disease on February 25, 2019, at age 94.SAG-AFTRA-Spring Edition 2019, In Memoriam
Personal life O'Malley was married to James Maloney who was also her agent.Page 6 Part 2 SNAPS , Milwaukee Sentinel March 6, 1958. The couple had two children: Sean (b. 1958) and Darren (b. 1960). Maloney died on March 23, 1994.
Selected filmography Early years + Film Year Title Role Notes 1926 My Old Dutch Herbert Brown, infant 1943 Old Acquaintance College girl 1944 Cover Girl Cigarette GirlHollywood's Miracles of Entertainment – John Howard Reid Page 60 Cover Girl 1945 Salome Where She Danced Salome girl 1945 Sudan Handmaiden / Girl 1945 Lady on a Train Photographer 1945 This Love of Ours Chorus Girl 1946 Gallant Journey Mary 1946 Devotion Girl1946Night in ParadisePalace maiden 1947 Down to Earth Dolly 1948 A-Hunting They Did Go Girl 1949 French Fried Frolic Mabel Brown 1950 Watch the Birdie Woman Who Undresses 1950 Wagon MasterPrudence Perkins 1950 Shadow on the Wall Telephone Operator 1950 Hugs and Mugs Ella The Three Stooges series 1951 Two Tickets to Broadway Showgirl 1952 The Merry WidowGirl at Maxim's 1952Eight Iron MenGirl in Daydream 1952 Affair in TrinidadStewardess 1953 Confidentially Connie Nurse 1954 Brigadoon Girl with Milk Pails 1954 Naked Alibi Jean Jenkins 1955 Mister Roberts Nurse
+ Television Year Title Role Notes1963 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Valerie Anderson Season 1 Episode 15: "The Thirty-First of February"1964 The Munsters The Wife Episode "Tin-Can Man" (Nov 1964)
1970s-1990s + Film Year Title Role Notes 1970 Airport Mrs. Chuck Beale – Passenger Uncredited 1971 Dirty Harry Lady in Jaffe's cafe Uncredited 1971 Minnie and Moskowitz Uncredited 1973 Charley Varrick Jessie 1976 Amelia Earhart Mrs Gallagher 2 part television series 1976 The Shootist School Teacher 1977 The Hunted Lady Nurse TV movie 1977 Telefon Mrs. Maloney TV Guide Telefon, 1977 | Movie, Cast 1978 The Toolbox Murders Screamer Woman 1979 Marciano Supervisor TV movie 1981 Isabel's Choice Housekeeper TV movie 1982 Jinxed! Mother 1996 Black Sheep Mrs Oneacre
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