Mary Finney (born Mary Whaley; September 30, 1906"Four Girls and Three Boys". Spokane Chronicle. October 1, 1906. p. 8. See also: "Washington Birth Records, 1869-1950", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q237-WXGG : Tue Oct 08 21:44:53 UTC 2024), Entry for Finney and Frank Finney, 30 Sep 1906. "United States Census, 1930", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCQ4-3FB : Fri Mar 08 20:38:34 UTC 2024), Entry for James Whaley and Mary Whaley, 1930. – February 26, 1973) was an American comic character actress of stage and television. She co-starred on Celeste Holm's short-lived sitcom Honestly, Celeste!."In Review: 'Honestly, Celeste!'". Broadcasting-Telecasting. October 18, 1954. p. 14."Now Celeste Is a News Gal". The Newark Star-Ledger. October 10, 1054. p. T-2.Crosby, John (October 22, 1954). "TV Notes: New Situation Comedy". The Waterloo Courier. p. 22.
Early life and career Finney, born Mary Whaley in Spokane, Washington, was the second child born to burlesque performers Mary Hindman and James Whaley, alias Frank Finney."Frank N. Finney Dies Suddenly; Well Known Irish Comedian Dies at His Home". The Spokesman-Review. November 7, 1937. pp. 1, 6. "A man who made hundreds of vaudeville audiences roar with laughter at his Irish dialect, Frank N. Finney, 63, died unexpectedly yesterday afternoon in a Spokane hospital, where he had been taken during the noon hour. Only a few close friends knew that his real name was James Whaley. [...] A daughter, Mary, followed him in theatre work and had several Broadway engagements. She also worked with little theater groups in Spokane. She had been in California recently in radio work." (The first, James Mathew Whaley—a.k.a. James Finney—had died five months after his first birthday on December 1, 1905."Brevities". The Spokane Press. July 5, 1904. p. 4."James Finney". The Spokesman-Review. December 2, 1905. p. 2."James M. Whaley". Spokane Chronicle. December 2, 1905. p. 2.) She attended North Central High School, class of 1924"Attractive Maids Who Complete Studies at North Central With Mid-Year Class". Spokane Chronicle. Jan 4, 1924. p. 10. (where she contributed a regular column to the school's award-winning newspaperHuff, Bessie M. (1924). How to Publish a School Paper combined with A Laboratory Manual for Journalism in High Schools. New York: Mentzer, Bush and Company. p. 19. .), and then the University of Oregon,"Mary Finney Shares Top Honors in Broadway Play". The Spokesman-Review. March 18, 1956. pt. III, p. 22. majoring in journalism."Shower Is Given for Bride-Elect; Miss Ruth V. Martin Is Honored—Mrs. J.D. Meikle to Join Daughter in East. To Join School Staff; Miss Dorothy Atkinson to Teach in Seminary—Miss Finney to Attend University". The Spokesman-Review. September 14, 1924. p. 7.
On March 31, 1924, as reported by both The Spokane Press and Spokesman-Review the following day, Finney, then 17 and a senior at North Central High, made her professional debut with her father's company, the Laughlanders. Marye Finney [sic], daughter of Frank Finney, was introduced to the dramatic world by her father Monday night at the Auditorium in the Laughlanders' show, 'A Trip to Hollywood.' Finney's daughter stopped the show when she sang 'I'm Not That Kind of a Girl.'"Marye Finney Is Introduced" [sic]. The Spokane Press. April 1, 1924. p. 2. Flowers were rushed over the footlights and Marye now ranks as assistant comedian of the 'Laughlanders.' [...] Finney possesses the something that makes a comedienne and she won't have to hold her place on the stage in reflected glory. Her poise and savoir faire suggest a stage training and not a first night."Frank Finney's Daughter Wins; Makes Successful Debut at Laughlanders' Latest Travesty at Auditorium; Is Born Comedienne". Spokesman-Review. April 1, 1924. p. 5.
She was rewarded with considerably larger roles in the company's next two shows: the secretly married maid of Tiddledy Winks and the fairy queen in Woogie Woogie Land."Tiddledy Winks Is New for the Laughlanders". The Spokane Press. April 14, 1924. p. 2."'Tiddledy Winks' New Finney Show". Spokane Chronicle."Chorus Makes Distinct Hit". Spokane Daily Chronicle. April 30, 1924. p. 16.
Finney performed in little theatre productions in the mid 1930s in Spokane, Washington,"Frank N. Finney Dies Suddenly". The Spokesman-Review. November 7, 1937. p. 6."Brief Candle Wins Audience; Mary Finney in Convincing and Charming Role on Stage". The Spokesman-Review. December 19, 1935. p. 9. "Her interpretation of the 81-year-old maiden aunt was sympathetic and finely drawn. Expressive hands, a carefully aged voice, and consistency in character made the old lady of the play live before the audience as a witty and beloved person.""Repertory Guild Members in Play; Pick Comedy for New Play; 'Fit for a King' Vehicle to Show Talents of Repertory Guild" The Spokesman-Review. March 1, 1936. p. D3. and a decade later at the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts, where, for what appears to the first and only time in her career (stretching as far back as high school), she was credited under her birth name, Mary Whaley. This continued for more than two years, until November 1946, when, as the mother in Vina Delmar's A Rich, Full Life, she reverted to the family stage name.Von Blon, Katherine (May 25, 1944). "Comedy Sparkling Fare at Pasadena Playhouse". The Los Angeles Times. pt. II, p. 11.Von Blon, Katherine (August 7, 1944). "Ned McCobb Well Done". The Los Angeles Times. pt. I, p. 10.Von Blon, Katherine (November 24, 1945). "Anderson's Play Opulent". The Los Angeles Times. pt. II, p. 3.Von Blon, Katherine (November 24, 1945). "'Spirit' New at Playhouse". The Los Angeles Times. pt. II, p. 5.), that Mary resumed use of the stage name, Finney.Foote, Robert O. (November 10, 1946). "Footlights". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. p. 14.
Beginning in the fall of 1948 and continuing through the winter, Finney appeared in numerous productions of Margo Jones' Theater '48, including revivals of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest and Molière's The Learned Ladies, portraying Lady Bracknell and Philamente, respectively."Theater '48 Sets Opening". The Austin American. January 11, 1948. pt. II, p. 16. "Moliere Comedy Opens in Dallas; Theater '48 Season Under Way Monday Night". Tulsa World. November 7, 1948. pt. V, p. 8.
In 1950, under the direction of Jones, Finney made her Broadway debut as Mary Belle Tucker in Owen Crump's Southern Exposure, prompting Daily News critic John Chapman to hail the arrival of "the funniest character woman" he had seen since the performance, three decades earlier, of comedienne May Vokes in the Mary Rinehart/Avery Hopwood hit play The Bat.Chapman, John (September 27, 1950). "Two New Comediennes Help Make 'Southern Exposure' Happy Play"' The New York Daily News. p. 81. Miss Finney, as the tourist-leader, must be seen. It is an adventure to watch her walk down a few stairs and another adventure to see her separate herself from a sofa.
Subsequent Broadway appearances elicited praise from critics such as Joe Morgenstern of the Herald Tribune, Howard Taubman of the Times, and Martin Gottfried of Women's Wear Daily. Louis Sheaffer of The Brooklyn Eagle, reviewing the 1952 playwright-helmed revival of Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour, commends Finney's "brilliant characterization" for "catch[ing] all the anemic viciousness of the aunt". Just three days later, the Eagle's critic felt compelled to elaborate. I don't think Mary Finney was given sufficient credit by most of the other reviewers for her vivid, merciless portrayal as the aunt. She illuminated the woman's skinny little soul so completely that I couldn't help feeling a grudging pity for the spiteful, pathetic character.
Regarding Finney's modest television resume, little has been written. One brief but notable exception concerns the Kraft Television Theatre episode "We Haven't Seen Her Lately," described by Herald Tribune critic Sid Bakal as a "flimsy affair that wallowed along in dull confusion" and clearly represented "a step in the wrong direction for this series," and, more to the point, one in which only "George Scott [i.e. George C. Scott], Angela Thornton and Mary Finney managed to rise above the script. The rest of the cast did not."
Death On February 26, 1973, unmarried and with no living next of kin, Finney died at age 66 of emphysema in Manhattan."Obituary". New York Daily News. March 1, 1973. p. 100. "A memorial service for character actress Mary Finney will be held at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Universal Funeral chapel on Lexington Ave. at 52d St. Miss Finney, 66, died Tuesday at the Hospital for Joint Diseases after a short illness. She lived at 234 W. 13th St."
Acting credits Theatre YearTitleRoleNotes1944It's a Wild ChildMother (as Mary Whaley)Little Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse)Ned McCobb's DaughterCarrie McCobb (as Mary Whaley)Little Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse)1945Mary, Queen of ScotsElizabeth Tudor (as Mary Whaley)Little Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse)Blithe SpiritMadame Arcati (as Mary Whaley)Little Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse)1947Night Must FallMrs. BramsonSummer stock"Melodrama Stars Drake". The Los Angeles Times. August 16, 1947. pt. II, p. 5.1948Lemple's Old ManRegional theater (Theater '48)"Theater '48 Gives First Production Under New Name"' The Austin American. January 4, 1948. pt. II, p. 17.The Importance of Being EarnestLady BracknellRegional theater (Theater '48)The Learned LadiesPhilaminteRegional theater (Theater '48)Here's to UsKit TremaineRegional theater (Theater '48)"Modern Comedy Next at Dallas". Tulsa World. November 28, 1948. pt. V, p. 8.1949SkaalRagnaRegional theater (Theater '49)"Dallas Theater Group Presents Norwegian Play"' The Austin American. January 9, 1949. p. 23-B.Sting in the TailLouisa HackettRegional theater (Theater '49)Coast of IllyriaMrs. KellyRegional theater (Theater '49)1950Southern ExposureDuchess of OrleansRegional theater (Theater '50)My Granny VanGranny VanRegional theater (Theater '50)Southern ExposureMary Belle TuckerBroadwayThe Cellar and the WellMiss TriumphBroadwayChapman, John (December 12, 1950). "Second ANTA Drama, 'The Cellar and the Well,' Is an Anticlimax". New York Daily News. p. 93.1951Make a WishThe Madam; Dr. Didier (understudy)Broadway1952The Children's HourMrs. Lily MortarBroadwaySheaffer, Louis (December 19, 1952). "Theaters: 'Children's Hour' Has Still an Adult, Fascinating Drama". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 6.Sheaffer, Louis (December 22, 1952). "Theaters: O.K., Mr. Gregory, This Isn't a Review of 'John Brown'". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 4.1954The Magic and the LossAnita Dawson (replacement)Broadway1955The HoneysNellie FleischmanBroadwayJanusMiss AddyBroadway1956Happy HuntingMaud FoleyBroadway1959First ImpressionsLady Catherine de BourghBroadway1960Whisper to MeSister SammyeOff Broadway See also:1964Too Much JohnsonMrs. BattersonOff Broadway
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1950Armstrong Circle Theatre1 episode1953Lux Video Theatre1 episode1954Honestly, Celeste!Mr. Wallace's secretary2 episodes1958DecoyGladys Shriner1 episode: "Blind Date"Lee, Phil (June 17, 1958). "T.V. with Lee: Headliners". Times Colonist. p. 19.Kraft Television TheatreAunt Lucy, Aunt Violet, ?3 episodes: "The Spell of the Tigress", "We Haven't Seen Her Lately", "Trick or Treat"1960CBS Television Workshop1 episode: "The Limbo Kid"U.S. Steel HourRing One (telephone operator)1 episode: "Shame the Devil""Betsy Palmer, Vincent Price to Star". The Napa Valley Register. November 26, 1960. p. 11-A.Play of the WeekLeonide Mangebois1 episode: "The Enchanted""Giradoux' 'The Enchanted' on 'Play of the Week'". Oakland Tribune. December 18, 1960. p. 16-B.19611962The DefendersMrs. JohnsonGenevieve Clarendon2 episodes: "The Young Lovers", "Grandma TNT"
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