Florence O'Brien (born Florence M. Lishey;"California, Birth Index, 1905-1995", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VLN4-1XT : Tue Feb 25 17:18:21 UTC 2025), Entry for Florence M Lishey and Jones, 20 Nov 1912. November 20, 1912 – October 26, 2006) was an American film and stage actress, dancer, and singer, perhaps best known for the stage performance that directly launched her screen career, her portrayal of Sulamai in the Federal Theater Project production of Hall Johnson's folk-opera, Run Little Chillun.
Early life and career Born November 20, 1912, in Los Angeles, California,Sampson, Henry T. (1995). Blacks in Black and White : A Source Book on Black films. Metuchen, N.J. : Scarecrow Press. pp. 553, 555. . "O’Brien [...] was born in Los Angeles, California, on November 20, 1919. She grew up in a section of the city then known as the Furlong Tract. It was there she was discovered by Clarence Muse who [had her audition, then cast her in] the role of 'Sulumae' in Hall Johnson's play, Run Little Chillun [which] ran for two years. [...] [I]t was during this time that O’Brien’s acting ability and natural beauty came to the attention of the producers of Dixie National Films, who were planning a series of black comedies featuring Mantan Moreland and Flournoy E. Miller. She was selected to play the role of the chambermaid in the company’s first picture, MR. WASHINGTON GOES TO TOWN, in 1940. Her other picture credits include UP JUMPED THE DEVIL, PROFESSOR CREEPS, LADY LUCK, MR. SMITH GOES GHOST, STORMY WEATHER, and CABIN IN THE SKY. She also made many appearances on the “Amos and Andy” radio show during the 1940’s." O'Brien was the younger of two children of Lizzie Mae (née Jones) and Reginald Lowell Lishey.Stelly, Beverly Lishey (2020). Gone, but Not Forgotten: The Florence Lishey O'Brien Story. . p. 1921."United States Census, 1920", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHQR-GJW : Tue Jul 16 15:23:10 UTC 2024), Entry for Reginald Lishey and Lizzie Lishey, 1920."United States Census, 1930", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCVN-N41 : Sun Mar 10 02:02:17 UTC 2024), Entry for Reginald Lishey and Lizzie H Lishey, 1930. As early as August 1923, public performances by both siblings were documented by the California Eagle, when they took part in a concert staged to benefit the local YMCA, with Florence offering a vocal solo and Reginald Jr. co-starring in an original one-act play."Local YMCA Boys to Attend Summer Camp at San Gabriel". California Eagle Feature Section. December 21, 1923. p.1. "A series of three concerts by the boys will help defray expenses of the camp. [...] The first concert was given at the Watts Community Hall. Following was the program offered: [...] Vocal Solo—Stanley Curtis; Acrobatic Stunts—Harold Scott; Vocal Solo-Miss Florence Lishey [...] Finale: Bishops Condlesticks—one act play by Ellis Salisbury. Leroy Dent, Tolita Meeks, Julia Ellis, Reginald Lishey."
The neighborhood where O'Brien was raised and came of age, then known as Furlong Tract, has since become better known as South Central Los Angeles.Duty, Juana E. (July 30, 1981). "Old Neighborhood: City Keeps Tract; Bicentennial Folklife Festival Pays Tribute to an Early Black Community". The Los Angeles Times. pt. 5, p. 1. "As blacks they were excluded from most neighborhoods in turn-of-the-century Los Angeles by segregation laws. So, some chose to build their own community on several acres in what is now known as South-Central Los Angeles. It was called the Furlong Tract." It was there—at least one marriage, three children, and one promising but prematurely squelched theatrical debut later"Bar Negro Actors on Project; Black Members of 'Follow the Parade' Are Ousted". California Eagle. July 10, 1936. p. 10.—that the actress first caught the eye of actor-director Clarence Muse, leading, in short order, to O'Brien landing the role of Sulamai in Muse's Federal Theater Project-sponsored 1938 revival of Hall Johnson's Run Little Chillun.
Aside from providing her signature role, Run Little Chillun facilitated O'Brien's transition to the screen. Arthur Dreifuss, who helmed her maiden effort, Double Deal, in 1939, spoke later that year with the Kansas City Call, acknowledging that it was the quality of acting on display in Run Little Chillun, and "especially the sensational portrayal of Zulumai by Florence O'Brien" that had inspired him to make an all Black film."Claim All-Negro Movie Technically Perfect; 'DOUBLE DEAL' STARS JENI LEGON AND MONTE HAWLEY; RELEASE DATE IS DECEMBER; Argus Picture Corporation Completes First Movie". The Call. p. 16. "After seeing the marvelous acting displayed in "Run the Chillun,' and especially the sensational portrayal of "Sulumai' by Florence O'Brien, now a featured player in 'Double Deal,' Mr. Dreifuss was inspired to direct an all-Negro movie, and felt that with proper technical facilities, he could direct a picture complimentary [sic] the splendid acting talent possessed by the Negro."
In the summer of 1939, O'Brien joined erstwhile Chillun co-stars Jess Lee Brooks, Gertrude Saunders, Eugene Henderson, and Janet Collins in a revival of Swing Mikado (based on the Gilbert & Sullivan comic opera), newly adapted by composer Elliot Carpenter, with additional music and lyrics by songwriter William Kernell, staged at Hollywood's El Capitan Theatre."'Run Little Chillun' Cast United in Swing Mikado". The Los Angeles Times. August 6, 1939. pt. III, p. 4. Although the opera's nominal leads are Nanki-Poo and Yum-Yum, here played by James Miller and Marguerite Chapman, the Chicago Defender reminds readers that Mikado's "real stars [are] the comic characters"—including, among others, Pooh-Bah (Brooks), Pitti-Sing (O'Brien), Katisha (Saunders), and Tie-Nie (Henderson)"'Swing Mikado' On Coast Proves Hit; Billy Mitchell Joins The Cast And Wins Praise". The Chicago Defender. August 12, 1939. p. 12.—while California Eagle critic Almena Davis simultaneously sings O'Brien's praises while wondering out loud just how much the show's female lead performance might have benefitted had O'Brien been blessed with a somewhat upgraded set of pipes. As pert Pitti-Sing, one of the 'Three Little Maids,' Sula Mai, (Florence O'Brien is her real name), steals many a scene, carrying over her un-combattable hip shaking to that flirtatious little part. Had she Marguerite's Chapman's lovely voice, she might have made Yum-Yum, the feminine lead, a more charming character.Davis, Almena (August 3, 1939). "Review: The Mikado—In Swing". California Eagle. p. 2-B.
In November 1940, O'Brien's performance in the musical revue, Thank You Columbus (in which O'Brien was reportedly the only prominent non-white cast memberMuse, Clarence (November 9, 1940). "What's Going On in Hollywood". The Chicago Defender. p. 21.), led to her last-minute addition to the cast of Republic Pictures' Bowery Boy, as the featured dancer with pianist Phil Moore's band.
In March 1943, the actors portraying the "Spasm Band" featured in the film of Edna Ferber's novel, Saratoga Trunk,"Search for Band". The Atlanta Constitution. March 21, 1943. p. 14C. "Latest item on the search list for Warner Brothers’ 'Saratoga Trunk' is a 'razzy dazzy spasm band,' said to be the ancestor of boogie-woogie."Ferber, Edna (1941). Saratoga Trunk. Garden City, NY: Doubleday, Doran & Company. pp.93–94. "Queer music with a curious off-beat that you caught just before it dropped. He had heard it played by a tatterdemalion crowd of Negro boys who wandered the streets, minstrels who played and danced and sang and turned handsprings for pennies. The Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band they called themselves. Their instruments were a fiddle made of an old cigar box, a kettle, a cowbell, a gourd filled with pebbles, a bull fiddle whose body was half an old barrel; horns, whistles, a harmonica." included O'Brien's son Thomas.Levette, Harry (April 1, 1943). "Behind the Scenes With Harry". California Eagle. p. 2B. "The names of the six boys who formed the 'Spasm band' of paper-wrapped combs and jugs getting $79 apiece for playing in Warner's 'Saratoga Trunk,' a week ago were Thos. O'Brien, Jesse McCoy, Lester Myart, Chas. Redd, Robt. Gillespie, and Virgil Sanchez. The O'Brien boy is the talented little son of Florence O'Brien of 'Run Little Chillun' fame, now in an important role in 'Stormy Weather.'" Later that year, O'Brien had a prominent albeit uncredited role in Stormy Weather as the gold-digging date of Dooley Wilson (as homecoming WWI veteran Gabe Tucker, buddy of the somewhat autobiographical fellow vet played by Bill Robinson) during the "Welcome Home" ball scene, roughly 12½ minutes long, in which the film's other two main characters, played by Lena Horne and Emmett "Babe" Wallace, are introduced early on.
Personal life and death O'Brien was married at least twice. In 1928, she married James O'Brien,"Marriage Licenses Issued". The Santa Ana Register. April 24, 1928. p. 3. with whom she had three children, James Jr., Florence Jr., and Thomas O'Brien,"United States Census, 1940", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K9Z9-TQV : Sat Jul 13 20:55:46 UTC 2024), Entry for Robert Hollie and Florence Hollie, 1940. As of 1940 and at least until 1950, she was married to gas station attendant Robert Hollie."United States Census, 1950", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6XG7-9JTD : Sun Nov 17 20:16:05 UTC 2024), Entry for Arlette O'Brien and Florence O'Brien, 10 April 1950. As of May 1955, and at least until 1959, her husband was Quincy "Buck" Cannon.Funeral Announcements. The Los Angeles Times. June 11, 1959. p. 83. "LISHEY, Mr. Reginald, beloved husband of Lizzie, fond father of Reginald Lishey Jr. and Florence Cannon, also survived by 4 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.""SF Agents Crack $3 Million Dope Shipment Plot; World Dope Ring". The San Francisco Bulletin. May 28, 1955. p. 3."Four Arrested in Narcotics Raid Here". San Francisco Chronicle. May 28, 1955. p. 3.
O'Brien died October 26, 2006 in Thousand Oaks, California, at the age of 93."O'Brien, Florence, 1912-2006". Library of Congress.
Partial filmography Double Deal (1939) – Sally Tell No Tales (1939) – Belle (uncredited) The Women (1939) – Euphie (uncredited) Mr Smith Goes Ghost (1940) – Mrs. Smith While Thousands Cheer (1940) – Daisy (uncredited)Jones, Lucius 'Melancholy' (September 28, 1940)."Slants on Sports: Kenny Washington, UCLA All-American, Proves Great Actor in 'Million Dollar' Film Hit, 'While Thousands Cheer'". The Phoenix Index. p. 6. Bowery Boy (1940) – Dancer with Phil Moore's band (uncredited) Mr. Washington Goes to Town (1941) – Chambermaid Up Jumped the Devil (1941) (uncredited) Lucky Ghost (1942) – Hostess Professor Creeps (1942) – Daffodil Dixon The Panther's Claw (1942) – PetuniaThe Film Detective (November 15, 2018). "Panthers Claw - Full Movie | Sidney Blackmer, Rick Vallin, Byron Foulger, Herbert Rawlinson". YouTube. Star Spangled Rhythm (1942) – Dancer - "Sharp as a Tack" Number (uncredited) Happy Go Lucky (1943) – Black Native (uncredited) A Night for Crime (1943) – Dancer (uncredited) Cabin in the Sky (1943) – 2 roles: Dancer & Jim Henry's Paradise Patron (uncredited)