Peggy Cartwright

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Peggy Cartwright
Cartwright c. 1923
Born(1912-11-14)November 14, 1912
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
DiedJune 12, 2001(2001-06-12) (aged 88)
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Other namesPeggy Courtwright
OccupationActress
Years active1915–1964
Known for
Spouses
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(m. 1932; div. 1941)​
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(m. 1962; died 1992)​
Children4

Peggy Cartwright (November 14, 1912 – June 12, 2001) was a Canadian silent film actress and for a short time a leading lady of the Our Gang comedy series during the silent film era. She appeared in four short films released in 1922 (and, possibly, the initial entry of the series, Our Gang). Cartwright is confirmed as having starred in these first four Our Gang shorts: One Terrible Day premiered on September 10, 1922; Fire Fighters premiered on October 8, 1922; Young Sherlocks premiered on November 26, 1922; and Saturday Morning premiered on December 3, 1922.

Early life and career

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Peggy Cartwright was a child actress born on November 14, 1912, in Vancouver, British Columbia.[1] She appeared in several of the early Our Gang short films from the silent film era;[2] although her appearances would solely be those released in 1922.[3]

Cartwright in 1920. She is seen here alongside Louise Glaum in a publicity still from the silent drama Love

As Cartwright's career was beginning to advance, her father—a doctor—insisted that his family return to Canada in order that his children receive decent scholarships. Subsequently, Cartwright continued her studies in Vancouver. She later became proficient in Russian ballet.

In 1927, Cartwright traveled with her mother to London, where she entered RADA. Two years later, she worked on the London stage at the St. Martin's Theater.[4]

In 1931, she briefly returned to filming, first with a minor role in Victor Saville's The Faithful Heart (which would be released in 1932). She also appeared as Greta, together with Jack Buchanan and Anna Neagle, in the musical film Goodnight, Vienna. The same year, Cartwright performed in the British drama film Hindle Wakes, which would prove to be the final film in which she would appear. Shortly thereafter, Cartwright relocated to New York, where she married comedian Phil Baker, with whom she subsequently had four children: Margot, Stuart, Michael, and Susan. She divorced Baker in 1941, and later married actor William "Bill" Walker in 1962.

Later years

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When her children reached adulthood, Cartwright obtained a job as a secretary in Los Angeles. Here, she became acquainted with William Walker, whom she later married. They remained married until his death in 1992.

Cartwright made an appearance at the 12th International Sons of the Desert Convention in 2000. This was her first and only appearance at the convention, and she happily discussed her brief tenure in the Our Gang series. She was the last surviving member of the original Our Gang group of children.[5]

Death

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Cartwright died shortly thereafter, in 2001.[6] She and Walker, a United States Army World War I veteran, are buried at Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, California.[7]

Filmography

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Our Gang

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Further reading

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  • David Dye (1988). Child and Youth Actors: Filmography of Their Entire Careers, 1914-1985. McFarland & Co. ISBN 1-59393-605-2.
  • Robert K. Klepper (2005). Silent Films; 1877-1996: A Critical Guide to 646 Movies. McFarland & Co. ISBN 978-0-786-42164-0.
  • Denise Lowe (2013). An Encyclopedic Dictionary of Women in Early American Films: 1895-1930. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-78901-843-4.
  • Leonard Matlin; Richard W. Bann (1977). Our Gang: The Life and Times of the Little Rascals. Crown Publishers. ISBN 978-0-517-52675-0.

References

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  1. ^ telegraph.co.uk 25 October 2001
  2. ^ Motion Picture Series and Sequels: A Reference Guide ISBN 978-0-415-72665-8 p. 243
  3. ^ telegraph.co.uk 25 October 2001
  4. ^ telegraph.co.uk 25 October 2001
  5. ^ vancouverisawesome.com 21 June 2013
  6. ^ telegraph.co.uk 25 October 2001
  7. ^ Resting Places
  8. ^ telegraph.co.uk 25 October 2001
  9. ^ Motion Picture Series and Sequels: A Reference Guide ISBN 978-0-415-72665-8 p. 243
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