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Mary Finney
Born
Mary Whaley

(1906-09-30)September 30, 1906
Spokane, Washington, U.S.
DiedFebruary 26, 1973(1973-02-26) (aged 66)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Other namesMarye Finney
EducationNorth Central High School
University of Oregon
Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts
OccupationActress

Mary Finney (born Mary Whaley;[1] September 30, 1906[2] – 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!.[3][4][5]

Early life and career

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Finney, born Mary Whaley in Spokane, Washington, was the second child born to burlesque performers Mary Hindman and James Whaley, alias Frank Finney.[2][6][1] (The first, James Mathew Whaley—a.k.a. James Finney—had died five months after his first birthday on December 1, 1905.[7][8][9]) She attended North Central High School, class of 1924[10] (where she contributed a regular column to the school's award-winning newspaper[11]), and then the University of Oregon,[12] majoring in journalism.[13]

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.'[14] 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.[15]

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.[16][17][18]

Finney performed in little theatre productions in the mid 1930s in Spokane, Washington,[19][20][21] 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.[22][23][24][25]), that Mary resumed use of the stage name, Finney.[26]

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.[27] [28]

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.[29][a]

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.[29]

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.[32] 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".[33] 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.[34]

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."[35]

Death

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On February 26, 1973, unmarried and with no living next of kin, Finney died at age 66 of emphysema in Manhattan.[36][1]

Acting credits

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Theatre

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Year Title Role Notes
1944 It's a Wild Child Mother (as Mary Whaley) Little Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse)[22]
Ned McCobb's Daughter Carrie McCobb (as Mary Whaley) Little Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse)[23]
1945 Mary, Queen of Scots Elizabeth Tudor (as Mary Whaley) Little Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse)[24]
Blithe Spirit Madame Arcati (as Mary Whaley) Little Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse)[25]
1947 Night Must Fall Mrs. Bramson Summer stock[37]
1948 Lemple's Old Man Regional theater (Theater '48)[38]
The Importance of Being Earnest Lady Bracknell Regional theater (Theater '48)[27]
The Learned Ladies Philaminte Regional theater (Theater '48)[28]
Here's to Us Kit Tremaine Regional theater (Theater '48)[39]
1949 Skaal Ragna Regional theater (Theater '49)[40]
Sting in the Tail Louisa Hackett Regional theater (Theater '49)[41]
Coast of Illyria Mrs. Kelly Regional theater (Theater '49)[42]
1950 Southern Exposure Duchess of Orleans Regional theater (Theater '50)[43]
My Granny Van Granny Van Regional theater (Theater '50)[44]
Southern Exposure Mary Belle Tucker Broadway[45]
The Cellar and the Well Miss Triumph Broadway[46]
1951 Make a Wish The Madam; Dr. Didier (understudy) Broadway
1952 The Children's Hour Mrs. Lily Mortar Broadway[47][48]
1954 The Magic and the Loss Anita Dawson (replacement) Broadway
1955 The Honeys Nellie Fleischman Broadway
Janus Miss Addy Broadway[12]
1956 Happy Hunting Maud Foley Broadway
1959 First Impressions Lady Catherine de Bourgh Broadway[49]
1960 Whisper to Me Sister Sammye Off Broadway[32]
1964 Too Much Johnson Mrs. Batterson Off Broadway[50]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1950 Armstrong Circle Theatre 1 episode
1953 Lux Video Theatre 1 episode
1954 Honestly, Celeste! Mr. Wallace's secretary 2 episodes[3]
1958 Decoy Gladys Shriner 1 episode: "Blind Date"[51]
Kraft Television Theatre Aunt Lucy, Aunt Violet, ? 3 episodes: "The Spell of the Tigress", "We Haven't Seen Her Lately",[52] "Trick or Treat"
1960 CBS Television Workshop 1 episode: "The Limbo Kid"[53]
U.S. Steel Hour Ring One (telephone operator) 1 episode: "Shame the Devil"[54]
Play of the Week Leonide Mangebois 1 episode: "The Enchanted"[55]
1961
1962 		The Defenders Mrs. Johnson
Genevieve Clarendon 		2 episodes: "The Young Lovers", "Grandma TNT"

Notes

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  1. ^ Chapman's comment, in and of itself, leaves open the possibility that he is actually referring to the 1937 revival, in which Vokes also appeared, rather than The Bat's 1920 premiere.[30] Any such uncertainties, however, are dispelled unequivocally, albeit inadvertently, in a Chapman piece published almost two years later, previewing the upcoming 1952 Broadway revival of the 1920 stage hit.[31]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Obituaries: Mary Finney". Variety. March 7, 1973. p. 78. ProQuest 1014862891. She had been a secretary for the last five years for Peter Glenn Associates. In addition to her last Broadway appearance in 1959 in 'First Impressions,' she was also seen in 'Whisper to Me' and 'Too Much Johnson.' Earlier she was seen in 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,' 'The Children's Hour,' 'Janus,' 'The Honey' and 'Haunting Hunting [sic].' Both her parents, James Whaley and Mary Eliza Whaley, were in the theatre and she made her legit debut with her father's stock company in 'The Laughlanders,' her NY. debut in 'Southern Exposure.'
  2. ^ a b "Four Girls and Three Boys". Spokane Chronicle. October 1, 1906. p. 8. See also:
  3. ^ a b "In Review: 'Honestly, Celeste!'". Broadcasting-Telecasting. October 18, 1954. p. 14.
  4. ^ "Now Celeste Is a News Gal". The Newark Star-Ledger. October 10, 1054. p. T-2.
  5. ^ Crosby, John (October 22, 1954). "TV Notes: New Situation Comedy". The Waterloo Courier. p. 22.
  6. ^ "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."
  7. ^ "Brevities". The Spokane Press. July 5, 1904. p. 4.
  8. ^ "James Finney". The Spokesman-Review. December 2, 1905. p. 2.
  9. ^ "James M. Whaley". Spokane Chronicle. December 2, 1905. p. 2.
  10. ^ "Attractive Maids Who Complete Studies at North Central With Mid-Year Class". Spokane Chronicle. Jan 4, 1924. p. 10.
  11. ^ Huff, 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. OCLC 5097582.
  12. ^ a b "Mary Finney Shares Top Honors in Broadway Play". The Spokesman-Review. March 18, 1956. pt. III, p. 22.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "Marye Finney Is Introduced" [sic]. The Spokane Press. April 1, 1924. p. 2.
  15. ^ "Frank Finney's Daughter Wins; Makes Successful Debut at Laughlanders' Latest Travesty at Auditorium; Is Born Comedienne". Spokesman-Review. April 1, 1924. p. 5.
  16. ^ "Tiddledy Winks Is New for the Laughlanders". The Spokane Press. April 14, 1924. p. 2.
  17. ^ "'Tiddledy Winks' New Finney Show". Spokane Chronicle.
  18. ^ "Chorus Makes Distinct Hit". Spokane Daily Chronicle. April 30, 1924. p. 16.
  19. ^ "Frank N. Finney Dies Suddenly". The Spokesman-Review. November 7, 1937. p. 6.
  20. ^ "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."
  21. ^ "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.
  22. ^ a b Von Blon, Katherine (May 25, 1944). "Comedy Sparkling Fare at Pasadena Playhouse". The Los Angeles Times. pt. II, p. 11.
  23. ^ a b Von Blon, Katherine (August 7, 1944). "Ned McCobb Well Done". The Los Angeles Times. pt. I, p. 10.
  24. ^ a b Von Blon, Katherine (November 24, 1945). "Anderson's Play Opulent". The Los Angeles Times. pt. II, p. 3.
  25. ^ a b Von Blon, Katherine (November 24, 1945). "'Spirit' New at Playhouse". The Los Angeles Times. pt. II, p. 5.
  26. ^ Foote, Robert O. (November 10, 1946). "Footlights". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. p. 14.
  27. ^ a b "Theater '48 Sets Opening". The Austin American. January 11, 1948. pt. II, p. 16.
  28. ^ a b "Moliere Comedy Opens in Dallas; Theater '48 Season Under Way Monday Night". Tulsa World. November 7, 1948. pt. V, p. 8.
  29. ^ a b Chapman, John (September 27, 1950). "Two New Comediennes Help Make 'Southern Exposure' Happy Play"' The New York Daily News. p. 81.
  30. ^ "May Vokes credits". Internet Broadway Database.
  31. ^ Chapman, John (August 22, 1952). "Mainly About Theatre: Zasu Pitts to Play in 'The Bat'". New York Daily News. p. 49.
  32. ^ a b Taubman, Howard (November 22, 1960). "FIRST NIGHT REPORT 'Whisper to Me'". The New York Times. p. 38. ProQuest 114983972. Ruth White as Lucille, Dorothy Sands as Little Pigeon and Mary Finney as Sister Sammye give performances of such vividness that 'Whisper to Me' remains afloat even when it should subside into folksy goo. See also:
    • Morgenstern, Joseph (November 22, 1960). "FIRST NIGHT REPORT 'Whisper to Me'". New York Herald Tribune. p. 19. ProQuest 1324132406. Unfortunately for the play, Mrs. Purdy's trials are not at an end. The lady dies, and is replaced by her sister, a gaunt and flinty creature equally well portrayed by Mary Finney. Only then is the fattest lady in the church aware that love can remain in a house despite a change of tenants, but by that time the tale has dwindled off into a tedious Sunday School lesson.
    • Gottfried, Martin (November 23, 1960). "Theatres: 'Whisper To Me' Screams Its Fatal Ineptitude". Women's Wear Daily. p. 35. ProQuest 1523457222. Ruth White, as Lucille Marie Purdy, the lonely woman, is highly professional in a role that was inadequately conceived [...] Dorothy Sands, as Little Pigeon, has more to work with as the eccentric object of love, and makes as much of the character as possible under the circumstances. Mary Finney, playing her sister, deserves the remainder of credit for what praise this play elicits.
  33. ^ Sheaffer, Louis (December 19, 1952). "Theaters: 'Children's Hour' Has Still an Adult, Fascinating Drama". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 6.
  34. ^ Sheaffer, Louis (December 22, 1952). "Theaters: O.K., Mr. Gregory, This Isn't a Review of 'John Brown'". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 4.
  35. ^ Bakal, Sid (August 21, 1958). "TV Review: Kraft Mystery Theater". New York Herald Tribune. p. A3. ProQuest 1328041259. The slow-moving plot, which concerns an eccentric old lady who hides from her relatives to communicate privately with the spirits about an impending murder, was a flimsy affair that wallowed along in dull confusion, cloaked in semi-eerie backgrounds. Nor did its somewhat frantic climax compensate for the endless tedium that preceded it. George Scott, Angela Thornton and Mary Finney managed to rise above the script. The rest of the cast id not. To its credit, 'We Haven't Seen Her Lately' was live — but just barely.
  36. ^ "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."
  37. ^ "Melodrama Stars Drake". The Los Angeles Times. August 16, 1947. pt. II, p. 5.
  38. ^ "Theater '48 Gives First Production Under New Name"' The Austin American. January 4, 1948. pt. II, p. 17.
  39. ^ "Modern Comedy Next at Dallas". Tulsa World. November 28, 1948. pt. V, p. 8.
  40. ^ "Dallas Theater Group Presents Norwegian Play"' The Austin American. January 9, 1949. p. 23-B.
  41. ^ Berg. (February 23, 1949). "Legitimate: Plays Out of Town - Sting in the Tail". Variety. p. 52. ProQuest 1286036034. With the fear of an inquest hanging over their heads, the family, usually at odds with each other, unites in a coverup job engineered by Bentley's sister-in-law, Louisa (Mary Finney). Louisa, a lady with a past, beguiles a bibulous and indebted doctor to attest to death from natural causes. [...] Finney's Louisa is the standout, injecting punch into the already punchy lines and compelling a good share of audience laughs.
  42. ^ Berg. (April 13, 1949). "Legitimate: Plays Out of Town - Coast of Illyria". Variety. p. 66. ProQuest 1286024955. Edwin Whittier, as the poet Coleridge, is excellent. Frances Waller is an understanding, sympathetic Fanny, and Mary Finney is good as the mother.
  43. ^ Berg. (March 22, 1950). "Legitimate: Plays Out of Town - The Golden Porcupine". Variety. p. 60. ProQuest 1286064381. Mary Finney displays her usual impressive talents in her brief scene as the Duchess of Orleans.
  44. ^ Ricks, Thad (May 27, 1950). "Out of Town Openings: My Granny Van". The Billboard. p. 51. ProQuest 1039949407. Mary Finney, playing the title role, and Louis Veda Quince, as a rich relative, virtually take over the stage in spots when the show resolves itself into sort of a Marie Dressler-Wallace Beery type exchange of gags.
  45. ^ Chapman, John (September 27, 1950). "Two New Comediennes Help Make 'Southern Exposure' Happy Play"' The New York Daily News. p. 81.
  46. ^ Chapman, John (December 12, 1950). "Second ANTA Drama, 'The Cellar and the Well,' Is an Anticlimax". New York Daily News. p. 93.
  47. ^ Sheaffer, Louis (December 19, 1952). "Theaters: 'Children's Hour' Has Still an Adult, Fascinating Drama". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 6.
  48. ^ Sheaffer, Louis (December 22, 1952). "Theaters: O.K., Mr. Gregory, This Isn't a Review of 'John Brown'". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 4.
  49. ^ Hoffman, Leonard (March 20, 1959). "First Impressions (Continued from Page 3)". The Hollywood Reporter. p. 4. ProQuest 2338371194. Other than Hermione Gingold, there is another performance which stands out, that of Mary Finney as the haughty aristocratic Catherine de Bourgh. Equally high spirited, it brings a rare breath of life into the desultory proceedings.
  50. ^ Gottfried, Martin (January 17, 1964). "Theatre: 'Too Much Johnson'". Women's Wear Daily. p. 29. ProQuest 1565031762. Mary Finney is exactly on key as the mother-in-law, managing herself so well that she is able to draw uproarious laughs by holding a pair of shoes in her hands and throwing one out, only to find it held back by the laces the pair was tied together with. She is a well-dressed bag of an old Bea Lillie.
  51. ^ Lee, Phil (June 17, 1958). "T.V. with Lee: Headliners". Times Colonist. p. 19.
  52. ^ Bakal, Sid (August 21, 1958). "TV Review: 'Kraft Mystery Theater'". New York Herald Tribune. p. A3. ProQuest 1328041259. George Scott, Angela Thornton and Mary Finney managed to rise above the script. The rest of the cast did not. 'We Haven't Seen Her Lately' was live—but just barely.
  53. ^ Ogden, Dwight (February 8, 1960). "On Television: Former Iowans". The Des Moines Register. p. 10. ProQuest 1017026716. The third outing on Sunday's 'CBS Television Workshop' had more of an experimental flair. The play, titled 'The Limbo Kid,' was written by Robert Downing, one of Broadway's most active stage managers. [...] Paul Hampton as the cowpoke was handsome and at times moving. Frieda Holloway, as his girlfriend, was winning. Comedian Morey Amsterdam played a medicine man, a character with many ambiguities. He represented, at the end, a nebulous symbol which could be interpreted in many ways. Victor Killian, Bibi Osterwald, Mary Finney and Evan Elliott did well in supporting roles.
  54. ^ "Betsy Palmer, Vincent Price to Star". The Napa Valley Register. November 26, 1960. p. 11-A.
  55. ^ "Giradoux' 'The Enchanted' on 'Play of the Week'". Oakland Tribune. December 18, 1960. p. 16-B.
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