Esther Howard
Acting
Biography
Esther Howard (April 4, 1892 – March 8, 1965) was an American stage and film character actress who played a wide range of supporting roles, from man-hungry spinsters to amoral criminals, appearing in 108 films in her 23-year screen career. From 1940 to 1949, Howard was part of Preston Sturges' unofficial "stock company" of character actors, appearing in seven films written and directed by Sturges. From 1937, Howard was a regular player in short-subjects produced at Columbia Pictures, where she was frequently cast opposite comedian Andy Clyde. Her last film was a Columbia comedy short, Caught on the Bounce (1952), in which she played Joe Besser's aunt. From Wikipedia.
Born: April 2, 1892
Place of Birth: Butte, Montana, USA
Known For
Sullivan's Travels
Successful movie director John L. Sullivan, convinced he won't be able to film his ambitious masterpiece until he has suffered, dons a hobo disguise and sets off on a journey, aiming to "know trouble" first-hand. When all he finds is a train ride back to Hollywood and a beautiful blonde companion, he redoubles his efforts, managing to land himself in more trouble than he bargained for when he loses his memory and ends up a prisoner on a chain gang.
Murder, My Sweet
After being hired to find an ex-con's former girlfriend, Philip Marlowe is drawn into a deeply complex web of mystery and deceit.
Detour
The life of Al Roberts, a pianist in a New York nightclub, turns into a nightmare when he decides to hitchhike to Los Angeles to visit his girlfriend.
June Bride
A magazine's staff, including bickering ex-lovers Linda and Carey, cover an Indiana wedding, which goes slightly wrong.
Caged
A single mistake puts a 19-year old girl behind bars, where she experiences the terrors and torments of women in prison.
Hail the Conquering Hero
Having been discharged from the Marines for a hayfever condition before ever seeing action, Woodrow Lafayette Pershing Truesmith delays the return to his hometown, feeling that he is a failure. While in a moment of melancholy, he meets up with a group of Marines who befriend him and encourage him to return home to his mother by fabricating a story that he was wounded in battle with honorable discharge.
Dead End
The lives of a young man and woman, an infamous gangster and a group of street kids converge one day in a volatile New York City slum.
The Vice Squad
A diplomat is blackmailed by crooked vice cops into helping them frame prostitutes.
Jackass Mail
An unknowing orphan idolizes the horse thief/mail robber who has shot his father.
True to Life
A writer for a radio program needs some fresh ideas to juice up his show. For inspiration, he rents a room with a typical American family and begins to secretly write about their true life antics. The show becomes a big hit, but he begins to feel guilty about his charade when he falls in love with the family's pretty older daughter.
Filmography
as Aunt Tildy
as Mrs. Dalton
as Grace (uncredited)
as Frowsy Woman in boardinghouse (uncredited)
as Birdie
as Gross Lady
as Hotel Proprietess (uncredited)
as Mrs. Kelly
as Mrs. Brucker, Landlady
as Mrs. Mitchell
as Pansy Dupont
as Lydia - Betty's Mother
as Sadie (uncredited)
as Mrs. Kraft
as Filthy Flora, Dripping Dagger Proprietor
as Sarah (uncredited)
as Gloria Peabody
as Mrs. Edgewaters
as Woman with Mudgin in bar
as Hedy
as Cleo
as Jesse Florian
as Aunt Sophie
as Sally (uncredited)
as Mrs. Everett J. Noble (uncredited)
as Hazel's Roommate (uncredited)
as Woman (uncredited)
as Extra (uncredited)
as Wife of Wienie King
as Dancehall Girl
as Mrs. Topley
as Miz Zeffie
as Landlady
as Jean-Beauty Shop owner
as Madame Juliette La Jolla
as Mrs. Clyde
as Blanche - Fred's Wife
as Cactus Kate Ramsey
as Florist
as Mrs. Fellows
as Miss Fredericks
as Streetwalker (uncredited)
as Birdie Brown
as Mrs, Mack
as Mrs. Wagon
as Neighbor with Coarse Voice (uncredited)
as Mrs. Madigan
as Rose
as Flirtatious Dowager (uncredited)
as Fanny Radler
as Mary Sporesgate
as The Hostess
as Tired Mother
as Mamie
as Aunt Ida
as Violet's Madame (Uncredited)
as Lily
as Mary
as Mrs. Stillman
as 'Sister' Carrie
as Mrs. Tubby’s Friend (uncredited)
as Ann, Joan's Friend
as Mrs. Maggie Kelly
as Mrs. Prescott
as Clara Newman
as Prisoner
as Extra (uncredited)
as Josie