Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Martha Sleeper (June 24, 1910 – March 25, 1983) was a film actress of the 1920s–1930s and, later, a Broadway stage actress. She studied dancing for five years with Russian ballet master, Louis H. Chalif, at his New York dancing studio. Her first public exhibitions were at Carnegie Hall at his class exhibitions. Sleeper's film career began in 1923 and continued until 1945. Her first screen appearance, at the age of 13, was in The Mailman (1923), an independent production. After appearing in several kiddie comedies at the Christie studio she was signed by the Hal Roach studio for the Our Gang" series but she quickly outgrew that role. From 1925-27 she appeared in comedies playing opposite the studio's most popular male stars. She left the Roach studio in late 1927 and moved to the FBO studio where she starred in six silent features during 1928–29. With the coming of sound she was signed by MGM and placed in their training program. From 1930 to 1936 she played supporting roles in many melodramas her role typically that of a well-bred somewhat snobbish society woman who ends up losing her man to the film's leading lady. Frustrated by the types of roles she was being offered, Martha began playing onstage in and about Los Angeles, at one point drawing raves as Eliza Doolittle in a performance of Pygmalion in 1932. After appearing in some low budget melodramas for the poverty row Monogram studio Martha and her husband, actor Hardie Albright, left Hollywood for New York in 1936 where Martha began a long run in both on- and off-Broadway plays. In 1945, as a favor to director Leo McCarey, Martha played the role of Patsy's mother in The Bells of St. Mary's. It was her last screen role.
Acted in 64
1940s
- 1945
1930s
- 1936
Four Days Wonder
Nancy Fairbrother
Rhythm on the Range
Constance Hyde
- 1935
Two Sinners
Elsie Summerstone
The Scoundrel
Julia Vivian
Great God Gold
Marcia Harper
- 1934
West of the Pecos
Ril Lambeth
Tomorrow's Youth
Ellen Hall
Hollywood Party
Show Girl (uncredited)
Spitfire
Eleanor Stafford
- 1933
Broken Dreams
Martha Morley
Penthouse
Sue Leonard
Midnight Mary
Barbara
The Secret of Madame Blanche
Chorus Girl Who Hears 'My Country Tis of Thee' (Uncredited)
- 1932
Rasputin and the Empress
Party Girl (uncredited)
Huddle
Barbara
- 1931
Confessions of a Co-Ed
Lucille
A Tailor-Made Man
Corrine
Girls Demand Excitement
Harriet Mundy
Ten Cents a Dance
Nancy Clark
- 1930
War Nurse
Helen
1920s
- 1929
The Voice of the Storm
Ruth
The Air Legion
Sally
- 1928
Danger Street
Kitty
Skinner's Big Idea
Dorothy
The Little Yellow House
Emmy Milburn
Should Tall Men Marry?
Martha Skittle
Pass the Gravy
Daughter
- 1927
Flaming Fathers
Daughter
Fluttering Hearts
Daughter
Jewish Prudence
Rachel Gimplewart
The Honorable Mr. Buggs
The Fiancée
- 1926
Bromo and Juliet
Bit Role (uncredited)
Crazy Like a Fox
The bride
Along Came Auntie
Marie, the Maid
Thundering Fleas
Bride
Long Fliv the King
Princess Helga of Thermosa
Don Key (Son of Burro)
Movie
Say It with Babies
Hector's Wife
Mum's the Word
The Nervous Little Girl
Madame Mystery
Movie
What's the World Coming To?
The Butler
A Punch in the Nose
Movie
- 1925
Should Sailors Marry?
Smyrna, Verbena's Daughter
Better Movies
Teenaged 'Vamp'
Innocent Husbands
Girl at Party (uncredited)
Sure-Mike!
Vermuda
Big Red Riding Hood
Book store clerk
Bad Boy
Jimmie's Girl Friend
Plain and Fancy Girls
Fiance
The Rat's Knuckles
Flirty McFickle
There Goes the Bride
Imogene-the Bride
Laughing Ladies
Movie
- 1924
The Royal Razz
Movie
Too Many Mammas
The Apache Dancer
Outdoor Pajamas
Girl with Runaway Pony
Sweet Daddy
Daughter
Seeing Nellie Home
Movie
A Ten-Minute Egg
Mrs. Dugan
All Wet
Boarding house maid (uncredited)
- 1923
The Mailman
Betty
Costume and makeup 1
1960s
- 1964
Sex and the College Girl
Costume Supervisor
Appearances1
1960s
- 1961
Days of Thrills and Laughter
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)