Clara Blandick American actress Date of Birth: 04.06.1880 Country: USA

1. Clara Blandick: The Life of an American Actress
2. Professional Debut and Early Career
3. World War I and Later Career
4. The Wizard of Oz and Later Years

Clara Blandick: The Life of an American Actress

Clara Dickey, later known as Clara Blandick, was born on June 4, 1880 aboard the American ship 'Willard Mudgett' in Hong Kong harbor. Her father was the captain of the ship, and this unconventional start to her life set the stage for her unique career. Little is known about Clara's early years, except that her family eventually settled in Quincy, Massachusetts. It was in nearby Boston that Clara met Shakespearean actor Edward Hugh Sothern, and together they took the stage. Clara was so captivated by the idea of becoming an actress that she moved from Boston to New York City and began attending auditions.

Professional Debut and Early Career

Clara Blandick made her professional debut in 1901 when she joined the cast of the play 'If I Were King'. Newspapers were enthusiastic about her performance, describing her as "graceful, miniature, and elegant." In 1908, Blandick tried her hand at the film industry, appearing in several short films for the 'Old Kalem' movie studio. In 1912, she made her return to the stage on Broadway, playing Dolores Pennington in the play 'Widow By Proxy', which ran for 88 performances. She also performed with the theater troupe 'The Poli Players' throughout the northeastern United States. Blandick gradually transitioned from supporting roles to leading roles, including the lead in 'Madame Butterfly'. In 1914, she made her return to the big screen as Emily Mason in the comedy 'Mrs. Black is Back'.

World War I and Later Career

During World War I, Blandick continued to act on stage and in silent films. She even traveled to France to perform for the American Expeditionary Force. After the release of the film 'Peggy, the Will O' the Wisp' in 1917, Blandick took a long hiatus from the film industry and didn't appear on screen again until 1929, when she finally made her way to Hollywood. The 1930s proved to be the most fruitful decade for Blandick, as she became a sought-after character actress in both theater and film. Despite the era of studio contracts, Blandick managed to play a multitude of supporting characters at various Hollywood studios, eventually signing a contract with 20th Century Fox. Her official filmography lists 124 works in film and television, but it is estimated that she appeared in 150-200 films, as she often went uncredited.

The Wizard of Oz and Later Years

In 1939, Blandick portrayed Auntie Em in the iconic film 'The Wizard of Oz'. While her role was small and she filmed all her scenes in just one week, her character was crucial as the symbol of the home Dorothy longed to return to. Auntie Em and Uncle Henry were the only characters from the beginning of the story who did not have alter egos in the Land of Oz. Blandick contemplated playing both Auntie Em and the Good Witch of the North, but the idea was abandoned, and two different actresses were cast for those roles. In her later years, Blandick's health began to deteriorate, and she decided to retire. She lived in seclusion, suffering from arthritis and progressive blindness. The constant pain led her to take her own life on April 15, 1962, at the age of 82.

Although Clara Blandick's life had its challenges, she left a lasting impact on the world of theater and film. Her portrayal of Auntie Em in 'The Wizard of Oz' continues to be fondly remembered by audiences around the globe.