Jessie Coles Grayson

Jessie Coles Grayson (also credited as Jessie Grayson and Jessica Grayson) (March 7, 1886 – February 27, 1953) was an American singer and actress, known for The Little Foxes (1941), Cass Timberlane (1947) and Homecoming (1948).

Jessie Coles Grayson
Born
Jessie Coles

(1886-03-07)March 7, 1886
Albia, Iowa, U.S.
DiedFebruary 27, 1953(1953-02-27) (aged 66)
Los Angeles County, California, US
OccupationActress, singer
Years active1921–1953
Spouse(s)Garner Van Grayson
Children2

Biography

Grayson was born in 1886 in Albia, Iowa.[1][2] She lived in Los Angeles from the age of eight,[1][2] and after marrying Garner Van Grayson,[2] with whom she had a daughter and a son,[1] moved to Portland, Oregon.[1][2][3] She studied with Portland voice teacher J. William Belcher,[4] and, during the 1920s and 1930s, performed on stage and radio as a contralto soloist.[3][4][5][6] In 1929, before a performance at a concert in Seattle, she was advertised as "Portland's Famous Contralto", [7] and a review in the Northwest Enterprise said, "Mrs. Grayson proved herself an artist in every sense of the word. She is a master of contralto voice which she uses effectively and without exaggeration."[7]

Grayson was active in civic organisations. She was elected as a secretary of the National Association of Colored Women in 1928,[8][9] was on the Portland committee of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in 1929,[10] and was president of the Oregon Federated Club Women in 1936.[11] In the late 1930s and early 1940s, she was active in the YWCA in California.[12][13] In 1944, she was named as "the outstanding woman for 1943" by the Xi Alpha chapter of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority in Pittsburgh.[14] Her hobby was collecting rare American pottery.[15] She died on February 27, 1953, in Los Angeles County, California, US.[16]

Acting career
Bette Davis and Jessie Grayson in The Little Foxes

Grayson's first screen role was in 1939 in the all-black film One Dark Night,[1] intended as an African-American version of the Hardy films.[17] She was next cast in The Little Foxes in 1941,[1][5][18] in the role of Addie.[18][19] One review of the film reported that Grayson "had never been on the screen before",[20] and that "absolutely unknown, [she] got the job by telephoning [the casting director], who was so intrigued by the quality of her voice that he arranged the test which landed her the part."[20] Another explained that she "braved the Goldwyn studios when she learned through friends of the role in The Little Foxes. She had taken part in a few non-professional theatricals in ... Los Angeles, but had practically no contact with the theatre or films. Given a test, she won out over many veteran .. players".[21] She was described as "a fine character actress" and her role of Addie "the wise 'aristocratic' servant who is one of the dominant characters in the picture."[22]

Jessie Grayson and Bonita Granville in the 1943 film Syncopation

In their review of Syncopation (1942),[1] in which Grayson played a blues-singing servant[23] whose young son is musical, the African-American newspaper Amsterdam News reported that Grayson's role was not that of an "Aunt Dinah", and saw in the film evidence of a move in Hollywood to represent African-Americans more positively.[24] One reviewer considered that the best acting in a film that otherwise disappointed was from the African-American actors, including Grayson, saying "They play naturally in settings that seem authentic. If the rest of Syncopation reached their level the [movie theater] might have had something to shout about."[25]

Grayson's role in Cass Timberlane was also considered significant, as she "counsels and listens to Judge [Timberlane] throughout the picture".[15] The magazine Ebony and the 1948 edition of the Negro Who's Who in California both noted that "the Negro maid [is] called for the first time on the screen 'Mrs.' Higby".[6][15][26][27][28] The Pittsburgh Courier quoted the director, George Sidney, as saying, "I think six years ago we would have cast a comedy performer in it. But the war has made us more conscious ... more aware of that Negro comic and mammy roles, like Jewish comics and Italian pushcart peddlers, have become unfair, dangerous symbols. So ... we wanted a normal, intelligent character actress ..." hence Mrs. Grayson."[26]

In 1946, she was cast in the four-state touring production of Deep Are the Roots, by Arnaud d'Usseau and James Gow, in the role of Bella Charles, the mother of the African-American war veteran,[1][5][29][30] which had been played in the Broadway production by Evelyn Ellis. A reviewer in Chicago wrote, "The best roles belong to Henry Scott as the framed Negro and to Jessie Grayson as his terrified mother, and they give living performances, illuminated by validity, deepened by compassion."[31] Grayson reprised the role in the San Francisco and Los Angeles productions of the play in 1948.[32][33]

Selected filmography
Year Title Role Notes References
1939One Dark NightGrandmother[17]
1941The Little FoxesAddie[5][18][22][34]
1942SyncopationElla Tearbone, servant, mother of a boy with musical talent[35]
1943The Youngest ProfessionLilybud, housekeeper
1944The Adventures of Mark TwainHousekeeper[1]
1946Tomorrow Is ForeverServant[1]
1947Cass TimberlaneMrs. Higbee[1][6][15]
1949Mr. Adam's Bomb[36]
1950Our Very OwnViolet[37]

Selected stage performances
YearTitleTheatreRoleAuthor
1944-1945Ladies' RoomFilmcity Playhouse, Los AngelesJanet Clark[30][38]
1946Deep Are the RootsNew Haven, CT
Boston, MA
Philadelphia, PA
Selwyn Theater, Chicago, IL		Bella Charles,
war veteran's mother		Arnaud d'Usseau and James Gow[1][5][29][30]
1948Deep Are the RootsBelasco Theater, Los Angeles
Tivoli Theater, San Francisco		Bella Charles[32][33]
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References
  1. Gant, Bessie M. (August 9, 1947). "Bess' Secrets 'Bout Good Things To Eat". The Pittsburgh Courier. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. p. 8. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  2. Cox, Bette Yarbrough (1996). Central Avenue--its rise and fall, 1890-c. 1955: including the musical renaissance of Black Los Angeles. BEEM Publications. pp. 40–41. ISBN 9780965078306. Retrieved August 3, 2019. Jessie Coles Grayson, a concert singer and character actress born in Albia, Iowa, came to Los Angeles at the age of eight. She married Garner V. Grayson and moved to Portland, Oregon where she lived for a number of years singing in choirs ...
  3. Wysinger, Lena M. (March 1, 1936). "Activities among Eastbay Negroes". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. p. 8B. Retrieved August 2, 2019. The Women's Council of First A.M.E. Church ... will bring to bay area music lovers a treat on Thursday evening, March 5, when Mrs. Jessie Grayson, contralto, will be presented in song recital. Mrs. Grayson's home is in Portland, Oregon.
  4. "Mme. Carreno's Protege Will Be Heard Here". The Oregon Daily Journal. Portland, Oregon. October 30, 1921. p. 5. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  5. "Jessie Grayson Gets Top Role". The Evening News. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. September 13, 1948. p. 19. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  6. Calvin, Dolores (November 15, 1947). "Spencer Tracy and Jessie Grayson are Two Quiet, Home Loving People in New MGM Film". The Weekly Review. Birmingham, Alabama. p. 1. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  7. Mangun, Kimberley (2012). "13. A renaissance in Seattle and Portland". In Glasrud, Bruce A.; Wintz, Cary D. (eds.). The Harlem Renaissance in the American West: The New Negro's Western Experience. New York: Routledge. p. 221. ISBN 9781136649103. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  8. Leslie, LaVonne (2012). The History of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs, Inc.: A Legacy of Service. Xlibris Corporation. ISBN 9781479722655. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  9. Davis, Elizabeth Lindsay (1933). Lifting as They Climb. G.K. Hall. ISBN 9780783814193. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  10. "Stop Girl Scout Discrimination". The Pittsburgh Courier. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. November 30, 1929. p. 3. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  11. Wysinger, Lena M. (March 15, 1936). "Activities Among Negroes. State President's Visit". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. p. March 15, 1936. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  12. "Mrs. Bert McDonald U.S.O. Chairman". The Pittsburgh Courier. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. November 29, 1941. p. 10. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  13. "Y.W.C.A. Will Launch New Branch Tomorrow". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. November 14, 1942. p. II 5. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  14. "Jessie Grayson Wins Zeta Honor". The Pittsburgh Courier. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. March 11, 1944. p. 11. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  15. "Cass Timberlane". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. 1947. pp. 220–221. Retrieved August 2, 2019. Pottery collection of rare pieces from all over America is Jessie Grayson's pride, splendid role in Cass Timberlane completes ten years of movie work for her. In picture she comforts and takes care of lonely Judge Timberlane when Jinny leaves ... Mrs Higby (Jessie Grayson) .. counsels and listens to judge throughout the picture.
  16. "The Week's Census. Died". Jet. III (19): 66. March 19, 1953. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  17. "Negro Counterparts of 'Hardy Family' Pix". Variety. New York, NY. 136 (12): 1. November 29, 1939. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  18. "Reviews. "The Little Foxes"". The Film Daily. Wid's Films and Film Folk, Inc.: 7 August 12, 1941. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  19. Shelley, George E. (January 15, 1942). "Davis scores in new drama". Harrisburg Telegraph. p. 8. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  20. Hopper, Hedda (January 3, 1943). "Hedda Hopper's Hollywood. All Directors Have Headaches". The Times. Shreveport, Louisiana. p. A7. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  21. "Victoria. Star-Studded Cast. Bette Davis and Herbert Marshall to Appear in 'The Little Foxes', Opening Tomorrow". Shamokin News-Dispatch. Shamokin, Pennsylvania. January 23, 1942. p. 9. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  22. "Herbert Marshall in 'Little Foxes'". The Times. Munster, Indiana. June 24, 1941. p. 13. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  23. "Syncopation". Time. 39: 48. 1942. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  24. Townsend, Peter (2007). Pearl Harbor Jazz: Change in Popular Music in the Early 1940s. Univ. Press of Mississippi. p. 189. ISBN 9781604731477. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  25. Cohn, Herbert (May 29, 1942). "Albee Film Promised More Than It Gives". The Brooklyn Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. p. 18. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  26. Johnson, Toki Schalk (October 11, 1947). "The Things We Talk About". The Pittsburgh Courier. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. p. 8. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  27. "Hollywood Calls Negro "Mrs." For First Time". Alabama Tribune. Montgomery, Alabama. October 24, 1947. p. 6. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  28. MORRISON, PATT (February 24, 1999). "The Light-Years and Micromillimeters of Our History". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. p. A12. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  29. Cassidy, Claudia (May 5, 1946). "Critic Passes Out May Bouquets to Town's Actors". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. p. 6, Pt 3. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  30. "'Deep Are The Roots Show' Casting for Road Company". The Pittsburgh Courier. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. January 5, 1946. p. 17. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  31. Cassidy, Claudia (March 26, 1946). ""Deep Are The Roots" Stacks Its Cards and Deals from the Bottom of the Deck". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. p. 19. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  32. "Belasco Theater To Present Hit Play January 15". Wilmington Daily Press Journal. Wilmington, California. January 12, 1948. p. 3. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  33. "Race Drama Seats on Sale". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, California. March 25, 1948. p. 47. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  34. Kane, Sherwin A. (August 12, 1941). "Reviews. "The Little Foxes"". Motion Picture Daily. 50 (30): 8. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  35. "Reviews of the New Films. "Syncopation"". The Film Daily. 81 (88). May 7, 1942. p. 6. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  36. Pitts, Michael R. (2019). Astor Pictures: A Filmography and History of the Reissue King, 1933-1965. McFarland. p. 231. ISBN 9781476676494. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  37. Cameron, Kate (July 28, 1950). "Sentimental Drama On Victoria Screen". Daily News. New York, New York. p. 48. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  38. "Actress Creator of Seven Plays". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. January 7, 1945. p. III 3. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
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