Lita Chevret

Lita Chevret (May 27, 1908 – May 23, 2001) was an American actress who began her career at the genesis of sound films. She appeared in over 60 films between 1929 and 1940, although in most of those she had small or non-billed parts.

Lita Chevret
Lita Chevret in the 1930 film, The Pay-Off
Born(1908-05-27)May 27, 1908
Oakland, California, U.S
DiedMay 23, 2001(2001-05-23) (aged 92)
Palm Springs, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1929–1940
Spouse(s)Alfred Hickman
Carlton Williams

Life

Chevret was born on May 27, 1908 in Oakland, California, to show-business parents, who ensured that she received training in both singing and dance.[1][2]

Career

Chevret began acting with a stock theater company when she was 16 years old.[3] She also appeared in Berkeley productions of Irving Pichel and in Fanchon and Marco revues.[4]

Based on her dancing ability, Chevret broke into the film business in 1929's Fox Movietone Follies of 1929,[1] with an uncredited role. The following year she appeared in Words and Music in a small unbilled role, in John Wayne's first film where he had a significant role (billed as Duke Morrison).[5] That same year, she appeared in RKO Radio Pictures' Rio Rita, their most successful picture of the year.[5][6]

In 1930, RKO would offer Chevret a 3-year contract, which would be renewed for an additional 3 years. However, she was relegated to mostly small and bit roles while under contract with RKO. When her contract expired in 1936, she made the decision not to renew, and to attempt to become a freelance actress.[2]

She continued acting for another five years, still in small and often unbilled roles, until her retirement in 1941. Her final role was a small part in The Philadelphia Story.[7]

After film

Disappointed with her continuing to be cast in smaller roles, Chevret retired in 1941. Although she had left the film industry, she remained in show business during World War II, touring with the USO, finally retiring for good by the end of the war.

She lived in Palm Springs, California until her death in 2001 four days before her 93rd birthday.

Personal life

Chevret was married to Alfred Hickman[8] and Carlton Williams.[9]

Filmography

(Filmography based on the AFI database, with supplemental information from Media Bang)[5][7]

Year Title Role Notes
1929 Fox Movietone Follies of 1929 Chorine
1929 The Locked Door Girl on rumboat
1929 Words and Music Showgirl
1929 Tanned Legs Beach Girl
1929 Rio Rita Showgirl
1930 The Pay-Off Margy
1930 The Cuckoos Slot Machine Señorita
1931 The Royal Bed Lady-in-waiting
1931 Laugh and Get Rich Party Guest
1931 Everything's Rosie Madeline Van Dorn
1931 Kept Husbands Gwen
1931 Three Who Loved Party Girl
1932 Symphony of Six Million Birdie Klauber
1932 Ladies of the Jury Cynthia Tate
1932 What Price Hollywood? Actress
1932 Girl Crazy Mary
1932 One Hour With You Party Guest
1932 Call Her Savage Party Guest
1932 Rockabye Party Guest
1932 After Tomorrow Office Worker
1932 Westward Passage Woman at Party
1932 Merry-Go-Round Mary
1932 The Big Flash Nadine
1933 The Man Who Dared: An Imaginative Biography Miss Rainey
1933 Daring Daughters Gwen Moore
1933 Goldie Gets Along Marie Gardner
1933 Only Yesterday Uncredited
1934 Charlie Chan's Courage Chorus Girl
1934 Glamour Grassie
1934 Romance in the Rain Jennie
1934 Transatlantic Merry-Go-Round Countess de Marino
1934 The Girl from Missouri Miss Ulricks
1935 Dante's Inferno Mrs. Martin
1935 Ship Cafe Dancing teacher
1935 Go into Your Dance Angry Showgirl #1
1935 Escapade Guest
1935 Under the Pampas Moon Beautiful Girl
1935 The Murder Man Clara
1936 Champagne Charlie Roulette player
1936 Follow the Fleet Woman in casino
1937 Criminal Lawyer Nora James
1937 Sandflow Rose Porter Starring role
1937 Espionage French secretary
1937 Camille Woman in theater box
1938 Rebellious Daughters Rita
1938 The Road to Reno Gladys
1939 The Women Woman under sunlamp
1940 The Fatal Hour Tanya Sarova
1940 Midnight Limited Mae Krantz
1940 The Philadelphia Story Manicurist
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References
  1. "Lita Chevret". The Telegraph. May 25, 2001. Archived from the original on August 7, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  2. "Mae West: Lita Chevret". Mae West Blog. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  3. Thomas, Dan (July 6, 1931). "Hollywood Film Shop". The Pittsburgh Press. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. p. 17. Retrieved October 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Lita Chevet in 'Rio Rita'". California, Los Angeles. California, Los Angeles. December 15, 1929. p. Part III - 16. Retrieved October 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Lita Chevret profile". Media Bang. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  6. Jewell, Richard B.; Harbin, Vernon (1982). The RKO Story. New York: Arlington House. p. 20. ISBN 0-517-546566.
  7. "Lita Chevret profile". American Film Institute. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  8. "All day she trills her A-E-I-O-U's". The Los Angeles Times. California, Los Angeles. December 15, 1929. p. Part III - 15. Retrieved October 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. "Journalists' (sic) Wife Cast in Role". Kenosha News. Wisconsin, Kenosha. August 3, 1938. p. 11. Retrieved October 28, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
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