GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN - PATSY KELLY: THE QUEEN OF WISECRACKS

Since the advent of cinema, many well-known actors have faded from the public eye due to the changes reflected in popular culture and the passing of time. Today, we are going to take a look at the life and career of one of these actors, Patsy Kelly, by chronicling her journey through the entertainment industry. Please enjoy.





Full name: Bridget Sarah Veronica Rose Kelly / Occupation: Actress / Born: January 12, 1910, in Brooklyn, New York, USA / Died: September 24, 1981, in Los Angeles, California, USA (aged 71) / Years active: 1927 to 1979

What do we know about her life before she started her career? Patsy Kelly was raised in Brooklyn, New York, by her mother, Delia, and her father, John Kelly, two Irish immigrants who moved to America in the early 1900s. By all accounts, young Patsy was a tomboy who dreamed of becoming a firefighter, yet was prone to having accidents, including falling from a fire escape at the age of seven and being hit by a car at the age of eight. So, to keep her safe and off the mean streets of New York, a local priest suggested to her mother that Patsy should take up dancing to channel her boundless energy. Delia thought that this was a great idea, and in no time at all, she enrolled her daughter in Jack Blue's School of Rhythm and Tap. Despite breaking her ankle at the end of her first week of dance classes, Patsy took to it instantly, and by the time she was thirteen, she was working as a dance teacher, earning $18 a week.

How did she start her career? Patsy's rise to stardom began when she was discovered by the vaudeville comedian, Frank Fay. Her brother, Willie Kelly, went to an audition for Fay's act at New York's Palace Theatre, and she went along to back him up. But during the tryout, it was Patsy who caught the funny fella's eye and solely landed the role instead. While she was originally hired as a dancer, her sharp wit and natural comedic timing quickly turned her into Frank's on-stage foil. This high-profile exposure then launched her onto the Broadway stage, where she spent the late 1920s and early 1930s appearing in major theatrical revues alongside legendary performers like Al Jolson and Jack Benny.

What happened next? Patsy's success on Broadway eventually caught the attention of the Hollywood film producer, Hal Roach, who put her under contract in 1933 to replace ZaSu Pitts as the comedic partner to the glamorous actress, Thelma Todd. Even though she starred in a few films before her signing, such as her on-screen debut, 'The Grand Dame' (1931), where she plays a gangster's moll, once she joined Hal, Patsy's popularity began to grow as her brash, fast-talking, tough-girl persona perfectly balanced Thelma's captivating look. They made twenty-one shorts in total, which ended in 1935 when Thelma accidentally passed away from carbon monoxide poisoning. Following this tragic loss, Patsy then moved on to star in other films, including 'Sing, Baby, Sing' (1936) with Alice Faye and 'The Gorilla' (1939) with the Ritz Brothers, until her career stalled during the 1940s due to her sexuality. She returned to acting in the mid-to-late 1950s, landing roles in films, TV shows, and Broadway plays, but only because she was helped by her close friend, Tallulah Bankhead. In the latter part of Patsy's career, her more notable roles were in the Roman Polanski horror film, 'Rosemary's Baby' (1968), as well as the Broadway musical, 'No, No, Nanette' (1971), in which she won a Tony Award for her performance.

What was she best known for? Patsy Kelly's signature on-screen character was a sarcastic, wisecracking woman who often spouted a few colloquial catchphrases, such as 'Hiya, toots!' and 'Hey, palsy-walsy'. In retrospect, she's also widely recognized as one of the very few openly lesbian actresses who worked during early Hollywood's studio era.

Was she married? No, Patsy never married and had no children. She was a lesbian during a time when society forced most gay performers to stay in the closet, yet that never stopped her from openly discussing her sexuality and having female companions. Starting in vaudeville, she was in a relationship with the actress and singer, Wilma Cox, and later in life, she shared a similar romantic bond with the actress, Tallulah Bankhead, while also working as her personal assistant.

How did she pass away? In 1980, Patsy suffered a stroke that severely limited her ability to speak and forced her to retire from acting. To help deal with her declining health, she moved into the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital, where she passed away from cancer in the following year.

Additional information:

• Patsy's father, John Kelly, was an Irishman from Ballinrobe, County Mayo, who fled his homeland and traveled to America in the early 1900s to escape persecution. Ironically, after arriving in New York, he became a police officer.
• As the youngest in their family, Patsy and her brother Willie were both born in America, unlike their three older, Irish-born siblings.
• She acquired the nickname 'Patsy' because she was the butt of her family's gentle teasing and the foil for many of their shenanigans.
• In the early 1930s, Patsy was allegedly approached by the creator of the Three Stooges, Ted Healy, to join his act. At the time, Ted was constantly arguing with his original Stooges over contracts and money. So, when they threatened to quit, he asked Patsy to join a new team of Stooges since she was the top female foil on Broadway. Their deal fell through, though, because Hal Roach swooped in and signed her to a Hollywood film contract first.
• In August 1933, she was involved in a car crash that took place in Venice, Los Angeles. The car she was in was being driven by the prominent drag performer, Gene Malin, and apparently, he was confused by the gears and reversed off a pier and into the water. Gene was killed instantly, while Patsy and a fellow passenger, Jimmy Forlenza, suffered serious injuries. Based on the amount of sandy water that got into her lungs, she was told by the doctors that she had only ten years left to live, but she actually survived for decades after the accident.
• Following the tragic death of Thelma Todd, Patsy was teamed up with two other performers, Pert Kelton and then Lyda Roberti, but neither partnership lasted very long. The chemistry between Patsy and Pert didn't quite hit the mark, and as a duo, they starred in only one short, 'Pan Handlers' (1936). Lyda, on the other hand, was a much stronger match, with the two of them starring in three films as a team, like the feature-length comedy, 'Nobody's Baby' (1937), until Lyda tragically passed away from a heart attack in 1938.
• On February 8, 1960, Patsy was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It's located at 6669 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, California.

So, there you have it, folks, a quick look at the life and career of the actress, Patsy Kelly. Out of curiosity, have you seen any of the films Patsy starred in? And if you have, which one is your favorite and why? Either way, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.