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Marion Martin

Marion Martin

Actor · Died August 13, 1985, aged 77 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Marion Martin (born Marion Suplee, June 7, 1909 – August 13, 1985) was an American movie and stage actress. Martin was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of a Bethlehem Steel executive. She became an actress after her family fortune was lost in the Wall Street Crash of 1929, and appeared in the Broadway productions Lombardi Ltd. and Sweet Adeline. She made her film debut in She's My Lillie, I'm Her Willie and subsequently played minor roles, often as showgirls. Several of her early roles were in musicals and she achieved some success as a singer. By the end of the decade she had played leading female roles in several "B" pictures, playing one of her most notable roles in James Whale's Sinners in Paradise (1938). Despite her success she was often cast in minor roles in more widely seen films such as His Girl Friday (1940). The majority of her roles were in comedies but she also appeared in dramas such as Boom Town (1940) in which she played a dance hall singer who is briefly romanced by Clark Gable. She played secondary roles in three Lupe Vélez "Mexican Spitfire" films in the early 1940s, and was a comic foil for the Marx Brothers in The Big Store, where the back of her skirt is cut away by Harpo. She played a ghost in Gildersleeve's Ghost, and was the subject of a legendary fistfight between Gildersleeve star Harold Peary and Warner Bros studio mogul Bud Stevens at the Mocambo nightclub in 1943. Her more substantial roles included Alice Angel, a dizzy showgirl, in the murder mystery Lady of Burlesque with Barbara Stanwyck and Angel on My Shoulder. She also appeared in The Big Street with Lucille Ball, in the western The Woman of the Town with Claire Trevor and in The Great Mike at PRC in 1944. By the late 1940s, her roles were often minor. Three Stooges fans will remember her as western cowgirl Gladys in Merry Mavericks. She played "Belle Farnol" in a 1950 episode of The Lone Ranger entitled "Pardon for Curley". Shortly afterward, she made her final film appearance in 1952. Married to a physicist, Martin retired, and although she expressed the desire to return to show business, suitable roles were not offered to her. She was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to motion pictures, at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard. She died in 1985 in Santa Monica, California, and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 7, 1908
Died
August 13, 1985 (aged 77)
From
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
27 on MovieCove · 76 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 3% in 30 days

What are Marion Martin's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Adventure4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 76th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
39%
Morality
34%
Self
11%
Power
11%
Survival
4%
Society
1%
Romantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 8 · Serious 5 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 6 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 7 · Charged 5 · Intense 2

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 8 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
6
Joyful
4
Melancholic
5
Romantic
6
Warm
4
Other
13

How their films linger

Feel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet5
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Marion Martin's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 12 of their 27 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Marion Martin's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

76 credits, 27 with a MovieCove page.

  • Oklahoma Annie(1952)

    as LaBelle La Tour

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Journey Into Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Diana (as Marian Martin)

  • Merry Mavericks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Gladys

  • Dakota Lil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Blonde Singer

  • Key to the City(1950)

    as Emmy

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Oh, You Beautiful Doll(1949)

    as Bar Blonde

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Come to the Stable(1949)

    as Rossi's Manicurist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Thunder in the Pines (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    as Pearl (as Marian Martin)

  • Should Husbands Marry? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Loud Friend's Girlfriend

  • That's My Gal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as Pepper

  • Lighthouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1947)

    as JoJo, the Blonde

  • That Brennan Girl(1946)

    as Marion, Natalie's Girl Friend (as Marian Martin)

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Nobody Lives Forever(1946)

    as Lou, Blonde (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Angel on My Shoulder(1946)

    as Rosie Morgan Bentley

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Black Angel(1946)

    as Millie

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Queen of Burlesque (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Lola Cassell

  • Deadline for Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Laura Gibson

  • Suspense (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Shooting Gallery Blond (uncredited)

  • Cinderella Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1946)

    as Burlesque Queen

  • Girls of the Big House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Dixie

  • Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in Hollywood(1945)

    as Miss Milbane

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • On Stage Everybody (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Bubbles (uncredited)

  • Gangs of the Waterfront (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Rita (as Marian Martin)

  • Penthouse Rhythm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Irma King

  • The Phantom Speaks(1945)

    as Betty Hanzel

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Eadie Was a Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1945)

    as Rose Allure

  • The Great Mike(1944)

    as Kitty Tremaine

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Mystery of the River Boat(1944)

    as Celeste Eltree [Chs. 1-4, 7]

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Merry Monahans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Soubrette

  • Gildersleeve's Ghost (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Terry Vance

  • It Happened Tomorrow(1944)

    as Nurse (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Sweethearts of the U.S.A. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1944)

    as Ghost of Josephine

  • The Woman of the Town(1943)

    as Daisy Davenport

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Lady of Burlesque(1943)

    as Alice Angel

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • They Got Me Covered(1943)

    as Gloria

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The McGuerins from Brooklyn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Myrtle

  • Mexican Spitfire's Elephant(1942)

    as Diana De Corro

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Big Street(1942)

    as Mimi Venus

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Tales of Manhattan(1942)

    as Squirrel

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Powder Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Sue, Blonde Piano Player

  • Mexican Spitfire at Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Fifi Russell

  • Wedded Blitz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Mrs. Errol

  • Fly By Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1942)

    as Nurse

  • Weekend for Three (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Mrs. Gloria Weatherby

  • The Mexican Spitfire's Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Fifi

  • Lady Scarface (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Ruby / Mary Jordan

  • New Wine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Mitzi

  • Cracked Nuts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Flashy Blonde in Corridor

  • Love at First Fright (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Liza Hatrack

  • The Big Store(1941)

    as Peggy Arden

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • The Lady from Cheyenne (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Gertie

  • Blonde Inspiration (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1941)

    as Wanda

  • Tall, Dark and Handsome(1941)

    as Dawn

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Ellery Queen, Master Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Cornelia

  • Blondes and Blunders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Blondie, Jewel Thief

  • Boom Town(1940)

    as Whitey

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Untamed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as 2nd Girl in Limousine (uncredited)

  • His Girl Friday(1940)

    as Evangeline (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Invisible Stripes(1939)

    as Blonde (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Man in the Iron Mask(1939)

    as Mlle. de la Valliere

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Invitation to Happiness(1939)

    as Lola Snow

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Sergeant Madden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    as Charlotte LePage

  • Pirates of the Skies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    Actor

  • His Exciting Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Gypsy McCoy

  • The Storm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Jane

  • Youth Takes a Fling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Girl on Beach

  • Sinners in Paradise(1938)

    as Iris Compton

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Cupid Takes a Holiday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    as Annabelle Postal -1st Prospective Bride

  • The Miss They Missed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1938)

    Actor

  • Boy, Oh Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1936)

    as Miss Glory Hutchinson

  • Richard Himber and His Orchestra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Singer

  • The Magic of Music (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Blonde guest

  • Moon Over Manhattan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1935)

    as Dot

  • She's My Lilly, I'm Her Willie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Miss Brooks

  • Crime Without Passion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as Theatre Cashier (uncredited)

  • Mr. W's Little Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1934)

    as The Blonde

Career shape

Star power in the 87th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 76 titles from 1934 to 1952.

Highest rated

The Man in the Iron Mask (1939)

Midcredits 83rd

Film career

  • 1934Screen debut· Crime Without Passion

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting76 of 76: 76 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score64th

By decade

1930s18 · acting1940s53 · acting1950s5 · acting

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 12 roles
3444

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Marion Martin's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 64th percentile, the median of all 27; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 54th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 27 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th7
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 27 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

Oklahoma Annie (1952)

53rd percentile spread · 27% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

His Girl Friday (1940)

Midcredits 96th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 47. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Marion Martin work with?

People who share at least 2 of Marion Martin's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; James Whale shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors