Josephine Hull

[nmartin]

Posted: 7/1/08 at 12:47pm

I watched Harvey the other night for the upteenth time and realized how little I knew about Josephine Hull. I knew that she was a Broadway actress, but until I researched a little on the web, I had no idea that her Broadway career spanned almost fifty years. She did Arsenic and Old Lace and Harvey on stage back to back, two tremendous hits in a row. She ended her Broadway career with The Solid Gold Cadillac, another hit. She was also the sister-in-law of actor Henry Hull. What a wonderful actress!
Updated On: 7/1/08 at 12:47 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/1/08 at 12:59pm

I absolutely LOVE her!

I think it's fascinating that the show producers actually let Josephine Hull and Jean Adair (the two sisters) out of the Broadway production of "Arsenic" for a month to film the movie version at Warner Bros.

They did the movie while it was running on Broadway! And they both went back into the show, once filming had ended.


EDIT: I should also add that (according to IMDb.com) the film was made in 1941, but Warners agreed to hold off on its release until the show had closed. So it came out in 1944!

Updated On: 7/1/08 at 12:59 PM

[nmartin]

Posted: 7/1/08 at 1:03pm

Best, I didn't know about that. That's great.

There are so many good lines in Harvey.
"Elwood, you're my brother. I've known you for years."

"As I was going down to the taxi cab to get Elwood's things, this awful man stepped out. He was a white slaver. I know he was. He was wearing one of those white suits. That's how they advertise."

Updated On: 7/1/08 at 01:03 PM

[WOSQ]

Posted: 7/1/08 at 1:10pm

She only made three movies: Arsenic, Harvey (Best Supporting Actress 1950) and what?

The third film is never listed.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/1/08 at 1:12pm

??

Although she didn't make many films, she made more than three, so I'm not sure where you're getting that from.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 7/1/08 at 2:28pm

From imdb. She doesn't seem to have done many films.

"The United States Steel Hour" .... Widow (1 episode, 1955)
... aka The U.S. Steel Hour (USA: alternative title)
- The Meanest Man in the World (1955) TV episode .... Widow

"Lux Video Theatre" (3 episodes, 1951-1953)
... aka Summer Video Theatre (USA: summer title)
- The Wednesday Wish (1953) TV episode
- Grandma Was an Actress (1951) TV episode
- The Purple Doorknob (1951) TV episode

"Lights Out" (2 episodes, 1952)
- Flight Thirteen (1952) TV episode
- The Upstairs Floor (1952) TV episode

"Schlitz Playhouse of Stars" (1 episode, 1952)
... aka Herald Playhouse (USA: syndication title)
... aka Schlitz Playhouse (USA: new title)
... aka The Playhouse (USA: syndication title)
- Clean Sweep for Lavinia (1952) TV episode

The Lady from Texas (1951) .... Miss Birdie Wheeler

Harvey (1950) .... Veta Louise Simmons
"The Philco Television Playhouse" (1 episode, 1950)
... aka Arena Theatre (USA: new title)
... aka Repertory Theatre (USA: new title)
... aka The Philco-Goodyear Television Playhouse (USA: new title)
- Dear Guest and Ghost (1950) TV episode

"Studio One" (1 episode, 1950)
... aka Studio One Summer Theatre (USA: summer title)
... aka Studio One in Hollywood (USA: new title)
... aka Summer Theatre (USA: summer title)
... aka Westinghouse Studio One (USA)
... aka Westinghouse Summer Theatre (USA: summer title)
- Give Us Our Dream (1950) TV episode

"The Ford Theatre Hour" .... Aunt Abby Brewster (1 episode, 1949)
- Arsenic and Old Lace (1949) TV episode .... Aunt Abby Brewster

Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) .... Aunt Abby Brewster
... aka Frank Capra's 'Arsenic and Old Lace' (USA: complete title)

Careless Lady (1932) .... Aunt Cora

After Tomorrow (1932) .... Mrs. Piper


The Bishop's Candlesticks (1929)

[bschneid76]

Posted: 7/1/08 at 7:05pm

She was a lovely character actress! I love her in Arsenic and Old Lace. She's also grand in Harvey too. Terrific comic timing.

[nmartin]

Posted: 7/1/08 at 7:22pm

In the party scene Hull gives some great takes when the rather large bosomed woman is singing and starts hopping.

[thatgirl712]

Posted: 7/2/08 at 11:47pm

Yes, I love her. She was so funny.