Brenda Marshall
ActingAbout Brenda Marshall
Brenda Marshall (September 29, 1915 – July 30, 1992) was an American film actress. Born Ardis Ankerson in Negros, Philippines, Marshall made her first film appearance in the 1939 Espionage Agent. The following year, she played the leading lady to Errol Flynn in The Sea Hawk. After divorcing actor Richard Gaines in 1940, she married the actor William Holden in 1941 and her own career quickly slowed. She starred opposite James Cagney in the 1942 film Captains of the Clouds. The Constant Nymph (1943) was a popular success but she virtually retired after this, appearing in only four more inconsequential films. Among these, she played scientist Nora Goodrich in the grade-B 1946 cult classic Strange Impersonation. Description above from the Wikipedia article Brenda Marshall, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Brenda Marshall reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 21 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Brenda Marshall's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 33% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Brenda Marshall remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in The Sea Hawk, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Brenda Marshall Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Brenda Marshall's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Brenda Marshall.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | The Iroquois Trail | Marion | Average | Similar → |
| 1948 | Whispering Smith | Marian Sinclair | Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | Strange Impersonation | Nora Goodrich | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Paris After Dark | Yvonne Blanchard | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Background to Danger | Tamara Zaleshoff | Hit | Similar → |
| 1943 | The Constant Nymph | Toni Sanger | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | Wings Up | Herself | Flop | Similar → |
| 1942 | You Can't Escape Forever | Laurie Abbott | Flop | Similar → |
| 1942 | Captains of the Clouds | Emily Foster | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Breakdowns of 1941 | Self (archive footage) (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | The Smiling Ghost | Lil Barstow | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Highway West | Claire Foster | Average | Similar → |
| 1941 | Singapore Woman | Vicki Moore | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Footsteps in the Dark | Rita Warren | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | South of Suez | Katharine 'Kit' Sheffield | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | East of the River | Laurie Romayne | Average | Similar → |
| 1940 | Money and the Woman | Barbara Patteson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Sea Hawk | Doña Maria Alvarez de Cordoba | Hit | Similar → |
| 1940 | The Man Who Talked Too Much | Celia Farrady | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Espionage Agent | Brenda Ballard | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Blackwell's Island | Reynolds' Secretary (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
Brenda Marshall - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Brenda Marshall?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Brenda Marshall is "The Sea Hawk" with a rating of 7.2/10.
How many movies has Brenda Marshall acted in?
Brenda Marshall has been featured in at least 21 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Brenda Marshall?
Other notable films include "Breakdowns of 1941", "Footsteps in the Dark", and "Background to Danger".