Joan Davis
ActingAbout Joan Davis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Joan Davis (June 29, 1907 – May 22, 1961) was an American comedic actress whose career spanned vaudeville, film, radio and television. Remembered best for the 1950s television comedy, I Married Joan, Davis had a successful earlier career as a B-movie actress and a leading star of 1940s radio comedy. Born as Madonna Josephine Davis in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Davis was a performer since childhood. She appeared with her husband Si Wills in vaudeville. Description above from the Wikipedia article Joan Davis, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Joan Davis Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Joan Davis reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Joan Davis's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 14% of Joan Davis's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Free, Blonde and 21, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Joan Davis Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Joan Davis's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Joan Davis has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | The Sound of Laughter | Jennie Kurtz (Hillbilly Singer) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1952 | Harem Girl | Susie Perkins | Flop | Similar → |
| 1951 | The Groom Wore Spurs | Alice Dean | Flop | Similar → |
| 1950 | Let's Join Joanie | Joanie Davis | Flop | Similar → |
| 1950 | Love That Brute | Mamie Sage | Average | Similar → |
| 1950 | The Traveling Saleswoman | Mabel King | Flop | Similar → |
| 1949 | Make Mine Laughs | (archive footage) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1948 | If You Knew Susie | Susie Parker | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1946 | She Wrote the Book | Jane Featherstone | Average | Similar → |
| 1945 | George White's Scandals | Joan Mason | Flop | Similar → |
| 1945 | She Gets Her Man | Jane 'Pilky' Pilkington | Flop | Similar → |
| 1944 | Kansas City Kitty | Polly Jasper | Flop | Similar → |
| 1944 | Show Business | Joan Mason | Flop | Similar → |
| 1944 | Beautiful But Broke | Dottie Duncan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1943 | Around the World | Joan Davis | Flop | Similar → |
| 1943 | Two Señoritas from Chicago | Daisy Baker | Average | Similar → |
| 1943 | He's My Guy | Madge Donovan | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood No. 6 | - | Average | Similar → |
| 1942 | Yokel Boy | Molly Malone | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Two Latins from Manhattan | Joan Daley | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Sun Valley Serenade | Miss Carstairs | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | Screen Snapshots Series 21 No. 1 | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 1941 | Hold That Ghost | Camille Brewster | Hit | Similar → |
| 1941 | For Beauty's Sake | Dottie Nickerson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | Manhattan Heartbeat | Edna Higgins | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | Sailor's Lady | Myrtle | Flop | Similar → |
| 1940 | Free, Blonde and 21 | Nellie | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1939 | Day-time Wife | Miss Applegate | Average | Similar → |
| 1939 | Too Busy to Work | Lolly | Flop | Similar → |
| 1939 | Hollywood Hobbies | Self (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1939 | Tail Spin | Babe Dugan | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Just Around the Corner | Kitty | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | Hold That Co-ed | Lizzie Olsen | Average | Similar → |
| 1938 | My Lucky Star | Mary Dwight | Flop | Similar → |
| 1938 | Josette | May Morris | Hit | Similar → |
| 1938 | Sally, Irene and Mary | Irene Keene | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | Love and Hisses | Joan Dolan | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | Life Begins in College | Inez | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | Thin Ice | Orchestra Leader | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Wake Up and Live | Comic Spanish Dancer | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | You Can't Have Everything | Girl in YWCA (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | Sing and Be Happy | Myrtle | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | Angel's Holiday | Strivers | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | The Great Hospital Mystery | Flossie Duff | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | On the Avenue | Miss Katz | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Time Out for Romance | Midge Dooley | Average | Similar → |
| 1937 | The Holy Terror | Lili | Flop | Similar → |
| 1936 | Bunker Bean | Mabel - Bunker's Secretary (uncredited) | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | Millions in the Air | Singer | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | Way Up Thar | Jennie Kurtz | Flop | Similar → |
Joan Davis - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Joan Davis?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Joan Davis is "Free, Blonde and 21" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has Joan Davis acted in?
Joan Davis has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Joan Davis?
Other notable films include "If You Knew Susie", "Sun Valley Serenade", and "On the Avenue".