Edna May Wonacott
Edna May Wonacott (born February 6, 1932 in Willits , California ) is an American former child actress .
life and career
Wonacott became known for the role of the self-confident girl who devoured books, Ann Newton in the classic film In the Shadow of Doubt from 1943. Before shooting began, she had no acting experience, not even in school plays. The Santa Rosa girl was accidentally spotted by Alfred Hitchcock , director of In the Shadow of Doubt , and film producer Jack H. Skirball while she was waiting for her school bus. Alfred Hitchcock spoke to Wonacott without further ado and after short tests gave her the larger supporting role of Ann. She did not receive any acting lessons, just strictly followed Hitchcock's instructions. On the film set, Wonacott raved about actor Joseph Cotten , who played her murderous uncle in the film - but in front of the camera as Ann she had to treat her uncle negatively. Hitchcock gave her the instruction: "No matter how nice your uncle is to you, always be suspicious of him and ask why and what he is doing".
Edna May Wonacott was the daughter of grocers - her father was 90 years old, her mother 102 years old. Her film debut under Hitchcock remained her most famous appearance. Only in the Western Under Western Skies was she allowed to play a slightly larger role again in 1945. In her other five films - Hi, Beautiful (1944), The Bells of St. Mary's (1945), The Love of Our Life (1945), Sunny Side of the Street (1951) and The Model and the Marriage Broker (1951) - Wonacott had to put up with insignificant roles.
After their marriage in 1951, she retired from acting. She was married to her husband for 57 years until his death and they have three sons. Edna May Wonacott, married Green, is now a great-grandmother who lives in Yuma , Arizona . Since an interview a few years ago, she has received fan letters from all over the world, which she notes with joy and amazement.
Web links
- Edna May Wonacott in the Internet Movie Database (English)
- Interview with Edna May Wonacott in Alfred Hitch-Blog (English)
- Yuma Sun Times newspaper article from 2010
- Article at Eve's Reel Blogspot with recent photo (english)
Individual evidence
- ↑ Newspaper article from 1942
- ↑ Newspaper article on Edna May Wonacott
- ↑ Edna May Wonacott at Eve's Reel
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Wonacott, Edna May |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | American child actress |
| DATE OF BIRTH | February 6, 1932 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Willits , California |