Francesca Lenni
| Frances(ca) Chittolini/ Francesca Lenni | |
| |
| Biographical information | |
| Born: | 1913 |
|---|---|
| Died: | November 4, 1967 |
| Nationality: |  American
|
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Website: | |
Life and career
Frances(ca) Chittolini was born in Crawford County (Kansas) on 1913. She was the second daughter of Roger (eg. Ruggero) Nestor Chittolini and Sarah Pucci. Early 1920's the family moved to New York.
After graduating high school she studied under Elizabeth B Grimball. Her first profeasional appearance was in Stacowski's ballet "Le Pas D'Aceir" i Philadelphia and the Metropolitan in NY, followed by a role in the revial of "It Never Rains" on Brodway. She played in stock at Litchfield (Conn) and Glenco (L.I.). Later she worked under George Kelly in "The Show Of" and John Hayden in "The Servant in The House". [1]
In 1934 she appeared on Dramatic Guild performances broadcast over the CBS-WABC chain. [2] Later same year she played the role as an attendant in "Lost Horizons" a fantasy by Harry Segall at St. James Theatre (56 performances: 15 October 1934 to December 1934), [3]and understudied [4] in "Tight Britches". [5]
In 1935 was in the cast at Maverik Theatre. [6]
In 1937 she portrayed Betty in "Fulton of Oak Falls" written by George M. Cohan from a story by Parker W. Fennelly at Morosco Theatre (37 performances: 10 February 1937 to March 1937). [7]
In 1938 she portrayed O'Mara in "Eye On the Sparrow" at Vanderbilt Theatre (6 performances: 3 May 1938 to May 1938). [8]
From 1938 through 1940 Francesca Lenni played the role as Laura Putnam in the radio show "Your Family and Mine Through". Blake Zweifach made a small photo interview where she told that beside playing football with kids she was a proficient horswoman, swimmer and dancer. [9] In the assemble she was also known as a concert pianist. [10]
Starting in 1940 she voiced the role as Princess Narda in the Mandrake the Magician radio show.
June 16 1941 a press release from New York Bureau from said Francesca Lenni was in critical condition at Roosevelt Hospital, when she fell in front of a subway train. The detectives reported that Miss Lenni "jumped" from the platform, following an argument with a man earlier the evening. [11]Miss Lenni's mother ridiculed the report from the detectives and said that Francesca was returning from a date with Ross Evans, a radio writer. At the 72d street I.R.T. subway station Francesca was standing too near the edge of the platform and was hit by an incomming train. Mrs. Chittolini said that Francesca suffured a fractured leg and probably internal injuries. [12]
In 1944 Francesca was rehearsing as understudy for Margo in "A Bell for Adano" [13] at Cort Theatre (296 performances: 6 December 1944 to 27 October 1945). Margo returned after illness January 4, 1945. [14]
References
- ↑ "Francesca Lenni at Maverick Theatre." The Kingston Daily Freeman (New York), 25 June 1935, p 11
- ↑ "Pictures" The Microphone (Boston) 22 June 1934, p 2
- ↑ Internet Brodway Database
- ↑ Joanna Roos
- ↑ "Francesca Lenni at Maverick Theatre." The Kingston Daily Freeman (New York), 25 June 1935, p 11
- ↑ "Francesca Lenni at Maverick Theatre." The Kingston Daily Freeman (New York), 25 June 1935, p 11
- ↑ Internet Brodway Database
- ↑ Internet Brodway Database
- ↑ "Signals on!" Radio Stars (New York) October 1938, pp 14-15
- ↑ "Radio Actors Follow Hobbies In Spare Time." Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (New York) 15 September 1938, p 27
- ↑ "Actress Tries Suicide." New York Times (New York) 16 June 1941, p
- ↑ "Radio Star Hit by Subway Train." The New York Sun (New York) 16 June 1941, p 3
- ↑ "Brodway Showlog." The Billboard (Ohio) 23 December 1944, p 33
- ↑ "Brodway Showlog." The Billboard (Ohio) 13 January 1945, p 31