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Ida Moore

Ida Moore (March 1, 1882 – September 26, 1964) was an American actress best known for her character roles in mid-20th-century films and television, often portraying eccentric elderly women, grandmothers, or spinsters in comedies and dramas. Born in Altoona, Kansas, Moore began her entertainment career singing to accompany silent films before making her screen debut in the 1925 film Lightnin', though she did not pursue acting full-time until her sixties. Her breakthrough came in the 1940s with supporting parts in films such as Riders of the Santa Fe (1944), Her Lucky Night (1945), To Each His Own (1946), and The Dark Mirror (1946), establishing her as a reliable character actress in Hollywood. Among her most notable film roles were Mrs. McKee in the Oscar-winning drama Johnny Belinda (1948), an old lady in The Egg and I (1947), and appearances in popular series like the Ma and Pa Kettle comedies, including Ma and Pa Kettle (1949) and Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki (1955). Moore's career extended into television in the 1950s, where she guest-starred on shows such as The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, I Love Lucy, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and The Jack Benny Program, bringing her twinkly-eyed, folksy charm to episodic roles. Later highlights included parts in The Long, Long Trailer (1954) with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, The Country Girl (1954) opposite Bing Crosby, Desk Set (1957), and her final film, Rock-a-Bye Baby (1958) with Jerry Lewis. She passed away in Los Angeles at age 82 and was buried at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, California.

Personal life

Early life and family

Ida Moore was born on March 1, 1882, in Altoona, a small rural town in Wilson County, Kansas. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Marvelton Moore. Information regarding siblings remains limited in available records. No details of her early or personal interests prior to entering the entertainment field have been documented, and she is not known to have received formal acting training. The modest, agrarian environment of Altoona likely shaped her early years, though specific influences on her later life are not recorded.

Later years and death

Following her final acting appearance in 1959, Moore retired from the entertainment industry and resided in , , with no further documented professional or public activities. She died on , 1964, in at the age of 82. Moore was buried at in County, California.

Professional career

Stage and early entertainment work

Ida Moore began her professional entertainment career in the 1920s as a singer providing live for silent films, a common practice during the era before synchronized sound became standard. This initial foray into performance allowed her to gain experience in front of audiences while supporting early screenings. Following her work with silent films, Moore embarked on international tours, performing in and alongside a partner during the late silent era. These travels exposed her to diverse audiences and honed her stage presence beyond the . Upon returning home, she joined road companies, touring with theatrical productions such as the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Street Scene by in the late 1920s and early 1930s. In the mid-1930s, Moore took a hiatus from entertainment to care for her ailing mother, returning to , where she managed a local while occasionally participating in amateur theater. This period marked a temporary shift from professional performance, lasting through the 1930s and into the early 1940s. Moore's early Hollywood exposure came with her film debut in 1925, appearing in uncredited bit roles in three silent features : Lightnin' as a courtroom observer, The Merry Widow as the innkeeper's wife, and Thank You as a gossiping woman. These minor appearances represented sporadic screen work amid her stage activities but did not lead to sustained film employment at the time.

Film acting

Ida Moore established her film career in the mid-1940s, at the age of 63, and remained active until , appearing in over 50 feature films, most often in supporting or uncredited roles as elderly, eccentric women such as twinkle-eyed mountain folk or gossipy neighbors. Her character style emphasized warm, quirky portrayals that added depth to ensemble casts, drawing on her prior experience to deliver reliable performances in major studio productions. Moore's breakthrough in cinema came with small but memorable parts in mid-1940s dramas and comedies, including her role as an old lady in (1947), a supporting appearance in Johnny Belinda (1948), and a bit part in (1952). These early credits showcased her ability to embody rural or community matriarchs, often in uncredited capacities that highlighted her expressive face and timing. Throughout the 1950s, Moore continued as a dependable character actress in a range of genres, including comedies like The Lemon Drop Kid (1951), Ma and Pa Kettle at Waikiki (1955), Desk Set (1957), and Rock-a-Bye Baby (1958); dramas such as The Country Girl (1954) and All Mine to Give (1957); and films like House of Strangers (1949), Adam's Rib (1949), Cry of the City (1948), and Caged (1950). Despite her late entry into films and lack of leading roles, she progressed from minor uncredited bits to steady supporting work across studios like Paramount and Warner Bros., though she received no major awards. Her film output overlapped briefly with emerging television opportunities in the 1950s, contributing to her versatile late-career presence.

Television acting

Ida Moore entered television acting in the early , coinciding with the medium's expansion and her established presence in late-career film roles. Her television work was relatively sparse compared to her filmography, primarily consisting of guest spots and a notable recurring role in sitcoms and variety formats that highlighted her talent for portraying eccentric, comedic elderly characters. One of her most prominent television contributions was a recurring role in The Dennis Day Show from 1952 to 1954, where she appeared in 11 episodes as Lavina, Charley's girlfriend (also credited as housekeeper in some installments). This variety-comedy series, hosted by singer , featured Moore in sketches that showcased her dry wit and timing alongside regulars like as Charley Weaver, allowing her to adapt her film-honed eccentric persona to the small screen's intimate, episodic structure. Moore made guest appearances on several popular 1950s programs, including two episodes of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show in 1952, playing Jane the wardrobe mistress in "Gracie's Engagement Ring" and "Harry and the Gold Digger," I Love Lucy (1953) as Mrs. Knickerbocker, The Jack Benny Program (1959, as a Pasadena Fan Club member), and Front Page Detective (1951). By the late 1950s, her TV work tapered off, culminating in anthology appearances on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, including the 1958 episode "Bull in a China Shop" as Miss Birdie and the 1959 episode "I'll Take Care of You" as Kitty. These roles emphasized her ability to bring quirky, memorable supporting characters to life in the era's emerging television landscape.

Selected works

Notable film roles

Ida Moore appeared in approximately 50 films over her career, predominantly in supporting roles within B-movies and ensemble casts, where she never received starring credits. Her portrayals often embodied the archetype of the eccentric elder, bringing quirky charm and comic relief to comedic and dramatic narratives alike. In The Egg and I (1947), Moore played the role of Emily, a chatty old lady who provides humorous neighborly interactions in the rural setting. This credited performance highlighted her ability to infuse warmth and eccentricity into brief scenes, contributing to the film's lighthearted family comedy tone. Moore's supporting role as Mrs. McKee in Johnny Belinda (1948), a set in a deaf community on a remote , depicted her as a compassionate local resident offering quiet support amid the story's tensions. Her understated presence reinforced the film's exploration of isolation and community bonds, exemplifying her skill in ensemble character work. In the Bob Hope comedy The Lemon Drop Kid (1951), she portrayed Mrs. Feeney, the Bird Lady, an elderly accomplice who aids the protagonist in a scheme to save a retirement home through eccentric antics. This credited role amplified her signature quirky elder persona, blending humor with heartfelt loyalty in a fast-paced holiday caper. Moore appeared as an old lady in Desk Set (1957), a romantic comedy involving a television network's reference library, where her character adds whimsical disruption as a quirky patron navigating the chaos of technological change. The role, though brief and credited, underscored her talent for injecting memorable oddity into workplace ensemble dynamics. Her final major film role came in (1958), as Miss Bessie Polk, a no-nonsense babysitter who assists in caring for triplets amid comedic family mishaps. This credited performance encapsulated her eccentric elder archetype with dry wit and reliability, marking a fitting close to her cinematic contributions.

Notable television appearances

Ida Moore made approximately 15 to 20 television appearances during the , primarily in comedic and anthology formats, showcasing her talent for eccentric character roles. One of her most prominent recurring roles was as Lavina, Charley's girlfriend and a quirky housekeeper, in 11 episodes of from 1952 to 1954, contributing to the variety-comedy series' humorous sketches alongside host and regular as Charley Weaver. In anthology television, Moore guest-starred in two episodes of , first as the meddlesome Miss Birdie in the suspenseful "Bull in a Shop" (aired January 5, 1958), and later as the elderly in the thriller "I'll Take Care of You" (aired March 1, 1959), highlighting her ability to portray nosy or vulnerable figures in tense narratives. She also appeared multiple times on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show in the early 1950s, including as Jane the Wardrobe Mistress in comedic episodes such as "Gracie's Engagement Ring" (aired December 11, 1952) and "Harry and the Gold Digger" (aired December 18, 1952), where she delivered droll supporting bits in the couple's domestic sitcom scenarios. Other notable guest spots included her portrayal of the haughty Mrs. Knickerbocker in the I Love Lucy episode "The Club Election" (aired February 16, 1953), adding to the episode's social satire on women's club politics, and a cameo as a Pasadena Fan Club member in The Jack Benny Program episode "Pasadena Fan Club" (aired December 13, 1959), one of her final television roles emphasizing her in ensemble comedy.

References

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