Allene Roberts
Actor
About Allene Roberts
Allene Roberts was an American actress born in Birmingham, Alabama, who had a brief but memorable career in Hollywood during the late 1940s. She was discovered by a talent scout while still in high school and signed to a contract with RKO Pictures. Her film debut came in 1947 with the psychological thriller The Red House, where she played Meg opposite Edward G. Robinson. Her naturalistic performance as the innocent young woman entangled in a mystery garnered critical attention and remains her most recognized role. Despite this promising start, Roberts appeared in only a handful of films between 1947 and 1949 before leaving the industry. In 1949, she married Dr. Charles L. Givens, a dentist, and completely stepped away from entertainment to focus on family life. For the next seven decades, she lived a private life away from the Hollywood spotlight, rarely giving interviews about her brief career. Her passing in 2019 at age 90 marked the end of a life that had touched classic cinema, however briefly, through her haunting performance in what would become a cult classic.
The Craft
On Screen
Naturalistic and authentic, Roberts brought a genuine innocence and vulnerability to her roles, particularly evident in her portrayal of Meg in The Red House. Her performance was noted for its lack of Hollywood artifice and its believable quality as a curious yet naive young woman. She had a subtle approach to emotional expression that made her character's journey into darkness all the more compelling.
Milestones
- Film debut in The Red House (1947)
- Critical acclaim for her naturalistic performance style
- Signed to contract with RKO Pictures
- Retired from acting after marriage in 1949
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Though her career was brief, Allene Roberts' performance in The Red House has gained significant cultural impact through the film's status as a cult classic. The psychological thriller has been rediscovered by generations of film noir enthusiasts, with Roberts' portrayal of Meg being central to the film's enduring appeal. Her naturalistic acting style in an era often characterized by more theatrical performances demonstrated how subtlety could enhance psychological tension, influencing how young actresses were cast in similar roles. The Red House itself has been referenced in various film retrospectives and noir studies, ensuring Roberts' contribution to cinema continues to be recognized.
Lasting Legacy
Allene Roberts is remembered as a one-hit wonder of classic Hollywood whose brief career left an indelible mark through her haunting performance in The Red House. Despite appearing in only a handful of films, her work has endured through the cult status of her most famous film. Roberts represents the many talented actors whose Hollywood careers were brief but memorable, and her decision to leave the industry for a private life has made her somewhat enigmatic to film historians. Her legacy is that of a performer who, through one standout role, continues to be discovered and appreciated by new generations of classic cinema enthusiasts.
Who They Inspired
While Roberts didn't have a long career to directly influence many performers, her naturalistic approach to acting in The Red House demonstrated how subtle performances could enhance psychological thrillers. Her portrayal of Meg showed how innocence and vulnerability could be powerful tools in creating suspense, influencing how young actresses were cast in similar roles in film noir and psychological dramas. Directors studying Delmer Daves' work often point to Roberts' performance as an example of effective minimalist acting in a genre that could easily become melodramatic.
Off Screen
Allene Roberts married Dr. Charles L. Givens, a dentist, in 1949 and completely retired from acting to focus on her family. She had children with Dr. Givens and lived a quiet, private life away from the entertainment industry for over 70 years. Roberts rarely spoke about her brief Hollywood career and maintained her privacy until her death in 2019 at the age of 90.
Education
Attended high school in Birmingham, Alabama before being discovered by a talent scout
Family
- Dr. Charles L. Givens (1949-2019, her death)
Did You Know?
- Discovered by a talent scout while still in high school in Birmingham, Alabama
- The Red House was her film debut at age 19
- Despite critical acclaim for The Red House, she appeared in only 3 more films before retiring
- Married a dentist in 1949 and completely left the entertainment industry
- The Red House gained cult status decades after its release
- Rarely gave interviews about her brief Hollywood career
- Was under contract to RKO Pictures during her career
- Lived a private life out of the public eye for over 70 years
- Her performance in The Red House was praised for its natural quality
- Passed away in 2019 at age 90, having never returned to acting
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Allene Roberts?
Allene Roberts was an American actress who had a brief but memorable career in Hollywood during the late 1940s. She is best known for her starring role as Meg in the psychological thriller The Red House (1947) opposite Edward G. Robinson. After appearing in only a handful of films, she retired from acting in 1949 following her marriage and lived a private life for the remainder of her years.
What films is Allene Roberts best known for?
Allene Roberts is primarily known for her role in The Red House (1947), which was her film debut and most famous performance. She also appeared in Best Man Wins (1948) and The Window (1949), but The Red House remains her signature film and has gained cult status among film noir enthusiasts. Her performance as Meg in this psychological thriller is what she is remembered for in classic cinema history.
When was Allene Roberts born and when did she die?
Allene Roberts was born on August 1, 1928, in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. She passed away on May 9, 2019, at the age of 90. She lived a long life away from the Hollywood spotlight after retiring from acting in 1949, having spent over 70 years in private life following her brief entertainment career.
What awards did Allene Roberts win?
Despite receiving critical acclaim for her performance in The Red House, Allene Roberts did not receive any major awards or nominations during her brief career. Her recognition has come primarily through the enduring popularity and cult status of The Red House itself, with film historians and noir enthusiasts often praising her naturalistic performance style as a highlight of the film.
What was Allene Roberts' acting style?
Allene Roberts was known for her naturalistic and authentic acting style, which stood out during an era when more theatrical performances were common. Her portrayal of Meg in The Red House was praised for its genuine innocence and vulnerability, with critics noting her lack of Hollywood artifice. She brought a subtle quality to emotional expression that made her character's journey into darkness all the more compelling and believable.
Why did Allene Roberts' career end so quickly?
Allene Roberts' career ended quickly when she married Dr. Charles L. Givens, a dentist, in 1949. Like many actresses of her era, she chose to leave the entertainment industry to focus on family life. Despite the critical attention she received for The Red House, she appeared in only a handful of films before retiring completely and never returned to acting, preferring to live a private life away from the Hollywood spotlight.
What was The Red House about?
The Red House (1947) is a psychological thriller starring Edward G. Robinson as Pete Morgan, a farmer with a dark secret, and Allene Roberts as Meg, a young woman who becomes fascinated with the mysterious red house in the nearby woods. The film explores themes of guilt, obsession, and psychological trauma as Meg's curiosity about the forbidden house leads to disturbing revelations. The movie has gained cult status for its eerie atmosphere and Roberts' haunting performance as the innocent protagonist drawn into a dark mystery.
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Films
1 film
