Zelma O'Neal
Actor
About Zelma O'Neal
Zelma O'Neal was a vibrant American actress, singer, and dancer who became a quintessential symbol of the Jazz Age's youthful energy. Born Zelma Ferne Schrader in Rock Falls, Illinois, she began her career in vaudeville alongside her sister Bernice before exploding onto the Broadway scene in the 1927 musical 'Good News,' where she famously introduced the dance craze 'The Varsity Drag.' Her performance was so electric that critics described her personality as resembling a 'caged cyclone,' leading her to reprise the role in London. In 1929, she starred in the hit musical 'Follow Thru,' originating the classic song 'Button Up Your Overcoat' with Jack Haley. She made her transition to Hollywood in 1930, appearing in the film adaptation of 'Follow Thru' and the star-studded revue 'Paramount on Parade.' Although her Hollywood career was relatively brief, she moved to England in the mid-1930s to continue her stage and film work before retiring from the entertainment industry in 1937.
The Craft
On Screen
O'Neal was celebrated for her high-octane, 'soubrette' style of performance, characterized by boundless physical energy and a comedic, 'pert' persona. Her acting was often described as 'zippy' and 'strenuous,' as she frequently performed demanding dance routines while maintaining a sharp, witty delivery. She excelled in 'flapper' roles that required a mix of athletic dancing, vocal projection, and a slightly rebellious, modern female attitude typical of the late 1920s.
Milestones
- Introduced the 'Varsity Drag' dance in the Broadway hit 'Good News' (1927)
- Originated the song 'Button Up Your Overcoat' in the Broadway musical 'Follow Thru' (1929)
- Starred in the early Technicolor musical film 'Follow Thru' (1930)
- Featured in the major Paramount Pictures all-star revue 'Paramount on Parade' (1930)
- Successfully transitioned to British cinema and West End theater in the mid-1930s
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Featured in Al Hirschfeld caricatures for The New York Times (1928)
- Recognized as a leading 'Jazz Age' musical star in historical theater archives
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Zelma O'Neal was a primary vessel for the dissemination of 1920s youth culture. By introducing 'The Varsity Drag' on Broadway, she helped define the visual and rhythmic language of the 'Collegiate' craze that swept America and the UK. Her performance style bridged the gap between traditional vaudeville and the modern musical comedy, influencing how 'flapper' characters were portrayed in early sound cinema. She represented the 'New Woman' of the era—independent, athletic, and vocally assertive.
Lasting Legacy
Though her filmography is small, O'Neal remains a significant figure for musical theater historians and early talkie enthusiasts. She is immortalized in the 1930 film 'Follow Thru,' which serves as a rare Technicolor record of her stage presence. Her recordings of 'Button Up Your Overcoat' and 'The Varsity Drag' continue to be cited as definitive examples of Jazz Age popular music. She is remembered as one of the few performers who successfully exported the American 'pep' style to the British stage during the transition to sound.
Who They Inspired
Her high-energy dancing and comedic timing influenced the 'second female lead' or 'soubrette' archetype in musical films of the 1930s, paving the way for later performers like Martha Raye or Nancy Walker who combined vocal talent with physical comedy.
Off Screen
O'Neal was married four times throughout her life. Her most notable marriage was to British actor Anthony Bushell, whom she met while performing in London; they were married from 1928 to 1935. She was also married to Raymond Buffington, Henry Burns, and later to actor Patrick O'Moore. After retiring from show business in the late 1930s, she lived a more private life, eventually settling in Florida where she spent her final years.
Education
Attended public schools in Chicago until age fourteen.
Family
- Anthony Bushell (1928-1935)
- Raymond Buffington (divorced)
- Henry Burns (divorced)
- Patrick O'Moore (married 1940)
Did You Know?
- She was born Zelma Schrader but took the surname O'Neal from her sister Bernice's stage name for their vaudeville act.
- The New York Times critic Brooks Atkinson once described her as a 'merry brat' who 'stomped her way into fame.'
- She was one of the few original Broadway cast members of 'Follow Thru' to be brought to Hollywood for the film version.
- She published her memoirs titled 'Memoirs from Scotts Hill' in 1984.
- Her performance of 'The Varsity Drag' was so popular that she had to perform it until 'willing exhaustion' due to audience encores.
- She appeared in several silent comedy shorts for Educational Pictures in the mid-1920s before her Broadway breakthrough.
- She moved to London in 1932 to support her husband Anthony Bushell's career, which inadvertently led to her own success in British 'quota quickies.'
- She was cremated following her death in 1989.
In Their Own Words
One pert young freshman, Zelma O'Neal, dances herself into willing exhaustion to the snapping tune of 'The Varsity Drag.' (Context: Review by Brooks Atkinson, 1927)
Button up your overcoat, when the wind is free, take good care of yourself, you belong to me! (Context: Lyrics she famously popularized in 'Follow Thru')
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Zelma O'Neal?
Zelma O'Neal was a popular American musical comedy star of the 1920s and 30s, famous for her energetic singing and dancing on Broadway and in early sound films.
What films is Zelma O'Neal best known for?
She is best known for the 1930 musical 'Follow Thru,' the revue 'Paramount on Parade' (1930), and the British musical 'Mr. Cinders' (1934).
When was Zelma O'Neal born and when did she die?
She was born on May 29, 1903, in Rock Falls, Illinois, and passed away on November 3, 1989, in Largo, Florida.
What song did Zelma O'Neal make famous?
She is most famous for introducing the hit song 'Button Up Your Overcoat' and the dance 'The Varsity Drag' to theater audiences.
What was Zelma O'Neal's acting style?
She was known for a high-energy, 'caged cyclone' style of performance that combined athletic dancing with sharp comedic timing.
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Films
1 film
