Nita Krebs

Actor

Active: 1938

About Nita Krebs

Nita Krebs was an American actress who appeared during the Golden Age of Hollywood, best known for her role in the highly unusual 1938 western 'The Terror of Tiny Town.' This film was unique in cinema history as it featured an all-little person cast, making it the only film of its kind ever produced. Krebs was part of this groundbreaking ensemble that brought a novel concept to the western genre, combining traditional western elements with musical numbers and comedy. Her participation in this film placed her among a select group of performers who challenged Hollywood's conventional casting practices during the late 1930s. While her film career appears to have been brief, her contribution to this cult classic has ensured her place in cinema history. The film itself has become a cult favorite, remembered for its audacious concept and the performances of its unique cast members like Krebs.

The Craft

Milestones

  • Appeared in 'The Terror of Tiny Town' (1938), the only all-little person western ever made

Best Known For

Iconic Roles

  • Role in 'The Terror of Tiny Town'

Must-See Films

  • The Terror of Tiny Town (1938)

Working Relationships

Worked Often With

  • Sam Newfield (director of The Terror of Tiny Town)

Why They Matter

Impact on Culture

Nita Krebs contributed to one of the most unusual and memorable films of Hollywood's Golden Age. 'The Terror of Tiny Town' represented a rare instance where little person actors were given starring roles in a feature film, rather than being relegated to background or novelty parts. The film has since become a cult classic, studied for its unique place in cinema history and its pioneering representation of little person performers. Krebs and her fellow cast members helped pave the way for greater visibility of little person actors in Hollywood, even though full representation would take decades to achieve.

Lasting Legacy

Nita Krebs' legacy is intrinsically tied to her participation in 'The Terror of Tiny Town,' which remains the only all-little person western in cinema history. While her individual performance may not be widely remembered, her contribution to this groundbreaking film ensures her place in the annals of Hollywood history. The film has gained cult status over the decades, frequently referenced in discussions about unconventional cinema and representation in film. Krebs represents the many performers of her era who participated in unique film projects that, while not commercially successful at the time, have gained historical significance for their audacity and innovation.

Who They Inspired

As a performer in one of cinema's most unusual productions, Nita Krebs indirectly contributed to the broader conversation about representation in Hollywood. The film she participated in demonstrated that little person actors could carry a feature film, a concept that would take many more decades to be fully realized in mainstream cinema. Her work, along with that of her castmates, helped establish a precedent for the casting of little person actors in more substantial roles than the novelty parts they were typically offered.

Off Screen

Very little is documented about Nita Krebs' personal life, which is common for many supporting actors from this era who had brief film careers. As with many little person performers of the 1930s, she likely came from a background in vaudeville or circus performances before transitioning to film.

Did You Know?

  • The Terror of Tiny Town is the only all-little person western ever made in Hollywood history
  • The film was produced by Jed Buell, who specialized in unusual film concepts
  • Despite its novelty, the film was a commercial failure upon release
  • The movie has gained cult status over the decades and is frequently shown at midnight movie screenings
  • The film combined traditional western tropes with musical numbers, making it even more unusual
  • Many of the cast members, including possibly Krebs, were recruited from vaudeville and circus acts
  • The film was shot in just seven days on a very low budget
  • The movie's tagline was 'Little things mean a lot!'
  • Despite the cast's small stature, the film used regular-sized horses and props to create the illusion
  • The film has been referenced in numerous books about Hollywood's most unusual productions

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Nita Krebs?

Nita Krebs was an American actress best known for her role in the 1938 film 'The Terror of Tiny Town,' which featured an all-little person cast and was the only film of its kind ever produced in Hollywood.

What films is Nita Krebs best known for?

Nita Krebs is known exclusively for her appearance in 'The Terror of Tiny Town' (1938), a unique western musical featuring an all-little person cast.

When was Nita Krebs born and when did she die?

Unfortunately, specific birth and death dates for Nita Krebs are not documented in available historical records, which is common for many supporting actors from this era.

What awards did Nita Krebs win?

There are no records of Nita Krebs receiving any major awards or nominations for her film work.

What was Nita Krebs' acting style?

While specific details about Nita Krebs' acting style are not documented, she was part of an ensemble cast that brought traditional western elements to life in 'The Terror of Tiny Town,' likely drawing from vaudeville and performance traditions common among little person performers of the era.

Why is 'The Terror of Tiny Town' historically significant?

The film is historically significant as the only all-little person western ever made, representing a rare instance where little person actors were given starring roles rather than novelty parts.

What was unique about 'The Terror of Tiny Town'?

The film was unique for featuring an entirely little person cast in a western musical format, combining traditional western storytelling with musical numbers and comedy elements.

How has Nita Krebs' work influenced cinema?

While her individual influence was limited, Krebs' participation in this groundbreaking film contributed to early representation of little person actors in substantial film roles, helping pave the way for future generations.

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Films

1 film