Winifred Harris
Actor
About Winifred Harris
Winifred Vera Emily Harris was a distinguished British-born character actress who carved out a prolific career on the American stage and screen during the early 20th century. Born in Kew, Surrey, she began her professional journey in the United Kingdom before relocating to the United States, where she made her Broadway debut in 1914 in the play 'Consequences'. Over the next two decades, she became a fixture of the New York theater scene, appearing in over twenty Broadway productions including 'The Royal Vagabond' and 'The Last of Mrs. Cheyney'. While she had appeared in silent films as early as 1914, the advent of sound cinema allowed her to transition into a reliable character performer in Hollywood, often specializing in roles of dignified matrons, wealthy socialites, or stern mothers. Her performance as Carrie Lenox in the 1930 pre-Code comedy 'Fast and Loose' remains one of her most notable early talkie roles, where she played opposite future stars like Miriam Hopkins and Carole Lombard. Harris continued to work steadily throughout the 1930s and 1940s, frequently appearing in uncredited but essential roles in major studio productions at MGM, Paramount, and Warner Bros. She retired from the screen in the early 1950s and spent her final years in Illinois, leaving behind a legacy as a versatile performer who bridged the gap between the Victorian stage tradition and the Golden Age of Hollywood.
The Craft
On Screen
Harris was known for her 'Grand Dame' persona, possessing a refined British accent and a commanding physical presence that made her ideal for playing aristocratic or authoritative figures. Her style was rooted in the theatrical traditions of the late 19th-century stage, characterized by precise diction and subtle facial expressions that translated well to the early sound era. In comedies, she often served as the 'straight woman' to more eccentric leads, providing a grounded sense of social decorum that highlighted the absurdity of the plot.
Milestones
- Broadway debut in 'Consequences' at the Comedy Theatre (1914)
- Starred as the Queen of Bargravia in the long-running musical 'The Royal Vagabond' (1919)
- Featured role as Carrie Lenox in the Paramount pre-Code classic 'Fast and Loose' (1930)
- Appeared in the Academy Award-winning 'Casablanca' (1942) as an uncredited Englishwoman
- Maintained a continuous presence on the New York stage for twenty years before moving to Hollywood full-time
- Played Lady Pennystone in the MGM comedy 'Julia Misbehaves' (1948)
Best Known For
Iconic Roles
Must-See Films
Accolades
Special Recognition
- Recognized as a veteran of the Broadway stage by the Actors' Equity Association
- Featured in several lobby card series for Paramount Pictures during the early 1930s
Working Relationships
Worked Often With
Studios
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Winifred Harris represented the influx of classically trained British stage actors who helped elevate the dialogue and performance standards of early American talking pictures. Her presence in films like 'Fast and Loose' provided a necessary contrast to the 'flapper' energy of stars like Carole Lombard, illustrating the generational and social clashes common in pre-Code cinema. By successfully navigating the transition from silent films to talkies and from Broadway to Hollywood, she served as a model for the enduring 'character actor' who provides the essential texture of a film's world.
Lasting Legacy
Though she rarely played the lead, Harris is remembered by film historians as a quintessential character actress of the Golden Age. Her extensive filmography, which includes uncredited appearances in landmark films like 'Casablanca' and 'The Women', ensures her place in the background of cinema's most famous era. She is a key figure for researchers of early 20th-century Broadway, having appeared in dozens of productions that defined the New York stage during its most vibrant period.
Who They Inspired
Harris influenced the archetype of the 'society matron' in Hollywood, a role later popularized by actresses like Gladys Cooper or Lucile Watson. Her ability to maintain a professional career for nearly forty years across two continents and three mediums (silent film, stage, and sound film) demonstrated the longevity possible for skilled character performers.
Off Screen
Winifred Harris married Captain Harry Lambart in 1905. The couple had one child, a son, who reportedly remained close to her throughout his life. After her long career in New York and Hollywood, she eventually moved to Evanston, Illinois, where she lived until her death at the age of 92.
Education
Trained in classical theater in England before moving to the United States to pursue a professional acting career.
Family
- Capt. Harry Lambart (m. 1905)
Did You Know?
- She appeared in the film 'Fast and Loose' (1930), which is famous for a typo in the credits that gave Carole Lombard her permanent stage name (previously Carol).
- Harris was 50 years old when she appeared in 'Fast and Loose', effectively starting her most prolific film period in middle age.
- She lived to be 92 years old, outliving many of her contemporaries from the silent era.
- Despite her British origins, she spent the vast majority of her professional life working in the United States.
- She appeared in the 1936 film 'Ouanga', a rare early horror/voodoo film shot on location in Haiti and Jamaica.
- In the 1940s, she became a frequent 'uncredited' player, appearing as party guests or socialites in high-budget studio films.
In Their Own Words
I don't think I've ever seen such a collection of people in my life! (As Carrie Lenox in 'Fast and Loose', reacting to her children's 'unsuitable' romantic interests)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Winifred Harris?
Winifred Harris was a British-born character actress who had a major career on Broadway from 1914 to 1934 and appeared in numerous Hollywood films during the silent and early sound eras. She was best known for playing dignified, aristocratic women and mothers in films like 'Fast and Loose' (1930).
What films is Winifred Harris best known for?
She is most recognized for her role as Carrie Lenox in 'Fast and Loose' (1930), as well as appearances in 'The Love Doctor' (1929), 'Night Must Fall' (1937), and 'Julia Misbehaves' (1948). She also had small, often uncredited roles in classics like 'Casablanca' and 'The Women'.
When was Winifred Harris born and when did she die?
Winifred Harris was born on March 17, 1880, in Kew, Surrey, England, and passed away on April 18, 1972, in Evanston, Illinois, at the age of 92.
What was Winifred Harris's acting style?
She was a 'Grand Dame' of the screen, utilizing her refined British accent and stage-trained poise to portray wealthy socialites and stern matriarchs. Her performances were characterized by a sense of traditional decorum and sharp, clear delivery.
Did Winifred Harris have a career on Broadway?
Yes, she was a prolific stage actress before her film career took off, appearing in over 20 Broadway productions between 1914 and 1934, including hits like 'The Royal Vagabond' and 'The Last of Mrs. Cheyney'.
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Films
1 film
