Nina Olivette (born Hildegarde Lachmann; May 9, 1907 – February 21, 1971) was an American actress and dancer who was sometimes described as a "dancing comedienne".[2]
Nina Olivette | |
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| Born | Hildegarde Lachmann May 9, 1907 New York, New York, U.S.[1] |
| Died | February 21, 1971 (aged 63) New York City, U.S. |
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| Spouse | |
Early years
editBorn Elizabeth Margaret Veronica Lachmann[3] in Manhattan, New York, Olivette was the daughter of Edgar[4] and Kazia Prajinska[5] Lachmann.[4] Her father was a cigar manufacturer in his native Germany; in the United States, he became a vice-president in Charles M. Schwab's steel company. Her mother was a ballet dancer in her native Poland;[5] after coming to the United States, she performed in vaudeville.[4]
As a girl, Olivette joined her mother's troupe in ballet performances, but after a leg injury prevented her from maintaining the balance needed to be a ballerina, she turned to combining dancing with comedy.[6]
Career
editEntertainment
editOlivette worked with Violet Carlson in a vaudeville act billed as the Lachmann Sisters.[4] When she was 12, producers Jones and Green recruited her for one of their shows, taking her away from vaudeville.[7]
On Broadway, Olivette appeared in Music Box Revue, Queen High, George White's Scandals, The Sweetest Little Devil,[7] Captain Jinks, and Hold Everything![8]
Much of Olivette's career was spent in comedic roles. Her first straight role came in Twin Beds (1954).[5] She explained in 1930 that her routines were adaptations of existing dances rather than new creations. Starting with a dance such as the Black Bottom or Charleston, she said that she relaxed her muscles, "then [I] try to give the appearance of falling apart while performing it. The effect always seems to be funny."[9]
Olivette's film debut came in Queen High (1930).[7]
She later performed as a vocalist.[3]
Designing
editOlivette designed women's fashion accessories, including handbags, scarves, and stoles. Her products made her "a particularly favorite designer with stage people and television stars".[10] She also was a designer for Your Show of Shows on television in the early 1950s.[10]
Personal life
editOlivette was married to Harry Stockwell and was the stepmother of Dean Stockwell and Guy Stockwell.[4]
Death
editOn February 21, 1971, Olivette died at Polyclinic Hospital following a heart attack. She was 63.[4]
References
edit- ^ Towne, Athur W. (February 1919). "Toe Dancing and a Fake Birth Certificate". National Humane Review. Albany, New York. p. 33. Retrieved 20 April 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Cohen, Harold W. (August 9, 1930). "Miniature Sparks From the Movies". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. p. 8. Retrieved 17 April 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Anne Commire; Deborah Klezmer, eds. (2006). "Olivette, Nina (c. 1908–1971)". Dictionary of Women Worldwide: 25,000 Women Through the Ages. Retrieved May 23, 2023 – via Encyclopedia.com.
- ^ a b c d e f "Nina Olivette, 63, Actress, Is Dead". The New York Times. New York, New York City. February 23, 1971. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- ^ a b c Adams, Marjory (March 7, 1954). "Nina Olivette Much Amused by Audiences at 'Twin Beds'". The Boston Globe. Massachusetts, Boston. p. 70. Retrieved 17 April 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'New Moon' Star Ballerina at 2; Remained on Stage as Comic". The Pittsburgh Press. Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh. July 10, 1948. p. 18. Retrieved 17 April 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Fanchon-Marco Revue Features Youthful Star". Great Falls Tribune. Montana, Great Falls. July 17, 1932. p. 17. Retrieved 16 April 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Nina Olivette". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
- ^ "Dancer Explains Her Own Method". Detroit Free Press. Michigan, Detroit. October 26, 1930. p. Part Four - 2. Retrieved 17 April 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Beverly Wolff, Nina Olivette Star In 'Roberta' In Atlanta". The Anniston Star. Alabama, Anniston. March 22, 1953. p. 16. Retrieved 17 April 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
