Grace Matthews Explained

Grace Matthews
Birth Date:3 September 1910
Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Death Place:Mount Kisco, New York, US
Occupation:Actress
Alma Mater:University of Toronto
Spouse:Court Benson (1940-?)
Children:1 daughter [1]
1 son

Grace Matthews (September 3, 1910 – May 15, 1995) was a Canadian actress in the era of old-time radio and the early years of television. She is perhaps best known for portraying Margo Lane in the radio program The Shadow.

Early years

Matthews was born in Toronto, Canada, on September 3, 1910.[2] She graduated from the University of Toronto[3] and from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England.[4]

Radio

Matthews played Margo Lane in The Shadow 1946-1949.[5] Lane was described in the program's scripts as the faithful companion of Lamont Cranston, alter ego of The Shadow. A February 5, 1987, article in the Milwaukee Journal reported Matthews' confusion about the programs: "The plots were so complicated I often had difficulty figuring them out. After the show, I'd go home and ask my husband ... to explain what had happened."[6]

Program Role
Big SisterRuth Wayne[7]
The Brighter Day Liz[8]
Hilltop House Julie Erickson[9]
Road of Life Carson McVicker

Matthews was the lead actress on American Portrait,[10] Soldier's Wife and The Story of Dr. Susan,[11] and she appeared often on Armstrong's Theatre of Today. She was active in Canadian radio for about five years before she began working on radio in the United States.[12] In later years, she was heard in some episodes of CBS Radio Mystery Theater.[13]

Stage

Matthews' theatrical work included stock theater in Manitoba, Canada, and Ontario, Canada,[2] summer stock activities in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and the production of Dame Nature by the Theatre Guild in New York City.[14]

In Canada, Matthews was active in the Hart House Theatre[2] and the John Holden Players.[15]

Television

Matthews was seen in Road of Life, As the World Turns as Grace Baker #2, and The Guiding Light as Claudia Dillman. She also spent three years in London, England, acting in programs on ITV and the BBC.[2]

Recognition

Matthews' work as an actress on radio in Canada in 1944 earned her three national awards — The Major Genera La Fleche Trophy, Canadian Broadcaster magazine's Beaver Award and a top rating in a poll by Canadian newspapers.[16] She also won the Beaver Award (for "Distinguished Service to Canadian Radio") in 1940.[17]

Personal life

Matthews married announcer and actor Court Benson in October 1940.[18] They had a daughter, Andrea, and a son, Paul.[19]

Death

Matthews died May 15, 1995, in Mount Kisco, New York.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Radio Interview "Whatever Became of the Shadow" Richard Lamparski
  2. DeLong, Thomas A. (1996). Radio Stars: An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary of 953 Performers, 1920 through 1960. McFarland & Company, Inc. . P. 186.
  3. Grace Matthews. Radio and Television Mirror. August 1950. 34. 3. 74. 27 July 2016.
  4. News: Vale. Virginia. Star Dust. Big Piney Examiner. Western Newspaper Union. April 17, 1947. Wyoming, Big Piney. 5. Newspapers.com. July 26, 2016.
  5. Sterling, Christopher H. (ed.) (2004). Encyclopedia of Radio. Fitzroy Dearborn. . P. 1252.
  6. News: Shadow. 28 July 2016. The Milwaukee Journal. February 5, 1987. Wisconsin, Milwaukee. 110.
  7. Big Sister--In Living Portraits. Radio Mirror. October 1947. 28. 5. 25. 27 July 2016.
  8. Toward a Brighter Day. TV Radio Mirror. July 1956. 46. 2. 62–63. 27 July 2016.
  9. In Living Portraits -- Hilltop House. Radio and Television Mirror. September 1949. 32. 4. 34–35. 27 July 2016.
  10. News: Production. 28 July 2016. Broadcasting. April 28, 1946. 68.
  11. Book: Cox. Jim. The Great Radio Soap Operas. 1999. McFarland. 9780786438655. 35. 28 July 2016. en.
  12. News: Main Street. 28 July 2016. Radio Daily. April 16, 1946. 6.
  13. Book: Dunning, John. On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio. John Dunning (detective fiction author) . 1998. Oxford University Press. New York, NY. 978-0-19-507678-3. 142-143 . Revised. 2019-11-14.
  14. News: Radio Chatter. Janesville Daily Gazette. September 10, 1946. Wisconsin, Janesville. 4. Newspapers.com. July 26, 2016.
  15. News: Welcome Back. The Winnipeg Tribune. January 23, 1937. Canada, Winnipeg, Manitoba. 27. Newspapers.com. July 26, 2016.
  16. News: Hammerston. Claude. Mostly Biographical. 27 July 2016. Ottawa Citizen. May 17, 1949.
  17. News: O'Neill. Mildred. Women in Radio. 28 July 2016. Radio Daily. March 6, 1946. 6.
  18. Shermet. Hazel. All Three of Us. Radio and Television Mirror. October 1949. 32. 5. 54, 84–86. 28 July 2016.
  19. Haller. Marie. Grace Matthews' Road of Life. Radio-TV Mirror. February 1953. 39. 3. 34–35, 68. 28 July 2016.