Mary Finney Explained

Mary Finney
Othername:Marye Finney
Birthname:Mary Whaley
Birth Date:30 September 1906
Birth Place:Spokane, Washington, U.S.
Death Place:New York City, New York, U.S.
Occupation:Actress
Education:North Central High School
University of Oregon
Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts

Mary Finney (born Mary Whaley; September 30, 1906[1] – February 26, 1973) was an American comic character actress of stage and television. She co-starred on Celeste Holm's short-lived sitcom Honestly, Celeste!.[2] [3] [4]

Early life and career

Finney, born Mary Whaley in Spokane, Washington, was the second child born to burlesque performers Mary Hindman and James Whaley, alias Frank Finney.[1] [5] (The first, James Mathew Whaley—a.k.a. James Finney—had died five months after his first birthday on December 1, 1905.[6] [7] [8]) She attended North Central High School, class of 1924[9] (where she contributed a regular column to the school's award-winning newspaper[10]), and then the University of Oregon,[11] majoring in journalism.[12]

On March 31, 1924, as reported by both The Spokane Press and Spokesman-Review the following day, Finney, then 17 and a senior at North Central High, made her professional debut with her father's company, the Laughlanders.

Marye Finney [sic], daughter of Frank Finney, was introduced to the dramatic world by her father Monday night at the Auditorium in the Laughlanders' show, 'A Trip to Hollywood.' Finney's daughter stopped the show when she sang 'I'm Not That Kind of a Girl.'[13] Flowers were rushed over the footlights and Marye now ranks as assistant comedian of the 'Laughlanders.' [...] Finney possesses the something that makes a comedienne and she won't have to hold her place on the stage in reflected glory. Her poise and savoir faire suggest a stage training and not a first night.[14]

She was rewarded with considerably larger roles in the company's next two shows: the secretly married maid of Tiddledy Winks and the fairy queen in Woogie Woogie Land.[15] [16] [17]

Finney performed in little theatre productions in the mid 1930s in Spokane, Washington,[18] [19] [20] and a decade later at the Pasadena Playhouse College of Theatre Arts, where, for what appears to the first and only time in her career (stretching as far back as high school), she was credited under her birth name, Mary Whaley. This continued for more than two years, until November 1946, when, as the mother in Vina Delmar's A Rich, Full Life, she reverted to the family stage name.[21] [22] [23] [24]), that Mary resumed use of the stage name, Finney.[25]

Beginning in the fall of 1948 and continuing through the winter, Finney appeared in numerous productions of Margo Jones' Theater '48, including revivals of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest and Molière's The Learned Ladies, portraying Lady Bracknell and Philamente, respectively.[26] [27]

In 1950, under the direction of Jones, Finney made her Broadway debut as Mary Belle Tucker in Owen Crump's Southern Exposure, prompting Daily News critic John Chapman to hail the arrival of "the funniest character woman" he had seen since the performance, three decades earlier, of comedienne May Vokes in the Mary Rinehart/Avery Hopwood hit play The Bat.[28]

Miss Finney, as the tourist-leader, must be seen. It is an adventure to watch her walk down a few stairs and another adventure to see her separate herself from a sofa.[28]

Subsequent Broadway appearances elicited praise from critics such as Joe Morgenstern of the Herald Tribune, Howard Taubman of the Times, and Martin Gottfried of Women's Wear Daily. Louis Sheaffer of The Brooklyn Eagle, reviewing the 1952 playwright-helmed revival of Lillian Hellman's The Children's Hour, commends Finney's "brilliant characterization" for "catch[ing] all the anemic viciousness of the aunt".[29] Just three days later, the Eagle's critic felt compelled to elaborate.

I don't think Mary Finney was given sufficient credit by most of the other reviewers for her vivid, merciless portrayal as the aunt. She illuminated the woman's skinny little soul so completely that I couldn't help feeling a grudging pity for the spiteful, pathetic character.[30]

Regarding Finney's modest television resume, little has been written. One brief but notable exception concerns the Kraft Television Theatre episode "We Haven't Seen Her Lately," described by Herald Tribune critic Sid Bakal as a "flimsy affair that wallowed along in dull confusion" and clearly represented "a step in the wrong direction for this series," and, more to the point, one in which only "George Scott [i.e. [[George C. Scott]]], Angela Thornton and Mary Finney managed to rise above the script. The rest of the cast did not."[31]

Death

On February 26, 1973, unmarried and with no living next of kin, Finney died at age 66 of emphysema in Manhattan.[32] [33]

Acting credits

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotes
1944It's a Wild ChildMother (as Mary Whaley)Little Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse)
Ned McCobb's DaughterCarrie McCobb (as Mary Whaley)Little Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse)
1945Mary, Queen of ScotsElizabeth Tudor (as Mary Whaley)Little Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse)
Blithe SpiritMadame Arcati (as Mary Whaley)Little Theatre (Pasadena Playhouse)
1947Night Must FallMrs. BramsonSummer stock[34]
1948Lemple's Old ManRegional theater (Theater '48)[35]
The Importance of Being EarnestLady BracknellRegional theater (Theater '48)
The Learned LadiesPhilaminteRegional theater (Theater '48)
Here's to UsKit TremaineRegional theater (Theater '48)[36]
1949SkaalRagnaRegional theater (Theater '49)[37]
Sting in the TailLouisa HackettRegional theater (Theater '49)[38]
Coast of IllyriaMrs. KellyRegional theater (Theater '49)[39]
1950Southern ExposureDuchess of OrleansRegional theater (Theater '50)[40]
My Granny VanGranny VanRegional theater (Theater '50)[41]
Southern ExposureMary Belle TuckerBroadway[42]
The Cellar and the WellMiss TriumphBroadway[43]
1951Make a WishThe Madam; Dr. Didier (understudy)Broadway
1952The Children's HourMrs. Lily MortarBroadway[44] [45]
1954The Magic and the LossAnita Dawson (replacement)Broadway
1955The HoneysNellie FleischmanBroadway
JanusMiss AddyBroadway
1956Happy HuntingMaud FoleyBroadway
1959First ImpressionsLady Catherine de BourghBroadway[46]
1960Whisper to MeSister SammyeOff Broadway[47]
1964Too Much JohnsonMrs. BattersonOff Broadway[48]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1950Armstrong Circle Theatre1 episode
1953Lux Video Theatre1 episode
1954Honestly, Celeste!Mr. Wallace's secretary2 episodes
1958DecoyGladys Shriner1 episode: "Blind Date"[49]
Kraft Television TheatreAunt Lucy, Aunt Violet, ?3 episodes: "The Spell of the Tigress", "We Haven't Seen Her Lately",[50] "Trick or Treat"
1960CBS Television Workshop1 episode: "The Limbo Kid"[51]
U.S. Steel HourRing One (telephone operator)1 episode: "Shame the Devil"[52]
Play of the WeekLeonide Mangebois1 episode: "The Enchanted"[53]
1961
1962		The DefendersMrs. Johnson
Genevieve Clarendon		2 episodes: "The Young Lovers", "Grandma TNT"

Notes and References

  1. https://www.newspapers.com/image/562293675/?clipping_id=157226030 "Four Girls and Three Boys"
  2. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1954/1954-10-18-BC.pdf#page=14 "In Review: 'Honestly, Celeste!'"
  3. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-star-ledger/157301615/ "Now Celeste Is a News Gal"
  4. Crosby, John (October 22, 1954). "TV Notes: New Situation Comedy". The Waterloo Courier. p. 22.
  5. "Frank N. Finney Dies Suddenly; Well Known Irish Comedian Dies at His Home". The Spokesman-Review. November 7, 1937. pp. 1, 6. "A man who made hundreds of vaudeville audiences roar with laughter at his Irish dialect, Frank N. Finney, 63, died unexpectedly yesterday afternoon in a Spokane hospital, where he had been taken during the noon hour. Only a few close friends knew that his real name was James Whaley. [...] A daughter, Mary, followed him in theatre work and had several Broadway engagements. She also worked with little theater groups in Spokane. She had been in California recently in radio work."
  6. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokane-press/158260332/ "Brevities"
  7. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review/158261211/ "James Finney"
  8. https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle/158261743/ "James M. Whaley"
  9. https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle/158267713/ "Attractive Maids Who Complete Studies at North Central With Mid-Year Class"
  10. Huff, Bessie M. (1924). How to Publish a School Paper combined with A Laboratory Manual for Journalism in High Schools. New York: Mentzer, Bush and Company. p. 19. .
  11. https://www.newspapers.com/image/569477918/?clipping_id=156982495 "Mary Finney Shares Top Honors in Broadway Play"
  12. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-spokesman-review/157258049/ "Shower Is Given for Bride-Elect; Miss Ruth V. Martin Is Honored—Mrs. J.D. Meikle to Join Daughter in East. To Join School Staff; Miss Dorothy Atkinson to Teach in Seminary—Miss Finney to Attend University"
  13. https://www.newspapers.com/image/932415548/?clipping_id=158244985 "Marye Finney Is Introduced"
  14. https://www.newspapers.com/image/568228869/?clipping_id=158257873 "Frank Finney's Daughter Wins; Makes Successful Debut at Laughlanders' Latest Travesty at Auditorium; Is Born Comedienne"
  15. https://www.newspapers.com/image/932418700/?clipping_id=158243816 "Tiddledy Winks Is New for the Laughlanders"
  16. https://www.newspapers.com/image/563526429/?clipping_id=158284139 "'Tiddledy Winks' New Finney Show"
  17. https://www.newspapers.com/article/spokane-chronicle/158268332/ "Chorus Makes Distinct Hit"
  18. https://www.newspapers.com/image/568964929/?clipping_id=157225912 "Frank N. Finney Dies Suddenly"
  19. https://www.newspapers.com/image/567801198/?clipping_id=157227455 "Brief Candle Wins Audience; Mary Finney in Convincing and Charming Role on Stage"
  20. https://www.newspapers.com/image/567667229/?clipping_id=156982769 "Repertory Guild Members in Play; Pick Comedy for New Play; 'Fit for a King' Vehicle to Show Talents of Repertory Guild"
  21. Von Blon, Katherine (May 25, 1944). "Comedy Sparkling Fare at Pasadena Playhouse". The Los Angeles Times. pt. II, p. 11.
  22. Von Blon, Katherine (August 7, 1944). "Ned McCobb Well Done". The Los Angeles Times. pt. I, p. 10.
  23. Von Blon, Katherine (November 24, 1945). "Anderson's Play Opulent". The Los Angeles Times. pt. II, p. 3.
  24. Von Blon, Katherine (November 24, 1945). "'Spirit' New at Playhouse". The Los Angeles Times. pt. II, p. 5.
  25. Foote, Robert O. (November 10, 1946). "Footlights". Metropolitan Pasadena Star-News. p. 14.
  26. https://www.newspapers.com/image/385786418/?clipping_id=157312735 "Theater '48 Sets Opening"
  27. https://www.newspapers.com/image/885126010/?clipping_id=157346795 "Moliere Comedy Opens in Dallas; Theater '48 Season Under Way Monday Night"
  28. Chapman, John (September 27, 1950). "Two New Comediennes Help Make 'Southern Exposure' Happy Play"' The New York Daily News. p. 81.
  29. [Louis Sheaffer|Sheaffer, Louis]
  30. Sheaffer, Louis (December 22, 1952). "Theaters: O.K., Mr. Gregory, This Isn't a Review of 'John Brown'". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 4.
  31. News: TV Review: Kraft Mystery Theater. Bakal, Sid. August 21, 1958. New York Herald Tribune. A3. The slow-moving plot, which concerns an eccentric old lady who hides from her relatives to communicate privately with the spirits about an impending murder, was a flimsy affair that wallowed along in dull confusion, cloaked in semi-eerie backgrounds. Nor did its somewhat frantic climax compensate for the endless tedium that preceded it. George Scott, Angela Thornton and Mary Finney managed to rise above the script. The rest of the cast id not. To its credit, 'We Haven't Seen Her Lately' was live — but just barely.. .
  32. https://www.newspapers.com/image/464938734/?clipping_id=157228647 "Obituary"
  33. News: Obituaries: Mary Finney. March 7, 1973. Variety. 78. She had been a secretary for the last five years for Peter Glenn Associates. In addition to her last Broadway appearance in 1959 in 'First Impressions,' she was also seen in 'Whisper to Me' and 'Too Much Johnson.' Earlier she was seen in 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,' 'The Children's Hour,' 'Janus,' 'The Honey' and 'Haunting Hunting [sic].' Both her parents, James Whaley and Mary Eliza Whaley, were in the theatre and she made her legit debut with her father's stock company in 'The Laughlanders,' her NY. debut in 'Southern Exposure.'. .
  34. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/26450286/ "Melodrama Stars Drake"
  35. https://www.newspapers.com/image/385772927/?clipping_id=157313654 "Theater '48 Gives First Production Under New Name"
  36. https://www.newspapers.com/image/885151681/?clipping_id=157345810 "Modern Comedy Next at Dallas"
  37. https://www.newspapers.com/image/52409953/?clipping_id=157440409 "Dallas Theater Group Presents Norwegian Play"
  38. News: Legitimate: Plays Out of Town - Sting in the Tail. Berg.. February 23, 1949. Variety. 52. With the fear of an inquest hanging over their heads, the family, usually at odds with each other, unites in a coverup job engineered by Bentley's sister-in-law, Louisa (Mary Finney). Louisa, a lady with a past, beguiles a bibulous and indebted doctor to attest to death from natural causes. [...] Finney's Louisa is the standout, injecting punch into the already punchy lines and compelling a good share of audience laughs.. .
  39. News: Legitimate: Plays Out of Town - Coast of Illyria. Berg.. April 13, 1949. Variety. 66. Edwin Whittier, as the poet Coleridge, is excellent. Frances Waller is an understanding, sympathetic Fanny, and Mary Finney is good as the mother.. .
  40. News: Legitimate: Plays Out of Town - The Golden Porcupine. Berg.. March 22, 1950. Variety. 60. Mary Finney displays her usual impressive talents in her brief scene as the Duchess of Orleans.. .
  41. News: Out of Town Openings: My Granny Van. Ricks, Thad. May 27, 1950. The Billboard. 51. Mary Finney, playing the title role, and Louis Veda Quince, as a rich relative, virtually take over the stage in spots when the show resolves itself into sort of a Marie Dressler-Wallace Beery type exchange of gags.. .
  42. Chapman, John (September 27, 1950). "Two New Comediennes Help Make 'Southern Exposure' Happy Play"' The New York Daily News. p. 81.
  43. Chapman, John (December 12, 1950). "Second ANTA Drama, 'The Cellar and the Well,' Is an Anticlimax". New York Daily News. p. 93.
  44. [Louis Sheaffer|Sheaffer, Louis]
  45. Sheaffer, Louis (December 22, 1952). "Theaters: O.K., Mr. Gregory, This Isn't a Review of 'John Brown'". Brooklyn Eagle. p. 4.
  46. News: First Impressions (Continued from Page 3). Hoffman, Leonard. March 20, 1959. The Hollywood Reporter. 4. Other than Hermione Gingold, there is another performance which stands out, that of Mary Finney as the haughty aristocratic Catherine de Bourgh. Equally high spirited, it brings a rare breath of life into the desultory proceedings.. .
  47. News: FIRST NIGHT REPORT 'Whisper to Me'. Taubman, Howard. November 22, 1960. The New York Times. 38. Ruth White as Lucille, Dorothy Sands as Little Pigeon and Mary Finney as Sister Sammye give performances of such vividness that 'Whisper to Me' remains afloat even when it should subside into folksy goo.. . See also:
    • News: FIRST NIGHT REPORT 'Whisper to Me'. Morgenstern, Joseph. November 22, 1960. New York Herald Tribune. 19. Unfortunately for the play, Mrs. Purdy's trials are not at an end. The lady dies, and is replaced by her sister, a gaunt and flinty creature equally well portrayed by Mary Finney. Only then is the fattest lady in the church aware that love can remain in a house despite a change of tenants, but by that time the tale has dwindled off into a tedious Sunday School lesson.. .
    • News: Theatres: 'Whisper To Me' Screams Its Fatal Ineptitude. Gottfried, Martin. November 23, 1960. Women's Wear Daily. 35. Ruth White, as Lucille Marie Purdy, the lonely woman, is highly professional in a role that was inadequately conceived [...] Dorothy Sands, as Little Pigeon, has more to work with as the eccentric object of love, and makes as much of the character as possible under the circumstances. Mary Finney, playing her sister, deserves the remainder of credit for what praise this play elicits.. .
  48. News: Theatre: 'Too Much Johnson'. Gottfried, Martin. January 17, 1964. Women's Wear Daily. 29. Mary Finney is exactly on key as the mother-in-law, managing herself so well that she is able to draw uproarious laughs by holding a pair of shoes in her hands and throwing one out, only to find it held back by the laces the pair was tied together with. She is a well-dressed bag of an old Bea Lillie.. .
  49. Lee, Phil (June 17, 1958). "T.V. with Lee: Headliners". Times Colonist. p. 19.
  50. News: TV Review: 'Kraft Mystery Theater'. Bakal, Sid. August 21, 1958. New York Herald Tribune. A3. George Scott, Angela Thornton and Mary Finney managed to rise above the script. The rest of the cast did not. 'We Haven't Seen Her Lately' was live—but just barely.. .
  51. News: On Television: Former Iowans. Ogden, Dwight. February 8, 1960. The Des Moines Register. 10. The third outing on Sunday's 'CBS Television Workshop' had more of an experimental flair. The play, titled 'The Limbo Kid,' was written by Robert Downing, one of Broadway's most active stage managers. [...] Paul Hampton as the cowpoke was handsome and at times moving. Frieda Holloway, as his girlfriend, was winning. Comedian Morey Amsterdam played a medicine man, a character with many ambiguities. He represented, at the end, a nebulous symbol which could be interpreted in many ways. Victor Killian, Bibi Osterwald, Mary Finney and Evan Elliott did well in supporting roles.. .
  52. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-napa-valley-register/157182595/ "Betsy Palmer, Vincent Price to Star"
  53. https://www.newspapers.com/article/oakland-tribune/157299831/ "Giradoux' 'The Enchanted' on 'Play of the Week'"

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