| Winnie Baldwin | |
| Birth Date: | 7 April 1894 |
| Birth Place: | Kentucky, U.S. |
| Death Place: | San Bernardino County, California, U.S. |
| Occupation: | Actress, vaudevillian, writer |
Winnie Baldwin (April 7, 1894 – October 7, 1969) was an American vaudevillian, film actress, and playwright.
Baldwin was born in Kentucky on April 7, 1894.[1]
In 1913, Baldwin was described as having "a sort of Howard Chandler Christy girl plus vaudeville sprightliness, the delightful American type we all fall for every time."[2]
Baldwin and her first husband Percy Bronson performed together in an act known as "Bronson and Baldwin."[3] They performed together in the play So Long Letty at the Shubert Theatre, singing "Pass around the Apples Once Again."[4]
Baldwin performed in Mercenary Mary at the Longacre Theatre in 1925. Don Carle Gillette wrote that Baldwin "helps the comedy along and puts over a couple of song numbers well."[5]
She later partnered with Joe Morris; their act was called Morris and Baldwin.[6]
Baldwin performed at Loew's American Theatre in 1928. A review in The Billboard stated, "Her easy, winning manner suggests that Miss Baldwin with a newly written act would go over big. She is capable of rising to the summit, but never quite reaches the heights."[7]
Baldwin wrote two plays, including House of Mander, also referred to as Mander's Sons, which played at the Apollo in Atlantic City, New Jersey, in October 1929. A review read, "Despite its faults, the play has some dramatic force, and with the lustful emotions of its chief character, may have a chance, providing it gets by New York's equivalent to 'the watch and ward' society."[8] It was staged by Lawrence Marston.[9] [10]
Her comedy Divided Honors played Belmont, New York. Some of her vaudeville gags were employed in the show.[11] It was reviewed in Variety: "In vaude you've got to give it to them snappy. Maybe that's why Miss Baldwin was at her best in the first act."[12] The Morning News of Wilmington, Delaware, wrote, "The play has all the fluva of a very palpable hit".[13]
In 1914, she married performer Percy V. Raisbeck,[14] known professionally as Percy Bronson, with whom she had three children: Edna, Douglas, and Hazel.[15] She and Raisbeck divorced in 1923;[16] Baldwin retained custody of the children.[17] After Raisbeck died in 1927,[18] Baldwin was named "administratrix" of his estate.[19]
Baldwin married William Franks in 1935.[20]
Baldwin died on October 7, 1969, in San Bernardino County, California.