Frances Dade, also known early in her career as Lorelei Lee,
(February 14, 1910 – January 21, 1968) was an American film actress of the late
1920s and 1930s.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dade moved to
Hollywood, California in the late 1920s to pursue an acting career. She first
caught the attention of Samuel Goldwyn as a member of the touring company of
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. He gave her a contract though she later went free
lance. Her first film role was in 1928, when she had an uncredited role
alongside stars Dorothy Boyd and Mabel Poulton in The Constant Nymph. In 1930
she appeared in four films, including Grumpy.
In 1931 Dade was cast in the biggest role of her career,
Lucy Weston in Dracula, which starred Bela Lugosi and Helen Chandler. The scene
with Bela Lugosi hovering over her prostrate body remains an indelible part of
pop culture. That role would catapult her to brief notoriety, and would result
in her being selected one of thirteen WAMPAS Baby Stars, including Marian Marsh,
Karen Morley, and Marion Shilling, that same year.
Despite her performance in Dracula, Dade's film role offers
dwindled. She starred in six films in 1931, three of which were horror films.
In 1932, she was featured in only one film, Big Town, and she appeared on
Broadway in the play Collision. Shortly thereafter, she retired from acting and
married wealthy socialite Brock Van Avery. She eventually moved back home to
Philadelphia, and went into nursing. She died there in 1968 at the age of 57.
She was grandniece to Confederate General John Clifford
Pemberton and first cousin to athlete Hobey Baker.
Frances Dade, also known early in her career as Lorelei Lee,
(February 14, 1910 – January 21, 1968) was an American film actress of the late
1920s and 1930s.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dade moved to
Hollywood, California in the late 1920s to pursue an acting career. She first
caught the attention of Samuel Goldwyn as a member of the touring company of
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. He gave her a contract though she later went free
lance. Her first film role was in 1928, when she had an uncredited role
alongside stars Dorothy Boyd and Mabel Poulton in The Constant Nymph. In 1930
she appeared in four films, including Grumpy.
In 1931 Dade was cast in the biggest role of her career,
Lucy Weston in Dracula, which starred Bela Lugosi and Helen Chandler. The scene
with Bela Lugosi hovering over her prostrate body remains an indelible part of
pop culture. That role would catapult her to brief notoriety, and would result
in her being selected one of thirteen WAMPAS Baby Stars, including Marian Marsh,
Karen Morley, and Marion Shilling, that same year.
Despite her performance in Dracula, Dade's film role offers
dwindled. She starred in six films in 1931, three of which were horror films.
In 1932, she was featured in only one film, Big Town, and she appeared on
Broadway in the play Collision. Shortly thereafter, she retired from acting and
married wealthy socialite Brock Van Avery. She eventually moved back home to
Philadelphia, and went into nursing. She died there in 1968 at the age of 57.
She was grandniece to Confederate General John Clifford
Pemberton and first cousin to athlete Hobey Baker.