Evelyn Venable: A Life of Love, Art, and Devotion
Born in 1913 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Evelyn Venable was a lovely and ethereal beauty, with a quiet nature that belied her remarkable talent. Her father, Emerson Venable, and grandfather were both writers and teachers, and Evelyn's upbringing was steeped in literature and the arts. She attended high school in Cincinnati, where she excelled in the drama department, playing the lead roles in productions of "Romeo and Juliet" and "As You Like It". Her performances were met with critical acclaim, and she was soon cast in a professional production of "Dear Brutus" in the nearby area.
After graduating from high school, Evelyn earned a four-year non-acting scholarship to Vassar College, but left after her first year to study at the University of Cincinnati. It was during this time that she discovered her passion for acting again, and was encouraged by her family friend, classical actor and director Walter Hampden, to join his touring company. There, she performed alongside Hampden in productions of "Hamlet" and "Cyrano", and was eventually discovered by film scouts from Paramount Pictures.
Evelyn made her film debut in 1933 with "Cradle Song", and went on to appear in a string of successful films, including "Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch", "Death Takes a Holiday", "David Harum", "The County Chairman", and "Alice Adams". She proved herself to be a talented and versatile actress, but perhaps her modest nature and delicate features didn't quite convey the star quality that she deserved.
Despite this, Evelyn continued to work in film, appearing in a range of movies, including "Vagabond Lady", "Streamline Express", "North of Nome", "Racketeers in Exile", "The Headleys at Home", and "Hollywood Stadium Mystery". One of her most notable roles came in 1940, when she provided the voice of the Blue Fairy in the Disney animated classic "Pinocchio".
In her personal life, Evelyn married Oscar-winning cinematographer Hal Mohr, whom she met on the set of one of Will Rogers' films. The couple had two daughters, Dolores and Rosalia, and Evelyn eventually retired from acting to focus on her family. She went on to earn a Master's degree in Greek and Latin from UCLA, and spent decades teaching drama at the university. She and Mohr lived in Brentwood, California, and enjoyed a 40-year marriage that lasted until his death in 1974. Evelyn passed away in Idaho in 1993, surrounded by her loved ones.
