In the year 1931, a remarkable one-day effort by Marilyn Knowlden's attorney father led to a pivotal interview, followed by a next-day screen test, and a significant role for the then four-year-old Marilyn in one of the early "talkies", titled Women Love Once. This marked the beginning of a decade-long movie career, where she played the daughter of renowned stars such as Claudette Colbert, Katharine Hepburn, Allan Jones, and Norma Shearer.
Marilyn Knowlden went on to appear in some of the screen's most iconic classics, including Angels with Dirty Faces, David Copperfield, and Les Misérables, where she played the young Cosette. Her impressive filmography includes six films nominated for Best Production of the Year, and she had the privilege of working alongside distinguished actors such as Fredric March, Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, Greta Garbo, and Bette Davis.
Following her time in the spotlight, Marilyn Knowlden pursued higher education, got married, and had four children. In addition to her acting career, she also showcased her talent as a composer and playwright. She wrote the music and lyrics for ten produced musicals, including three for which she also penned the scripts. One of her notable works is the musical "I'm Gonna Get You in the Movies!", which drew heavily from her own early experiences in the film industry.
After a 50-year hiatus, Marilyn Knowlden made her comeback to acting in 1994. She appeared in over 20 plays and musicals in San Diego County, taking on various roles, including Aunt Abby in "Arsenic and Old Lace", the leads in "Sorry, Wrong Number" and "Quilters", and Prof. Higgins' mother in "My Fair Lady".
In 2011, Bear Manor published Marilyn Knowlden's autobiography, "Little Girl in Big Pictures", offering a glimpse into her remarkable life and career.
