Una Merkel was a woman who had an extremely long career by Hollywood standards. A great comedianne and actress, her career in films started in 1923 in silent films (she started out as a stand-in for Lillian Gish) and was a staple character actress more than a leading lady on Broadway and in films through 1966 (with a bit of a lull in the 1940's). Her silent film credits are short, as her career really did not bloom until 1927 when she was appearing on Broadway with Helen Hayes in "Coquette."

Born on December 10, 1903, Una Merkel was born and raised in Convington, Kentucky. In the very beginning, Miss Merkel was a model, but she was drawn to acting and persued becoming an actress in the 1920's. In the early 1930's, when sound was entering film, Una Merkel was getting steady parts co-starring in classic sound films of the thirties. These films included greats like 42nd Street (1933), Bombshell (1933), The Merry Widow (1934), Broadway Melody of 1936 (1935), Born to Dance (1936) and Road to Zanzibar (1941). Merkel also did some films for Disney, her most memorable being with Haley Mills and Haley Mills in The Parent Trap (1963) and Haley Mills in Summer Magic (1963).

In 1959, Merkel got a Tony award for her role in "The Ponder Heart." In 1961, she was nominated for an Oscar as best supporting Actress for "Summer In Smoke," a character she had also played on Broadway.

Una Merkel left us on January 2, 1986 and will always be remembered as the vibrant wise cracking lady.

Most biographical information compiled from Hollywood.com and the Internet Movie Database, except of course the information that just pops out of my head.;)

Favorite moments on the reels:

Any scene with Una in The Merry Widow! Merkel was absolutely fabulous in that film. As a Queen having an affair with an officer (Chevalier), the king walks into the two and the reactions are priceless. Not what one would think of at all and they must think of the King's position and Maurice and Una are charming at smoothing everything over. Absolutely brilliant scene.

The Parent Trap was a great film as well for Merkel.

Verbena: You used to confide in me. Anything you want to talk over? You wouldn't like to tell me why Andromeda never comes near you, or why suddenly your appetite's changed. [She could take simple dialogue like that and give the best delivery of it]

Sharon: Verbena, you are a mystic.

Verbena: Mystic!

Verbena: I'm not saying a word. I'm not one to talk about someone behind their backs. Except if he wants to make a ninny of himself that's his affair I don't say a word, I mind my own business. [Probably the most, or one of the most memorable lines in the entire film]

Broadway Melody of 1936 and Born to Dance capture great musical moments with Eleanor Powell (though she's not always participating in the dance). She supports Powell's character and plays extremely well against character actor Sid Silvers, cutting him down to size. There are also some great exchanges with Jack Benny in Broadway Melody of 1936.

Another great Una Merkel scene is at the end of Summer Magic, when Burl Ives tries to get her to calm down with a little bit of alcohol and she becomes slightly drunk. A painting is revealed that is supposed to be "The Yellow Peril's" mother and she's really a woman who was devotee of Prohibition and she exclaims "she was a wonderful woman."

There are so many more films out there, she made a total of sixty-six films. Do go out and find these films and enjoy the brilliance of Una Merkel.