Patricia Morison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patricia Morison
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Patricia Morison publicity picture in 1939
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| Born |
Eileen Patricia Augusta
Fraser Morison March 19, 1915 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | May 20, 2018 (aged 103) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Art Students League of New York |
| Occupation | Actress, singer, artist |
| Years active | 1933–1989 |
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Notable work
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Kiss Me, Kate The King and I |
Eileen Patricia Augusta Fraser Morison (born March 19, 1915 – died May 20, 2018) was an American actress and singer. She was famous for her work in movies, on TV, and especially on stage. She was known for her beautiful blue eyes and long, dark hair.
Patricia Morison started her film career in 1939. She appeared in movies like The Fallen Sparrow and Dressed to Kill. However, her biggest successes came when she returned to Broadway. She starred in the original plays Kiss Me, Kate and The King and I. She lived to be 103 years old, making her one of the last stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood.
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Early life and beginnings
Growing up
Patricia Morison was born in Manhattan, New York, on March 19, 1915. Her mother, Selena Morison, worked for British Intelligence during World War I.
After finishing high school, Patricia studied art at the Art Students League of New York. She also took acting classes at the Neighborhood Playhouse and learned dance from Martha Graham. To earn money, she worked as a designer at a department store called Russeks.
First steps on stage
In 1938, Patricia Morison appeared in a musical called The Two Bouquets. It didn't run for very long, but it was important for her career. One of her co-stars in this show was Alfred Drake. Years later, they would star together again in the huge Broadway hit Kiss Me, Kate.
Film career highlights
Working for Paramount Pictures
While performing in The Two Bouquets, Patricia was noticed by talent scouts from Paramount Pictures. They were looking for actresses with a unique, dark-haired look. Patricia signed a contract with Paramount.
Her first movie was a "B" film called Persons in Hiding (1939). She also appeared with Ray Milland in the colorful romance Untamed (1940). However, many of her roles at Paramount were in smaller movies. She often played the "bad girl" or the "other woman" in films. She left Paramount after a few years, looking for more interesting roles.
Entertaining troops during wartime
During World War II, Patricia Morison joined other celebrities to entertain American soldiers. In 1942, she went on a USO tour in Great Britain with famous people like Al Jolson and Merle Oberon. This was her way of supporting the war effort.
Returning to movies
After her USO tour, Patricia continued to act in films. She had a small but important role as Empress Eugénie in The Song of Bernadette (1943), which starred Jennifer Jones. She also appeared in The Fallen Sparrow (1943).
She often played strong, sometimes villainous, female characters. For example, she was in Dressed to Kill (1946) from the Sherlock Holmes series and Song of the Thin Man (1947). She also played the female villain in Tarzan and the Huntress (1947).
Patricia also had leading roles in some "B" movies. She played Maid Marian in The Prince of Thieves (1947). Later, in 1960, she played writer George Sand in the movie Song Without End.
Broadway stardom
Kiss Me, Kate
In 1948, Patricia Morison left movies to return to the stage. This was where she found her greatest success. The famous composer Cole Porter heard her sing and knew she was perfect for his new musical, Kiss Me, Kate.
Patricia became a huge Broadway star playing Lilli Vanessi. This character was a strong-willed actress whose personality matched her stage role as Kate from The Taming of the Shrew. Kiss Me, Kate featured popular songs like "I Hate Men" and "So in Love". Patricia was reunited with her former co-star Alfred Drake in this show. The play ran for over 1,000 performances on Broadway. Patricia also performed in the London production of Kiss Me, Kate.
The King and I
In 1954, Patricia Morison took over the role of Anna Leonowens in the famous musical The King and I. She starred alongside Yul Brynner, who played the King of Siam. This musical was very popular, and Patricia continued to play Anna on Broadway and during the national tour.
Television appearances
TV shows and musicals
During the 1950s and 1960s, Patricia Morison appeared on many television shows. She was in variety shows and TV productions of musicals. For example, she performed a part of The King and I on The Toast of the Town in 1955.
She also reunited with Alfred Drake to perform their Kiss Me, Kate roles for a TV broadcast in 1958. In 1971, she and Yul Brynner performed a song from The King and I at the Tony Awards.
Other TV roles
Patricia also took on non-musical roles on television. She had a recurring part in the detective series The Cases of Eddie Drake in 1952. She also made a guest appearance with Vincent Price on Have Gun – Will Travel in 1958. Later in her career, she appeared in the TV movie Mirrors (1985) and had a guest role on the popular sitcom Cheers in 1989.
Later years and legacy
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Patricia Morison continued to perform on stage in many plays and musicals. She often played leading roles in productions like The Merry Widow and The Sound of Music. She also returned to the role of Kate in Kiss Me, Kate several times.
After her stage triumphs, she made only a few more film appearances. These included a small role in Song Without End (1960) and a cameo in the comedy Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976).
In her later years, Patricia focused on her passion for painting. She had several art shows in Los Angeles. She never married and did not have children.
Even in her late 90s and early 100s, Patricia Morison continued to make public appearances. In 2014, at age 99, she sang "Brush Up Your Shakespeare" from Kiss Me, Kate at a charity event. For her 100th birthday in 2015, the Pasadena Playhouse held a special evening with her.
Patricia Morison passed away at her home in Los Angeles on May 20, 2018, at the age of 103. She was remembered as a talented actress and singer who had a long and successful career in Hollywood and on Broadway.
Images for kids
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Patricia Morison publicity picture in 1939
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Alan Curtis and Patricia Morison in Hitler's Madman (1943)
See also
In Spanish: Patricia Morison para niños
