Versatile a la Lee

Effie Perine, Sam Spade's no-nonsense secretary in The Maltese Falcon (1941). Deb, Charlotte Vale's chatty traveling companion in Now, Voyager (1942). Mrs. Biederhof, the "distinctly middle-class" romantic rival to Mildred Pierce (1945). Elvira, the hard-bitten queen bee of the women's prison of Caged (1950). Doris Upson, the dithering, twittering, blithely bigoted suburban matron from Auntie Mame (1958).

This classic gallery of memorable supporting roles was created by one remarkable actress, Lee Patrick. A long-standing feud with the all-powerful Louella O. Parsons (who took issue with an unflattering article Patrick's journalist husband wrote about the gossip columnist) prevented Patrick from moving to the front ranks in Hollywood; she was seriously considered for the leads in Stage Door and Stella Dallas (both 1937), but rumors of repercussions against RKO from La Parsons squashed those plans.

LEE PATRICK AND HUMPHREY BOGART IN THE MALTESE FALCON (1941)

LEE PATRICK AND BETTE DAVIS IN NOW, VOYAGER (1942)

WILLARD WATERMAN, ROSALIND RUSSELL AND LEE PATRICK IN AUNTIE MAME (1958)

She may never have become a major star, but Lee Patrick made the most of her often too-brief screen time. We thank her for endless hours of movie watching pleasure, and wish this SSUWAT favorite the happiest of birthdays, wherever she is, and whichever part she's playing. Whatever the role, we know she's essaying it perfectly.

LEE PATRICK
November 22, 1901 - November 21, 1982