Dorothy Appleby was a renowned American film actress, born on January 6, 1906, and passed away on August 9, 1990. Throughout her illustrious career, spanning from 1931 to 1943, she appeared in over 50 films, showcasing her remarkable talent and versatility.
Initially, Appleby gained valuable acting experience as an understudy and chorus member in plays in New York City. According to a newspaper article, she arrived in New York after winning a Maine beauty contest, marking the beginning of her journey in the entertainment industry.
Despite her impressive skills, Appleby's diminutive height, standing at just over five feet tall, often made it challenging for her to secure leading roles in prominent films. Her early leading men, including comedian Charley Chase, towered over her, making it difficult for her to project an image of a leading lady.
However, Appleby soon found consistent work in Columbia Pictures' two-reel comedies, where she often appeared alongside The Three Stooges, who were only slightly taller than she was. In 1940, she became Buster Keaton's leading lady, thanks to their similar heights, and worked with other notable comedians, such as Andy Clyde, El Brendel, and Hugh Herbert.
Some of her notable Stooge comedies include Loco Boy Makes Good, So Long Mr. Chumps, and In the Sweet Pie and Pie. One of her most memorable appearances was as the Mexican brunette Rosita in the 1940 film Cookoo Cavaliers, where she gets pummeled by the Stooges after a facial "mud pack" made of cement dries on her face.
Appleby's petite figure belied her age, and she continued to play "younger" roles throughout the 1940s. One of her last screen roles was a one-line bit, playing a college co-ed at the age of 35, in the 1941 Jane Withers feature Small Town Deb.
Throughout her career, Appleby demonstrated remarkable adaptability, working in various genres and roles, and leaving a lasting impact on the world of cinema.
