Noel Francis was born in the city of Temple, Texas, in the year 1906. By the age of twenty, she had already made a name for herself, appearing in the esteemed Ziegfeld Follies, alongside the renowned comedy duo of Wheeler and Woolsey. Her impressive performance did not go unnoticed, as Fox scouts soon took notice of her talent, and in 1929, she was signed to a Hollywood contract.
Initially, Fox intended to develop Noel as a musical and dance star, drawing from her background in the Follies. However, due to the decline in popularity of musicals at the time, her contract was ultimately dropped. Fortunately, Warner Brothers took notice of her talent and featured her in a number of films, showcasing her ability to portray tough-talking, sassy females connected to gangsters, convicts, and other underworld figures, which was extremely popular with audiences then and now.
Despite being rarely given the lead female role, Noel worked alongside some of the era's most talented actors in films such as Smart Money (1931),in which she played a scheming blonde who helps Edward G. Robinson lose his fortune, and Blonde Crazy (1931),where her target is James Cagney. Her most notable performance, however, was in I Am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang (1932),in which she worked alongside Paul Muni in one of his strongest performances.
Although she was typecast, Noel continued to work in the film industry, appearing in "B" productions after 1932. One of her notable roles during this period was as the lead female in Mayfair Picture Corporation's 1934 film What's Your Racket?, opposite Regis Toomey.
As her career began to slow down, Noel returned to Broadway, but unfortunately, she was unable to resume her career there and instead returned to Hollywood to make three final films with Buck Jones, including Stone of Silver Creek (1935),in which she utilized her Broadway musical expertise to play a saloon singer. Throughout her career, from 1929 to 1937, Noel made a total of 47 films.
Tragically, Noel Francis passed away on October 30, 1959, in Los Angeles, California.
