Carol Adams

Carol Adams (born Lurline Uller; March 15, 1918 – April 9, 2012) was an American actress and dancer. She began her career performing under her birth name at the age of five in the short film Navy Blues. In the 1920s, she made appearances in the short film series Our Gang, Buster Brown, and Mickey McGuire, and also appeared in minor uncredited film roles. From 1936-1939, she was under contract with 20th Century Fox, where she appeared in dance parts and uncredited roles. She first drew critical notice for her work as a tap dancer in the 1938 Fox film Sally, Irene and Mary. In 1940, she joined Paramount Pictures at which time her performance name was changed to Carol Adams. Beginning with the film Dancing on a Dime (1940) she worked as a leading actress in Hollywood until her retirement in 1944 at the time of her marriage to studio executive Richard J. Pearl.

Early life as a child perfomer Adams was born Lurline Uller in Los Angeles, California, March 15, 1918. Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. Emil Uller. She trained with The Meglin Kiddies and in her early career she was billed under her birth name. After appearing in this film she appeared in small uncredited parts in Sparrows (1926) and Fireman, Save My Child (1927). She graduated form George Washington Preparatory High School in Los Angeles. She later attended Los Angeles City College.

Adult dancer and actress At the age of 18, Uller signed a contract with the film studio 20th Century Fox. The reviews from this film led to her being offered a better contract at Fox by Darryl F. Zanuck, boosting her out of anonymity.

In February 1940, Uller starred in the musical revue Hit and Run at the Mayan Theater which was produced and directed by Kurt Robitschek. Her strong performance in this show drew the attention of scouts from Paramount Pictures, and she was put under contract with them in March 1940. At that time it was announced in the press that Uller's name would be changed to Carol Adams beginning with her performance in the film Dancing on a Dime (1940). She next worked under contract with Republic Pictures (RP). She had larger credited roles in the 1941 RP films Ice-Capades, Sis Hopkins, and Ridin' on a Rainbow; the latter made with Gene Autry. Regarded as one of the foremost tap dance stars in the beginning of the 1940s, she was in many Soundies.

Selected filmography In Old Chicago (1937) New Faces of 1937 (1937) The Life of the Party (1937) Love and Hisses (1937) The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938) Keep Smiling (1938) Sally, Irene and Mary (1938) Rose of Washington Square (1939) The House Across the Bay (1940) The Quarterback (1940) Dancing on a Dime (1940) Love Thy Neighbor (1940) Behind the News (1940) Ridin' on a Rainbow (1941) Sis Hopkins (1941) The Gay Vagabond (1941) Ice-Capades (1941) Bad Man of Deadwood (1941) Dick Tracy vs. Crime Inc. (1941) Blondie Goes to College (1942) Ever Since Venus (1944) Source: