Lois January

Lois January (October 5, 1912 – August 7, 2006) was an American actress and singer who performed small roles in several B-movies during the 1930s.

Early life Born in McAllen, Texas, as Laura Lois January, she "was prodded into show business by her Texas-born mother, Lucile Clara ( Buck), whom Lois described as "pushy". January attended Virgil Junior High School and the Marlborough School for girls. She also studied dance at the Denishawn School of Dancing and Related Arts and acted in stage productions in Los Angeles. Although the character was unnamed, many fans believe it to be an incarnation of novel character Jellia Jamb.

During the 1930s, she played in numerous westerns as the heroine, usually opposite Johnny Mack Brown, Bob Steele, Tim McCoy and Bob Baker, among others. In 1935 she starred opposite Reb Russell in Arizona Bad Man, and in 1936 she starred with Brown in Rogue of the Range, and alongside Tim McCoy in Border Caballero. While under contract with Universal Pictures she continued to play heroine roles in westerns, and in 1937 she starred opposite Bob Baker in Courage of the West. The reissuing of the 1935 exploitation film The Pace That Kills (under the title Cocaine Fiends) would eventually lend January even more exposure, however limited.

January's Broadway credits include High Kickers (1941) and Yokel Boy (1939) alongside Judy Canova and Buddy Ebsen.

By the mid-1940s, her starring roles had waned but she continued to act in non-starring parts. In 1942 she was the "poster girl" for Chesterfield cigarettes. Her last acting role was in 1987, on the television movie Double Agent. During the 1980s she attended several western film festivals.

Personal life In April 1937, January married theatrical agent Abraham Meyer. They were divorced on August 9, 1940. She later married radio producer Bill Gernnant. The couple had a daughter, Jan (born 1949).

Filmography

Double Agent (1987) as a Dowager The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come (1961) as Mrs. Dean The Wizard of Oz (1939) as Manicurist Life Returns (1938) as Nurse Lightnin' Crandall (1937) as Sheila Shannon Bar-Z Bad Men (1937) as Beth Harvey The Red Rope (1937) as Betty Duncan The Trusted Outlaw (1937) as Molly The Roaming Cowboy (1937) as Jeanie Courage of the West (1937) as Beth Andrews Moonlight on the Range (1937) as Wanda Brooks Border Caballero (1936) as Goldie Harris Lightnin' Bill Carson (1936) as Dolores Rogue of the Range (1936) as Stella [Lamb] One Rainy Afternoon (1936) as Mr. Pelerin's secretary Flying Hostess (1936) as Waitress Easy to Take (1936) as Annie Night Life of the Gods (1935) Stolen Harmony (1935) as Woman in sextet Society Fever (1935) as Julie Prouty Skull and Crown (1935) as Barbara Franklin Arizona Bad Man (1935) as Lucy Dunstan The Pace That Kills (1935) as Jane Bradford, also known as Lil The Affair of Susan (1935) as Girl in candy shop Splendor (1935) as Lena Limering The Man Who Reclaimed His Head (1934) Let's Be Ritzy (1934) as Stenographer The Love Captive (1934) as Girl Uncertain Lady (1934) as Maid The Human Side (1934) as High school girl The Black Cat (1934) as Cultist Glamour (1934) as Chorus girl Let's Talk It Over (1934) as Alice By Candlelight (1933) as Ann Umpa (1933) as Nurse (?)

Death Lois January died in Los Angeles, California of Alzheimer's disease on August 7, 2006, aged 93.