Marilyn Harris

Marilyn Harris (July 17, 1924 – December 1, 1999 ) was an American child actress who appeared in several Hollywood productions in the 1930s and 1940s. She is best remembered for her role as "Little Maria" in the 1931 horror film Frankenstein.

Early life and career Harris was born in San Fernando, California and placed in a Los Angeles orphanage shortly after her birth. She was adopted by an area couple when she was a month old. Shortly after her adoption, she appeared in a Rin Tin Tin film. In her later years, Harris revealed that her adoptive mother forced her to pursue a screen career because of her own failed attempts to become an actress. Harris also claimed that her mother was physically and emotionally abusive.

In 1931, Harris won the role of "Little Maria" in the horror film Frankenstein. In arguably the film's most memorable scene, Maria meets the fugitive monster (played by Boris Karloff) beside a lake and charms the monster with her innocence, humanity and friendship. These were qualities that he had not experienced with hostile, untrusting adults. A children's game is tragically misinterpreted by the monster, and he throws Little Maria into the lake, unintentionally drowning her and turning the surrounding village's population into a lynch mob, seeking revenge after the child's body is found. The shot of Maria being thrown into the water was cut from original prints, and was restored in the 1980s.

After appearing in Frankenstein, Harris continued her career in small film roles. She left acting at the age of 19 shortly after marrying Wally Watkins, a bouncer she met while working as a cashier at the Hollywood Palladium. The couple had a son the following year. After Harris' husband died in 1981, she remarried. Harris' second husband, Carl, died in 1988.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes 1930 The Big Trail Pioneer Girl Uncredited 1931 Frankenstein Little Maria Over the Hill Susan Shelby in Prologue 1932 Destry Rides Again Schoolgirl UncreditedAlternative title: Justice Rides Again Wild Girl Anna May Uncredited Six Hours to Live Flower Girl Uncredited 1933 Tugboat Annie Pat Severn, as a Child Uncredited 1934 A Wicked Woman Rosanne as a Girl 1935 The Bride of Frankenstein Girl Uncredited 1936 Show Boat Little Girl Uncredited 1937 Maytime Maypole singer Uncredited The Road Back Maria - Ernst's Sister 1943 Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour Gwendolyn Uncredited Young Ideas Co-ed Uncredited 1944 Standing Room Only Secretary Uncredited Henry Aldrich's Little Secret Minor Role Uncredited, (final film role)