Adrienne Dore


Adrienne Dore was an American actress, model, and beauty pageant winner. She was first runner-up in the Miss America 1925 pageant, competing as Miss Los Angeles. Dore went on to have a modest career in motion pictures before retiring in 1934.

Early life and education

Adrienne Dore was born Elizabeth Himmelsbach in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to Louis Joseph Himmelsbach and Edith Estelle Kell. The family moved to Yakima and then Seattle, Washington, where she attended school at a convent. She performed in her first musical there at age three. Her education at Forrest Ridge Convent was in general studies but she focused on dancing and the theater.

Career

Dore moved to New York City, and pursued a career in acting under the name Adrienne Doré. She was a singer in the musical revue "Elliott, Comstock, and Gest", performing at the Cocoanut Grove, a nightclub located on the roof of the Century Theatre. She competed in the Miss Los Angeles Beauty contest in 1925, winning, and went on to the Miss America pageant, placing second in the competition. The contestants signed promissory contracts for film appearances with the Famous Players–Lasky Corporation upon winning; Dore's was with Universal Pictures for 5 years.
File:Adrienne Dore and Edmund Goulding.jpg|thumb|right|Dore and Edmund Goulding photographed for a scene in Sally, Irene and Mary
Dore returned to Los Angeles where she began acting in uncredited roles in silent pictures and two reelers such as Johnny's Week End and Adam's Eve, before moving on to full feature talkies. First receiving top billing in minor pictures like Beyond London Lights, then continuing with minor roles alongside such stars as Clara Bow in The Wild Party. In 1931, she obtained a contract with Warner Bros., and had supporting roles in Union Depot and The Rich Are Always with Us with Bette Davis. She met and married independent or B film producer Burt Kelly, who, along with Sam Bischoff and William Saal, headed KBS productions. Dore's last role was in Undercover Men, a 1934 Kelly film.

Later life

Dore and Kelly remained married until his death in 1983. Dore died at the age of 85 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. She is buried without marker in Forest Hill Cemetery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

Filmography

YearFilmRoleRefNotes
1925Sally, Irene and MaryUncredited, scene cut
1926Love's HurdleShort
1928The Valley of Hunted MenMinor roleUncredited
1928The Swim PrincessMinor roleUncredited
1928Beyond London LightsKitty CarstairsLost film
1928Wife TroubleShort
1929Pep UpAdrienne WoodShort
1929Smart SteppersShort
1929Time to ExpireShort
1929The Wild PartyBabsCredited as Adrienne Doré
1929Delicious and RefreshingShort
1929Peaceful AlleyA Mission GirlShort
1929Adam's EveIreneShort
1929Pointed HeelsKay WilcoxTechnicolor version of the film survives at UCLA Film and Television Archive
1930Hello, BabyAdrienneShort
1930Johnny's Week EndShort
1932Union DepotSadie
1932The Famous Ferguson CaseAntoinette "Toni" Martin
1932Two SecondsAnnieUncredited
1932Alias the Doctor
1932Street of WomenFrances
1932The Expert
1932Play GirlThe Reno GirlUncredited
1932Gentleman for a Day
1932The Rich Are Always with UsAllison Adair
1932The Thirteenth GuestWinston's DateUncredited
1932The Girl from CalgaryLulu, Darrell's secretaryUncredited
1933Love, Honor, and Oh Baby!Louise
1934Undercover MenBetty WintonFinal film role