Anita Louise

An actress from the age of 6, Anita appeared with 'Walter Hampden' (qv) in the Broadway production of Peter Ibbetson. As a juvenile actor, Anita used the name Louise Fremault and made her film debut at 9 in the film _The Sixth Commandment (1924)_ (qv). She continued to make films as a child actor, and in 1929, Anita dropped her "Fremault" surname, billing herself by her first and second names only. Unlike many child actors, her film career continued as a teenager, and as a blue-eyed blonde, Anita became a star in Warner Brothers costume dramas such as _Madame Du Barry (1934)_ (qv), _A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935)_ (qv), _The Story of Louis Pasteur (1936)_ (qv), and _Marie Antoinette (1938)_ (qv). Anita complained that her looks often interfered with her chances to obtain serious roles. With her ethereal beauty, she continued to appear in ingénue roles into the 1940s as she played girlfriends, sisters, and daughters. By 1940, Anita was only in her mid 20s, but her career had turned to 'B' movies, and her time on the big screen ended with the rehashed _Bulldog Drummond at Bay (1947)_ (qv) in 1947. In 1956, Anita was cast as 'Johnny Washbrook' (qv)'s mother, Nell McLaughin, on the Television series _My Friend Flicka (1955)_ (qv), the story of a boy and his black horse. Anita was also the substitute host of The 'Loretta Young' (qv) Show (1953) when 'Loretta Young' (qv) was recuperating from surgery. Other shows Anita hosted included Theater of Time (1957) and Spotlight Playhouse (1958). Her Television guest roles have included _Mannix (1967)_ (qv) and _Mod Squad (1968)_ (qv). Anita devoted her final years to various philanthropic causes.::Tony Fontana <[email protected]>