LJ
Photo of Lois January

Lois January

Actor
Died August 7, 2006 (93 years)
Lois January was an American actress who performed small roles in several B-movies during the 1930s.

Lois also had a secondary part in the Wizard Of Oz, towards the end of the movie, holding a Siamese cat in her arms. Toto jumps out of the basket of the hot air balloon that was supposed to take him, Dorothy and the Wizard away from the Land of Oz.

January's first credited role was in 1933, in the film UM-PA. Her most famous role, however, is probably as the Emerald City manicurist in The Wizard of Oz who sings to Dorothy that "we can make a dimpled smile out of a frown". 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 Badman, 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).

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. From 1960 through 1987 she played numerous small roles on television, to include roles on My Three Sons and Marcus Welby, M.D. Her last acting role was in 1987, on the television movie Double Agent. During the 1980s she attended several western film festivals.
Movies & Shows on Plex
  • Father Knows Best
  • The Cocaine Fiends
  • Life Returns
  • Lightnin' Bill Carson
Known For
  • The Cocaine Fiends
  • Rogue of the Range
  • Lightnin' Bill Carson
  • Border Caballero
  • Bar-Z Bad Men
  • The Trusted Outlaw
  • The Red Rope
  • Life Returns
  • Skull and Crown
  • Moonlight on the Range

Filmography

1987
The Law & Harry McGraw (TV Series) · as Mrs. Clifford
1987
Double Agent · as Dowager
1978
Ringo · as Cast
1977
The Richard Pryor Special? · as Older Woman
1976
1974
Kolchak: The Night Stalker (TV Series) · as Rhonda June Markay
1973
Police Story (TV Series) · as Studio Owner
1972
Bridget Loves Bernie (TV Series) · as Irate Tenant
1971
The Smith Family (TV Series) · as Stella
1969
Marcus Welby, M.D. (TV Series) · as Mrs. Sloan
1962
Don't Knock the Twist · as Society Woman
1961
1960
My Three Sons (TV Series)
1954
Disneyland (TV Series) · as Dowager
1954
Father Knows Best (TV Series) · as Mrs. Martin
1950
The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (TV Series) · as Harry's Date
1946
Breakfast in Hollywood · as Gloria Stapleton
1939
The Wizard of Oz · as Emerald City Manicurist
1937
Moonlight on the Range · as Wanda Brooks
1937
The Red Rope · as Betty Duncan
1937
The Singing Marine · as Dopey's Girl Friend
1937
Woman Chases Man · as Woman
1937
The Trusted Outlaw · as Molly Clark
1937
Bar-Z Bad Men · as Beth Harvey
1937
Lightnin' Crandall · as Sheila Shannon
1937
The Roaming Cowboy · as Jeannie Morgan
1936
Easy to Take · as Annie
1936
One Rainy Afternoon · as Mr. Perelin's Secretary
1936
Rogue of the Range · as Stella Lamb
1936
Lightnin' Bill Carson · as Dolores Costello
1936
Border Caballero · as Goldie Harris
1935
Skull and Crown · as Barbara Franklin
1935
The Cocaine Fiends · as Jane Bradford
1935
Splendor · as Lena Limering
1935
Stolen Harmony · as Girl In Sextette (uncredited)
1935
Night Life of the Gods · as Mulligan's Girl
1935
Arizona Bad Man · as Lucy Dunston
1934
1934
The Man Who Reclaimed His Head · as Brunette Carnival Girl
1934
Tailspin Tommy · as Mrs. Grant
1934
The Black Cat · as Cultist
1934
The Vanishing Shadow · as John Cadwell's Secretary
1934
Glamour · as Chorus Girl
1933
By Candlelight · as Ann

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