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{{Short description|American actress and singer}}
{{Short description|American actress and singer (1911–1984)}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
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{{More citations needed |date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Christine McIntyre
| name = Christine McIntyre
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| death_place = [[Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California|Van Nuys, California]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California|Van Nuys, California]], U.S.
| resting_place = [[Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City]]
| resting_place = [[Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City]]
| other_names =
| other_names =
| alma_mater = [[Chicago Musical College]] ([[Bachelor of Music]], 1933)
| alma_mater = [[Chicago Musical College]] ([[Bachelor of Music]], 1933)
| occupation = Actress, singer
| occupation = Actress, singer
| years_active = 1937–1955
| years_active = 1937–1955
| spouse = {{marriage|[[J. Donald Wilson|John Donald Wilson]]<br>|1953|1984|end=his death}}
| spouse = {{marriage|[[J. Donald Wilson|John Donald Wilson]]|1953|1984|end=his death}}
| homepage =
| homepage =
}}
}}
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==Early career==
==Early career==
{{Moresources|section|date=July 2023}}
⚫
A native of [[Nogales, Arizona]],<ref>[http://www.thenogaleschamber.com/Portal/Relocation/tabid/96/Default.aspx/ The Nogales Chamber.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104221444/http://www.thenogaleschamber.com/Portal/Relocation/tabid/96/Default.aspx |date=2008-01-04 }}</ref> Christine McIntyre was one of five children. A classically trained singer, McIntyre received a [[Bachelor of Music]] degree at [[Chicago Musical College]] in 1933. It was here that she developed her [[operatic soprano]] voice, which would be put to good use in several Three Stooges films in the 1940s. McIntyre began singing in feature films at [[RKO Pictures]], and made her film debut in 1937's ''[[Swing Fever]]''. She then appeared in a series of B-westerns featuring the likes of [[Ray Corrigan]] and [[Buck Jones]]. She appeared with dark hair in these early roles, and also appeared occasionally in "mainstream" feature films (like 1939's ''[[Blondie Takes a Vacation]]''). She sang songs such as "The Blue Danube" and "Voices of Spring" in a Vienna-themed short [[Soundies]] musical film, and her performance was singled out as the best of the inaugural series. Her singing in this soundie may have given the Three Stooges the idea of using "Voices of Spring" in their short film ''[[Micro-Phonies]]''.
A native<ref>"Arizona, Birth Certificates and Indexes, 1855-1930", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZW41-486Z : 28 April 2020), Christine C McIntyre, 1911.</ref> of [[Nogales, Arizona]],<ref>[http://www.thenogaleschamber.com/Portal/Relocation/tabid/96/Default.aspx/ The Nogales Chamber.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104221444/http://www.thenogaleschamber.com/Portal/Relocation/tabid/96/Default.aspx |date=2008-01-04 }}</ref> McIntyre was one of five children.<ref>"United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XST6-LBS : accessed 22 May 2022), Christine Mcintyre in household of John E Mcintyre, Chicago (Districts 0251-0500), Cook, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 282, sheet 10B, line 96, family 173, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 425; FHL microfilm 2,340,160.</ref> A classically trained singer, McIntyre received a [[Bachelor of Music]] degree at [[Chicago Musical College]] in 1933.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0570731/bio | title=Christine McIntyre | website=[[IMDb]] }}</ref><ref>https://taillefer.tripod.com/ChristineMcIntyre/backstage.html (see photo and description)</ref> It was here that she developed her [[operatic soprano]] voice, which would be put to good use in several [[Three Stooges]] films in the 1940s.

⚫
McIntyre began singing in feature films at [[RKO Pictures]], and made her film debut in 1937's ''[[Swing Fever]]''. She then appeared in a series of B-westerns featuring the likes of [[Ray Corrigan]] and [[Buck Jones]]. She appeared with dark hair in these early roles, and also appeared occasionally in "mainstream" feature films (like 1939's ''[[Blondie Takes a Vacation]]''). She sang songs such as "The Blue Danube" and "Voices of Spring" in a Vienna-themed short [[Soundies]] musical film, and her performance was singled out as the best of the inaugural series. Her singing in this soundie may have given the Three Stooges the idea of using "Voices of Spring" in their short film ''[[Micro-Phonies]]''.


==The Three Stooges and Columbia Pictures==
==The Three Stooges and Columbia Pictures==
It was in 1944 that [[Columbia Pictures]] producer [[Hugh McCollum]] signed Christine McIntyre to a decade-long contract. During her time at Columbia, she appeared in many short subjects starring [[Shemp Howard]], [[Harry Langdon]], [[Andy Clyde]], [[Joe Besser]], [[Bert Wheeler]], and [[Hugh Herbert]]. The Herbert comedy ''[[Wife Decoy]]'' is actually a showcase for McIntyre, who is the principal character. In this film, she appears as a brunette who dyes her hair blonde. From then on in her screen appearances, she remained a blonde. In all of her Columbia comedies she demonstrated a capable range, playing charming heroines, scheming villains, and flighty socialites equally well.
In 1944, [[Columbia Pictures]] producer [[Hugh McCollum]] signed McIntyre to a decade-long contract. At Columbia, she appeared in many short subjects starring [[Shemp Howard]], [[Harry Langdon]], [[Andy Clyde]], [[Joe Besser]], [[Bert Wheeler]], and [[Hugh Herbert]]. The Herbert comedy ''Wife Decoy'' is actually a showcase for McIntyre, who is the principal character. In this film, she appears as a brunette who dyes her hair blonde. From then on in her screen appearances, she remained a blonde. In all of her Columbia comedies she played charming heroines, scheming villains, and flighty socialites.


McIntyre's association with the Three Stooges would become her most memorable. Her debut appearance with the team was in ''[[Idle Roomers (1944 film)|Idle Roomers]]'', followed by a solo [[Shemp Howard]] short, ''[[Open Season for Saps]]''. McIntyre's singing voice was featured prominently in 1945's ''[[Micro-Phonies]]'', as she sang both "[[Frühlingsstimmen|Voices of Spring]]" and "[[Lucia di Lammermoor|Lucia Sextet]]." She would again sing "Lucia Sextet" three years later in ''[[Squareheads of the Round Table]]'' and its 1954 remake, ''[[Knutzy Knights]]''.
Her debut appearance with the Three Stooges was in ''[[Idle Roomers (1944 film)|Idle Roomers]]'', followed by a solo [[Shemp Howard]] short, ''[[Open Season for Saps]]''. McIntyre's singing voice was featured prominently in 1945's ''[[Micro-Phonies]]'', as she sang both "[[Frühlingsstimmen|Voices of Spring]]" and "[[Lucia di Lammermoor|Lucia Sextet]]" and was also featured in 1947’s ''[[Out West (1947 film)|Out West]] and it's 1954 remake [[Pals and Gals]].'' She again sang "Lucia Sextet" in 1948’s ''[[Squareheads of the Round Table]]'' and its 1954 remake, ''[[Knutzy Knights]]''.


Her performance as Miss Hopkins in ''[[Brideless Groom]]'' featured a knockabout scene in which she beats voice instructor Shemp Howard into submission. Director [[Edward Bernds]] remembers:
Her performance as Miss Hopkins in ''[[Brideless Groom]]'' featured an acclaimed knockabout scene in which she repels suitor Shemp Howard—right through a door. Director [[Edward Bernds]] remembers:


{{quote|In the story, Shemp had a few hours in which to get married if he wanted to inherit his uncle's fortune. He called on Christine McIntyre, who mistook him for her cousin (Basil) and greeted him with hugs and kisses. Then the real cousin phoned and she accused Shemp of kissing her, as it were, under false pretenses. At this point, she was supposed to slap Shemp around. Lady that she was, Chris couldn't do it right; she dabbed at him daintily, afraid of hurting him. After a couple of bad takes, Shemp pleaded with her. 'Honey,' he said, 'if you want to do me a favor, cut loose and do it right. A lot of half-hearted slaps hurts more than one good one. Give it to me, Chris, and let's get it over with.' Chris got up her courage and on the next take, let Shemp have it. 'It' wound up as a whole series of slaps—the timing was beautiful; they rang out like pistol shots. Shemp was knocked into a chair, bounced up, met another ringing slap, fell down again, scrambled up, trying to explain, only to get another stinging slap. Then Chris delivered a haymaker—a right that knocked Shemp through the door. When the take was over, Shemp was groggy, really groggy. Chris put her arms around him and apologized tearfully. 'It's all right, honey,' Shemp said painfully. 'I said you should cut loose and you did. You sure as hell did!'<ref>Lenburg, Jeff; Howard Maurer, Joan; Lenburg, Greg; (1982). ''The Three Stooges Scrapbook'', p. 81, Citadel Press. {{ISBN|0-8065-0946-5}}</ref>}}
{{quote|In the story, Shemp had a few hours in which to get married if he wanted to inherit his uncle's fortune. He called on Christine McIntyre, who mistook him for her cousin (Basil) and greeted him with hugs and kisses. Then the real cousin phoned and she accused Shemp of kissing her, as it were, under false pretenses. At this point, she was supposed to slap Shemp around. Lady that she was, Chris couldn't do it right; she dabbed at him daintily, afraid of hurting him. After a couple of bad takes, Shemp pleaded with her. 'Honey,' he said, 'if you want to do me a favor, cut loose and do it right. A lot of half-hearted slaps hurts more than one good one. Give it to me, Chris, and let's get it over with.' Chris got up her courage and on the next take, let Shemp have it. 'It' wound up as a whole series of slaps—the timing was beautiful; they rang out like pistol shots. Shemp was knocked into a chair, bounced up, met another ringing slap, fell down again, scrambled up, trying to explain, only to get another stinging slap. Then Chris delivered a haymaker—a right that knocked Shemp through the door. When the take was over, Shemp was groggy, really groggy. Chris put her arms around him and apologized tearfully. 'It's all right, honey,' Shemp said painfully. 'I said you should cut loose and you did. You sure as hell did!'<ref>Lenburg, Jeff; Howard Maurer, Joan; Lenburg, Greg; (1982). ''The Three Stooges Scrapbook'', p. 81, Citadel Press. {{ISBN|0-8065-0946-5}}</ref>}}


Producer McCollum and director Bernds recognized Christine McIntyre's abilities, and often tailored material especially for her, allowing her to improvise as she saw fit.
McCollum and Bernds recognized McIntyre's abilities and often tailored material especially for her, allowing her to improvise as she saw fit.

⚫
McIntyre also won a feature-film contract with [[Monogram Pictures]]. After playing a newspaper publisher in ''[[News Hounds]]'', a comedy with [[The Bowery Boys]], she usually played opposite Monogram's cowboy stars in low-budget Westerns. Her attractive features belied that she was close to 40 years of age at the time, much more mature than the conventional ingenue.


⚫
McIntyre also won a feature-film contract with [[Monogram Pictures]]. After playing a newspaper publisher in ''[[News Hounds]]'', a comedy with [[The Bowery Boys]], she usually played opposite Monogram's cowboy stars in low-budget Westerns.
⚫
McIntyre married radio personality [[J. Donald Wilson|John Donald Wilson]] in 1953. By this time, her mentors Hugh McCollum and Edward Bernds had left Columbia, leaving [[Jules White]] in charge of short subjects. White favored strenuous, extremely physical humor, and forced the ladylike McIntyre to submit to low comedy; in a single film, her character was tackled, hit with messy projectiles, covered with cake batter, and knocked into a cross-eyed stupor. When her contract at Columbia expired in 1954, she was all too happy to retire from show business, eventually developing a career in [[real estate]]. Columbia continued to use old footage of McIntyre through 1957, which is why she received billing in films made after her retirement.<ref>[[Ted Okuda]] with Edward Watz. ''The Columbia Comedy Shorts'', McFarland, 1986 {{ISBN|0-7864-0577-5}}</ref>


⚫
McIntyre married radio personality [[J. Donald Wilson|John Donald Wilson]] in 1953. By this time, McCollum and Bernds had left Columbia, leaving [[Jules White]] in charge of short subjects. White favored strenuous, extremely physical humor, and forced the ladylike McIntyre to submit to low comedy; in a single film, her character was tackled, hit with messy projectiles, covered with cake batter, and knocked into a cross-eyed stupor. When her contract at Columbia expired in 1954, she was all too happy to retire from show business, eventually developing a career in [[real estate]]. Columbia continued to use old footage of McIntyre through 1957, which is why she received billing in films made after her retirement.<ref>[[Ted Okuda]] with Edward Watz. ''The Columbia Comedy Shorts'', McFarland, 1986 {{ISBN|0-7864-0577-5}}</ref>
==Death==
⚫
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2021}}
[[J. Donald Wilson|Wilson]]'s sudden death from a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] on January 26, 1984, at age 79 took its toll on McIntyre. She was already suffering from [[cancer]] at the time of his passing, and his death worsened her illness. McIntyre died in [[Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California|Van Nuys, California]] on July 8, 1984, at age 73, almost six months after her husband. The two are interred in the same plot at the [[Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City|Holy Cross Cemetery]] in [[Culver City, California|Culver City]], [[California]]. They had no children.


==Filmography==
==Filmography==
[[Image:ChristineMcIntyre3.jpg|thumb|right|McIntyre in a still taken from the film ''[[Rock River Renegades]]''.]]
[[Image:ChristineMcIntyre3.jpg|thumb|right|McIntyre in a still taken from the film ''[[Rock River Renegades]]''.]]


===with The Three Stooges, Andy Clyde and El Brendel===
===with The Three Stooges, Andy Clyde, El Brendel, Joe DeRita, Joe Besser and Shemp Howard===
{{Div col}}
{{Div col}}
* ''His Tale is Told'' (1944, Short) - Mrs. A.S. Steele
* ''His Tale is Told'' (1944, Short) – Mrs. A.S. Steele
* ''Defective Detectives'' (1944, Short) - Mrs. Rodney Boodle
* ''Defective Detectives'' (1944, Short) – Mrs. Rodney Boodle
* ''[[Idle Roomers (1944 film)|Idle Roomers]]'' (1944, Short) - Mrs. Leander
* ''[[Idle Roomers (1944 film)|Idle Roomers]]'' (1944, Short) – Mrs. Leander
* ''Open Season for Saps'' (1944, Short) - Irene
* ''Open Season for Saps'' (1944, Short) – Irene
* ''[[No Dough Boys]]'' (1944, Short) - Celia Zweiback
* ''[[No Dough Boys]]'' (1944, Short) – Celia Zweiback
* ''[[Three Pests in a Mess]]'' (1945, Short) - Cheatham's Secretary
* ''[[Three Pests in a Mess]]'' (1945, Short) – Cheatham's Secretary
* ''Off Again, On Again'' (1945, Short) - Edith
* ''Off Again, On Again'' (1945, Short) – Edith
* ''Pistol Packin' Nitwits'' (1945, Short) - Queenie Lynch
* ''Pistol Packin' Nitwits'' (1945, Short) – Queenie Lynch
* ''Where the Pest Begins'' (1945, Short) - Annie Batts
* ''Where the Pest Begins'' (1945, Short) – Annie Batts
* ''[[Micro-Phonies]]'' (1945, Short) - Alice Andrews - aka Alice Van Doren
* ''[[Micro-Phonies]]'' (1945, Short) – Alice Andrews – aka Alice Van Doren
* ''The Blonde Stayed On'' (1946, Short) - Maisie
* ''The Blonde Stayed On'' (1946, Short) – Maisie
* ''Jiggers, My Wife!'' (1946, Short) - Trixie
* ''Jiggers, My Wife!'' (1946, Short) – Trixie
* ''[[The Three Troubledoers]]'' (1946, Short) - Nell the Blacksmith
* ''[[The Three Troubledoers]]'' (1946, Short) – Nell the Blacksmith
* ''Society Mugs'' (1946, Short) - Muriel Allen
* ''Society Mugs'' (1946, Short) – Muriel Allen
* ''Slappily Married'' (1946, Short) - Mrs. Bates
* ''Slappily Married'' (1946, Short) – Mrs. Bates
* ''[[Three Little Pirates]]'' (1946, Short) - Rita Yolanda
* ''[[Three Little Pirates]]'' (1946, Short) – Rita Yolanda
* ''Bride and Gloom'' (1947, Short) - Maisie Keeler
* ''Bride and Gloom'' (1947, Short) – Maisie Keeler
* ''Two Jills and a Jack'' (1947, Short) - Betty
* ''Two Jills and a Jack'' (1947, Short) – Betty
* ''[[Out West (1947 film)|Out West]]'' (1947, Short) - Nell
* ''[[Out West (1947 film)|Out West]]'' (1947, Short) – Nell
* ''[[Brideless Groom]]'' (1947, Short) - Miss Lulu Hopkins
* ''[[Brideless Groom]]'' (1947, Short) – Miss Lulu Hopkins
* ''Wife to Spare'' (1947, Short) - Honey Jackson
* ''Wife to Spare'' (1947, Short) – Honey Jackson
* ''Wedlock Deadlock'' (1947, Short) - Betty
* ''Wedlock Deadlock'' (1947, Short) – Betty
* ''[[All Gummed Up]]'' (1947, Short) - Mrs. Serena Flint
* ''[[All Gummed Up]]'' (1947, Short) – Mrs. Serena Flint
* ''[[Shivering Sherlocks]]'' (1948, Short) - Gladys Harmon
* ''[[Shivering Sherlocks]]'' (1948, Short) – Gladys Harmon
* ''[[Squareheads of the Round Table]]'' (1948, Short) - Princess Elaine
* ''[[Squareheads of the Round Table]]'' (1948, Short) – Princess Elaine
* ''Jitter Bughouse'' (1948, Short) - Myrtle
* ''Jitter Bughouse'' (1948, Short) – Myrtle
* ''[[The Hot Scots]]'' (1948, Short) - Lorna Doone
* ''[[The Hot Scots]]'' (1948, Short) – Lorna Doone
* ''[[Crime on Their Hands]]'' (1948, Short) - Bea
* ''[[Crime on Their Hands]]'' (1948, Short) – Bea
* ''[[Who Done It? (1949 film)|Who Done It?]]'' (1949, Short) - Goodrich's Niece
* ''[[Who Done It? (1949 film)|Who Done It?]]'' (1949, Short) – Goodrich's Niece
* ''[[Fuelin' Around]]'' (1949, Short) - Hazel Sneed
* ''[[Fuelin' Around]]'' (1949, Short) – Hazel Sneed
* ''Waiting in the Lurch'' (1949, Short) - Mae Knott
* ''Waiting in the Lurch'' (1949, Short) – Mae Knott
* ''[[Vagabond Loafers]]'' (1949, Short) - Mrs. Ethel Allen
* ''[[Vagabond Loafers]]'' (1949, Short) – Mrs. Ethel Allen
* ''[[Punchy Cowpunchers]]'' (1950, Short) - Nell
* ''[[Punchy Cowpunchers]]'' (1950, Short) – Nell
* ''[[Hugs and Mugs]]'' (1950, Short) - Lily
* ''[[Hugs and Mugs]]'' (1950, Short) – Lily
* ''[[Dopey Dicks]]'' (1950, Short) - Louise
* ''[[Dopey Dicks]]'' (1950, Short) – Louise
* ''[[Love at First Bite (1950 film)|Love at First Bite]]'' (1950, Short) - Katrina
* ''[[Love at First Bite (1950 film)|Love at First Bite]]'' (1950, Short) – Katrina
* ''[[Three Hams on Rye]]'' (1950, Short) - Janiebelle
* ''[[Three Hams on Rye]]'' (1950, Short) – Janiebelle
* ''[[Studio Stoops]]'' (1950, Short) - Dolly Devore
* ''[[Studio Stoops]]'' (1950, Short) – Dolly Devore
* ''[[Bubble Trouble (film)|Bubble Trouble]]'' (1953, Short) - ([[stock footage|archive footage]])
* ''[[Bubble Trouble (film)|Bubble Trouble]]'' (1953, Short) – ([[stock footage|archive footage]])
* ''[[Pals and Gals]]'' (1954, Short) - Nell
* ''[[Pals and Gals]]'' (1954, Short) – Nell
* ''[[Knutzy Knights]]'' (1954, Short) - Princess Elaine
* ''[[Knutzy Knights]]'' (1954, Short) – Princess Elaine
* ''[[Scotched in Scotland]]'' (1954, Short) - Lorna Doone
* ''[[Scotched in Scotland]]'' (1954, Short) – Lorna Doone
* ''[[Of Cash and Hash]]'' (1955, Short) - Gladys Harmon (final film role)
* ''[[Of Cash and Hash]]'' (1955, Short) – Gladys Harmon (final film role)
* ''[[Hot Ice (1955 film)|Hot Ice]]'' (1955, Short) - Bea (archive footage)
* ''[[Hot Ice (1955 film)|Hot Ice]]'' (1955, Short) – Bea (archive footage)
* ''[[Husbands Beware]]'' (1956, Short) - Lulu Hopkins (archive footage)
* ''[[Husbands Beware]]'' (1956, Short) – Lulu Hopkins (archive footage)
* ''[[For Crimin' Out Loud]]'' (1956, Short) - Delores - Goodrich's Niece (archive footage)
* ''[[For Crimin' Out Loud]]'' (1956, Short) – Delores – Goodrich's Niece (archive footage)
* ''[[Hot Stuff (1956 film)|Hot Stuff]]'' (1956, Short) - Hazel Sneed (archive footage)
* ''[[Hot Stuff (1956 film)|Hot Stuff]]'' (1956, Short) – Hazel Sneed (archive footage)
* ''[[Scheming Schemers]]'' (1956, Short) - Mrs. Allen (archive footage)
* ''[[Scheming Schemers]]'' (1956, Short) – Mrs. Allen (archive footage)
* ''[[Fifi Blows Her Top]]'' (1958, Short) - Katrina (archive footage)
* ''[[Fifi Blows Her Top]]'' (1958, Short) – Katrina (archive footage)
* ''[[Stop, Look and Laugh|Stop! Look! and Laugh!]]'' (1960, Short) - Alice Andrews (Van Doren) (uncredited) (archive footage)
* ''[[Stop, Look and Laugh|Stop! Look! and Laugh!]]'' (1960, Short) – Alice Andrews (Van Doren) (uncredited) (archive footage)
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


===Other films===
===Other films===
{{Div col}}
{{Div col}}
* ''[[Sea Racketeers]]'' (1937) - Mrs. Wilbur Crane
* ''[[Sea Racketeers]]'' (1937) – Mrs. Wilbur Crane
* ''[[The Rangers' Round-Up]]'' (1938) - Mary
* ''[[The Rangers' Round-Up]]'' (1938) – Mary
* ''[[Missing Daughters]]'' (1939) - Ruth (uncredited)
* ''[[Missing Daughters (1939 film)|Missing Daughters]]'' (1939) – Ruth (uncredited)
* ''[[Blondie Takes a Vacation]]'' (1939) - Resort Singer (of 'Love in Bloom') (uncredited)
* ''[[Blondie Takes a Vacation]]'' (1939) – Resort Singer (of 'Love in Bloom') (uncredited)
* ''[[The Gunman from Bodie]]'' (1941) - Alice Borden
* ''[[The Gunman from Bodie]]'' (1941) – Alice Borden
* ''[[Forbidden Trails]]'' (1941) - Mary Doran
* ''[[Forbidden Trails]]'' (1941) – Mary Doran
* ''[[Man from Headquarters]]'' (1942) - Telegraph Girl
* ''[[Man from Headquarters]]'' (1942) – Telegraph Girl
* ''The Power of God'' (1942) - Charlotte Hale
* ''The Power of God'' (1942) – Charlotte Hale
* ''[[Rock River Renegades]]'' (1942) - Grace Ross
* ''[[Rock River Renegades]]'' (1942) – Grace Ross
* ''[[Riders of the West]]'' (1942) - Hope Turner
* ''[[Riders of the West]]'' (1942) – Hope Turner
* ''[[Dawn on the Great Divide]]'' (1942) - Mary Harkins
* ''[[Dawn on the Great Divide]]'' (1942) – Mary Harkins
* ''[[Cinderella Swings It]]'' (1943) - Secretary
* ''[[Cinderella Swings It]]'' (1943) – Secretary
* ''[[Border Buckaroos]]'' (1943) - Betty Clark
* ''[[Border Buckaroos]]'' (1943) – Betty Clark
* ''[[The Stranger from Pecos]]'' (1943) - Ruth Martin
* ''[[The Stranger from Pecos]]'' (1943) – Ruth Martin
* ''[[Beautiful But Broke]]'' (1944) - Telephone Operator (uncredited)
* ''[[Beautiful But Broke]]'' (1944) – Telephone Operator (uncredited)
* ''[[Partners of the Trail (1944 film)|Partners of the Trail]]'' (1944) - Kate Hilton
* ''[[Partners of the Trail (1944 film)|Partners of the Trail]]'' (1944) – Kate Hilton
* ''[[Louisiana Hayride (film)|Louisiana Hayride]]'' (1944) - Christine - Female Star (uncredited)
* ''[[Louisiana Hayride (film)|Louisiana Hayride]]'' (1944) – Christine – Female Star (uncredited)
* ''[[West of the Rio Grande]]'' (1944) - Alice Darcy
* ''[[West of the Rio Grande]]'' (1944) – Alice Darcy
* ''[[Kansas City Kitty]]'' (1944) - Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
* ''[[Kansas City Kitty]]'' (1944) – Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
* ''[[Men in Her Diary]]'' (1945) - Ms. Simmons (uncredited)
* ''[[Men in Her Diary]]'' (1945) – Ms. Simmons (uncredited)
* ''[[The Crimson Canary]]'' (1945) - Anita's Roommate (uncredited)
* ''[[The Crimson Canary]]'' (1945) – Anita's Roommate (uncredited)
* ''[[Frontier Feud]]'' (1945) - Blanche Corey
* ''[[Frontier Feud]]'' (1945) – Blanche Corey
* ''[[Behind the Mask (1946 film)|Behind the Mask]]'' (1946) - Minor Role (uncredited)
* ''[[Behind the Mask (1946 film)|Behind the Mask]]'' (1946) – Minor Role (uncredited)
* ''[[The Gentleman from Texas]]'' (1946) - Flo Vickert
* ''[[The Gentleman from Texas]]'' (1946) – Flo Vickert
* ''[[Valley of Fear (film)|Valley of Fear]]'' (1947) - Joan Travers
* ''[[Valley of Fear (film)|Valley of Fear]]'' (1947) – Joan Travers
* ''[[Land of the Lawless]]'' (1947) - Kansas City Kate
* ''[[Land of the Lawless]]'' (1947) – Kansas City Kate
* ''[[The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947 film)|The Secret Life of Walter Mitty]]'' (1947) - Miss Blair - Lingerie Dept. Manager (uncredited)
* ''[[The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1947 film)|The Secret Life of Walter Mitty]]'' (1947) – Miss Blair – Lingerie Dept. Manager (uncredited)
* ''[[News Hounds]]'' (1947) - Jane P. Connelly
* ''[[News Hounds]]'' (1947) – Jane P. Connelly
* ''[[Gun Talk (film)|Gun Talk]]'' (1947) - Daisy Cameron
* ''[[Gun Talk (film)|Gun Talk]]'' (1947) – Daisy Cameron
* ''[[A Modern Marriage]]'' (1950) - Nurse
* ''[[A Modern Marriage]]'' (1950) – Nurse
* ''[[Corky of Gasoline Alley]]'' (1951) - Myrtle
* ''[[Corky of Gasoline Alley]]'' (1951) – Myrtle
* ''[[Colorado Ambush]]'' (1951) - Mae Star
* ''[[Colorado Ambush]]'' (1951) – Mae Star
* ''Wanted: Dead or Alive'' (1951) - Spangles Calhoun
* ''[[Wanted: Dead or Alive (1951 film)| Dead or Alive]]'' (1951) – Spangles Calhoun
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}


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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commons category}}
*{{IMDb name|570731}}
* {{IMDb name|570731}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080215013202/http://threestooges.net/cast.php?id=252 Christine McIntyre] at threestooges.net
* [https://threestooges.net/cast/actor/252 Christine McIntyre] at threestooges.net
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20190112082111/http://billcappello.com/articles/Christine%20McIntyre.pdf] Christine McIntyre with writer Bill Capello in 1976.
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20190112082111/http://billcappello.com/articles/Christine%20McIntyre.pdf]}} Christine McIntyre with writer Bill Capello in 1976.


{{ThreeStooges}}
{{ThreeStooges}}
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[[Category:Actresses from Arizona]]
[[Category:Actresses from Arizona]]
[[Category:Burials at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City]]
[[Category:Burials at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City]]
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[[Category:Deaths from cancer in California]]
[[Category:People from Nogales, Arizona]]
[[Category:People from Nogales, Arizona]]
[[Category:People from Van Nuys, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:People from Van Nuys, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century American opera singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American women opera singers]]
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[[Category:20th-century women opera singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American women singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American comedians]]
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[[Category:American women comedians]]
[[Category:Actors from Santa Cruz County, Arizona]]
[[Category:Comedians from Arizona]]

Latest revision as of 04:26, 3 January 2025

Christine McIntyre
McIntyre in the short film Brideless Groom (1947)
Born
Christine Cecilia McIntyre

(1911-04-16)April 16, 1911
Nogales, Arizona, U.S.
DiedJuly 8, 1984(1984-07-08) (aged 73)
Van Nuys, California, U.S.
Resting placeHoly Cross Cemetery, Culver City
Alma materChicago Musical College (Bachelor of Music, 1933)
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active1937–1955
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1953; died 1984)​

Christine Cecilia McIntyre (April 16, 1911 – July 8, 1984) was an American actress and singer who appeared in various films in the 1930s and 1940s. She is mainly remembered as the beautiful blonde actress who appeared in many of The Three Stooges shorts produced by Columbia Pictures.

Early career

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A native[1] of Nogales, Arizona,[2] McIntyre was one of five children.[3] A classically trained singer, McIntyre received a Bachelor of Music degree at Chicago Musical College in 1933.[4][5] It was here that she developed her operatic soprano voice, which would be put to good use in several Three Stooges films in the 1940s.

McIntyre began singing in feature films at RKO Pictures, and made her film debut in 1937's Swing Fever. She then appeared in a series of B-westerns featuring the likes of Ray Corrigan and Buck Jones. She appeared with dark hair in these early roles, and also appeared occasionally in "mainstream" feature films (like 1939's Blondie Takes a Vacation). She sang songs such as "The Blue Danube" and "Voices of Spring" in a Vienna-themed short Soundies musical film, and her performance was singled out as the best of the inaugural series. Her singing in this soundie may have given the Three Stooges the idea of using "Voices of Spring" in their short film Micro-Phonies.

The Three Stooges and Columbia Pictures

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In 1944, Columbia Pictures producer Hugh McCollum signed McIntyre to a decade-long contract. At Columbia, she appeared in many short subjects starring Shemp Howard, Harry Langdon, Andy Clyde, Joe Besser, Bert Wheeler, and Hugh Herbert. The Herbert comedy Wife Decoy is actually a showcase for McIntyre, who is the principal character. In this film, she appears as a brunette who dyes her hair blonde. From then on in her screen appearances, she remained a blonde. In all of her Columbia comedies she played charming heroines, scheming villains, and flighty socialites.

Her debut appearance with the Three Stooges was in Idle Roomers, followed by a solo Shemp Howard short, Open Season for Saps. McIntyre's singing voice was featured prominently in 1945's Micro-Phonies, as she sang both "Voices of Spring" and "Lucia Sextet" and was also featured in 1947’s Out West and it's 1954 remake Pals and Gals. She again sang "Lucia Sextet" in 1948’s Squareheads of the Round Table and its 1954 remake, Knutzy Knights.

Her performance as Miss Hopkins in Brideless Groom featured an acclaimed knockabout scene in which she repels suitor Shemp Howard—right through a door. Director Edward Bernds remembers:

In the story, Shemp had a few hours in which to get married if he wanted to inherit his uncle's fortune. He called on Christine McIntyre, who mistook him for her cousin (Basil) and greeted him with hugs and kisses. Then the real cousin phoned and she accused Shemp of kissing her, as it were, under false pretenses. At this point, she was supposed to slap Shemp around. Lady that she was, Chris couldn't do it right; she dabbed at him daintily, afraid of hurting him. After a couple of bad takes, Shemp pleaded with her. 'Honey,' he said, 'if you want to do me a favor, cut loose and do it right. A lot of half-hearted slaps hurts more than one good one. Give it to me, Chris, and let's get it over with.' Chris got up her courage and on the next take, let Shemp have it. 'It' wound up as a whole series of slaps—the timing was beautiful; they rang out like pistol shots. Shemp was knocked into a chair, bounced up, met another ringing slap, fell down again, scrambled up, trying to explain, only to get another stinging slap. Then Chris delivered a haymaker—a right that knocked Shemp through the door. When the take was over, Shemp was groggy, really groggy. Chris put her arms around him and apologized tearfully. 'It's all right, honey,' Shemp said painfully. 'I said you should cut loose and you did. You sure as hell did!'[6]

McCollum and Bernds recognized McIntyre's abilities and often tailored material especially for her, allowing her to improvise as she saw fit.

McIntyre also won a feature-film contract with Monogram Pictures. After playing a newspaper publisher in News Hounds, a comedy with The Bowery Boys, she usually played opposite Monogram's cowboy stars in low-budget Westerns.

McIntyre married radio personality John Donald Wilson in 1953. By this time, McCollum and Bernds had left Columbia, leaving Jules White in charge of short subjects. White favored strenuous, extremely physical humor, and forced the ladylike McIntyre to submit to low comedy; in a single film, her character was tackled, hit with messy projectiles, covered with cake batter, and knocked into a cross-eyed stupor. When her contract at Columbia expired in 1954, she was all too happy to retire from show business, eventually developing a career in real estate. Columbia continued to use old footage of McIntyre through 1957, which is why she received billing in films made after her retirement.[7]

Filmography

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McIntyre in a still taken from the film Rock River Renegades.

with The Three Stooges, Andy Clyde, El Brendel, Joe DeRita, Joe Besser and Shemp Howard

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Other films

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References

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  1. ^ "Arizona, Birth Certificates and Indexes, 1855-1930", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ZW41-486Z : 28 April 2020), Christine C McIntyre, 1911.
  2. ^ The Nogales Chamber.com Archived 2008-01-04 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XST6-LBS : accessed 22 May 2022), Christine Mcintyre in household of John E Mcintyre, Chicago (Districts 0251-0500), Cook, Illinois, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 282, sheet 10B, line 96, family 173, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 425; FHL microfilm 2,340,160.
  4. ^ "Christine McIntyre". IMDb.
  5. ^ https://taillefer.tripod.com/ChristineMcIntyre/backstage.html (see photo and description)
  6. ^ Lenburg, Jeff; Howard Maurer, Joan; Lenburg, Greg; (1982). The Three Stooges Scrapbook, p. 81, Citadel Press. ISBN 0-8065-0946-5
  7. ^ Ted Okuda with Edward Watz. The Columbia Comedy Shorts, McFarland, 1986 ISBN 0-7864-0577-5
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