# Meg Randall

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{{Short description|American actress (1926–2018)}}
{{Infobox person
| name         = Meg Randall
| image        = Meg Randall 1950.JPG
| caption      = Randall in 1950.
| birth_name   = Genevieve Roberts
| birth_date   = {{Birth date|1926|8|1}}
| birth_place  = [Clinton](/source/Clinton%2C_Oklahoma), [Oklahoma](/source/Oklahoma), U.S.
| death_date   = {{death date and age|2018|7|20|1926|8|1}}
| occupation   = Actress
| years_active = 1946–1961
| other_names  = Gene Roberts<br>Miss X
| spouse       =
| children     = 
| parents     = Charles Patrick Roberts<br>Winnie McMillin
| website      = 
}}

'''Meg Randall''' (born '''Genevieve Roberts''';<ref name="auto">''The Milwaukee Journal'', September 18, 1949, Jesse Daniels, Hollywood, "It Paid Her to Do Nothing", Milwaukee, WI, p. 5.</ref><ref>''1930 United States Federal Census'', Seminole, Seminole, Oklahoma; Roll: 1931; p. 20A; Enumeration District 29; Image 234.0.</ref> August 1, 1926 – July 20, 2018) was an American film actress. She was active in [motion pictures](/source/motion_pictures), radio, and television between 1946 and 1961, changing her name from Gene Roberts to Meg Randall in mid-1948.<ref name="auto1">''The Modesto Bee'', August 7, 1948, Dorothy Manners, "Starlet Stirs Up Furor Over Name; Becomes Meg Randall", Modesto, CA, p. 32.</ref>

Randall was known for her portrayal of Babs Riley in the 1949 film version of the popular radio comedy ''[The Life of Riley](/source/The_Life_of_Riley)'', as well as her recurring role as Kim Parker Kettle in the ''[Ma & Pa Kettle](/source/Ma_%26_Pa_Kettle)'' comedy series from 1949 to 1951. Randall's first recognizable role was in the supporting cast for the 1949 [film noir](/source/film_noir) classic ''[Criss Cross](/source/Criss_Cross_(film))''. In 1952, she returned to the film noir genre in the suspense story ''[Without Warning](/source/Without_Warning!)''. Randall died in July 2018 at the age of 91.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aveleyman.com/ActorCredit.aspx?ActorID=206185|title=Meg Randall|website=www.aveleyman.com|accessdate=27 August 2018}}</ref>

==Early life==
Randall was born August 1, 1926, in [Clinton](/source/Clinton%2C_Oklahoma), Custer and Washita County, [Oklahoma](/source/Oklahoma). She was known informally as Gene, which was derived from her birth name, Genevieve.<ref name="auto"/><ref>''1930 United States Federal Census'', Seminole, Seminole, Oklahoma; p. 20A; Enumeration District 29; Image 234.0.</ref> Randall's father, Charles Patrick Roberts (1892-1980),<ref name="auto2">''California Death Index'', 1940-1997, Sacramento, CA, USA; State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics.</ref><ref name="auto3">''Social Security Death Index, Master File'', Social Security Administration.</ref> originated from [Texas](/source/Texas) and by 1900, his family moved into [Chickasaw Nation](/source/Chickasaw_Nation), [Indian Territory](/source/Indian_Territory), to farm while Charles was young.<ref>''1900 United States Federal Census'', Township 2, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory, Oklahoma; Roll: T623_1847; Enumeration District: 123.</ref> The family moved to Seminole, [Seminole County, Oklahoma](/source/Seminole_County%2C_Oklahoma) by 1930 where he worked as a garage mechanic then to Shawnee, [Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma](/source/Pottawatomie_County%2C_Oklahoma), where he worked as a construction laborer. The family lived in Shawnee until the start of [World War II](/source/World_War_II).<ref>''Shawnee City, Oklahoma, City Directory'', 1935, p. 252.</ref><ref>''1940 United States Federal Census'', Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma; Roll: T627_3328; p. 7B; Enumeration District: 62-46.</ref>

Randall's mother, Winnie McMillin (1899-1952),<ref name="auto2"/> was born in [Tennessee](/source/Tennessee) and grew up in an Oklahoma farming community as well.<ref>''1910 United States Federal Census'', Harris, Johnston, Oklahoma; Roll: T624_1254; p. 6B; Enumeration District: 0125; Image: 1198; FHL Number: 1375267.</ref> By the age of 20, Winnie was a school teacher in Harris Township, OK.<ref>''1920 United States Federal Census'', Harris, Johnston, Oklahoma; Roll: T625_1464; p. 6A; Enumeration District: 90; Image: 897.</ref>

Randall was the third of five children. Her two older siblings were Juanita and Juarez and her younger siblings were Lahoma and Bobby Lea.<ref name="auto4">''Portland Sunday Telegram and Sunday Press Herald'', November 7, 1948, Associated Press, "Hollywood Newcomer Has Name Difficulty", Portland, ME, Section D, p. 7.</ref> Although her family is of primarily Welsh descent, her father favored names of alternate ethnicity <ref name="auto4"/> selecting a few for his children rather than Welsh names, breaking away from family tradition.

During World War II, both of Gene's parents were employed as attendants at the [Veterans' Administration Hospital](/source/Veterans_Health_Administration) in [Muskogee, OK](/source/Muskogee%2C_OK).<ref>''Muskogee, Oklahoma, City Directory'', 1946, pp. 178-179.</ref> Gene's older brother, Juarez Roberts,<ref name="auto3"/> was a [World War II](/source/World_War_II) [paratrooper](/source/paratrooper) and a graduate from the [University of Oklahoma](/source/University_of_Oklahoma) after the war.<ref name="auto5">''Newport News-Times'', February 27, 2009, Obituaries, Newport, OR.</ref> He found his niche in Hollywood by writing for several television shows during the 1950s until the early 1960s.<ref name="auto5"/>

==Career choice==
Most of Randall's schooling was in the Shawnee public schools. The family moved to Muskogee in 1941 and in 1943 at the age of seventeen, Randall graduated from [Muskogee High School](/source/Muskogee_High_School).<ref name="auto"/> She enrolled in the [University of Oklahoma](/source/University_of_Oklahoma) School of Drama where she studied for one year.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto6">''Nashua Telegraph'', April 8, 1950, "Hollywood Stars Making PA Visits in Nashua Today", Nashua, NH, Saturday Evening p. 12.</ref>

After one year of college, Randall moved to Los Angeles with the goal of becoming a movie actress.<ref name="auto7">''Syracuse Herald-Journal'', March 30, 1949, "Meg Randall's a New Film Face", Syracuse, NY, p. B2.</ref> Once in Los Angeles, Randall moved in with a college friend of her mother's.<ref name="auto"/> Randall acquired a [talent agent](/source/talent_agent) who arranged interviews for her with both [Mary Pickford](/source/Mary_Pickford), co-founder of [United Artists](/source/United_Artists), and [Paramount](/source/Paramount_Pictures).<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto7"/>

Although Randall only had some school stage experience, including the lead in the play ''[Claudia](/source/Claudia_(play))'' at the University of Oklahomas,<ref name="auto6"/> Pickford offered Randall $125 a week, a considerable amount, to sign with United Artists.<ref name="auto"/> However, [Paramount Studios](/source/Paramount_Studios) came back with a better offer, which Randall was ready to accept.<ref name="auto"/> But another encounter would steer her away from the generous Paramount offer.

Gene's mother's friend was also an acquaintance of the alluring silent film star, [Rubye De Remer](/source/Rubye_De_Remer), which gave Gene the opportunity to meet Rubye and make a marked impression on her as well.<ref name="auto"/> On Gene's behalf, Rubye in turn piqued the interest of director [Clarence Brown](/source/Clarence_Brown). It was early 1945 when MGM and Clarence Brown first embarked on a nationwide casting search for some fresh talent for [''The Yearling''](/source/The_Yearling_(film))<ref name="auto8">''American Film Institute''[http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=25058], accessed June 20, 2011.</ref> And now months later, Clarence believed that perhaps the role of Orry Baxter might be suited for Gene.<ref name="auto7"/> So Rubye contacted Gene the day after the Paramount offer was made and persuaded her to meet with Clarence at MGM that day.<ref name="auto"/> Despite the fact that MGM newcomer, [Jacqueline White](/source/Jacqueline_White), was actually selected and had filmed some scenes that summer,<ref name="auto8"/> Clarence was still not convinced that she was the right choice. As a result, Gene was called back three times to test for the role and eagerly awaited to hear from the studio each time.<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto9">''The North Adams Massachusetts Transcript'', April 21, 1948, "About Current Amusements With Program Notes For Local Theaters", North Adams, MA, p. 6.</ref> This experience earned her a $250 a week, long-term MGM contract which she signed as herself, Gene Roberts.<ref name="auto"/> Ultimately, Gene's youthfulness was the deciding factor that prevented MGM from assigning her this lead role.<ref name="auto9"/> When production resumed in mid-September 1945, Clarence had chosen 28-year-old [Jane Wyman](/source/Jane_Wyman), who was on loan from [Warner Brothers](/source/Warner_Brothers), to portray a more mature-looking character with co-star [Gregory Peck](/source/Gregory_Peck).<ref name="auto7"/><ref name="auto8"/> ''The Yearling'' was released in May 1947 and went on to win multiple Academy Awards and nominations, including a Best Actress nomination for Jane Wyman.<ref name="auto8"/>

Gene remained under contract with [MGM](/source/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) for nearly two years and found that there were very few roles for young women her age at that time.<ref name="auto7"/><ref name="auto9"/> It wasn't until late October 1946 and over a year since Gene first signed on, that she was cast in a small supporting role. This role placed Gene into the last of [Ann Sothern](/source/Ann_Sothern)'s film series, the final episode entitled ''Undercover Maisie'' which was released in May 1947.<ref>''American Film Institute''[http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=25406], accessed June 9, 2011.</ref> Next, she was cast in the low-budget Comet Productions film ''Stork Bites Man'' where she co-starred with [Jackie Cooper](/source/Jackie_Cooper), who had resumed his acting career after returning from the war.<ref name="auto10">''American Film Institute''[http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=25372], accessed June 9, 2011.</ref> With production completed in early February 1947 and MGM showing no serious interest in her by that spring, Gene asked for and was granted release from her contract.<ref name="auto10"/><ref name="auto7"/> She then signed once more as herself, Gene Roberts, with [20th Century-Fox Film Corporation](/source/20th_Century_Fox) but was overlooked by the studio there as well.<ref name="auto7"/> After a year had passed, Gene opted out of the 20th Century contract and was on the move again.

==Name change==
In mid-June 1948, [Universal-International](/source/Universal_Pictures) brought Gene aboard with what would become a three-year contract. Once again, she had no idea if she would be offered any work there either.<ref name="auto7"/> Surprisingly, just two days later, she was cast as Helen and filming on the set of [''Criss Cross''](/source/Criss_Cross_(film)) with [Burt Lancaster](/source/Burt_Lancaster), [Yvonne De Carlo](/source/Yvonne_De_Carlo) and [Dan Duryea](/source/Dan_Duryea).<ref name="auto7"/><ref name="auto10"/> This became a significant event that inevitably changed her career potential and her name.

Prior to signing with Universal-International, Gene had married a studio musician named Robert Thorpe.<ref>''Nevada State Journal'', June 18, 1950, "Fidler in Hollywood", Reno, NV, p. 4.</ref><ref name="auto4"/> It was the opinion of U-I producers that neither her birth name, Gene Roberts, nor her married name Gene Thorpe (also known as Jean Thorpe), was considered a good fit for her Hollywood identity.<ref name="auto4"/> As a new U-I player, Gene was obliged to immediately select a [screen name](/source/stage_name). Since this occurred during the production of ''Criss Cross'', she was dubbed "Miss X" early on by the studio.<ref>''American Film Institute''[http://www.afi.com/members/catalog/DetailView.aspx?s=&Movie=25889], accessed June 12, 2011.</ref><ref name="auto1"/> The name Meg McClure was first chosen and announced in a press release along with her new image in a Hollywood fashioned pose set against a giant "X".<ref>''The Morning Herald'', September 9, 1948, "No Longer Miss X", Hagerstown, MD, p. 2.</ref> However, this name was short-lived. Another young newcomer had already changed her name to M'Liss McClure and attracted gossip column interest with her protests about the competing last name.<ref name="auto1"/> Overall, it was reported that the publicity over the name change drew six thousand letters into the studio offering name suggestions.<ref name="auto1"/> Before filming ended on the movie, a new name was chosen and Gene would forever be publicly recognized by her screen name, Meg Randall.

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| rowspan=2 | 1947 || ''[Undercover Maisie](/source/Undercover_Maisie)'' || Manny || Alternative title: ''Kick!''
|-
| ''[Stork Bites Man](/source/Stork_Bites_Man)'' || Peg Brown ||
|-
| rowspan=4 | 1949 || ''[Ma and Pa Kettle](/source/Ma_and_Pa_Kettle_(film))'' || Kim Parker || Alternative title: ''The Further Adventures of Ma and Pa Kettle''
|-
| ''[The Life of Riley](/source/The_Life_of_Riley_(1949_film))'' || Barbara "Babs" Riley ||
|-
| ''[Criss Cross](/source/Criss_Cross_(film))'' || Helen ||
|-
| ''[Abandoned](/source/Abandoned_(1949_film))'' || Dottie Jensen || Alternative titles: ''Abandoned Women'' and ''Not Wanted''
|-
| 1950 || ''[Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town](/source/Ma_and_Pa_Kettle_Go_to_Town)'' || Kim Parker Kettle ||
|-
| 1951 || ''[Ma and Pa Kettle Back on the Farm](/source/Ma_and_Pa_Kettle_Back_on_the_Farm)'' || Kim Parker Kettle ||
|-
| 1952 || ''[Without Warning!](/source/Without_Warning!)'' || Jane Saunders ||
|-
| rowspan=2 | 1957 || ''[Chain of Evidence](/source/Chain_of_Evidence_(film))'' || Polly Gunther ||
|-
| ''[Last of the Badmen](/source/Last_of_the_Badmen)'' || Lila ||
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|0709649}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Randall, Meg}}
Category:1926 births
Category:2018 deaths
Category:Actresses from Oklahoma
Category:American film actresses
Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer contract players
Category:People from Clinton, Oklahoma
Category:University of Oklahoma alumni
Category:20th-century American actresses
Category:21st-century American women

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Meg Randall](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meg_Randall) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meg_Randall?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.