Joanne Gilbert and Houdini (1953)

On April 16, actress Joanne Gilbert passed away at age 92 in her home in Los Angeles. I missed this news at the time, even though her Hollywood Reporter obituary notes that the actress made her debut in Houdini (1953). Really? 

I confess I had never heard of Joanne Gilbert. But then I stumbled on her and her Houdini connection in this clipping from The Trenton Evening Times.

Trenton Evening Times, Nov. 7, 1952.

Joanne's career took off at this point, leading to some speculation that her part in Houdini might be cut. Check out the below.

Trenton Evening Times, Jan. 26, 1953.

Fortunately, the kid stayed in the picture.

Trenton Evening Times, Feb. 3, 1953.

But where is Joanne in the movie? That information was not part of any article, and IMDb simply credits her role as "Girl." However, I am fairly certain she is one of Bess's fellow classmates at the very beginning of the film. It's fun to think that audiences of 1953 would have recognized her in this scene. 

Joanne went on to have a successful career in film and television, but never became a big movie star. So her familiarity would have faded with later generations, including my own. But now we know. That's Joanne Gilbert back there!

Related:

• Houdini '53 at 70: The competition
• Houdini hopefuls of 1952