Jane Randolph 1915-2009

A B-movie staple of the 1940s, Jane Randolph passed away last month in Switzerland, where she had resided most of her time since retiring from the business after marrying in 1949.

Born Jane Roermer, the Ohio native moved to Hollywood two years after graduating high school in order to pursue a career in the movies. RKO Studios picked her up in 1942 and began using her often in its film noir and horror productions.

That year, she played the supporting female role in Val Lewton's landmark film Cat People. As Alice Moore, Randolph played the "other woman" Kent Smith's character turns to due to his wife's bizarre tendency to transform into a vicious panther when sexually aroused. She reprised the role, this time featured more prominently, in the 1944 sequel, The Curse of the Cat People.

In 1948, Randolph appeared alongside the likes of Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr. as Joan Raymond in the seminal horror comedy Abbott & Costello Meet Frankenstein. This would prove to be her final film, as she wound up marrying Spanish producer Jaime del Amo and retired, as many actresses did in those days.

She spent her remaining years mingling with high society in Spain, and in later years splitting her time between Los Angeles and Switzerland. Jane Roermer passed away on May 4, following complications from hip surgery. She was 93.

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