Evalyn Knapp

Biography

Evalyn Knapp was an American film actress, with a film career spanning the years 1929 to 1943. In the 1930s, she was a leading actress in then-popular B-movie serial films. Her most memorable role was that protagonist Pauline Hargraves in the film serial Perils of Pauline (1933). In 1906, Knapp was born in Kansas City, the largest city in Missouri by population and area. She was the younger sister of bandleader Orville Knapp. Orville started out as a professional musician in the bands of Vincent Lopez and Leo Reisman. He then joined the Coon-Sanders Original Nighthawk Orchestra, the first Kansas City jazz band to achieve national recognition. He eventually formed his own bands, one in New York City and another in Los Angeles. During the 1920s, one of the musicians in Orville's band was Curly Howard. Curly later became famous as an actor and comedian, serving as a member of the comedy team The Three Stooges. Evalyn started her acting career in silent films, but at the dawn of the sound era. Her first credited role was in the short film At the Dentist's (1929). Starting with minor, unnamed characters, she graduated to playing leading roles by 1931. She was the leading lady in the pre-code drama film Smart Money (1931), where her co-stars included Edward G. Robinson and James Cagney. In 1931, Knapp had an accident during a hike. She fell from a cliff and fractured two vertebrae. She spent several months in a hospital and had to relearn how to walk. In 1932, Knapp was selected as one of the year's WAMPAS Baby Stars. This was a promotional campaign which honored young actresses each year, whom they believed to be on the threshold of movie stardom. At 26-years-old, Knapp was the oldest actress selected that year. The other "Baby Stars" of 1932 included (by order of birth years): Lilian Bond, June Clyde, Dorothy Wilson, Ruth Hall, Gloria Stuart, Marion Shockley, Ginger Rogers, Toshia Mori, Dorothy Layton, Boots Mallory, Eleanor Holm, Mary Carlisle, Lona Andre, and Patricia Ellis. In 1933, Knapp starred in the film serial Perils of Pauline (1933) and received top billing in the comedy film His Private Secretary (1933). In the film she was the love interest of irresponsible playboy Dick Wallace, who motivates him to change his life. The role of Wallace was played by 26-years-old John Wayne, who was relatively obscure at the time. In 1934, Knapp was the leading lady in the Western film In Old Santa Fe (1934). The film is remembered as the first screen appearance of Gene Autry, who sung a rendition of "Wyoming Waltz." The film served as a screen test for Autry, who proceeded to be cast in several "singing cowboy" films. Also in 1934, Knapp married Dr. George A. Snyder. Her wedding gift was reportedly a yacht. By the early 1940s, Knapp's career had declined. Her last credited role was a small part in the crime comedy Roar of the Press (1941), concerning a newlywed reporter who investigates murders instead of going on a honeymoon. Her last known role was that Miss Morris, Dr. O'Brien's Secretary, in the comedy Two Weeks to Live (1943). The film was a spin-off of the radio comedy serial "Lum and Abner" (1931-1954). Knapp retired from acting at the age of 37. Following her retirement, she concentrated on her family life. She remained married to Snyder, until his death in 1977. She became a widow at the age of 71. In 1981, Knapp died St. Vincent's Hospital in Los Angeles, dying from heart disease. She died five days before her 75th birthday. Her remains were cremated, and her ashes were scattered at sea.