Marilyn Knowlden

Acting

Biography

In 1931, a one-day effort by Marilyn Knowlden's attorney father led to an interview, a next-day screen test and a large part for four-year-old Marilyn in one of the early "talkies", Women Love Once (1931). A ten-year movie career followed, where she played the daughter of such stars as Claudette Colbert, Katharine Hepburn, Allan Jones and Norma Shearer. She appeared in some of the screen's great classics, including Angels with Dirty Faces (1938), David Copperfield (1935) and Les Misérables (1935), in which she played the child Cosette. She appeared in six films nominated by the Academy for Best Production of the Year and performed with such distinguished actors as Fredric March, Charles Laughton, Tyrone Power, Greta Garbo and Bette Davis. College, marriage and four children followed. A composer and playwright as well as an actress, she wrote the music and lyrics for ten produced musicals, including three for which she also wrote the scripts. The latter included her musical, "I'm Gonna Get You in the Movies!" for which she drew heavily on her own early experience. After a 50-year hiatus, Marilyn returned to acting in 1994. She appeared in over 20 plays and musicals in San Diego County, including the role of Aunt Abby in "Arsenic and Old Lace," the leads in "Sorry, Wrong Number" and "Quilters," and Prof. Higgins' mother in "My Fair Lady." In 2011 Bear Manor published Marilyn Knowlden's autobiography "Little Girl in Big Pictures". Knowlden died on September 15, 2025 of natural causes at an assisted living facility in Eagle, Idaho.

Filmography Movies

Acting

MOVIE

Show Boat

6.8(0.0K)

Despite her mother's objections, the naive young daughter of a show boat captain is thrust into the limelight as the company's new leading lady.

Husband's Holiday

9.0(0.0K)

A stuffy family man cheats on his wife but she refuses him a divorce at first. Meanwhile his mistress resents her second class status.

Hidden Power

10.0(0.0K)

Dr. Garfield gets so involved in his research for an antitoxin for severe burns that he completely neglects his wife, Virginian, and their young son, Steve. Virginia divorces him and takes the son with her. Their paths cross again in a life-or-death situation.

Just Around the Corner

5.8(0.0K)

Penny helps her idealistic architect father get his dream of a slum clearance project; The little miss dances with Corporal Jones.

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Just Around the Corner

Gwendolyn (uncredited)

MOVIE

Marie Antoinette

6.6(0.0K)

The young Austrian princess Marie Antoinette is arranged to marry Louis XVI, future king of France, in a politically advantageous marriage for the rival countries. The opulent Marie indulges in various whims and flirtations. When Louis XV passes and Louis XVI ascends the French throne, his queen's extravagant lifestyle earns the hatred of the French people, who despise her Austrian heritage.

Les Misérables

7.1(0.1K)

In 19th century France, Jean Valjean, a man imprisoned for stealing bread, must flee a relentless policeman named Javert. The pursuit consumes both men's lives, and soon Valjean finds himself in the midst of the student revolutions in France.

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Les Misérables

Little Cosette (as Marilynne Knowlden)

MOVIE

Barefoot Boy

5.4(0.0K)

A spoiled boy sent to the country to grow-up. He has to deal with life, friends and crooks.

Little Women

6.8(0.2K)

Four sisters come of age in America in the aftermath of the Civil War.

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Little Women

Meg’s Charge (uncredited)

MOVIE

Broadway Rhythm

6.3(0.0K)

Broadway producer Johnny Demming is only interested in big-name talent and scoffs that his sister, father and other small-time talent could be used in a successful show.

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Broadway Rhythm

Co-ed in Drugstore (uncredited)