Anne Whitfield


Anne Whitfield is an American former actress on old-time radio, television, stage, and film. Her first name is sometimes seen spelled Ann.

Early years

Born in Oxford, Mississippi, Whitfield was the daughter of Richard N. Whitfield, Jr. and Frances Turner Whitfield. Her father was director of bands at the University of Mississippi, and her mother was a speech teacher. After moving to California, she attended Rosewood Avenue Public School. By the time she was 17, she was studying at the University of California, Los Angeles, scheduling her classes around her work on radio programs.

Radio

As a youngster, Whitfield "played child roles on practically every comedy and dramatic series originating in Hollywood." Her radio debut came in September 1945 when she "stepped up on a box before an already lowered mike in an NBC studio and said, 'I want another slice of bread'" for a commercial. She became a member of the cast of One Man's Family when she was 7 years old.
Whitfield's roles on radio programs included those listed in the table below.
ProgramRole
The Baby Snooks ShowPamela Richardson
Dr. PaulChristopher Martin
Mr. and Mrs. BlandingsSusan Blandings
One Man's FamilyPenny Lacey
Our Miss BrooksHarriet Conklin
The Phil Harris-Alice Faye ShowPhyllis

She was also heard on Lux Radio Theatre, The Screen Guild Theater, Family Theater, Cavalcade of America, The Cisco Kid, His Honor, the Barber, Phone Again, Dr. Paul, The Harold Peary Show and The Woman in My House.

Stage, film, and television

In 1949, Whitfield appeared in theatrical productions of Annie Get Your Gun and Show Boat, both in Los Angeles, California. On film, she played Susan Waverly in White Christmas and appeared in Juvenile Jungle.
Whitfield played Claudia Barbour in the TV version of One Man's Family. The casting was a change from Whitfield's role in the radio version of the program; in the story, Claudia was the mother of Penny, whom Whitfield played on radio. She played the two roles concurrently during the TV series' single season on the air. Whitfield also was featured in "The Case of the Ugly Duckling" and "The Case of the Nautical Knot", episodes of Perry Mason, "The Storm Riders" on Cheyenne, and "Judgment at Hondo Seco" on Rawhide.