Norma Terris
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Norma Terris (1904-1989) was an American musical theatre star. She is best known for originating the roles of Magnolia Hawks and her daughter Kim (as an adult) in the original Broadway production of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein II's classic 1927 musical play Show Boat, in 1927. She reprised her roles in the first New York revival of the show, in 1932. But she did not appear in the 1929 part-talkie film, and would not go on to make the 1936 film version. Irene Dunne, who was discovered for Hollywood in the first touring company of Show Boat, would make her film debut in 1929, and go on to become one of the greatest stars of Hollywood's Golden Age. It was Dunne who eventually eclipsed Terris as Magnolia, and who played the role in the 1936 film. Rather than having Ms. Dunne also play the role of Kim in the movie, the producers chose musical comedy star Sunnie O'Dea for the role.
Norma Terris was originally chosen to play the dual roles of Moonyean Clare and her niece Kathleen in Through the Years, Vincent Youmans's 1932 musical version of Jane Cowl's once-popular play, Smilin' Through, but she was replaced at the last minute. The musical was a failure, but in 2001, it was given a highly acclaimed studio cast recording.
She made two films during the early days of talking pictures - Married in Hollywood, and the 1930 version of Cameo Kirby. Unfortunately, both now seem to be lost. She never made any recordings.
A theatre in Chester, Connecticut is named after Ms. Terris.
Ms. Terris was, until her death in 1989, the last of the surviving actors to have appeared in the original production of Show Boat.
