Tall brunette leading lady who hit her stride in the 1940s playing wisecracking, no-nonsense career women in a string of breezy comedies. Entering films in 1935, she was briefly typecast as upper crust, sometimes British "other women", but quickly established herself in leading roles (especially with her performances in such fine films as Dorothy Arzner's "Craig's Wife" 1936 and King Vidor's "The Citadel" 1938). She really achieved full star status, though, with her memorable turn as the sly, bitchy girlfriend of Norma Shearer in the all-star, all-female catfight, "The Women" (1939), as
Became typed by MGM in the mid and late 1930s as either classy Englishwomen ("Lady Mary" roles she would later call them) or as a rival to/substitute for Myrna Loy
Enjoyed good leading roles in notable films including "Craig's Wife" (1936), "Night Must Fall" (1937) and "The Citadel" (1938)
1939
Confirmed star status with her role in "The Women"
1941
Opted not to renew her seven-year contract when it came time for renegotiation; began free-lancing
