Barbara Hale (1922-)

biography

Born in DeKalb, Illinois, on April 18, 1922, pretty Barbara Hale became a sought-after model upon completing high school. When her ambitions turned to acting, it wasn't long before Hale signed a contract with RKO Pictures (in 1942). While at RKO, Hale was first given bit parts in several RKO film series, including Lupe Velez's Mexican Spitfire series and The Great Gildersleeve. Her first credited performance was in the big budget 1943 musical Higher and Higher, and following this film Hale moved into bigger roles in the The Falcon film series starring Tom Conway. After a few more comedies and westerns, in 1948 Barbara Hale left RKO for greener pastures at Columbia; her first film at Columbia was also the biggest of her career, Jolson Sings Again (1949). Throughout the 1950s Hale acted in a number of westerns, often with husband Bill Williams. Although she has acted in nearly 50 films---both A's and B's---Barbara Hale is best known for her role as Della Street on the 1957-1966 CBS TV series Perry Mason.

While a starlet at RKO, in 1946 Barbara Hale met and married fellow RKO contract player Bill Williams, best known for his portrayal of Kit Carson in the 1951-1955 television series The Adventures of Kit Carson. Among their three children is actor/director William Katt, who has acted in films and television for more than 30 years. Katt has worked with his mother numerous times in films such as Big Wednesday (1978) and in the Perry Mason television films (from 1985 to 1995). Hale and Williams also have two daughters.

the films of barbara hale

Jolson Sings Again (1949)

The First Time (1952)

Lone Hand (1953)

Seminole (1953)

The Far Horizons (1955)

Unchained (1955)

Perry Mason (1957-1966 CBS TV Series)

The Giant Spider Invasion (1975)

Big Wednesday (1978)

barbara hale today

After the 1993 death of Perry Mason star Raymond Burr, Burr was replaced by Paul Sorvino and later Hal Holbrook. When production wrapped on the 1995 Perry Mason episode titled The Case of the Jealous Jokester, the series of television films ended. Sadly, Hale's husband Bill Williams passed away on September 21, 1992, a year before Burr died. Now in her late 80s, Barbara Hale is retired from acting.

barbara hale films available from movies unlimited

Perry Mason: 50th Anniversary Edition [DVD] DVD
Perry Mason: Season 1, Vol. 1 [DVD](1957) DVD
The first 19 episodes from the series's debut season--including "The Case of the Restless Redhead," "The Case of the Angry Mourner," "The Case of the Crimson Kiss," "The Case of the Fan Dancer's Horse," and "The Case of the Haunted Husband"--are featured in a five-disc set. 16 2/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Perry Mason: Season 1, Vol. 2 [DVD](1958) DVD
The remaining 20 episodes from the series's debut season--including "The Case of the Lonely Heiress," "The Case of the One-Eyed Witness," "The Case of the Daring Decoy," "The Case of the Lazy Lover," and "The Case of the Rolling Bones"--are featured in a five-disc set. 17 1/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Perry Mason: Season 1, Vols. 1 & 2 (1957) [DVD] DVD
All 39 episodes from the series's debut season--including "The Case of the Restless Redhead," "The Case of the Angry Mourner," "The Case of the Crimson Kiss," "The Case of the One-Eyed Witness," and "The Case of the Rolling Bones"--are featured in a 10-disc set. 33 1/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Perry Mason: Season 2, Vol. 1 [DVD](1958) DVD
The first 15 episodes from the series's second season--including "The Case of the Corresponding Corpse," "The Case of the Sardonic Sergeant," "The Case of the Married Moonlighter," "The Case of the Perjured Parrot," and "The Case of the Foot-Loose Doll"--are featured in a four-disc set. 12 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Perry Mason: Season 2, Vol. 2 [DVD](1959) DVD
The remaining 15 episodes from the series's second season--including "The Case of the Fraudulent Foto," "The Case of the Jaded Joker," "The Case of the Lost Last Act," "The Case of the Spanish Cross," and "The Case of the Lame Canary"--are featured in a four-disc set. 13 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
Perry Mason: Season 3, Vol. 1 [DVD](1959) DVD
The first 13 episodes from the series's third season--including "The Case of the Spurious Sister," "The Case of the Blushing Pearls," "The Case of the Bartered Bikini," "The Case of the Lucky Legs," and "The Case of the Wayward Wife"--are featured in a three-disc set. 10 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Perry Mason: Season 3, Vol. 2 [DVD](1960) DVD
The remaining 13 episodes from the series's third season--including "The Case of the Prudent Prosecutor" "The Case of the Muthical Monkeys," "The Case of the Bashful Burro," "The Case of the Ominous Outcast," and "The Case of the Flighty Father"--are featured in a four-disc set. 10 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
Perry Mason: Season 4, Vol. 1 [DVD](1960) DVD
The first 16 episodes from the fourth season--including "The Case of the Treacherous Toupee," "The Case of the Singular Double," "The Case of the Clumsy Clown," "The Case of the Nine Dolls," and "The Case of the Waylaid Wolf"--are featured in a four-disc set. 13 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono. **16 episodes on 4 discs. 13 3/4 hrs.**
Perry Mason: Season 4, Vol. 2 [DVD](1961) DVD
The final 12 episodes from the fourth season--including "The Case of the Wintry Wife," "The Case of the Blind Man's Bluff," "The Case of the Cowardly Lion," "The Case of the Duplicate Daughter," and "The Case of the Guilty Clients"--are featured in a three-disc set. 10 1/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono. **12 episodes on 3 discs. 10 1/3 hrs.**
Perry Mason: Season 5, Vol. 1 [DVD](1961) DVD
The first 15 episodes from the fifth season--including "The Case of the Jealous Journalist," "The Case of the Malicious Mariner," "The Case of the Posthumous Painter," "The Case of the Renegade Refugee," and "The Case of the Roving River"--are featured in a four-disc set. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono. **15 episodes on 4 discs.**
Perry Mason: Four Season Pack [DVD] DVD
**124 episodes on 32 discs. 105 2/3 hrs.**
Crossroads, Vol. 1 [DVD] DVD
Includes "9:30 Action," "Last Strand," "Lifeline," and "Paratrooper Padre." 100 min. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.
Airport Terminal Pack [DVD] DVD
All four entries in the action-packed disaster film series are available in a two-disc set. First, "Airport" (1970) mixes a blizzard, a bomb and a plane filled with passengers into a thrilling drama. Dean Martin, Burt Lancaster, Jacqueline Bisset, and George Kennedy star. A 747 and a small private plane collide in mid-air and now the pilotless jumbo jet is on a collision course with destruction in "Airport 1975" (1974), with Charlton Heston, Karen Black and Kennedy. "Airport '77" (1977) stars Jack Lemmon, James Stewart and Olivia de Havilland as passengers trapped in a jetliner that crashes in the Bermuda Triangle. And a ruthless businessman tries to blow up a goodwill U.S.-Soviet flight in "The Concorde: Airport '79" (1979).
Higher And Higher [DVD](1943) DVD
Frank Sinatra made his film acting debut in this spry musical comedy about a group of servants who fear for their jobs when their wealthy employer goes broke. With no time to lose, they cook up a plot to pass a pretty maid off as their boss's daughter so she can marry a rich suitor. Jack Haley, Leon Errol, Michele Morgan, Victor Borge, Mel Torme also star. Songs include "It's a Most Important Affair," "The Music Stopped," "Lovely Way to Spend an Evening," and more. 90 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English (SDH), French. NOTE: This Title Is Out Of Print; Limit One Per Customer.
Frank Sinatra: The Early Years [DVD] DVD
Frank Sinatra made his film acting debut in "Higher and Higher" (1943), a spry musical comedy about servants who fear for their jobs when their wealthy employer goes broke. Songs include "Lovely Way to Spend an Evening." In the musical remake of the "Room Service," "Step Lively" (1944), young playwright Frank gets mixed up in a wacky scheme hatched by a shifty producer to get the cash to stage his show. Gloria DeHaven also stars. Songs include "Some Other Time." The delightful musical charmer "It Happened in Brooklyn" (1947) stars Sinatra as a G.I. returning to Brooklyn with dreams of making it in show biz. Kathryn Grayson also stars. Songs include "Time After Time," "Brooklyn Bridge." The musical adventure "The Kissing Bandit" (1948) stars Sinatra as the son of a California outlaw who follows in his father's bootsteps, becoming an hombre with a thing for smooching. Grayson also stars. Songs include "Love Is Where You Find It" and "Senorita." It's money, money everywhere and not a dime to spend for Frank and Jane Russell, two lovebirds in a bank teller's cage who are suspected of embezzlement when Frank's big racing bet pays off. Groucho Marx also stars in the light comedy "Double Dynamite" (1951). 7 2/3 hrs. total on five discs.
West Of The Pecos [DVD](1945) DVD
Robert Mitchum turned this unusual Zane Grey sagebrusher into a hit with his cool demeanor. He's the cowboy who tries to turn a young punk kid into a real man. Little does Mitchum realize that the kid is really a girl dressed like a man in order to elude nasty villains. Barbara Hale plays the kid in man's clothing. 66 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; featurettes.
The Boy With Green Hair [DVD](1948) DVD
Moving family drama of the senselessness of war and prejudice stars Dean Stockwell in the title role of an orphan whose parents were killed in the London Blitz. While living with grandfather Pat O'Brien, Stockwell discovers his hair has mysteriously turned bright green. Robert Ryan, Barbara Hale also star. 82 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English.
Jolson Sings Again [DVD](1949) DVD
The saga of legendary entertainer Al Jolson continues, from his entry into sound films and decline in the `30s to his comeback and rediscovery by a new generation of fans. Larry Parks returns as Jolie, who supplied his own singing voice. Barbara Hale, William Demarest co-star. 95 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital Surround; Subtitles: English, Japanese.
A Lion Is In The Streets [DVD](1953) DVD
James Cagney turns in an electrifying performance as a slick Deep South politician who uses his poor sharecropping constituents to further his own career. Eventually he runs for governor, but along the way is infected with the corruption that permeates the state. Barbara Hale, Anne Francis, and Lon Chaney, Jr. co-star. 88 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
The Far Horizons [DVD](1955) DVD
Bold historical drama chronicles the intrepid 1804-1806 journey of American explorers Lewis and Clark. Following the U.S.' acquisition of the Louisiana Territory from the French, Meriwether Lewis (Fred MacMurray), William Clark (Charlton Heston), and their Native American guide Sacagawea (Donna Reed) set out to find a waterway that would connect St. Louis and the Pacific Ocean. Barbara Hale co-stars. AKA: "Untamed West." 107 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English.
Couples Only [DVD](1955) DVD
Creepy sci-fi suspenser about a young married couple (Bill Williams and Barbara Hale) who discover a shocking secret about their apartment building's maintenance man (Peter Lorre), an enigmatic character with an array of bizarre, high-tech machinery and the ability to see through the back of his head. AKA: "Young Couples Only." Also includes "Way Stations in Space" (1960), a fascinating documentary, produced for elementary schools, that explores the possibility of constructing orbital rest stops.
The Oklahoman [DVD](1957) DVD
After losing his wife during childbirth in 1870, a doctor (Joel McCrea) takes his child and settles in the Oklahoma Territory. He befriends a peaceful Indian family, but matters turn dire when they come into conflict with the Dobie Brothers, who, when it comes to violent gunplay, believe in takin' it to the streets. McCrea must then intervene in the fray to protect his native friends from losing their oil-rich land. Barbara Hale and Gloria Talbott co-star. 80 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono.
The Doris Day Show: Season 4 [DVD](1971) DVD
All 24 episodes from the fourth season--including "And Here's...Doris," "A Weighty Problem," "Doris at Sea," "Cover Girl," and "There's a Horse Thief in Every Family Tree"--are collected in a four-disc set. 11 1/2 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English; bonus episode of "The Pet Set Show"; bonus footage; interviews; outtakes; TV spots; theatrical trailer. **24 episodes on 4 discs. 11 1/2 hrs.**
The Giant Spider Invasion [DVD](1975) DVD
Creepy, crawly spiders from space appear in a small Wisconsin town and wreak havoc. Soon, the townsfolk find themselves under attack from the now-colossal critters, who think that people taste like YUM! Talk about a sticky problem. This bug-tastic shocker stars Leslie Parrish, Barbara Hale, and Alan Hale, Jr. Director's cut; 84 min. Soundtrack: English; audio commentary; interview; theatrical trailer; more. Two-disc set.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection, Vol. 10.2 [DVD] DVD
Four-disc set includes "Swamp Diamonds," "The Giant Gila Monster," "Teen-Age Strangler," and "The Giant Spider Invasion." 6 2/3 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English; interview; music videos; outtakes; more.
Big Wednesday [DVD](1978) DVD
Gary Busey, Jan-Michael Vincent and William Katt star as three surfing buddies who are kings of the beach in '60s California, only to find themselves 10 years later in an adult world they don't understand. Fine, underrated surfer drama from John Milius ("Red Dawn") with great sports footage. 119 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital stereo, French Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish; audio commentary; theatrical trailer.
The Greatest American Hero: Season Two [DVD](1981) DVD
All 22 episodes from the second season--including "Operation Spoil Sport," "Classical Gas," "The Shock Will Kill You," "A Chicken in Every Pot," and "Lilacs, Mr. Maxwell"--are collected in a six-disc set. 18 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo; interviews; photo gallery; DVD-ROM content.

barbara hale photos available

filmography

This listing does not include all titles of Perry Mason made-for-TV films:
FILM
Perry Mason Returns (1985) with Raymond Burr and William Katt
Big Wednesday (1978) with William Katt, Jan Michael Vincent, Reb Brown, and Gary Busey
The Young Runaways (1978) with Anne Francis and Gary Collins
Flight of the Grey Wolf (1976) with Bill Williams
The Giant Spider Invasion (1975) with Steve Brodie, Leslie Parrish, Alan Hale Jr., and Bill Williams; once featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000
Chester, Yesterday's Horse (1973) with Bill Williams
Buffalo Soldiers (1970) with Cesar Romero, Isabel Sanford, and Robert DoQui
Airport (1970) with Burt Lancaster, Dean Martin, and Dana Wynter
Buckskin (1968) with Barry Sullivan, Wendell Corey, Lon Chaney Jr., John Russell, Richard Arlen, and Bill Williams
Desert Hell (1958) with Richard Denning and Brian Keith
Slim Carter (1957) with Jock Mahoney, Julie Adams, William Hopper, Joanna Moore, and Bill Williams
The Oklahoman (1957) with Joel McCrea and Gloria Talbott
The Houston Story (1956) with Gene Barry and Jeanne Cooper
7th Cavalry (1956) with Randolph Scott, Jeanette Nolan, and Frank Faylen
The Far Horizons (1955) with Fred MacMurray, Charlton Heston, Donna Reed, and Larry Pennell
Unchained (1955) with Chester Morris
A Lion Is in the Streets (1953) with James Cagney, Anne Francis, and Lon Chaney Jr.
Lone Hand (1953) with Joel McCrea, Charles Drake, and Alex Nicol
Seminole (1953) with Rock Hudson, Hugh O'Brian, Russell Johnson, Richard Carlson, Anthony Quinn, and James Best
The First Time (1952) with Robert Cummings, Jeff Donnell, and Bea Benaderet
Last of the Comanches (1952) with Broderick Crawford, Lloyd Bridges, Martin Milner, and Steve Forrest
Lorna Doone (1951) with Richard Greene and Carl Benton Reid
Emergency Wedding (1950) with Larry Parks, Una Merkel, and Jim Backus
The Jackpot (1950) with James Stewart and Fred Clark
The Clay Pigeon (1949) with Bill Williams and Martha Hyer
The Window (1949) with Bobby Driscoll and Ruth Roman
And Baby Makes Three (1949) with Robert Young
Jolson Sings Again (1949) with Larry Parks and William Demarest
The Boy with Green Hair (1948) with Pat O'Brien and Robert Ryan
A Likely Story (1947) with Bill Williams
Lady Luck (1946) with Robert Young and Frank Morgan
West of the Pecos (1945) with Robert Mitchum and Bill Williams
First Yank Into Tokyo (1945) with Tom Neal
Goin' to Town (1944) with Chester Lauck and Norris Goff (Lum and Abner) and Grady Sutton
The Falcon in Hollywood (1944) with Tom Conway, Veda Ann Borg, Rita Corday, and Robert Clarke
Heavenly Days (1944) with Jim and Marion Jordan (Fibber McGee and Molly) and Eugene Pallette
The Falcon Out West (1944) with Tom Conway and Lyle Talbot
Higher and Higher (1943) with Frank Sinatra, Jack Haley, Leon Errol, Mary Wickes, and Mel Torme

TELEVISION SERIES
Perry Mason, 1957-1966 CBS TV series. Hale portrayed Della Street. Also in the cast were Raymond Burr, William Hopper, William Talman, and Ray Collins. Additionally, Hale reprised her role as Della Street in more than 30 Perry Mason made-for-TV films between 1985 and 1995

TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
The Greatest American Hero, episode Who's Woo in America, originally aired April 14, 1982
Marcus Welby, M.D., episode The Faith of Childish Things, originally aired September 17, 1972
The Doris Day Show, episode Doris' House Guest, originally aired January 31, 1972
Adam-12, episode Pick-up, originally aired December 29, 1971
Ironside, episode Murder Impromptu, originally aired November 2, 1971
The Most Deadly Game, episode Model for Murder, originally aired December 19, 1970
Lassie, episode Lassie and the Water Bottles, originally aired October 26, 1969
Insight, episode A Thousand Red Flowers, originally aired July 27, 1969
Custer, episode Death Hunt, originally aired November 22, 1967
General Electric Theater, episode Night Club, originally aired October 11, 1959
Playhouse 90, episode The Country Husband, originally aired November 1, 1956
The Millionaire, episode The Kathy Munson Story, originally aired September 12, 1956
Crossroads, episode Lifeline, originally aired May 11, 1956
The Ford Television Theatre, episode Behind the Mask, originally aired May 10, 1956
Damon Runyon Theater, episode The Good Luck Kid, originally aired January 21, 1956
Letter to Loretta, episode The Challenge, originally aired January 15, 1956
Climax!, episode The Day They Gave Babies Away, originally aired December 22, 1955
Science Fiction Theatre, episode The Hastings Secret, originally aired November 18, 1955
Celebrity Playhouse, episode He Knew All About Women, originally aired November 15, 1955
Screen Directors Playhouse, episode Meet the Governor, originally aired October 5, 1955
Studio 57, episode Young Couples Only, originally aired September 3, 1955
Science Fiction Theatre, episode Conversation with an Ape, originally aired June 17, 1955
General Electric Theater, episode The Windmill, originally aired April 24, 1955
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, episode Tourists--Overnight, originally aired April 1, 1955
The Ford Television Theatre, episode Remember to Live, originally aired November 4, 1954
Footlights Theater, episode Change of Heart, originally aired July 10, 1953
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, episode Vacation for Ginny, originally aired May 15, 1953
The Ford Television Theatre, episode The Divided Heart, originally aired November 27, 1952

barbara hale links

The Barbara Hale Home Page
Visit the Barbara Hale Home Page for biographical information, a filmography, and an extensive gallery of photos.