Happy Birthday, Barbara Hale!

The lovely and engaging Barbara Hale turns 93 today.

Hale, best known for her role as Della Street in TV's PERRY MASON series, was born in Illinois on April 18, 1922.

Barbara Hale married Bill Williams in 1946, a happy marriage which lasted until his passing in 1992. They're seen here with Richard Loo in THE CLAY PIGEON (1949):

Hale and Williams had three children, including actor William Katt -- Katt being Williams' real last name -- the star of TV's THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO (1981). Katt also starred with his mother in the long-running series of PERRY MASON TV-movies, playing Paul Drake Jr., the son of the character played by William Hopper in the original TV series.

Hale starred in many enjoyable films, including numerous Westerns. She was both lovely and a fine actress, as demonstrated by her performance as the poor, careworn mother opposite Arthur Kennedy and Bobby Driscoll in THE WINDOW (1949).

For an additional 2015 birthday tribute to Barbara Hale, please visit Vienna's Classic Hollywood. And for good measure, here's a 2010 tribute by Caftan Woman.

Barbara Hale films previously reviewed at Laura's Miscellaneous Musings: HIGHER AND HIGHER (1943), GOVERNMENT GIRL (1943), THE FALCON OUT WEST (1944), THE FALCON IN HOLLYWOOD (1944), WEST OF THE PECOS (1945), THE CLAY PIGEON (1949) (also here), THE WINDOW (1949), AND BABY MAKES THREE (1949), LORNA DOONE (1951), THE LONE HAND (1953), SEMINOLE (1953) (also here), THE HOUSTON STORY (1956), THE OKLAHOMAN (1957), and AIRPORT (1970).

Additional notable Hale films include THE BOY WITH GREEN HAIR (1948), JOLSON SINGS AGAIN (1949), THE JACKPOT (1950), THE FIRST TIME (1952), A LION IS IN THE STREETS (1953), LAST OF THE COMANCHES (1953), and 7TH CAVALRY (1956).

Happiest birthday wishes to a favorite actress who has provided so many wonderful hours of entertainment!

January 27, 2017 Update: Notable Passings: Barbara Hale and Mike Connors.

2023 Update: Here's a review of A LION IS IN THE STREETS (1953).