Advertisement For Verna Felton And The Allen Players

The American actress Verna Felton (July 20, 1890 – December 14, 1966) was well known in Ladysmith. She made her professional stage debut in San Francisco in 1900 at age 10 and quickly rose to fame as a child actress. In 1902, she and her mother Clara joined the Allen Stock Company and in 1903 toured the west coast, performing in Vancouver. By 1907, Verna was the leading lady of what was then called Verna Felton and The Allen Players.

In 1908, the company moved from the U.S. to Calgary. The following year, they toured Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario, returning west in the fall to perform across British Columbia. They were frequent visitors to Vancouver Island, performing annually in Nanaimo and spending summer vacations in Ladysmith between 1911 and 1920 in a camp with comfortable bespoke cabins across the harbour from the town where they rested and rehearsed for the next season.

One night in about 1910, after a performance in the Opera House, Mr. Allen (Verna’s stepfather) enquired where the troupe might obtain a late supper, as all the hotel dining rooms had closed. A Mrs. Thomas was approached, and she agreed to provide it. It was from this event that a long-lasting friendship was established between the Thomas Family and the Allens, which eventually led to Mrs. Thomas’ daughter Margaret working as Verna’s maid and travelling with the Company. A romance blossomed between Margaret and Clayton Felton, Verna’s brother and the two married in Victoria about 1913.

During the summer months, Ladysmith Theatre lovers were privileged to see the dress rehearsals at matinees before the plays were performed in San Francisco.

Felton worked extensively in the 1930s and 1950s in radio. Notable shows she was involved with include Red Skelton’s radio series, The Jack Benny Program and The Abbott and Costello Show. During the 1940s and the early 1950s, she was in demand as a character actress in films.

Felton lent her voice to numerous Walt Disney and MGM animated features, mostly in the 1950s and 1960s. She provided the voice for Fred Flintstone’s mother-in-law, Pearl Slaghoople, in Hanna-Barbera’s The Flintstones  (1962–1963). Her final role was the voice for Winifred the Elephant in Disney’s 1967 animated musical The Jungle Book.