A doctor's daughter, the versatile actress Minna Gombell had a successful career on the stage
from 1912 to the end of the 1920's, appearing often in comedic roles,
almost always in leads. She had a reputation as a fast learner, capable
of reading and comprehending a script in a matter of hours. This
ability served her well as an understudy early in her career. She made
her Broadway debut in 1913 in
'Madam President' and later appeared in
several productions of her stage director husband Myron C. Fagan
(for instance,'Nancy's Private Affair',1930).
Minna began her film career in 1929. Although her specialty was street-wise, tough-talking blondes, she
displayed quite a repertoire of varied characters during her movie
career. She was best friend and steadying influence on
Sally Eilers in
Bad Girl (1931), a conflicted and
unhappy mother in
After Tomorrow (1932), the cold
wife of Mordsache Dünner Mann (1934), a
waspish wife in Babbitt (1934), brassy
burlesque performers in
Stepping Sisters (1932), a spunky wagon-line owner in Todeskarawane (1941),
and a tough nurse presiding over
Die Schlangengrube (1948). She also had
occasional leads, for instance as the gold-digger Stella in
Bachelor's Affairs (1932), a
comedy with Adolphe Menjou. An underrated
actress, she enlivened many a film
with her presence.
