Elisabeth Risdon

Elisabeth Risdon Profile Photo

Characters played by Elisabeth Risdon

Widow Douglass — The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1939)

Widow Douglass is Huckleberry Finn’s kindly guardian. She gives him a knife, listens sympathetically after his failed attempt to hide his smoking, and later agrees to free Jim if Huck attends school, wears shoes, and stops smoking. Her guardianship contrasts with Pap Finn’s abuse.

Ma — High Sierra (1941)

Ma travels with Pa and their granddaughter Velma when their car is involved in a minor accident in Tropico Springs. The incident brings Roy into contact with Velma, leading him to pay for her corrective surgery and pursue a relationship with her.

Aunt Della Lindsay — Mexican Spitfire Out West (1940)

Matt wife who disapproves of Carmelita, creating domestic comedic friction.

Mme. Herbillion — The Woman I Love (1937)

Jean's mother. Referenced only when Claude fabricates and later confesses that Jean supposedly called for her during his final moments in combat.

Gene Dysen — Bodyguard (1948)

Gene Dysen is a wealthy widow and the head of Continental Meat Packing Corp. She initially rejects the need for Mike Carter as a bodyguard, despite an attack on her home. After Carter questions her movements, she explains the suspected meat fraud and reveals why Fenton may have been targeted.

Martha Spengler — Five Came Back (1939)

Martha Spengler is Henry Spengler's elderly wife and fellow passenger. The crisis helps her and Henry rediscover their love, and the couple later volunteer to remain behind because they believe they have only a few years left. Vasquez kills them before the approaching natives can take them alive.

Betty's Mother — The Egg and I (1947)

Betty's maternal family connection and a background source of support.

Jessie Todd — Mama Loves Papa (1945)

Wilbur's wife, Jessie reads a book about helping men succeed and remakes her husband's appearance in hopes of improving his prospects. She later overhears a compromising conversation while Wilbur is tipsy, and ultimately agrees to let him leave politics after he exposes the corruption.

Mme. Rousseau — My True Story (1951)

Madame Rousseau is a wealthy widow with a hidden cache of valuable perfume oil that George Trent wants to steal. Ann becomes her assistant and companion and grows sincerely fond of her. Before Ann returns to prison, Madame Rousseau promises to employ her once she is free again.

Aunt Della Lindsay — Mexican Spitfire (1940)

Meddling aunt who schemes to break up Dennis and Carmelita's marriage.

Aunt Della Lindsay — Mexican Spitfire Sees a Ghost (1942)

Dennis's traditional-minded mother who actively opposes Carmelita and attempts to control family affairs.

Aunt Sally Phelps — Tom Sawyer, Detective (1938)

Sally is Tom and Huck's aunt and Silas's wife. She calls the boys back to Arkansas to help on the farm when Silas is in frail health. When Tom and Huck try to help Silas escape from jail before trial, Sally refuses to let him leave.

Career Overview

Elisabeth Risdon has 111 screen credits in a career dating back to 1913. Their work spans 4 cinematic universes — most prominently Mexican Spitfire Collection with 7 titles. Signature works include Mama Loves Papa, The Mother of Dartmoor, The Princess of Happy Chance. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
female
Known Credits
111
Birth Date
1887-04-26
Birth Place
London, England, UK

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 4 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q2448741), public domain (CC0).