
Lois January
ActingAbout Lois January
Lois January was an American actress who performed small roles in several B-movies during the 1930s. Lois also had a secondary part in the Wizard Of Oz, towards the end of the movie, holding a Siamese cat in her arms. Toto jumps out of the basket of the hot air balloon that was supposed to take him, Dorothy and the Wizard away from the Land of Oz. January's first credited role was in 1933, in the film UM-PA. Her most famous role, however, is probably as the Emerald City manicurist in The Wizard of Oz who sings to Dorothy that "we can make a dimpled smile out of a frown". Although the character was unnamed, many fans believe it to be an incarnation of novel character Jellia Jamb. During the 1930s she played in numerous westerns as the heroine, usually opposite Johnny Mack Brown, Bob Steele, Tim McCoy and Bob Baker, among others. In 1935 she starred opposite Reb Russell in Arizona Badman, and in 1936 she starred with Brown in Rogue of the Range, and alongside Tim McCoy in Border Caballero. While under contract with Universal Pictures she continued to play heroine roles in westerns, and in 1937 she starred opposite Bob Baker in Courage of the West. The reissuing of the 1935 exploitation film The Pace That Kills (under the title Cocaine Fiends) would eventually lend January even more exposure, however limited. January's Broadway credits include High Kickers (1941) and Yokel Boy (1939). By the mid-1940s, her starring roles had waned but she continued to act in non-starring parts. In 1942 she was the "poster girl" for Chesterfield cigarettes. From 1960 through 1987 she played numerous small roles on television, to include roles on My Three Sons and Marcus Welby, M.D. Her last acting role was in 1987, on the television movie Double Agent. During the 1980s she attended several western film festivals.
Lois January Movies & Career Overview
The filmography of Lois January reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 33 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.
Dominant Genre
A large portion of Lois January's work falls within the Comedy genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.
Success Ratio
Approximately 61% of Lois January's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.
One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Roaming Cowboy, which stands out as a key performance.
Best Lois January Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Lois January's career based on audience ratings.
Full Filmography
Every movie Lois January has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Double Agent | Dowager | Average | Similar → |
| 1977 | The Richard Pryor Special? | Older Woman | Hit | Similar → |
| 1973 | My Darling Daughters' Anniversary | Nurse | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1961 | The Little Shepherd Of Kingdom Come | Mrs. Dean | Flop | Similar → |
| 1943 | Three Cheers for the Girls | Brunette in Dressing Room (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Courage of the West | Beth Andrews | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | The Red Rope | Betty Duncan | Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Moonlight on the Range | Wanda Brooks | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | The Trusted Outlaw | Molly Clark | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1937 | Bar-Z Bad Men | Beth Harvey | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | Lightnin' Crandall | Sheila Shannon | Flop | Similar → |
| 1937 | The Roaming Cowboy | Jeannie Morgan | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | One Rainy Afternoon | Mr. Perelin's Secretary | Flop | Similar → |
| 1936 | Rogue of the Range | Stella Lamb | Flop | Similar → |
| 1936 | Lightnin' Bill Carson | Dolores Costello | Hit | Similar → |
| 1936 | Border Caballero | Goldie Harris | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | Skull and Crown | Barbara Franklin | Average | Similar → |
| 1935 | The Pace That Kills | Jane Bradford | Flop | Similar → |
| 1935 | Society Fever | Julie Prouty | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Stolen Harmony | Girl in Sextette (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Arizona Bad Man | Lucy Dunston | Hit | Similar → |
| 1935 | Life Returns | Nurse | Flop | Similar → |
| 1934 | The Human Side | High School Girl (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Tripping Through the Tropics | Sally | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Let's Talk It Over | Alice | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Susie's Affairs | Susie's Brunette Roommate | Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Let’s Be Ritzy | Stenographer | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | Uncertain Lady | Maid (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 1934 | School for Romance | Student | Flop | Similar → |
| 1933 | By Candlelight | Ann | Average | Similar → |
| 1933 | Umpa | Nurse | Flop | Similar → |
| 1932 | Show Business | Showgirl on Train (uncredited) | Hit | Similar → |
| 1932 | Too Many Women | Girl in White Wool Hat (uncredited) | Super Hit | Similar → |
Lois January - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Lois January?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Lois January is "The Roaming Cowboy" with a rating of 10.0/10.
How many movies has Lois January acted in?
Lois January has been featured in at least 33 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Lois January?
Other notable films include "Let’s Be Ritzy", "Let's Talk It Over", and "Too Many Women".


