Jan SterlingJan Sterling was an American brought up in London and trained on the stage there. In her teens she returned to New York and played on Broadway, usually as an upper crust British young lady. Later, she ventured into the film noir world and started getting juicier roles as sassy, hard luck dames. She did drama films as well, and later did more stage roles and soap opera work.
Her deadpan expression, cynical tongue and disdainful pout fit the noir world perfectly, and when she breaks into a smile, her eyes are playful, challenging. Mystery Street, (1950) -- She is Vivian, who gets pregnant by her married lover, then shows up dead. A handsome lieutenant (Ricardo Montalban) is on the case with help from a scientist (Bill Bennett), who knows plenty about bones. Union Station Caged! The Big Carnival (a.k.a. Ace in the Hole Appointment with Danger [IMPORT] The Harder They Fall See Jan Sterling memorabilia on eBay. See
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, (1950) -- Sterling plays a woman named Marge in this tale about a kidnapping in Union Station, starring William Holden.
, (1950) -- She plays Smoochie in this women's prison film starring Eleanor Parker.
), (1951) -- She's nothing less than brilliant as Lorraine, wife of Leo, the man stuck in a mine shaft accident. She and a slick reporter (Kirk Douglas) exploit the story to the bitter end.
, (1951) -- She plays Dodie, girlfriend of Earl Boettiger (Paul Stewart), a man organizing his gang in a mail fraud scheme. Alan Ladd plays Al goddard, the postal inspector out to investigate them over a murder.
, (1956) -- Sterling is Beth Willis, wife of Eddie Willis, (Humphrey Bogart), a sports reporter turned promoter for the mob's boxing racket.
