Blanche Friderici(1878-1933)

Grave-looking character actress, often in domineering or severe roles as landladies, governesses and tough or doleful wives. On stage from 1914, notably as Mammy Pleasant in 'The Cat and the Canary' (1922) (in blackface). In films, seen to best advantage as the head nurse in A Farewell to Arms (1932), Madame Si-Si in The Hatchet Man (1932) and as Dona Elena in Flying Down to Rio (1933).